Bucharest

1. Arcul de Triumf: The iconic Arcul de Triumf established in 1878 is a world famous arch in the memory of the Romanian soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War. The monument was reconstructed by architect Petre Antonescu in 1936 and presently the structure is made of granite and has an altitude of around 27 metres.

It is decorated with impressive sculptures made by some legendary sculptors of Romania, like Dimitrie Paciurea and Ion Jalea. The Arcul de Triumf serves as the centre for all significant military events and parades of the country, even today.

Location: Piata Arcul de Triumf, Bucuresti 011453, Romania

2. The Art Collection Museum: Located in the Romanit Palace, the Art Collection Museum is home to 44 collections that are basically donated by various native families of Romania over the years. This extensive collection includes exhibits from the Middle East and Asia. You can also find many pieces of artwork by legendary Western European artists and Romanian artists like Nicolae Grigorescu, Ioan Andreescu, and Theodor Aman.

Location: Calea Victoriei 111, Bucuresti, Romania

Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM, closed on Monday & Tuesday

Entry Fees: RON 10 - 25 

3. Romanian Athenaeum: Constructed beautifully by the French architect Albert Galleron back in the 19th century, the Romanian Athenaeum is a renowned concert hall of Bucharest. Featuring an enormous 41 metres high dome, this magnificent building has an architectural design similar to that of a traditional Greek temple.With a capacity to accommodate a total of 652 people, the auditorium flaunts amazing acoustics as well along with a spectacular interior, marble staircases and gold-leaf ceilings.

Location: 1, Strada Benjamin Franklin 1-3, Bucuresti 030167, Romania

Timings: 12 PM to 7 PM, closed on Monday

Entry Fees: RON 10 - 25

4. Stavropoleos Monastery Church: Commissioned by the Greek monk Ioanikie Stratonikeas in 1724, the beautiful Stavropoleos Monastery Church flaunts a breathtaking Brâncovenesc-style architectural design. Set amidst a lush garden and dotted with many 18th-century tombstones, this Orthodox church showcases impressive wood and stone carvings.

You can witness the interior of the church featuring beautiful wooden icons and a myriad of stunning frescoes. The church is also home to a splendid library stocked with a plethora of amazing books on Byzantine music which also hosts many events and concerts from time to time.

Location: Strada Stavropoleos 4, Bucuresti 030167, Romania

Timings: 7 AM to 8 PM

5. Museum of Senses: Located in the Afi Cotroceni Mall, the Museum of Senses carries visitors to a unique world of awe-inspiring optical illusions and sensations. Taking you on an educational as well as entertaining tour, this place offers a myriad of bizarre experiences, starting from laying on the Bed of Nails with 1,200 nails to walking through the spinning Vortex tunnel. You can witness the interactive elements in this museum to activate and revive the different senses of people so that they can be better aware of their surroundings and learn out-of-the-box.

Location: Bulevardul General Paul Teodorescu 4, Bucuresti 061344, Romania

Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM

Entry Fees: RON 5 - 40

6. National Museum of Art of Romania: Stationed inside the former Royal Palace and opened to the public in 1948, the National Museum of Art of Romania is home to the world’s most extensive collection of modern and mediaeval Romanian artwork. Known as the most famous art museum of the country, the museum features various halls, housing impressive European and Romanian artwork, dating back to the 15th century. Here, you can see over 100,000 brilliant arts and sculptures by legendary artists, such as Nicolae Grigorescu, Gheorghe Tattarescu, Theodor Aman, Milita Petrascu, and Dimitrie Paciurea.

Location: Strada Benjamin Franklin 1-3, Bucharest

Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM, Closed on Monday & Tuesday

1. Explore the Palace of Parliament: If you are an architecture enthusiast, visit the Palace of Parliament, which is famed to be the heaviest and the second largest administrative building in the world. While you are here, take a tour of the palace and marvel at its vastness and grandeur. You can also check out the National Museum of Contemporary Art that is housed in the Palace of Parliament.

Location: Strada Izvor 2-4, Bucuresti, Romania

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM

2. Visit Carol Park: One of the most sought-after things to do in Bucharest is to relax in Carol Park, a breathtaking French garden. Designed by Eduard Redont, the French garden architect, the attraction is named after King Carol I of Romania.

While you are at this park, you can take a stroll along the tree-lined paths and admire the stunning landscape, see the Roman-style open-air theatre known as Arenele Romane, and pay your respect at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Location: Bulevardul Marasesti, Bucuresti, Romania

3. Stop by the Art Collection Museum: If you are an art enthusiast, you are highly recommended to pay a visit to the famous Art Collection Museum, during your tour to Bucharest. Take a tour of this breathtaking museum and check out its 44 mesmerizing collections that are basically donated by different native families of Romania. You can see masterpieces of artwork from the Middle East and Asia and many iconic pieces by legendary Western European and Romanian artists.

Location: Calea Victoriei 111, Bucure?ti, Romania

Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM, closed on Monday & Tuesday

Entry Fees: Ron 10 -25

4. Visit  Bucharest Parks: If you want to spend a peaceful and enjoyable day out with your loved ones, head to the breathtaking parks of Bucharest. You may want to visit the oldest park of the city, the Cismigiu Gardens, where you can spend your time boating (during summers) and ice skating (during winters).

You can also visit the picturesque Carol Park, where you can see the iconic Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the popular open-air theatre known as Arenele Romane. You can also admire the Bucharest Botanical Garden, where one can spend his/her time appreciating the colourful flower beds and exploring the greenhouses conservatories.

5. Explore the Streets of Old Town: Taking a walking tour of the Old Town is one of the most recommended things to do in Bucharest for all culture enthusiasts. As you take a walk through the cobbled streets and pedestrian lanes, marvel at the well-preserved ancient buildings dating back to the 15th century.

Stop by one of the many quaint cafes and restaurants lining the streets and enjoy some tasty local delicacies. You may also want to visit some of the iconic attractions of Old Town, including the open-air museum called Curtea Veche and the National Museum of Romanian History.

6. Take a Bucharest Markets Tour: One of the best things to do in Bucharest for all shopaholics is to take a tour of the colourful and flamboyant markets of the city. One of the best modern-style markets to check out is Pia?a Amzei, where you can shop for handmade jewellery, antiques, gifts, and many European and Romanian delicacies.

Valea Cascadelor is the best place to shop for clothes, books, and toys. If you want to purchase local produce including fresh fruits and vegetables, you may want to visit Pia?a Domenii and Pia?a Obor. You are also recommended to visit Pia?a Agronomiei, if you want to grab some fresh and authentic local foods for breakfast or lunch.

1. Visit Herastrau Park: Pay a visit to the beautiful Herastrau Park, set around the picturesque Herastrau Lake and known as Bucharest’s largest park. While you are here, spend your time taking a hand-in-hand stroll through the lush nature trails, going on a romantic boat ride, and enjoying a fun-filled bicycle tour together.

2. Enjoy Shows at the National Opera House: If you both enjoy operas and theatre shows, you can consider spending an evening at the National Opera House. You can spend your time here, watching some impressive opera or ballet shows as well as marveling at the brilliant neoclassical architectural design of this magnificent building dating back to the early 1950s.

3. Explore Cismigiu Gardens: Escape out of the hustle and bustle of the city and head on a romantic day out to the postcard-perfect Cismigiu Gardens. Spend your time together marvelling at the charming fountains and monuments in this English-style garden or go boating on the serene lake with your significant other. You may also want to enjoy a lunch date with your partner at the on-site restaurant.

4. Stroll Around Bucharest Botanical Garden: Spend a romantic day, exploring the beautiful plant species at the lush, picturesque Bucharest Botanical Garden. You can take a hand-in-hand walk through the garden and see more than 1000 species of plants including Italian and Mediterranean flowers, iris, roses, decorative plants, medicinal herbs, and other rare species. You can also visit the on-site library and learn more about the plants showcased here.

By Air: Take a flight to Henri Coanda International Airport of Bucharest which has interconnectivity between major cities across The Middle East and Europe.  

By Train: Take an international train from cities like Budapest, Vienna, Athens, etc, to reach Bucharest’s Gara de Nord Railway Station.  

By Bus: Get on an international bus from countries like Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey to reach Bucharest.

You need at least 2 days to visit Bucharest, as the city of contrasts has so much to offer and you can cover almost all the major attractions of the city on a tight schedule. But generally in five to seven days you can visit Arcul de Triumf, Museum of Art Collection, Romanian Athenaeum, Stavropoleos Monastery Church, Museum of Senses, National Museum of Art of Romania, and Palace of Parliament.

Two hours is enough to explore the Old Town of Bucharest thoroughly. During these 2 hours, you can take a walk through the cobblestone streets,  marvel at the well-preserved 15th-century buildings, enjoy some quick local bites at any of the quaint cafes and restaurants lining the streets. Apart from this you can also visit some of the iconic attractions like Curtea Veche, the National Museum of Romanian History and more.