The Classics – 11 Must-Visit Attractions in Bucharest
Every traveler who comes to Bucharest is almost "required" to visit these sites, which are known worldwide as the city's most famous attractions. You can find many diverse attractions throughout Bucharest, all of which will expose you to the grandeur, culture, and history of the place, but the following 11 are ones you cannot miss - if you haven't been to them, you haven't been to Bucharest!
This impressive garden is located in the heart of Bucharest and covers an area of approximately 160 acres, including English-style landscaped vegetation, lakes and small streams, statues of various Romanian artists, and many walking paths. In addition to enjoying wandering through the different park paths among about 30,000 trees, flowers, and bushes, you can also rent a boat and sail on the lake, sit and play in a special area for chess enthusiasts, let children run and play on various playground equipment, and feed the birds that are regularly present. Throughout the park, you will also find various monuments dedicated to the French and American soldiers who perished during the battles for the city in World War I and II. This is one of the best places to sit and relax after a day of shopping and sightseeing, or just to take a moment to enjoy a cup of tea and a light meal.
The Arch of Triumph in Bucharest was originally erected in 1879 to mark Romania's independence, rebuilt in 1922 after World War I, and finally, in 1935, its final version was inaugurated in stone and marble. The arch is located in the northern part of the city, near Herăstrău Park, and is considered one of the most visited sites in the city. Besides being impressed by the many designs that decorate the arch, there is also the option to climb to its top and enjoy a view of the city from a height of 27 meters. Every year on December 1, Romania's Independence Day parade takes place there, and every night the arch is illuminated with spotlights highlighting the symbols of Romania's 40 counties commemorated on it.
This impressive palace and the gardens surrounding it are located about 10 km northwest of Bucharest, and it was built between 1698-1702 by Constantin Brâncoveanu in the Romanian Renaissance style. The palace has a very rich history: it was bombed during World War I, used for the burial of Romanian nobility, and nationalized by communist forces, with many art objects that were inside disappearing and possibly stolen. In 1957 the palace became a museum, and it is recommended to visit mainly due to the well-maintained gardens, the impressive architecture of the buildings, and the art gallery now housed within it.
This museum opened in 1948, and although it is significantly smaller than other leading museums in Europe, it is still a recommended destination for those interested in the works of Bruegel, Renoir, and Dimitrie Paciurea. Additionally, the museum has an impressive collection of sculptures by the famous Romanian artist Constantin Brâncuși, and you can also find the international art collection of the Romanian royal family. Like many other museums, there is a tradition of rotating exhibitions on various topics, and overall, it showcases around 70,000 different works. The highlight of the visit to the museum is undoubtedly the gallery in the Throne Room, which features many impressive ceiling decorations and portraits of nobility from the past.
The Romanian Athenaeum is a magnificent concert hall and one of Bucharest's iconic symbols, opened to the public in 1888 and can accommodate nearly 800 spectators. The circular hall is considered to have excellent acoustics, and it is designed in a very impressive neo-classical style. If you look at the ceiling, you will see a giant fresco depicting key events from Romanian history. Tickets to concerts there are relatively inexpensive, but even if you prefer not to enter the hall, you can still sit peacefully in the small park in front of it, under the watchful eye of a statue of Mihai Eminescu, Romania's greatest poet.
The city of Bucharest has a Jewish community, whose roots date back to the 16th century, and despite the persecutions that Romanian Jews endured during World War II and the communist regime of the country, several thousand Jewish families still remain in the city. The Jewish Theater was established in 1948 and represents a long tradition of Yiddish theater in Romania. If you do not speak Yiddish or fluent Romanian, there is no need to worry, as the theater has a simultaneous translation system via headphones. The theater is located near the city's Jewish Museum, and together they are considered two of the most important Jewish heritage sites in Bucharest. Recently, the building was damaged by a storm and is under renovation, but do not worry, even if it is not repaired by the time you visit the city, the Jewish theater performances still take place in other halls.
This synagogue is another Jewish heritage site in Bucharest that is definitely worth visiting and admiring. Its construction took place between 1855-1858 based on the model of the Tempelgasse Synagogue in Vienna, and today it is the central synagogue of Romanian Jewry. This synagogue is considered reformed and moderate, and you can even find a choir and organ there. The synagogue building was severely damaged during the Bucharest pogroms in 1941, during which a horrific massacre of worshipers also took place, but it was restored with the help of charity organizations after World War II, and it still stands in its original location, a short walk from the city center.
If you want to stroll down the most beautiful street in Bucharest, you've come to the right place. Along Victory Avenue, you will find some of the city's most impressive buildings alongside luxury shops, the seat of the Romanian government, and a variety of recommended attractions such as Revolution Square, the already mentioned Romanian Athenaeum, the CEC Palace with its impressive glass dome, and the National Library building with its blackened roof. Additionally, on this street, you will find some of the most expensive hotels in the city, which, even if you don't intend to stay in them, are certainly worth admiring for their impressive exterior design.
"House of the Republic," as the Romanian Palace of the Parliament is called, is a massive building whose construction was completed in 1997 after an investment of about 3 billion euros and the joint effort of about 20,000 workers. The majority of the building is made of 700 tons of steel and bronze, 3.5 tons of glass, and one million cubic meters of marble. The result is extremely impressive, to say the least, and the building even holds 3 world records: the largest administrative building, the most expensive building, and the heaviest building in the world. Guided tours are held at the site that will take you on a fascinating journey into the depths of the building and Romania's history, during which you can admire the variety of decorations and impressive furniture found there.
Although it is not the most beautiful or ancient church in Bucharest, it is definitely worth visiting to see an active church considered the heart of the Romanian Orthodox Church. After being impressed by the wall paintings on the facade of the building and passing through the entrance arches, you will witness the altar, designed down to the smallest detail, and if you are lucky, you will enjoy the singing of the famous a-cappella choir of the church.
11. Lipscani District (Lipscani)
The Lipscani area is the "big brother" of Victory Avenue, and it was the central commercial district of the city until the beginning of the 19th century. It is an area full of small and charming streets, where you can find small workshops, intimate cafes, and a wide variety of different architectural styles. During the communist regime, there were plans to destroy this entire district, but fortunately, they were never realized, and in recent years some of the oldest buildings have begun to undergo renovations to preserve their unique appearance.
Hidden Gems – 9 Attractions in Bucharest Known Only to Locals
Tour guides may take you everywhere you need to go to enjoy all the good things Bucharest has to offer, but only those who know every nook and cranny of the city can introduce you to the following places. They are much more niche, but they will also show you another side of the city that you won't know if you don't seek it out. If you're looking for more attractions, Bucharest can definitely introduce you to some special spots, and it's recommended that you include them in your trip.
If you want to feel like you're really in the Paris of Eastern Europe, the hidden passages you'll find here, in the city center, will transport you to another world. You will also find Parisian-style cafes that complete the experience, and it's definitely worth passing through if it's on your way to your next destination.
This charming bookstore is unlike anything you'll find elsewhere, and it's a perfect place for those looking for a somewhat unconventional site that most likely none of your friends have seen during their visits to the city. The building itself is worth a visit, even if you're not looking to read books, and on the top floor, there's also a café with homemade lemonade that's highly recommended to try.
This is also a bookstore in the city center, but it's a bit different. It's actually an old house with several rooms – all beautifully designed, and in each, you'll find books from different genres. It's a wonderful place to explore and discover every room, with one of the larger rooms even housing a café.
15. The Abandoned Buildings of Bucharest
Throughout the city, there is wonderful architecture, but also some abandoned buildings that have a special charm, despite their neglected appearance – like a kind of modern ruins. Some of them are over 100 years old, such as the Macca House and The Truth Newspaper Trust, which can only be visited on a guided tour.
The English Passage will lead you directly through a building that was originally built as a brothel in the early 20th century. Since World War II, it has been used for public housing, and its architecture is definitely a sight to behold. In one of the passage's corners, you'll find a small hat shop where the owner has been making hats since he was 14 years old; he is now almost 90.
If you enjoy discovering unique decorative items and clothing that can't be found anywhere else, don't miss Bucharest's flea markets. We especially recommend Târgul Vitan, where you will find musical instruments, food, pictures, household items, and more, and it's highly recommended to haggle over prices. The market is open on Sundays from 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM, so it's best to arrive early.
Bucharest is full of surprises, and it also has some very unconventional museums. At this place, you can see over 30,000 corkscrews and more than 35,000 irons of various types. It may not sound the most exciting in the world, but rest assured, with such a huge collection and many others, there are definitely quite a few surprises you wouldn't expect to see.
This hotel is the oldest still-operating hotel in Bucharest, dating back to its establishment in 1806. It has an inner courtyard with two floors equipped with internal galleries with arches reminiscent of the Brâncovenesc style, and a courtyard where folklore evenings, performances, and fairs were held in the past. Even if you're not a guest at the hotel, it's worth visiting to see this historic building.
At the top of a flight of stairs in an unassuming hostel in the center of Bucharest, you'll find one of the bars with the best view in the city. You can sip a cocktail while enjoying the sunset over the old city, and it's definitely a perfect place to stop before heading back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner.
