Among the top experiences in Bucharest, there is something for almost any kind of traveler, including history, culture, nature, tradition, gastronomy and so much more. The capital of Romania has become one of the upcoming travel destinations of Europe and though there is still so much to improve, it does shape up into quite a fascinating experience. While not holding the charm or fame of other urban destinations, Bucharest packs quite a boasting number of incredible things to see and do. From the bustling old town center, filled with restaurants and clubs, to the unbelievable scale of the Parliament Palace and from world class museums to lush parks and gardens, the city offers a complex collection of sights and attractions.
1. Explore the Bucharest Old Town
No visit of Bucharest would be complete without a walk around the old town area, the historical center that combines beautiful architecture with a vibrant nightlife. Packing a wide range of old buildings, museums, churches, restaurants, cafes and everything in between, the old town of Bucharest has something for any kind of traveler. Among its most popular and interesting sights, you can visit the Old Palace Court, Manuc’s Inn, Stavropoleos Church, Pinacoteque Palace, Bucharest City Museum, Saint George New Church, Lipscani Street or the Cărturești Carusel Library, among many others. During the evening, the atmosphere changes completely and the cobblestone streets fill with people looking for hip restaurants and clubs.
2. Walk along the Victory Avenue
Right next to the old town of Bucharest, Victory Avenue is the most fascinating and rewarding street of Bucharest, a large boulevard flanked by historical buildings, monuments, large squares, interesting museums and luxury hotels. While partially pedestrian during some summer weekends, this street is also a pleasure to walk along at all times. You will be amazed by the continuous succession of superb views and quaint finds along this 2 kilometer long road. Among the most exciting discoveries along the Victory Avenue, you cannot miss the National Museum of History, CEC Palace, Macca-Villacrosse Passageway, National Museum of Art, Revolution Square, Romanian Athenaeum and many more.
3. Discover the Palace of the Parliament
The building was envisioned by a young woman architect and a large area of the old historical center was demolished to make room for the grand palace. It was built in a socialist-realist style combined with modernist-neoclassical elements. The massive structure holds many records, being the second administrative building in the world considering its surface and third for its volume. It is also the first heaviest and most expensive building in the world, with seven floors above ground and eight underground. It is also an atomic shelter with tunnels that spread throughout the city, while only about a third of its 1,100 rooms and spaces being used or finished to this day. The palace also houses the Museum of Contemporary Art that features fascinating permanent and temporary collections about the recent history of Romanian art.
Open: Every Day / 9-19 (with pre-booking)
Tickets: 7-11 EUR / Adult
4. Visit the National Museum of Art
The most important art museum of Romania is hosted by the fabulous former Royal Palace of Bucharest, that used to be the seat of the royal family up to 1944. The museum includes an impressive heritage of works of art gathered through the years, starting with 1948. Visitors have the opportunity to admire many of the over 70,000 exhibits displayed in its two main collections, of Romanian and European art. The Romanian Gallery is also divided into old art that includes icons, frescoes, manuscripts, jewels, ceramics or sculptures and modern art, with masterpieces by Romanian artists like Theodor Aman, Nicolae Grigorescu, Ștefan Luchian, Nicolae Tonitza, Constantin Brâncuși and others. The European Art Gallery is the largest of its kind in the country, including works of art by masters like Rembrandt, El Greco, Rubens, Tintoretto, Monet, Rodin and many more.
Open: Wed-Fri / 10-18 / Wed-Fri / 11-19
Tickets: 5-8 EUR / Adult
5. Wander through the Village Museum
This impressive open-air museum welcomes about half a million people each year, occupying 0,14 square km on the southwestern corner of Herăstrău Lake. Throughout the years, almost 400 monuments and over 60.000 objects were gathered here, displaying the lifestyle, art and architecture of the traditional Romanian village. Among old wooden houses from all the regions of Romania, wooden churches, wind and water mills, old inns, various workshops and other buildings, visitors can discover the authentic history and traditions of the country. There are also amazing heritage items that can be admired within ten distinct collections, including woodwork, traditional costumes, customs, religion, textiles, ceramics and more, as well as an extensive collection of documents.
Open: Wed-Sun / 9-19 (Winter 9-17)
Tickets: 6 EUR / Adult
6. Sample the Traditional Romanian Cuisine
One of the best reasons to visit Romania is the wonderful and delicious cuisine, renowned throughout the world as a part of its cultural heritage. There are plenty of great restaurants in Bucharest where you can sample the traditional food of Romania, most of them offering great menus that include the all-time favorites like mici, sarmale, soups, stews, papanași and so much more. Some locations also provide less-known or local recipes from various regions of the country. Among the most appreciated and popular restaurants of Bucharest, we can recommend places like Caru cu Bere, Hanu lui Manuc, Soro.Lume, Hanu Berarilor, Lacrimi si Sfinti, Vatra and many more!
7. Visit the Natural History Museum
Throughout the years, over 2 million items were gathered by this fascinating museum, the most important being displayed inside the collections of zoology, paleontology, mineralogy or ethnography. Visiting the permanent interactive collection, visitors have to opportunity to discover dozens of unique habitat dioramas from the country and even some more exotic places. Other interesting collections include the paleontological one with over 6.000 fossils, the anthropological and ethnographic ones with amazing displays about world cultures, or the one about entomology with its thousands of colorful butterflies.
Open: Tue-Sun / 10-18 (19 on weekends)
Tickets: 4 EUR / Adult
8. Unwind at Therme Spa Resort
Located about 20 kilometers north from the center of Bucharest and just a few minutes from its city limits, this boasting spa and wellness complex is the largest of its kind and one of the biggest in the whole of Europe, offering a complete and complex set of activities and services. It includes 10 indoor and outdoor pools, some of them heated, over a dozen water slides, a few saunas, a large wave pool, 4 restaurants, 4 pool bars, an outdoor beach and thousands of parking spaces. Prices range from about 15 Euros for a few hours to 30 Euros or more for a full day experience, while the location is open daily, usually between 9 in the morning to 11 at night.
9. Visit the Bucharest City Museum
Located inside the superb Șuțu Palace, it includes a wide collection of objects and exhibits that tell the story of Bucharest and its people through the ages, including documents, photographs, artwork, textiles and many others. Throughout is halls and spaces, you can learn more about the city and also admire some superb works of art, making it one of the quintessential experiences in Bucharest. This museum also manages many smaller collections and memorial houses in Bucharest.
Open: Wed-Sun / 10-18
Tickets: 3 EUR / Adult
10. Enjoy the Thrilling Nightlife
Rightfully considered one of the best nightlife destinations of Eastern Europe, the old town of Bucharest and several other areas boast an incredible diverse range of nightlife spots and activities. Whether you would like to unwind at a chill rooftop bar above the old town or rather get your groove on in one of the dancing clubs, there is something for everyone. The rhythm is quite enthralling and many travelers end up partying a little too much and get lost inside the darker corners of Bucharest. Nevertheless, the city is one of the safest in Europe and the prices are quite affordable if you know where to go and what to look for…
