Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania, a Danube-plain metropolis of about 1.7 million people known for the monumental Palace of the Parliament, a revived medieval Old Town, grand Calea Victoriei and its belle epoque 'Little Paris' boulevards. It combines Ottoman-era inns, Brancovenesc churches, interwar villas and communist-era blocks with a lively cafe, bar and live-music scene.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Bucharest.
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1
Palace of the Parliament (Casa Poporului)
Tip: Reserve at cic.cdep.ro several days ahead; same-day tickets are rarely available · Bring the passport or ID used for the booking, since entry is refused without it · Arrive 30 minutes early for security screening at the B3 entrance · Photography is typically an extra fee, so ask when buying the ticket · Weekday mornings are quieter than weekends and summer midday · Wear comfortable shoes; the route involves a lot of walking and stairs
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2
Old Town (Centrul Vechi) and Strada Lipscani
Tip: Visit before noon or on weekdays for a quiet look at the architecture · Check menu prices before sitting at terrace restaurants · Keep bags and phones secure in crowded bars and on busy evenings · Wear sturdy shoes; cobbles and pavements are uneven and slippery when wet · Combine with Stavropoleos Monastery and the National History Museum on one route
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3
Curtea Veche (Old Princely Court)
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for quiet and good light on the brick ruins. · Combine with Manuc's Inn and Strada Lipscani, both within a five-minute walk. · Read the information panels first; the layout makes more sense once the court phases are clear. · Check opening hours at muzeulbucurestiului.ro as winter schedules can differ. · Ask about reduced tickets for students and pupils at the desk.
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4
Romanian Athenaeum (Ateneul Roman)
Tip: Buy concert tickets at the box office or on fge.ro; popular programmes sell out · Student discounts are available; carry a valid ID · Book a guided tour in advance if no evening concert fits · Choose first-balcony seats for views of the fresco and dome · Photography is not allowed during performances · Arrive 20 minutes early to see the foyer
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5
Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum
Tip: Wear comfortable shoes; the grounds are large and some paths are unpaved. · Arrive on a weekday morning to avoid weekend family crowds. · Check muzeul-satului.ro for craft days and fairs before visiting. · Last entry is 30 minutes before closing, and winter hours are shorter. · Pair with Herastrau Park, which adjoins the museum. · Not every house interior is open, so ask at the entrance for the day's open buildings.
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6
Herastrau Park (King Michael I Park)
Tip: Go early on weekends for quiet paths and cooler air. · Rent a bike near the entrances to cover the lake loop quickly. · Bring water in July and August; shade is limited on some stretches. · Visit at sunset for the best reflections and city skyline views. · Combine with the Village Museum and Arcul de Triumf in one outing.
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7
Arcul de Triumf (Arch of Triumph)
Tip: Admire the arch from the gardens; crossing the roundabout takes care with traffic. · Check locally whether the interior terrace is open before planning a climb. · Visit at dusk for the lit arch and softer photos. · Combine with Herastrau Park and the Village Museum nearby. · Avoid 1 December if you want to see it without parade crowds.
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8
National Museum of the Romanian Peasant (Muzeul Taranului Roman)
Tip: Closed on Mondays; check opening times before visiting · Visit on weekday afternoons to avoid weekend family crowds · Visit the museum shop for authentic crafts rather than souvenir-stall imitations · Allow extra time for temporary exhibitions · Combine with a walk to the Arch of Triumph and Kiseleff Park
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9
National Museum of Art of Romania (Royal Palace)
Tip: Entry is free on the first Wednesday of the month, but queues are long · Closed on Monday and Tuesday; check hours before going · Start with the Romanian Modern gallery if time is short · Photography is allowed for personal use; avoid flash · Pair with Revolution Square and the Athenaeum nearby · Reduced tickets apply for students and pensioners with valid ID
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10
Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History
Tip: Buy tickets online at antipa.bilet.ro to skip the line. · Go on weekday mornings when school groups are fewer. · Budget extra for the butterfly greenhouse in season. · Last entry is 5:00 PM, so arrive at least two hours before closing. · A good rainy-day option close to Piata Victoriei.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Palace of the Parliament (Casa Poporului)
One of the heaviest and largest administrative buildings in the world, built in the 1980s under Nicolae Ceausescu
Arcul de Triumf
Interwar triumphal arch at the head of Soseaua Kiseleff
Romanian Athenaeum (Ateneul Roman)
Neoclassical concert hall and symbol of Romanian culture, opened in 1888
CEC Palace
Eclectic 1900 savings-bank palace with a glass dome on Calea Victoriei
Museums
Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum
Open-air museum of relocated rural buildings beside Herastrau Park
National Museum of Art of Romania (Royal Palace)
Romanian art and European masters in the former Royal Palace
Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History
Natural history museum with large dioramas and a seasonal tropical butterfly greenhouse
National Museum of the Romanian Peasant (Muzeul Taranului Roman)
Folk costume, icons and textile collections in a neo-Romanian building
National History Museum of Romania
Romanian history from antiquity, including the Historic Treasury
Cotroceni National Museum (Cotroceni Palace)
Royal and presidential palace complex open for guided visits
Parks_and_gardens
Herastrau Park (King Michael I Park)
Lakeside park with boat rental, walking paths and cafes
Cismigiu Gardens
Central garden with a lake and rowing boats
Carol Park and Mausoleum of the Heroes
Hilltop park with fountains and a mausoleum
Religious_sites
Stavropoleos Monastery
1724 church known for Brancovenesc carved stonework and a quiet courtyard
Kretzulescu Church
Small 18th-century brick church beside the Royal Palace
Historic_sites_and_neighborhoods
Old Town (Centrul Vechi) and Strada Lipscani
Pedestrian old quarter with historic inns, shops, bars and restaurants
Curtea Veche (Old Princely Court)
Ruins of the medieval princely court linked to Vlad the Impaler
Revolution Square and Memorial of Rebirth
Site of the December 1989 revolution
Manuc's Inn (Hanul lui Manuc)
1808 caravanserai with a courtyard, cafes and restaurant
Primaverii Palace (Ceausescu Mansion)
Former home of the Ceausescu family, visited by guided tour
Palaces_and_day_out
Mogosoaia Palace
Early 18th-century Brancovenesc palace beside a lake, 15 km from the centre
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most museums open 10:00AM-6:00PM and close Monday, many also Tuesday; churches open daily in daytime; parks are open from dawn to late evening
- Fees
- Museum entry typically 15-40 RON (about $3-9 USD); the Palace of the Parliament about 70 RON (about $15 USD); parks, churches and the Old Town are free
- Best Times
- April-June and September-October for mild weather; weekday mornings for museums; evenings for the Old Town and Athenaeum concerts
- Booking
- Book the Palace of the Parliament at cic.cdep.ro and Cotroceni Palace at muzeulcotroceni.ro in advance; book Primaverii Palace online at ceausescu-mansion.ro; buy Antipa tickets at antipa.bilet.ro
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Reserve the Palace of the Parliament visit at cic.cdep.ro several days ahead and carry a passport or ID, which is required at security
Most museums close on Monday, so plan parks and the Old Town for Mondays
Group the Kiseleff cluster: Antipa Museum, Peasant Museum, Arcul de Triumf, Village Museum and Herastrau Park run along one boulevard
Walk Calea Victoriei from Piata Revolutiei south to the CEC Palace to pass the Royal Palace, Kretzulescu Church and the History Museum in about 30 minutes
Use the metro (stations Universitate, Piata Victoriei, Piata Unirii, Izvor) for longer hops and walk the central sights
Carry some cash in lei for small ticket desks, church donations and park kiosks; cards are accepted at most larger museums
Frequently asked questions
How many days are enough for Bucharest attractions?
Two full days cover the Palace of the Parliament, the Old Town, Calea Victoriei museums and the Kiseleff cluster; three days add Cotroceni, Primaverii Palace and a half-day trip to Mogosoaia Palace.
Can visitors enter the Palace of the Parliament without a booking?
Entry is by guided visit and must be reserved in advance at cic.cdep.ro; a passport or national ID card is required at the security gate (visitor entrance B3 on Calea 13 Septembrie).
Which attractions are free?
Old Town streets, Cismigiu Gardens, Herastrau Park, Carol Park, Revolution Square, Arcul de Triumf, Stavropoleos Monastery and Kretzulescu Church are free, and the National Art Museum is free on the first Wednesday of each month.
What is the best time of year to see Bucharest sights?
April-June and September-October bring mild weather; July-August can exceed 35 C (95 F), and winters are cold with occasional snow.