Countries in Eastern Europe are seriously underrated destinations, and Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is no exception. Spending two days in Bucharest will give visitors enough time to see the highlights of the city and understand why it has become known as Paris of the East.
Want a guided tour to start out your trip and get acclimated to the city? Then check out Guru Walks for a free guided tour. You can book online to reserve your spot and pay what you wish when you get there. Check out the tours in Bucharest here.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!
Table of Contents
History of Bucharest
Bucharest was founded in the 1400s when it originally became a city by Vlad the Impaler. In the 1600s, it became the capital of Wallachia and continued to grow in importance.
During the 1800s, Bucharest became more modernized and influenced by French styles. In 1859, Wallachia and Moldavia formed modern Romania, and Bucharest became the capital. Throughout the years, it has experienced growth, cultural flourishing, and architectural development.
Bucharest faced many challenges in the 1900s, especially with the impact of World War II. The 1989 revolution marked the end of communism in the country, and it underwent many changes. Since the 1989 revolution, Bucharest has continued to grow while blending its historical charm with contemporary developments.
When to Spend Two Days in Bucharest
Shoulder season (April-June and September-October) is the best time to spend two days in Bucharest. The weather will not be too hot or too cold, and the city sees fewer visitors during that time. However, even if visiting in peak summer, it will not be as crowded as Western European locations like Rome or Paris.
How to Get to Bucharest
Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport is Romania’s main airport. There are flights here from pretty much every major city in Europe and a few other major international cities. If you are willing to fly some budget airlines, you can get here pretty cheaply.
Alternatively, you can opt to take Flixbus from many of the surrounding cities. This is what we did to get to Bucharest from Sofia, Bulgaria.
Transportation in Bucharest
Bucharest had an excellent transportation system. The metro ran to any place we wanted to go, and there were also buses. We also used Uber to get from the bus station to our hotel and the airport. Both options were very inexpensive and easy to use.
To get to and from the airport, you could also check out these transfers: Airport Transfer or Bucharest Airport Transfer.
Where to Stay in Bucharest
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Bucharest hotels here!
The best area to stay in Bucharest is the Old Town area. This is where many of the main sites are, and you can walk to many of them. We opted to stay at Hotel Central for $58/night. It was a superb location and only an 8-minute walk away from the main boulevard. The room was a nice size, and the staff was friendly.
Other good hotel options include:
- Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Old Town
- Moxy Bucharest Old Town
- The Marmorosch Bucharest
- Intercontinental Athenee Palace Bucharest
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel.
What to do During Two Days in Bucharest
Day 1
Frudisiac
Cost: $$
Hours: 8am-7pm
Start off your first of two days in Bucharest with breakfast at Frudisiac. This is the perfect place for a superb brunch! Think of it as America meets Sweden brunch style. They have American-style pancakes with cheese on top, fresh juices, and delicious smoothies. Frudisiac also has a full coffee bar as well.
Palace of Parliament
Cost: $13
Hours: Varies
The Palace of Parliament is another iconic spot visitors should see during two days in Bucharest. This building is where the Parliament of Romania meets. It took over 13 years to build and was constructed over 13 years. This parliament building is the heaviest in the world! I recommend taking a tour of the inside, so you may want to book your Parliament Palace tickers ahead of time.
Palace of the Deposits and Consignments (CEC Palace)
Cost: Free
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-5:30pm
The Palace of the Deposits and Consignments was built in the early 1900s. Inside lies the headquarters for Romania’s oldest bank. Visitors are not able to get inside, but the outside is worth it to see the gorgeous architecture.
Stavropoleos Monastery Church
Cost: Free
Hours: Varies
Another cool stop to add to your two days in Bucharest is the Stavropoleos Monastery Church. This building was built in 1724. Present-day, this building is a church, but used to be a monastery for nuns. Visitors are able to access the interior and look at the ornate architecture.
Hanu’ Berarilor Casa Soare
Cost: $$
Hours: Sun-Wed: 8am-11pm, Thurs-Sat: 8am-12am
Hanu’ Berarilor Casa Soare is the best place to go to lunch during your two days in Bucharest. This Romanian-style restaurant has amazing traditional Romanian lunch specials. You will get so much food for a very cheap price! Make sure to try the Romanian donut for dessert. They come in different fruit flavors and can be split with at least one other person.
Revolution Square
Cost: Free
Revolution Square is one of the main squares in Bucharest. It is the site of many historical events and was the center for Communist activity. The formal royal palace used to be located in this square. You will want to walk through it and see the monuments and architecture during your two days in Bucharest.
Equestrian Statue of Carol I
Cost: Free
This monument sits in the central area of Bucharest on the oldest boulevard in the city. Carol I helped Romania gain independence from the Ottoman Empire. The original was destroyed by the communists and was rebuilt in 2005.
Romanian Athenaeum
Cost: $2
Hours: Varies by event
The Romanian Athenaeum is a concert hall that dates back to 1888. Present-day, a variety of concerts are hosted there. It is built in the Roman style as a nod to the Roman influence in the city.
Victory Avenue
Cost: Free
This is the main street of Bucharest and is compared to the Champs Elysees in Paris. It was named in response to Romania’s victory for independence in 1877. Spend some time walking along the street and hitting up some shops and restaurants, and people-watch.
The Arch of Triumph
Cost: Free
Hours: Outside -always open, Inside: Sat-Sun: 2pm-9pm
Another cool thing to do during two days in Bucharest is the Arch of Triumph. Did you know Bucharest has an arc du triomphe like Paris? The original arch was built in 1878 to celebrate Romanian independence. The version visitors see today was built in 1936. Visitors can opt to head to the top for a view of Bucharest.
King Mihai I Park
Cost: Free
Hours: 24 hours
This afternoon, head to the King Mihai I Park. This large park is on the northern side of Bucharest. Within the park are several places to eat, a huge lake, and even a museum! You could easily spend the day wandering around the park, so it is the perfect thing to add to your two days in Bucharest.
Arcade Cafe
Cost: $$
Hours: 10am-2pm
Arcade Cafe is an adorable cafe in the center of Bucharest. It is divided into three different areas: a summer cafe, a winter garden, and a pub/lounge area. This is an awesome place to eat dinner, especially if you have a larger group. It is perfect any time of the year, too.
Linea/Closer to the Moon
Cost: $
Hours: Mon-Thus: 5pm-12am, Fri: 5pm-2am, Sat: 12pm-2am, Sun: 12pm-12am
You cannot spend two days in Bucharest without stopping at Linea/Closer to the Moon. This rooftop bar in central Bucharest has unique and amazing cocktails. Ours were served in inflatable floaties. It also offers great views of central Bucharest.
Day 2
Day Trip to Transylvania
During your second of two days in Bucharest, take a day trip to Transylvania to see Brasov, Bran Castle, and Peles Castle. For ease of travel, I recommend booking this tour. You can also rent a car and drive to those sights. There is minimal public transportation to these places, but it is possible if you want to spend more time than just a day out there.
The tour includes a guide and transportation to the three stops. The guide will also give you a tour of the interiors if you choose to head inside the castles. Note that admission is not included in the tour.
Peles Castle
The first stop during this tour will be to Peles Castle. This stunning Neo-Renaissance Castle is located in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. It was commissioned by King Carol I and is known for its picturesque architecture. Admission should be around $11 for an adult.
Brasov
For lunch, you will head to Brasov, a charming town in the Carpathian mountains. It is known for its medieval architecture. Make sure to check out the Black Church and Council Square. Also, you will not want to miss the Brasov sign, modeled after the infamous Hollywood sign in Los Angeles.
Bran Castle
The next stop will be Bran Castle, which is often referred to as Dracula’s Castle. Although there is no actual tie to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the castle still has very Dracula vibes to it. Bran Castle is a national monument and a museum that showcases the art and furniture of Queen Marie. The inside of the castle is not super exciting, but it is worth a visit to see the exterior. Admission is about $13.
After visiting those three stops, your tour will head back to Bucharest, where you will have one last evening during your two days in Bucharest.
Alt Shift
Cost: $
Hours: Sun-Mon: 12pm-12am, Tues-Sat: 12pm-5am
Tonight, grab dinner at Alt Shift. Restaurant by day, nightclub by night, Alt Shift is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat. They have a variety of entrees, such as burgers, pasta, and some breakfast dishes. After midnight, they have a delicious pizza menu.
More Than Two Days in Bucharest
Day 3
History Tour of Bucharest
If you spend more than two days in Bucharest, I highly recommend taking a history tour of Bucharest.
Bucharest has such an intriguing history and has changed hands many times throughout the centuries. I booked this walking history tour through Airbnb, and it was worth every penny! Anita was an awesome guide, and the tour was definitely worth it for history lovers or for people interested in the culture of Bucharest.
Alternatively, you can check out these two walking tours: Bucharest Walking Tour or Bucharest History Tour.
Teacher Tip: When walking around Bucharest, make sure to look up. Many of the lower facades are not the most pleasant buildings to look at because they are rented out for stores and restaurants. However, if you look up, you will see some marvelous architecture.
Final Tips for Two Days in Bucharest
Spending two days in Bucharest is a great addition to any European trip or makes for a fun weekend away. This unique city has so much to offer, and it is so affordable. If you have more time, spend time in Sofia, Belgrade, Skopje, Budapest, and Bratislava in addition to Bucharest.
