Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Bucharest?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Bucharest?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Bucharest, Romania? Most people spend one to three days in Bucharest during their visit. After all, the charming city will let you tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, soak up the big city atmosphere, and taste delicious cuisine.
Bucharest is the capital of Romania and it has an authentic and fascinating culture that includes architecture, a nightlife scene, and deep-rooted religion. While it may be overlooked by many European tourists, those who visit will enjoy a glimpse into a less touristy side of Europe.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Bucharest? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Bucharest?
With three days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Bucharest has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Bucharest as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, and the big city activities at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 3 days in Bucharest
Perhaps the most famous place in Bucharest is the Palace of Parliament, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).
A few tour suggestions include:
- Discover Bucharest: Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour ($109)
- Salt Mine, the Muddy Volcanoes and Wine Tasting Private Day Tour from Bucharest! ($179)
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour ($60)
Public transit in Bucharest is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.
This city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Dracula's Castle, Peles Castle and Brasov - Private Day Trip from Bucharest ($164)
- Libearty Bear Sanctuary and Dracula's Castle - Day Tour from Bucharest ($170)
- Dracula and Peles Castles Premium Tour with Hotel pick-up ($121)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City ($43)
- Revealing Bucharest's Nightlife Scene ($60)
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Best of Bucharest | Private Walking Tour ($220)
- Walking Tour of Alternative Bucharest-Morning Street art tour ($41)
- Communist Bucharest Walking Tour ($61)
Is 4 days enough time in Bucharest?
Four days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Bucharest, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Enjoy the chance to tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, soak up the big city atmosphere, and taste delicious cuisine on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Bucharest as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
Bucharest, Romania
How to spend 4 days in Bucharest
Having 4 days in Bucharest will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
Bucharest is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. The city still remains somewhat undiscovered, so if you're hoping to avoid tourist crowds, then this may be your place.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bucharest Panoramic Sightseeing - Private City Tour ($93)
- Bucharest by Foot - Private Walking City Tour ($60)
- Bucharest City Tour 4h ($132)
Is 5 days enough time in Bucharest?
Five days is more than enough time to see everything that Bucharest has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend one to three days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, the big city activities, and the cuisine at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
How to spend 5 days in Bucharest
With 5 days in Bucharest, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Shopping in Bucharest is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bucharest Shopping Tour ($218)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Bucharest, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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