Romania · 3 days · 17 stops
3 days in Bucharest – a ready-made itinerary
Bucharest shows many layers side by side: small Orthodox churches, Belle Époque buildings on Calea Victoriei and the vast Palace of the Parliament from the Ceaușescu era. The plan starts in the south around the Old Town, then follows the old grand avenue and ends in the green north.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 17 stops
- Highlights
- Palace of the Parliament, Cișmigiu Gardens, Primăverii Palace, Patriarchal Cathedral, Stavropoleos Church
- Where to stay
- Old Town (Centrul Vechi), Around Calea Victoriei
- Getting around
- Walk the Old Town and Calea Victoriei.
- Best time to go
- April to June and September to October are pleasant, and the parks are at their best.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Top things to do in Bucharest
14 places you should not miss in Bucharest – each one is in the plan below with a time and the way there.
- Palace of the ParliamentOne of the largest administrative buildings in the world, built under Ceaușescu. Inside by guided tour only – bring your passport or ID card.Day 1
Patriarchal CathedralThe seat of the Romanian Orthodox Church on a small hill, a calm place after the palace.Day 1
Stavropoleos ChurchA small monastery church from 1724 with a finely carved stone front and a quiet courtyard.Day 1
Old Princely CourtRuins of the princely court of Wallachia. A charter issued here by Vlad III in 1459 is the first to mention the name Bucharest.Day 1
Cărturești CaruselA bookshop in a restored Old Town building, with white, curving galleries over several floors.Day 1
Cișmigiu GardensThe oldest park in the centre, with a lake and old trees. In the morning it belongs to the walkers.Day 2
National Museum of ArtIn the former Royal Palace: Romanian art with many icons, plus a gallery of European painting.Day 2
Revolution SquareIn December 1989 Ceaușescu gave his last speech here from the balcony of the former Central Committee building. A memorial remembers the victims.Day 2- Romanian AthenaeumThe 1888 concert hall with its columned portico and dome is the city's landmark. In the evening the George Enescu Philharmonic plays here.Day 2
- Museum of the Romanian PeasantFolk costumes, icons painted on glass and rural pottery, lovingly displayed. Behind the building stands an old wooden church.Day 2
- Primăverii PalaceThe Ceaușescu family's former residence, with mosaics, a cinema and an indoor pool. Visits by guided tour only – book ahead.Day 3
- King Michael I ParkThe large park around a lake, formerly called Herăstrău. A lakeside path leads to the Village Museum.Day 3
- Village MuseumAn open-air museum by the lake with farmhouses, wooden churches and mills from every part of Romania.Day 3
- Arch of TriumphThe arch, modelled on the one in Paris, stands in the middle of a roundabout on Kiseleff Boulevard.Day 3
Day 1
Palace of the Parliament and the Old Town
Palace of the Parliament
One of the largest administrative buildings in the world, built under Ceaușescu. Inside by guided tour only – bring your passport or ID card.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Palace of the Parliamentabout 15 min on foot
Patriarchal Cathedral
The seat of the Romanian Orthodox Church on a small hill, a calm place after the palace.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Patriarchal Cathedralabout 15 min on foot
Old Town around Lipscani
The Old Town lanes are full of places to eat. Try mici, grilled minced-meat rolls, or ciorbă, a sour soup.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Old Town around Lipscaniabout 5 min on foot
Stavropoleos Church
A small monastery church from 1724 with a finely carved stone front and a quiet courtyard.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Stavropoleos Churchabout 5 min on foot
Old Princely Court
Ruins of the princely court of Wallachia. A charter issued here by Vlad III in 1459 is the first to mention the name Bucharest.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Old Princely Courtabout 5 min on foot
Cărturești Carusel
A bookshop in a restored Old Town building, with white, curving galleries over several floors.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Cărturești Carusel
Day 2
Along Calea Victoriei
Cișmigiu Gardens
The oldest park in the centre, with a lake and old trees. In the morning it belongs to the walkers.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Cișmigiu Gardensabout 10 min on foot
National Museum of Art
In the former Royal Palace: Romanian art with many icons, plus a gallery of European painting.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): National Museum of Artright next door
Revolution Square
In December 1989 Ceaușescu gave his last speech here from the balcony of the former Central Committee building. A memorial remembers the victims.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Revolution Squareright next door
Romanian Athenaeum
The 1888 concert hall with its columned portico and dome is the city's landmark. In the evening the George Enescu Philharmonic plays here.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Romanian Athenaeumabout 5 min on foot
Piața Amzei
A small central market with fruit and vegetable stalls and places for lunch all around.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Piața AmzeiOn foot along Calea Victoriei to Piața Victoriei, about 25 min.
Museum of the Romanian Peasant
Folk costumes, icons painted on glass and rural pottery, lovingly displayed. Behind the building stands an old wooden church.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Museum of the Romanian Peasant
Day 3
The green north and Obor market
Primăverii Palace
The Ceaușescu family's former residence, with mosaics, a cinema and an indoor pool. Visits by guided tour only – book ahead.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Primăverii Palaceabout 15 min on foot
King Michael I Park
The large park around a lake, formerly called Herăstrău. A lakeside path leads to the Village Museum.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): King Michael I Parkabout 5 min on foot
Village Museum
An open-air museum by the lake with farmhouses, wooden churches and mills from every part of Romania.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Village Museumabout 10 min on foot
Arch of Triumph
The arch, modelled on the one in Paris, stands in the middle of a roundabout on Kiseleff Boulevard.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Arch of TriumphWalk to Aviatorilor metro, then via Piața Victoriei to Obor, about 40 min.
Obor Market
The city's big market, where Bucharest locals do their own shopping. Known for mici straight off the grill.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Obor Market
Good to know
Best time to go
April to June and September to October are pleasant, and the parks are at their best. Summer is often hot, winter cold and sometimes snowy.
Getting around
Walk the Old Town and Calea Victoriei. For longer distances there are metro, tram and bus lines, and the metro is the fastest. From Otopeni airport an express bus or a train takes you into the city. Taxis are best ordered via an app.
Where to stay
Old Town (Centrul Vechi)
Right among the churches, lanes and restaurants. Loud in the evening and at weekends – ideal for night owls.
Around Calea Victoriei
Between Revolution Square, the Athenaeum and Piața Romană – central and a little quieter than the Old Town.
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More on Bucharest in our blog: How many days in Bucharest? Plans for 1–5 days
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Bucharest: frequently asked questions
What are the must-see sights in Bucharest?
The must-see sights in Bucharest are Palace of the Parliament, Patriarchal Cathedral, Stavropoleos Church, Old Princely Court, Cărturești Carusel and Cișmigiu Gardens. This plan links 14 of them into short walks over 3 days – with times, a map and tips.
Do I need to book the Palace of the Parliament?
It is worth reserving the tour ahead, especially in high season. Bring a passport or ID card – you will not get in without one.
Are 3 days enough for Bucharest?
Yes, for the Old Town, Calea Victoriei and the north. With more time, a trip to Mogoșoaia Palace on the edge of the city or to Snagov Monastery on an island in the lake is worth it.
Is a concert at the Athenaeum worth it?
Yes, the round hall beneath the dome is known for its acoustics. You will find the programme and tickets on the Philharmonic's website.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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