What's Trending in
Bucharest?
What's Trending in
Bucharest?
What's Trending in
Bucharest?
Bucharest pairs monumental communist architecture with Belle Époque facades and vibrant modern nightlife. Explore the Palace of Parliament, Revolution Square and the Village Museum while finding practical ways to secure Palace of Parliament tickets Bucharest and curated Bucharest guided tours.
From Calea Victoriei to the illuminated Piața Unirii fountains, you can compare Bucharest nighttime tours, arrange a Palace of Parliament skip-the-line tour and plan Bran Castle day tour from Bucharest as you map out your next city escape.
All Bucharest tickets
Load more events
Load more events
Load more events
Bucharest quick facts: airports, stations and maps
Plan your days with these essential details for Bucharest Romania. This snapshot helps you connect airports, rail hubs and public transport so you can focus on the best things to do in Bucharest, from the Palace of Parliament to after-dark city tours.
State/Region/Country: Capital of Romania, located in the historical region of Wallachia in southeastern Europe.
Airports: Henri Coandă International Airport OTP in Otopeni handles almost all international flights. Aurel Vlaicu Airport BBU is currently used mainly for business and charter aviation.
Main stations/hubs: Gara de Nord is the primary long-distance rail station. Basarab, Obor and București Nord Gr.A are important secondary hubs for regional trains.
Public transport: Metrorex operates the Bucharest Metro on lines M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5. STB runs city buses, trolleybuses and trams across urban and suburban routes.
Paying fares: Use the contactless STB transport cards and bank cards on metro gates, buses and trams. Short term passes and reloadable cards offer daily or weekly caps that suit sightseeing days.
Coordinates: Approximately 44.4268° N latitude, 26.1025° E longitude on the Dâmbovița River.
Popular neighbourhoods: Old Town Lipscani for nightlife and dining, Cotroceni for leafy streets, Dorobanți and Aviatorilor near Charles de Gaulle Square, and the area along Calea Victoriei for historic landmarks.
Additional context: Bucharest sits on a relatively flat plain, with easy access by road to the Carpathian Mountains, Bran Castle, Peles Castle and the Transfagarasan road for full-day excursions.
Recent visitors will notice frequent upgrades to Bucharest Metro stations and STB vehicles, plus wider contactless payment acceptance, which makes using public transport easier than in previous years.
Top things to do in Bucharest
Start with the headline monuments, then add illuminated evening tours, neighbourhood walks and Bucharest castle day trips for a balanced itinerary.
Tour the Palace of Parliament with skip-the-line access. Join a 1-hour guided tour to explore marble halls and learn how Nicolae Ceausescu shaped this colossal building, often described as the world's heaviest.
Book a Bucharest half-day city tour. In about 4 hours you combine a panoramic city drive with stops at the Palace of Parliament, Revolution Square and the Village Museum.
Join an after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour. A 2-hour evening drive reveals illuminated monuments like the CEC Palace, Piața Unirii fountains and the amber-lit Palace of Parliament.
Walk Calea Victoriei and Revolution Square. Trace the route of recent Romanian history past the Romanian Athenaeum, royal palaces and key sites from the 1989 revolution.
Visit the Village Museum. Discover traditional wooden houses and rural architecture collected from across Romania on the shores of Herăstrău Lake.
See the Arch of Triumph and Charles de Gaulle Square. Head to the northern boulevards for leafy parks, embassies and monuments that celebrate Romanian heroes.
Explore Old Town Lipscani. Enjoy cobbled streets, historic facades and lively bars in the compact pedestrian core, ideal between daytime tours and nighttime experiences.
Take a Bran Castle day tour from Bucharest. Combine Bran Castle, Peles Castle and Brasov on a full-day guided excursion with optional audio guide commentary.
Choose a Transfagarasan day tour. Travel the dramatic Transfagarasan road to Poenari Fortress and Curtea de Arges Monastery, often paired with Targoviste for fortress history.
Enjoy Bucharest nighttime tours on Victory Avenue. Admire Belle Époque facades lit by spotlights, ideal for photography and understanding why the city was once called "Little Paris".
Tickets and city passes in Bucharest
Booking key Bucharest attractions and day tours in advance saves time, locks in prices and helps you structure busy sightseeing days.
Palace of Parliament skip-the-line tour. Reserve a 1-hour guided visit that includes fast access, so you avoid queuing outside Europe's largest administrative building.
Palace of Parliament private tour. For small groups or families, private Bucharest guided tours inside the palace give more time for questions and personalised pacing.
Bucharest half-day city tour with entrance tickets. Many 4-hour city tours bundle Palace of Parliament tickets Bucharest with guided stops at Revolution Square and the Village Museum.
After-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour. These 2-hour panoramic drives usually work as a single ticket covering transport and guiding, ideal for your first evening in the city.
Bran & Peles Castle Full-Day Guided Tour. A combined ticket often covers coach transport, entrance to Bran Castle and Peles Castle, plus an audio guide or live commentary in Brasov.
Transfagarasan & Poenari Castle Day Tour. Book ahead for seasonal availability, since weather can affect access to the high road and fortress paths.
If you plan several paid activities, like a Palace of Parliament tour, an after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour and a Bran Castle day trip, packaged options on tickadoo can work like an informal pass and usually provide better value than booking last minute.
Getting around Bucharest by metro, tram and tour coach
The Bucharest Metro and STB surface network cover most central sights, while hotel pickup on guided tours makes reaching outlying landmarks straightforward.
Bucharest Metro lines. Metrorex operates lines M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5. M2 runs north-south through Piața Unirii, a convenient interchange for visiting Old Town and connecting to surface buses.
STB buses and trams. Use numbered bus and tram routes for shorter hops between squares like University Square, Union Square and Victory Square, or to reach the Village Museum and northern parks.
Airport connections from OTP. From Henri Coandă International Airport OTP, STB bus 783 usually links the terminals with Piața Unirii in central Bucharest, where you can transfer to metro lines and Bucharest nighttime tours.
Paying fares with cards. Tap contactless bank cards or load local transport cards at metro stations and kiosks before boarding. Always validate on buses and trams to avoid fines.
Using hotel pickup on tours. Many tickadoo Bucharest guided tours, including the half-day city tour and Bran Castle day tour from Bucharest, include hotel pickup and drop off so you rarely need to navigate unfamiliar suburbs alone.
Taxis and ride hailing. Licensed taxis and ride hailing apps supplement public transport at night, especially after after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tours end near Calea Victoriei or Old Town.
Traffic and timing. Allow extra time for rush hours on boulevards between Union Square and Victory Square. Evening tours are designed around traffic, which makes them an efficient way to see Bucharest attractions when streets are busy.
Once you combine metro rides with a few organised tours, Bucharest becomes simple to navigate, even if it is your first visit to Romania.
When is the best time to visit Bucharest?
Spring from April to June and autumn from September to October are ideal in Bucharest, with mild temperatures around 15 to 25°C and fewer crowds. July and August can be hot, often above 30°C, though evenings suit after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tours. December brings Christmas lights along Calea Victoriei and Old Town, but some day trips over the mountains, like the Transfagarasan road, can be affected by snow.
How many days do you need in Bucharest?
With two full days in Bucharest you can tour the Palace of Parliament, walk Calea Victoriei, explore Revolution Square and spend time in Old Town Lipscani. A third day lets you add the Village Museum and an after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour. With four or five days, include a Bran & Peles Castle Full-Day Guided Tour or a Transfagarasan & Poenari Castle Day Tour.
Is Bucharest expensive to visit?
Bucharest is generally good value compared with many Western European capitals. Palace of Parliament tickets Bucharest, guided city tours and Bucharest nighttime tours are reasonably priced, especially when booked together on tickadoo. You save money by using Metrorex and STB instead of taxis for daytime trips. Costs mainly increase when you choose private guided tours or upscale dining around Calea Victoriei and Dorobanți.
What are the must-see attractions in Bucharest?
Start with the monumental Palace of Parliament, then explore Revolution Square and Calea Victoriei for key historic buildings like the Romanian Athenaeum and CEC Palace. Add the Village Museum for traditional architecture and the Arch of Triumph area for green boulevards and Charles de Gaulle Square. In the evening, illuminated Piața Unirii fountains and Old Town Lipscani show Bucharest's nightlife and café culture.
Do I need to book Palace of Parliament tickets in advance in Bucharest?
Yes, you should book Palace of Parliament tickets Bucharest in advance, especially for the 1-hour skip-the-line guided tour. Daily visitor numbers are limited and time slots can sell out, particularly in summer and on weekends. If standard tours are full, look for Palace of Parliament private tour options or Bucharest half-day city tours that include confirmed entrance.
How do I get from OTP to central Bucharest?
From Henri Coandă International Airport OTP, the STB express bus 783 typically connects the airport with Piața Unirii in central Bucharest in around 45 minutes, making it the budget choice. Metro links are being improved, so check current options at the terminal. Official taxis and ride hailing apps cost more but offer door-to-door comfort to hotels near Calea Victoriei or Old Town Lipscani.
Where should I stay in Bucharest?
Stay in Old Town Lipscani if you want nightlife and easy access to Bucharest guided tours. Calea Victoriei suits visitors interested in elegant architecture near Revolution Square and the Romanian Athenaeum. Aviatorilor and Herăstrău Park feel more residential and green. Cotroceni appeals to repeat visitors who like quieter streets while still being a short ride from Gara de Nord and central squares.
What are easy day trips from Bucharest?
From Bucharest you can join a Bran Castle day tour that also includes Peles Castle and Brasov, a classic Transylvanian combination. Another option is the Transfagarasan & Poenari Castle Day Tour, which adds Curtea de Arges Monastery and occasionally Targoviste. These full-day excursions usually start with hotel pickup, include expert guides and often provide audio guides at major castles.
Bucharest quick facts: airports, stations and maps
Plan your days with these essential details for Bucharest Romania. This snapshot helps you connect airports, rail hubs and public transport so you can focus on the best things to do in Bucharest, from the Palace of Parliament to after-dark city tours.
State/Region/Country: Capital of Romania, located in the historical region of Wallachia in southeastern Europe.
Airports: Henri Coandă International Airport OTP in Otopeni handles almost all international flights. Aurel Vlaicu Airport BBU is currently used mainly for business and charter aviation.
Main stations/hubs: Gara de Nord is the primary long-distance rail station. Basarab, Obor and București Nord Gr.A are important secondary hubs for regional trains.
Public transport: Metrorex operates the Bucharest Metro on lines M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5. STB runs city buses, trolleybuses and trams across urban and suburban routes.
Paying fares: Use the contactless STB transport cards and bank cards on metro gates, buses and trams. Short term passes and reloadable cards offer daily or weekly caps that suit sightseeing days.
Coordinates: Approximately 44.4268° N latitude, 26.1025° E longitude on the Dâmbovița River.
Popular neighbourhoods: Old Town Lipscani for nightlife and dining, Cotroceni for leafy streets, Dorobanți and Aviatorilor near Charles de Gaulle Square, and the area along Calea Victoriei for historic landmarks.
Additional context: Bucharest sits on a relatively flat plain, with easy access by road to the Carpathian Mountains, Bran Castle, Peles Castle and the Transfagarasan road for full-day excursions.
Recent visitors will notice frequent upgrades to Bucharest Metro stations and STB vehicles, plus wider contactless payment acceptance, which makes using public transport easier than in previous years.
Top things to do in Bucharest
Start with the headline monuments, then add illuminated evening tours, neighbourhood walks and Bucharest castle day trips for a balanced itinerary.
Tour the Palace of Parliament with skip-the-line access. Join a 1-hour guided tour to explore marble halls and learn how Nicolae Ceausescu shaped this colossal building, often described as the world's heaviest.
Book a Bucharest half-day city tour. In about 4 hours you combine a panoramic city drive with stops at the Palace of Parliament, Revolution Square and the Village Museum.
Join an after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour. A 2-hour evening drive reveals illuminated monuments like the CEC Palace, Piața Unirii fountains and the amber-lit Palace of Parliament.
Walk Calea Victoriei and Revolution Square. Trace the route of recent Romanian history past the Romanian Athenaeum, royal palaces and key sites from the 1989 revolution.
Visit the Village Museum. Discover traditional wooden houses and rural architecture collected from across Romania on the shores of Herăstrău Lake.
See the Arch of Triumph and Charles de Gaulle Square. Head to the northern boulevards for leafy parks, embassies and monuments that celebrate Romanian heroes.
Explore Old Town Lipscani. Enjoy cobbled streets, historic facades and lively bars in the compact pedestrian core, ideal between daytime tours and nighttime experiences.
Take a Bran Castle day tour from Bucharest. Combine Bran Castle, Peles Castle and Brasov on a full-day guided excursion with optional audio guide commentary.
Choose a Transfagarasan day tour. Travel the dramatic Transfagarasan road to Poenari Fortress and Curtea de Arges Monastery, often paired with Targoviste for fortress history.
Enjoy Bucharest nighttime tours on Victory Avenue. Admire Belle Époque facades lit by spotlights, ideal for photography and understanding why the city was once called "Little Paris".
Tickets and city passes in Bucharest
Booking key Bucharest attractions and day tours in advance saves time, locks in prices and helps you structure busy sightseeing days.
Palace of Parliament skip-the-line tour. Reserve a 1-hour guided visit that includes fast access, so you avoid queuing outside Europe's largest administrative building.
Palace of Parliament private tour. For small groups or families, private Bucharest guided tours inside the palace give more time for questions and personalised pacing.
Bucharest half-day city tour with entrance tickets. Many 4-hour city tours bundle Palace of Parliament tickets Bucharest with guided stops at Revolution Square and the Village Museum.
After-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour. These 2-hour panoramic drives usually work as a single ticket covering transport and guiding, ideal for your first evening in the city.
Bran & Peles Castle Full-Day Guided Tour. A combined ticket often covers coach transport, entrance to Bran Castle and Peles Castle, plus an audio guide or live commentary in Brasov.
Transfagarasan & Poenari Castle Day Tour. Book ahead for seasonal availability, since weather can affect access to the high road and fortress paths.
If you plan several paid activities, like a Palace of Parliament tour, an after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour and a Bran Castle day trip, packaged options on tickadoo can work like an informal pass and usually provide better value than booking last minute.
Getting around Bucharest by metro, tram and tour coach
The Bucharest Metro and STB surface network cover most central sights, while hotel pickup on guided tours makes reaching outlying landmarks straightforward.
Bucharest Metro lines. Metrorex operates lines M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5. M2 runs north-south through Piața Unirii, a convenient interchange for visiting Old Town and connecting to surface buses.
STB buses and trams. Use numbered bus and tram routes for shorter hops between squares like University Square, Union Square and Victory Square, or to reach the Village Museum and northern parks.
Airport connections from OTP. From Henri Coandă International Airport OTP, STB bus 783 usually links the terminals with Piața Unirii in central Bucharest, where you can transfer to metro lines and Bucharest nighttime tours.
Paying fares with cards. Tap contactless bank cards or load local transport cards at metro stations and kiosks before boarding. Always validate on buses and trams to avoid fines.
Using hotel pickup on tours. Many tickadoo Bucharest guided tours, including the half-day city tour and Bran Castle day tour from Bucharest, include hotel pickup and drop off so you rarely need to navigate unfamiliar suburbs alone.
Taxis and ride hailing. Licensed taxis and ride hailing apps supplement public transport at night, especially after after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tours end near Calea Victoriei or Old Town.
Traffic and timing. Allow extra time for rush hours on boulevards between Union Square and Victory Square. Evening tours are designed around traffic, which makes them an efficient way to see Bucharest attractions when streets are busy.
Once you combine metro rides with a few organised tours, Bucharest becomes simple to navigate, even if it is your first visit to Romania.
When is the best time to visit Bucharest?
Spring from April to June and autumn from September to October are ideal in Bucharest, with mild temperatures around 15 to 25°C and fewer crowds. July and August can be hot, often above 30°C, though evenings suit after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tours. December brings Christmas lights along Calea Victoriei and Old Town, but some day trips over the mountains, like the Transfagarasan road, can be affected by snow.
How many days do you need in Bucharest?
With two full days in Bucharest you can tour the Palace of Parliament, walk Calea Victoriei, explore Revolution Square and spend time in Old Town Lipscani. A third day lets you add the Village Museum and an after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour. With four or five days, include a Bran & Peles Castle Full-Day Guided Tour or a Transfagarasan & Poenari Castle Day Tour.
Is Bucharest expensive to visit?
Bucharest is generally good value compared with many Western European capitals. Palace of Parliament tickets Bucharest, guided city tours and Bucharest nighttime tours are reasonably priced, especially when booked together on tickadoo. You save money by using Metrorex and STB instead of taxis for daytime trips. Costs mainly increase when you choose private guided tours or upscale dining around Calea Victoriei and Dorobanți.
What are the must-see attractions in Bucharest?
Start with the monumental Palace of Parliament, then explore Revolution Square and Calea Victoriei for key historic buildings like the Romanian Athenaeum and CEC Palace. Add the Village Museum for traditional architecture and the Arch of Triumph area for green boulevards and Charles de Gaulle Square. In the evening, illuminated Piața Unirii fountains and Old Town Lipscani show Bucharest's nightlife and café culture.
Do I need to book Palace of Parliament tickets in advance in Bucharest?
Yes, you should book Palace of Parliament tickets Bucharest in advance, especially for the 1-hour skip-the-line guided tour. Daily visitor numbers are limited and time slots can sell out, particularly in summer and on weekends. If standard tours are full, look for Palace of Parliament private tour options or Bucharest half-day city tours that include confirmed entrance.
How do I get from OTP to central Bucharest?
From Henri Coandă International Airport OTP, the STB express bus 783 typically connects the airport with Piața Unirii in central Bucharest in around 45 minutes, making it the budget choice. Metro links are being improved, so check current options at the terminal. Official taxis and ride hailing apps cost more but offer door-to-door comfort to hotels near Calea Victoriei or Old Town Lipscani.
Where should I stay in Bucharest?
Stay in Old Town Lipscani if you want nightlife and easy access to Bucharest guided tours. Calea Victoriei suits visitors interested in elegant architecture near Revolution Square and the Romanian Athenaeum. Aviatorilor and Herăstrău Park feel more residential and green. Cotroceni appeals to repeat visitors who like quieter streets while still being a short ride from Gara de Nord and central squares.
What are easy day trips from Bucharest?
From Bucharest you can join a Bran Castle day tour that also includes Peles Castle and Brasov, a classic Transylvanian combination. Another option is the Transfagarasan & Poenari Castle Day Tour, which adds Curtea de Arges Monastery and occasionally Targoviste. These full-day excursions usually start with hotel pickup, include expert guides and often provide audio guides at major castles.
Bucharest quick facts: airports, stations and maps
Plan your days with these essential details for Bucharest Romania. This snapshot helps you connect airports, rail hubs and public transport so you can focus on the best things to do in Bucharest, from the Palace of Parliament to after-dark city tours.
State/Region/Country: Capital of Romania, located in the historical region of Wallachia in southeastern Europe.
Airports: Henri Coandă International Airport OTP in Otopeni handles almost all international flights. Aurel Vlaicu Airport BBU is currently used mainly for business and charter aviation.
Main stations/hubs: Gara de Nord is the primary long-distance rail station. Basarab, Obor and București Nord Gr.A are important secondary hubs for regional trains.
Public transport: Metrorex operates the Bucharest Metro on lines M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5. STB runs city buses, trolleybuses and trams across urban and suburban routes.
Paying fares: Use the contactless STB transport cards and bank cards on metro gates, buses and trams. Short term passes and reloadable cards offer daily or weekly caps that suit sightseeing days.
Coordinates: Approximately 44.4268° N latitude, 26.1025° E longitude on the Dâmbovița River.
Popular neighbourhoods: Old Town Lipscani for nightlife and dining, Cotroceni for leafy streets, Dorobanți and Aviatorilor near Charles de Gaulle Square, and the area along Calea Victoriei for historic landmarks.
Additional context: Bucharest sits on a relatively flat plain, with easy access by road to the Carpathian Mountains, Bran Castle, Peles Castle and the Transfagarasan road for full-day excursions.
Recent visitors will notice frequent upgrades to Bucharest Metro stations and STB vehicles, plus wider contactless payment acceptance, which makes using public transport easier than in previous years.
Top things to do in Bucharest
Start with the headline monuments, then add illuminated evening tours, neighbourhood walks and Bucharest castle day trips for a balanced itinerary.
Tour the Palace of Parliament with skip-the-line access. Join a 1-hour guided tour to explore marble halls and learn how Nicolae Ceausescu shaped this colossal building, often described as the world's heaviest.
Book a Bucharest half-day city tour. In about 4 hours you combine a panoramic city drive with stops at the Palace of Parliament, Revolution Square and the Village Museum.
Join an after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour. A 2-hour evening drive reveals illuminated monuments like the CEC Palace, Piața Unirii fountains and the amber-lit Palace of Parliament.
Walk Calea Victoriei and Revolution Square. Trace the route of recent Romanian history past the Romanian Athenaeum, royal palaces and key sites from the 1989 revolution.
Visit the Village Museum. Discover traditional wooden houses and rural architecture collected from across Romania on the shores of Herăstrău Lake.
See the Arch of Triumph and Charles de Gaulle Square. Head to the northern boulevards for leafy parks, embassies and monuments that celebrate Romanian heroes.
Explore Old Town Lipscani. Enjoy cobbled streets, historic facades and lively bars in the compact pedestrian core, ideal between daytime tours and nighttime experiences.
Take a Bran Castle day tour from Bucharest. Combine Bran Castle, Peles Castle and Brasov on a full-day guided excursion with optional audio guide commentary.
Choose a Transfagarasan day tour. Travel the dramatic Transfagarasan road to Poenari Fortress and Curtea de Arges Monastery, often paired with Targoviste for fortress history.
Enjoy Bucharest nighttime tours on Victory Avenue. Admire Belle Époque facades lit by spotlights, ideal for photography and understanding why the city was once called "Little Paris".
Tickets and city passes in Bucharest
Booking key Bucharest attractions and day tours in advance saves time, locks in prices and helps you structure busy sightseeing days.
Palace of Parliament skip-the-line tour. Reserve a 1-hour guided visit that includes fast access, so you avoid queuing outside Europe's largest administrative building.
Palace of Parliament private tour. For small groups or families, private Bucharest guided tours inside the palace give more time for questions and personalised pacing.
Bucharest half-day city tour with entrance tickets. Many 4-hour city tours bundle Palace of Parliament tickets Bucharest with guided stops at Revolution Square and the Village Museum.
After-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour. These 2-hour panoramic drives usually work as a single ticket covering transport and guiding, ideal for your first evening in the city.
Bran & Peles Castle Full-Day Guided Tour. A combined ticket often covers coach transport, entrance to Bran Castle and Peles Castle, plus an audio guide or live commentary in Brasov.
Transfagarasan & Poenari Castle Day Tour. Book ahead for seasonal availability, since weather can affect access to the high road and fortress paths.
If you plan several paid activities, like a Palace of Parliament tour, an after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour and a Bran Castle day trip, packaged options on tickadoo can work like an informal pass and usually provide better value than booking last minute.
Getting around Bucharest by metro, tram and tour coach
The Bucharest Metro and STB surface network cover most central sights, while hotel pickup on guided tours makes reaching outlying landmarks straightforward.
Bucharest Metro lines. Metrorex operates lines M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5. M2 runs north-south through Piața Unirii, a convenient interchange for visiting Old Town and connecting to surface buses.
STB buses and trams. Use numbered bus and tram routes for shorter hops between squares like University Square, Union Square and Victory Square, or to reach the Village Museum and northern parks.
Airport connections from OTP. From Henri Coandă International Airport OTP, STB bus 783 usually links the terminals with Piața Unirii in central Bucharest, where you can transfer to metro lines and Bucharest nighttime tours.
Paying fares with cards. Tap contactless bank cards or load local transport cards at metro stations and kiosks before boarding. Always validate on buses and trams to avoid fines.
Using hotel pickup on tours. Many tickadoo Bucharest guided tours, including the half-day city tour and Bran Castle day tour from Bucharest, include hotel pickup and drop off so you rarely need to navigate unfamiliar suburbs alone.
Taxis and ride hailing. Licensed taxis and ride hailing apps supplement public transport at night, especially after after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tours end near Calea Victoriei or Old Town.
Traffic and timing. Allow extra time for rush hours on boulevards between Union Square and Victory Square. Evening tours are designed around traffic, which makes them an efficient way to see Bucharest attractions when streets are busy.
Once you combine metro rides with a few organised tours, Bucharest becomes simple to navigate, even if it is your first visit to Romania.
When is the best time to visit Bucharest?
Spring from April to June and autumn from September to October are ideal in Bucharest, with mild temperatures around 15 to 25°C and fewer crowds. July and August can be hot, often above 30°C, though evenings suit after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tours. December brings Christmas lights along Calea Victoriei and Old Town, but some day trips over the mountains, like the Transfagarasan road, can be affected by snow.
How many days do you need in Bucharest?
With two full days in Bucharest you can tour the Palace of Parliament, walk Calea Victoriei, explore Revolution Square and spend time in Old Town Lipscani. A third day lets you add the Village Museum and an after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour. With four or five days, include a Bran & Peles Castle Full-Day Guided Tour or a Transfagarasan & Poenari Castle Day Tour.
Is Bucharest expensive to visit?
Bucharest is generally good value compared with many Western European capitals. Palace of Parliament tickets Bucharest, guided city tours and Bucharest nighttime tours are reasonably priced, especially when booked together on tickadoo. You save money by using Metrorex and STB instead of taxis for daytime trips. Costs mainly increase when you choose private guided tours or upscale dining around Calea Victoriei and Dorobanți.
What are the must-see attractions in Bucharest?
Start with the monumental Palace of Parliament, then explore Revolution Square and Calea Victoriei for key historic buildings like the Romanian Athenaeum and CEC Palace. Add the Village Museum for traditional architecture and the Arch of Triumph area for green boulevards and Charles de Gaulle Square. In the evening, illuminated Piața Unirii fountains and Old Town Lipscani show Bucharest's nightlife and café culture.
Do I need to book Palace of Parliament tickets in advance in Bucharest?
Yes, you should book Palace of Parliament tickets Bucharest in advance, especially for the 1-hour skip-the-line guided tour. Daily visitor numbers are limited and time slots can sell out, particularly in summer and on weekends. If standard tours are full, look for Palace of Parliament private tour options or Bucharest half-day city tours that include confirmed entrance.
How do I get from OTP to central Bucharest?
From Henri Coandă International Airport OTP, the STB express bus 783 typically connects the airport with Piața Unirii in central Bucharest in around 45 minutes, making it the budget choice. Metro links are being improved, so check current options at the terminal. Official taxis and ride hailing apps cost more but offer door-to-door comfort to hotels near Calea Victoriei or Old Town Lipscani.
Where should I stay in Bucharest?
Stay in Old Town Lipscani if you want nightlife and easy access to Bucharest guided tours. Calea Victoriei suits visitors interested in elegant architecture near Revolution Square and the Romanian Athenaeum. Aviatorilor and Herăstrău Park feel more residential and green. Cotroceni appeals to repeat visitors who like quieter streets while still being a short ride from Gara de Nord and central squares.
What are easy day trips from Bucharest?
From Bucharest you can join a Bran Castle day tour that also includes Peles Castle and Brasov, a classic Transylvanian combination. Another option is the Transfagarasan & Poenari Castle Day Tour, which adds Curtea de Arges Monastery and occasionally Targoviste. These full-day excursions usually start with hotel pickup, include expert guides and often provide audio guides at major castles.
Bucharest quick facts: airports, stations and maps
Plan your days with these essential details for Bucharest Romania. This snapshot helps you connect airports, rail hubs and public transport so you can focus on the best things to do in Bucharest, from the Palace of Parliament to after-dark city tours.
State/Region/Country: Capital of Romania, located in the historical region of Wallachia in southeastern Europe.
Airports: Henri Coandă International Airport OTP in Otopeni handles almost all international flights. Aurel Vlaicu Airport BBU is currently used mainly for business and charter aviation.
Main stations/hubs: Gara de Nord is the primary long-distance rail station. Basarab, Obor and București Nord Gr.A are important secondary hubs for regional trains.
Public transport: Metrorex operates the Bucharest Metro on lines M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5. STB runs city buses, trolleybuses and trams across urban and suburban routes.
Paying fares: Use the contactless STB transport cards and bank cards on metro gates, buses and trams. Short term passes and reloadable cards offer daily or weekly caps that suit sightseeing days.
Coordinates: Approximately 44.4268° N latitude, 26.1025° E longitude on the Dâmbovița River.
Popular neighbourhoods: Old Town Lipscani for nightlife and dining, Cotroceni for leafy streets, Dorobanți and Aviatorilor near Charles de Gaulle Square, and the area along Calea Victoriei for historic landmarks.
Additional context: Bucharest sits on a relatively flat plain, with easy access by road to the Carpathian Mountains, Bran Castle, Peles Castle and the Transfagarasan road for full-day excursions.
Recent visitors will notice frequent upgrades to Bucharest Metro stations and STB vehicles, plus wider contactless payment acceptance, which makes using public transport easier than in previous years.
Top things to do in Bucharest
Start with the headline monuments, then add illuminated evening tours, neighbourhood walks and Bucharest castle day trips for a balanced itinerary.
Tour the Palace of Parliament with skip-the-line access. Join a 1-hour guided tour to explore marble halls and learn how Nicolae Ceausescu shaped this colossal building, often described as the world's heaviest.
Book a Bucharest half-day city tour. In about 4 hours you combine a panoramic city drive with stops at the Palace of Parliament, Revolution Square and the Village Museum.
Join an after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour. A 2-hour evening drive reveals illuminated monuments like the CEC Palace, Piața Unirii fountains and the amber-lit Palace of Parliament.
Walk Calea Victoriei and Revolution Square. Trace the route of recent Romanian history past the Romanian Athenaeum, royal palaces and key sites from the 1989 revolution.
Visit the Village Museum. Discover traditional wooden houses and rural architecture collected from across Romania on the shores of Herăstrău Lake.
See the Arch of Triumph and Charles de Gaulle Square. Head to the northern boulevards for leafy parks, embassies and monuments that celebrate Romanian heroes.
Explore Old Town Lipscani. Enjoy cobbled streets, historic facades and lively bars in the compact pedestrian core, ideal between daytime tours and nighttime experiences.
Take a Bran Castle day tour from Bucharest. Combine Bran Castle, Peles Castle and Brasov on a full-day guided excursion with optional audio guide commentary.
Choose a Transfagarasan day tour. Travel the dramatic Transfagarasan road to Poenari Fortress and Curtea de Arges Monastery, often paired with Targoviste for fortress history.
Enjoy Bucharest nighttime tours on Victory Avenue. Admire Belle Époque facades lit by spotlights, ideal for photography and understanding why the city was once called "Little Paris".
Tickets and city passes in Bucharest
Booking key Bucharest attractions and day tours in advance saves time, locks in prices and helps you structure busy sightseeing days.
Palace of Parliament skip-the-line tour. Reserve a 1-hour guided visit that includes fast access, so you avoid queuing outside Europe's largest administrative building.
Palace of Parliament private tour. For small groups or families, private Bucharest guided tours inside the palace give more time for questions and personalised pacing.
Bucharest half-day city tour with entrance tickets. Many 4-hour city tours bundle Palace of Parliament tickets Bucharest with guided stops at Revolution Square and the Village Museum.
After-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour. These 2-hour panoramic drives usually work as a single ticket covering transport and guiding, ideal for your first evening in the city.
Bran & Peles Castle Full-Day Guided Tour. A combined ticket often covers coach transport, entrance to Bran Castle and Peles Castle, plus an audio guide or live commentary in Brasov.
Transfagarasan & Poenari Castle Day Tour. Book ahead for seasonal availability, since weather can affect access to the high road and fortress paths.
If you plan several paid activities, like a Palace of Parliament tour, an after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour and a Bran Castle day trip, packaged options on tickadoo can work like an informal pass and usually provide better value than booking last minute.
Getting around Bucharest by metro, tram and tour coach
The Bucharest Metro and STB surface network cover most central sights, while hotel pickup on guided tours makes reaching outlying landmarks straightforward.
Bucharest Metro lines. Metrorex operates lines M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5. M2 runs north-south through Piața Unirii, a convenient interchange for visiting Old Town and connecting to surface buses.
STB buses and trams. Use numbered bus and tram routes for shorter hops between squares like University Square, Union Square and Victory Square, or to reach the Village Museum and northern parks.
Airport connections from OTP. From Henri Coandă International Airport OTP, STB bus 783 usually links the terminals with Piața Unirii in central Bucharest, where you can transfer to metro lines and Bucharest nighttime tours.
Paying fares with cards. Tap contactless bank cards or load local transport cards at metro stations and kiosks before boarding. Always validate on buses and trams to avoid fines.
Using hotel pickup on tours. Many tickadoo Bucharest guided tours, including the half-day city tour and Bran Castle day tour from Bucharest, include hotel pickup and drop off so you rarely need to navigate unfamiliar suburbs alone.
Taxis and ride hailing. Licensed taxis and ride hailing apps supplement public transport at night, especially after after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tours end near Calea Victoriei or Old Town.
Traffic and timing. Allow extra time for rush hours on boulevards between Union Square and Victory Square. Evening tours are designed around traffic, which makes them an efficient way to see Bucharest attractions when streets are busy.
Once you combine metro rides with a few organised tours, Bucharest becomes simple to navigate, even if it is your first visit to Romania.
When is the best time to visit Bucharest?
Spring from April to June and autumn from September to October are ideal in Bucharest, with mild temperatures around 15 to 25°C and fewer crowds. July and August can be hot, often above 30°C, though evenings suit after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tours. December brings Christmas lights along Calea Victoriei and Old Town, but some day trips over the mountains, like the Transfagarasan road, can be affected by snow.
How many days do you need in Bucharest?
With two full days in Bucharest you can tour the Palace of Parliament, walk Calea Victoriei, explore Revolution Square and spend time in Old Town Lipscani. A third day lets you add the Village Museum and an after-dark Bucharest sightseeing tour. With four or five days, include a Bran & Peles Castle Full-Day Guided Tour or a Transfagarasan & Poenari Castle Day Tour.
Is Bucharest expensive to visit?
Bucharest is generally good value compared with many Western European capitals. Palace of Parliament tickets Bucharest, guided city tours and Bucharest nighttime tours are reasonably priced, especially when booked together on tickadoo. You save money by using Metrorex and STB instead of taxis for daytime trips. Costs mainly increase when you choose private guided tours or upscale dining around Calea Victoriei and Dorobanți.
What are the must-see attractions in Bucharest?
Start with the monumental Palace of Parliament, then explore Revolution Square and Calea Victoriei for key historic buildings like the Romanian Athenaeum and CEC Palace. Add the Village Museum for traditional architecture and the Arch of Triumph area for green boulevards and Charles de Gaulle Square. In the evening, illuminated Piața Unirii fountains and Old Town Lipscani show Bucharest's nightlife and café culture.
Do I need to book Palace of Parliament tickets in advance in Bucharest?
Yes, you should book Palace of Parliament tickets Bucharest in advance, especially for the 1-hour skip-the-line guided tour. Daily visitor numbers are limited and time slots can sell out, particularly in summer and on weekends. If standard tours are full, look for Palace of Parliament private tour options or Bucharest half-day city tours that include confirmed entrance.
How do I get from OTP to central Bucharest?
From Henri Coandă International Airport OTP, the STB express bus 783 typically connects the airport with Piața Unirii in central Bucharest in around 45 minutes, making it the budget choice. Metro links are being improved, so check current options at the terminal. Official taxis and ride hailing apps cost more but offer door-to-door comfort to hotels near Calea Victoriei or Old Town Lipscani.
Where should I stay in Bucharest?
Stay in Old Town Lipscani if you want nightlife and easy access to Bucharest guided tours. Calea Victoriei suits visitors interested in elegant architecture near Revolution Square and the Romanian Athenaeum. Aviatorilor and Herăstrău Park feel more residential and green. Cotroceni appeals to repeat visitors who like quieter streets while still being a short ride from Gara de Nord and central squares.
What are easy day trips from Bucharest?
From Bucharest you can join a Bran Castle day tour that also includes Peles Castle and Brasov, a classic Transylvanian combination. Another option is the Transfagarasan & Poenari Castle Day Tour, which adds Curtea de Arges Monastery and occasionally Targoviste. These full-day excursions usually start with hotel pickup, include expert guides and often provide audio guides at major castles.