Bucharest in 3 Days

  • Day 1: Old Town
    Adjacent to city center

    Discover the beauty of Bucharest's Old Town with its historic buildings, charming cafes and restaurants, and lively atmosphere. Stroll along cobblestone streets, admire the stunning architecture of the National Bank of Romania, visit the Stavropoleos Monastery, and try traditional Romanian food at Caru' cu bere, one of Bucharest's most famous restaurants.

  • Day 2: Palace of the Parliament, Herastrau Park, and Village Museum
    30 minutes (5.6 miles) from Old Town to Palace of the Parliament, 20 minutes (2.7 miles) from Palace of the Parliament to Herastrau Park, and 15 minutes (4.5 miles) from Herastrau Park to Village Museum

    Begin the day by visiting the Palace of the Parliament, the second-largest administrative building in the world. Take a guided tour and marvel at the opulent interiors and fascinating history of the building. Afterward, head to Herastrau Park, one of Bucharest's largest parks, to unwind, take a boat ride or visit its open-air museum. Finally, visit the Village Museum to discover picturesque rural life with its charming traditional houses, windmills and watermills, and small wooden churches.

  • Day 3: Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, Cotroceni Palace, and Carol Park
    25 minutes (8 miles) from Village Museum to Cotroceni Palace, and 15 minutes (3.2 miles) from Cotroceni Palace to Carol Park

    Begin the day by visiting the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, where you can experience Romania's rural traditions, architecture, and handicrafts. Next, visit Cotroceni Palace, the official residence of the Romanian presidency, with its splendid architecture and beautiful gardens. Finally, end your trip at Carol Park, a picturesque green space with its Art Deco Mausoleum and stunning views of Bucharest.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Caru' cu bere (2 hours, $$)
  • Palace of the Parliament (2 hours, $$$)
  • Herastrau Park (2 hours, Free)
  • Village Museum (2 hours, $$)
  • Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum (2 hours, $$)
  • Cotroceni Palace (2 hours, $$$)
  • Carol Park (1.5 hours, Free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $$$

Transportation

Getting around Bucharest is easy with its efficient public transport system. You can take the metro, bus or tram to get to most places. A one-way ticket costs around 1.3 RON (0.25 GBP). If you prefer taxis, make sure to use reputable companies, like Speed Taxi or Uber, and always ask for the fare before getting in. The average taxi fare in Bucharest is around 1.89 RON/km (0.35 GBP/km). Expect relatively low traffic during weekends.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting the beautiful Romanian Atheneum, the stunning Palace of Justice, the Cotroceni Museum or the beautiful Botanical Garden. If you have less time, consider prioritizing the Old Town and the Palace of the Parliament, which are Bucharest's primary tourist attractions.

Airports

Bucharest has two international airports: Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP), also known as Otopeni, and Aurel Vlaicu International Airport (BBU), also known as Baneasa. Otopeni is the primary international airport, located 18 km (11 mi) north of Bucharest's city center, while Baneasa is for general aviation and low-cost carriers, which is about 8 km (5 mi) from Bucharest's city center.

0