Bucharest in 2 days
The Old Town and the Athenaeum on day one, the Palace of the Parliament and the parks on day two — two different sides of Bucharest that rarely fit into the same walk without rushing.
- How long
- 2 days
- Getting around
- On foot in the centre
- Book ahead
- The Palace of the Parliament tour
This plan follows the side of town, not a list of sights: day one is the Old Town, around Lipscani and the Athenaeum, day two is the Palace of the Parliament and the parks to the north — two ends of the city that do not sit near each other. The Old Princely Court and MNAC on this plan are shut on Mondays, so the day should be picked around that.
The Old Town: from the Old Princely Court to the Athenaeum
The Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche), which Vlad III rebuilt and extended in 1459 on the foundations of a 14th-century residence. Entry €1.90, Tue-Sun 10-18, a visit 30-45 min.
A fifteen-minute walk to Stavropoleos Monastery, built in 1724 in the Brâncovenesc style. Free to enter, open 8–19.
Lunch in Lipscani: three mici with mustard at Caru cu Bere for €9.90 (3 pcs), or sarmale for €6.65–7.40.
The Athenaeum: a look inside follows the Philharmonic's monthly schedule, outside rehearsals and concerts — currently Mon–Thu 9–10 (before rehearsals); the rest of the week the doors open for concertgoers only. Entry €2.85.
Cișmigiu Gardens, the oldest park in the city, opened in 1847, right by the Athenaeum — the paths are free, a boat free (boat €2.85/h).
Dinner in the centre, €9.90 (3 mici), or quicker on the street for €5.30–5.70 (shaorma).
The Palace of the Parliament and the parks to the north
The Palace of the Parliament opens day two — the tour is booked ahead by phone and takes 1 h (tour). Entry €11.40, Mar–Oct 9–17, Nov–Feb 10–16.
In the same building, the MNAC wing: €6.10, Wed-Sun 11-18:30, closed Monday, Tuesday.
Lunch on the way north, a set menu for €5.70–7.40.
King Michael I Park (Herăstrău), a 3.5 km lake to walk around — free to enter.
The Village Museum, in the same park — the day's last stop, a 1–3 h visit, entry €7.60; check ahead that the date isn't Monday, Tuesday.
Longer than three days
The same train that runs to Sinaia continues on to Brașov for about another hour — a logical next city for anyone not rushing back to Bucharest. Further into Transylvania are Sibiu, Cluj and Timișoara, each with its own guide.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
Where does a third day in Bucharest go?
It isn't part of this two-day plan — it continues on the day-trips page, where a train into the mountains or a bus to the baroque palace each want a day of their own.
Why do the Palace of the Parliament and MNAC share a day?
They share the same building — MNAC sits in one wing of the Palace. The difference is opening hours: MNAC is shut Mondays and Tuesdays, the Palace opens every day.
Do you need to book ahead for the Palace of the Parliament?
Yes, the tour is booked by phone in advance; there is no walk-in entry.
Ready for Bucharest?
Where to next
Day trips from Bucharest
→Sinaia and Peleș Castle want a full day by train into the mountains; Mogoșoaia and Snagov sit closer, by bus…
Brașov · 141 km
→A city Saxon guilds once defended with seven bastions, and inside those walls a street too narrow for a pair of shoulders — cut in the 15th century as a shortcut for firefighters.
How well does Bucharest suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
Front row for the next trip
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