Bucharest Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

Romania's capital Bucharest is one of the most underrated vacation destinations in Europe. With a population of over two million, Bucharest is the largest city in the country and an essential hub for industry, transport, and culture. Bucharest is sometimes referred to as the "Paris of the East" due to its romantic skyline and Art Nouveau architecture. 

Bucharest is easy to reach from abroad with two airports in the city, including the Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport, which operates flights to destinations worldwide. During your stay, you'll have the opportunity to visit some of the best museums and historic sites in Romania, including the Palace of the Parliament and the National Museum of Romanian History. Make the most of your time in the Romanian capital by dropping your heavy bags at a Bucharest luggage locker, and get ready to explore some of Eastern Europe's hidden gems. 

12 Best Ways to Experience Bucharest in 2024

Romania’s capital city of Bucharest is a truly fascinating place to visit. Although it has been off the beaten tourist trail for a while, Bucharest is becoming appreciated more and more for its history, culture, and unique attractions. These companies can help you experience the best of Bucharest, so dive in and see what they have to offer.

Best Bachelor/ette Parties - Bucharest Bachelors

Thanks to an incredible nightlife scene and alcohol prices that are a fraction of what they are in Western European nations, Bucharest has recently become a hotspot for bachelor and bachelorette parties. This company can take you to all the hottest spots to make sure you have the time of your life on a night out in Bucharest. Contact them at info@bucharestbachelors.com or 447956900373.

Best Night Tour – Bucharest 2Night

Bucharest really comes alive at night. In many ways, this is the best time to see the city. Bucharest 2Night offers tours that will show you both aspects of the city as it changes from day to night. Tours range from history to food tours, so there’s something for everyone. Contact them at contact@bucharest2night.com or 40 727 139 769.

Best Bike Tour –CarpatBike

Bucharest is a great city to explore on two wheels, but this company offers more than just bike tours of the city. If you want to see more of Romania, this is the company to call. They operate across the country and offered tours of the Romanian countryside including the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania, so you’ll see the more unspoiled side of the country. Contact them to book at home@carpatbike.ro or 40 740 166 791.

Best guided tour  - Claire’s Bucharest Guided Tours

Exploring the city by yourself is fun, but there’s no substitute for guidance from a knowledgeable local. That’s exactly what Claire provides. Her knowledge of the city is excellent, and she can take you to places most tourists never see. Her city tour departs from Constitution Square and spends two and a half hours traveling through the city to make sure you really understand what makes Bucharest the way it is.

You can contact her at info@bucharestguidedtours.com or 40 742 600 164.

Best Day Trips – Covinnus Tours

Bucharest is a fascinating place to explore by itself, but the countryside around the city is also well worth a special trip. See a different side of Romania with a guided tour from Covinnus Tours. This company makes it easy to get out of the city and see more of what makes Romania so special. Contact them at office@covinnus.com or 40 773 319 922.

Best Custom Tour – Crafted Tours Romania

This company specializes in private tours that are catered to your specific wishes. Whether you want to learn more about the history of the city or explore the mountainous countryside, this company can put together an itinerary based around exactly what interests you. It’s a great way to maximize your time in Romania, and you’ll come away with a better understanding of the city and the country. Contact them to book your custom tour at office@crafted-tours-romania.com or 40 727 368 656.

Best Cultural Tour – Cultural Travel & Tours

Romania’s history has been shaped by its position as a crossroads between Europe and Asia, and this has left the country with a rich and unique culture. You can learn more about Romanian culture and history with a tour from Cultural Travel & Tours. They specialize in exposing visitors to Romanian culture and offer a way for you to understand Romania in a way few tourists ever do. Contact them at office@cttours.ro or 40 724 718 848.

Best Small Group Tour – Eddex Travel

Guided tours are a great way to get to grips with a complex city like Bucharest, but sometimes, you can start to feel lost in the crowd. That’s not the case with the small group tours offered by Eddie of Eddex Travel. He offers tours for groups of less than 10 people so that you always feel like you’re part of the tour. As well as a historic tour of Bucharest, he also offers day trips to Peles Castle, Dracula’s Castle, and other Romanian attractions. Contact him at office@easterneuropeanexperience.com or 40 744 797 020.

Best Excursions – I Travel In Romania

There’s more to Romania than Bucharest, and many of the country’s top attractions are outside the city itself. Make exploration easier by hiring I Travel In Romania to take you to the most impressive and interesting locations throughout the country. This company offers a variety of tours that let you dive into history, food, culture, and other aspects of Romania. Contact them atcontact@itravelinromania.com contact@itravelinromania.com or 40 722 772 840.

Best Adventure Tours – OnAdventure

History and culture are everywhere in Bucharest, but sometimes, you want an activity that will get your heart racing. OnAdventure offers a range of experiences guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping. Whether it’s hiking in the Romanian backcountry, camping, mountain biking, or snowboarding, this company provides tours guaranteed to satisfy adrenaline junkies. Contact them to book at onadventure.ro@gmail.com or 40 766 561 893.

Best Private Tour – Romania Private Tours

If you have the budget for, a private tour is hard to beat. Exploring Romania with an itinerary devoted to your own preferences offers an experience like no other. This company can give you just that. Check out the Dinner with A Local option to get an in-depth experience of Romanian cuisine combined with local knowledge. Contact them at hello@romaniaprivatetours.com or 40 727 58 98 83.

Best Historical Tour – Romania Sightseeing Tours

Romania’s history is rich and varied, and a specialized historical tour is the best way to get to grips with the complex story of the country. This company will take you to Bucharest’s most interesting and impressive historical monuments and explain the stories behind them, giving you a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped the country. Contact them at tour50@carpatiatour.ro or 40770480527.

A weekend in Bucharest

Whether you're road-tripping across Europe or whisking your significant other off for a romantic getaway, Bucharest is an excellent place to spend the weekend. Check-in at a Bucharest suitcase storage service and then check out some of these top attractions.

• Take a guided tour of the Palace of the Parliament. This communist-era government building is still used as the Romanian parliament. Visitors can tour the buildings' lavish interior, which includes the senate chambers complete with crystal chandeliers and stained-glass windows.
•  Step back in time at The National Village Museum. A vast open-air museum, the National Village Museum highlights what village life is like in Romania. The museum features over 350 monuments and buildings displaying around 60,000 artifacts. 
• Bucharest is home to some classy restaurants with cuisine from across Europe. Some of the best places to eat in the city include Noeme, La Vitrine Restaurant & Lounge, and Haute Pepper.

Bucharest lockers

You'll do plenty of walking during your stay in Bucharest, with dozens of Romania's best attractions spread across the city center. Whether you're in town for the day or the week, make touring easy by stashing your valuables at a suitcase storage service in Bucharest. Bounce provides secure and convenient services across the city, where you can keep your belongings safe while discovering what the "Paris of the East" has to offer. Check out the Bounce app and book a Bucharest luggage locker near you today!

Off the beaten path in Bucharest

If you're tired of the big city and just fancy exploring the great outdoors and some lesser-known attractions, you'll find plenty to do around Bucharest. There are several peaceful parks and hidden gems in and around Bucharest where you can get back in touch with nature and avoid the big crowds.

• Escape the bustling streets without going far with a visit to King Mihai I Park. Covering over 450 acres just north of Bucharest, King Mihai I Park features a large lake perfect for a picnic or a waterside stroll.
• Plan a romantic ramble around Cișmigiu Gardens. The oldest park in Bucharest, Cișmigiu Gardens boasts ornate landscaping, cafes, hidden gardens, and more.
• Make a splash at Therme Bucharest. Bucharest's mineral baths include saunas and are surrounded by lush gardens, making it the perfect spot for a day of relaxation. 

What to do alone in Bucharest

Planning what to do while alone in a city can be tricky, especially if you have lots of time to kill. Thankfully, Bucharest is home to many fascinating monuments and museums, which are ideal for individual adventurers. Keep your bags safe at a Bucharest bag storage service and consider some of these superb excursions.

• Admire the beauty of the Romanian Athenaeum. Built in the late 19th century, the Romanian Athenaeum is Romania's premier concert hall and is home to the Romanian Philharmonic.
• Peruse the collection at the National Museum of Art of Romania. Romania's national gallery boasts art from across Europe, Asia, and America and includes works by Claude Monet, Pieter Brueghel the Younger, and El Greco.
• Learn about local history at the National Museum of Romanian History. This huge museum has exhibits spread across 60 rooms and includes important pieces of the country's history, like the Romanian Crown Jewels.

The best souvenirs in Bucharest

Romania is an intriguing country with rich culture and history. During your trip, ensure you pick up a souvenir to remember your time in Bucharest. There are plenty of nicknacks unique to Romania. While at the National Village Museum, pick up a piece of handmade pottery, or those visiting during the spring should pick up a traditional Mărțișor pendant. If you'd prefer an edible gift, pick up some rose petal jam and let the folks back home try this unusual delicacy.