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Visit Romania once and you wouldn’t want to pack your bags. Once you arrive in Bucharest, you will undoubtedly be enchanted by the city’s beauty and mystique.
Amble along with me as my Bucharest blog will help you find some of the top things to do in Bucharest.
In my opinion, 5 days in Bucharest is good time to see the best that city has to offer. But if you can spare couple of days more that’s even better, you can take the sights more slowly. Let me share with you the best things to do in Bucharest and tips to make the most out of your trip.
1. Palace of Parliament
This majestically built building is the seat of the country’s government.
The parliament building is open for visitors when not in session.
The guided tour takes you to the most important sections and gives you insight on the history of the building.
Quick Facts:
- Spread over an area of 365,000 square metres, the highlight of Palace of Parliament includes the ornate interiors.
- The parliament is located on Dealul Arsenalului.
- This 84 metres tall structure is certainly magnificent to look at.
Address: Strada Izvor 2-4, București, Romania
2. Romanian Athenaeum
Romanian Athenaeum is the city’s prime musical venue and a must see for cultural enthusiasts.
Quick Facts:
- The gorgeous Neoclassical architecture style that you see is credited to the architect Albert Galleron.
- Easy to get to Romanian Athenaeum is located in central Bucharest.
- The concert hall traces its origin back to 1888.
- The concert hall houses the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra.
Without a doubt this wonderful concert hall is one amongst the top things to do in Bucharest.
Address: Strada Benjamin Franklin 1-3, București 030167, Romania
3. Dimitrie Gusti’ National Village Museum
Dimitrie Gusti’ National Village Museum is a heritage village located on the outskirts of Bucharest.
If you wish to understand more about Romania’s culture, this is a site that should not be missed.
This is the place where you can see traditional crafts like weaving, forging, and pottery all in action. There is also a café where you can have a meal that is representative of Romania.
Quick Facts:
- It was in 1936 when it was established.
- Easy to get to Dimitrie Gusti’ National Village Museum is located in the King Michael I Park.
Address: 28-30, Şoseaua Pavel D. Kiseleff, București 011347, Romania
4. King Michael I Park
King Michael I Park is a large landscaped park, an oasis of greenery, located in Bucharest.
It will not be wrong to say that King Michael I Park is truly an icon of landscape architecture.
One of my favorite thing to do here is simply grabbing a book, and lying down on the lap of green. It’s easy to spend an entire day here, wandering through these flourishing gardens.
Quick Facts:
- The park houses Dimitrie Gusti’ National Village Museum, an open air museum.
A natural crowd puller, King Michael I Park is right up there in the list of best things to do in Bucharest.
5. National Museum of Art of Romania
This museum showcases Romania’s culture and is a great place to learn about its history too.
Even if you are not planning to go inside, the magnificent building alone is worth a look. The museum’s serene grounds are a favorite summer gathering place.
Quick Facts:
- Some of the things National Museum of Art of Romania features include collections of medieval.
- National Museum of Art of Romania is housed in the Royal Palace.
- The national museum is located at the Revolution Square.
- The national museum’s collection include medieval.
- The national museum was opened on 1937.
Address: Calea Victoriei 49-53, București 010063, Romania
6. Cișmigiu Gardens
Cișmigiu Gardens is a beautifully landscaped park spread over a large area in Bucharest.
Take a walk through this lovely park and simply enjoy the outdoors.
Spring is the season when hundreds of flowers are on full blossom. Sit on a bench and meditate or bring your favorite book or simply sit and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
Quick Facts:
- Spread over an area of 16 ha, it is difficult to take-in all in one go.
- Some of the things Cișmigiu Gardens features include a rose garden.
- The Wilhelm Friedrich and Franz Harer are the ones who were involved in designing this whole place.
An incredible sight, Cișmigiu Gardens scores high in the list of the best things to do in Bucharest.
Address: Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta, București 030167, Romania
7. Arcul de Triumf
A majestic arch erected to commeramte the country’s victory in the war.
Admire the beautiful engravings, they seemingly tell a story of their own, as they devil is in the details.
Quick Facts:
- This 27 m high structure was designed by the great Petre Antonescu.
- The victory arch was opened on September 1936.
- The victory arch is dedicated to WWI troops.
Address: Piața Arcul de Triumf, București, Romania
8. Stavropoleos Monastery
Stavropoleos Monastery is a religious sanctuary, a monastery located in a natural setting close to Bucharest.
In the monastery complex you will find the brilliant library with priceless manuscripts. Check out the monastery’s pharmacy, dating back hundred of years, and still in operation.
Quick Facts:
- A fine example of Brâncovenesc style, the christian monastery is a center of Orthodox faith.
- Built in 1724, the christian monastery is also known as Stavropoleos Church.
Address: Strada Stavropoleos 4, București 030167, Romania
9. Revolution Square
Revolution Square is a busy public square located in the city of Bucharest.
Quick Facts:
- Revolution Square is also known as Piața Palatului.
- It is actually Alexandru Ghilduş who is credited with designing this whole place.
Add it to your Bucharest trip if you have time.
Address: Piața Revoluției, București 030167, Romania
10. National Museum of Romanian History
National Museum of Romanian History is a museum housing historical artefacts.
The collection includes artefacts related with the history of the region.
Quick Facts:
- The history museum houses philatelic museum.
- The history museum was opened on 1970.
Address: Calea Victoriei 12, București 030026, Romania
11. Cotroceni Palace
One of the most visited museum in Romania, Cotroceni Palace is a museum preserving country’s national heritage.
Take the whirlwind journey through the country’s history – from primitive pottery and tools to coins and weaponry, and all the way to the twenty first century. And even if you don’t intend to go inside, the beautiful building is worth taking a look.
Quick Facts:
- Cotroceni Palace is housed in a Baroque palace.
- Paul Gottereau, Grigore Cerchez are the prominent architects who were involved in designing and building it.
- The national museum’s collection include decorative arts.
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Bucharest trip.
Address: Bulevardul Geniului 1, București, Romania
12. Mogoșoaia Palace
Mogoșoaia Palace is a lovely building which functioned mainly as a summer villa.
No cost was spared to construct this building and you can easy tell that by a first glance. But since its construction, villa has changed ownership several times and currently functions as a living museum.
Quick Facts:
- Some of the things Mogoșoaia Palace features include a huge park and an art museum.
- This whole structure that you see was the brainchild of Constantin Brâncoveanu.
- The summer villa was built somewhere around 18th-century.
Address: Strada Valea Parcului 1, Mogoșoaia, Romania Pending review
13. Museum of the Romanian Peasant
Quick Facts:
- This whole structure that you see was the brainchild of Nicolae Ghica-Budești.
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Bucharest trip.
Address: Şoseaua Pavel D. Kiseleff 3, București 011341, Romania
14. University Square
The University Square, an important urban square in Bucharest, is just as rich in architecture and art as city’s main square..
The Piazza is a must-see as one of the city’s most vibrant and busy areas. University Square is also popular for people watching.
Address: Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta 3, București 030167, Romania
15. Herăstrău Lake
Herăstrău Lake is a calm and beautiful body of water located in Bucharest.
During the summer people here enjoy swimming and canoeing or simply soaking Sun by the lake. With water so clear that you can see through, swimming is a good option.
Add it to your Bucharest trip if you have time.
16. Piața Unirii
Piața Unirii is a busy public square located in the city of Bucharest.
Quick Facts:
- Easy to get to Piața Unirii is located in the central Bucharest.
17. Carol Park
Carol Park is a beautifully landscaped park spread over a large area in Bucharest.
It is a good way to reconnect with nature – relax under the shady trees, watch the kids play.
A riot of colour erupts in the spring and early summer. The park is wonderfully designed with features such as ponds, fountains, and gravelled paths.
Quick Facts:
- Spread over an area of 36 ha, it is difficult to take-in all in one go.
- It was in 1906 when it was established.
- The park is named after King Carol I of Romania.
Add it to your Bucharest trip if you have time.
Address: Bulevardul Mărășești, București, Romania
Thanks for reading this travel blog, hope now you know plenty of must see places in Bucharest. All in all, whether you are a backpacker, a solo traveler, slow traveler, a female traveler or a couple there are plenty of interesting things to do in Bucharest for everyone.
And it’s not difficult to create an itinerary that includes some of the best tourist attractions in Bucharest. If you have any questions or suggestions on sightseeing in Bucharest, I would love to hear them in the comments section below.