Bucharest in 5 days

Romania's bold capital: Belle Époque boulevards, a colossal palace, leafy parks and Eastern Europe's best value. Best time to visit: April-June and September-October. Average daily budget: $55 to $100 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Centrul Vechi (Old Town), The cobbled historic centre packed with restaurants, terraces, bars and the city's nightlife.

Morning: Palace of the Parliament. Tour the world's heaviest building, a colossal symbol of the Ceaușescu era.

Afternoon: Explore Centrul Vechi (Old Town), The cobbled historic centre packed with restaurants, terraces, bars and the city's nightlife.

Evening: Old Town & Stavropoleos. Wander the historic centre and its tiny, beautiful 18th-century Orthodox church.

Eat: Mici (mititei), grilled skinless minced-meat rolls

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Lipscani & Calea Victoriei, Around the grand boulevard lined with palaces, museums, the Athenaeum and elegant cafés.

Morning: Romanian Athenaeum. Admire the city's stunning domed concert hall, or catch a performance inside.

Afternoon: Explore Lipscani & Calea Victoriei, Around the grand boulevard lined with palaces, museums, the Athenaeum and elegant cafés.

Evening: Village Museum & Herăstrău Park. Stroll the lakeside park and its open-air museum of traditional Romanian houses.

Eat: Sarmale, cabbage rolls stuffed with pork and rice

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Cotroceni, A leafy, genteel district of Art Nouveau villas near the botanical garden and presidential palace.

Morning: The Pasajul Victoria, a colourful umbrella-covered alley in the old town.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Cotroceni, A leafy, genteel district of Art Nouveau villas near the botanical garden and presidential palace.

Evening: The atmospheric, slightly overgrown Bellu Cemetery, full of grand sculptures.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Ciorbă, sour Romanian soups, often served with sour cream

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Herăstrău & the north, The green, upscale lake district around King Michael I Park and the open-air Village Museum.

Morning: Caru' cu Bere, a gorgeous 1899 beer hall serving classic Romanian food.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Herăstrău & the north, The green, upscale lake district around King Michael I Park and the open-air Village Museum.

Evening: The Therme spa complex just outside the city, one of Europe's largest.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Papanași, fried doughnuts with soft cheese and sour-cherry jam

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Centrul Vechi (Old Town), The cobbled historic centre packed with restaurants, terraces, bars and the city's nightlife.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Centrul Vechi (Old Town), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Centrul Vechi (Old Town), The cobbled historic centre packed with restaurants, terraces, bars and the city's nightlife.

Evening: Dinner at Mici (mititei), grilled skinless minced-meat rolls, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Centrul Vechi (Old Town).

Eat: Mici (mititei), grilled skinless minced-meat rolls

Hidden gems

The Pasajul Victoria, a colourful umbrella-covered alley in the old town.
The atmospheric, slightly overgrown Bellu Cemetery, full of grand sculptures.
Caru' cu Bere, a gorgeous 1899 beer hall serving classic Romanian food.
The Therme spa complex just outside the city, one of Europe's largest.

Getting around

Bucharest has a cheap metro and an extensive tram, bus and trolleybus network (STB) on a rechargeable card. The old town and central boulevards are walkable, though traffic is heavy and pavements uneven. The metro links the airport to the centre, and ride-hailing apps like Bolt are plentiful and very cheap for door-to-door trips.

Safety

Bucharest is generally safe and comfortable for solo travellers including women, with violent crime rare. The main risks are pickpocketing on crowded transport and in the old town, plus occasional taxi overcharging, so use ride-hailing apps instead of hailing on the street. Watch for stray dogs in some areas and uneven pavements, and use normal city caution at night.

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