Top 5 Attractions in Bucharest

It is always a pleasure for me to visit Romania. I spent 8 months of my life there during my Erasmus experience in 2011 and I have to admit that I have a special affection for this country. I can remind a lot of great experiences and it can only happen there. Somehow, it is like coming back home.

Therefore, I felt a great expectation before returning. Although this time I only visited the capital, it was enough to assess how much the country has changed during this time.

Upon arrival, the traveler will find a city with still many reminiscences of communism, as well as large avenues and wide parks. This is my current top 5.

Date of the visit: 2010, May 2019

Palace of the Parliament

This is the representation of the communist dream of a dictator with delusions of grandeur.

The building itself is gigantic and the surroundings have huge dimensions. Actually it is the largest civil building in the world. (The second in size after the Pentagon).

Built in the 80’s, its architecture is clearly based on Stalinist art. It is said that it was ordered to demolish a whole neighborhood of the old town of the city to proceed with its construction.

Currently, it houses the parliament of Romania. The official name is, literally, “house of the people” (casa poporului in Romanian language). Although in 2019 it was my second time in Bucharest, we were not able to visit the inside of the building either, due to restrictions on visits, since Romania held the rotating presidency of the European Union. Without a doubt, the attraction number one.

Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum

This is the type of place that I like to visit the most in my travels. An incredible recreation of the country’s culture, with detailed information about each region. It is possible to see the typical architecture, the folkloric dresses, as well as enter houses restored in traditional style.

**Traditional mill from the countryside**

It is a delight to walk around the complex, regardless of the time, since it is full of shade, and is suitable for tourists of all ages.

The information can be found in both Romanian and English, so it is perfectly understandable. You can stay as long as you want, but in principle an hour and a half is enough to complete a full visit.

Old Town

At last I was able to contemplate the restored old town, since the first time I visited the city was under construction. The result is impressive.

The streets have been painstakingly restored, with cobbled floors and the result is an ancient atmosphere full of charm. It is full of bars and restaurants, however, as expected, the prices are higher than the means for the rest of the city.

One of the main attractions is the Stavropoleos monastery, a small, but beautiful church built in 1724 in the brâncovenesc style (old Romanian style).

Special mention deserves the famous restaurant Caru ‘cu Bere, which has been open since 1879. If you wish to eat or dine there, it is highly recommended to book several days in advance. However, our experience was not good.

In the southern part, on the banks of the Dâmboviţa river, is the impressive building of the palace of justice, built between 1890 and 1895. I recommend visiting it at sunset, just when the sun falls directly on the facade.

Despite the old town does not have a large area, it is essential to walk through its streets. At night, the tourist offer of bars and restaurants is highly developed compared to 2010.

King Michael I Park

Formerly known as Parc Herăstrău, it is the largest park in the city and it is a delight to go for a walk. Some of the best landmarks are:

Japanese Garden: A small area full of plants and decoration that remains Japan.

Insula Trendafilior: An island in the park, connected by bridges. It contains busts that represent the founders of the European Union.

Lake Herastrau: In reality, it is not a lake, but an artificial widening of the Colentina river,It is possible to rent a boat to row.

Arc de Trionf: It is actually outside the park, in the southwestern entrance. It remains the homonymous one in Paris.

Calea Victoriei

The most emblematic street in the city. We began the visit in the Roman Athenaeum, an impressive building that houses a concert hall and a garden in the surroundings. It is one of the fundamental visits of Bucharest.

Walking to the south, you will reach the Revolution Square. In it are the University of Bucharest Library, the National Art Museum, (former Royal Palace) and the Renaissance memorial.

**National Art Museum (Former Royal Palace)**

**University of Bucharest Library and Statue of Carol I**

A little further on, you will find the Palace of the National Military Circle, a building that was by then covered by a huge Romanian flag.

Thanks to the large number of classic buildings, the visitor realises the importance that this area had in the past. It still has reminiscences of what the city was like in the 19th century.

If you keep going, you will reach the old town, but do not forget to take a look at the amazing facades of both the CEC Palace (Romanian banking institution owned by the state) and the Romanian National History Museum.

In short, Bucharest is a city worth visiting. It has improved a lot in recent years, and it also has a lot of places to which you can make a one-day visit. For example, Sinaia or Brasov in Transylvania, or Pleven and Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria.

Useful Information

Despite it is part of European Union since 2007, Romania has not yet adopted Euro as currency. It is called “Leu” (lei in plural), and currently (January 2022), 1 € is 4,95 lei.

The metro works fine and it is perfect option to move from one place to another. However, it is also possible to walk.