01Culture · DAY 1 IDEA
Bucharest
Old City
A part of the city's historical heart was not demolished by Nicolae Ceaușescu. The area (stretching approximately between the Dâmbovița river to the south, Calea Victoriei to the west, Calea Moșilor to the east and the Regina Elisabeta boulevard to the north) contains an assortment of middle 19th-century buildings, ruins of the Wallachian princes' medieval court, churches, bank headquarters, a few hotels, clubs, restaurants and shops. Narrow cobblestoned streets retain the names of the ancient guilds that resided on them.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
02Culture · DAY 1 IDEA
strada Izvor 2-4
Palace of the Parliament
The world's second largest building (after the US Pentagon), formerly named "Casa Poporului" (People's House). Building started in 1983 by Nicolae Ceaușescu and is still not completely finished (2019). It spans 12 stories, around 1,000 rooms and covers over 330,000 m². 1/9 of Bucharest was reconstructed to accommodate this magnificent massive building and its surroundings. There are 1hr 20min tours frequently which lead through the building's vast collection of marble rooms and culminate in an impressive view from Nicolae Ceaușescu's balcony.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
03Culture · DAY 1 IDEA
Str. Londra nr. 39, sector 1
National Museum of Old Maps and Books
Small, but amazing museum with maps on 3 floors. Don’t forget to borrow one of the green magnifying glasses to discover the fine print. Historical maps from 15th-20th century from the whole world with an emphasis on Romania and the Balkan Peninsula. Note that while the name mentions books too, it's almost exclusively maps on display.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
04Neighborhoods · DAY 2 IDEA
Șoseaua Pavel Dimitrievici Kiseleff, 28-30
Village Museum
An open air museum created in 1934, it now has around 300 traditional buildings (including churches, workshops, mills) and furniture, pottery, clothing gathered from villages in every region of the country in an effort to showcase the traditional way of life of the Romanians. Occasionally hosts folkloric and traditional crafts festivals.
Allow about 60 minutes · planning estimate
05Outdoors · DAY 2 IDEA
Bucharest
Herăstrău Park
The largest of several parks around man-made lakes on the Colentina River running through the city’s north and east side) houses the Village Museum, an open-air theater, various sports grounds, an amusement park and numerous restaurants and clubs. Has boat rental and boat-trips in summer.
Allow about 60 minutes · planning estimate
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. Suggested days and time allowances are editorial starting points. Check the linked visitor information for opening hours, access, and reservations.
