Visiting Bucharest in winter, you will see the city in a whole new light. The snow adds a new dimension, lining the wide boulevards, capping the monuments in the city centre and dressing the neo-Romanian buildings in a new light. Itβs definitely worth braving the cold for and there are plenty of things to do in Bucharest in winter, most of which are free!
With just a day to explore the Romanian Capital before catching the train to Bulgaria, we took our chance to see some of the highlights of the city.
Things To Do In Bucharest In Winter
Visit The Palace Of Parliament β The Worldβs Second Largest Building
Of all the things to do in Bucharest in winter β or any time of year β the Palace of Parliament should be first on your list and with good reason. Itβs the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon, has more than 1,000 rooms, over 450 chandeliers and is constructed using the finest materials money can buy, all sourced locally. Occupying 330,000 square metres of the Romanian capital, itβs larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza and is visible from the moon!
Entry is by guided tour only. Tours are conducted between 10 am and 4 pm, with the last tour starting at 3:30 pm. Prices are 25lei for the standard tour, which lasts about 45-60minutes. Be sure to bring your passport and you will need to pay an additional 30lei if you want to take photos.
Wander Around Bucharestβs Old Town
In summer, we are told that Bucharestβs old town is a hive of activity with people sitting out enjoying the weather. In winter, it doesnβt quite have the same buzz to it but the added bonus is that the streets are not cluttered with outdoor furniture. This gives you a much better view of the area. As you might expect, the old town is home to some of the oldest monuments and buildings in the city dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Highlights include the cityβs oldest church, Old Court Church and Caruβ Cu Bere.
Check Out The Romanian Orthodox Churches
One of our favourite things to do Bucharest in winter was to visit the Orthodox Churches. These small, beautiful buildings have so much charm and character and should without a doubt feature in your Bucharest itinerary. Stavropoleos was probably our favourite of the churches we visited and itβs even more beautiful by night.
A small courtyard adjacent to the church has a curious collection of old tombstones engraved in Cyrillic and with a dusting of snow in winter they are really beautiful. If the door is open, you can go inside the church, walk around and be sure to look up at the inside of the dome. As always when visiting religious sites be quiet and courteous as locals come here to reflect and pray. Ask before taking photos inside, but there shouldnβt be any problem.
Admire The Incredible Architecture
Walking around Bucharest, the cityβs architecture is really impressive. While there are new, modern, glass-fronted buildings in the city centre, there also loads of art-deco masterpieces from the 19th and 20th century. The National Bank of Romania, the Caruβ Cu Bere and the churches dotted around the city are just stunning to look at. You will find these immense buildings scattered throughout the city, just stay on the lookout as you walk around the city.
Spot The Things That Give Bucharest Its Quirky Charm
Itβs the little things that often make a city so special and Bucharest is no exception. Vintage clocks are dotted around the city and add real character to the streets. The old tram that rattles through the city looks in serious need of replacement but will no doubt be a standout memory of your trip to Bucharest.
Our Tips For Visiting Bucharest In Winter
Wear Warm Clothes And Wrap Up Well
It gets very cold in the Romanian capital in winter but donβt let that put you off visiting. Wrap up against the elements and youβll be toasty enough to get on with your trip.
Wear Proper Footwear
We walked everywhere in Bucharest so be sure to wear good footwear. Also, in winter there is a lot of snow and melting snow on the ground and if you donβt want your feet to feel like two ice blocks, waterproof shoes or boots are a good choice.
Take Public Transport And Taxis
So you spend less time out in the cold itβs a good idea to use public transport and taxis whenever you can. Bucharest has a great network of trams, metros, buses and taxis. Check out the online planner here.
Taxis display their rates per kilometre on the side of the car, however, there may still be some haggling required. Always ensure that the metre is turned on and if in any doubt just get out and find another taxi.
Over To You
So thatβs our short guide to some of the things to do in Bucharest in winter. We only had a day to check out the Romanian capital before moving on the Sofia in Bulgaria so we had to pick a few of the highlights. Weβre sure thereβs so much more to check out in this city at any time of year.
Have you been to Bucharest? Did you visit in winter? Are there any things we missed out on? Let us know in the comments below!
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Brian is a travel writer, photographer, blogger, travel addict and adventure-junkie. Being outdoors, getting off the beaten track and outside his comfort zone is what makes him tick. Brianβs the dreamer in the relationship; when heβs not travelling, heβs dreaming about it! Keeping fit, cooking, music and red wine take up the rest of his time.
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I know you will probably laugh, but Iβd say the best thing to do in Bucharest in winter is hop on a train and go to Brasov, in Transylvania. You have all the snowy mountains for yourself and the city is just splendid.
And of course, there are a lot of things to do in Brasov, especially during winter. Hiking, sightseeing, snowboarding, skiing, snowshoeingβ¦ Youβll fall in love with Brasov, trust me.
Hi Robert,
Thanks for the information! We actually spent 3 months living in Brasov in early 2018 but have yet to blog d about it!!! We loved Brasov for all the reasons you mentioned!
Great post! In December, the Christmas market in Bucharest also worth a visit.
Thanks so much Flo! π
I live in Romania, kind of close to Bucharest and I went on a trip there, following this guide. I found the guide very useful and i hope others find this page too.
Thanks so much Philip! π
Hi! Last year I made a nice trip to Romania, more exactly in Bucharest, and I was so happy! I am in love with this country and the small and historical streets. I checked Social 1, Maison des Crepes and Joben Bistro Bar, where I ate the most delicious pancakes and the best salmon burger! Wine, tuica ( alcohol drinking ) and natural apple juice were the best! π
Thanks for the comment, Stephany.
Romania really does have so much to offer! Weβre glad you enjoyed your time there.
Hi Brian and Noelle, thank you for the tips. We are going to Bucharest next week for a concert and going to spend five days in the city.
Hi Indah. No problem at all, weβre glad you found some useful tips in our post β hope you have an amazing time in Bucharest, itβs a great city β be ready for the cold! π
YAS. Iβve always been inclined to visit more well-known Eastern European cities, but your post has given me major travel goals.
Hi Chelse,
So glad to inspire you! π
Sofia in Bulgaria is also an amazing lesser-known Eastern European city.
Happy travels!
This is a great guide for those who ar not familair with Bucharest. I would also recommend the Village Museum, itβs worth a visit even during winter time, the National Art Museum β former Royal Palace and the Old Princely Court. π
Hi Luminita. Glad you liked this post and thanks for the extra tips! We were short on time when we visited so unfortunately we couldnβt get around to too many places, but itβs good to have a few things to go back again for! π
Hi Brian great post for Bucharest! This is on my list, will complete on next winter. Thanks a lot.
Hi Fransiskus! Have a great trip β Bucharest is a great city! π
These are some great tips π
Great you found them useful Andreea! π
Thank you for a nice guide Brian. I will have to try to visit Bucharest one day π
Hi Jesper. No problem! I hope you make it to Bucharest some time! Safe travels! π