25 Best things to do in Bucharest Romania

Bucharest is the capital of Romania and has a rich culture and an interesting history. These are the best things to do in Bucharest Romania.

Table of contents hide

1 Bucharest: an introduction

2 The best things to do in Bucharest

3 Best time to visit Bucharest

4 Book a trip to Bucharest

5 Read more about Bucharest and Romania

Bucharest: an introduction

Bucharest is the capital and also the largest city in Romania. Where is Bucharest located? The city is located in the southeastern part of the country, on the banks of the Dâmbovița River. It has a population of over 2 million people.

The city is home to many cultural and historical landmarks, such as the Palace of the Parliament, the largest administrative building in Europe, and the historic Lipscani neighborhood, with its narrow streets and colorful houses. Bucharest is also a great place to enjoy the nightlife since it has many clubs, bars, and restaurants.

Overall, Bucharest is a diverse and exciting city that offers something for everyone. And compared to other European capitals, it is very budget-friendly.

The best things to do in Bucharest

What to do in Bucharest? These are the best things to do and the most interesting things to see in Bucharest.

Visit the Palace of the Parliament

The Palace of Parliament is the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon in the United States. It’s over 300.000 square meters and has more than 3000 rooms! The palace is an architectural masterpiece and a must-see when visiting Bucharest. The best way to explore the huge landmark is with a guided tour.

Book your tickets now.

the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest

Explore Old Town Bucharest

Bucharest Old Town is filled with narrow streets, colorful houses, and various restaurants and bars. Some of the historic buildings date back to the 15th and 16th centuries and a lot has been renovated since the end of the communist regime. This is the perfect place to learn more about the city’s history and to try some traditional Romanian cuisine.

Admire Stavropoleos Church

Stavropoleos Church is a Romanian Orthodox church located in Bucharest’s Old Town. It was built in the early 18th century and is known for its unique architecture and beautiful frescoes. The interior of the church is adorned with intricate wood carvings and gold leaf, and it is considered a masterpiece of Romanian Orthodox architecture. A beautiful building that you certainly have to check out when you’re exploring the city.

Hop in a row boat in Cismigiu park

Cismigiu Park or Cișmigiu Gardens is a beautiful park in the city center of Bucharest. It’s an English-style park, with a rose garden and plenty of trees for some shade during a hot summer day. One of the top things to do in the park is to rent a row boat and explore the park from the water.

Take a walk in Carol Park

Bucharest has many green spaces for you to relax and escape the city. Carol Park is a large public park about 2.5 kilometers south of the city center. In the park, you can admire a number of intriguing statues and monuments and a beautiful lake.

Nation’s Heroes Memorial

In Carol Park, you’ll find a huge memorial. This is the Memorial of the Heroes of 1989, honoring those who fought for the fall of communism in Romania.

Visit one of the many interesting museums

Bucharest is home to some amazing museums that are definitely worth a visit. You’ll learn a lot about the history of Romania. These museums in Bucharest are definitely worth visiting:

Romanian National Museum of Art, here you can view a significant collection of Romanian and international art.
National Museum of Romanian History: showcases the country’s rich cultural heritage.
MNAC: National museum of contemporary art – more modern works of art.
Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum is an open-air museum that features traditional rural architecture from all over Romania.
Museum of Communism, which is a museum that documents the history of communism in Romania.
Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History, where you can learn about the natural history of Romania and the world.
Jewish Museum Bucharest showcases the rich history and culture of the Jewish community in Romania.
Bucharest Municipality Museum, to learn more about the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Learn about history at the Revolution Square

Revolution Square is known for its historical significance as the site of the 1989 Romanian Revolution, which led to the overthrow of the communist government. The square is also home to the Memorial of Rebirth, which commemorates the revolution.

Memorial of Rebirth on Revolution Sqaure in Bucharest

A great way to learn more about Communist Bucharest is by a walking tour. You’ll learn a lot about the Romanian Revolution and other interesting historic moments from a professional tour guide.

Attend a concert in Sala Palatului

Sala Palatului is a beautiful concert hall behind the Royal Palace of Bucharest. It’s a great place for a night out, you can enjoy classical music by some of the best orchestras in the world.

Admire the Romanian Athenaeum

The Romanian Athenaeum is a concert hall located in the center of Bucharest, next to Parcul Ateneului. It’s a gorgeous building from 1886. The Athenaeum is home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, and it hosts a variety of classical music concerts and events throughout the year. It is also a popular venue for weddings and other special events. The Romanian Athenaeum is open to the public for tours.

Learn more about Dracula

Vlad Dracula III, also known as Vlad the Impaler, is probably Bucherests most famous resident. You’ll probably see Dracula’s face multiple times when you’re exploring Bucharest Old Town. One of the best places to visit is Curtea Veche. This is an open-air museum and he used to live here.

If you want to learn even more about Dracula, make sure to visit the beautiful Bran Castle. This castle is located in the Transylvanian Alps, a three-hour drive north of Bucharest. Book a tour to Bran Castle and Brasov.

King Mihai I Park (Herăstrău)

Herastrau Park is a large park north of the city center, located on the shores of Lake Herastrau. It is home to a number of recreational facilities, including boating and a small beach. A great place to spend a summer day!

Carturesti Carusel Bookstore

The most beautiful bookstore in the city is located in a historic building in the city center. It’s mostly known for its design and architecture and is a great place to wander around. The bookstore occupies six floors of the building, and it has a wide selection of books in both Romanian and English. In addition, you can buy art supplies and fun gifts here. There’s also a coffee shop in the bookstore.

Unirea Shopping Center

Do you like to go shopping during your Bucharest city break? Make sure to go to Unirea Shopping Center, which is one of the largest in Eastern Europe.

Try the Romanian delicacies

Do you love to try local food just as much as I do? Luckily, there are many great restaurants all around the city, and the food is delicious and cheap! If you want to try multiple traditional Romanian dishes such as mici, sarmale, and papanas, make sure to go on a food tour.

Explore Bucharest Botanical Garden

This is a beautiful garden with a wide variety of plants, flowers, and trees. It was founded in 1891 and is home to over 10,000 plant species. The botanical gardens are also home to a lake, a greenhouse, and a rock garden. The garden also hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and educational programs. The Bucharest Botanical Garden is open to the public every day, and it is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Bucharest.

Best time to visit Bucharest

The best time to visit Bucharest is during the spring or fall seasons. The weather is pleasant with temperatures ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celcius (50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit). The city is also less crowded and the hotel rates are generally lower during these times.

The summer months can be hot and humid, and the winter months can be cold with snow and ice. However, if you enjoy winter sports, then visiting Bucharest during the winter months may be a good option for you.

I visited Bucharest myself in mid-September which was absolutely perfect. It was sunny and warm, but not too humid.

Book a trip to Bucharest

Are you excited to visit Bucharest? Book your trip now!

✈️Plane tickets

Bucharest has a large international airport. Check WayAway to find the best deals on plane tickets.

From the airport, you can travel to the city center by bus (783 Express line, every 40 minutes, day and night) or taxi.

🛤️Traveling by bus or train

Bucharest is also accessible from all over Europe by bus or train. Check Busbud for bus tickets and Rail Europe for train tickets.

🛏️Where to stay in Bucharest

Bucharest is home to a wide scale of beautiful hotels, and even four and five-star hotels in the city center are not crazy expensive! These are some of the best hotels to stay in Bucharest:

Vilacrosse Boutique Inn (3⭐) – Colorful hotel and in a very central location.
La Boheme (4⭐) – Absolutely gorgeous hotel in a great location between the parliament building and the old town.
Epoque Hotel – Relais & Chateaux (5⭐) – Fancy sleeping in a castle? This is the place to go! The hotel has an indoor pool, sauna, and fitness and is only a one-minute walk from the Cismigiu gardens.

Check Booking.com for more options, availability, and prices.

💊Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is always an important part of every trip. Check Insubuy to find the best travel insurance that fits your needs.

🎡Tours & activities

A guided walking tour is the best way to learn more about the Romanian capital. You can book the best tours through Get Your Guide.