Places to visit in Bucharest
Art & History
National Museum of Art of Romania (Center City)
Housed in the former Royal Palace, the National Museum of Art of Romania (Muzeul National de Arta al României) is the country’s leading art museum and houses the world’s most complete collection of Romanian art, including medieval and modern art.
Established in 1948, the museum is also where the Royal Collection, including Romanian and European art dating back to the 15th century, can be admired. More than 100,000 works are in the various halls, including paintings by the country’s most celebrated artists, Theodor Aman, Nicolae Grigorescu, and Gheorghe Tattarescu.
The modern Romanian collection features sculptures by Milita Petrascu and Dimitrie Paciurea.
One room is dedicated to Constantin Brancusi, one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century.
Address: Calea Victoriei 49-53
Romanian Athenaeum (Center City, across the national art museum)
Home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, the stately Romanian Athenaeum (Ateneul Român) is the city’s most prestigious concert hall. The 19th-century building, designed by French architect Albert Galleron, resembles an ancient Greek temple with a 41-meter-high dome and a peristyle of six Ionic columns.
The interiors feature a lobby of intricately painted gold-leaf ceilings, cascading balconies, and spiral marbled staircases. The 652-seat auditorium is known for its excellent acoustics and its fine art. A 70-meter-long and three-meter-high fresco that winds its way around the circular hall proudly depicts scenes from Romania’s history.
Address: Strada Benjamin Franklin 1-3
The National Museum of Romanian History (Center City)
The National Museum of Romanian History (Muzeul National de Istorie a României), located in the center of the city, displays the country’s most fascinating historical exhibits dating from prehistoric to modern times. Should you not have the time to visit its over 60 rooms, you can admire the biggest permanent exhibit in the museum: is a huge replica of the 2nd-century Trajan’s Column (the orginal is located in Rome, Italy), built in honor of the conquering Roman emperor Trajan, who defeated Romania’s ancient Dacian tribes. Thousands of gold items and Neolithic artifacts, including jewelry dating to the time of the Geto-Dacians, can be found in the Romanian Treasury. On permanent display are also the Romanian Crown Jewels, including stunning emerald pieces made for Queen Marie, who was the wife of Romanian King Ferdinand.
Address: Calea Victoriei 12
Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum (OPEN AIR)
Founded in 1936, the “Village Museum” (Muzeul Satului) – is a unique open-air museum where visitors can wander through 300 traditional buildings, including peasant homes with steep roofs, thatched barns, heavy log cabins, various types of churches, workshops, and mills – all of which have been transported from towns across every region of Romania.
Each building was carefully taken apart, shipped to the museum, and rebuilt to be part of the walkable village-like setting in the park. The Village Museum also displays artifacts and pottery, as well as other traditional items hailing from around the country. You can buy some lovely souvenirs from the museum shop, after taking a tour.
Address: Sos. Kiseleff 28-30, Herastrau Park
Wine & Dine
With a history of more than 130 years, Caru’ cu bere was and still is a symbol of Buchares’ts old town, being the favourite meeting spot both for the locals as for foreign tourists, among them being some famous names like The Rolling Stones, Naruhito, the Prince of Japan or Edward Kennedy, all of them being our guests in the past. The heart and soul of Bucharest, for a memorable experience! The traditional dishes and drinks will keep you coming back every time!
Address: Strada Stavropoleos 5
Lacrimi si Sfinti (Tears and Saints Restaurant)
Lacrimi și Sfinți is an unusual Romanian restaurant with a modern/contemporary kitchen. Recipes as old as 100 years are reinterpreted and rearranged, lost flavours, invented flavours, all in one place. Every product in the menu is prepared with local, organic ingredients only: the fish is fresh, the birds are free range raised, the pigs and calfs come from individual small farms.
Address: Sepcari Street, 16
Paine si Vin (Bread and Wine Restaurant)
The best choice for a delicious wine pairing with tasty chees, and different types of bread.
Address: 4, Ion Brezoianu Street