Welcome to Bucharest, Romania’s vibrant and underrated capital. It’s an eclectic blend of architectural wonders, vibrant nightlife, a fantastic food scene, and a rich cultural tapestry. Often referred to as “Little Paris” for its architecture or “New Berlin” for its club scene, I loved my short visit there and can’t wait to go back.
Bucharest is also one of the best European destinations for maximizing your amount of free nights in beautiful hotels with the best hotel rewards — points from the only card no traveler shouldn’t have, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card.
Here’s a list of things to do in Bucharest, Romania.
Overview of visiting Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest is obviously so much more affordable than the popular touristy European cities everyone always goes to, but it’s also just as enjoyable. Now that Romania has joined the Schengen Area, it’s even easier to add it to a European trip while avoiding border controls!
Romania is located in Eastern Europe, and Bucharest is in the southern part of the country — it’s also sadly often confused with Budapest, the capital of neighboring Hungary (another amazing city I love).
Bucharest, or București in Romanian, is by far the most populous city in the country, with 2.5 million inhabitants — about the size of Vancouver. That’s huge, so of course, there is so much to experience in the city!
In 2019, I briefly visited this city for a few days with Kevin, Flytrippers’ other co-founder, on our way to Moldova and Transnistria.
I was pleasantly surprised, and frankly, I loved absolutely everything about Bucharest. I will definitely go back sooner rather than later.
Bucharest has witnessed centuries of transformations, from its establishment in the 15th century as a fortress to its growth as a cultural and economic hub. The city has known periods of Ottoman influence, the Belle Époque, as well as the hardship of communist rule, each leaving an indelible mark on its architecture, history, and character.
Logistically, it’s easy to get to Bucharest with cheap flights from anywhere in Europe, like $33 one-way from Paris.
You can easily go around the city using the metro system, as it’s one of the most extensive in Europe. It’s quite affordable. And the city center is very walkable.
The primary language spoken is Romanian, a Romance language, which means it evolved from Latin, like French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. It is the only Romance language spoken in Eastern Europe.
Now, let’s look at 9 great things to do in Bucharest, Romania.
1. Walking tour
I love to walk around on my own, but free walking tours and paid walking tours are available in Bucharest, like in almost every major city. These are great for those who want to meet other travelers or for those who don’t want to do any research about the city on their own before the trip.
Walking in Bucharest is like walking through a history book. You’ll observe medieval churches standing alongside giant neoclassical buildings, remnants of the city’s communist past.
Bucharest’s architecture is a blend of styles, including many Art Nouveau buildings as well as Haussmannian architecture.
The highlight is losing yourself in the labyrinthine lanes of the Old Town.
Also called Lipscani or Centru Vechi, the historic center is a lively district filled with narrow cobblestone streets, trendy cafés, popular restaurants, and busy bars.
Don’t miss the Stavropoleos Monastery, a tiny Orthodox monastery known for its beautiful look and religious artifacts, as well as the gorgeous Romanian Athenaeum concert hall.
Enjoy the views and the charming architecture during the day, and come back at night to party.
Street art is also omnipresent in the city, contrasting with the style of the infrastructure and creating a wonderful mix of old and new.
2. Palace of the Parliament
The Palace of the Parliament (Palatul Parlamentului) is one of the world’s largest and heaviest buildings.
This symmetrical architectural marvel stands as a symbol of Romania’s communist history. You can go on a guided tour to visit its opulent interiors and the historical narrative of the building.
Even if you’re not as big a fan of architecture as I am, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the sheer size of this building.
3. Markets
From the giant Obor Market to the upscale Dorobanti Market and the lively Amzei Market, you have many options to immerse yourself in Bucharest’s authentic flavors and traditions.
Try Romanian delicacies and specialties like mămăligă (cornmeal porridge), sarmale (cabbage rolls), mici (grilled sausages), and gogosi (delicious fried doughnuts that melt in your mouth).
Bucharest is also known for its high-quality craft beer and palinca brandy.
If you are a foodie, you can always do a food tour or even a cooking class while you are there. It’s a great way to learn about the country, get in touch with the locals, and enjoy some exquisite treats.
4. Nightlife
Bucharest is known for its incredible nightlife.
At night, the city awakes as rooftop bars, nightclubs, and live music venues open their doors to the festive night owls.
Like in any major city, even if you are traveling solo, you can easily meet other people. You can book your spot for a pub crawl in the Old Town, and party with other visitors like yourself!
5. Herăstrău Park
Herăstrău Park (Parcul Herăstrău) is the largest park in the city, perfect for a peaceful escape from the bustling urban atmosphere.
It’s great that Bucharest has this green space and natural serene lake for residents and visitors to enjoy. You can walk by the water, rent a boat, admire the sculptures, or do a picnic. It’s very close to the old town.
You’ll also find the Dimitrie Gusti Village Museum there, showcasing traditional Romanian village life.
Other notable green spaces are the Botanical Garden and Carol Park.
6. Arcul de Triumf
Arcul de Triumf is Bucharest’s own Arc de Triomphe, no wonder the city is often compared to Paris!
Located at the entrance of Herăstrău Park, the stone monument made of granite stands at a height of 27 meters, approximately 8 stories high.
7. Museums
Bucharest offers an abundance of options for art lovers and history enthusiasts, so it is surely a challenge to recommend only 1 museum.
The National Museum of Art of Romania (Muzeul Național de Artă al României) is housed in the former Royal Palace.
There, you’ll find an extensive collection of Romanian and European art, including masterpieces from renowned artists like Rembrandt and El Greco.
If you prefer contemporary art, you can head to the National Museum of Contemporary Art (NMCA) instead.
Other interesting museums in the Romanian capital include the National History Museum of Romania, the Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History, and the Cotroceni Palace Museum.
8. Therme Bucharest
Therme Bucharest is perfect for those looking for a relaxing experience. You can indulge in tranquility by exploring this expansive thermal oasis situated on the outskirts of Bucharest.
You can enjoy the thermal pools, unwind in the variety of saunas and steam rooms, and treat yourself to a pampering spa session.
Once you feel completely relaxed, take a walk through the enchanting tropical garden to end your divine retreat on a high note.
9. Day trips to other Romanian destinations
Many of the most popular activities in Romania aren’t actually in Bucharest itself, but some are close. I recommend just going there as your next destination, but you can do some as a day trip from Bucharest if you prefer.
Rental cars are about $49 per day in Bucharest, but public transportation is very good, like in most of Europe. That makes it easier not to have to backtrack or pay the often-high extra charges for one-way rentals.
Transylvania is an iconic destination in central Romania. You can see the renowned Bran Castle, the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula, up close.
It’s a 2hr 27min train ride ($22) from Bucharest. If you like organized tours, tons of operators sell packages from Bucharest to Transylvania and back.
A bit further in the region, there are the pretty cities of Sighișoara, Braşov, and Sibiu. You can also visit beautiful Bâlea Lake, the massive Vidraru Dam, and one of the most epic drives in the world, the Transfăgărășan Road.
Constanța and the Black Sea coast beaches are other popular spots, especially during the summer.
Plaja Vadu, Plaja Corbu, and Plaja din Mamaia are some of the most beautiful.
It’s a 2hr 36min train ride ($28) from Bucharest.
Finally, the Danube River Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s a bit further away and harder to get to as it requires taking a ferry, but it’s a great attraction for nature lovers.
Bonus: Relaxation
If you want to relax and chill after busy days spent exploring the city, you can do it at a nice free hotel.
The Moxy Bucharest Old Town is a beautiful and recent hotel directly within the old city and close to all the attractions.
It costs as little as 11,900 Marriott points per night (59,500 for 5 nights). That’s just 5,950 points per person per night with a companion! It’s not as cheap as Marriott hotels in Southeast Asia, of course, but that’s not bad at all for Europe.
The current welcome bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card gives you 53,000 points (or 106,000 points if your companion takes advantage of it too).
The cash price is C$570 ($114/night for 5 nights), so using points can give you good value!
Moxy is the most hip, young, and lively of Marriott’s 30+ different hotel brands. Hotels have fun lobbies that are actually a bar and a game room all at once, with a great social atmosphere.
Learning how to travel for less
Join over 100,000 savvy Canadian travelers who already receive Flytrippers’ free newsletter so we can help you travel for less (and inspire you, too)!
Summary
The city of Bucharest, Romania, has everything to charm you. These 9 things to do will make you fall in love with this underrated and affordable Eastern European gem.
What would you like to know about things to do in Bucharest, Romania? Tell us in the comments below.
See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights
Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards
Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration
Learn pro tricks: Travel tips
Featured image: Bucharest, Romania (photo credit: CALIN STAN)
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
