Unique Things To Do In Bucharest

An Overview of Bucharest

Bucharest is the capital of Romania, home to famous communist-era buildings, large parks, an energetic nightlife scene, Orthodox churches and old palaces. The city is a bustling metropolis, serving as Romania’s most populous cultural, industrial, and financial center. With tree-lined boulevards, a reputation for high-living and impressive Belle Époque structures, there are many unique things to do in Bucharest.

Unique Things To Do In Bucharest

Palace of the Parliament

The Palace of the Parliament, otherwise known as the Republic’s House, is the seat for the Parliament of Romania. The massive structure is the largest parliament building in the world, originally commissioned by communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

King Mihai I Park (Herăstrău)

This is a large and beautiful park with a charming lake where boats paddle through the calm waters. It’s the most popular park in Bucharest, with adventure playgrounds, a small aquarium, boating areas, an open-air ethnographic museum, small restaurants and a Hard Rock Café.

Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche)

This old building once served as a palace for Vlad III Dracula in 1459 (Vlad the Impaler). The site was excavated in 1953 and began operating as a museum in the historic center of Bucharest.

Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History

This natural histroy museum is found in the center of Bucharest with numerous animal and fossil exhibits, the most impressive centerpiece being the world’s only fully intact skeleton of a Deinotherium Gigantissimum, an extinct elephant-like proboscidean known for distinct downward-arcing jaw-tusks.

Dimitrie Gusti National Village

This is an open-air ethnographic museum located in the King Michael I Park. The large outdoor space showcases traditional Romanian farms, churches, pastures and authentic peasant villages from across Romania. This outdoor museum is one of the most unique things to do in Bucharest.

Grădina Cișmigiu

This is a relaxing public park in the center of Bucharest with numerous walking trails following the edges of an artificial lake.

Romanian Peasant Museum

This is an interesting museum focusing on the lives of a traditional Romanian peasant. The museum holds a collection of icons, ceramics, textiles and working tools alongside popular traditional artworks found in Romania.

National Military Museum

This military museum is home to a vast weapons collection, including swords, firearms, shields and crossbows. The museum also has several tanks and artillery pieces outside.

Snagov Monastery

Located on a tiny island just outside of Bucharest is the Snagov Monastery, which was once thought to be the burial site for Vlad the Impaler. However, after excavations in 1933, no body was discovered and other experts contested the Prince of Wallachia was buried elsewhere. The rumors persist, however, and people still arrive to view the alleged gravesite.

Arcul de Triumf

This arch was built in memory of World War One Troops who fought and lost their lives during their service. The structure includes an internal staircase offering views of the rest of the city.

Cărturești Carusel Bookstore

This building was once a richly-appointed buildings financed by a family of Greek bankers, who sadly lost the property when it was confiscated by the Communist Regime in the 1950s. The grandson of the bankers managed to reclaim the building after the collapse of Communism, transforming the building back to its former splendor as the “Carousel of Light” Bookstore.

Relics of Zlătari Church

This small church contains a strange series of mystical relics once belonging to St. Cyprian the Mage, the church’s unsual patron saint of necromancers, witches and sorcerers. The 3rd-century magician, who rests in Zlătari Church, was thought to have the power to lift curses, enchantments, bindings and spells with a single touch. St. Cyprian’s personal legend is fascinating, involving travels to Greece, Egypt and India to become a powerful sorcerer before eventually converting to Christianity. This is one of the most unique things to do in Bucharest.

Dimitrie Leonida Technical Museum

This museum was founded in 1909 to teach the citizens of Romania about the exciting advancements of technology and industrialization. However, more than a century later, the museum is a relic, with various now-outdated inventions, machines and futuristic concepts. Visitors can also learn about Dimitrie Leonida, a Romanian engineer and founder of the country’s first electrical and mechanical engineering school. There are many strange automobile concepts, including motorized carriages, crazy cars, concept cars and Eastern Bloc vehicles.

Văcărești Natural Park

Hidden in the wetlands on the edge of Bucharest stands a huge nature reserve hemmed in by a thick concrete perimeter. Long ago, this land was part of of Bucharest neighborhood. However, the Communist regime claimed the land to build an ambitious hydrological water-reservoir system. The project started, but was abandoned, allowing the vast concrete construction place to be reclaimed by nature.

Palatul Mogoșoaia

This is a large, 1700s palace with beautiful public grounds attatched to picnic areas and a small art museum.

Romanian Athenaeum

This is a famous landmark concert hall in the center of Bucharest.

Bran Castle (Day Trip)

Bran Castle is a national monument and popular landmark and tourist attraction in Transylvania. The fortress is uniquely designed with slender towers, tiled roofs and commanding walls. The tower exists in the beautiful green hills found at the edge of the Little Carpathian mountain subrange which covers large swaths of Romania.

National Museum of Romanian History

This excellent musuem contains numerous Romanian historical artifacts.

Transfăgărășan Road

This is a large, winding mountain road which curves into the southern section of Romania’s Carpathian Mountains. The route has incredible scenery and a large number of tunnels. Often, visitors take this scenic route to see the Poenari Castle near the village of Arefu. The route and area is well-known for bear sightings, espeically in the region between Balea Lake and Vidraru Dam.

Constanta (Day Trip)

Constanta is a popular resort city found on the shores of the Black sea, a couple hours away from Bucharest. The city has a long history and is thought to be one of Romania’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements. The area is known for Roman mosaics, the Great Mahmudiye Mosque, archaeological treasures and old town architectures. Part of the town’s mythos is connected to Jason and the Argonauts, who supposedly visited the site after claiming the legendary Golden Fleece.

Vulcanii Noroioși Pâclele Mari – Berca Mud Volcanoes (Day Trip)

The Berca Mud Volcanoes is a vast geological and botanical protected reserve located in the Scorțoasa commune close to Berca . The site is home to a small volcano-shaped structures which erupts due to mud and natural gas buildups.

Macca-Vilacrosse Passage

This is a yellow-glass-roofed arcaded street in the center of Bucharest. The area is known for interesting and beautiful shopping areas as well as several unsual shops.

Fântânile din Piața Unirii (Unification Square)

Unification Square or Union Square is the large, open central space in Bucharest. It’s best defined by it’s central musical fountain which shoots colored jets of backlit water in time with loud songs.

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