Parks & Museums
Green Oases
Bucharest is surprisingly green. The vast Herăstrău Park (187 hectares) by the lake of the same name is the city's recreational area: boat rides, bike paths, waterfront restaurants, and the Village Museum. The Cișmigiu Garden (1847) is the city's oldest park and is located right in the center — perfect for a break between sights. The Botanical Garden (Grădina Botanică) in the Cotroceni district offers 10,000 plant species on 17 hectares.
Museums
- Muzeul Național de Artă (National Art Museum) — In the former Royal Palace at Revolution Square. Romanian and European art, including works by Grigorescu, Luchian, and Brâncuși (reproductions — the originals are in Târgu Jiu and Paris). Admission: 30 RON.
- Muzeul Național de Istorie (National Museum of History) — From the Dacians to the Romans to the 1989 Revolution. Impressive: the treasury with the Gold Helmet of Coțofenești and Dacian gold. Admission: 20 RON.
- Muzeul Țăranului Român (Museum of the Romanian Peasant) — Perhaps the best museum in Bucharest: folk costumes, icons, textiles, ceramics, and woodwork from all regions. Lovingly curated, with an excellent museum shop. In the basement: an exhibition on the communist era. Admission: 15 RON.
- Palatul Primăverii (Spring Palace) — Ceaușescu's private residence, open to the public only since 2016. 80 rooms full of kitschy splendor: golden fittings, swimming pool, cinema. A shocking document of excess. Book online in advance! Admission: 70 RON.
