Bucharest is the administrative centre and commercial hub of Romania. It’s unfortunate and fortunate that most tourists haven’t heard of this place yet.
It’s too bad, because Bucharest, formerly known as the “Little Paris of the East,” has beautiful buildings, fascinating attractions, cosy inns, and a lower cost of living than Paris or London.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Bucharest
It’s a boon for those who do decide to visit Romania, as the country has avoided the overtourism that has plagued other once-underrated holiday destinations like Croatia. Below are a handful of Bucharest’s top tourist destinations.
1. Grigore Antipa Natural History Museum
The Grigore Antipa Natural History Museum, opened in 1834, is a great place to spend a few of hours in Bucharest for anyone with a curiosity for learning or for families with young children.
There are about two thousand displays in this museum honouring Romania’s most famous biologist, including specimens of dinosaur bones, minerals, and flora and fauna unique to the country.
It also houses Europe’s greatest collection of butterflies. The museum was recently refurbished to make it more accessible for visitors with visual, auditory, or physical impairments, and it now features a number of hands-on and interactive displays.
2. Victoriei Street
This is the main street of Bucharest. Cantacuzino Palace, home to the George Enescu Museum and the National Museum of Art of Romania, the Odeon Theatre, Revolution Square, and the Kretzulescu Church are all conveniently located here.
This street also features numerous lodging establishments, dining venues, and retail establishments. From Piata Victoriei in the north to Piata Natiunilor Unite and the Dambovita River in the south, that’s where you’ll find Victoriei Street.
Calea Victoriei (Victory Avenue) replaced the previous name of Podul Mogosoaiei on October 12, 1878, the day Romania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire.
3. Cismigiu Gardens
The tranquilly of these gardens is a welcome respite from daily life. These gardens, which date back to 1845, were the first public green space in Bucharest. There are around 30,000 trees and plants, as well as a children’s playground, fort remains, and a rowing and skating lake at Cismigiu Gardens.
The busts of numerous well-known Romanian authors decorate the Roman Garden, one of the attraction’s outstanding attractions. A picnic here would be fantastic. If you’re not in the mood for a picnic, the park also has a number of cafes, pubs, and refreshment booths.
4. Hanul Manuc
Before its recent closure for renovation, Manuc’s Inn, which was built in 1806, was Bucharest’s oldest hotel. The hotel’s restaurant, however, has reopened after its own refurbishment. Many historic events have taken place at Manuc’s Inn over the years. The 1812 peace treaty between Russia and Turkey, for instance, was signed here.
The three-story Manuc’s Inn is an architectural marvel and important cultural relic. This old inn was frequently featured in Romanian television folklore shows before it was closed for renovation. It is hoped that Manuc’s Inn, once restored, would regain its former splendour.
5. Spring Palace
Former Romanian president Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena lived in the Spring Palace before they were overthrown during the Romanian Revolution. On Christmas Day of 1989, they were put to death. After being closed for a long time following the executions, the mansion was reopened in 2016 as a museum.
This Communist politician and his wife lived in opulence in their 80-room palace, which is now open to the public. The Communist era in Romania’s history is also illuminated during the Spring Palace tour.
6. Romanian Athenaeum
The majestic neoclassical domed edifice that opened in 1888 and today houses the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra is one of Romania’s most recognisable landmarks. The George Enescu Music Festival, the largest international cultural event in Romania, is held there every two years.
Over 800 people can be seated within the Romanian Athenaeum, whose interior features a circular wall with a mural depicting significant events in the country’s history. Visitors should try to see a show if they can, but if that isn’t possible they should at least see the structure and its beautiful grounds.
7. Village Museum
Several hundred mediaeval homes, farms, and other structures have been relocated from all around Romania and reconstructed at this open-air museum on the shores of Lake Herastrau.
Most of the buildings of the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum were constructed in the middle of the nineteenth century and were presented to the public in 1936.
A select number, though, are even more ancient. Several buildings in Berbesti, a district in central Romania, have been dated to the year 1775, for instance. Anybody without time to get out of Bucharest and experience the Romanian countryside should visit the Village Museum.
8. Stavropoleos Church
Stavropoleos Church, located in the Old City, is a modest but lovely church that was constructed in 1724. Its distinctive Brancovan style and exquisitely carved doors have made it famous. Lord Nicolae Mavrocordat’s throne is just one of the fascinating items housed in Stavropoleous Church
Both the inn and the monastery adjacent to the church were destroyed in the nineteenth century. The Great Fire of Bucharest, which happened in 1847, destroyed a huge area of the city, although the Stavropoleos Church in the Old Town was spared.
9. Herastrau Park
The Village Museum can be found in this park as well as Herastrau Lake, making it Bucharest’s largest green space. Herastrau Park, which has been welcoming city dwellers since its opening in 1936, is a beautiful place to take a break from the hustle and bustle.
There are hiking paths, a Japanese garden, and an outdoor theatre where shows can be seen. Rent bicycles to pedal around the park, or take a boat excursion on the lake. Herastrau Park is also home to a wide variety of dining options. While many locals frequent this park, its size ensures that visitors will never feel suffocated.
10. Palace of Parliament
The Palace of Parliament is the second largest government structure in the world, after the Pentagon. The idea for this vast, opulent structure originated with Romania’s dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1984. But, it has not been finalised as of yet.
Built during a time when most Romanians were terribly poor, this neoclassical palace with more than 3,000 rooms serves as a reminder of the excesses of the communist past. Tourists should plan ahead and get tickets in advance because this is one of Bucharest’s most popular destinations.
