Three days means you’re not rushing. You’ll see the landmarks, yes — but also the bookshops, rooftop gardens, neighborhood cafes, and late-night spots that make Bucharest unforgettable.
Day 1: Old Town + Parliament
Follow Day 1 from the 2-Day itinerary.
Old Town exploration, Calea Victoriei walk, Palace of Parliament tour, evening drinks.
Day 2: Parks & Northern Bucharest
Follow Day 2 from the 2-Day itinerary.
Village Museum, Herastrau Park, Arcul de Triumf, Floreasca lunch, fine dining at Lacrimi și Sfinți.
Day 3: Culture, Books & Hidden Gems
9:00 AM — Bob Coffee Lab
Strada Ion Ghica 3 · Metro: Piața Romană
Start Day 3 with Bucharest’s other specialty coffee champion. Bob roasts their beans in-house, the baristas know their craft, and the pastries are excellent.
Order: Filter coffee + croissant · Budget: 25 RON
10:00 AM — Carturesti Carusel
Strada Lipscani 55 · Metro: Piața Unirii
The most beautiful bookstore in Bucharest (maybe Europe). Six floors in a restored 19th-century building, with white spiral staircases, frescoed ceilings, and a top-floor bistro.
Browse: English books section (2nd floor), design/architecture (3rd), rooftop cafe (6th)
Tip: Even if you don’t buy books, grab coffee upstairs and admire the architecture.
11:30 AM — Cotroceni Palace
Bulevardul Geniului 1 · Metro: Politehnica Entry: 30 RON · Reservation required
Romania’s presidential palace, only open for tours. Former royal residence with ornate rooms, French furniture, and stunning gardens.
Tour: 1.5 hours, English/Romanian · Book: Online at www.muzeu-cotroceni.ro
Lunch
1:30 PM — Lunch in Cotroceni/Grădina Icoanei
Head to one of Bucharest’s quieter neighborhoods for lunch.
Options:
- Lente (Grădina Icoanei) — brunch/lunch, fresh ingredients — 60 RON
- Kane (Floreasca) — Japanese fusion — 100 RON
- Simple Pub (local favorite, burgers/salads) — 50 RON
Afternoon: Art & Hidden Gardens
3:00 PM — MNAC (Museum of Contemporary Art)
Palace of Parliament, Wing E4 · Entry: 20 RON
Romania’s best contemporary art, housed inside the Parliament building (ironic, right?). Rotating exhibitions of Romanian and international artists.
Allow: 1 hour
4:30 PM — Botanical Garden
Șoseaua Cotroceni 32 · Metro: Politehnica Entry: 10 RON
17 hectares of greenhouses, rare plants, and quiet paths. The tropical greenhouse is like stepping into the Amazon — humid, overgrown, and weirdly peaceful.
Best: Japanese garden, water lilies, Victorian glasshouses
6:00 PM — Revolution Square at Sunset
Metro: Piața Romană or Universitate
If you haven’t yet, spend sunset at Revolution Square. Stand where Ceaușescu gave his last speech in 1989, see the “Rebirth” monument, feel the weight of history.
Evening: Rooftop Dinner & Underground Bars
8:00 PM — Dinner: Nor Sky Casual Restaurant
Sky Tower, 36th floor · €€€
End your Bucharest stay with panoramic views. International cuisine, craft cocktails, and the entire city lit up below you from Romania’s tallest building.
Reservation: Essential · Budget: 150-200 RON/person
Alternative: MACE by Joseph Hadad (Mediterranean fine dining in a grand villa setting)
10:30 PM — Late Night
Bucharest after midnight is when it shows its true colors.
Underground: Guesthouse (alternative club, indie/electronic) Jazz: Green Hours 22 (live jazz in a basement) Party: Fire Club or Expirat (Old Town nightlife) Chill: Bordello (speakeasy vibe, craft cocktails)
Day 3 Budget
- Coffee & pastry: 25 RON
- Carturesti cafe: 20 RON
- Cotroceni Palace: 30 RON
- Lunch: 70 RON
- MNAC + Botanical Garden: 30 RON
- Dinner at Nor Sky: 180 RON
- Late-night drinks: 60 RON
Day 3 Total: 415 RON/person (€88)
3-Day Total: 1,165-1,215 RON (€248-258)
Optional Day 3 Alternative: Adventure Day Outside Bucharest
If you’ve already covered the downtown culture circuit and want something different on Day 3, swap it for a half-day at Edenland Park (tree-top trails, ziplines, signature tree-house cabins) followed by an afternoon at Therme Bucharest (thermal pools, Galaxy waterpark). Both are in Balotești, ~20 minutes north of the city centre and only a few kilometres apart. Best in spring/summer/autumn — Edenland may close on rainy days. Return for evening dinner at Nor Sky as planned, or stay the night in one of Edenland’s tree houses for a Bucharest weekend that doesn’t feel like a city break at all.
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