How to Spend 2 Days in Bucharest

Two days in Bucharest gives you plenty of time to tick off the main sights, and explore the city’s parks, museums, and neighborhoods. Here’s how to spend two days in Bucharest.

Day 1: Landmarks & Lakes

Morning: A guided walking tour is the perfect way to take in the many sights of the Old Town. Admire the magnificent Palace of Parliament; see landmarks such as Stavropoleos Monastery, the National Bank of Romania, and Romanian Athenaeum; and stroll beneath the colorful umbrellas of Pasajul Victoria.

Afternoon: Enjoy lunch by the lake in Herăstrău Park, then stroll around the scenic Japanese garden or enjoy a boat cruise on the lake. The park is also home to the Village Museum (Muzeul Satului), an open-air museum that offers a glimpse into life in rural Romania, while the dramatic Arch de Triumph (Arcul de Triumf) stands proudly at the southern entrance.

Night: Continue sightseeing into the evening on a night tour of Bucharest, which reveals the city at its most atmospheric. Learn more about Romania’s Communist history as you pass through Revolution Square (Piata Revolutiei), and admire the illuminated monuments of University Square and Charles de Gaulle Square.

Day 2: Markets and Museums

Morning : Immerse yourself in local life on a visit to the Piaţa Obor market or opt for a food tour of Bucharest to learn more about Romanian cuisine. Be sure to sample local specialties such as chiftele (meatballs) or sarmale (stuffed cabbage), accompanied by a slice of sweet baklava and a shot of traditional Romanian palinca (brandy).

Afternoon: Explore the Cotroceni neighbourhood, where highlights include the Cotroceni Palace, the official residence of the Romanian President; the Botanical Gardens of Bucharest; and Bucharest Opera House. After admiring the sights, pay a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art or the Cotroceni National Museum.

Night: Spend your final night in Bucharest bar-hopping in the Old Town. A drink at the Art Nouveau-style Caru' cu Bere, Bucharest’s oldest beer house, is the norm among first-time visitors but there are plenty of other bars, pubs, and nightclubs to tempt you; join a guided pub crawl for the lowdown on where to drink, dance, and party in the capital.