Bucharest in 2 Days: A Complete Itinerary

Bucharest is a city of contrasts: broad boulevards and Belle Époque palaces beside communist blocks, a lively Old Town next to one of the largest administrative buildings in the world. Once nicknamed "Little Paris", Romania's capital rewards curiosity. Here's how to discover it in two days.

Day 1 — Centre and history

Morning: the Palace of Parliament

Begin with the Palace of Parliament (the former "House of the People"), one of the largest and heaviest buildings in the world, raised in the Ceaușescu era. Visits are by guided tour, with booking and ID required — check the schedule and reserve ahead.

Lunch and the Old Town

Head down to the Old Town (Lipscani), a maze of little streets with cafés, restaurants and clubs. Don't miss Manuc's Inn (a restored Ottoman caravanserai), the Old Princely Court (the ruins of the princely court, linked to Vlad the Impaler) and the splendid Cărturești Carusel bookshop.

Afternoon: Calea Victoriei

Stroll along Calea Victoriei, the city's elegant artery, with the Romanian Athenaeum (the emblematic concert hall), the National Museum of Art (the former royal palace) and the CEC Palace.

Day 2 — Museums, parks and Belle Époque

Morning: the Village Museum and Herăstrău

Go to Herăstrău Park (King Michael I) and the National Village Museum, an open-air museum with traditional homesteads from across the country — an excellent introduction to rural Romania.

Lunch: Cotroceni or Dorobanți

Discover the quiet streets of Belle Époque and Art Nouveau villas in Cotroceni or the Dorobanți / Primăverii area, remnants of "Little Paris".

Afternoon: museums of your choice

• National History Museum — for the country's treasure and history.
• Museum of the Romanian Peasant — one of the most acclaimed ethnographic museums.
• Antipa Museum (natural history) — excellent for families.

Evening: dining

Bucharest has a vibrant food scene, from modern Romanian cooking to international restaurants. Book a good table and end with a walk through the Old Town.

Tips

• The metro and ride-hailing apps make getting around easy.
• Book the Palace of Parliament tour in advance.
• Check museum hours (many are closed on Mondays).
• The Old Town is lively in the evening — perfect for a night out, but crowded at weekends.