Bucharest, often called the "Paris of the East", is a city torn between 19th-century elegance and the monumental architecture of the Communist era, yet surprisingly lively and youthful. In the Romanian capital, socialist housing blocks tower alongside Belle Époque villas, while in the narrow streets of the old town, ruin bars and gastrobars follow one another. The city is constantly renewing itself, and has become one of the region's most exciting destinations. Here are the 10 most important sights you shouldn't miss during your Bucharest visit.
1. Palace of Parliament
The world's largest civilian building and, after the Pentagon, the second-largest administrative building greets you with its stunning size: it covers 365,000 square metres, has 1,100 rooms, and the entire Dealul Spirii hill was demolished for its construction. This colossus, begun in 1984, was Ceaușescu's dream, built by tens of thousands of workers day and night, and it's still not entirely finished. The interior spaces are a profusion of marble, crystal chandeliers and hand-woven carpets, one carpet alone weighs 5 tonnes. You can only enter on an organised tour; it's worth booking the English-language tour at least a day in advance.
2. Old town (Lipscani)
Bucharest's historic heart is the Lipscani district, which from the 15th century onwards was the city's commercial centre, taking its name from the merchants of Leipzig. On the cobbled streets, restaurants, cafés, ruin bars and souvenir shops now line up, and the atmosphere is especially vibrant in the evenings. Many historic buildings in the district have been given new life: the glass-roofed alley of the Macca-Villacrosse Passage and the Hanul lui Manuc caravanserai are especially photogenic. A place of historical walks by day and of entertainment in the evening, it's worth getting to know both faces.
3. Romanian Athenaeum
One of Bucharest's most beautiful buildings is this neoclassical concert hall inaugurated in 1888, home to the Romanian Philharmonic. The round, domed building was built by the people of Bucharest from public donations, and at the entrance the inscription can still be read: "Give a penny for the Athenaeum!" The interior fresco depicts the most important scenes of Romanian history over 70 metres, and the acoustics are world-class. If you can, get a ticket to an evening concert, the experience is unforgettable, and the ticket prices are surprisingly friendly.
4. Arch of Triumph
Bucharest's Arcul de Triumf stands at the northern end of Kiseleff Avenue, and its final form of 1936 was designed by Petre Antonescu. The arch was erected in memory of the victory in the First World War, and its reliefs depict war scenes and the Romanian unification. In the arch there's a periodically operating viewpoint, from which the panorama of the avenue and the surrounding parks unfolds. The area around the arch is especially lovely in autumn, when the tree-lined avenues glow in gold.
5. Herăstrău Park
Bucharest's largest park stretches around Lake Herăstrău and is the favourite leisure spot of the city's residents. In the park you can row on the lake, cycle on the built paths, or simply walk in the shade of the huge trees. In the park operates the Satului Museum (Village Museum), which presents the folk architecture of all Romania in an open-air exhibition, with more than 300 original buildings. The lakeside restaurants offer an excellent spot for a coffee or dinner at sunset.
6. National Museum of Art of Romania
Operating in the former Royal Palace, this museum presents the best of Romanian and European fine art, from works by Grigorescu and Brâncuși to El Greco and Rembrandt. The building itself is a sight: the ornate stucco decoration and chandeliers of the renovated rooms evoke the royal past. The museum stands on Revolution Square, where in 1989 the protests leading to the overthrow of the Ceaușescu regime took place, the square itself is a historic memorial. Admission is affordable, and free on the first Wednesday of each month.
7. Curtea Veche
Standing in the heart of the old town, the ruins of the Curtea Veche (Old Princely Court) are the oldest secular building remains in Bucharest, built by Vlad Țepeș (Dracula) in the 15th century. Next to the open-air ruin garden stands the Curtea Veche Church, Bucharest's oldest church from 1559, still an active Orthodox place of prayer. The site is free to view and an excellent starting point for a walk through the old town. Because of the Dracula connection, the place is especially popular with tourists interested in history.
8. Botanical Garden
Bucharest's Botanical Garden is located in the Cotroceni district and covers about 17 hectares, with more than 10,000 plant species. The garden is a scientific institution founded in the 1860s, managed by the University of Bucharest, and its tropical greenhouses are especially stunning. In spring the rose grove and the Japanese garden are at their most beautiful, but in winter it's worth stepping into the greenhouses too. Admission is a token amount, and the place is a perfect refuge from the city's traffic.
9. Cotroceni Palace
The Romanian presidential residence also operates as a museum: the ornate rooms of the neo-Romanian-style palace, built in 1895, evoke the former life of the royal family. Visiting is only possible with prior online booking and an organised tour, so it's worth planning at least a week ahead. The palace collection features royal furniture, paintings and personal objects that tell of the Romanian branch of the Hohenzollern dynasty. The garden surrounding the building can also be visited, and the whole complex radiates a dignified calm.
10. Therme Bucharest
One of Europe's largest thermal-bath complexes is located on the northern edge of the city, near the Băneasa forest, and is open all year round. The facility offers an indoor park full of palm trees and tropical plants, thermal pools, slides and a wellness section, you can relax in water above 30 °C even in winter. Therme is especially ideal for families and couples, but the Galaxy slide park serves adrenaline junkies too. Online ticket purchase is recommended, especially at weekends, when the facility fills up quickly.
Practical tips
- Transport: Bucharest's four metro lines are fast and reliable, and a ticket costs just a few cents' equivalent. The city centre is compact and easily walkable, but for the more distant sights the Bolt or Uber app is a cheap and convenient solution.
- Money: Romania's official currency is the Romanian leu (RON). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but at markets and in smaller shops you'll need cash, withdraw lei from ATMs and avoid dynamic conversion.
- Safety: Bucharest is a safe city, but in the old town and on public transport watch out for pickpockets. For taxis use only an app (Bolt, Uber), street taxis often overcharge.
- Language: Romanians speak a Romance language, so many words sound familiar. In tourist areas English is widely spoken, and the younger generation often speaks French too.
- eSIM: With a Romanian eSIM you can avoid roaming costs and connect to the internet at the airport already, you can activate your plan in minutes in the eSIM Surfer app.