Palace of the Parliament
The Palace of the Parliament, located in the center of Bucharest, is probably the biggest attraction of the city. Thanks to its size (270 x 240 x 84 m), it is the second-largest administrative building in the world (after the American Pentagon). Currently, it is the seat of the Romanian Parliament. The construction of the palace took more than 10 years and almost all the material used for the construction, including the two-ton curtain that was woven on the spot, comes from Romania. The palace is open to the public and can be seen from the inside. However, due to its size, it is impossible to the whole building (during a two-hour visit you will see approximately 5% of it).
Our tip: If you like nice views, make sure not to miss the main balcony from which you will have a view of the Boulevard of Unity, built on the model of the famous Champs-Élysées in Paris.
The Arch of Triumph
The Arch of Triumph is another icon of Bucharest. It was built in 1936 in honor of the fights and victories of the Romanian army in World War I. You will certainly not miss its resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which has become its architectural model. Unlike the arch of Paris, it is not that crowded and you can take great pictures there.
Our tip: There are doors in the pillars of the arch, behind which there is a staircase leading to its top. However, it is usually open only two days a year - December 1 and June 9.
Ceauşescu Mansion
The private residence of the former Romanian dictator, located about 1.5 km from the Arc de Triomphe, can be included among the jewels of Romanian history. This luxury mansion contains approximately 80 rooms in which Ceausescu hosted the world's most influential people, including presidents, the Queen of England, Fidel Castro, and Kim Irsen. During the two-hour tour, you will see about 50 of them and you will be literally paralyzed by luxury.
Our tip: At the end of the tour, get yourself a cup of coffee in the souvenir shop and enjoy it in the garden while watching the peacocks.
Bookstore Cărtureşti Caruso
Although the bookstore is not a typical tourist attraction, you should definitely not miss Cărtureşti Caruso when visiting Bucharest. According to many visitors, this megalomaniac bookstore located in the city center is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. It has six floors and a total area of 1000 m2. A huge selection of books is complemented by a beautiful interior and a cozy café on the top floor.
Our tip: Although the bookstore is open until late in the evening, we recommend that you visit it in the morning - you will avoid the crowd of tourists.
Herastrau Park
Bucharest is a green city. There are many beautiful parks where you can spend the whole day. The most famous one is Herastrau Park, where you can have a picnic, boat on the lake or just relax in the restaurant. A large part of the park is occupied by the natural open-air museum Muzeul Satului Dimitrie Gusti, which is one of the largest natural museums in the world and at the same time the most visited museum in Romania. There are up to 300 houses forming a village depicting the Romanian countryside.
Our tip: When visiting Herastrau Park, don't forget to stop at the SIMBIO restaurant, which is very popular not only with tourists but also with locals.
Peleș Castle
If you are traveling by car, make sure to visit the Peleș Castle located near the town of Sinaia. During the almost 2.5-hour journey from the capital, you will spot beautiful views of the nature of the Romanian Carpathians. The Castle was build in the 19th century by King Charles I who was enchanted by the local nature. It has a total of 170 rooms, which are decorated in Baroque and Neo-Renaissance style. Parking is possible in the paid car park under the castle, from where you will have to walk.
Our tip: Next to Peleș there is a slightly smaller and not so famous Pelișor Castle, which King Charles I had built for his nephew. In case you have enough time, check out this beautiful complex.
Historic Brașov
The town of Brașov, located 166 km north of Bucharest, is a popular tourist destination. From each side, it is surrounded by Carpathians mountains. In addition to beautiful nature, the city also enchants you with its history. The heart of the historic city center is the square called Piața Sfatului, which is full of restaurants and cozy cafés. Nearby, there is the famous Black Church, which is the largest Gothic church in all of Romania. Its name is related to its black facade, which was caused by a large fire in 1689.
In addition to historical monuments, Brașov also boasts one of the narrowest streets in Europe. It is the Strada Sforii (120 cm wide), which originally served as a corridor for firefighters.
Our tip: take the cable car to Mount Tampa, which is decorated with the "BRASOV" Hollywood-style sign.
How to travel in Bucharest?
Within Bucharest, you can travel by train, bus or metro. However, if you want to be more flexible, we definitely recommend moving by car. You do not have to depend on arrivals and departures and you can also visit interesting places around Bucharest. If you like this option and do not have your own car, visit our website and simply rent a car in one of our Romanian branches.