Bucharest is the vibrant capital of Romania. Indeed, a city that beautifully blends its rich history with modern dynamism. Known for its stunning architecture, bustling nightlife and cultural depth, Bucharest offers a variety of experiences for every type of traveler. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie or a night owl, here are some of the best things to do in Bucharest.
Explore the Historical Landmarks – What to Do in Bucharest?
1. Palace of the Parliament – Bucharest Biggest Building
One of Bucharest’s most iconic landmarks is the Palace of the Parliament. As a matter of fact, the Romania Parliament Building is the second-largest administrative building in the world. Commissioned by Nicolae Ceaușescu, this colossal structure is a testament to the grandeur of communist-era architecture. Guided tours are available, taking visitors through its opulent halls, grand staircases and vast conference rooms. Lastly, what’s the largest administrative building in the world? Pentagon near Washington DC.
2. Old Town (Lipscani District)
The Old Town, also known as Lipscani District, is the heart of Bucharest’s historical and cultural heritage. Wander through its narrow cobblestone streets, where you’ll find charming medieval buildings, churches and boutique shops. Finally, the area comes alive at night with vibrant bars, restaurants and clubs.
3. Romanian Athenaeum
An architectural gem, the Romanian Athenaeum is Bucharest’s premier concert hall and home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra. Equally important, the neoclassical building, with its grand columns and intricate frescoes, is a must-see. Attend a concert here to experience the superb acoustics and elegant interior.
Immerse Yourself in Culture – Bucharest Things to Do
4. National Museum of Art of Romania
Housed in the former Royal Palace, the National Museum of Art of Romania boasts an impressive collection of Romanian and European art. The museum is divided into two main galleries: the Romanian Modern Art Gallery and the European Art Gallery. Don’t miss the works of famous Romanian artists like Constantin Brâncuși and Nicolae Grigorescu.
5. Village Museum (Muzeul Satului)
Located in Herăstrău Park, the Village Museum is an open-air ethnographic museum that showcases traditional Romanian village life. Stroll through the recreated village, featuring authentic wooden houses, windmills and churches from different regions of Romania. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the country’s rural heritage.
6. National Museum of Romanian History
To delve deeper into Romania’s past, visit the National Museum of Romanian History. The museum’s exhibits span from prehistoric times to the modern era, with highlights including the Romanian Crown Jewels and the replica of Trajan’s Column.
Enjoy the Outdoors
7. Herăstrău Park (King Michael I Park)
Herăstrău Park is also known as King Michael I Park. In fact, it’s Bucharest’s largest park and a perfect spot for relaxation and recreation. The park surrounds Herăstrău Lake, where you can rent a boat or take a leisurely stroll along the scenic paths. In addition, the park also hosts the Village Museum and several cafes and restaurants. Did you know there’s also a triumphal arch in Pyongyang, North Korea?!
8. Carol Park
Named after King Carol I, Carol Park is a beautiful green space that features the impressive Mausoleum of the Romanian Heroes. What’s more, the park’s peaceful atmosphere and picturesque lake make it a great place for a leisurely walk or picnic. The park also hosts concerts and events in the summer.
9. Cismigiu Gardens
Cismigiu Gardens is the oldest public park in Bucharest, dating back to 1847. Indeed, the park’s lush gardens, charming lakes and romantic gazebos offer a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Thus, a perfect place to relax with a book or enjoy a boat ride on the lake.
10. Bucharest Km 0
To mark the center of Bucharest is a monument called Kilometer Zero. I have seen similar monuments in Minsk, Belarus, as well as Melaka, Malaysia. An interesting fact is that the distances to other towns and cities are measured from this point.
Indulge in Culinary Delights
11. Traditional Romanian Cuisine
Bucharest is a haven for food lovers, offering a wide range of traditional Romanian dishes. Try sarmale (cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice), mici (grilled minced meat rolls) and mămăligă (cornmeal porridge). For dessert, indulge in papanași (fried doughnuts with cheese and sour cream).
12. Caru’ cu Bere – Bucharest Things to Do
A visit to Bucharest wouldn’t be complete without dining at Caru’ cu Bere, one of the city’s oldest and most famous restaurants. Located in a beautiful Gothic Revival building, Caru’ cu Bere offers traditional Romanian dishes, live music as well as a lively atmosphere.
13. Local Markets
Explore Bucharest’s local markets to experience the city’s vibrant food culture. Obor Market, one of the largest and oldest markets in the city, is a great place to sample fresh produce, local cheeses and traditional snacks.
Experience the Nightlife
14. Lipscani District Nightlife
The Lipscani District is the epicenter of Bucharest’s nightlife. With its myriad of bars, clubs and pubs, the area offers something for everyone. Enjoy a cocktail at a trendy rooftop bar, dance the night away at a bustling nightclub or relax with a pint at a cozy pub.
15. Control Club
Control Club is one of Bucharest’s most popular nightlife venues, known for its eclectic music scene and vibrant atmosphere. The club hosts live concerts, DJ sets and themed parties. Consequently, attracting a diverse crowd of locals and tourists.
16. Bucharest Jazz Clubs
For a more laid-back evening, visit one of Bucharest’s jazz clubs. Green Hours Jazz Café and Jazz Book are two renowned venues where you can enjoy live jazz performances in an intimate setting.
17. Michael Jackson in Bucharest – National Arena
I also went to the National Stadium where Michael Jackson televised his first concert of the Dangerous World Tour in 1992. Unfortunately the National Stadium has been demolished. In fact, it’s been replaced with the National Arena which hosts the Romanian football team as well as the national cup final.
Explore the Surroundings – Things to See in Bucharest
18. Snagov Monastery
Located about 40 kilometers north of Bucharest, Snagov Monastery is a tranquil retreat situated on an island in Snagov Lake. The monastery is rumored to be the burial place of Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula. The picturesque setting and serene atmosphere make it a worthwhile day trip.
More on Transylvania.
19. Mogosoaia Palace
A short drive from Bucharest, Mogosoaia Palace is a stunning example of Brâncovenesc architecture. The palace, surrounded by beautiful gardens and a large lake, offers a glimpse into Romania’s noble past. Explore the ornate interiors, art collections, and the charming grounds.
20. Therme Bucharest
For a relaxing and rejuvenating experience, visit Therme Bucharest, one of the largest wellness centers in Europe. Located just outside the city, Therme Bucharest features thermal pools, saunas and spa treatments. Therefore, offering a luxurious escape from the urban hustle.
Read about spiritual retreats.
Enjoy the Things to do in Bucherest
Bucharest is a city of contrasts, where history meets modernity and tradition blends with innovation. From its grand palaces and museums to its lively markets and nightlife, Bucharest offers a rich tapestry of experiences for every traveler. Whether you’re exploring its historic landmarks or indulging in local cuisine. Alternatively, enjoying the vibrant nightlife, the Romanian capital is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories. Plan your trip to Bucharest and discover the many facets of this fascinating city.
Bucharest to Suceava by Train
The train from Bucharest to Suceava takes around 7 hours. There are many direct trains to Suceava and even a night train. The night train leaves Bucharest close to midnight and arrives in Suceava at 6am. The train I went for was the early morning train which arrived in Suceava mid afternoon. Taxis in Bucharest have a bad reputation but the taxi which took me to the train station early morning used the meter and didn’t talk which was perfect.
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Bucharest looks like a beautiful city to explore by foot. The size of the Palace of the Parliament is incredible, the heaviest building in the world! I love it when taxi drivers don’t talk to me first thing in the morning it makes the drive that little bit easier!
I would love to visit the museums of Bucharest. The Palace of the National Military Circle building actually reminds me of the military museum in Rome, which is also the most beautiful (in my opinion!) in the city.
I never really thought of visiting Bucharest but it seems like worth a travel. Especially the museums seem really interesting.
Thanks and greetings
Amelie
What are your plans in Suceava? I haven’t heard of this location before so am curious as to what your interest is in the region!
Suceava has a UNESCO world heritage site called The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina, which I’ll be writing about next.
Herastrau Park sounds great and the perfect spot for budding photographers or for those looking to update some Instagram snaps ;) Would love to go to Romania someday!
I love that the city is walkable as it seems like there are plenty to see in the city center. As usual, your photos are amazing James. The Palace of Parliament looks so awe-inspiring with its architectural grandeur!
I’d love to explore Bucharest – it’s on my list for a city trip. There’s always lots of interesting sights to take in.
Bucharest looks like a place with beautiful, architectural buildings. When I saw the picture of Arcul De Triumph, I got it confused with Arc De Triumph of Paris. They both look similar. Great to know that Romanian Parliament is heaviest in world and covers more volume than Giza’s Pyramids. Beautiful photos!
I had no idea Bucharest had the Arcul De Triumf! Can you climb up it like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris? We primarily travel with our little kids so Tineretului Park sounds like something up our alley. You’ve made Bucharest look so intriguing!
Bucharest looks beautiful! I hope I’ll get a chance to explore Romania in future! Let’s see!
Bucharest Km 0 looks interesting. Chennai in India too has a similar milestone that says Chennai 0 km!
Visiting the Arc de Triumph of all the countries could be a thing to do! I’ve seen 3 so far!
I love that you had a good experience with the taxis in Bucharest! I’ve heard many unfortunate stories so you were lucky! The Parliament building is that big you can’t photograph it all?? That just makes me want to see it for myself. So interesting about 70% of the palace remaining empty – such a shame they can’t find more uses for a beautiful building.
Bucharest is definitely an interesting city to explore. I was the Palace of Parliament and it was huge and interesting especially in its origins and purpose. I wish I got to see some of those museums.
The architecture is so beautiful and stunning. What was the night train like? Are they like sleeper trains with beds?
The Palace of the Parliament looks gorgeous! It’s surprising to me that despite being the 2nd largest administrative building in the world, only 30% of this building is occupied. I’d love to visit this building and its 3 museums inside, too.Bucharest is such a nice city!
I like a good value-for-money destination and it looks like Bucharest fits the bill. Travel in Europe can get expensive but if you go to more off the tourist trail countries in Eastern Europe, you’re bound to explore equally fascinating places and cultures with less money. Thank you for sharing this informative post. I would have never thought about Bucharest otherwise.
At first glance without my glasses on I thought your picture of inside the Palace was something from War of the Worlds! Super interesting fact about it being the 2nd largest administrative building in the world. As much as I’d love to see it in person, buildings which are too big to get in one shot really stress me out!! I suppose that’s where a drone might come in handy? Although an UFO hovering over a government building may be a little suspicious!
My best friend lives in Bucharest and I’m actually planning a trip to visit her next fall! I’m definitely going to be adding a few of these places to our “must-visit” list, especially Herastrau Park. I’d love to try to get some awesome reflection shots! Plus, it’s crazy to think that the Parliament building isn’t being utilized. I’d love to see that in person!
I would love to visit Romania, and your photos just raised it higher on my travel bucket list. I always enjoy taking train rides so I will have to check it out when I finally get there! All the spots you recommend seem super interesting!
By the looks of it, Bucharest is rich in history and culture. It is perfect for a walking tour. There are so many museums, structures, and parks to choose from!
I love reading your articles as you always fit soo much in. I am going to Bucharest next year and can’t wait to see some awesome sights. I love how they have there very own arc de triumf as well. Thats pretty cool.
Wow it sounds like Bucharest has a little of everything. The structures there look beautiful as well, the palace sounds huge and I’d love to see it in person. I especially like the building you photographed called Palace of the National Military Circle, stunning. I’d love to visit Bucharest one day.
I have wanted to go to Romania for quite sometime but have always been lured away by cheap flights to other places. I really need to make sure I get there this year! Bucharest sounds like a lovely city to visit. The Japanese Garden with the cherry blossom sounds perfect
Wow. I don’t know that The Palace of the Parliament is the second largest admisntrative building in the world. The other facts you shared about the building are amazing as well. However Arcul de Triumf intrigues me the most mainly because of its history. Bucharest is easily one of the most underrated places in the world.
The Palace of the Parliament is so grand! I wonder what makes it the 2nd largest but heaviest building, the material it’s made of? I think it’s great that it also houses 3 museums, but it’s quite unfortunate that it’s only 30% occupied! I wonder why that is, what an interesting building.
I could spend days exploring the museums there. It’s so interesting that Romania also has an Arch. I saw the one in Paris, of course, but I didn’t know there was also one in Bucharest.
I’ve heard about their Parliament building being the 2nd largest, but not that it’s the heaviest! It really is a magnificent building!
I spent last summer in Romania and fell i love with it. Unfortunately didn’t make to Bucharest though. Such a little known fact that their Parliment building is the second biggest, something I didn’t expect of Romania when I found it out!
Bucharest has so much of rich history, heritage, and some magnificent architecture which makes it really endearing. The Parliament building looks really awe-inspiring with its grandeur. What a pity that 70% of it is unoccupied, could that not be put to some use? What a waste!
I’d never heard of the Palace of the Parliament but loved discovering it with you! It’s so grand and makes us want to go back to Romania. We really loved Romania when we 5 years ago when we went! I’m sad we skipped this and the museums of Bucharest :(
We fell in LOVE with Romania on our honeymoon! Visiting the inside of the Romanian Athenaeum was absolutely STUNNING!! We were lucky enough to at least see the orchestra practicing while we were there!
Bucharest is another city with stunning architecture. It is interesting how money can be found to build grand buildings while the country is in socio-economic disaster, but this, sadly, happens in many places. I’m pleased your early morning cabbie was considerate enough not to speak ;-)
Another great place to add to my must visit list. We had only started to explore Eastern Europe last year and I know it will be a part of the world we will see more of in the future!