Bucharest
Save35 hand-picked places in 9 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓Show on the map
Tips
10 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
One of the world's largest administrative buildings
- Tip: Book ahead
2 tips
- Guided tours only; bring your passport
- Allow 90 minutes
📷 Photos
- 2
Neoclassical concert hall, symbol of Romanian culture
3 tips
- Catch a George Enescu Philharmonic concert
- Interior is stunning
- Tour available by appointment
📷 Photos
- 3
Historic merchants' quarter now full of bars and restaurants
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Lively at night
- Wander the side alleys
- Good for dinner
📷 Photos
- 4
Tiny 18th-century church with a peaceful courtyard
3 tips
- Free entry
- Quiet escape
- Beautiful carved details
📷 Photos
- 5
Large lakeside park popular for strolling and boating
3 tips
- Rent a boat or bike
- Best in summer
- Village Museum is next to it
📷 Photos
- 6
Square where the 1989 revolution unfolded
3 tips
- Memorial of Rebirth stands here
- Near the former Royal Palace
- Open space
📷 Photos
- 7
Open-air museum of traditional rural houses from across Romania
3 tips
- Allow two hours
- Beautiful in autumn
- Close to Herăstrău Park
📷 Photos
- 8
Ornate 19th-century bank headquarters with a glass dome
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Cafe with views inside
- Photograph from across the street
- Often illuminated at night
📷 Photos
- 9
Oldest public garden in Bucharest
3 tips
- Rent a rowboat
- Chess players on the benches
- Lovely in spring
📷 Photos
- 10
Triumphal arch commemorating Romanian independence
3 tips
- Observation platform sometimes open
- Located in a traffic circle
- Reach via Kiseleff Road
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Bucharest tips
Transportation
- Use the Metro: Bucharest's metro is fast and cheap; tap a contactless bank card at the gates or buy a card at the station.
- Take the train from the airport: A rail link connects Otopeni Airport with Gara de Nord, avoiding traffic on the main road.
- Use ride-hailing apps: Uber and Bolt are common and avoid the overcharging some street taxis are known for.
Security
- Avoid unofficial taxis: At the airport and Gara de Nord, ignore drivers who approach you and use apps or official taxi stands.
- Watch out in Old Town: Some bars and clubs in Lipscani target tourists with inflated bills, so check prices before ordering.
- Mind stray dogs: Stray dogs are less common than before but still present in some outer areas; keep your distance.
Saving
- Eat daily menus: Many restaurants offer a meniul zilei at lunch with soup and a main course at a good price.
- Explore parks for free: Herăstrău (King Michael I) Park and Cișmigiu Gardens are great free spots for walking.
- Pay in lei: Use local currency and decline card conversion offers to avoid extra charges.
Weather/Clothing
- Prepare for hot summers: Summers can be very hot, so bring light clothes, a hat and plan museum visits at midday.
- Pack heavy for winter: Winters are cold with snow and icy winds, so bring a warm coat, gloves and sturdy boots.
- Layer in spring and autumn: These seasons are pleasant but changeable, so pack layers and a light rain jacket.
Cultural
- Try Romanian classics: Taste mici grilled sausages, sarmale and ciorbă de burtă sour tripe soup in traditional restaurants.
- Respect church customs: Dress modestly in Orthodox churches, keep your voice down and avoid photos during services.
- Give flowers in odd numbers: When visiting a home, bring an odd number of flowers; even numbers are for funerals.
Local Hacks
- Book the Palace of Parliament tour: Visits to this huge building require a guided tour and ID, so reserve ahead.
- Find hidden passages: Explore Macca-Vilacrosse Passage and Carturesti Carusel bookstore for charming Old Town spots.
- Visit the Village Museum: This open-air museum in Herăstrău Park shows traditional houses from across Romania.
1-day itineraries in Bucharest
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 2
Romanian Athenaeum and around
🕘 9:30–17:00📍 6 stops
- 1Romanian Athenaeum
- 2Revolution Square
- 3Manuc's Inn
- 4Stavropoleos Monastery
- 5CEC Palace
- and 1 more
Day 2 of 2
Herăstrău Park and around
🕘 9:30–16:30📍 4 stops
- 1Herăstrău Park
- 2Village Museum
- 3Arcul de Triumf
- 4Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History