Off the Beaten Tracks
For those who want to escape the beaten paths and enjoy a different perspective of Bucharest, we put together several suggestions. Seeing Basky’s art, enjoying old maps or having a cozy dinner on a roof bar, all these will show you the real Bucharest. Try to visit them and take your time to enjoy the experience. And if the time won’t allow you to cover everything, there will certainly be a second time.
Museums
The Art of Bansky
Arcul de Trumf hosts an unauthorised exhibition with more than 50 works associated with Bansky, the most important graffiti artist of all times.
https://expozitiatheartofbanksy.ro/bucuresti/
National Museum of Maps and Old Books
The patrimony of the museum consists of over 1000 works dating from the 16th to the 20th century. Among them you will find maps of the regions inhabited by Romanians and their ancestors, continents of the world, astronomical maps and city plans.
https://www.muzeulhartilor.ro/?lang=en
The Museum of Bucharest
The Bucharest Municipality Museum has oriented its research projects and narrative exhibits towards explaining the near future through the instruments of a journey situated both in the present and in the past, having as an example the fact that every one of us is s result of the projection of the future of our parents and, at the same time, we prepare our own projection of the future through our children.
http://muzeulbucurestiului.ro/en/acasa-en.html
The National Museum “George Enescu”
The National Museum “George Enescu” was opened in the Cantacuzino Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings in Bucharest, a historical monument and one of the European Heritage Label buildings.The sumptuous entrance, in Art Nouveau style, announces the luxury and the refinement of the époque, reunited in one of the most imposing palaces in Bucharest.
https://www.georgeenescu.ro/en/
Contemporary Art Museum (MARe)
Designed by YTAA (Youssef Tohme Architects and Associates), the first private museum in Bucharest exhibits more than 150 works covering the evolution of the Romanian art starting with the ‘60s.
National Museum of Geology
“Dimitrie Gusti” National Village Museum
The Village Museum is an open-air ethnographic museum located in the King Michael I Park, showcasing traditional Romanian village life. The museum extends to over 100,000 m², and contains 272 authentic peasant farms and houses from all over Romania.
Romanian Peasant Museum
The Romanian Peasant Museum is part of the European family of Museums of Popular Art and Traditions. It is a national museum, under the Ministry of Culture’s patronage. In possession of an especially rich collection of objects, hosted in a Neo-Romanian style historical monument-building, our Museum developed a highly original museography honoured in 1996 by receiving the EMYA – European Museum of the Year Award.
https://www.muzeultaranuluiroman.ro/museum.html
Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History
The Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum, located in Bucharest, Romania. It was originally established as the National Museum of Natural History on 3 November 1834. It was renamed in 1933 after Grigore Antipa, who administered the museum for 51 years.
Landmarks
House of Ceausescu
The “Ceauşescu Mansion” was for a quarter of a century (1965-1989) the private residence of the infamous dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu. The visitors will see how Ceauşescu lived, not only as an internationally known head of state, but as a man in his own private life – the hobbies that he had, what his routine around the privacy of his home was, how he studied or what art collections he had in his house.
https://casaceausescu.ro/?page_id=3403&lang=en
Romanian Athenaeum
The Romanian Athenaeum is a concert hall in the centre of Bucharest, Romania and a landmark of the Romanian capital city. Opened in 1888, the ornate, domed, circular building is the city’s main concert hall and home of the “George Enescu” Philharmonic and of the George Enescu annual international music festival. Recognised as a symbol of Romanian culture, the building has been inscribed in 2007 on the list of the Label of European Heritage sites.
Mogosoaia Palace
Mogoșoaia Palace is situated about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Bucharest, Romania. It was built between 1698-1702 by Constantin Brâncoveanu in what is called the Romanian Renaissance style or Brâncovenesc style. The palace bears the name of the widow of the Romanian boyar Mogoș, who owned the land it was built on.
http://www.palatulmogosoaia.ro
Vacaresti Nature Park
Văcărești Nature Park is a nature park in Bucharest, Romania, containing the wetlands surrounding Lake Văcărești. Having 190 hectares the area where the park stands was part of a large swampy area on the outskirts of Bucharest. To its west was the area known as the “valley of weeping” that was the rubbish dump of interbellum Bucharest. Much of the swampy area surrounding the park was drained by Socialist Romania, building a neighbourhood of apartment blocks, while the “valley of weeping” became Tineretului Park.
https://parcnaturalvacaresti.ro/en
Herastrau Park (King Michael I Park)
The park has an area of about 187 ha, of which 74 ha is the lake. Initially, the area was full of marshes, but these were drained between 1930 and 1935, and the park was opened in 1936. The park is divided into two zones: a rustic or natural zone (the Village Museum), which is left more or less undisturbed, and a public/’active’ domain with open areas for recreation activities. Small boats are allowed on the lake.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Michael_I_Park
Foisorul de Foc (The Fire Tower)
Foișorul de Foc (The Fire Tower) is a 42-metre high building in Bucharest, Romania, between Obor, Calea Moșilor and Nerva-Traian. It was used in the past as an observation tower by the firemen. Foișorul de Foc had a double role, as it was also designed to be a water tower, too. However, after the building was finished, the local water utility company had no pumps powerful enough to fill it with water.,Foișorul de Foc was used by the firefighters until 1935, when it became ineffective, as more and more high buildings were built in Bucharest, and introduction of the telephone reduced the need for a watchtower. In 1963, it was turned into a Firefighters’ Museum.
http://www.muzeulpompierilor.ro
Lacul Morii
The best place for watching a chill sunset in Bucharest, Lacul Morii (“Mill Lake”) is the largest lake in Bucharest, with an area of 246 ha. It is an accumulation lake, made in 1986 mainly to protect the city against floods. It is also a recreation area and it provides a constant flow on Dâmboviţa river in the capital.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacul_Morii
“Bucharest Eye” – Sky Wheel, Parcul Tei
60 m tall, “Bucharest Eye” offers a one-of-a-kind perspective of the North-East of the city and its surroundings.
http://parcaventuratei.ro/roata-mare/
Dinamo Stadium
Dinamo Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Bucharest, Romania. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Dinamo București, one of the most beloved teams in Bucharest.
Chill and relax
Simbio
Cozy atmosphere and delicious food! You just ask and they make it occur. Absolutely a hidden gem in Bucharest.
Gradina Eden
One of our favourite places during the hot summer days. Even though it’s located downtown this lovely garden makes you feel like you’re not in the city. It’s a great place to get away from the sun, as it has lots trees and even some hammocks to chill in. It has a variety of drinks from beers to coffee and freshes.
https://www.facebook.com/gradinaeden107/
J’ai Bistrot
A real hub of cultural activity, with live music and all sorts of events being held regularly.
https://www.facebook.com/JaiBistrotBucuresti/
Dianei 4
Specialty coffee, wine, craft beer, gin, rum, single malt, healthy food, local and BIO ingredients from breakfast or brunch to lunch and dinner.
http://www.dianei4.translucid.ro
Suento by Gram Bistro
Suento welcomes you with a modern and cosmopolitan cuisine, focusing on simple yet refined dishes and original combinations that best showcase the finest seasonal ingredients. All the ingredients are carefully selected and prepared in house as much as possible.
Roof bars
Linea / Closer to the Moon
At the top of Victoria department store, Linea/Closer to the Moon is Bucharest’s most popular rooftop bar, displaying an ingenious cosmic theme and offering panoramic city views.
https://www.facebook.com/LineaClosertothemoon/
NOR – Sky
NOR – Sky Casual Restaurant is for the smart casual people. NOR is everything that a random restaurant is not: the Highest, the Coolest Day & Night Storyteller.
18th Lounge
Named after its floor number, 18 invites you with a unique blend of cuisine, music, design and a stunning view of the city skyline.
Cozy dinner
Maize
One of the best places to eat in Bucharest. If you are in for a real treat than this is the place for your. Before heading there it is advisable to check the schedule and secure a table.
5ENSI by BeanZ Cafe
Contemporary cuisine downtown Bucharest. If you plan to go see some of the landmarks located North of Bucharest, make a pit-stop at 5ensi and try the deserts.
https://www.facebook.com/5ENSIbyBeanZCafe/
Pata Negra
A glimpse of Spain right in the middle of Bucharest. Make sure you check out their tapas and Sangria.
Clubs
Club Expirat
Expirat exists in the Romanian urban landscape since 2002. Functioning as a bar, club, indoor concerts and events venue and terrace, Expirat is the place that keeps you connected to the underground culture. Through the live acts and DJ sets it promotes, through its design, its crowds and its attitude. Expirat delivers alternative culture bundled with a positive vibe. The recipe: music, atmosphere, people.
Control Club
The most active live venue and electronic music events in Bucharest, it hosts several spaces for live bands, DJs & dancing, plus a leafy garden terrace.