14 Awesome Things to Do in Bucharest for First-Timers

14 Best Things to Do in Bucharest

1. Be Amazed by the Scale of the Palace of Parliament

Probably one of the most popular landmarks in Bucharest, and one that I wanted to see the most when I decided to visit Bucharest is the Palace of Parliament, a massive government building that is so big and heavy, it is sinking to the ground around 6 mm (0.24 in) each year!

As you can probably guess from the massive scale and over-the-top approach to the whole thing, the construction of the Palace of Parliament began in 1984, during the Communist regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu.

It was originally known as the "People's House" and was intended to be a monument to the power and grandeur of the Communist state. Over 700 architects and 20,000 workers were involved in its construction, which lasted for 13 years and cost an estimated US$3 billion.

The exterior of the Palace of Parliament is a masterpiece of architectural design. It covers an area of 330,000 square meters and stands 84 meters tall, making it the second-largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. Its façade is made of marble and granite and features columns, arches, and sculptures that reflect a neoclassical style.

Although from the outside, it may seem like the Palace is impenetrable, but you can go inside via an organized walking tour to see its more than 3,000 rooms, spanning over 12 stories, including four underground levels.

Inside, you will find all the rooms your mind could imagine, like a concert hall, an art gallery, a movie theater, and so much more. Not to mention, they are all lavishly decorated with chandeliers, marble columns, and ornate woodwork that really captured the unrealistic ego of Nicolae Ceaușescu himself.

The palace is quite a sight to behold and goes to show just how tumultuous the history was in Bucharest. In fact, this mega-building project could even be the reason for the dictator's fall, as you can see his reaction and realization of his fall from his final speech as which was televised worldwide.

The Palace of Parliament is open to visitors every day from 10 am to 4 pm, except on Mondays and during official holidays. Guided tours are available and you can book them online through here.

2. Check Out the Light Shows at Bucharest Fountain in Union Park

Straight from the Palace of Parliament, you will find a long boulevard that stretches from Constitution Square, a square right in front of the palace, all the way to Union Park, a beautiful spacious park, home to the incredible fountains of Bucharest, and the place we will be visiting next.

The park was established in the late 19th century and has since become one of the largest parks in Bucharest. It covers an area of over 100 acres and features a variety of walking paths, gardens, and open spaces that are perfect for a stroll and relaxation.

The centerpiece of Union Park is its stunning fountain, which is located at the intersection of two of the park's main walking paths. The fountain is known as the "Fountain of Union" and was built in 1960 to celebrate the unification of Wallachia and Moldavia, two of Romania's historic regions.

The fountain is over 25 meters tall and features several tiers of water jets that create an impressive display of water and light at night in the summer months so if you find yourself visiting Bucharest during that time, be sure to check out Union Park and its incredible fountains.

3. Check Out the Palace of the Deposits and Consignments

The Palace of the Deposits and Consignments is another impressive building you should check out while you are in Bucharest. It is located west of Bucharest's Old Town, not too far from each other, and it was built in the early 20th century as the headquarters of the National Savings Bank of Romania and was designed to reflect the country's growing prosperity.

The exterior of the Palace of the Deposits and Consignments features a grand neoclassical facade with imposing columns and intricate details that reflect the architectural style of the period. The building is also adorned with sculptures and decorative motifs that showcase the country's artistic heritage. While the palace is not generally open to the public, you can still appreciate its magnificent exterior and be amazed by its incredible facade, so be sure to drop by here when you can.

4. Explore the Street of Bucharest's Old Town

Among all the brutalist buildings around Bucharest, you will still find a pocket of history in Bucharest's Old Town, a charming historical district located in the heart of the city, that thankfully survived Nicolae Ceaușescu's transformation of the city.

Bucharest's Old Town was established way back in the 15th century as a bustling center of commerce and trade, and it retains that function throughout its existence to today, serving as the gathering spot for locals and tourists to hang out.

The area is a beautiful mix of old and new, with narrow cobbled streets and historic buildings standing alongside modern cafes and boutiques. The streets are lined with stunning Neoclassical and Art Nouveau buildings that are adorned with intricate details and ornate balconies, waiting for you to explore.

There are also several notable attractions in the area, including the Stavropoleos Monastery, the National Bank of Romania, and the Old Princely Court, which we will be discussing next.

If you are looking for a place to hang out in Bucharest, may it be during the day or at night, there will be no shortage of awesome things for you to do in Bucharest's Old Town.

The district is especially lively on weekends when street performers and musicians entertain visitors with their talents, so if you can manage your visit to the weekends, be sure to drop by and check out Bucharest's Old Town.

5. Visit Cărturești Carusel Bookstore

The first thing you should check out when you are in Bucharest's Old Town is Cărturești Carusel, one of the most impressive bookstores in Romania, a true haven for book lovers and for those who are looking for a beautiful unique looking place to take photos.

What's cool about this bookstore is the fact that it is housed in a stunning 19th-century building that was originally constructed as a bank. Over the years, it was used for a variety of purposes before being abandoned and falling into disrepair. In 2015, it was transformed into the stunning bookstore that it is today, with its name translating to "Carousel of Light", a fitting name.

The highlight of Cărturești Carusel is its impressive interior, with a vast collection of books covering a wide range of topics and genres, all lined in bookshelves, spreading across its 3 floors.

The moment you walk in, you will find yourself in a huge space with a high ceiling that is over 3 stories high, and at each level, you can access each level via the central staircase that will take you to the balconies where all the books are.

My guess is you will probably spend most of your time taking photos of this incredible bookstore, but if you are on the lookout for a nice English book to read, there is also a section with English books you can check out, as well as a cafe on the top floor you can enjoy so be sure to check them out while you are here. Cărturești Carusel Bookstore is open from 10 AM to 10 PM every day.

6. Admire the Beauty of Stavropoleos Monastery Church

One of the oldest structures you will find in Bucharest's Old Town is Stavropoleos Monastery Church, a beautiful monastery right in the heart of the city, surrounded by modern buildings, that provide a nice and quiet spot for us to take a break from the bustling of the capital and find solitude.

The history of the Stavropoleos Monastery Church dates back to the early 18th century when it was founded by a Romanian monk named Ioanichie Stratonikeas. The church was built in the traditional Byzantine style, with a dome-shaped roof, intricate frescoes, and ornate carvings, which is not something you often see in Romania.

The exterior of the church is simple but elegant, with a small courtyard and garden that are surrounded by low walls and adorned with beautiful flowers and plants that you can stroll around in.

The interior of the Stavropoleos Monastery Church is truly breathtaking, with walls and ceilings covered in colorful frescoes that depict scenes from the Bible and the lives of saints from toe to toe. The details of these frescoes really blew me away.

The Stavropoleos Monastery Church is open to visitors every day of the week during daylight hours, and there is no entrance fee to the church. If you want to see a beautiful piece of history in Bucharest, be sure to check out the Stavropoleos Monastery Church.

7. Walk Through Macca-Vilacrosse Passage

Macca-Vilacrosse Passage is a beautiful shopping arcade similar to the one in Milan but on a much smaller scale where the arcade is lined with all kinds of shops, bars, and restaurants, you can enjoy.

What's cool about Macca-Vilacrosse Passage is its exterior which is an elegant example of Art Nouveau architecture, with a beautifully decorated facade that is adorned with colorful mosaics, wrought iron details, and stained glass windows.

As you walk along the arcade, you will find yourself walking under a glass roof that allows natural light to flood the space, creating a nice and cozy atmosphere in an otherwise dense place.

The Macca-Vilacrosse Passage is home to a variety of shops and restaurants, including traditional Romanian cafes, specialty food stores, and boutique shops selling handmade goods and souvenirs.

If you are looking for a unique place to hang out for dinner, I highly recommend you check out the passage and sample some local delicacies while soaking up the unique ambiance of this historic landmark at one of the restaurants here.

8. Visit all the Great Museums in Bucharest

If you are interested in learning about the history of Bucharest as well as other aspects of the country, there are a ton of museums you can choose from the Bucharest that can occupy you for days.

For those who are interested in art, the National Museum of Art is a world-class art museum that houses one of the most extensive collections of Romanian art in the world. The museum is housed in this impressive royal palace, and you can find a collection of artwork that dates back to the late 19th century when the Romanian state began collecting and preserving them.

For the history buffs out there, you have to check out the National Museum of Romanian History, another fascinating museum with a unique insight into Romania's rich and complex history. The museum's collection includes a wide range of exhibits, like prehistoric artifacts, ancient Roman artifacts, medieval weapons and armor, and artifacts from the communist period. The highlights of the collection include the Trajan's Column replica, the Dacian gold treasure, and the Romanian Crown Jewels.

Other museums you can check out while you are in Bucharest are the National Bank of Romania Museum, with its numismatic collections, Cotroceni National Museum, another national collection of art housed in this impressive Baroque palace, and more. If you find yourself in Bucharest on a rainy day, be sure to not waste it and spend your time exploring all the cool indoor museums in this city.

9. Check Out The Romanian Athenaeum

Another iconic building you should check out in Bucharest is the Romanian Athenaeum, a stunning neoclassical concert hall built in the 19th Century as a cultural center for the city's elite, featuring an impressive grand dome, columns, and ornate carvings.

The interior of the Romanian Athenaeum is equally impressive, with a large concert hall that can seat over 700 people. The hall is renowned for its exceptional acoustics and has hosted some of the world's most celebrated musicians and performers, including Yehudi Menuhin, Maria Callas, and more.

If you have a chance to visit Bucharest when there is a concert happening at the Romanian Athenaeum, be sure to buy a ticket to get access to the concert hall and be amazed at all the incredible decor inside. You can check the concert schedule and buy tickets here.

10. Stroll Around Grădina Cișmigiu Park

If you want to escape the bustling of Bucharest, a great place you can check out is Grădina Cișmigiu, a tree-filled, English-style park with a pristine lake, beautiful rose garden, and a pavilion you can relax in.

It is one of the oldest parks in the country, and it features plenty of winding paths, tall trees, and colorful flower beds you can get lost in. The park is also home to a variety of statues, monuments, and fountains that add to its already charming vibe.

It is a serene oasis that provides a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city and is a perfect place for nature lovers and those looking for a relaxing day out, so be sure to check it out while you are here.

11. Hang Out at Fabrica Club

If you are looking for a place to hang out with spacious outdoor/indoor seating areas, a music venue, and a free flow of food and beers, you can't go wrong with Fabrica Club.

The building Fabrica Club was housed in was once a textile factory before it was converted into an all-out hangout spot for party lovers where you can still see a glimpse of its past from its industrial features have been preserved and incorporated into the club's design.

Fabrica Club is open on weekends and hosts a variety of events, including live music concerts, DJ sets, art exhibitions, and theater performances. The club is known for its diverse and eclectic lineup, featuring both local and international artists across a range of genres.

Aside from its nightlife, Fabrica Club also hosts cultural and community events, such as workshops, lectures, and film screenings. The club's mission is to provide a platform for artistic expression and social engagement, making it a dynamic and ever-changing destination for culture enthusiasts. If you are into the art scene or you just want to hang out in a cool place in Bucharest, be sure to check out Fabrica Club.

12. Explore all the beautiful and weird architecture of Bucharest

Other than all the places I mentioned here, there are also several cool and quirky buildings to be found around Bucharest that I found to be some of the most unique-looking buildings I've seen in the Balkans.

Buildings like I.L. Caragiale National Theatre, a restored 6-floor national theater complex with its imposing white walls and orange curved roof, and the Tehnoimport building, a circular Brutalist building next to Stock Exchange Palace, are some of my favorites that I accidentally stumbled upon as I explore the streets of Bucharest.

If you like these kinds of charming and quirky buildings, be sure to spend some time and get lost in the crisscrossing streets of Bucharest and track down these awesome pieces of history as you explore.

13. Check Out Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum

With all the historic buildings, you might be wondering what life was like here way WAY back in time, before all the neoclassical and Brutalist buildings that popped up across the city as it grew to become the city we see today. If you want to see what a real traditional house looks like in Romania way back before modern civilization took over, I highly recommend you check out Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum.

Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum is a fascinating open-air museum that showcases the rich cultural heritage of Romania, featuring a sprawling park that covers over 14 hectares and contains over 300 buildings that have been relocated from all over Romania.

The buildings, which range from peasant houses to churches, windmills, and watermills, have been carefully restored and preserved to their original state. They provide us with a unique insight into the country's rich cultural and architectural history beyond what you have seen in Bucharest.

You can also go inside these buildings and see its exhibitions showcasing traditional crafts, such as weaving, pottery, and woodcarving. The area is huge, and you can expect to spend at least an hour walking around its winding street, discovering all sorts of old traditional structures you would not have otherwise seen out in the open.

Since the museum is located in the north-western part of Bucharest, you have to catch the M2 Metro to Aviatorilor station which should take about 30 minutes, and from there, you just have to walk around 15 minutes along the footpath until you reach the museum.

The museum is open from 9 AM to 7 PM every day, and the entrance fee to the museum is 30 RON or 6 EUR. If you are interested in the folk history of Romania and the culture of the people in the Carpathians, be sure to check out Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum.

14. Visit Dracula Castle, Peles Castle, and Brasov as a Day Trip

If you have a day to spare in Bucharest, I highly recommend you go on a day trip and visit Dracula Castle (Bran Castle), Peles Castle, and Brasov, some of the most beautiful places in Romania which will provide you a glimpse of the beautiful region of Transylvania.

Since there castles and towns are located more than 180 km north of Bucharest, and it can take more than 2.5 hours to reach these places, your best bet is to go on an organized tour unless you want to spend several nights in Brasov and even then, you still need a tour to take you to Bran and Peles Castle as there are far apart from one another.

With the tour, one of the first places you will be visiting is Peles Castle, one of the most beautiful and well-preserved castles in Europe, and one that you have to see when you are in Romania. The castle was built in the late 19th century as the summer residence of King Carol I of Romania, who wanted to recreate the Bavarian mountains of Germany, where he is originally from in Transylvania.

Its architecture is a blend of several styles, including Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance. Its exterior is adorned with wooden frames. intricate carvings, and decorative motifs, that resemble those beautiful castles you see in Germany and Austria.

The castle is surrounded by incredible gardens and parks filled with flowers, fountains, and sculptures, set against the beautiful landscape of the Carpathians. The castle is truly a sight to behold.

If you think the castle looks amazing from the outside, wait until you see the inside! The castle boasts over 170 rooms, each with its own unique style and character. Some of the rooms are all lavishly decorated with wooden sculptures, ornaments, and furniture with incredible craftsmanship, the like you can't find anywhere else in Romania.

The most impressive rooms include the Grand Armory, which houses an extensive collection of medieval weapons, the Music Room with its impressive ceiling painting, the Florentine Room with its exquisite Italian Renaissance decorations, and the Imperial Suite which was used by King Carol I and his wife Queen Elisabeth.

After you are done with Peles Castle, you will then be taken to Brasov, the gateway city to Transylvania and one of the most beautiful cities in the country, steeped in history with beautiful architecture, stunning town square, and a ton of awesome viewpoints you can check out.

You will be visiting the Council Square, a large, open-air public square that has been a central meeting place for people here for centuries. The square is surrounded by some of the most beautiful historical buildings and colorful Baroque-style houses in town, which make for a great place to begin our exploration.

Located right next to Council Square, you will find the Black Church, one of the most impressive Gothic-style churches you will see in Eastern Europe and one of the most famous landmarks of Brasov.

One of the most striking features of the Black Church is its impressive pipe organ, which is one of the largest in Europe. It has over 4,000 pipes and was built in 1839 by Friedrich Wilhelm Hesse, a famous German organ builder. The organ is still in use even today.

Other notable tourist attractions you will check out in Brasov are Sforii Street, one of the narrowest streets in Europe with a width that ranges from just 1.2 to 1.5 meters, Weavers Bastion or Bastionul Ţesătorilor, a beautiful 15th-century well-preserved bastion fortress that houses a medieval museum, and so much more.

For a complete travel guide to Brasov, check out:11 Best Things to Do in Brasov

After Brasov, the tour will then take you to the famous Bran Castle, also known as "Dracula's Castle" because it is associated with the legendary vampire Count Dracula, who is said to have inspired Bram Stoker's famous novel.

The castle was built in the 14th century and was originally used as a fortress to defend the border of Transylvania against the Ottoman Empire. Over the centuries, the castle was used as a royal residence, a customs house, and even a hospital during World War I.

Bran Castle's architecture is a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, with towers, battlements, and courtyards. The castle's interior features an impressive collection of medieval art, furniture, and weapons, although not as over the top as Peles Castle.

While Peles Castle went full-blown extravagance with its decors, Bran Castle is a little more discrete with small rooms, low ceilings, and simple furniture, giving you a more homely feel to it, which I think is pretty cool.

You can explore the castle's rich history and architecture through your guide, as they will explain the function of each room as you walk through them, highlighting the castle's unique features and decorations.

While you ascend the castle up to one of its watchtowers, you will be able to appreciate the castle's medieval courtyard from above as well as the incredible view of the Carpathian Mountains surrounding it. It is a great way to spend your time outside of Bucharest and gets a glimpse of what Transylvania is all about in one day so if you do not have time to explore Transylvania yourself on this trip but still want to see what the highlights of it, I highly recommend you book this organized tour for the day.

Further Reading for Romania

• For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
• For a complete itinerary of Romania, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Romania Itinerary.
• Brasov is the gateway to Transylvania, and it is home to some of the most beautiful castles in Romania, like Peles and Bran Castle. If you are looking to visit this beautiful city, here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Brasov.
• As one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in Transylvania, it is hard not to recommend visiting Sighisoara. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Sighisoara.
• The second largest city in Romania, Cluj-Napoca, is one of the best places to visit to get the real feel of what it is like to live in Transylvania. To help plan your trip here, here are the 13 Best Things to Do in Cluj-Napoca.
• Timisoara, the city of flowers, is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Transylvania. From exploring the charming town squares to soaring churches, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Timisoara.
• Known as one of the most beautiful cities in Romania, you can't travel all the way to Romania without visiting Sibiu. Wondering what are some cool things you can do there? Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Sibiu.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Romania, visit the Romania Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.