Herastrau Park (King Michael I Park)

History

The park was created in the 1930s around the natural Lake Herastrau, which had previously been a marshy area on the outskirts of the city. Designed as a recreational space for Bucharest’s growing population, it grew to encompass 187 hectares, making it one of the largest urban parks in Southeastern Europe.

In 2017, it was officially renamed Parcul Regele Mihai I (King Michael I Park) in honor of Romania’s last king. Most locals still call it Herastrau.

What to See and Do

Lake Herastrau — pedal boats, row boats, and water bikes for 5-10 RON per hour
Village Museum (Muzeul Satului) — the extraordinary open-air ethnographic museum within the park
Japanese Garden — installed in 1998 by the Osaka World Exhibition Fund, with cherry blossoms in spring
La Pedale — free bike rental (up to 2 hours) at the main entrance, Piata Charles de Gaulle. Bring ID
Adventure Park — open 10:00-20:00, four trails of varying difficulty for adults and children
Hard Rock Cafe — iconic lakeside location
Beraria H — Southeast Europe’s largest beer hall, right on the lake
Open-air theatre for summer performances

“A full loop of the lake is approximately 6 kilometres. On a sunny afternoon, with a rented bike and no schedule, it is one of the best things you can do in Bucharest.”

Tips for Visiting

Free bikes: The La Pedale program at the Piata Charles de Gaulle entrance offers free bicycle rental for up to 2 hours. Bring valid ID. It is an excellent way to explore the park.

Cherry blossoms: The Japanese Garden is spectacular in spring when the cherry trees bloom. Worth timing your visit for March-April.

Lakeside dining: Restaurants and cafes line the lake, but prices can be higher than city center spots.

Scale: The park is huge. A full loop of the lake takes about an hour of steady walking, longer if you stop along the way.

Summer weekends: Can be very crowded. Visit on weekday mornings for a quieter experience.

Evening walks: The main paths are well-lit and safe for evening strolls.

Getting there: Metro M2 to Aviatorilor, then enter through the eastern gates. The park is also accessible from the Piata Charles de Gaulle entrance at its southern tip.

Cherry Blossoms in Spring

If there is one moment when Herastrau becomes genuinely magical, it is when the cherry trees bloom. The area around the Japanese Garden transforms in late March and holds through mid-April — a corridor of pink petals that draws photographers, couples, and anyone who wants a break from concrete. This is one of the best spots in Bucharest for cherry blossoms, and the fact that entry is free makes it even better.

Come early in the morning for the best light and the fewest selfie sticks in your frame. Combine a walk among the cherry blossoms in Bucharest with a loop around the lake — you can easily do both in a single morning. The exact timing depends on how warm spring arrives in a given year, but late March is usually a safe bet. Search “cherry blossoms Bucharest” on social media before your visit to check the bloom status. The Herastrau cherry blossom season has become a genuine Instagram phenomenon in recent years, and for good reason.

Is It Worth It?

Herastrau is not just a park — it is where Bucharest breathes. Whether you come for the Village Museum, the cycling, the lakeside dining, or just to escape the concrete and traffic, you will find it here. On a sunny day, there is no better place in the city.