Bucharest’s top attractions
Bucharest is not only the capital, but also the largest metropolis of Romania and one of the most important points on the tourist map of this country. Although the city has suffered heavily from wars and earthquakes over the centuries, it has preserved many historic buildings. A trip to Bucharest is definitely worthwhile – especially in late spring or summer, when the weather is beautiful and inviting for walks in the fresh air.
Museum lovers and architecture enthusiasts will for sure find something for themselves here. Bucharest’s attractions also include numerous parks and gardens. The most famous is Herăstrău Park, known as Michael I Park, which houses a lake, a beautiful fountain and an open-air museum with many buildings – including the Timișeni wooden church. If you love nature, you will also love the Cișmigiu Gardens – the largest and oldest park in Bucharest. A stroll through the streets of the city will also introduce you to a number of other attractions. Among the most important are the Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral from the 17th century and the Church of the Three Holy Hierarchs, in the distinctive Brincan style. It combines elements of the Italian Renaissance with Byzantine and local Romanian influences.
Bucharest – tours of the Romanian capital
In terms of religious buildings, Bucharest is also home to the beautiful Kretzulescu Church, which features 19th century frescoes by Romanian artist Gheorghe Tatarescu. A real architectural gem is also the Princess Bălașa Church. It is an eclectic-style building that stands out for its beautifully decorated façade. On the other hand, the Church of Michael the Voivode is one of the oldest buildings in the city and is sure to interest history enthusiasts. Interestingly, in the 1980s, during the communist regime, the church was transported here on rails to make it less conspicuous.
It may surprise some that Bucharest also has a triumphal arch. This is the Arcul de Triumf, whose history dates back to 1878, when Romania gained its independence. At that time, freedom-fighting troops marched under the arch. The structure is somewhat reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to draw attention to Franco-Romanian friendship. A must-see when visiting the city is the Bucharest’s Palace of Parliament, formerly known as the People’s House. It is a towering neo-classical edifice with twelve storeys and more than a thousand rooms, including restaurants, libraries and even a concert hall. The total building area is as large as 830,000 square metres, making it one of the largest buildings in the world!
When walking around the city, be sure to take a stroll along the representative Bulevardul Unirii, which is often compared to the Champs Elysees in Paris, and visit the Revolution Square. There are magnificent monuments there: the Romanian Athenaeum built at the end of the 19th century, today the home of the Philharmonic Hall, and the former Royal Palace, which today houses the National Art Museum.
Free walking tour – Bucharest and beyond!
Want to explore all the attractions of the Romanian capital? Join a free walking tour of Bucharest with an experienced Walkative! guide. We will show you through the most beautiful corners of the city and tell you its fascinating history. It’s a tour for which you pay as much as you see fit – you decide for yourself how much to reward your guide’s hard work, knowledge and commitment! The tour can be booked through our website. This is an ideal option for small groups of friends, couples or solo travellers. Join us and we will take you on a walking tour of Bucharest as well as many other great European capitals! You can find us in Vienna, Budapest, Prague or Bratislava, among others.