Bucharest is quite affordable for a European capital so you can enjoy it even on a tight budget. There are many free things to do in Bucharest to make your trip unforgettable. You’ll find free museums in Bucharest and other places that will surprise you.
The Symphony of Water: a must-see free fountain show in Unirii Square
One of the best free things you can do in Bucharest is to watch The Symphony of Water in Unirii Square, in the city centre. Originally built at the end of the 1980s and updated in 2018, the fountains now showcase cutting-edge technology unparalleled in Europe.
The Bucharest Fountains is a system of 44 independent fountains stretching 1.4 kilometres along Unirii Boulevard, from the National Library to the Palace of Parliament. World Record Academy recognized the fountains as the Longest Choreographed Fountain System.
The Symphony of Water street-show takes place in the evenings from Friday to Sunday, only from May through September. Keep in mind that the fountains are not operational during winter. To catch the show, visit on a weekend evening during the warmer months.
One show last for 45 minutes. Showtimes vary by month.
- May and August: 9 PM
- June and July: 9:30 PM
- September: 8 PM
Each water show lasts about 45 minutes, featuring its own unique musical mix and chromatic display. When the water jets start moving to the beat of the music, accompanied by a stunning light show, you won’t be able to take your eyes off it! For the best view, sit further from the edge and towards the back to see the entire show and avoid getting soaked by any surprise gusts of wind.
Go to the Old Town and enjoy the free entry clubs
If you’re looking for a fun and free night in Bucharest, head to the Old Town and check out the clubs. The area is renowned for its nightlife scene, with something always happening. After watching The Symphony of Water Show in Unirii Square, head to Lipscani Street. There and on the surrounding streets, you’ll find plenty of bars and clubs crowded with people ready to party.
Bucharest has an amazing nightlife that lasts until morning. Many clubs have free entry, so you can wander around and enjoy the different vibes without spending a dime. Of course, you’ll have to pay for drinks if you want to indulge in clubs, but there’s no pressure to buy anything.
Don’t just settle on one club for the night. From 11 PM to 5 AM, you can wander freely and experience the various music clubs in the Old Town of Bucharest.
Read more: Things to do in Bucharest at night: clubbing and a little more
Plan your trip around free entry museums in Bucharest
The Night of Museums in Bucharest
If you’re on a budget but still want to experience the cultural side of Bucharest, visiting free museums is a great option! One way to visit museums for free in Bucharest is during the Night of Museums. Most museums participate so be prepared for large crowds, which might make the visit less enjoyable. Aligned with the European Long Night of Museums, this event happens yearly, on one Saturday in May. For information about participating museums, check noapteamuzeelor.org (note: the website is available only in Romanian).
Museums with free entry once per month
If you can’t make it to the Night of Museums or you’re looking for more options, several museums in Bucharest offer free entry once a month. Here are some museums you can visit for free, though admission fees are generally low anyway:
- National Museum of Art of Romania: Free entry on the first Wednesday of every month.
- Museum K.H. Zambaccian: Free entry on the first Wednesday of every month.
- Theodor Pallady Museum: Free entry on the first Wednesday of every month.
- Museum of Art Collections: Free entry on the first Friday of every month.
- Vasile Grigore Art Museum – painter and collector: Free entry on the last Wednesday of every month.
Note: This information on free entry museums in Bucharest is available for 2025, but it may change. Check with the museum before planning your visit. There is outdated information about free-entry museums in Bucharest on various websites. To avoid disappointment, please verify in advance on the official websites or their social media channels.
The museums you can visit for free anytime
If you’re feeling even more adventurous, a few small museums in Bucharest can be visited for free anytime. However, most of these require booking.
- The National Bank of Romania Museum: free guided tour in Romanian or English, booking required.
- The Museum of Sport: free entry, booking required.
- Western Old Art Museum Dumitru Furnică Minovici: can be visited for free from Wednesday to Sunday, between 9 AM – 5 PM. On Mondays and Tuesdays, the museum is closed.
Enjoy the architecture of Bucharest
Bucharest has a rich architectural heritage that you can admire for free. Walk around the city and stop to appreciate its most important building from the outside. Here are some neighbourhoods that survived the re-urbanization plan of the communist regime and are worth exploring.
Cotroceni neighborhood
In the Cotroceni district, you’ll find some of the most beautiful houses in Bucharest. Constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mostly in Art Deco or Neo-Romanian architectural styles, most of these mansions are well-preserved and beautifully restored. Cotroceni neighbourhood is spreading between Panduri Road and Splaiul Independentei.
Here you’ll find the Stairs of Happiness, painted in rainbow colours. Great place for Instagram photos in Bucharest! Also, you can take a rest in the nice small park nearby.
If you want to break the “no money in Bucharest” rule, the Cotroceni neighbourhood has many nice and cosy coffee shops and tea houses. The code name here is “Ceainarie.”

Primăverii and Dorobanți neighborhoods
Primăverii and Dorobanți are among the most expensive neighbourhoods in Bucharest. Like Cotroceni, the Dorobanți neighbourhood was designed around the 19th and early 20th century, mostly in Art Deco style or Neo-Romanian.
Primăverii neighbourhood, on the other hand, was built starting in the ‘30. Later in the ‘60s, under the communist regime, Primăverii district became the home of the most important political people in the country. Even Ceaușescu’s house is located on Primăverii Ave, but you can only visit it if you book ahead.
Bucharest Old Town – Lipscani Street
The Old Town is the historic district of Bucharest, covering a significant portion of the city centre. There are a few gorgeous buildings you can admire here, on Lipscani Street and its surroundings. To name a few landmarks:
- Stavropoleos Church
- The Old Palace of the National Bank of Romania
- Manuc’s Inn
- Carul cu Bere
- The National Museum of History
- The CEC Palace
- Suțu Palace
- Macca-Villacrosse Passage
If you’re pressed for time in Bucharest, focus your visit on Lipscani Street and Victory Avenue.
Armenian Quarter
The Armenian Quarter of Bucharest is a beautiful and culturally rich neighbourhood in the city centre, established in the 17th century. Although the houses in this area are not as well-preserved as those in Cotroceni, Primăverii, or Dorobanți, this is partly due to their greater age.
One of the most notable landmarks in this district is the Melik House – the oldest house in Bucharest, from 1760 (22 Spatarului Street). In this neighbourhood, houses have names. Here are a few worth noticing:
- Casa Primadonei
- Casa Virginia Andreescu Haret
- Casa Maură
- Casa Dobrescu
- Gheorghe Hotăranu Pharmacy
Take a walk in (at least) one of the greatest parks in Bucharest
To blend in and feel the city’s vibe like a local, walk in one of Bucharest’s parks. Bucharest’s parks are great places for recreation from spring to fall.
King Michael I Park
Formerly known as Herăstrău, King Michael I Park is the most popular park in Bucharest. Located in the north of the capital, around Herăstrău Lake, it’s a great spot for family picnics, jogging, or renting waterbikes.
Bordei Park
Situated just across from King Michael I Park, across Beijing Boulevard, Bordei is one of the few quiet places in Bucharest, with fewer people around.
Alexandru Ioan Cuza Park
Also known as Titan Park or IOR Park, Alexandru Ioan Cuza Park is a recreational area for people in the Titan neighbourhood, in eastern Bucharest. The park is landscaped around Titan Lake, where you can rent a water bike. IOR is also a great family spot, with playgrounds and dog-dedicated areas.
The Youth Park (Tineretului)
The Youth Park (Tineretului) is around 200 hectares and is the biggest park in Bucharest. Like in King Michael I and IOR, you can cycle, walk, jog, observe the local birds, and so on. In its proximity, you can find Children’s World Park with slides, climbing and crossing systems, multicoloured sections structured on 2 levels, swings, and fitness machines.
Cișmigiu Garden
Cișmigiu Garden is the oldest public garden in Bucharest, centrally located. This elegant park is inspired by British designs. The lake transforms into a skating rink during winter, and in summer, you can go boating.
Sticlărieri Park
Sticlărieri Park is the newest addition to the parks in Bucharest and my favourite spot for a leisurely walk or to unwind. Not many people know of this place, as it was opened in 2022, plus it’s located quite far from the city centre, in the Pantelimon neighbourhood to the west of Bucharest. This place was abandoned for 30 years, which allowed an incredible amount of biodiversity to flourish around the lake. Now Sticlariei is a clean park, with a minimum of human intervention, to keep its wilderness vibe alive.

Văcărești Natural Park
Sticlărieri is like the little brother of Văcărești Natural Park, a unique urban wetland in southern Bucharest. Covering 183 hectares, the park formed after a failed canal project in the 1980s. Over time, it became a self-regulating ecosystem home to diverse flora and fauna, including over 190 bird species. The park is now a protected area and a popular destination for nature lovers and birdwatchers. While the place is guarded, it’s not recommended to visit at night. Also, it’s advisable to wear hiking or sports shoes. You can explore the park by bike or with a guided group.
Hunt for art expos and other free events in Bucharest
Bucharest hosts a variety of vernissages, performances, and cultural events. Some of them are for free, but you might need to dig a little bit to find them, especially when you’re an outsider. If you want to discover local talented artists in Romania, search through Facebook events and this website.
Connect with your spiritual side with a Bucharest church tour
Bucharest has gorgeous old churches you can admire for free. If you’re interested in history and architecture, you can’t miss Bucharest’s old Orthodox churches. Here are a few of them. The churches can be visited during ceremonies and close in the evening.
- Stavropoleos Monastery is located in the Old Town area of Bucharest and it’s a true gem. This 18th-century church features beautiful handmade paintings.
- St. Nicholas Church (formerly Russian Church) is a Russian-inspired church in Universitate Square from the early 20th century. This is a must-see for architecture enthusiasts.
- The Old Princely Court Church is the oldest in Bucharest, dating back to the 16th century. It’s located in the heart of the Old Town area.
- Bellu Cemetery may seem an unusual choice, but it holds some of Bucharest’s most beautiful funerary art. The cemetery is the final resting place of many important figures in Romanian history.
- Mihai Vodă Monastery is located in the centre of Bucharest. Constructed in 1591, it’s one of the oldest buildings in Bucharest.
- The Choral Temple is a beautiful synagogue located in the heart of Bucharest. It was built in the 19th century and it’s a must-see for anyone interested in Jewish history and culture.
- The Armenian Church, located in the Armenian neighbourhood, is a historic monument and a reminder of the once-large Armenian community in Bucharest.
- Romanian Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral is one of the most important Orthodox churches in Bucharest, in Unirii Square, near the Palace of the Chamber of Deputies and the Patriarchate of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
One-day trip to Mogosoaia Palace
Mogosoaia Palace is located outside of Bucharest, in Mogosoaia village. It was built in the 17th century and now hosts the Museum of Brâncovenesc Art. The palace has an impressive domain around it, with two parks. People come here for picnics and walks around the lake and in the beautiful gardens.
Indeed, the transportation from Bucharest to Mogosoaia will cost. Also, if you want to visit the palace museum or eat at the palace restaurant, it will cost. The most convenient and affordable way to reach Mogosoaia (if you don’t have a bike or a car) is to take the subway to Straulesti metro station and then the 436 bus line to Parcul Mogosoaia station. You can also take the train from the North Railway Station towards the airport and get down at Mogosoaia station. Alternatively, you can take an Uber or a Bolt.

One day at the mall – the perfect place to spend a rainy or cold day
This one can easily transform from one of the best free things to do in Bucharest into an expensive affair. One day at the mall is not advisable for the impulsive ones. Window shopping is free, but once you step into those stores, all bets are off.
Here are the malls in Bucharest, you can pick whatever is closer to you as there is not much difference between them.
- AFI Cotroceni in Militari neighbourhood
- Mega Mall close to the National Arena
- The ParkLake Shopping Center right next to Titan Park
- Băneasa Shopping City in the northern part of the capital
- Promenada Mall is in the business district in the north, between the Aviatiei and Pipera neighbourhoods.
- Also, Cărturești Carousel is worth mentioning in this list, even if this is a library, not a mall. The Carturesti Carousel Library is in the Old Town area of Bucharest, Romania, on Lipscani Street. The place where the library is located was originally a 19th-century family-owned department store.
Visit Bucharest in April to admire the magnolias
Download the Magnolia App to discover where you can find magnolias in Bucharest. The gorgeous trees are in parks, but mostly in people’s courts so you can only admire them over the fence. But that’s still a good excuse to stroll around the city and enjoy the view. Plus, you’ll get some exercise.