Bucharest

Best things to do in Bucharest

• 1. Romanian Athenaeum

  Inside and out, this spectacular concert hall makes for one of Bucharest's top sights. See the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra perform beneath its beautifully frescoed dome!

• 2. Palace of the Parliament

  This controversial building was built under the tyrannical reign of Nicolae Ceaușescu to become the world's largest parliament complex. The Palace of the Parliament is as breathtaking as it is despised!

• 3. National Museum of Romanian History

  Romania's premier collection of important artifacts spans all of history. If you have time, visit the eccentric postal museum, also located in the National Museum of Romanian History!

• 4. National Museum of Art of Romania

  Though clumsily named, Romania's national gallery isn't limited to just the foremost collection of Romanian art. Situated in the old Royal Palace, it's one of the city's top cultural attractions!

• 5. Triumph Arch

  Any tour of Bucharest should reveal plenty of aesthetic comparisons with Paris, but perhaps nowhere are the similarities more evident than at Romania's own Arc de Triomphe!

• 6. Herastrau Park

  Come spring, summer, or fall, visit the Herastrau Park to ride old-fashioned fairground attractions, rent a boat, or simply wander through every beautifully landscaped corner!

• 7. Museum of the Romanian Peasant

  With its carefully curated display of artifacts from Romanian peasant life, the Museum of the Romanian Peasant, a former European Museum of the Year, is perhaps the city's most modest sightseeing essential.

Frequently asked questions about Bucharest

Planning Your Visit

• How many days?

  2 or 3 nights will probably be enough in Bucharest, but why not stay a little longer to enjoy day trips to Romania's nearby historic sites? Sinaia, Brasov, and Transylvannia are all unmissable!

• Where to stay?

  Most of Bucharest's tourist attractions and sights are located downtown, as are its best places to eat and drink. Of the 3 squares there, Universitatii is the most pleasant for visitors. There is also Unirii Square, which is the shopping district, and Romana Square is well-connected though more residential.