One day in Bucharest, Romania
Last Updated on November 24, 2024 by Ingrid
Bucharest is the capital of Romania and one of the fast-developing metropolises of the European Union. It is also my birthplace. So, if you plan to spend one day in Bucharest, keep reading because I will share valuable tips and tricks.
After the dark days of communist rule, Bucharest rose from its ashes like a Phoenix. While still a place of jarring contrasts, the Romanian capital became a bet+ global city, the same as Rome, Athens, or Miami.
It might surprise you, but the Bucuresti-Ilfov Metro area is one of the most prosperous regions in the European Union measured in GDP (PPP) per capita, surpassing neighboring capital regions like Budapest and Athens.
You might also want to know if Romania is safe to visit.
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Table of Contents
One day in Bucharest
Is one day in Bucharest enough?
I guess 24 hours in Bucharest is okay for getting a feel of the city’s vibe. However, when you want to see it and take it slow, I would plan for at least a weekend in Bucharest and take some day trips from Bucharest.
Check out next: my ultimate list of day trips from Bucharest
When to visit Bucharest
Any time is an excellent time to visit Bucharest, Romania. But I would choose to go during spring, early summer, or autumn.
I love how the city transforms during spring and fall! It is such a pleasure to walk around, especially some of the places on my list.
While summer and winter can still be okay, one can get too hot for walking around, and the other does not portray the city in a good light.
Where to stay in Bucharest
As someone born and raised in Bucharest, I haven’t really frequented the hotels in town. Apart from the work conferences I have attended, I haven’t stayed overnight in Bucharest’s hotels.
But I have worked with many people visiting Bucharest for work, and I can safely share with you the list of the best hotels in Bucharest (as rated by my colleagues):
- Radisson Blu Hotel is one of the fancier hotels. It is ideally located on Calea Victoriei, just a stone’s throw from the Romanian Atheneum and the Romanian Art Museum. Like all Radisson hotels, the one in Bucharest is in the luxury lane and will set you back several hundred euros per night.
- Marshal Garden. Although not as conveniently located as Radisson, the Marshal Garden Hotel is cheaper, just as lovely, and within walking distance from the city center (mainly Romana Square and all the streets with pretty historic buildings).
See when they’re available here!
- Pura Vida Sky bar and Hostel. Yes, it is a hostel. But what hostel! It has the perfect location (in the Olt Town city center), an awesome rooftop bar where the most fabulous parties occur, and an incredible view. All for the price of a hostel.
Book your affordable room here!
For more recommendations, read my complete list of the best hotels in Bucharest and where to stay in Bucharest, with details on each area and recommendations.
Getting around in Bucharest
Whether you are wondering how to get around Bucharest, how to reach the city from the airport, or how much it costs, here are the answers.
Let me start by saying that Bucharest might be one of the cheapest capitals in Europe, and not only when it comes to transportation costs.
You have 3 options for getting from the airport to the city center. Unfortunately, Romania hasn’t considered linking its airport to the city center or train station by train.
- By bus—the bus 783 Express Line will take you from the airport to the train station or city center. Buy the rechargeable card at the ticket stand on the ground floor at the airport and validate it every time you’re on the bus. The price is 3.5 lei for one trip, and the magnetic card, valid for two travels, costs 7 lei.
- Book a transfer—that’s the fastest, easiest, and least time-consuming option. However, it can also be more expensive. But I would go for it if you’re in Romania for the first time!
- By taxi—order a taxi from the machines outside the arrivals area. With the ticket, you’ll have to wait outside for your car to arrive. Ordering an Uber could also be an option, but sometimes, it might get challenging to find the car since they are not allowed to come in front of the door.
Getting around town is easy when staying close to the city center. A ticket for the underground is 5 lei, valid for two trips, while a ticket for the bus/tram is less than 2 lei.
The downside is that you cannot use the same magnetic card for the metro and bus. You’ll have to buy a separate one.
My favorite one day in Bucharest itinerary
Brunch-ing
It is a trend in Bucharest, making it difficult to choose between all the great locations that offer delicious international dishes. If I were you, I would be heading for Frudisiac, hoping to find a place in the small minimalist “Breakfast & Brunch Restaurant” (as they call themselves) since they do not take reservations.
If you are in luck, sit down, enjoy the view, and order the incredible pancakes you’ll find here. Even though this would not seem much, I would easily fit it into my top things to do in Bucharest.
If not, take a stroll (or a bus) up to Shift Pub, one of my favorite places in town. Sit outside in the small green garden and taste the yummy Primavera Pasta dish.
If you’re feeling lucky ,try getting a table at M60, or go directly to Paul if you are craving some amazing French goodies.
Check out also My Bucharest – where to eat, party and discover the city
Do some sightseeing
Now that you’ve solved the eating part, you are ready and full of energy to do a little sightseeing.
Unlike many European Capitals, Bucharest is not packed with tourists (yet), and you won’t be bothered by tens of people stepping on your feet or getting in front of your camera when you try to take a picture.
Add this to the pro list, and it will tilt the scales and make you want to spend one day in Bucharest.
Get some inspiration from Baby Boomer Guide to Bucharest: Romania’s “Little Paris”
Here are a few tour ideas to consider when you spend one day in Bucharest:
- Don’t miss out on taking a walking tour in Bucharest, the offer is wide, and you will have to decide only what you are interested in and the budget you want to allocate: learn about Communist Bucharest and how the city transformed during the communist era, or take a 2.5-Hour Hidden Private Tour, discover some old buildings filled with history in the Luxurious Calea Victoriei Discovery Game or go all the way and take a Private Three Neighborhoods Tour by Vintage Car. The funniest thing is that my parents used to own one of those cars.
- Relax at Therme Spa without thinking about getting there
- Learn more about the Jewish history of Bucharest with a Jewish Tour of Bucharest
- Explore Bucharest’s mahallas and taste some delicious local food on a tour, or go and learn something new about the Rroma heritage
- Are you passionate about street art? Bucharest has plenty of that, and you can choose to take a tour and discover the many corners with street art and graffiti in Bucharest
A few of the places not to miss in one day in Bucharest – Bucharest tourist attractions
The Romanian Village Museum
It is located in the biggest park in Bucharest – Herastrau Park – where you will step into an almost authentic village, hosting houses from different regions of the country, built in other centuries.
You will also have the possibility of visiting different heritage collections, including traditional handmade carpets, ceramics, textiles, and traditional costumes.
Check out timetables and information here.
The Triumphal Arch
Really close to the Village Museum, you will wonder if you are still in Bucharest or maybe in Paris. The Arch was raised in 1922, and it is indeed a smaller version of the one you will see (or have already seen) in Paris.
You can climb the staircase up to the top and admire the city from above, especially the split between the green, wide park and the area of the home in the Primaverii neighborhood.
Casa Poporului
Moving towards the city’s center, you will want to visit the enormous building Ceausescu built during his rule.
While it is hard to miss, as it is one of the largest administrative building in the world, hosting the Parliament, the building is not a thing Romanian people should be proud of since many have died in the building process.
Moreover, to make space for this architectural monstrosity, the authorities bulldozed the most beautiful neighbourhood of historical Bucharest.
Stepping inside the building, inspired by another in the North Korean capital, you will get to see and feel Ceausescu’s megalomania.
The heavy marble walls, the thick, expensive rugs, and the huge chandeliers are only a few of the things that will catch your eye in the many rooms.
Even though this is an important city attraction and one of the top things to do in Bucharest, I will leave it to you to decide whether you want to fit it into your schedule if you only have one day in Bucharest.
Book your skip-the-line ticket online and forget about waiting in lines!
National Museum of Romanian history
If you ask me, this place is better known to the locals for the statue in front of it, than for the actual exhibits.
You will notice it for sure, passing by on Calea Victoriei, leaving the CEC building on the right side, you will be welcomed on the left by this statue of a guy holding a…well…dog, many might say. The statue is supposed to be none other than the Roman Emperor Trajan, holding in its arm the Lupa Capitolina.
The Romanian Atheneum
Maybe one of the most Instagramable buildings in Bucharest, the Romanian Atheneum, is that place where you will hear music coming from. This is because the place is a concert hall, impressive both inside and outside.
Don’t miss the most beautiful bookshop in Bucharest
Yes, you read that right. I am sending you to a bookshop. But trust me, you won’t regret going here.
Carturesti Carusel is maybe the most popular attraction in Bucharest, the one you will see in every guide, and the one I love so very much. First of all, it is a place filled with books, but also because it is a magical place.
Trust me when I say it, this is maybe the most beautiful bookshop I’ve ever seen! And it is for sure one of the most Instagrammable places in Bucharest.
Check out my complete list here: Bucharest Instagrammable places.
Casa Ceausescu
Apart from the fact that this house is impressive and has a lovely garden, you must take a tour to understand the huge discrepancy between Ceausescu’s lifestyle and the population’s.
For many years, I’ve passed it by and wondered what this place is. Located in the best residential area in Bucharest, with a peacock as a pet, seeing the impressive villa Ceausescu lived in has been an eye-opener for me. I was born in ’87 and was lucky enough not to remember the days without anything, but my parents and grandparents have.
Book your visit at least a day before, especially if you’re only staying one day in Bucharest.
You can consider booking a City Tour & Ceausescu Mansion tour.
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Coffee time
After all that sightseeing, you must have gotten a bit tired and need caffeine. You are just in luck because only a few steps from Calea Victoriei, you will find the best coffee place in town, Origo. Here is where you will taste one of the best coffees you’ve ever had, or if you come after 7 PM, a cocktail as you’ve never had elsewhere.
Another place I love going for brunch, lunch, or coffee is a little hidden house on Dianei Street. Throughout the years, I’ve become a bit conservative, and I love going to some of the same places, and Dianei 4 is one of them.
Eating, again
Once you’re ready for dinner, go back to the North part of the city and book a table at Nor Sky Casual Restaurant. I have to admit the best thing about this place is the view. It is located on the 36th floor of a round office building, offering a 360-degree view over the city.
Don’t leave Bucharest without going on a food tour or tasting some amazing Romanian wine.
Many might not know this about Romania, but it is one of the largest producers of wine in Europe, and its wine is also some of the best.
When you don’t have the time to explore Romania’s wine road, or at least go to Azuga for a wine tasting, take a wine-tasting tour in Bucharest.
Party hard!
Well, you can’t leave the city without ending your one day in Bucharest with a wild night out in the old town city center and seeing Bucharest at night.
Here is where the magic happens. People from all over the world come to a party since alcohol is not that expensive. The streets are packed with clubs and joyful people.
You don’t have to look much for the best places, start on Lipscani street and follow your gut feeling.
I promise this place won’t disappoint. You will be partying until 6 in the morning since the clubs are open until the last customer.
Going to a Pub Crowl in the Old Town might be fun!
Other travel resources for when you visit Romania
- Check out my favorite one-week in Romania road trip taking you from Bucharest to Transylvania;
- Taste some delicious Romanian traditional food;
- Don’t miss out on Romania’s hidden gem: Oradea;
- Amazingly delicious Romanian food to indulge in during your trip, and Bucharest food – what to try and where to go for the best in town.
I’ve always been curious about Romania. Bucharest looks so beautiful! Thanks for the wonderful insights!
Looks amazing! I wanna visit romania!
Please visit my Blog!
http://www.alessabernal.com/
Alessa Bernal
Hi Ingrid. I think to best sum it up about Bucharest is to say that the days are for museums and cafes, while nights are for clubs and pubs. There’s a little bit of everything in the mix, for anyone who wants to have a nice time for a couple of days in Bucharest.