Things to do in Bucharest

Why go to Bucharest

• Palace of the Parliament

  The world's second-largest building, Ceaușescu's megalomaniacal masterpiece is staggeringly vast and utterly unmissable.

• Bran Castle (day trip)

  The legendary 'Dracula's Castle' perched on a cliff in the Carpathians is a thrilling Gothic escape just 2.5 hours away.

• Village Museum (Muzeul Satului)

  An open-air collection of 300 authentic rural structures from across Romania, spread beautifully along Lake Herăstrău.

• National Museum of Art of Romania

  Housed in the Royal Palace, it holds stunning medieval Romanian art and a superb European gallery including El Greco and Rubens.

• Therme Bucharest

  One of Europe's largest wellness and water park complexes, a hedonistic thermal spa day that costs a fraction of similar Western venues.

Good to know in Bucharest

• Bucharest's metro (STB) covers the city well, a 10-trip card costs about $4, making it the cheapest way to get around; avoid taxis hailed off the street and use the Bolt or Free Now apps instead.
• Tipping is appreciated but modest, 10% is generous at restaurants; rounding up the bill is common and perfectly acceptable.
• Tap water in Bucharest is technically safe but locals predominantly drink bottled water; stick to bottled to avoid any stomach issues, available for under $0.50 at any shop.
• The National Museum of Art offers free entry every first Wednesday of the month, and the Village Museum is free on the last Sunday of the month, plan accordingly.

Trip essentials