Bucharest Guide – Things to Do, Hotels & Kosher Food

If you only have time for one mall, make it this one. AFI Cotroceni bills itself as Romania's largest, with around 300 stores and services covering both fast fashion and pricier labels, plus one of Bucharest's two Primark stores. For families there's an IMAX cinema, an indoor ice rink and an indoor roller coaster. It's best for clothing hauls and a full rainy day. The nearest metro is Politehnica.

Address

Bulevardul General Paul Teodorescu 4, Bucharest

Completed in 1866 as a close copy of Vienna's Leopoldstadt Temple, the Choral Temple was wrecked by the Legionnaires in January 1941 and restored after the war. Its main hall was refurbished and reopened in the mid-2010s, and daily services are held in the small hall. A Holocaust memorial stands in the courtyard. Tourist visits run on limited days and hours, so confirm before you go.

Address

Str. Sfânta Vineri 9-11, Bucharest

Opened in 1847, this 14.6-hectare garden has a central lake with bridges, flower beds, a circle of busts of Romanian writers and plenty of benches. It is an easy stop between sights in the centre, near Izvor and Universitate metro stations. Good for a relaxed stroll and a coffee in the shade.

Address

Bd. Regina Elisabeta (main entrance) / Str. Știrbei Vodă, Bucharest

After a five-year restoration completed in 2015, this old banking building became one of Europe's most photographed bookshops: white balconies spiral up around an open atrium. Browse books, design gifts and music, then climb to the top-floor café. Entry is free; come early on weekends if you want photos without crowds.

Address

Strada Lipscani 55, Bucharest

Founded in 1936 on the shore of Herăstrău Lake, this open-air museum gathers authentic houses, wooden churches, windmills and workshops from every Romanian region. Paths wind under the trees, making it a relaxed walk for families. The house interiors close in January, and weekend fairs bring crafts to the site. Combine it with the Arch of Triumph and the park next door.

Address

Șoseaua Kiseleff 28-30, Bucharest

Around 187 hectares of lawns, shaded alleys, fountains and a Japanese garden around a large lake, with the open-air Village Museum on its edge. Ideal for a long walk or a picnic with kids. Note: in 2026 the city drained the lake for major bank-reinforcement works, so expect fenced construction zones and no boating until the works finish.

Address

Șoseaua Kiseleff / Bd. Aviatorilor, Sector 1, Bucharest

The old merchant quarter around Lipscani Street packs most of the city's historic sights into a few walkable blocks: Stavropoleos church, Manuc's Inn, the Carusel bookshop and grand former bank buildings. By day it is a pleasant stroll; at night the lanes fill with bars and music. Wear comfortable shoes and expect crowds and noise on weekend evenings.

Address

Strada Lipscani and surrounding streets, Bucharest

The marble giant built by Ceaușescu in the 1980s still houses both chambers of parliament, and roughly two-thirds of it stands empty. Guided tours lead through vast halls, chandeliers and endless corridors. Bring your physical passport (a driving licence is not accepted), arrive early for the security check, and phone ahead for small groups. A must for understanding communist Bucharest.

Address

Strada Izvor 2-4, Bucharest

Peleș was begun in 1873 for King Carol I and inaugurated in 1883, a richly carved neo-Renaissance summer palace above Sinaia. Entry is by timed guided tour with a cap on visitor numbers, so buy tickets only through the museum's official ticket site. In 2026 the castle closes from 2 November to 1 December for conservation. Combine it with Sinaia town, Predeal or Brașov.

Address

Sinaia, Prahova County

Visit time

2–3 hours incl. grounds

The city's best-loved building is a neoclassical concert hall with a columned portico, a dome and a circular auditorium wrapped in a painted fresco of Romanian history. The surest way inside is a concert by the George Enescu Philharmonic; guided tours are offered only on special occasions. Even from outside, with the garden in front, it is a classic photo stop.

Address

Strada Benjamin Franklin 1-3, Bucharest

One of Europe's largest wellness centres, with warm thermal pools among palm trees, water slides and saunas. Galaxy is the family zone with slides and a wave pool; The Palm is a calmer adult-oriented area; Elysium adds themed saunas. Bring your own towel or rent one. About 10–20 minutes' drive from the airport area, open every day of the year.

Address

Calea Bucureşti 1K, Balotești, Ilfov 077015

Perched on a rock at the old Wallachia–Transylvania border, Bran is sold worldwide as Dracula's castle, though there is no evidence Bram Stoker knew it and Vlad the Impaler is not believed to have lived here. The real story is Queen Marie, whose furniture and collections fill the rooms. It gets very crowded, so book online. As a day trip from Bucharest it is long, so combine it with Brașov.

Address

Str. General Traian Moșoiu 24, Bran, Brașov County

Visit time

1.5–2 hours

About 166 km north of Bucharest, Brașov's old town centres on Council Square and the Gothic Black Church, blackened by the great fire of 1689. Walk Rope Street, one of Europe's narrowest lanes, and take the cable car up Tâmpa for the view. Brașov also has an active Jewish community and a synagogue on Str. Poarta Schei. It pairs well with Bran or Peleș.

Address

Piața Sfatului (Council Square), Brașov

Visit time

Full day

Băneasa is the mall for anyone after bigger and more upmarket fashion names. It has roughly 300 stores over about 85,000 m², a cinema that screens films in their original language, and it sits in a wider retail zone with IKEA. Reviewers say it feels spacious and less crowded than the city-centre malls. It's on the airport road, so it works well on an arrival or departure day.

Address

Șoseaua București-Ploiești 42D, Bucharest

The city's oldest boulevard runs 2.7 km from the Dâmbovița river to Victory Square and strings together many of its landmarks: the CEC Palace, the History Museum, the Military Circle, Revolution Square, the Athenaeum and the Art Collections Museum. Walk it north to south or the reverse; on some summer weekends stretches are closed to cars and turn into a pedestrian promenade.

Address

Calea Victoriei, from Splaiul Independenței to Piața Victoriei, Bucharest

Built in 1845–47 by the Ashkenazi community of Polish origin, with an interior repainted in rococo style in 1936. Since 1992 it has housed a memorial and exhibition to the Jewish martyrs, named after Chief Rabbi Moses Rosen, documenting the persecution and deportations of Romanian Jews. Recent tour-operator notes say the building is closed for restoration, so check before planning a visit.

ℹ️ Reported closed for restoration in 2026 – it may be possible to see it only from outside.

Address

Str. Vasile Adamache 11, Bucharest

One of the oldest natural history museums in the region, Antipa was thoroughly renovated and now mixes classic dioramas of animals in their habitats with touchscreens and temporary shows such as live exotic butterflies. It is compact enough for young children and sits beside the Peasant Museum at Victory Square. Book online to skip the ticket queue on weekends.

Address

Șoseaua Kiseleff 1, Bucharest

Built in 1808 by the Armenian merchant Manuc Bei, this is the oldest operating inn building in Bucharest: two storeys of wooden balconies around a large courtyard. It now operates as a traditional Romanian restaurant, so for kosher-keeping visitors it is a place to step in, admire the architecture and take photos rather than eat. Right next to the Old Princely Court.

Address

Strada Franceză 62-64, Bucharest

Unveiled on 8 October 2009 after the Wiesel Commission's report, the memorial acknowledges crimes against Jews and Roma under the Antonescu regime. Peter Jacobi's design includes a central column with Hebrew letters spelling 'zachor', a Star of David, a Roma wheel and desecrated tombstones from Bucharest and Odessa. The annual national commemoration is held here on 9 October. Allow a quiet half hour.

Address

Str. Ion Brezoianu / Str. Ilfov (Anghel Saligny Square area), Bucharest

The museum is named after Dr. Nicolae Cajal and was founded in 1978 on the initiative of Chief Rabbi Moses Rosen. It occupies the synagogue built by the tailors' guild in 1836. After refurbishment it reopened in 2019 with displays on a Jewish home and the holidays, a recreated cheder, Jewish contributions to Romanian life, and paintings by Jewish artists such as Victor Brauner and M. H. Maxy.

Address

Str. Mămulari 3, Bucharest

Housed in the former Royal Palace, the museum combines a gallery of Romanian art, from Orthodox icons to Brâncuși and Grigorescu, with a European gallery including El Greco and Rembrandt-era works. Parts of the historic royal rooms can also be visited. It is the best rainy-day choice on Calea Victoriei; check the website for wing closures before going.

Address

Calea Victoriei 49-53, Bucharest

For two decades the dictator's family lived in this 80-room villa in the leafy Primăverii district. Guided tours show the original furniture, mosaics, gold-plated bathroom fittings, a private cinema and an indoor pool with a mosaic wall: a revealing contrast to the shortages ordinary Romanians faced. Book ahead, as visits are by guided tour only.

Address

Bulevardul Primăverii 50, Bucharest

Hidden among Old Town bars, this small 18th-century church is the most refined piece of architecture in the quarter: a carved stone portico, painted façade and a quiet cloister courtyard lined with old gravestones. It is an active nunnery, so dress modestly and keep voices low. Five minutes is enough to admire it, but the courtyard invites a short pause.

Address

Strada Stavropoleos 4, Bucharest

Often described as the oldest surviving synagogue in Bucharest, Yeshua Tova is now Beit Chabad, led by Rabbi Naftali Deutsch. It holds Shabbat services and Torah classes. It sits near Piața Amzei, within walking distance of many central hotels, which makes it a natural base for observant travellers.

Address

Str. Take Ionescu 9, Bucharest

Modelled on its Paris cousin, the arch commemorates Romania's independence and the First World War. Since March 2025 the public can go inside and up to the roof terrace for a view down the tree-lined Kiseleff boulevard, Tuesday to Sunday. It pairs well with the Village Museum and Herăstrău (King Michael I) Park, both a short walk away.

Address

Piața Arcul de Triumf, Șoseaua Kiseleff, Bucharest

București Mall opened in 1999 as the city's first real mall and has since been renovated. With around 140 stores it's smaller than the giants, but it has familiar names such as Marks & Spencer, Mango, C&A, Sephora, Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein Jeans, plus a cinema and a supermarket. It's about 1 km beyond the historic centre, which makes it handy for a quick shopping stop.

Address

Calea Vitan 55-59, Bucharest

Designed in French style and opened in 1906, Carol Park spreads over 36 hectares on Filaret Hill. Highlights are the monumental mausoleum housing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, historic fountains, the Giants' statues and the Technical Museum. It is one of the closest large parks to Moise House, so it suits a walk before or after a meal.

Address

Piața 11 Iunie (main entrance), Sector 4, Bucharest

Built for the national savings bank at the end of the 19th century, this eclectic palace with its corner dome and arched entrance is one of the most photographed façades in Bucharest. It still serves as CEC Bank's headquarters, so most visitors admire it from the street on their way into the Old Town. It looks especially good when lit up in the evening.

Address

Calea Victoriei 13, Bucharest

About 18 hectares holding more than 10,000 plant species, laid out in themed sections, plus exhibition greenhouses with a tropical-forest pavilion and a small botanical museum. A calm, well-kept alternative to the busy city parks, and a good half-day with curious kids. Greenhouse and museum days are more limited than the garden, so check before going. Paid entry.

Address

Șoseaua Cotroceni 32, Sector 6, Bucharest

Designed by Felix Xenopol and opened in 1891, this horseshoe-shaped covered passage links Calea Victoriei with the National Bank side of the Old Town. Its amber glass roof gives a warm light by day and a lively atmosphere by night, when the cafés fill up. A good covered shortcut on a rainy day and a popular photo spot.

Address

Between Calea Victoriei and Strada Eugeniu Carada, Bucharest

Built in 1698–1702 by Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu, Mogoșoaia is the best-known example of the Brâncovenesc style, a Wallachian blend of Renaissance and Byzantine elements. Today it is a cultural centre with a museum of Brâncovenesc art, changing exhibitions and wide grounds for walking. It is the easiest half-day escape from Bucharest, and good for a relaxed afternoon with children.

Address

Str. Valea Parcului 1, Mogoșoaia, Ilfov

Visit time

2–3 hours

Part of this palace serves as the Romanian president's office, while the museum wing shows the royal family's salons and apartments. Since November 2025 weekend visits run without advance booking or a mandatory guide, with tickets at the gate or online. Bring your passport, since entry involves a security check. Opening days and accessible areas change by season, so check before going.

Address

Bulevardul Geniului 1, Bucharest

Much of this grand former Post Palace awaits a long-planned restoration, but key parts are open: the Historical Treasury with Dacian and royal gold, the Lapidarium with a full-size cast of Trajan's Column, and rotating temporary shows. It sits right at the entrance to the Old Town, so it fits well into a half-day there. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Address

Calea Victoriei 12, Bucharest

Known for its poetic, unconventional displays of textiles, icons, pottery and village objects, the Peasant Museum spent about ten years under rehabilitation. The ground floor reopened in April 2025 and the upper floor in June 2026, so the full building can now be seen. A small shop sells genuine crafts, and the courtyard holds a wooden church. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Address

Șoseaua Kiseleff 3, Bucharest

Obor is where Bucharest locals actually shop. It's a maze of halls and stalls selling fruit and vegetables, spices, cheeses, household goods and bargain clothing, on a site with centuries of market tradition. Come early for the best produce and atmosphere. Expect little English and keep an eye on your bags. The metro station is right beside it, and Veranda Mall is across the road.

Address

Strada Ziduri Moși 4, Bucharest

Completed in 1911 and inaugurated in 1923, this monumental palace is the army's cultural centre and one of the finest façades on Calea Victoriei. Its restaurant and terrace are open to the public, and occasional guided events open the marble halls. Most travellers photograph it from the small square in front, between the Old Town and Revolution Square.

Address

Strada Constantin Mille 1 / Calea Victoriei, Piața Drapelului, Bucharest

Rising 133 m beside the Palace of the Parliament, this new Orthodox cathedral dominates the skyline. Its mosaics were consecrated in October 2025, but in January 2026 the interior closed again for finishing works and has opened only for occasional services since. Plan to see it from the esplanade, ideally together with a Parliament tour.

ℹ️ The interior has been closed for finishing works since January 2026, apart from special services.

Address

Calea 13 Septembrie / Dealul Arsenalului (behind the Palace of the Parliament), Bucharest

Set above 1,000 m in the Carpathians between the Prahova Valley and Brașov, Predeal is described as Romania's highest town. In winter its several ski runs, many with snowmaking and some floodlit, draw families. The rest of the year it is a base for forest walks and cool mountain air. It is easy to reach by train or along the DN1, and pairs well with Sinaia and Brașov.

Address

Predeal, Brașov County

Visit time

Half day to overnight

Promenada sits among the office towers of north Bucharest and suits a shorter, more urban visit. It has more than 150 stores with a focus on city fashion, a food court and a green roof terrace of over 4,000 m² inspired by Japanese gardens, which hosts summer concerts and events. Aurel Vlaicu metro is close by. Good for fashion browsing when you don't want a huge mall.

Address

Calea Floreasca 246B, Bucharest

About 100 km from Bucharest, the Slănic salt mine takes visitors around 95 m underground, to cathedral-sized chambers carved out of the salt. Shuttle buses bring visitors in from the ticket office. Inside it stays at about 12–14°C all year, so bring a jacket even in August. It is a good rainy-day or hot-day trip with children, and it also hosts events and exhibitions.

Address

Slănic, Prahova County

Visit time

1.5–2 hours inside

TES traces its roots to Avraham Goldfaden's troupe of 1876 and became a state theatre in 1948. It performs in the Baraşeum, one of the few buildings left from the old Jewish quarter. Yiddish plays have historically been offered with simultaneous Romanian translation through headphones. Its international Yiddish festival, TES FEST, held its 11th edition in May 2026. Check the programme for Yiddish performances.

Address

Str. Dr. Iuliu Barasch 15, Bucharest

At 94 hectares, Tineretului is one of Bucharest's largest parks, built around a lake and popular with local families, joggers and cyclists. Its south-east corner holds the Orășelul Copiilor children's rides area, and the Sala Polivalentă arena stands nearby. Easily reached by metro line M2, a short ride from the Unirii area.

Address

Sector 4, Bucharest (metro Tineretului / Constantin Brâncoveanu)

The fountains in the middle of Unirii Square, reopened in 2018, form one of the largest fountain complexes in Europe, with the Palace of the Parliament as a backdrop. In season (late May to late September in 2025) free water, music and light shows of about 45 minutes run on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Arrive early for a good spot.

ℹ️ Fountain shows run in the warm season only – check the current schedule before going.

Address

Piața Unirii, Bucharest

University Square is the busy heart of Bucharest, where the 1989 revolution saw some of its bloodiest clashes and the 1990 protests took place; memorial crosses still stand in the centre. Around it are the old University building, the National Theatre and the Universitate metro station. Most visitors pass through on the way into the Old Town, which starts on its south-eastern side.

Address

Piața Universității, Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta / Bulevardul Nicolae Bălcescu, Bucharest

A 190-hectare protected natural park that grew on the site of an abandoned communist-era reservoir. Reeds, ponds and close to a hundred bird species sit against a skyline of apartment blocks, which makes it unique in Europe. Bring good shoes, binoculars and insect repellent in summer; guided nature walks are run on special event days.

Address

Sector 4, Bucharest (near Sun Plaza / Piața Sudului)

Run by the Bucharest Municipality Museum, this small observatory has a permanent exhibition on the Solar System, stars and galaxies, and opens in the evenings for sky observation through telescopes. It also opens for special events such as eclipses. A nice evening activity with curious kids, a short walk from Piața Romană metro.

Address

Bd. Lascăr Catargiu 21, Sector 1, Bucharest

Covering roughly 80–85 hectares around Lake Titan, IOR Park offers long lakeside paths, playgrounds, sports courts and a Maramureș-style wooden church. It hosts big free family festivals, such as the Children's Day 1uniFEST. Worth it if you are staying in the east of the city or want a local, non-touristy park day.

Address

Titan, Sector 3, Bucharest (metro Titan / Nicolae Grigorescu)

Amzei is a compact, central alternative to Obor. The market building reopened in 2014 after a long renovation, with three levels of mostly local producers. On weekends the square hosts a pop-up market of traditional producers selling cheeses, preserves, jams and homemade pastries. It's a pleasant stop while walking Calea Victoriei.

Address

Piața Amzei, Sector 1, Bucharest

Less than 40 km from Bucharest on the DN5, Comana combines oak forest and the Neajlov wetland. The adventure park at Casa Comana has rope courses for ages four and up, a zipline series and long lines over the lake, plus kayaks, boats, bikes and archery. A forest trail passes a wild-peony reserve that is best seen in spring. Dry summers have recently lowered water levels.

ℹ️ In winter the adventure park opens only on some weekends, for groups.

Address

Comana, Giurgiu County

Visit time

Half to full day

Opened in 1865, Filantropia is one of three active Jewish cemeteries in the city. It has a 1908 chapel, World War I monuments to Jewish soldiers, and remains moved from the old Sevastopol Street cemetery, which was closed under Antonescu. Among those buried here are the writer Mihail Sebastian, Dr. Iuliu Barasch and Nicolae Cajal. It is best to arrange a visit with the community in advance.

Address

Bd. Ion Mihalache 89-93, Bucharest

Just over 3 hectares of old trees on both sides of Șoseaua Kiseleff, dotted with statues, including one of Omar Khayyam and the Romanian Infantry Monument. Not a destination in itself, but a pleasant green stretch if you walk from Piața Victoriei north towards the Arc de Triomphe and Herăstrău.

Address

Șoseaua Kiseleff (between Bd. Ion Mihalache and Str. Ion Mincu), Sector 1, Bucharest

Part of the National Museum of Art, this branch in the Romanit Palace shows dozens of private collections donated by Romanian families: paintings, furniture, oriental rugs, porcelain and decorative objects, each displayed as its owner assembled it. It feels like stepping into a series of bourgeois homes from old Bucharest. Note the unusual hours: closed Wednesday and Thursday.

Address

Calea Victoriei 111 (Romanit Palace), Bucharest

Built in 1833-1835 for the Suțu family, this romantic neo-Gothic palace hosts the permanent exhibition 'Time of the City', which runs through Bucharest's history in reverse, starting with a clock whose hands turn backwards. Changing exhibitions on art, music and Dacian history fill the other halls. It stands on University Square, a natural stop between the Old Town and the centre.

Address

Bulevardul Ion C. Brătianu 2, Bucharest

MNAC occupies a glass-topped wing of the Parliament Palace and shows rotating exhibitions of Romanian and international contemporary art across several floors, with a rooftop terrace overlooking the city. The entrance is separate from the Parliament tour, from Calea 13 Septembrie. Exhibitions change by season, so check what is on; open Wednesday to Sunday.

Address

Strada Izvor 2-4, Wing E4, Palace of the Parliament (entrance from Calea 13 Septembrie 1-3, gate B3), Bucharest

Set in an elegant villa in the embassy district of Dorobanți, this small museum displays over 900 old maps and rare engravings across 16 rooms, from a 1522 map of Dacia to sea charts and city plans. It is quiet and rarely crowded, ideal for history and travel lovers who want an hour away from the busy centre.

Address

Strada Londra 39, Bucharest

These brick ruins are the oldest core of Bucharest, where Wallachian princes, including Vlad the Impaler, held court. The on-site museum has been closed since 2015 and the complex is in poor repair; in May 2026 the city authorised safety works ahead of restoration. You can still glimpse the remains and the bust of Vlad from Strada Franceză while walking the Old Town.

ℹ️ The museum has been closed since 2015; the ruins can be seen from the street.

Address

Strada Franceză 19-23, Bucharest

Veranda is a practical mall of about 34,500 m², right across from Obor Market, so the two are easy to combine. Tenants include H&M, C&A, Decathlon, LC Waikiki, Sinsay and a Carrefour hypermarket. For kids there's a Cinemax with a children's hall, plus playgrounds. It's not a destination mall, but it's a good add-on after the market.

Address

Strada Ziduri Moși 23, Bucharest

Laid out around 1960 on a former brick-factory clay pit, this park surrounds the Metropolitan Circus building. Its lake is fed by its own springs and its banks are known for Egyptian lotus, a protected natural monument. Recent reports describe low water and neglected irrigation, so treat it as a quick local stroll rather than a highlight.

Address

Near Aleea Circului 15 (Bucharest Metropolitan Circus), Sector 2, Bucharest

Once known as Moghioroș Park, this large park in the western Drumul Taberei district was extensively rebuilt and now has a central artificial lake with a fountain, a children's summer theatre and wide paths. It hosts local events such as the West Side Flower Fest. Mainly worth it if you are staying in the west of the city.

Address

Bd. Drumul Taberei, Sector 6, Bucharest