Things to Do in Bucharest
The top things to do in Bucharest are a guided tour of the huge Palace of the Parliament, a walk through the Old Town and along Calea Victoriei to the Romanian Athenaeum, the open-air Village Museum and an evening of Romanian food. One or two days are enough for the highlights, and the city is also the best base for the day trips from Bucharest we recommend.
Below we go through the essential sights, how much time each one needs and how to plan your stay.
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Key facts
- Must-sees: the Palace of the Parliament, the Old Town, the Romanian Athenaeum and the Village Museum.
- The Palace of the Parliament can only be visited on a guided tour: book ahead and bring your passport or ID card.
- 1–2 days are enough for the highlights; add more if you want to use the city as a base for day trips.
- The centre is walkable, and the metro is the easiest way to cover longer distances.
- Many museums close on Mondays; check opening days before you go.
Bucharest’s Top Sights at a Glance
These are the places most visitors include on a first trip:
| Sight | Why go | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Palace of the Parliament | One of the largest buildings in the world, built under Ceaușescu | 1–2 h |
| Old Town (Lipscani) | Pedestrian streets, Stavropoleos Monastery, cafés and nightlife | 2–3 h |
| Calea Victoriei and Romanian Athenaeum | The city’s grand avenue, Revolution Square and its famous concert hall | 1–2 h |
| Village Museum | Open-air museum of traditional houses from all over Romania | 2 h |
| Herăstrău and Cișmigiu parks | Green spaces for a walk, a boat ride or a break | 1–2 h |
The Palace of the Parliament
The Palace of the Parliament is one of the largest administrative buildings in the world, built in the 1980s under the communist leader Nicolae Ceaușescu. Its marble halls, chandeliers and endless corridors tell a lot about that period of Romanian history.
Visits are by guided tour only, and you need a passport or ID card to enter. Tours often fill up, so book ahead and check the current schedule on the official website.
Bucharest Tours We Recommend
A visit to the Romanian Athenaeum, a ride through history in a vintage Dacia, two food tours, a Romanian wine tasting and a craft beer tour.
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Viator
Athenaeum Experience: Private Walking Tour in Bucharest
A private guided visit to the Romanian Athenaeum, Bucharest’s most iconic concert hall.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
RedPatrol Private Tour of Bucharest in a Vintage Romanian Car
Explore Bucharest on a private tour in a vintage Romanian Dacia, with stories of the communist era and the city’s landmarks along the way.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
Bucharest Food Lovers Tour: Markets, Tastings & Hidden Spots
A small-group food walking tour of Bucharest with a local guide: traditional markets, tastings and hidden corners of the old mahalale neighbourhoods.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
Taste of Bucharest: Private Food and Culture Tour
A private walking tour to taste Romanian food and discover Bucharest’s culture with a guide.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
Wine Tasting in Bucharest
A Romanian wine tasting in Bucharest: discover local grape varieties and wine regions with an expert host.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
Private Beer and Culture Tour in Bucharest with a Local
Explore Bucharest with a local guide, combining Romanian beer with the city’s culture and history on a private tour.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
The Old Town and Stavropoleos
The Old Town (Centrul Vechi), around Lipscani street, is the historic heart of Bucharest. By day, look for the small Stavropoleos Monastery, with its carved stone and painted porch, the ruins of the Old Princely Court and the Cărturești Carusel bookshop, one of the most photographed in Europe.
In the evening the area fills with restaurants, bars and terraces. A guided walking tour on your first day helps you understand the city’s many layers of history.
Calea Victoriei and the Romanian Athenaeum
Calea Victoriei is the city’s grand avenue, lined with Belle Époque palaces. Along it you will find Revolution Square, where the 1989 revolution unfolded, the National Museum of Art in the former Royal Palace and the Romanian Athenaeum, the elegant domed concert hall that is a symbol of Bucharest.
If you can, attend a concert at the Athenaeum or join a short guided visit to see its painted interior.
Parks, Museums and the Village Museum
In the north of the city, King Michael I Park (Herăstrău) surrounds a large lake and is home to the open-air Village Museum, with traditional houses, churches and windmills from all over Romania. Nearby stands the Arc de Triomphe.
In the centre, Cișmigiu Gardens is the oldest public park in the city. For culture, the Museum of the Romanian Peasant is a beautifully curated look at folk traditions.
Food and Nightlife
Bucharest is a great place to try Romanian cuisine: sarmale (cabbage rolls), mici (grilled meat rolls), sour soups called ciorbă and papanași for dessert. Historic beer halls and modern restaurants sit side by side in the Old Town.
A food or wine tour is an easy way to taste the best in one evening. Read our guide to Romanian food to know what to order.
How Many Days in Bucharest and Getting Around
One day covers the Palace of the Parliament, Calea Victoriei and the Old Town; two days let you add the Village Museum, the parks and a food tour at a slower pace. To fit Bucharest into a longer route, see our 7-day Romania itinerary.
The centre is easy to explore on foot, and the metro connects the main areas. From the airport, trains and buses reach the city; more options in our guide on how to get around Romania.
Things to Do in Bucharest: FAQ
What is Bucharest best known for?
For the huge Palace of the Parliament, its Belle Époque architecture, which earned it the nickname “Little Paris”, the lively Old Town and the Romanian Athenaeum.
How many days do you need in Bucharest?
One or two days are enough for the main sights. Stay longer if you want to use the city as a base for day trips to castles, the mountains or the Danube Delta.
Can you visit the Palace of the Parliament without a tour?
No. Visits are by guided tour only, and you need a passport or ID card. Book ahead and check the current schedule on the official website.
What is the Old Town of Bucharest like?
A small area of pedestrian streets around Lipscani, with the Stavropoleos Monastery, historic inns, cafés and lively nightlife in the evening.
Are museums in Bucharest open on Mondays?
Many museums close on Mondays, and some also on Tuesdays. Check opening days before you go; walking tours usually run every day.
What should you eat in Bucharest?
Sarmale, mici, a sour soup (ciorbă) and papanași for dessert. A food tour is an easy way to try several dishes in one evening.
