How to Spend a Weekend in Bucharest – The Perfect 2 Day Itinerary
A long weekend is the perfect amount of time to spend in Bucharest. Romania’s capital city has been known as “little Paris” and the “new Berlin” but it is an amazing and unique city in its own right. Spending 2 days in this small city is a great way to get a good feel for the culture and vibe of the area. Of course, there is plenty to do if you choose to stay for longer! In this guide, we have put together the perfect 2 day itinerary for your weekend in Bucharest.
Arriving in Bucharest, Romania
Most people arrive into Bucharest by air. The airport is called Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) and it is Romania’s busiest. It is located about 22 km (14miles) north of Bucharest and you can take a bus, train or taxi to the city centre in about 30 minutes.
Bucharest 2 Day Itinerary – Day 1 of your Weekend in Bucharest
After a great night’s sleep in one of Bucharest’s amazing accommodations, you will probably be ready for breakfast. The Grand café Van Gogh is the perfect place to start your day. One of the first things we recommend doing in a new city is taking a free walking tour. Bucharest is no different. This tour will cover loads of the main tourist sights and provide some interesting historical context and local knowledge. Sights you won’t want to miss include the Palace of the Parliament, Manuc’s Inn, Curtea Veche, Arcul de Triumf (The Arch of Triumph), Stavropoleos Church and loads more. Find some more inspiration HERE.
If you want to look at anything in more detail, you will be able to return after. Remember, these tours aren’t completely free but tips based. You basically just pay what you think is a fair price. We have done loads of these and they are always really interesting and informative and a great introduction to the city.
If you want a snack at some point (coffee and cake is must for us) French Revolution is a good shout. They make seriously amazing eclairs and the coffee is decent too.
The rather ornate Caru cu Bere is great for a traditional Romanian lunch. It can be found easily in the centre of town. It is a little on the touristy side but totally worth a visit for the amazing surroundings.
The Afternoon in Bucharest
In the afternoon take a walk (or a bus) up to the Village Museum or “Dimitrie Gusti”. Here you can stroll around a reconstructed Romanian village with building from different regions and time periods. It super interesting and a nice relaxing way to spend part of your weekend in Bucharest.
If you are visiting Bucharest for the weekend and you are unfortunate with the weather, a good indoor option would be a visit to the Primaverii Palace – the former dictators old house.
For a delicious and relaxed dinner to end day 1 in Bucharest, head to Energiea – the ribs are amazing! It is near the old town and is easily accessible.
Bucharest 2 Day Itinerary – Day 2 of your Weekend in Bucharest
For your second day of your weekend in Bucharest, we would recommend taking a day trip to Transylvania! Almost certainly you will have heard the stories of the mysterious Count Dracula and his blood thirsty pursuits. Bran castle is thought by some to be the inspiration for the Bram Stoker novel and is definitely worth a visit. In the same region, you can also visit beautiful Peles castle near the town of Sinaia.
You can visit both of these spectacular Transylvanian castles, and explore the town of Brasov, by taking one of the many organised tours. We used GET YOUR GUIDE and really loved it. You can also take a train to Sinaia or Brasov and explore in your own time. However, it is not that easy to reach Bran castle by public transport – although not impossible.
Make sure you try some traditional soup while in the area. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss the papanași (pronounced papanash). It’s a traditional Romanian donut with cream cheese and fruit and it is amazing! You’ll see it in most places around Bucharest and even up in Brasov and Sinaia.
Bucharest 2 Day Itinerary – Final Day of your Weekend in Bucharest
If you are lucky enough to have a bit of time before your flight, stop by First Cup Bucuresti for some speciality coffee and a chilled vibe.
Many flights to Europe from Bucharest are in the evening. So if you have a good chunk of the day to fill before your flight, we have the perfect activity for you! What better way to spend your final hours in Romania’s capital than by visiting Therme Bucharest. You can take a taxi from the city centre for about €12. Just make sure to leave plenty of time because traffic can be bad. You can read more about what to do at the Therme HERE. After that, it’s time to head to airport. It is just a 5 minute drive from the Therme, perfect!
Some Practical Tips for your Weekend in Bucharest
Bucharest is a bustling city with so much to offer. Here are a few practical tips for your Bucharest 2 Day Itinerary.
The local currency is Romanian Leu. 1 RON equals about €0.20. You can exchange money before you go or take cash out of an ATM in town. If you use a card like REVOLUT, there are no fees.
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 often 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 spend a weekend in Bucharest is probably in the 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 international airport in Bucharest and flights from other European countries are quick and cheap.
What to Pack for a Weekend in Bucharest
Here’s a super easy packing list to make sure you don’t forget any of the essentials for a Weekend in Bucharest.
- Passport
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- A good book
- Cell phone
- Power bank and charger
- Adaptor (European)
- Cash – Romanian Leu
- Map downloaded on phone (if you’re going exploring)
- Walking boots or comfy shoes
- Day backpack
- Decent camera (or phone) with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
- Weather appropriate clothing – always check the forecast before packing!
Things to Avoid when you Spend a Weekend in Bucharest
Taxi scams – Taxi drivers around the world can sport tourists a mile off – it’s like a sixth sense! It’s safest to use an Uber or take the bus. If you do hail a cab, agree a price before getting in.
Stag parties – Loads of cheap beer can attract stag dos (bachelor parties) and general loutish behaviour. There are plenty of amazing bars and restaurants in Bucharest 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. There are plenty of parks to enjoy as well.
More Info
- 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!
- Short on time? Pin the image below and read “How to Do a Weekend in Bucharest – The Perfect 2 Day Itinerary” at a later date.
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.
How to Do a Weekend in Bucharest – The Perfect 2 Day Itinerary