Bucharest in Romania

Romania’s capital has plenty to offer its visitors! Discover Bucharest’s history and admire the city’s old buildings. We provide all the key information about the most interesting sights in Bucharest.

Sights in the city

• Site of the 1989 revolution: Revolution Square
• Architecture & concerts: Romanian Athenaeum
• “Little Paris” in Eastern Europe: Triumphal Arch
• Mix of styles & atmosphere: Old Town
• Monumental showpiece: Palace of Parliament
• Tradition & craftsmanship: Museum of the Romanian Peasant
• Historic place of worship: New St. George Church
• Art & history: Royal Palace
• Symbol of origins: Trajan Statue
• Dracula traces: Ruins of the Princely Palace and Church

Revolution Square

Revolution Square is considered the place where the communist dictatorship came to an end in 1989 after the overthrow of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. The square is home to the Revolution Memorial, which not only recalls the country’s history but is also intended to commemorate the difficult times endured by Romanian citizens. The memorial thus serves as a symbol of freedom and is definitely worth a visit!

Revolution Square is located in the center of Bucharest and is not far from the National Museum of Art of Romania and the Royal Palace. Neoclassicism can already be seen here, and—alongside modern buildings—it is found throughout the city. However, although Revolution Square and its memorial to freedom may appear honorable, this place is not particularly popular among Romanians due to a perceived lack of aesthetics. Locals sarcastically refer to the monument as the “potato on a skewer.”

Romanian Athenaeum

The Romanian Athenaeum is known as the most beautiful building in Bucharest and impresses with its mix of architectural styles, such as Gothic and Neoclassicism.

But it’s not only the exterior that enchants visitors—inside, the building’s impressive acoustics regularly invite audiences to breathtaking concert evenings. If you are interested in attending a concert, book in advance. Thanks to the unique setting that practically invites you to dream, concerts often sell out quickly.

Triumphal Arch

Have you ever heard Bucharest being called the little Paris of Eastern Europe? If so, the reason for this nickname is the Romanian Triumphal Arch—an architectural replica of the Parisian Arc de Triomphe, known in Romania as Arcul de Triumf. If you travel to Romania during the National Day (Unity Day), you can watch the National Day parade on December 1st at the Triumphal Arch. The current stone version of the arch has existed since 1936 and was first erected as a temporary wooden structure in 1878.

Old Town

As with any city visit, you shouldn’t miss Bucharest’s Old Town. Bucharest not only impresses with beautiful buildings, but also captivates visitors with its unique mix of styles, making the city appear almost colorfully pieced together—an unusual sight that you rarely encounter.

By the way: the historic Old Town has been almost completely restored and is in no way inferior to Paris—together with its own Triumphal Arch.

Palace of Parliament

The Palace of Parliament is not only a magnificent building that takes everyone’s breath away, but its elaborate design almost led Romania to state bankruptcy. Ironically, it was once built under the name "Casa Poporului" (House of the People), even though dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu had an entire neighborhood—including homes and churches—removed to ensure a direct view of the palace.

Not far from the Palace of Parliament is Ceaușescu’s former retreat, which is also worth a visit. If you tour the dictator’s private residence, you will quickly understand why Ceaușescu was so hated by his people. While most of the city’s citizens lived in poverty, Nicolae Ceaușescu enjoyed a life of splendor and wealth.

Ironically, the dictator did not live to see the completion of the Palace of Parliament, as he was executed in 1989 as a result of the revolution.

Museum of the Romanian Peasant

The Museum of the Romanian Peasant introduces you to Romania’s original, agriculture-shaped past and illustrates its craftsmanship. Admire the elaborate embroidery and beautiful traditional costumes that are part of the country’s folklore. If you are interested in Romania’s history, you should definitely visit this museum!

New St. George Church

Strictly speaking, St. George Church can hardly be called “new” anymore, as it has adorned the city since 1699. The church was moved together with seven other churches at the time in order to save it from Nicolae Ceaușescu’s destructive plans connected to the construction of the Palace of Parliament.

Royal Palace

The former residence of the royal family now houses works of art from different eras and invites visitors to admire valuable international as well as national exhibits. The displays can also give you insights into Romania’s communist past.

Trajan Statue

The statue of the Roman Emperor Trajan stands on the steps leading to the National Museum. It is a symbol of the unity of Romanians’ descent from the Dacians (Romania was once part of Dacia, a settlement area of the Roman Empire) and the Romans. These two origins are depicted as a she-wolf (Dacians) and Trajan (former Roman emperor). The emperor holds the she-wolf in his arms. Critics still point out, however, that Trajan is unclothed and the she-wolf appears to be floating.

Ruins of the Princely Palace and Church

Vlad III Drăculea—better known as Count Dracula or Vlad the Impaler—is still considered the most famous Romanian and received his names from his enemies in the Ottoman Empire.

The creepy stories surrounding the ruler Vlad III Drăculea served as inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. If you are interested in Count Dracula’s life, you should visit the Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche), built in the 15th century and known as Vlad III’s residence. Today, his residence can be visited as a museum.

Worth seeing near Bucharest

It’s not only Romania’s capital that is home to many impressive sights. There are also interesting places nearby. Snagov Monastery is only 40 km from Bucharest and offers insight into Romanian history.

According to legend, Count Dracula is said to be buried there—an iconic figure in Romanian history who is still surrounded by many tales. The monastery is located on an island in the middle of Lake Snagov and is definitely worth a visit to escape the bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the idyllic natural surroundings.

Another place to relax in nature is the Băneasa Forest, a wonderful option for a walk located on the outskirts of Bucharest. Also worth seeing is Lake Cernica, which lies east of Romania’s capital and is ideal for walking and fishing. Enjoy nature on a pleasant boat ride and use Lake Cernica as a destination for friends and family outings.

Best time to travel

Every season has its charm, but the best months to visit Bucharest are April, May, June, September or October. This recommendation is due to the extreme heat in Romania during the summer months, which can be overwhelming even for summer lovers. At the same time, the winter months are not suitable for a city trip because of very cold temperatures, including heavy snowfall. In addition, there is less daylight in winter to explore the city.

The DMC team wishes you a pleasant trip!

We wish you a pleasant trip to Romania and are happy to help with any further questions about Romania and the related toll regulations. Contact us via our email.