Exploring Bucharest’s Old Town can sometimes feel like a treasure hunt, so we wanted to help you narrow down your list and provide a few suggestions of the top sites you can discover here.
This is excellent information if you plan to see and experience as much as possible of what this popular location has to offer. Let’s jump right in.
Stavropoleos Church
Built-in 1724, the small church is part of the Stavropoleos Monastery and one of the most strikingly beautiful religious monuments in the country. What’s more, it’s considered a masterpiece of the late ‘Brancovenesc’ style from the early 18th century.
The church is most famous for its beautiful stone columns carved with floral patterns, as well as its wood carvings you’ll be able to spot on the main doors in particular.
There’s also a courtyard outside you can visit where you’ll find an interesting collection of tombstones that date back from the 18th century.
The Ruins of the Old Court
Built-in the 15th century, the Old Court is the oldest landmark you’ll come across in Bucharest’s Old Town.
The establishment was the residence of medieval princes, including Vlad the Impaler, and once occupied no less than 25,000 square meters. Today, the ruins of the former court are conserved as a museum.
Caru’ cu Bere (The Beer Wagon)
What better place to enjoy a cold, craft beer and some traditional Romanian food than in a place which has a rich history of more than 130 years, right?
Visit Caru’ cu Bere to enjoy a delicious meal while admiring the amazing interiors, complete with wonderful painted ceilings, ornate woodwork, mosaics, and stunning stained glass.
The interior is stunning, so it’s no surprise that, over the years, Caru’ cu Bere attracted celebrities, as well as important political figures. The Rolling Stones, Naruhito (the Crown Prince of Japan), and Edward Kennedy all visited the restaurant in the past.
The National Bank
The imposing bank stands on the site of one of the most famous buildings in Romania: Hanul Serban Voda. From 1678 until 1883, the construction consecutively served as a pub, an inn, and even a dormitory for a nearby girls’ school.
Two fires destroyed the building entirely (in 1704 and 1804), but the construction was rebuilt each time. And in 1883 work began on the bank, giving Bucharest’s Old Town an additional architectural charm.
Stop to admire the facade of the building with its impressive Corinthian columns and step inside to check out the enormous central banking hall.
Carturesti Carousel
If you like spending time among books, then you’ll love this magical bookshop which stretches across six floors.
Carturesti Carousel is probably one of the most photographed places in all Bucharest’s Old Town – and it’s for good reason.
The building dates back from the latter part of the 19th. However, it was only recently reopened after undergoing extensive renovations. And it looks stunning, as you can see from the clip below.
Even if you’re not necessarily looking to buy a book, take at least half an hour to walk around the bookshop and admire its beauty. You can even stop to grab a quick bite to eat at the bistro on the top floor.
Ready to discover Bucharest’s Old Town – and Beyond?
We hope this article has given you a taste of what Bucharest has a lot to offer to its ever-growing number of tourists. But keep in mind that we’ve only referred to a single area in the capital.
There are many more fabulous attractions, museums, and iconic sights to discover throughout the city. If you want to experience the best places in Romania’s capital, you can book a tour with us and let us take care of building the perfect travel itinerary!
Have any questions? Give us a call at 40 735 525 710.