I would definitely recommend JayWay to anyone thinking of visiting Romania and Bulgaria! A great itinerary and everyone we met through the company were the best!!
- Ed, Paul & Jonathan - New York
Custom tour packagesBucharest
Discover a city of contrasts as you admire the gorgeous 19th century architecture of Victory Boulevard or the Old Town, then see the cold, massive structures of the Centrul Civic ("Civic Center") built under the final days of communism. The area's "crown jewel," the Palace of Parliament, is among the world's largest buildings (and certainly the heaviest), a fitting symbol of the megalomania of Ceausescu, the country's last dictator. Then go window-shopping in antique and art galleries. Relax in a summer garden or have dinner at an elegant rooftop restaurant.
The "City of Joy" is joyfully surprising.
Known as "The Little Paris" back in the 19th century, the city has grown, and bears the scars of communism, but the bohemian lifestyle the city was known for in its heyday is returning, from charming cafes to the George Enescu Festival, one of the continent's largest classical music festivals and competitions. Further afield, you can visit the palaces and castles left behind by the country's 19th century royalty.
Popular itineraries featuring Bucharest
Spend some time in Bucharest on a tour that takes in other cities in Romania and neighboring countries. Our custom tour packages including Bucharest and other destinations throughout Romania and Europe make multi-city trips hassle-free. We take care of getting you from place to place, accommodation, excursions and activities.
Things to do in Bucharest
One can't miss activity if you're visiting the city for the first time is the ridiculously grandiose Palace of Parliament, also known as the People's Palace. Conceived by Nicolae Ceaușescu as a demonstration of the power and capability of the Romanian nation, it was only 60% complete by the time of his execution and is still slowly being completed now. As well as learning about the history of the city of Bucharest and seeing all its major sights, you'll also get to see inside the Palace of Parliament on our Bucharest City Tour. When we send you your customized itinerary you will be able to choose additional excursions to include in your vacation package or consider adding later.
Ashes of Communism Bucharest Private Walking TourWhere to stay in Bucharest
We can confidently say our Bucharest hotel selection handily caters to every budget and taste, from efficient design hotels, cozy boutique properties and high end luxury, as well as an airport hotel with excellent amenities, ideal for an early morning departure without having to worry about traffic. Once we start preparing your customized itinerary we will present our recommended options for you to select from.
Modern Boutique Hotel
A recently renovated historical building now houses a modern hotel with spacious rooms at a good price.
Stylish Luxury Hotel
This upscale hotel offers a French vibe in a quiet location. Experience a taste of luxury, close to the city's main parks.
Luxury Boutique Hotel
Located in the Old Town of Bucharest, this is a vibrant place where old and new blend in harmoniously and vintage decorationsthat keep the history of Bucharest alive.
From our team
What we love about Bucharest
I’ve been living in Bucharest for 13 years now and even though it’s not as glamorous as it used to be back in the 19th century when it was nicknamed the “Little Paris”, I do love its imperfections. I love that I can walk on Victory Avenue or in Old Town and admire gorgeous neo-classic palaces and then enter the former communist civic center and see something completely different. There are cold yet impressive soviet giants like the Palace of Parliament, the world’s 2nd largest building. Basically, it’s a city mixing 3 major types of architecture: neo-classic, soviet era and modern era glass buildings. I love the small hidden alleys & summer gardens where you can still feel the charm of the Belle Époque and some of that old bohemian feel. The nightlife is buzzing and you never get bored as it offers everything from underground clubs to rooftop & outdoor parties or to classic music like the annual George Enescu international festival. Last but not least, I truly appreciate being just 2 hours away from either the golden sand beaches of the Black Sea in the east or the snowy Carpathians Mountains and Transylvania to the north.
Olivia
Trip Planner Team Leader
Where can you go from Bucharest?
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Glowing Reviews From Our Guests
From the beginning, my JayWay travel advisor was thorough and thoughtful in walking me through options and ideas that I may not have considered. They helped me find the best use of my (short amount) of time while doing the activities we truly wanted to include. JayWay will provide you with a personalized, memorable travel experience helping you realize your dreams.
- Barbara & Peri - Wisconsin
The JayWay staff put together a personalized itinerary with excellent guides that was prefect for our family. I felt like we really go to experience Romania knowing we had support if anything came up.
- Andrea, Sharka & Linden - British Columbia
Videos About Bucharest
Frequently Asked Questionsabout Travel to Bucharest
How long should I stay in Bucharest?
We recommend spending two full days in Bucharest. This will give you enough time to visit the Old Town and the beautiful 19th century palaces on Victoriei Bulevard on your first day. Then, you can visit the Palace of Parliament (one of the world's largest buildings) or other great museums, such as the outdoor National Village Museum or the National Art Museum which is located in the former Royal Palace.
When is the best time to visit Bucharest?
Spring, early summer, and fall are ideal. July and August are quite hot, but there are many summer gardens where you can relax and hide from the sun. Here is a link for inspiration: https://jaywaytravel.com/blog/the-coolest-summer-gardens-in-bucharest/
How can I get around Bucharest?
Bucharest's public transportation network is as sprawling as the city itself, and includes buses (autobuz), trams (tramvai), trolley busses (troilebuz) and a subway (Metrou). Most of the attractions are located in the city center, within walking distance of the accommodations we provide. Taxis and rideshares are good, affordable options. We recommend using Uber, Bolt, or Yango.
Can I get by in Bucharest as a vegetarian?
While traditional Romanian food is meat-heavy, Bucharest's center has plenty of vegetarian-friendly restaurants, some of which focus on classic dishes such as vegetable soups, eggplant salad, mashed beans, and vegetable dips.
How can I visit the Palace of the Parliament?
The parliament offers group tours, lasting about an hour. You can buy a ticket from its ticket office, but need to present a passport to get inside. We recommend making a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. We can also add the group tour to a city walking tour. You can find details here: https://jaywaytravel.com/blog/bucharest-palace-of-parliament/.