Bucharest Sightseeing: Free and Low-Cost Sights
Bucharest Sightseeing: Free and Low-Cost Sights
Most of the best things to look at in Bucharest cost nothing, and the paid ones rarely top 85 lei. The capital’s sights range from a 15th-century prince’s court to the world’s heaviest building, so the budget stretches. Figures here are in lei (RON), at roughly 5.3 to the euro.
Free
Stavropoleos Church. On Strada Poștei, this 1724 chapel is a small masterpiece of Brâncovenesc style, with floral carving on its porch columns and 18th-century tombstones in the courtyard. Entry is free.
Calea Victoriei. The capital’s oldest grand avenue was paved with oak beams in 1692. It passes the glass-domed CEC Palace of 1900, the Cantacuzino Palace and the Athenaeum. In warmer months some weekends close part of it to cars.
Curtea Veche. The ruins of the princely court on Strada Franceză date from the era of Vlad III. A decree of 1459 gives the first written record of the city. Beside them stands the Annunciation Church of 1559. Check on site for access times.
Revolution Square. This open square on Calea Victoriei was the setting of the December 1989 uprising, and bullet damage is still visible on some buildings. A marble obelisk, the Memorial of Rebirth, stands here. Visit quietly.
Under 40 lei
The Athenaeum offers daytime visits outside concert hours for about 15 lei, and the philharmonic’s visiting page lists times. The Antipa museum charges 32 lei for adults, 16 for pensioners and 8 for pupils and students (antipa.ro ). The National Museum of Art charges about 32 lei for a combined ticket, with free entry on the first Wednesday of the month (mnar.arts.ro ). The Village Museum costs 40 lei for adults and half that on Monday and Tuesday (muzeul-satului.ro ).
The splurge
Casa Ceaușescu, the family’s villa on Bulevardul Primăverii, has 80 rooms and runs guided visits Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. A standard ticket is 85 lei, with a reduced rate of 70. See casaceausescu.ro .
The palace
The Palace of the Parliament, begun under Ceaușescu in 1984, is among the world’s heaviest buildings, and its guided tour is the one sight here that needs advance booking. Phone +40 733 558 102 or 103 on a weekday at least a day ahead, carry a passport or ID card in physical form, and arrive 30 minutes early. Details are with the Chamber of Deputies . To have an agency arrange it, compare palace tours .
Keeping the day cheap
A metro ride is 7 lei, and the 24-hour pass is 18 lei, so a day with three or more rides saves money. Buses and trams are about 3 lei for 90 minutes. Beware strangers who flash a badge and ask to inspect your cash. They are not police, and the right answer is to walk away.
Verdict
Stavropoleos and Calea Victoriei are the best free hour in the city, and the Parliament tour is the best paid one. Plan more of the surrounding area with the walking tours page , and the four-day plan . Tip: visit free sights in the morning and keep the booked palace slot for the afternoon.