See and Do in Bucharest

Despite its grey and sometimes dreary facade, Bucharest offers you a host of interesting sights and activities. From its historic buildings and museums to ornate churches and beautiful parks, you’ll learn about the city’s troubled past while experiencing first-hand its quest for modernity in present-day, post-communist Romania.

Below are some of the most popular attractions in Bucharest.

Recommended attractions in Bucharest

Palace of Parliament

The world’s largest administrative building and a landmark of Romania’s communist history, the Palace of Parliament is a must-see for any visitor to Bucharest. You can go on guided tours of the building, which consists of 1,100 rooms housing the Romanian parliament, three museums and a conference centre. The ornate interior is furnished with rare and expensive materials, including bronze, gold, marble and crystal.

Old Town (Lipscani District)

The heart of historic Bucharest, the Old Town is a lively area where cobblestone streets wind between centuries-old buildings and modern attractions. Dating back to the 1400s, when it served as Wallachia’s most important commercial centre, this pedestrian-friendly district buzzes with outdoor cafés, traditional restaurants, bars, and a buzzing nightlife. You’ll find the ruins of Curtea Veche (the Old Princely Court), built by Vlad the Impaler in 1459, and charming inns like Hanul cu Tei from 1833. The area transforms from a relaxed daytime destination perfect for seeing historic architecture to the city’s main nightlife hub after dark.

Stavropoleos Monastery Church

You’ll find many beautiful and historic churches in Bucharest to visit. The Stavropoleos Monastery, an Eastern Orthodox Church tucked away in Bucharest’s Old Town, is a must-see. Originally built in 1724 during the reign of Nicolae Mavrocordatos, the building is characterised by beautiful stone and wood frescoes inspired by biblical themes. The church is also a conservation centre for the relics of several saints and has Romania’s largest collection of Byzantine music books.

Romanian National Art Museum

Located in the former Royal Palace on Revolution Square, the Romanian National Art Museum features the country’s largest collection of Romanian and international art from medieval to modern times. The museum’s building is also an attraction in itself. You can take tours of some of the former royal living quarters and the throne room and view the exquisite art. Revolution Square itself is profoundly historically significant as the site where Nicolae Ceaușescu delivered his final speech in 1989, which marked the beginning of Romania’s revolution.

The Romanian Athenaeum

One of Bucharest’s most iconic landmarks, the Athenaeum is a glamorous concert hall in central Bucharest. This ornate, domed, and circular building is a landmark on the city’s skyline and a significant symbol of Romanian culture. It is home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra. It’s also one of the main venues where the George Enescu International Festival and Competition is held in honour of the Romanian composer.

King Michael I Park

Formerly known as Herăstrău Park, King Michael I Park is the largest park in Bucharest. With an open-air theatre, yacht club, sporting facilities and cafés, King Michael I Park is a popular location for family picnics as it has something for everyone to enjoy. It’s also home to the Village Museum, which showcases traditional Romanian village life in an open-air setting. The museum has over 270 original houses, farmsteads, windmills, and churches scattered around the park, showcasing Romania’s historic regions.