Morning: Palace of Parliament
The second-largest administrative building in the world, after the Pentagon. Start early (entry at 9:00) and catch a 45-minute guided tour. Parking is available on Calea 13 Septembrie.
Tip: book online the day before. The on-site queue can reach 1.5 hours in summer.
Towards noon: Old Town and Revolution Square
From Parliament, follow Bulevardul Unirii towards Piața Universității, then go down into the Old Town. Paid parking is available in the Lipscani area or in the underground garage at Universității.
Revolution Square, the site of the 1989 events, is a 10-minute walk away. The Memorial of Rebirth, Krețulescu Church and the former Central Committee headquarters.
Have lunch in the Old Town: choose between Caru' cu Bere (touristy but authentic), Hanu' lui Manuc (superb inner courtyard), or something smaller on Stradela Sfânta Vineri.
Afternoon: Arch of Triumph and Herăstrău
Pick up the car again and head up Calea Victoriei towards the Arch of Triumph, Romania's version of the Paris arch, built in 1936. Short-stay parking is available in Piața Charles de Gaulle.
From here, Herăstrău is 5 minutes away. The lake, Rose Island, statues and a walk along the paths. In summer you can rent an electric boat (40 RON/hour); in winter, you can skate.
Towards evening: Village Museum
In the same Herăstrău Park, with entrance from the Băneasa Forest side. More than 300 traditional peasant houses brought from across Romania, outdoors. Two hours of slow walking among wooden architecture from Maramureș, Oltenia and Bucovina.
Ways to end the day
If you still have energy, head towards Bd. Aviatorilor for a quieter dinner (Beraria H, Casa Doina, Camera din Față). If you are tired, go back to your accommodation, with the car parked in a guarded car park, not on the street.
About Bucharest traffic
Friday afternoons and Monday mornings are the busiest. The centre has restrictions for high-emission vehicles (check the Green Vignette with City Hall). Paid parking works through the iParking app or by SMS to 7456.
For a sightseeing tour, traffic is not a major problem: distances between attractions are short. One day covers the list above comfortably.