Bucharest, Romania isn’t the most popular destination in Europe, but it has plenty of attractions and things to do for travelers with a wide variety of interests. But is the capital and largest city of Romania worth visiting in its own right?
Some of the most common questions involving Bucharest and travel pertain to what one might actually do when visiting the city. Bucharest may be overshadowed by the large cities and capitals of neighboring countries, but, yes, it is worth a visit.
Bucharest isn’t the prettiest city. It’s not the flashiest travel destination. Eyesores from a tumultuous 20th century dominate the cityscape. Beneath the surface – everything that is overshadowed by the scars of communism and dictatorship – is a city in the midst of a resurgence with exciting history, culture, food and people.
Wandering Bucharest is the best way to see and experience the city. There are numerous curious sights and attractions to warrant a visit, but this list will give you a good base from which to start:
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Explore Old Town
The first stop for most tourists in Bucharest is Old Town. Old Town Bucharest isn’t that old. Most of the buildings date to the 1800s. There are a few older structures in the mix, but the area was preserved and polished for tourism – cobblestone streets and all.
While it may not be the most photogenic or historic city center in Europe, Bucharest’s Old Town is the center of tourism. There are a lot of restaurants and bars, plenty of shops and a few historic sites in between.
Churches of Old Town
The Romanian Orthodox Church is an integral part of society in Romania, and the city center of the capital is no exception. Several of the oldest structures in Old Town Bucharest provide a fascinating juxtaposition to the nightclubs and other clubs that dot the area.
Beyond the glow of candles among the darkness, Romanian churches are ornate, elaborately decorated and full of iconography. The atmosphere is usually somber and reverent.
Don’t let this scare you away. Tourists are welcome. As long as you’re respectful, no one minds if you have a look around and snap a few photos.
Stavropoleos Monastery is the most notable church in Old Town. The exterior is beautifully decorated with intricate designs and portraits of saints and other venerated people of importance.
Curtea Veche Church, also known as Annunciation Church of St. Anthony, is the oldest church in Bucharest. Dating back to the 1500s, it is also one of the oldest buildings in the city.
There are a few other churches in Old Town Bucharest and nearby. Most of these are open to the public. For those who are less familiar with the Eastern Orthodox Church, these buildings stand out and provide a stark contrast to the sea of uninspiring Communist architecture.
Museums
Bucharest is an underrated city for museums. There are museums focusing on art, traditional Romanian lifestyle, history, literature and more. Most of the museums are close to the city center, but they are fairly spread out.
In Old Town, there are two notable museums: The National Bank Museum and the National Museum of Romanian History.
The National Museum of Romanian History is one of the top museums in Bucharest. It is home to historical artifacts and treasures from ancient times all the way to the Crown Jewels of Romania.
Perhaps the highlight of the National History Museum is the detailed replica of Trajan’s column (see image below). The original, in Rome, has been the victim of acid rain, and this 19th-century replica in Bucharest is now more detailed than the original.
The National Bank Museum is housed in a beautiful building. A fantastic stop for those interested in numismatics, it is also a great place to learn about the modern history of Romania. Note: you may need to book your visit online, so check their website beforehand.
Food
The city center of Bucharest has restaurants all over the place. Old Town Bucharest is home to the highest concentration restaurants in the city.
There are a few local joints tucked in the madness, but most of the Old Town restaurants are tourist spots. Prices are about the highest in the city, too. It’s not expensive by London or New York standards, but it is less budget-friendly than other parts of Bucharest.
Avoiding the obvious tourist establishments is fairly easy. Irish pubs, for instance, tend to stray pretty far from traditional local cuisine. That should be obvious, but sometimes it happens and you find yourself in an Irish pub unintentionally.
Among the tourist restaurants, there are a few decent options in Old Town Bucharest for a convenient meal. It won’t be as cheap as elsewhere, but you can still find great Romanian food for a fair price.
For more tips and specifics on Eating in Bucharest, look out for the Hangry Backpacker’s Bucharest Food Guide – Coming Soon!
Enjoy Some Cheap Fun
To be perfectly clear, wild partying is not a Hangry Backpacker recommendation. At all.
It is, however, a reason tens of thousands of people visit Bucharest.
Romania is cheap, and flights to Bucharest are generally cheap from cities in Europe and other Mediterranean countries. You’re bound to see raucous groups of tourists from Britain, Germany, Scandinavia, Israel, etc.
This is simply one of the most popular things tourists do in Bucharest. There is so much more to this city than cheap thrills, but it’s mentioned only because it’s popular. Think of this as a precaution rather than a recommendation.
Our suggestion is to absolutely take advantage of the cheap food and drink, but try to do it as far from the Stag parties – maybe just steer clear of Old Town for drinking, in general – as possible. And don’t be an idiot. Keep your wits about you.
Check Out the Hangry Backpacker’s Romania Travel & Backpacking Guide!
Visit the Parks of Bucharest
Bucharest has small parks around the city. These vary greatly in size and design, from simple green spaces to more elaborate landscapes and architecture.
Of the larger parks, these three stand out among the best things to do for visitors in Bucharest:
- Michael I Park – Great park in Northern Bucharest with several restaurants, a beer hall, nearby museums, tennis courts and more. This is the park to visit if you also want to see the Bucharest Arcul de Triumf or the infamous and intriguing former residence of the dictator, Ceauşescu.
- Tineretului Park – This large park in the southern part of the city is home to an amusement park and a large cemetery. It offers nice walking areas to stroll and escape the city, but it can be pretty busy on weekends.
- Carol Park – Carol Park is easily accessible to the city center, roughly a 20-minute walk from the Parliament and 30 minutes from Old Town. It is just north of Tineretului Park, so you can visit these together with ease. The best part of Park Carol is the blend of Communist and pre-Communist Bucharest, and there is a small flea market on weekends that has a bit of interesting junk and fun relics of Romania’s past.
Gawk at the Heaviest Building in the World
The Romanian Palace of the Parliament is as much a draw for its bizarre history as its sheer enormity. Ceauşescu wanted this building to be emblematic of Bucharest, and, for better or worse, it certainly is.
The result of Ceauşescu’s dream is a symbol of the Communist era that weighs in as the heaviest building in the world and one of the world’s largest buildings. Strangely, the design that is part-Communist and part-classical fits well in Bucharest.
Today, the building is home to the Romanian Parliament. However, while it has become the symbol of Bucharest, it is rife with controversy. A majority of the building sits vacant and unused. The staggering costs to operate and maintain the Romanian Parliament building (the most expensive in the world) frustrate the citizenry.
Don’t waste your time on a tour.
The Romanian Palace of the Parliament is on a lot of lists of things to do in Bucharest. The intricate interior is a surprising sight. Some of the grand rooms are impressive, but the tour is brief and restrictive. As a working government building, you cannot wander around at your leisure. On top of that, photography is limited, and there can be a lengthy wait for tickets.
I suggest sticking to the exterior and marveling at the massive structure from the surrounding grounds. It is sufficiently impressive (and large) enough to enjoy from outside.
If you do decide to take the tour, try to get tickets early to avoid the long wait. Leave your fancy camera behind – it’s not allowed. Tickets are fairly cheap, though. The basic tour costs about $10. And don’t forget your passport.
Enjoy Piata Unirii Fountain
The Piata Unirii Fountain sits in the heart of Bucharest. Steps from Old Town and with the Parliament as a backdrop, the Piata Unirii Fountain is a picturesque and famous landmark.
The fountain itself is nice, but the highlight is the show that runs from May to October. Friday to Sunday nights, around 9 PM, a the fountain performs. Colorful lights illuminate the fountains, and a show is set to popular music. This is a very popular event in Bucharest, attracting large crowds each night.
During the daytime, the show is less dramatic, but the Piata Unirii fountains continue to spray. Photographers and fountain enthusiasts (yes, ‘fountain enthusiasts’ are a thing) will not want to miss this.
Stroll Down Calea Victoriei
Strolling down Calea Victoriei, you might forget you’re in Romania. It is lined with trendy shops, restaurants and bars, accompanied by upscale hotels and museums.
Calea Victoriei is certainly not what one expects when thinking of Romania. Be that as it may, it’s a fun area to visit. If shopping is your thing, you can do that. Otherwise, it’s the food and drink that is worth your attention.
Cool bars, such as Palatul Monteoru and Victoria Hub, are great outdoor spaces to hang out with chill-but-lively atmospheres. Venues like these stand out as places where you can enjoy yourself in a unique setting that feels like Bucharest. You can have a pint or a bite to eat with regular Bucharesters surrounded by the local history.
Many of the establishments along Calea Victoriei are polished and bright. It’s a nice marker for progress, but the authenticity of the city and culture disappears amidst the loud music and shiny facades, not to mention some of the highest prices in the city.
If you find the right spots, Calea Victoriei is a wonderful street to stroll. The Open Streets program is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Bucharest. The city periodically blocks off large sections of busy roads for pedestrian-use only. Calea Victoriei turns into miles-long thoroughfare with thousands of people enjoying the freedom of movement.
The Romanian Athenaeum is a beautiful structure from the outside. If you have the opportunity to go inside, don’t pass it up. The interior of the neoclassical concert hall is stunning, to say the least. Across the street from the Athenaeum is the National Museum of Art, which houses important Romanian art, as well as a respectable collection of international works from famous Old Masters, Impressionists and more.
Aside from these two primary museums, there are several other museums nearby. These include the National Museum of Literature, the Cantacuzino Palace and more. Today, several of the former grand residences house fancy hotels.
Adjacent to the trendy elements of a resurging and growing city, this single street boasts a tremendous amount of striking architecture, quality museums and plenty of good food. Calea Victoriei is easily one of the best things to do in Bucharest.
Wander Piata Obor (Obor Market)
Obor Market is one of the best places in Bucharest for tourists to see the local side of 21st-century life in the city.
The site has been a center of commerce and home to a market for hundreds of years. Today, this market serves more than the immediate neighborhoods. Locals come from around Bucharest and beyond to shop for and sell a variety of goods.
Shops in the market range from butchers and cheesemakers to impressively fresh, locally-sourced produce. And, of course, no large market is complete without rows of trinkets and handmade crafts.
I spent a couple of hours wandering around the market and did not encounter another tourist. Obor market is an excellent choice for tourists to find cheap souvenirs, experience a local side of Bucharest and sample fantastic local food and drink.
Walk through Local History
Aimless wandering of a city for its architecture might sound a little boring or nerdy to many travelers. After all, this is Bucharest – not Rome.
This city has become a travel destination to satiate the vices of tourists. However, as we’ve mentioned, there is more to Bucharest than a cheap party.
The tumultuous history of Romania’s Capital City is visible as you stroll from street to street. While Romania is an old country, inhabited for thousands of years, the recent history has been especially volatile.
Whereas Rome can be like walking through a museum – or visiting Venice is like seeing a real-life postcard – strolling through Bucharest is akin to walking through living history.
In less than 150 years, Romania has gone from Ottoman vassal state to Independent Kingdom, Communist dictatorship and, finally, a democratic republic.
This history is visible in the cityscape of Bucharest. There are few remnants of Ottoman times in Romania, but the Kingdom of Romania left a mark that even Ceauşescu could not entirely erase. Marks of a city once called the “Paris of Eastern Europe” sit adjacent to Communist architecture, modern constructions and centuries-old Romanian Orthodox churches.
At first glance, the architecture of Bucharest appears messy and confusing. As you spend time in the streets, you can see that Romania’s capital is a unique study, a living history of a city and people with who recognize the past and embrace the future.
Bucharest isn’t one of those cities with an exhaustive list of famous things to do. There’s no local equivalent to the Louvre or the Parthenon. But that’s not why you visit Bucharest!
There are few places in Romania that have a touristy feel, and most are away from the capital city. Bucharest is a place to visit for a different travel experience. While sightseeing here and there is part of the fun, you can get an honest feel for Romanian culture in Bucharest.
Whether you enjoy history, architecture, food or nightlife, there is a wide variety of things to do in Bucharest. Best of all, the city is one of the best budget travel destinations in Europe.
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