Driving routes, distances and day-trip ideas nearby.
A ready week, day by day: highly rated places, lunches, tours and trips out of town. Ratings and opening hours come from Tripadvisor, distances are real driving distances.
An unhurried first day: the centre on foot, one landmark and a quiet dinner near where you're staying. Don't plan anything far — after travelling, getting your bearings matters more.
All day
A free day — the market, the waterfront, the next neighbourhood over.
Hotel check-in is usually from 2pm — if you arrive earlier, most places will store your luggage.
The fullest day: two or three key places back to back. Start early — queues build by midday at the popular ones, and the light is better for photographs after lunch.
All day
A free day — the market, the waterfront, the next neighbourhood over.
Up to 33 °C in the days ahead — do the walking in the morning and spend midday indoors.
A day for what needs time and attention: museums, historic quarters, and lunch somewhere locals actually go.
Afternoon
Private Walking Tour: Essential Bucharest + Hidden Gems
5.0· 53from €72
Private Walking Tour: Essential Bucharest + Hidden Gems — rated 5 from 53 reviews.
Many museums close on a Monday or Tuesday — check the opening hours before you set out.
Get beyond the city: the nearby towns and countryside are usually what stays with you. A rental car is the practical way — public transport on these routes is slow and infrequent.
All day
Brasov
Brasov is 182 km from Bucharest, about 2h 40m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.
Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.
Rent a car in BucharestA free day. Go back to wherever you wanted to linger, and add one or two places from the list you haven't reached.
Afternoon
Bucharest Old Town Party Night Out - Perfect for Hen/Stag Groups
5.0· 47from €59
Bucharest Old Town Party Night Out - Perfect for Hen/Stag Groups — rated 5 from 47 reviews.
Carry some cash for markets and small cafés — cards are not taken everywhere.
A good day for a guided tour: a guide tells you what the signs don't, and takes the driving off your hands.
All day
Shumen
Shumen is 224 km from Bucharest, about 3h 14m by car (a different country — Bulgaria, bring your documents). Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.
Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.
Rent a car in BucharestA calm finish: a favourite spot once more, some shopping, a late lunch. Leave yourself room before the airport.
Afternoon
Contrasts of Communism - Small Group Walking Tour in Bucharest
5.0· 45from €35
Contrasts of Communism - Small Group Walking Tour in Bucharest — rated 5 from 45 reviews.
Allow twice what the map says for the airport run — it is never the quiet hour when you need it.
Where you can drive from Bucharest.
Tap a place for photos, opening hours and reviews
Top attractions
Restaurants and cafés
Private Walking Tour: Essential Bucharest + Hidden Gems
€72
Bucharest Old Town Party Night Out - Perfect for Hen/Stag Groups
€59
Contrasts of Communism - Small Group Walking Tour in Bucharest
€35
Private Tour to Dracula's Castle, Peles Castle from Bucharest
€138
InterContinental Athenee Palace Bucharest by IHG
from €176 / night
ibis Styles Bucharest Erbas
from €69 / night
Courtyard by Marriott Bucharest Floreasca
from €77 / night
Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Old Town
from €96 / night
Source — Tripadvisor
2 days in Bucharest
Gabi, Adelin and Elena took care of me in the restaurant. Excellent service
Throbbing heart of Bucharest
Cobble-stoned streets, endless shops, lovely bars and restaurants ... these are some of the things that await you at Bucharest's Old Town. I was lucky to have my accommodation in the area during my four-day stay in the city. Thus, I could easily come down my apartment and immerse myself in this lovely place, which is r…
Short passage with shops, bars and restaurants
This passage reminded me of similar ones in Italy, France, and other countries. It's a short passage with shops, bars, restaurants, etc. Aside from this, there's not much to do here. Just pass through it, take your photos, then head on to your next destination (unless, of course, you want to hang around in one of its e…
Only to admire from the outside
Palatul CEC or the Romanian Palace of the Deposits and Consignments is one of the iconic buildings in Bucharest. The present structure was built in 1897-1900, but prior to this there was an old church and monastery onsite dating back to the 16th century. The current building is famous for its Parisian structure with a…