Landmarks & parks

Palace of Parliament

The second-largest administrative building in the world — iconic, controversial, and impossible to photograph in one frame. It sinks a few millimetres a year, because it is also the heaviest building in the world. Ceaușescu demolished a fifth of the old city to build it.

For the photograph, go to Piața Constituției. To go inside you need a reservation in advance — call one day before, bring an original ID or passport, and expect to pay 85 lei.

Old Town (Lipscani)

A dense grid of nineteenth-century streets full of cafés, bars, bookshops and restaurants. Touristy after dark, lovely at ten in the morning.

Romanian Athenaeum

The most beautiful concert hall in the city, and one of the most beautiful in Europe. Worth seeing even if you never go to concerts.

Stavropoleos Monastery

A small, perfect Orthodox monastery hidden in the middle of the Old Town. Two minutes off the main drag and completely quiet.

National Museum of Art

Housed in the former Royal Palace, with Romanian and European masterpieces and a building that deserves its own visit.

Cotroceni Palace

The residence of the Romanian President. Guided tours only, and the architecture is the reason to go.

Village Museum (Muzeul Satului)

An open-air museum of real Romanian houses, moved here from across the country and rebuilt. Sits on the edge of Herăstrău, so do both in one go.

Herăstrău Park (King Michael I Park)

A large lakeside park in the north of the city — walking, biking, boat rides, and a lot of Bucharest going about its weekend.

Cișmigiu Gardens

The oldest park in Bucharest and the most central. Perfect for the hour between two things.

Carol Park

Quieter than the others, with big monuments, the Mausoleum, and an open-air theatre. Close to us, and rarely crowded.

Botanical Garden

Plants, greenhouses and flower exhibitions. A peaceful escape when the city gets loud.

Cărturești Carusel

A bookshop in a restored nineteenth-century building in the Old Town, often called the most beautiful in Europe. Go up to the top floor.

Therme Bucharest

One of Europe's largest wellness centres — thermal pools, saunas, palm trees and spa treatments, twenty minutes north of the city.

Weekends are packed. A weekday afternoon is an entirely different experience.

Ceaușescu Mansion (Spring Palace)

The private home of Romania's former dictator, kept as it was. Nineteen-eighties luxury on full display, gold taps included.

Umbrella Street (Pasajul Victoria)

A narrow alley in the Old Town roofed with hundreds of colourful umbrellas. Thirty seconds to walk, and one of the most photographed spots in the city.

Obor Market

A large, loud, entirely local market. Come hungry — the *mici* stalls here are the reason people take the metro out to Obor in the first place.