Planning a trip to Bucharest? You’re in the right place!
We love spending time in Romania’s vibrant capital. From its grand boulevards and hidden alleys to its rich history and buzzing nightlife, Bucharest is a city full of surprises. But with so much to see and do, knowing where to start can be overwhelming!
That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you experience the very best of Bucharest. Whether you’re zipping through the city on a private tuk-tuk tour, diving into Romania’s communist past, tasting local delicacies, or venturing out to the breathtaking Transfagarasan Mountain Road, we’ve got you covered. Let’s explore the top things to do in Bucharest!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did in Bucharest was this small-group Transylvania tour! We explored Dracula’s Castle, wandered through Peles Castle, and strolled the medieval streets of Brasov. With mountain views and a fun, knowledgeable guide, this spooky, story-filled journey completely exceeded our expectations.
- Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
- Things to do in Bucharest, Romania
- 1. Enjoy a private tuk-tuk sightseeing tour of the city
- 2. Explore Dracula’s Castle, Peles Castle, and the charming city of Brasov
- 3. Learn about Romania’s Communist history
- 4. Taste your way around Bucharest
- 5. See more of Bucharest’s sights on a bicycle tour
- 6. Spend a day exploring the scenic Transfagarasan Mountain Road
- 7. Learn about Bucharest’s spooky past on a ghost and myths tour
- 8. Taste Romanian wines with an expert
- Where to Stay in Bucharest, Romania
- Thanks for reading!
- Free ebook Stay safe in Europe & avoid scams!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Renting a Car in Europe
- AIRALO e-SIM Up To 15% Off With Code "DTRAVEL15"
- What’s an eSIM?
Things to do in Bucharest, Romania
1. Enjoy a private tuk-tuk sightseeing tour of the city
- Duration: 1–3 hours
- Time: Multiple time slots available between 8:30 am and 8 pm
- Highlights: Zipping around the city in a private tuk-tuk, live commentary on the city’s history, Palace of Parliament, Victory Avenue, Revolution Square, Triumph Arch, Herastrau Park, Bucharest Fountains, the Victoria Palace, CEC Palace
- Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, private tuk-tuk ride, private driver and guide, power banks and cables for your phone, blankets, snacks, bottled water
- Rating: 5 stars (check 330+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check prices here!
If you’re short on time in Bucharest, this private tuk-tuk tour is the perfect way to hit the ground running. We booked this for our first day in the city, and it turned out to be the ideal introduction to the place. It was fun, efficient, and packed with history.
There are a few different options available for this tour. We went for the Best of Bucharest 2-hour tour, but we also think that the Romantic option with refreshments and snacks sounds like a lot of fun!
Our guide, Valentin, picked us up right from our hotel, and from there, we covered key landmarks such as the Palace of Parliament, Victory Avenue, Triumph Arch, and Revolution Square. I was fascinated to hear the story of how Ceausescu’s speech sparked a revolution here in 1989, and how the military switched sides almost immediately in support of the protestors.
By the time the tour ended, we really felt as though we had our bearings in Bucharest. It definitely prepared us well for further exploration on our own. And judging by the hundreds of 5-star reviews, we’re not the only ones who loved it!
So, whether you’re just spending a weekend in Bucharest or want to start your trip with a bang, this tuk-tuk experience is a total must-do.
Book your private tuk-tuk tour here, with FREE cancellation!
2. Explore Dracula’s Castle, Peles Castle, and the charming city of Brasov
- Duration: 12 hours
- Time: 8 am (dates vary)
- Highlights: Visiting Peles Castle and Bran Castle (aka Dracula’s Castle), driving through south Transylvania, exploring the charming city of Brasov, free time for lunch in Brasov
- Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, transport, live commentary on board, walking tour of downtown Brasov, guided tour of Peles and Bran castles, English-speaking guide
- Rating: 4.6 stars (check 800+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you only have time for one big adventure from Bucharest, make it this small-group tour! It’s hands down my top pick for things to do here. Exploring Romania’s legendary castles was an unforgettable experience, and our guide made it even better with fascinating stories and insider knowledge.
We were picked up from our hotel and set off in a comfortable minibus, watching the cityscape fade into rolling Transylvanian hills. Our first stop of the day was Peles Castle, a breathtaking neo-Renaissance royal retreat. And if Peles Castle happens to be closed on the day of your tour, you’ll enjoy a guided visit to the Cantacuzino Palace instead.
But of course, the main event was visiting Bran Castle, which is said to be the inspiration for Dracula’s castle in Bram Stoker’s famous novel. The castle’s narrow corridors and secret staircases had an eerie charm that was impossible to resist, so we can totally imagine it being home to a powerful vampire!
After that, we headed to Brasov, a charming medieval town where we had free time to wander the cobbled streets and grab ourselves some lunch. The Black Church and Old Town Square were stunning, and it was the perfect way to end the day.
This is a long day trip, but it’s absolutely worth it. If you want to see Romania’s most famous castles and a beautiful Transylvanian town in just one day, this is the way to do it. Just make sure you wear some comfy shoes!
Check availability and book our FAVORITE Bucharest tour here!
3. Learn about Romania’s Communist history
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 12 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 5 pm,
- Highlights: Learning about the Cold War in Romania, visiting major landmarks, including the Palace of Parliament and Revolution Square, discovering what life was like under communist rule for 40 years, insider tips, learning about the fall of communism, sampling traditional biscuits
- Inclusions: Guide, 3-hour walking tour, snacks
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 550+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Romania’s communist history is SUPER interesting, but it’s not widely taught everywhere, so it’s definitely worth booking this walking tour to dive deep into the country’s past. I had read a little about Romania’s past before visiting, but our guide, Octavian, brought history to life for us in a way that no book ever could.
We started at Revolution Square, where the 1989 uprising unfolded. Standing there while our guide described the final days of Nicolae Ceaușescu’s rule was surreal. It’s hard to imagine how different life in Bucharest was just a few decades ago!
From there, we moved through the Old Town, where former party elites dined, and onto the Patriarchal Palace, which once housed Romania’s Communist legislature.
One of my favorite parts was learning about the Mihai Vodă Monastery, one of several churches that was physically moved to avoid demolition under Ceaușescu’s rule. And, of course, we stopped outside the Palace of Parliament. This is actually the second-largest building in the world by area, after the Pentagon!
But what made the tour truly special was Octavian’s personal anecdotes. We even took a break at a local café, where we chatted about how Romania has changed since 1989 and tried traditional biscuits that became popular during the communist regime.
If you love history (or just want to understand Romania beyond its Dracula myths), this tour is a must-do. It gave me a whole new appreciation for Bucharest! Plus, I felt like it was great value for money.
Check prices and book this top-rated history tour here!
4. Taste your way around Bucharest
- Duration: 5.5 hours
- Time: 10 am or 10:30 am
- Highlights: Exploring Bucharest’s most charming neighborhoods, getting off the beaten tourist track, exploring lively markets, specialty shops, and cafes, trying lots of artisan Romanian foods and beverages, tram ride through the city
- Inclusions: All food samples amounting to a full lunch, drinks, tram tickets, English-speaking local guide
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 570+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you want to get off the beaten track and experience the real Bucharest, this local food tour is a must! During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Bucharest was known as “Little Paris of the East”, and now we know why! We were able to get away from the busy and explore its Belle Époque neighborhoods, where we had a great time trying authentic Romanian food.
The food was absolutely amazing! We sampled traditional cheeses, cured meats, Romanian pretzels, and of course, mici—Romania’s famous grilled sausage that’s juicy, smoky, and loaded with flavor.
One of my favorite moments was trying freshly made Wallachian doughnuts at Obor Market. These are a regional specialty you won’t easily find outside of this area—soft, warm, and just sweet enough to make you want seconds.
Beyond the incredible food, this tour felt like a deep dive into Bucharest’s soul. We hopped on a tram with locals, walked through a historic Armenian neighborhood with stunning architecture, and even saw a church that had been moved on rails to save it from demolition.
If you’re looking to see the real Bucharest, then this is just the tour for you, and you don’t just have to take my word for it because you can read hundreds of 5-star reviews here.
Don’t miss out on this authentic food tour – grab your spot here!
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5. See more of Bucharest’s sights on a bicycle tour
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 10 am
- Highlights: Cycling around the city, discovering attractions including the Gabroveni Inn, the first Romanian Parliament, the Palace of Parliament, the Antim Monastery, Revolutionary Square, Stavropoleos Monastery, the National Library, and the Romanian Athenaeum
- Inclusions: Professional local guide, use of bicycle and helmet
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 270+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you want to see Bucharest from a whole new perspective, this bike tour is the way to do it! Over four hours, we covered way more ground than we could have on foot, and took a deep dive into the city’s history.
Our guide, Alex, was fantastic and showed us major attractions as well as lesser-known local gems and historic spots. We started our tour in the bustling Old Town, where we weaved through the old-timey streets before heading to Piata Unirii to learn about Bucharest’s communist past. And of course, we got to see the jaw-dropping Palace of Parliament!
But what made this tour special was discovering hidden gems that we wouldn’t have found on our own. We cycled through the peaceful Cişmigiu Park, stopped at Manuc’s Inn to hear about its Ottoman influence, and even rode through a Gypsy neighborhood, where Alex explained more about Romania’s diverse communities.
Despite the packed itinerary, the pace was relaxed and enjoyable. There was no rushing, just smooth cycling through Bucharest’s mix of history, architecture, and culture. It felt like a perfect balance between sightseeing and soaking in the atmosphere.
I’d highly recommend doing this tour early in your trip. It gave me a brilliant overview of the city and plenty of ideas for places to return to. Plus, it was just so much fun cruising through Bucharest on a bike!
Book this cycling tour of Bucharest here and enjoy FREE 24-hour cancellation!
Related Read: To make the most of your time in Bucharest, check out our detailed 3-day itinerary that covers everything from the top places to go to the best places to eat!
6. Spend a day exploring the scenic Transfagarasan Mountain Road
- Duration: 12 hours
- Time: 7:40 am and 7:45 am
- Highlights: Learning about Vlad the Impaler at Poenari Citadel, stopping at panoramic viewpoints along the Transfagarasan Mountain Road, visiting Vidraru Dam and Vidraru Lake, driving through Făgăraș Mountains National Park
- Inclusions: Air-conditioned transport, English-speaking guide, small group tour
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 340+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check prices here!
This small-group tour was, without a doubt, one of the most breathtaking experiences I had in Romania! The Transfagarasan Highway was built as a strategic road under Ceaușescu’s regime, but it has since become famous for its epic beauty. You can’t pass up the chance to see it, but the road is also famously difficult to drive, so you’re much better off booking this tour and leaving the driving to a professional.
We started the day with a visit to the Curtea de Argeș Monastery, a place steeped in legend. Then, we made our way to Poenari Citadel, the ruins of an ancient castle that’s perched high on a rugged cliff. It was one of Vlad the Impaler’s homes, and we loved hearing the spooky stories behind it!
Next, we stopped at the Vidraru Dam, an impressive engineering marvel with spectacular views over the lake. But of course, the highlight of the day was enjoying the epic views as we traveled along the legendary Transfagarasan Road.
Every turn revealed a new picture-perfect scene, and we appreciated having time to get out and stretch our legs at the beautiful Balea Lake. The crisp mountain air and sweeping alpine views were so refreshing!
This experience was incredibly immersive and far more than your typical sightseeing trip. The stunning landscapes, rich history, and fresh mountain air made the long day fly by. If you’re in Bucharest, don’t miss this tour—it’s one of the best ways to soak in Romania’s natural beauty!
Check hundreds of glowing reviews and book this scenic mountain tour here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
7. Learn about Bucharest’s spooky past on a ghost and myths tour
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Time: 7 pm or 8 pm
- Highlights: Hearing stories about vampires, ghosts, witch trials, and mysteries, small-group tour with a costumed guide, visiting the National Theatre, the Central School, Ion Voicu Park, the Icon Garden, and the Anglican Church of the Resurrection
- Inclusions: English-speaking actor guide
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 230+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
We love a good ghost tour, and as cities go, they don’t get much spookier than Bucharest! But you don’t find the best scary stories in the guidebooks, so we booked this haunted walking tour instead—and it turned out to be one of the most atmospheric nights of our entire trip.
We met our guide in the evening, and right away, her storytelling skills pulled us into a world of ghostly legends and eerie tales. We began near the National Theatre, where she set the mood with chilling stories of cursed actors and unexplained events.
The tension kept building as we reached The Central School, a stunning old building with a chilling past. Hearing about ghostly apparitions and restless spirits definitely had me glancing over my shoulder as we explored!
Then, we went to Parcul Ion Voicu, where Ali regaled us with terrifying tales of strigoi, Romania’s undead spirits. And things only got spookier at Grădina Icoanei, once home to a pond where witches supposedly performed dark rituals.
The highlight for me was stopping in front of the Anglican Church of the Resurrection, where we learned about real exorcisms performed in Bucharest. The stories were so vivid, I got actual goosebumps!
The time absolutely flew by on this tour. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, there’s no denying that Bucharest at night has an irresistible Gothic charm. If you love history, ghost stories, or true crime, this tour is an absolute must!
Book this thrilling ghost tour here before it sells out!
8. Taste Romanian wines with an expert
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: 3:30 pm, 5 pm, or 7:30 pm
- Highlights: Tasting Romanian wine in an authentic Old Bucharest wine bar, enjoying cheese and charcuterie, learning about Romania’s 6,000-year wine production history, hearing legends from Romanian vineyards
- Inclusions: Guided tasting session, five Romanian wines, English-speaking sommelier, discount on takeaway bottles, cheese, and cured meats
- Rating: 4.7 stars (check 150+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Romania has a long history of winemaking, and we were keen to learn more about it while we were in Bucharest. But it’s a big city with a ton of bars, so we didn’t really know where to start, and as wine lovers, we wanted to make sure we got the best of the best. So we booked this guided wine tasting experience and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip!
As soon as we arrived at the charming wine bar in the Old Town, we knew that we were in for a treat. It was warm and inviting and we got a warm welcome from our host, Dario.
He was super enthusiastic as he guided us through five carefully chosen Romanian wines, which came from vineyards all over the country. It was like a mini wine tour of Romania, all from one cozy spot!
Beyond the wines themselves, Dario shared some fun legends about Romania’s winemaking traditions and taught us all about what makes each wine region unique. After the guided tasting wrapped up, we were able to stay in the bar and explore the extensive wine menu ourselves.
Naturally, we couldn’t resist staying a while and ordering another glass (or two)!
We love getting to know a place through its wine, and this tasting definitely taught us a lot about Romania. We had a wonderful time, and judging from the excellent reviews, lots of other people did too!
Don’t miss out—check availability and book this wine tour here!
Where to Stay in Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest is packed with personality, and choosing the right place to stay can really shape your experience. From high-end hotels with historic charm to modern business hubs and affordable hostels in the city center, Bucharest caters to every type of traveler.
To make planning easier (and way more fun), we’ve rounded up the top places to stay, so you can skip the endless scrolling and dive straight into soaking up the energy, history, and charm of Romania’s vibrant capital.
Luxury – $$$
The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection is a five-star luxury hotel set in a beautifully restored former bank in Bucharest’s Old Town. With elegant rooms, a stunning historic lobby, and top-tier amenities like an indoor pool, sauna, spa, and fitness center, it’s a refined escape in the city center. Guests rave about the location, breakfast, and stylish design!
Room rates typically range from €161–€500 per night. Check availability and book your stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Bucharest Convention Center is a top pick for a mid-range stay in Bucharest’s business district. It offers modern, soundproof rooms, a delicious complimentary breakfast, and access to a full-service wellness club with indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, and a large fitness center. Guests also enjoy on-site dining at two restaurants and easy access to nearby public transport and shopping centers.
Nightly rates average around €120–€250. Check availability and prices for your travel dates on Booking.com.
Budget – $
Hostel Sport Bucharest is a top-rated budget stay in the heart of Bucharest, offering clean, well-equipped dorms, a cozy garden terrace, and unbeatable proximity to the metro and Old Town. With air-conditioned rooms, a shared kitchen, and ultra-friendly staff, it’s a favorite among solo travelers and backpackers alike. You’ll find thoughtful touches like security lockers, coffee machines, and even a flat-screen TV in shared spaces.
Beds start at just €24 per night. Check availability and book your stay on Booking.com.
For more options, see all of Bucharest’s hotels listed here!
Related Read: Want more detail? Our full guide to where to stay in Bucharest breaks down the best neighborhoods and hotels based on our experience.
Renting a Car in Europe
Exploring Europe by car is a fantastic way to uncover hidden gems—think charming villages, scenic countryside, and off-the-beaten-path spots that trains and buses might miss. Driving here is generally straightforward, but it’s good to be prepared for some regional quirks.
We always use Discover Cars to book our rentals and can’t recommend them enough. It’s super easy to compare prices, check company ratings, find automatic cars (which can be tricky in Europe!), and add affordable full coverage insurance. If you want a full breakdown, check out our Discover Cars review here.
Tips for Renting a Car in Europe
What You Need to Rent a Car in Europe
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Thanks for reading!
That’s our ultimate guide to the best things to do in Bucharest! With its eclectic mix of grand history, gritty charm, and buzzing modern culture, Romania’s capital offers experiences for every kind of traveler. From spooky legends and communist secrets to castle day trips and street food gems, this city truly surprised us in the best way.
Planning more adventures around Romania? Be sure to check out our other Europe blogs for insider tips and hidden gems. Or scroll down to explore a few of our most popular picks to help plan your next unforgettable trip!
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