The contradictory city evokes ambiguous feelings. All the sights of Bucharest demonstrate either a trace of the socialist past, or a majestic history embodied in architecture and art. Those who say that there is practically nothing to see in Bucharest are mistaken. If you are going here for a short time or passing through, it is worth seeing the sights of Bucharest in advance, photos with names and descriptions in order to have time to see the most interesting things.
What to see in Bucharest first of all
While walking around the town, you will somehow catch sight of the most beautiful historical buildings, interspersed with socialist buildings, sometimes, however, very original. Let’s list the main attractions of Bucharest briefly to understand what the Romanian capital is rich in.
1. The Palace of Parliament
Parliament Palace on Spiri Hill in Bucharest at night
No trip here is complete without a visit to the Parliament building. Its oppressively gigantic size became the reason for entry into the Guinness Book of Records. The history of the building is connected with the destruction of the old part of the city, which some indigenous people still cannot forgive. Huge amounts of money were spent on its construction, which affected the social conditions of the people. The interior is rustic, but worthy of an excursion.
Official website: https://cic.cdep.ro
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2. The Palace of Justice
The Palace of Justice on the embankment of the Dymbovitsa river at sunset
A very beautiful building in a classic style. Located on the riverbank, it admires the elegance of the building. The size of the area is indicated by the number of rooms inside – there are about 690 of them. If you do not know that the servants of Themis sit here, the palace can be mistaken for a fashionable hotel built in the French manner.
3. Kretsulescu Palace
Facade of the Creculescu Palace in Bucharest Britchi Mirela
It is a very beautiful building, the appearance of which also resembles the designs of French architects. The building turned out to be elegant and pretentious at the same time. The premises themselves are closed to the public, but the building is definitely worth a close look. During the tour, the guides in Bucharest will tell you the legend associated with the palace.
4. Cantacuzino Palace
Entrance to the George Enescu National Museum on Kala Victoria Street in Bucharest
By its grandeur and significance, the palace belongs to the best sights of Bucharest. Built in the early 19th century, it impresses with its appearance: arched windows, wrought-iron balconies, a luxurious portal. On both sides of the entrance there are 2 lions welcoming the guests. Inside there is a National Museum, exhibition, ballrooms and concert halls, there is an interesting collection of paintings. Concerts are held in the backyard garden.
5. The building of the Village
A luxurious building located in the Alexandru.Kocsis Palace Park
This place is advised to visit not only travel and sightseeing agencies, but also tourists themselves. The palace is the residence of the President of the country. The buildings of the palace are surrounded by greenery, watchtowers are installed at the gates. Both the exterior and interior design surprise with luxury. There is a National Museum with a decent exposition of medieval art objects.
Official website: https://www.muzeulcotroceni.ro
6. The Arc de Triomphe
Triumphal Arch on Kiselyov Highway in Bucharest
The appearance of the Romanian copy of the French arch is associated with national traditions:the ancestors of the Romanians had a custom to meet the winners under the fir arch. The arch symbolizes the unity of this people. The building has an impressive appearance, the engraving on the facade is dedicated to the defenders of independence.
Official website: https://ampt.ro
7. Lipskan Street
Pedestrian street in the central part of Bucharest
There are interesting places in any city where you can have fun. The quarter is known for hangouts, night entertainment, it is always crowded and bustling here. The symbiosis of dilapidated buildings with modernly decorated restaurants and shops is amazing. Mass events are often held here.
8. Unification Boulevard
Panorama of Unification Boulevard leading to the Romanian Parliament in Bucharest
The pedestrian boulevard is rightfully called the landmark of Bucharest. Because of the buildings located here, built in the French manner, it is often called the “Romanian Champs-Elysees”. The widest and longest street in Bucharest leads directly to the Presidential palace, separated from the roadway by a dense row of trees.
9. Romanian Athenaeum
A small park with a monument to the Romanian poet Mihai Eminescu in front of the Athenaeum building
Externally, the building is beautiful and looks luxurious inside. Visitors are greeted by a strict pediment resembling Greek buildings, a dome rises above the columns, richly decorated with decorative elements. It is worth seeing the interior of the concert hall with a historical fresco 75 m high. The Romanian Philharmonic Orchestra is located here.
10. CEC Bank Building
View of the CES Bank building from Victory Street in Bucharest
Still, there is something to visit in Bucharest, despite the claims of skeptics. The city bank is located in this luxurious historical building. Only the dome of black glass and metal crowning the building is worth it! The other 4 domes, scattered in the corners, are designed in the same way, but have a smaller size. There is no entrance inside, so everyone is content to contemplate the bank building.
11. National Museum of Art of Romania
The National Museum of Art of Romania on Revolution Square in the building of the former Royal Palace
What to see in Bucharest in 1 day for those who appreciate art? Romanian kings once lived here, today the building houses an extensive collection of art objects: paintings, icons, sculptural works. The exhibitions are located in two parts of the gallery: one presents the works of national masters, the other – the works of foreign authors.
Official website: https://www.mnar.arts.ro
12. Dmitry Gusti Ethnographic Museum
Museum exhibition in a picturesque green park
Here you have to forget that you are surrounded by the wilds of a modern metropolis. The museum is more like a nature reserve and does not look at all like a museum in the traditional sense, and this was the main condition of the founder. Entering the territory, you find yourself in a Romanian village with wooden houses, some buildings have historical value. A tour of the museum will give an idea of the way of life and traditions of the Romanian people.
Official website: https://muzeul-satului.ro
13. Romanian Peasant Art Museum
The facades of the Romanian Peasant Art Museum in Bucharest, made of red brick, Andrei Stroe
We will advise you what to see in Bucharest for those who are interested in the history of the Romanian people. Romanians honor their past, and this museum is another proof of that. In a building with a beautiful facade, towers and columns, there is an exhibition telling about the difficult life of Romanian peasants. The exposition of folk costumes, ceramics, as well as an authentic peasant house of the XIX century is impressive.
Official website: https://www.muzeultaranuluiroman.ro
14. National Museum of Romanian History
The National Museum of the History of Romania in the former building of the Postal Palace
The historical building houses exhibitions telling about the development of the Romanian people. The fact that Romanians consider the ancient Romans to be their ancestors was confirmed in the monument installed on the stairs. The best recommendations of tourists relate to viewing expositions with folk costumes, objects of decorative and applied art, sculptures and paintings.
15. Stavropol Church
Stavropol Church is an Orthodox church dedicated to the Holy Archangels and St. Athanasius the Great
She is a convent. Parts of the relics of saints are kept in the Orthodox church, so it serves as a place for pilgrimage, a choir and a library work. The elegant exterior makes the church look like a toy. The interior is decorated with sculptures made of wood and stone, paintings and frescoes. The hand-carved altars, the iconostasis, and the tombstones in the temple courtyard look magnificent.
Official website: https://www.stavropoleos.ro
16. Church of Creculescu
The Church of Creculescu against the backdrop of the urban landscape
The Orthodox church was built on the initiative of the state Chancellor, and it was named after him. The reviews mention frescoes of extraordinary beauty, which have historical value. Since Chancellor Cretzulescu made a lot of efforts to make Bucharest a capital city, the locals honor this church in his memory.
17. The Patriarchal Cathedral
The Patriarchal Cathedral of the XVII century on the Metropolitan Hill on the right bank of the Dymbovica in Bucharest
Although this temple is somewhat removed from the center, excursions in Bucharest still lead groups here to this large-scale building with luxurious architecture and interior decoration. Initially, the style of construction was traditionally national, Brynkovian. Today, traces of Byzantine architecture are clearly visible in it – the result of multiple reconstructions.
18. Antim Monastery
Buildings belonging to the Antim fusion-of-horizons Monastery
The monastery church was built in the early XVIII century. Then it was part of a fortress with towers that have not survived to our time. An inscription is carved on the portal, testifying to its consecration in 1715. The walls of the monastery are lavishly decorated with carved elements, the arches give it a feeling of lightness. The entrance to the temple is limited by a beautiful carved gate.
19. Coltea Hospital Building
Aerial view of the building of the old metropolitan hospital of Koltea
The oldest city hospital built at the beginning of the XVIII century. The building destroyed by the earthquake was soon restored and today serves as the residence of the Ministry of Health. You can enter only if you come on business, but the church, by the way, is very beautiful, admission is free.
20. The Central Library of the University
The Central Library of the University of Bucharest with an equestrian statue of King Carol I of Romania
We will tell you where to go in Bucharest if you are an ardent fan of literature. The library building was built at the end of the 19th century and at first served as a haven for the royal foundation. In the middle of the last century, the library of the city University “settled” here.There is a monument to Karol I in front of the building.
The sights of Bucharest: what else to visit in Bucharest?
Romania is not a country of coveted tourism. Dense groups of tourists rarely come across here, looking at the local beauty. But hotels in Bucharest are always ready to accommodate guests and offer a fairly good service.
21. The former residence of the Kurt-Century
The Church of the Holy Century or the Church of St. Anton on the territory of the former residence of the Princely Court
Another landmark of Romania, which is the remains of a fortress structure. Built in the XIV century. the building was once the residence of the princes of Wallachia, then it was destroyed. Today it is a national monument.
Official website: https://muzeulbucurestiului.ro
22. Bucharest Botanical Garden
Greenhouse and rose garden of the Bucharest Botanical Garden CristianChirita
The garden belongs to the university and is a part of it. At the end of the 19th century, a greenhouse was opened in it, at the same time making it accessible to visitors. During the world wars, the garden was destroyed, but in the middle of the last century it began to be actively restored. Today, there are many species of plants growing in it. It’s nice to walk around the park and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
23. Cismigiu Gardens
Clocks, clay pots and bright flower beds in the Cismigiu garden
A full-fledged overview of the city’s attractions will be incomplete without this place. This paradise in the center was once a swampy swamp, today it is a gorgeous garden decorated in the best traditions of park art. Here you can ride catamarans and boats on the lake, sit by the fountains, walk along the shady alleys. In winter, the lake transforms into an ice rink. Of particular interest is the sculptural composition “Rotunda of Writers”.
24. Herastrau Park
The bridge connecting Gerastrau Park with the Village Museum. Dimitri Gusti
The park has earned a high rating among tourist sites not only because of its beauty. This place is shrouded in mysteries and riddles. Visitors begin to admire at the entrance, seeing the sculpture of Charles de Gaulle with a height of 4 m. You can take a boat ride on the lake, go to the Museum of Peasant Art. Given that this is a recreational area, there are few restaurants and other establishments, construction on the territory is minimized.
25. The Palace and Park ensemble of Mogoshoaya
Mogosoaia Palace and Park Ensemble is an architectural and historical monument of Romania
If the appearance of most buildings in Bucharest resembles the French style of architecture, then this complex is similar to the palaces of Northern Italy. Here you can see how the Wallachian nobility lived. It is interesting to look at the spiral staircase, antique books, carpets, and utensils. There is a garden with a lake on the back side. Wedding ceremonies are often held on the territory of the complex.
In Bucharest, as perhaps nowhere else, you can feel the sharp contrast of magnificent architecture and standard, box-like houses. An interesting story and good-natured residents reign here. You can have a good time relaxing from the crowded bustle of popular European cities.
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