Why go to Bucharest
Bucharest is not pretty in the obvious way, and that is half the appeal. Belle Époque townhouses stand next to concrete blocks, Orthodox churches sit in the shadow of communist-era boulevards, and a 19th-century bookshop shares a street with a loud bar. It is a city of layers, and it rewards people who look up and wander into courtyards.
It is also cheap by Western European standards, the food is hearty and honest, and the nightlife runs late. Flights are often among the lowest-priced in the region, which is why it keeps turning up in our deal alerts.
What to see in Bucharest
Palace of the Parliament
Built under Ceaușescu, it is one of the biggest buildings on earth and absurdly over the top: marble halls, enormous chandeliers, carpets the size of tennis courts. Entry is by guided tour only, and you need your passport. Book ahead, especially in summer.
The Old Town and Lipscani
The old merchants' quarter is a tangle of pedestrian streets, restored façades and bars. It is touristy, yes, but it is also where the city's history is easiest to read. Come in the morning, before the terraces fill, and see the ruins of the Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche).
Stavropoleos Monastery
A tiny 18th-century church tucked behind a courtyard in the Old Town, with carved stone and painted porch details. It takes ten minutes to see and stays with you far longer. It is calmest in the early afternoon.
Cărturești Carusel
A bookshop on Strada Lipscani in a restored 19th-century building, with white curving galleries over several floors. There are books in English, and a café on the top floor. Go for a coffee, not a shopping spree.
Calea Victoriei and the Romanian Athenaeum
This is Bucharest's grand old avenue. Walk it north from the Old Town and you pass the National History Museum, the CEC Palace and the domed Romanian Athenaeum concert hall, opened in 1888. If you can catch a concert there, do. Tickets are often modest.
Revolution Square
The site of Ceaușescu's final speech in December 1989 has a memorial and the old Central Committee building with its balcony. It is a sober stop, but a useful one for understanding modern Romania.
Village Museum and Herăstrău Park
An open-air museum of farmhouses, wooden churches and windmills brought from every region of Romania, set beside a large lake park. It is the best way to see rural Romania without leaving the capital. Go on a weekday for the quiet.
National Museum of the Romanian Peasant
Not the dry place the name suggests. The textiles, icons and costumes are beautifully displayed, and the museum shop sells some of the best authentic souvenirs in town.
Things to do
- Take a free walking tour. Several run daily from the centre, and a good guide explains the Ceaușescu years better than any plaque.
- Row a boat in Cișmigiu Gardens. It is the city's oldest park, and on a summer weekend half of Bucharest is here.
- Spend an evening in Lipscani. Pick a bar with a courtyard, order a glass of Romanian wine or a țuică, and stay late.
- Visit Mogoșoaia Palace. A Brâncovenesc-style palace on a lake just outside the city, an easy half-day trip by car or ride-hailing.
- Relax at Therme București. A huge thermal spa complex north of the centre, good in winter when the weather turns grey.
- Day trip to Sinaia and Peleș Castle. Trains leave from Gara de Nord and take roughly two hours. Brașov is a longer but popular option.
How many days and a suggested route
Three days is the sweet spot. Two will do if you skip the museums, and four lets you add a day trip.
- Day 1: Old Town, Stavropoleos, Cărturești Carusel, lunch in Lipscani, then Calea Victoriei, Revolution Square and the Athenaeum. Dinner back in the centre.
- Day 2: Parliament Palace tour in the morning, then walk or ride towards Cișmigiu Gardens. In the afternoon visit the Peasant Museum, and finish with the Herășrău side of town in the evening.
- Day 3: Village Museum and Herăstrău Park, then Therme or a day trip to Mogoșoaia or Sinaia.
When to go
Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to early October) are the best times: warm, dry and comfortable for walking. Summer can be properly hot, often above 30°C, and the city empties a little in August as locals leave. Winters are cold, with temperatures around freezing and sometimes snow, though Christmas markets give the centre a warm feel. If you love classical music, look for the George Enescu Festival, held in odd-numbered years around September.
Where to stay
Old Town (Lipscani). Best for first-timers, walkable to most sights, but noisy at weekends. Choose a room facing a courtyard.
Calea Victoriei and Universitate. A good compromise: central, better connected to the metro, and a little calmer at night.
Cotroceni and Dorobanți. Leafy residential areas with elegant villas and quieter streets. Good for longer stays and for mid-range travellers who want calm.
Budget. Hostels near the Old Town and Gara de Nord have dorm beds at low prices. Mid-range hotels and apartments in the centre are fair value, and a stay in a restored townhouse is not expensive by Western standards.
What to eat and where
Romanian food is built on pork, cabbage, polenta and sour cream. Start with sarmale (cabbage rolls) served with mămăligă, then try mici (grilled minced-meat rolls) with mustard and a cold beer. Ciorbă de burtă, a sour tripe soup, is an acquired taste but a local favourite. For dessert, order papanași, fried cheese doughnuts with sour cream and jam, and don't share.
Caru' cu Bere, open since 1879 and set in a neo-Gothic hall, is touristy but still worth one meal for the atmosphere. Hanu' lui Manuc, a 19th-century inn with a big courtyard, does traditional dishes in a lovely setting. For something cheaper, look for the lunch specials at small canteens around Piața Amzei, or buy a warm covrig (pretzel-like bread ring) from a street stand. Local wine is better than its reputation, so ask for a Fetească Neagră.
Getting from the airport and around
Henri Coandă International Airport (Otopeni) is about 16 km north of the centre. There is a train link from the airport to Gara de Nord, and an express bus service to central stops such as Piața Unirii. Ride-hailing apps like Bolt and Uber are common, cheap, and the easiest way to avoid taxi hassle. Allow 30 to 50 minutes depending on traffic, which can be heavy at rush hour.
In the city, the metro (Metrorex) is quick and cheap, though it does not reach every area. Piața Unirii, Universitate and Piața Victoriei are the useful stations. Buses and trams cover the rest, and the central sights are walkable. Pavements can be uneven, so wear sturdy shoes.
Rough daily budget
- Budget: around €40 to €55 per day (hostel bed, street food, public transport).
- Mid-range: around €80 to €120 per day (private room or good hotel, restaurant meals, a few taxis and tickets).
- Comfortable: €150 and up, if you want a top hotel and fine dining.
The local currency is the leu (RON), not the euro. Cards are widely accepted, but carry a little cash for markets and small cafés.
FAQs
Is Bucharest safe for tourists?
Generally yes. Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and on the metro, and use ride-hailing apps rather than hailing taxis on the street. Stray dogs are far fewer than they used to be.
Is three days enough?
Yes, for the main sights and a good feel for the city. Add a fourth day if you want a trip to Sinaia or Brașov.
Do I need to speak Romanian?
No. English is widely spoken by younger people and in the tourist areas. A simple "mulțumesc" (thank you) goes down well.
Do I need to book the Parliament tour?
It is wise. Tours can sell out in high season, and you need a passport or ID to enter. Book online a few days before.
What is the best month to visit?
May, June and September are the most pleasant for weather and light, with fewer extremes than summer or winter.
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Guide updated 21 Oct 2026