We highly recommend Visiting Bucarest !
Bucharest, the capital of Romania, was one of our most beautiful surprises in Eastern Europe. We stayed right in the city centre and explored almost everything on foot, which made the city very pleasant to discover, even when travelling with a dog. With its wide boulevards, parks, elegant cafés and historic buildings, Bucharest is perfect for wandering and taking your time.
We were also lucky enough to visit Bucharest during the Christmas season, which added an especially warm and festive atmosphere to the city.
The Palace of Parliament: a must-see in Bucharest
It’s impossible to visit Bucharest without discovering the Palace of Parliament, one of the largest administrative buildings in the world. This colossal monument, built during the Ceaușescu era, is absolutely impressive.
We chose to visit the interior with a guided tour, and it is truly worth it. Booking in advance is highly recommended. The visit helps you understand the history of the communist regime and the enormous impact this pharaonic project had on the city and its people.
We hadn’t booked in advance and everything was already sold out… we thought we wouldn’t be able to visit, but GetYourGuide saved us! Here is the link to book. (This is an affiliate link: you won’t pay more by using it, but you’ll support our blog, so thank you!)
Romanian Athenaeum and cultural heritage
The Romanian Athenaeum is one of Bucharest’s cultural symbols. This superb neoclassical building, a major venue for classical music, is at least worth a stop to admire its architecture.
As for religious heritage, several churches are also worth visiting:
- Stavropoleos Monastery Church
- The New Saint George Church
- Zlatari Church
- Saint Nicholas Church
These buildings offer a beautiful insight into Romanian Orthodox architecture and provide peaceful breaks in the heart of the city.
Discovering Bucharest’s Old Town on foot
The historic centre is ideal for walking:
- Lipscani Street, the lively main artery of the Old Town
- University Square, a central and vibrant area
- Macca–Vilacrosse Passage, a beautiful covered arcade
- Manuc’s Inn, with its magnificent historic courtyard
We also loved the Cărturești Carusel bookshop, one of the most beautiful bookshops in Europe, perfect for buying books in English or simply admiring the place.
Iconic cafés and bars in Bucharest
Bucharest is a city where you truly enjoy stopping at beautiful cafés and bars:
- Italian Vintage Caffe & Prosecco Bar: a real vintage and elegant atmosphere
- Van Gogh Café: perfect for a sweet break (the white hot chocolate is excellent)
- Caru’ cu Bere: a spectacular setting, great for a coffee or a dinner with live shows
- Bar Ton: a great spot for music and atmosphere
- The Vault: a bar set in a former bank vault, chic and unusual – a bit expensive, but really lovely. Seats are limited.
- Mingle Bucharest: a coffee & vintage shop, very nice to browse and relax
Green spaces: walking in Bucharest with a dog
Cișmigiu Garden is one of the most beautiful parks in the city centre. It’s very pleasant for a walk, especially with a dog, and offers a real green break in the middle of the capital. It’s best in summer rather than winter – but if you’re travelling with a dog, it’s always a lovely place to stroll.
Free walking tour: understanding Bucharest’s history
We joined a free walking tour in Bucharest and, in our opinion, it’s one of the best ways to discover the city. The guide was fascinating and helped us better understand Romania’s complex history. We tipped €15 per person and recommend this experience 100%.
Bucharest at Christmas: markets and festive atmosphere
Two Christmas markets particularly stood out to us:
- The market in front of the Palace of Parliament, spectacular at night
- The West Side Christmas Market in the Uranus district, more local and very cosy – it was recommended to us by our guide
Relaxing at the Bucharest thermal baths: Therme București
A few kilometres from the city centre, Therme București is one of the largest thermal spa complexes in Europe. It’s a completely different experience from the city, perfect for relaxing after several days of sightseeing.
Hot pools, palm trees, saunas, indoor and outdoor areas… it almost feels tropical, even in the middle of winter. It’s very well organised, modern and truly enjoyable. (We do recommend choosing your day carefully to avoid crowds – for example, by avoiding weekends.)
It’s a great idea if:
- the weather is cold or rainy,
- you feel like relaxing,
- or you simply want to enjoy a unique experience in Bucharest.
To get there, you can book a ticket with transfer here (this is an affiliate link: you won’t pay more, but by using it you support our blog – thank you!).
What to see in Bucharest if you have more time
If your stay is longer, here are a few more ideas:
- Village Museum (Muzeul Satului), a beautiful open-air museum
- Herăstrău Park (Parcul Regele Mihai I), perfect for long walks
- Calea Victoriei, one of the most beautiful avenues in Bucharest
- Cotroceni neighbourhood, elegant and residential
- Ceaușescu’s House (Palatul Primăverii)
- Carol I Park, a very beautiful monumental park
Our opinion on Bucharest
Bucharest is a surprising, elegant and contrasting European capital. With its historical heritage, refined cafés, large parks and lively atmosphere, the city is easy to explore on foot and is perfect for a few days’ stay, even with a dog.
It’s an ideal destination for those who want to discover Romania starting with a capital rich in history, culture and great places to enjoy.
We also visited other places in Eastern Europe – discover all our travels here.