Popular Cities Bucharest

The capital of Romania has a lot to offer its visitors! Discover the history of Bucharest and admire the old buildings of this city. We provide you with all the important information about the most interesting sights of Bucharest.

Sights of the city

• Site of the 1989 Revolution: Revolution Square

• Architecture & concerts: Romanian Athenaeum

• "Little Paris" of Eastern Europe: Arch of Triumph

• Mix of styles & atmosphere: Old Town

• Monumental grand building: Palace of Parliament

• Tradition & craftsmanship: Peasant Museum

• Historic house of worship: New St. George's Church

• Art & history: Royal Palace

• Symbol of origin: Trajan Statue

• Traces of Dracula: Ruins of the Princely Court and Church

Revolution Square

Revolution Square is considered the place where the communist dictatorship came to an end in 1989 following the overthrow of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. On the square stands the Revolution Memorial, which not only commemorates the country's history but also honors 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, not far from the National Museum of Romanian Art and the Royal Palace. At the same time, Revolution Square already showcases the Neoclassicism that, alongside modern buildings, is represented throughout the city. However, although Revolution Square with its memorial to freedom appears honorable, this place is not very popular among the Romanian population due to a lack of aesthetics. They sarcastically refer to the memorial 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 of the building that enchants visitors to Bucharest, but also the impressive acoustics inside the building, which regularly host breathtaking concert evenings. If you're interested in a concert evening, book the show in advance. Due to the unique setting, which is practically an invitation to dream, the concerts often sell out quickly.

Arch of Triumph

Have you ever heard that Bucharest is referred to as the little Paris of Eastern Europe? If so, then the reason for this name is the Romanian Arch of Triumph. An architectural replica of the Parisian Arc de Triomphe, which in Romania is called the Arcul de Triumf. If you travel to Romania during the national holiday (Unity Day), you can admire the National Day parade on the first of December at the Arch of Triumph. The current stone version of the Arch of Triumph has existed since 1936 and was first built as a temporary wooden structure in 1878.

Old Town

As with any other city visit, you shouldn't miss the Old Town in Bucharest either. Bucharest impresses not only with its beautiful buildings, but also captivates visitors with its unique mix of styles, which makes the city appear almost like a colorful patchwork. A sight that is rarely seen elsewhere.

By the way: The historic Old Town has been almost completely restored to this day and is in no way inferior to Paris with its own Arc de Triomphe.

Palace of Parliament

The Palace of Parliament is not only a magnificent building that takes the breath away of all who see it, but its elaborate design also nearly led to Romania's state bankruptcy. Ironically, the Palace of Parliament was originally built under the name "Casa Poporului" (House of the People), even though dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu had an entire city district, including homes and churches, demolished to guarantee an unobstructed view of the palace.

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

Ironically, the dictator never saw the completion of the Palace of Parliament himself, as he was executed in 1989 as a result of the revolution.

Peasant Museum

The Museum of the Romanian Peasant will bring you closer to the original, agriculturally shaped Romania and illustrate its craftsmanship. Admire the elaborate embroidery and beautiful traditional costumes that are part of traditional folklore. If you're interested in the history of Romania, you should definitely visit this museum!

New St. George's Church

St. George's Church can hardly still be called "new," as it has adorned the city since 1699. The church was relocated at that time, along with seven other churches, to save it from the destructive plans of Nicolae Ceaușescu resulting from the construction of the Palace of Parliament.

Royal Palace

The former residence of the royal family now houses artworks from various eras and invites visitors to admire valuable international and national exhibits. The exhibits can also give you insights into Romania's communist past.

Trajan Statue

The statue of the Roman emperor Trajan is located on the steps to the National Museum. It is a symbol of unity representing the descent of Romanians from the Dacians (Romania was once part of Dacia, a settlement area of the Roman Empire) and the Romans. These two lineages are depicted as a she-wolf (Dacians) and as Trajan (former Roman emperor). The Roman emperor carries the she-wolf in his arms. However, it is criticized to this day that Trajan is unclothed and that the she-wolf appears to be floating.

Ruins of the Princely Court and Church

Vlad III Draculea, 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 eerie tales surrounding ruler Vlad III Draculea served as inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula. If you're interested in the life of Count Dracula, you should visit the Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche), which was built in the 15th century and is known as Vlad III's residence. Nowadays, his residence can be visited as a museum.

Places worth seeing near Bucharest

Not only the capital of Romania is home to many impressive sights. There are also interesting places near the city. The Snagov Monastery is only 40 km from Bucharest and gives you insight into Romanian history.

According to legend, Count Dracula is said to be buried at this location. A figure of Romanian history that continues to be surrounded by many legends to this day. The monastery is located on an island in the middle of Lake Snagov and is definitely worth a visit to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the idyll of nature.

Another place to relax in nature is the Băneasa Forest, which serves as a wonderful option for a walk and is located on the outskirts of Bucharest. Also worth seeing is Lake Cernica, located east of Romania's capital, which is wonderful for walking and fishing. Enjoy nature during a lovely boat trip and use Lake Cernica as a destination for outings with friends and family.

Best time to travel

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

The Europamaut team wishes you a wonderful trip!

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