Bucharest, Romania’s trendy capital city, offers over 500 years of history in a glamorous and modern way. The city is filled with architectural contrasts that resonate with Baroque, Neoclassical, and medieval styles.
This charming city provides hearty culture, good company, and plenty of activities ready to be explored. Bucharest embraces a dynamic and energetic atmosphere that is centered around its charm and history. Many locals and tourists recommend visiting Bucharest during the spring and early autumn months as the rest of the year can get pretty hot, reaching uncomfortable temperatures.
Bucharest was originally nicknamed “Paris of the East” in the years before World War II. Today, Bucharest is the largest city in Romania and is recognized for its thriving culture, art, and finance.
The city has done an excellent job at preserving most of the ruins and structures to bring to light the city’s sophisticated architecture.
If you are considering visiting Bucharest, you have come to the right place. This article highlights the Romanian capital’s most interesting and entertaining things to do in Bucharest.
Parliamentary Palace
Parliamentary Palace is one of the largest buildings in the world and is one of the top things to do in Bucharest. This enormous piece of rich Romanian history showcases over 3,000 uniquely designed rooms and spans well over an impressive 350,000 square meters.
Constructed out of marble, steel, and critical attention to detail, the Parliamentary Palace perfectly embodies Nicolas Ceausescu’s grandeur. The building’s initial intention was to serve as a residence, but it also includes reception halls, museums, government offices, and more. There is still a portion of the building that is empty.
Admission to explore the palace starts at around USD 19 and be sure to have an ID or passport handy at all times.
Bucharest Old Town (Lipscani)
Bucharest’s Old Town is a modern, trendy tourist attraction and most popular to visit during the night. The Old Town features a medieval flair and various architectural staples such as Baroque, Neoclassical, and Art Nouveau.
The old town is all that’s left of the pre-World War II in Bucharest. What once was a ghost town has become one of the Romanian capital’s flourishing entertainment neighborhoods.
The district features hundreds of trendy hangouts, including bars, lavish dining experiences, and vibrant storefronts, paired with an upbeat ambiance that encourages guests to have a fun time.
Bucharest’s Old Town is located in the heart of the capital. It’s easy to get to Old Town from just about anywhere in the city as it is a pretty walkable district in Bucharest.
Old Town offers a perfect blend of peace and tranquility in the morning, liveliness during the day, and a booming Bucharest nightlife.
Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum
The Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, also known as Muzeul Satului, is one of Romania’s most visited museums, and for a good reason.
The National Village Museum is an intriguing attraction to explore when visiting Bucharest. The museum features over 200-year-old buildings that are open daily and covers nearly 25 acres of landscape.
Additionally, the museum is home to over 270 farms and peasants’ houses dating back from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Most of the display homes provide insight into the living conditions from back in the day, including authentic utensils, pottery, wool fabrics, and furniture such as stools and beds.
The best time to visit the National Village Museum is any time of the year. Visitors worldwide travel to see the museum in all its glory, especially during the winter months when Bucharest becomes a winter wonderland.
Popular Parks of Bucharest
Bucharest is home to some of Romania’s most frequently visited parks, including Herastrau Park, Cismigiu Park, and Parcul Izvor, to name a few.
Herastrau Park is known to be one of the largest parks in Bucharest, with the option to bike, boat, and stroll with ample space for privacy. It’s also in close proximity to the Village Museum.
Cismigiu Park is known for its lush green alleys and a small, serene lake.
For a pleasant, quiet experience, visit Parcul Izvor, located right in front of the Palace of the Parliament. Each park features several food stalls where guests can grab a quick bite to eat after exploring the bustling city.
If you’re visiting on the weekend, don’t be surprised if you stumble upon some event to celebrate the community.
Majestic Churches of Bucharest
Among the many thrilling attractions Bucharest offers, it is also home to some of the world’s most impressive churches located in the heart of the city, including Stavropoleos Monastery, Coltea Church, and Mihai Voda Church.
The Stavropoleos Church is situated in Bucharest’s Old Town center and is one of the most stunning churches the city has to offer. It is the perfect representation of the Brancovenesc style and features a small interior court where pieces of demolished churches and antique stones are preserved.
The Coltea Church is one of Bucharest’s oldest churches, built more than 300 years ago. The Mihai Today Church holds the record for being over 400 years old. This particular church used to be a hospital, a medical school, and an archive deposit at one point in time.
Romanian Athenaeum
The Romanian Athenaeum is an unrivaled structure that the country holds dear. This Neoclassical-inspired building is a performance venue with wrap-around gardens and ornamented stucco work.
The performance hall seats more than 650 guests and is the prime destination for the George Enescu annual music festival in September. To this day, the Romanian Athenaeum is a powerful symbol of the National Romanian Culture and is one of Romania’s most prized things to do when visiting Bucharest.
While the building is generally used as a concert hall, there have been other hosted events such as painting expositions, conferences, symposiums, and more. The Romanian Athenaeum is a representation of Romania’s unity, cultural heritage, and national pride. Each room in the building is equipped with impressive acoustics and intricate detailing in the architecture.
The cost to explore this extraordinary Romanian landmark starts around 10 lei, and it is highly recommended to book tickets at least 24 hours in advance.
Curtea Veche
Curtea Veche, known as the Old Princely Court, served as the residence for Vlad III Dracula (Vlad the Impaler) back in the 15th century. Since then, it has transformed into a historic archaeological site that houses a crafted statue of Dracula himself. Oddly enough, Vlad III Dracula has no relation to the fictional character, the infamous vampire Dracula.
Today, those who visit the Curtea Veche are greeted by a collection of ancient ruins featuring an open courtyard, colorful mosaics, and remnants of an artificial moat.
Curtea Veche is open daily with a low admission fee. Keep in mind that there may be additional charges for any photographs taken at the landmark.
National Museum of Contemporary Art
With various things to do in Bucharest, the capital does not fall short with its collection of beautiful museums that embody Romanian history. S
ome of Bucharest’s most significant museums include the National Museum of Contemporary Art, located in the southwestern part of the Palace of Parliament. This museum is Bucharest’s top art venue featuring some of the most iconic pieces of Romanian history.
Admission starts at 16 lei during regular operating hours, but it is free on the first Sunday of each month. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm.
Revolution Square
The Revolution Square first earned its title from the chaos that dissolved the reign of Nicolae Ceausescu and the Socialist Republic of Romania.
A growing crowd of over 100,000 civilians gathered in the square in protest against Nicolae Ceausescu, which was the start of the Romanian revolution, thus earning the name Revolution Square. Romania holds a dark past, but Revolution Square has the most complex history.
At the center of the square is a statue of Iuliu Maniu, one of Romania’s greatest politicians. This striking landmark is a symbol of Romania’s independence, making it one of the most empowering things to do in Bucharest.
Calea Victoriei
Calea Victoriei is one of the most famous streets in Bucharest, so it’s no surprise that a decent amount of Romanian popular attractions and landmarks are located along this street.
Calea Victoriei starts at Revolution Square and travels down to the Dambovita River, and features several stylish storefronts, entertainment, cafes, art galleries, and much more.
For hundreds of years, Calea Victoriei used to be one of the very few paved streets in the city and was typically inhabited mainly by the wealthy. The street is lively during the day but lights up beautifully in the evening, making it all that much more special when visiting Bucharest.
