Top Things to Do in Bucharest Romania
This list of things to do in Bucharest Romania helps you sort through a city that doesn’t fit neatly into one category. Bucharest surprised me. One minute I was staring at the enormous Palace of Parliament, the next I was walking past bullet-scarred buildings from the 1989 Revolution, slipping inside a tiny Orthodox church, drinking coffee in a leafy courtyard, or wondering how an abandoned-looking building ended up next to an elegant Belle Époque mansion.
You’ll find Communist history, grand architecture, museums, churches, rooftop bars, Romanian food, parks, unusual attractions, and places that reveal why Bucharest is so interesting once you look beyond the obvious sights. You don’t need to do all 60. Pick what interests you, group your sightseeing by neighborhood, and leave enough time to wander.
READ: Complete Travel Guide to Romania, What You Need to Know
Top 10 Things to Do in Bucharest Romania
Short on time? I’d start here.
- Tour the Palace of Parliament.
- Walk through Revolution Square.
- Tour the Ceaușescu Mansion.
- Explore Bucharest’s Old Town.
- Visit the Village Museum.
- See the Romanian Athenaeum.
- Walk along Calea Victoriei.
- Visit Stavropoleos Monastery Church.
- Spend an afternoon at Therme București.
- Eat traditional Romanian food.
Things to Do in and Around Bucharest Romania
Tour the incredible Palace of Parliament
Have a cocktail on the rooftop of Linea and enjoy the view of the Palace of Parliament
See the remaining bullet holes in the buildings around Revolution Square
See the balcony of Nicolae Ceaușescu’s last address to the Nation
Tour the Ceausescu Mansion
Photograph the Arcul de Triumf at night
Explore Romania’s cultural heritage at the open-air Village Museum
Check out the Monument to the Heroes of the Struggle for Freedom and Socialism in Carol Park
Have a picnic next to the lake in Herăstrău Park or in Cismigiu Gardens
Visit the Sighet Memorial to learn about Communism in Bucharest
Eat sarmale (minced meat and rice wrapped in pickled cabbage leaves)
See a performance at the Romanian Athenaeum
Purchase authentic Romanian souvenirs at the Museum of the Romanian Peasant
Shop the Strada Mihai Bravu flea market
Have (a touristy) dinner at Caru’ cu Bere and watch the dancers
Check out the view from the terrace of the National Museum of Contemporary Art
Take selfies at the insta-famous Cărturești Carusel bookstore
Browse the National Museum of Romanian History
Take selfies under an umbrella canopy on Pasajul Victoria
Eat papanasi (fried donut served with sour cream and jam)
Explore Kretzulescu Church and Stauropoleos Church
Photograph the Caragealiana Sculpture at the National Theater
Check out the controversial Memorial of Rebirth
Munch on a couvigi (pretzel) as you stroll Victoriei Avenue
Photograph CEC Palace
Grab lunch from a food truck at Food Hood
Check out the entrance of Cantacuzino Palace
Have a cocktail on the rooftop of Upstairs with views of Calea Victoriei
Wander among the sculptures and mausoleums at Bellu Cemetery
Take a guided tour of Bucharest’s Communist past
Grab a coffee at M60
Check out the street art on Strada Arthur Verona and the mural on the Xenofon Stairs
Discover Little Paris at the Pasajul Macca-Villacrosse arcade
Head to Old Town on a Friday or Saturday night and dance in the streets
Stop by Vlad Tepes Castle in Carol Park
Check out the Museum of the Senses
Eat plăcintă cu brânză dulce (fried bread with cheese)
Lift a curse by touching the hand of St Cyprian at Zlătari Church
Stop at a garden bar for a cocktail, try Gradina Eden, Acuarela, or Garden Verona
Spend a day relaxing in the pools at Therme
Take a foodie tour
Stop by the Old Princely Court archeological site and see the bust of Vlad the Impaler
Wander the wealthy Piata Romana neighborhood and check out the architecture
Check out the hidden Mihai Vodă Monastery
See the monuments and Revolution Memorial in University Square
See the fountains in Unirii Square and walk down the Boulevard Unirii
Tour Cutroceni Palace, the President’s Home
Eat traditional Romanian food at La Mama Restaurant
Take the Beautiful Decay Tour and explore the abandoned Truth Newspaper
Check out the English Passage, it was once a brothel
Browse the Flea Market at Bazar
See the largest corkscrew and pressing iron collections in the World at the Museum of Romanian Records
Tour the Jilava Penitentiary, the Communist political prison
See the art of Theodor Pallady at the Melik House
Have a cocktail at the rooftop of Z Executive Hotel and enjoy the view of University Square
Have lunch at NOR Restaurant on the 34th floor of Sky Tower for panoramic city views
Tour an old aristocratic residence at Sutu Palace
Go wine tasting
Check the Bucharest Romania Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Instagrammable Bucharest Romania, Endless Photo Opportunities
Bucharest Romania is full of photo opportunities. Historically, Bucharest Romania was called the Paris of the East. The city fell into urban decay during the Communist Era. Today there is an architectural restoration occurring in Bucharest. The restored properties mixed with urban decay and communist blocks offer endless Instagram opportunities. Add the insanely gorgeous Palace of the Parliament, beautiful Byzantine Churches, sculpture-adorned Cebu Cemetery, an arcade with an umbrella canopy, monuments, the whimsical Caruta cu Paiate sculpture, the gorgeous Carturesti Carusel bookstore, and Arc de Triomphe and there is no question Bucharest is photogenic. Visit my Instagram Feed to see Bucharest Romania in photos and see why you should add Bucharest Romania to your Eastern Europe itinerary.
My Favorite Booking Resources
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