Visiting a new city involves various expenses, some more predictable than others. If you have a predetermined budget that you want to stick to but you want to explore as much as possible of what Bucharest has to offer we are here to let you know that this is achievable. The following attractions are free to visit and will give you with a good overview of the country’s capital.
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City Tour
If you want to walk through the historic center of the capital and get, at the same time, well-researched information, you can do so for free. Every day, from 10.30 or 18.00, guided tours are organized to cover some of the most important historical objectives. The tour is held in English and the departure is from Union Square (Piata Unirii) from the clock in front of the fountain. For two hours you will be wandering through the Old Centre whilst learning interesting things about the capital of Romania.
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Theodor Pallady Museum (free entrance on the first Wednesday of every month)
The building where the museum operates is the only trading house in Bucharest that is open to the general public. It dates from the 18th century and many of the traditional elements specific to that period have been preserved. The museum brings together a complex collection of art: European paintings from the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries, sculptures, decorative art, furniture, and ceramic objects. If you can’t make it on the day with free entry, don’t worry. The price of the visit is a symbolic one: 10 lei.
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Stavropoleos Church
The Orthodox Church is an oasis of peace, where you can easily find a quiet moment for recollection and spiritual enrichment. The building is made in post-Brancoveanu style and is especially beautiful. The inner courtyard is the place where you can clear your mind, and soul and recharge your batteries. The church is located in the centre of the capital, on Stavropoleos Street, at no. 4.
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Herăstrău Park
King Mihai I of Romania Park or Herăstrău Park, as it is most commonly known, is the largest in Bucharest and is the ideal space for walking, sports and leisure. You can take a boat ride on Herăstrău Lake, take one of the routes in the adventure park or read a book on the bench peacefully. There are also green areas with an extremely varied flora. There are many terraces inside the park and, around it, you can visit various tourist attractions such as: The Village Museum and The Elizabeth Palace.
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Cișmigiu Park
It is a beautiful park, with a fascinating history that begins in 1780. At the beginning of its existence, the space was preferred and abundantly visited by “rich” people. At that time there was even a regulation that controlled who had access to the promenades in Cismigiu and who did not. It is the oldest park in Bucharest and hosts many attractions. Some of them are: Rotonda Scriitorilor, Rondul Roman, the rose garden, Eminescu’s spring. You can opt for a boat ride in summer, or you can choose the ice rink in winter.
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Sky Tower
An office building on Barbu Văcărescu Street that has 37 floors and 137 m height. Sky Tower is the tallest building in Bucharest and in the country. Visitor access is allowed from the 34th floor. This place will grant you a unique experience, rendered by the panoramic view over the capital. You can admire the city from several angles, given the tower shape of the building.
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Vlad Țepeș Castle
It opens its gates only twice a year – on Army Day (October 25) and on Heroes’ Day (May 28). This is a lesser-known attraction but its value is indisputable. The Medieval architecture and the imposing tower make this building fascinating.
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Bulevardul Unirii (Union Boulevard)
In terms of “length”, Bulevardul Unirii surpasses the famous Champs Elysee. The Romanian boulevard is 1.6 km longer than the French one. The spectacle of colourful fountains is a delight, especially in the evening.
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Cărturești-Carusel
It is a special bookstore that impresses both with its rich collection of books and with its design. The space, easily comparable to a museum, combines new and old concepts in a special way. The play of light and shadows is another notable detail. On the top level, there is a bistro with a wonderful view over the Old Centre. All of this makes the bookstore on 55 Lipscani Street the perfect setting for reading, socializing and admiring the beauty of the place.
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The Virgin Island in IOR Park
This is one of the islets surrounding the lake found in the Alexandru Ioan Cuza Park. The island has a unique character due to the fact that it has developed its own ecosystem. This is where many ducks, swans, turtles and various insects nest.
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Mihai Vodă Church
The church is located on Sapienței Street and acts as the silent witness of many historical events. It was built in 1594 following the Byzantine model. The paintings inside are neo-Byzantine, made with great care. This is one of the oldest monuments in the capital.
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Horizon Art Galleries
It is one of the largest galleries in Bucharest and is located right in the city centre. This is the perfect place to escape into the boundless art universe. Here you will be able to admire paintings and sculptures of some of the most famous artists members of the Union of Visual Artists in Romania.
