9 Fun Things to Do in Bucharest for Culture, Charm, and Hidden Gems

My husband and I had wanted to visit Romania for years, and finally we were able to take that trip a few years ago. It was more beautiful than I was prepared for, and we honestly can’t wait to go back!

Bucharest was filled with architectural wonders, a charming labyrinth of an old town, and plenty of hidden gems. In fact, one our favorite things to do while there was to wake up early in the morning (at sunrise), and walk the empty streets before it became crowded with tourists. 

It was beautiful to see the sun start to hit the copper and glass roofs of some of the old historic buildings.

And if Bucharest has been on your mind too, then we highly recommend it! Here are a few things to do in Bucharest that’ll make your trip so much more memorable.

Grab a Coffee at Carturesti Carusel

This is such a cool place to grab a book, drink a hot cup of coffee or tea, and just relax on the top floor. And, if you’re someone who loves to take photos, then this is a spot you’ll want to check out.

It has such a peaceful atmosphere which makes it a great place to take a break and unwind after a day of walking and exploring. And that makes it a must-visit spot in my book.

Visit the Palace of the Parliament

The Palace of the Parliament is something you’ll want to add to your list of things to do in Bucharest, Romania. 

Built under the communist rule, it’s an imposing and impressive edifice, but also with an infamous history.

Taking second place as one of the biggest administrative buildings in the world (first place going to the Pentagon), it has over 1,000 rooms. Also, there are tours you can take to explore this impressive building; definitely a location to check out.

Take a Walk on Victoriei Avenue

Victoriei Avenue is a great starting point for taking a nice walk in the cool of the morning. Also, there so are many landmarks and historical treasures you can easily cross off your list that are on or just a bit off of this road.

It really is a beautiful and charming pedestrianized street with a lot of history, and definitely not something you want to skip.

Here are some of the places you’ll spot while walking on Victoriei Avenue:

• National Museum of History
• Palace of the Deposits and Consignments
• Revolution Square
• Museum of Art Collections
• Cantacuzino Palace
• National Museum of Art Atheneum

Just make sure to map it out on Google so you’re not backtracking!

Dine at the Historic Restaurant Hanu’ lui Manuc

Yep, they’re using the well as a wine cooler. Pretty creative!

We ate there multiple times and loved the beautiful atmosphere of this old inn. It has an incredible courtyard and some nights they have singing and dancing performances where all the locals join in, singing Romanian songs together.

We really loved it; the food is great, and it’s a welcome escape after walking around the bustling city all day.

Explore the Old Town

If you have to stay anywhere in the capital, it should definitely be the Old Town.

Filled with beautiful history, you’ll find incredible structures and cafes and wonderful sites. It really is a great place to get lost and stop for a cup of coffee and watch the people go by.

Also, the old town is filled with great Airbnb’s to choose from. I couldn’t personally recommend any one hotel since we only used Airbnb when we visited.

Some attractions to see while in the Old Town:

• ‘Manuc Inn’ – one of Bucharest’s oldest churches. 
• Stavropoleos Monastery
• Palace of the Deposits
• & old merchant streets

Visit the Old Churches

If you’re looking into what to do in Bucharest and creating a list, then exploring their religious heritage should be apart of it.

And when we were there, one of our favorite things to do was to look at the centuries-old churches they had. Their structures were so unique, beautiful, and made you feel like you were stepping back in time. I honestly wouldn’t give up those memories for anything.

Here are some you might want to check out:

• Stavropoleos, Bucur
• Coltea
• Sfantu Gheorghe
• Antrim
• Mihai Voda

The Local Parks

If you want to take a break from all the walking and exploring, then having a picnic in the shade of one of their beautiful parks might not be a bad idea!

Here are some to try:

• Carol Park
• Herastrau
• Cismigiu

Try the Pastries

We LOVED the pastries when we were in Bucharest. And while we might not have taken the best photo of them up above, we’ll gladly let you know that you should stuff your face full of them while there. And having a hot cup of something to go along with it is quite nice too!

Also, their pretzels are a local favorite and come in sweet and salty varieties (and different shapes and sizes).

And lastly, don’t forget to try the Romanian cheese pie and apple strudel; it comes highly recommended!