Bucharest Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Palace of the Parliament showing a sunset, heritage architecture and a fountain
Carol Park featuring a monument and a sunset as well as a small group of people
Palace of the Parliament showing a sunset, a fountain and heritage architecture
Romanian Athenaeum showing heritage architecture, theatre scenes and a statue or sculpture
National Military Museum which includes interior views
Visit the capital of Romania, a charming city with grand palaces, gardens, historic buildings, squares full of greenery and a vibrant nightlife.

Thanks to the French style boulevards, neoclassical palaces and large parks, Bucharest was known as the 'Paris of the East' during the communist period. Since the fall of communism, they’ve tried to restore the city to the original state. Visit it today and you will find restored palaces, churches full of frescoes, restaurants, an exciting nightlife and rich cultural experiences.

Start your visit by walking along the architectural highlights of Bucharest. Visit this Arcul de TriumfOpens in a new window and admire its sculptures and the large granite monument that honours the Romanian soldiers who fought during the First World War. Make sure you take in the Palatul ParlamentuluiOpens in a new window (Parliament Palace), one of the largest parliament buildings in the world.

Visit Revolution SquareOpens in a new window and behold the former royal palace, house to the former royal rulers of the country. The palace is now the location of the Muzeul National de Arta al Romaniei. You will also find the Kretzulescu Church here: this prayer house from the 18th Century is an example of the Brancoveanu style, with architectural features from the Renaissance, Baroque and Byzantine and Ottoman style.

Bucharest has lots of beautiful green spaces to relax in. An example is the Gradina Botanica Bucuresti, which is no less than 17.5 hectares. In Cismigiu Garden you can rent a rowboat on the lake and, in the winter, you can skate on the ice rink.

Visit the old town if you want to drink, eat and be merry. Find a restaurant that serves typical Romanian dishes consisting of sausage and cabbage before hitting the bars. Most of the clubs and bars stay open until sunrise. If you’re looking for some high culture, catch a show at Ateneul Român, the domed concert hall putting on the best classical music and ballet performances in the region.

International flights arrive at Henri Coanda Aeroportul Internaţional, about 16 kilometres north of the city. The city can also be reached from several surrounding European countries by train. Explore the art, history, culture and cafes of Bucharest on foot, by taking an inexpensive taxi or rent your own car.

Where to stay in Bucharest

Carol Park which includes a monument

Bucharest City-Centre

4/5(252 area reviews)

Museums, historical sites and art galleries are just a few things travellers like about Bucharest City-Centre. Sights like Central University Library and Revolution Square are spots to explore, and you can get around the greater Bucharest area at University Station.

Bucharest City-Centre
Lipscani featuring a statue or sculpture

Bucharest Old Town

Unique features of Bucharest Old Town include the historical sites and cafes. Make a stop by Curtea Veche or Stavropoleos Church while you're exploring the area.

Bucharest Old Town
Museum of the Romanian Peasant which includes interior views

Sector 1

If you're spending time in Sector 1, you might enjoy attractions like RomExpo and House of the Free Press. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Străulești Station to see more of the city.

Sector 1
Lipscani featuring a city, café scenes and street scenes

Lipscani

Lipscani is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Curtea Veche or Stavropoleos Church.

Lipscani
Bucharest which includes heritage architecture, a square or plaza and a park

Sector 3

Historical sites and restaurants are highlights of Sector 3. Make a stop by Bucharest Mall or Piata Unirii while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at University Station to get around town.

Sector 3
Default Image

Sector 2

Get to know Sector 2 and its many features like its parks and spas. You might want to explore sights like National Arena and University Square, and you can jump on the metro at Obor or Piata Iancului to get around the city.

Sector 2
Grand Hotel Bucharest
Grand Hotel Bucharest
5 out of 5
Bulevardul Nicolae Balcescu, Bucharest, Bucharest
The price is £90 per night from 25 Jul to 26 Jul
£90
per night
25 Jul - 26 Jul
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Bucharest. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (293 reviews)
"Very nice hotel, great location next to Old Town, reasonably priced, good breakfast buffet, very comfortable king size bed, next to subway station though walkable to many attractions."

Reviewed on 13 Jun 2025

Grand Hotel Bucharest
The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection
The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection
5 out of 5
2-6 Doamnei Street, Bucharest
The price is £131 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
£131
per night
20 Jul - 21 Jul
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Bucharest. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (437 reviews)
Fantastic stay in a historic place
"The hotel is located in the historic old city near the National Bank. The area is safe and clean. It is convenient for doing anything in the city, tourism or business. The breakfast was most impressive. Great service and plentiful choice of food, everything was amazing. Good old tradition of high ..."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection
Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Airport
Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Airport
4 out of 5
11 Bd. Aeroportului, Otopeni
The price is £73 per night from 12 Jul to 13 Jul
£73
per night
12 Jul - 13 Jul
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Otopeni. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Quality within walking distance from the airport."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
VISIONAPARTMENTS Bucharest Calea Victoriei
VISIONAPARTMENTS Bucharest Calea Victoriei
4 out of 5
38-40 Calea Victoriei, Bucharest
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Bucharest. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Palace of the Parliament and Odeon ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (161 reviews)
"Excellent location, nice room, bed was comfy. The balcony was a metal grill so didn’t like to sit outside and the railings were too low for my liking. However saying that I would stay there again. We could"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

VISIONAPARTMENTS Bucharest Calea Victoriei
Studio Militari Residence M2
Studio Militari Residence M2
3.5 out of 5
Strada Tineretului 85, Bl 3, et. 6, ap. 621, Chiajna, Ilfov
Stay at this 3.5-star spa apartment in Chiajna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Palace of the Parliament and Terra ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (12 reviews)
"Good not like on the pictures but ok, very hard with the parking….far from downtown in the morning 1 hr traffic But overall is fine"

Reviewed on 4 Dec 2023

Studio Militari Residence M2
Hemingway Residence
Hemingway Residence
3 out of 5
Str. Mantuleasa 31, Bucharest
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Bucharest. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Palace of the Parliament ...
8/10 Very Good! (106 reviews)
Average
"This is a nice enough hotel for the price you pay. 15 min walk to the old town, nice restaurant just next door, free breakfast is basic but enough to sustain. Daily cleaning is minimal, only noticed them fold the bathmat, bin wasn’t emptied and bed not made. In our room the bed sounded like it was ..."

Reviewed on 26 Apr 2025

Hemingway Residence
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Bucharest

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
79
5 - Excellent 39%
4 - Good
93
4 - Good 46%
3 - Okay
23
3 - Okay 11%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
3
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

It was very interesting with loads of things to do. Even when all rhe museums shut down due to corona virus we found lots of different places to visit. Its good to get away from the main boulevards to see some of the traditional houses/buildings

3/5 - Okay

Phunkyboy

Due to corna virus outbreak was very quiet but served my purpose just a shame not to see it as normal

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful city and well worth a visit

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

People were not very friendly, most service staff we met were quite rude - determined to get tips whether or not they were worthy of it, and staff in supermarket were very aggressive.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The city is beautiful with lots to see and do. It’s very safe and there is always lots of police and park wardens close by. Lots of dinning options, not expensive and friendly people.

5/5 - Excellent

Gordon

Lovely city. Lots to do. People friendly and helpful. Excellent tour company, Mr Tripp, recommend them for organised tours with guides that really know their stuff!

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