11 + Surprising things to do in Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is known as the “Little Paris”, the “New Berlin” and even “Home of Vlad the Impaler”. This place isn’t just for Halloween, there is so much more to Romania’s bustling capital city. So, we have put together a curious list of some of the more surprising things to do in Bucharest.

First mentioned in writing in 1459, Bucharest has a long and captivating history so here is a very brief timeline showing a few of the main events.

In no specific order, here is a list of some of the most surprising things to do in Bucharest.

Surprising things to do in Bucharest, Romania

Stavropoleos Convent

This Eastern Orthodox nunnery was built in 1724 in, what was then, a quiet district of the city. Set in a peaceful courtyard, the building contains intricate frescoes that were restored at the beginning of the 20th century. It has survived earthquakes and communism, but only just. The building remains as a fully functioning convent, but the city has grown up around it. Nowadays it sits right in the heart of the party centre of Bucharest.  

You will find Stavropoleos Convent HERE.

Manuc’s Inn

Dating back to 1808 and built by Manuc Bei, this Ottoman inn welcomed caravans from across Europe. The guests came to the city selling wares and sharing news. Manuc’s Inn is the oldest operating Inn in Bucharest. Whilst, from the outside, the inn is not architecturally beautiful, the view inside the courtyard is stunning. Sit in the courtyard and enjoy a drink in the serene surroundings.

Manuc’s Inn is located HERE.

Macca-Vilacrosse Passage

These arcade streets in central Bucharest are highly reminiscent of 19^th century Paris. And perhaps one of the contributors to the nickname of “The Paris of the East”. The streets are covered with a striking glass roof that provides beautiful light and protection from the rain and snow. It’s a gorgeous place to stroll through on a sunny or rainy day and the streets are lined with cafes, restaurants and shisha bars.

Macca-Vilacrosse Passage is near the city centre, right HERE.

Cișmigiu Gardens

These gardens are the oldest and largest in the city. Completed in 1860, Cișmigiu Gardens has over 30,000 trees and plants sourced from the mountains of Romania. There is a Roman garden, an artificial lake with ornate bridges, there are several cafes and kiosks available and it’s less than 30 minutes’ walk from the old town. Take an hour to escape from the bustle and relax in this tranquil space.

Take a walk west and find Cișmigiu Gardens HERE.

Arcul de Triumf

The original Arc was constructed in 1878, out of wood, to commemorate Romania’s independence. The current structure is made of granite, was completed in 1936 and is a grand 27m tall. Romania’s national day is 1^st December and every year military parades march beneath the Arcul de Triumf. It’s a good 30 minute walk from the old town but it’s near the National Village Museum so both can be seen together.

Travel north from the old town to find the Arcul de Triumf HERE.

Cărturești Carusel

Possibly one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, make sure you stop in to admire Cărturești Carusel. This was certainly one of the most surprising things to do in Bucharest. The store’s three levels hold over ten thousand books and there is even a café on the top floor with a great view of the interior. With sweeping staircases and ornate pillars, this store is worth spending time in even if you don’t buy anything. There are many titles available in English, and other languages, so it’s definitely worth a look. If you travel to Bucharest during peak season, the morning is the quietest time of day to visit the store.

Cărturești Carusel can be found in the old town HERE.

Palace of the Parliament

Bulevardul Unirii, leads to the monstrous Palace of the Parliament. The Palace is the heaviest building in the world, weighing in at about 4.1 million tonnes. It is also the world’s second largest administrative building, behind only the Pentagon. Construction began in 1984 but was not completed until 13 years later in 1997. It cost the equivalent of €3 billion, making it the world’s most expensive administrative building. It is still in use today. However, the cost of heating and electricity means it is only feasible to use a fraction of the rooms. You can see inside the palace and learn more about its history if you take a TOUR.

You can’t miss is, but it’s located HERE.

Revolution Square

One of the countries defining moments – the Romanian Revolution – took place in 1989. The heart of the uprising took place in what is now called Revolution Square, in Bucharest. This spread across the country and similar protests happened in most towns and cities. The movement would eventually overthrow communism and leader Nicolae Ceausescu.

Ceausescu was tried on charges of genocide, damage to the national economy and abuse of power to execute military actions against the Romanian people. He and his wife were executed on Christmas day 1989.

Over one thousand people who marched for freedom were killed by police. There are still bullet holes in the walls of the buildings in Revolution Square. These act as a reminder of how far Bucharest has come in recent years.

Revolution Square is HERE.

Architecture in Bucharest

The architecture in Bucharest varies remarkably. There are influences from the Ottoman era, Soviet period and, of course, Romania’s own unique style. Take a walk around the north of the city, a little east of the Piata Romana district, and admire some of the stunning churches and old mansions. Or wander along Strada Paris to marvel at some incredible houses.

Therme Spa, Bucharest

Therme Bucuresti is a wellness centre located 10km outside of Bucharest. It features several pools, saunas and waterslides and is the perfect antidote to the busy city. There are even bars within the complex where you can enjoy drinks from the pool! There is a free bus that will take you from the city centre out to Therme Bucuresti in under 30 minutes.

Energia

This quirky restaurant sits in a former print shop near the centre of Bucharest. The food is simple but delicious and the potions are pretty big. They have kept the industrial feel and the place has a buzzing atmosphere but it can be tricky to get a table at peak times. You can phone in advance and check availability but most bookings are reserved for regulars. The staff in Energiea are really helpful and speak perfect English. We went for an early lunch and had no problems getting a table. One minor point, if you use the bathroom, the symbols on the doors for male and female seem a little cryptic. Men go to the right and women to the left, but, if you get totally bamboozled, just ask someone.

Energiea is really close to the centre HERE.

French Revolution

Some say these are the best eclairs outside of France. A bold statement but a common one. It’s only right that “little Paris” serves up delicious pastries. There are two of these delights in Bucharest and if you’re in the centre of the city, you’ll find the nearest one HERE about 15 minute’s walk from the old town. Don’t miss out on the amazing coffee shops that are everywhere in the city. What goes better with a delicious cake than a

Nchanted NITROGELATO

Found in Bucharest Mall, this is an ice cream parlour with a difference! Liquid nitrogen is used to create the ice cream from scratch. Using fresh ingredients, each scoop is made to order and created right in front of your eyes. The result is a steamy, creamy delight!

Check out the Mall HERE

Surprising things to do in Bucharest

Romania’s capital is an unexpectedly beautiful and historic city. It is absolutely worth spending at least a long weekend discovering many of the surprising things to do in Bucharest.

Some practical tips for your trip

Bucharest is a bustling city with so much to offer. Here are a few practical tips for your visit.

The local currency is Romanian Leu. 1 RON equals about €0.20.

Romanian is the official language spoken throughout the country. It is of Latin origin so if you have knowledge of any of the romance languages, you might recognise a few words. Here are some phrases for you to try out.

Hello – “Salut.” (sah-LOOT)

Please – “Vă rog” (vuh ROHG)

Thank you – “Mulţumesc” (mool-tzoo-MESK). “Mersi” is also popularly used.

Yes – “Da” (DAH)

No – “Nu” (NOO)

Goodbye – “La revedere” (lah reh-veh-DEH-reh)

The weather is hot in the summer (above 30°C) and cold in the winter (below -10°C in the mountains). Spring and autumn temperatures are really pleasant.

The best time to go is probably spring or autumn to avoid the extreme temperatures. Most attractions are open all year round. There aren’t big crowds during the peak tourist seasons but it can get busier with locals during holidays.

There is one airport in Bucharest and flights from other European countries are quick and cheap.

Things to watch out for

Taxi scams – safest to use an Uber or take the bus.

Stag parties – cheap beer can attract Stag dos and loutish behaviour. There are plenty of amazing bars and restaurants in the city so it’s easy to avoid them.

Traffic – the traffic in Bucharest is intense and has led to poor air quality. Try to stay off the main boulevards for some fresher air.

More Info

Looking for a great place to stay in Bucharest? We regularly stay at Cristina’s place and book through Air BnB. The apartment is located in a quiet, old part of town but is within easy walking distance of the buzzing centre.

• Click here for BUCHAREST TOURIST INFO
• Click here for ROMANIAN TOURIST INFO

Where to go next?

• Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, is less than 6 hours away by car and is a great stop on your Balkan trip. Check our blog for some Sofia inspiration HERE
• Have you visited Bucharest or anywhere else in Romania? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
• Pin the image below and read our surprising things to do in Bucharest again later

Final note: Things change often when travelling in the Balkans and there is not much information online. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.