Top Things to Do in Bucharest with a Toddler

Often nicknamed "Little Paris" because of its cobbled streets, elegant boulevards and Belle Époque architecture, Bucharest is a vibrant city with plenty to do for adults and children alike.

We spent a weekend in the Romanian capital with our toddler, after a road trip through Transylvania, and it was the perfect place to round off our trip. From visiting the world's largest wellness centre, to Romanian folk dancing in Bucharest's oldest restaurant - we put together a list of the best thing the city has to offer if you're travelling with young kids.

Where to stay

There are a few different areas to consider when booking accommodation for Bucharest. The most popular area is undoubtedly Old Town (Lipscani). We stayed here at the Hilton Garden Inn, and the location was great in terms of getting around - however, this is where you'll find most of the nightlife in Bucharest, so it does get loud in the evenings. If you are travelling here with kids, I would probably recommend staying in one of the quieter areas instead. Universitate is close to Old Town, but quieter, and areas like Cotroceni, Herastrau/Aviatorilor and Tineretului are close to parks and green spaces - ideal for families. If you want something more upscale and central, then Piata Romana/Dorobanți is a good option. I went for a second time to Bucharest (by myself this time) and stayed at Athénée Palace Intercontinental - this was a really nice hotel, very centrally located but in a much quieter area than Old Town. It retains its historic charm but benefits from a modern uplift and comfortable facilities including a swimming pool and relaxing spa.

Getting around

Bucharest is a relatively small city so it is easy to walk (and very pram friendly) around and take in the sights. It is also well connected with both metro and buses and Ubers and Bolts are plentiful and cheap if you prefer to get around by taxi. I would recommend using these instead of hailing the yellow cabs, as they can charge tourists extortionate prices. 

Top Things to in Bucharest with a Toddler

Wander Through the Old Town

The historical heart of Bucharest, the Old Town, is a place steeped in history with buildings built in neoclassical and neo-baroque style. You can easily wander around here admiring the beautiful architecture and stop off in any of the nearby restaurants and bars for a quick snack (or ice cream) as you explore around.

It is mostly pedestrianised so it's perfect for walking around with little ones in tow, and there are lots of street performers around which my daughter loved! Make sure to stop by Cărturești Carusel, a stunning multi-level bookstore featuring a bright kids’ section - perfect for a quiet moment to browse picture books.

If you want a break from sightseeing, you can head to the nearby Cișmigiu Gardens, where you'll find playgrounds, duck ponds and open green spaces where your toddler can have a run around.

The area does have a busy nightlife (especially as Bucharest is a popular destination for hen do's and stag do's) so I would recommend coming here in the morning/early afternoon while it's still relatively quiet!

If you want to explore more and learn about it's history from a local you can book a walking tour here: Hidden Bucharest: Discover Secrets of the Old Town

If you're booking a tour use code TODDLERTRAVELDIARIES5 for 5% off when using the GetYourGuide app. Click here to install the app.

Caru’ cu Bere

​​For a fun experience, head to Caru' cu bere! Known as the oldest restaurant in Bucharest, it is a place full of history - the neo-Gothic building features impressive interiors of stained glass windows, intricately carved wooden panels and spiral columns, and vaulted ceilings. Opened in 1907, the name means The Beer Wagon, which is a reference to how beer was originally transported here by horse-drawn carriage.

I had read some mixed reviews beforehand, mainly about the food, so we decided to just go for a drink here rather than a meal (especially since we don't eat meat, and the menu looked very meat-heavy). The main draw here is the traditional entertainment which creates a buzzing atmosphere inside. There was a clown with a box of surprises and a budgie on his finger going around performing tricks, which my daughter loved, but she was absolutely mesmerised by the traditional dancing and folk music.

They wore traditional clothing and showcased high energy dances with singing and whistling cutting through the music - it was so fun to watch and even better was that they started to involve the audience - next thing we knew had all been swept up by the wave and about 15-20 people were holding hands and all participating in the group dance!

The dances start at either 19.15 or 19.30 depending on the day so I'd recommend pushing bedtime back and being there ready for 19.00 to enjoy the spectacle.

Discover Buildings Like Palace of Parliament 

One of the most impressive things about Bucharest is the cities many historical buildings. While this might not be the most interesting thing for your toddler to explore, it's a great activity for when you're walking around trying to get them to fall asleep in the pram.

One fo the most impressive buildings we saw was the Palace of Parliament. This magnificent building is absolutely huge and is the heaviest building in the world at 4,098,500 tonnes - apparently it is also sinking by 6mm every year! It took 13 years to complete and was finished in 1997. You can book tours to see the opulent interiors and admire some of the 480 chandeliers that hang from the beautiful ceilings.

From Parliament Palace you can see fountains lining the streets and it’s a lovely walk to the final Bucharest fountain. On weekends you can even enjoy a light show in the fountains! 

You will need I.D. to enter the building for the tours and you'll need to pass through security so remember to bring your passport for entry.

You can book tours here: Bucharest: Palace of Parliament Tickets and Guide

Therme Bucharesti Spa

This is an absolute must visit and the only place that I had to visit on both occasions visiting Bucharest! It’s the world's largest wellness centre and is located less than an hour away from central Bucharest (about 10 minutes away from the airport).

The spa is divided into three main areas: Galaxy - a massive water park for families with 16 slides, a wave pool and play areas for younger children, The Palm - a tropical oasis for relaxation and Elysium - a premium wellness centre and spa. We booked to go to Galaxy (open to all ages) and The Palm (open to children under the age of 3), as Elysium is for adults only (though I went here the second time when I visited by myself).

The spa was great fun for all of us, though the kids slides were strictly from the age of 3, and you're not allowed to go with your child on your lap, so that's something to be aware of if you're visiting with younger children. There was however plenty for our daughter to do, especially since we had access to both Galaxy and The Palm, and we took it in turns so both me and my wife could have some time relaxing in the steam rooms and a go on the big slides (yes, we are just big kids, really).

There were a few different restaurants and cafés for lunch, which didn't actually cost a fortune, and swim-up pool bars for those wanting a drink. In Elysium upstairs there were more swim up bars and 8 different themed saunas. You could also book yourself in for treatments and massages or enjoy a nicer meal than the general restaurant downstairs.

We chose to do a half day here (4.5 hours) and head back when it was time for our daughter's nap, though they did have pods with mattresses and a cover you could pull down where we saw kids having a nap, so that's an option too if you wanted to do a full day here and your child still naps. The price for 2 adults for 4.5 hours was around 250 lek (note that this doesn't include towels or slippers, so these you need to bring yourself).

My big tip for Therme would be book your tickets in advance and go when it opens. As you can see the facilities are empty when it opens but by lunchtime it is extremely busy and there will be long queues for the slides, jacuzzi spots in the main pool and the saunas will be at full capacity.

You can book tickets at the official website here, or if you don't have a car and want something that includes transportation, this tour is a good option:

Bucharest: Therme București Entry Ticket with Transportation

Pasajul Victoriei (Umbrella street)

We stumbled upon this street when we were walking though central Bucharest, and it was such a nice find - it's a cute little alleyway with lots of cafés and restaurants, with multicoloured umbrellas hung up, beautifully filtering the light as the sun shines through. My daughter loved walking here looking at the different colours, and it's the perfect place to stop for a drink or a bite. It's only a small street so you don't need a huge amount of time here, but as it is centrally located, it's worth stopping by if you're exploring the city!

Day trip to Bran Castle or Peleș

If you’re only staying in Bucharest and can’t make it to Transylvania, I would highly recommend you taking a day trip to explore some of the magical castles of Romania!

Bran is a small town near the city of Brașov, which is about 3hrs away from Bucharest and most famous as the home of Bran Castle, which you may know as Dracula's Castle. Whether or not there is actually a connection between the castle and Vlad the Impaler (the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula) can be disputed, but the castle is definitely worth seeing, with its dramatic appearance and mysterious atmosphere.

Peleș Castle is a lavish summer palace from the 19th century. Unfortunately, much of the facade was under construction when we were there, so the castle was largely covered in scaffolding, but it was still a worthwhile stop, with a nice walk up to the castle through a wooded area and the castle is in a lovely green setting in the hills. However, you're in luck as after 2 years of renovations the castle was reopened at the end of 2024!

I would recommend hiring a car for the day (or even spend a night in Bran/Brașov). There is a train from from Bucharest to Brașov which is another option, but you might not be able to see as much as some places require a car to get to. Alternatively, there are tours departing from Bucharest early in the morning to both Peleș castle, Bran castle and Brașov, and end back in Bucharest around 1-2pm. Unfortunately, some of the group tours do not permit children, however if you book a private tour they do, and that may also be more comfortable and allow you to explore the castles at your own leisure.

Recommended Tours: Private tour: departure Bucharest to Peles Castle, Bran and Brasov Old Town

Our favourite places to eat

Sera Eden - a hidden gem and I mean that in the most literal sense. It’s a wonderful garden restaurant tucked behind a disused building through some hefty cast iron gates. After tentatively going around the building you will be greeted by a lush garden with a huge greenhouse. The food here is fantastic and my daughter loved being able to roam around the gardens freely playing and exploring. 

Caju - this was recommended by a Bucharest local and this fusion of Mediterranean and Moroccan cuisines is tucked right behind the Ateneul Roman. Not quite fine dining but the food is excellent and they pay a lot of attention to the plating. The Moroccan bread was fantastic so be sure to order some and remember to ask for olive oil! 

Aubergine - a great restaurant right in the middle of Old Town. As we don't eat meat, we're always on the lookout for good vegetarian options, and this restaurant, which fuses Egyptian and Mediterranean cuisines, has a strong focus on healthy and fresh ingredients, with both vegan and vegetarian options.

Other Places to Visit in Bucharest with a Toddler

As we only had 2 full days in Bucharest, we didn't get the chance to see everything the city has to offer. If you are staying for a bit longer and want to explore a bit more, these options might be for you:

Herăstrău (King Michael I) Park

This sprawling 187 ha park by Lake Herăstrău offers green spaces, playgrounds, boat rides, and even the Village Museum, an open-air museum showcasing traditional homes.

Cișmigiu Gardens

A charming, historic park right in the city centre, featuring tree-lined paths, flowerbeds, duck-filled ponds, and boat rentals.

Tineretului Park & Orășelul Copiilor (Children’s Mini‑town)

This green space includes playgrounds, paddleboat rentals, a train ride, and Orășelul Copiilor, a mini amusement park with small rollercoasters, rides, and fountains.

Zoo Băneasa (Bucharest Zoo)

One of Eastern Europe’s largest zoos, home to over 800 animals, plus a petting farm, playgrounds, pony rides, and even an aquarium section for a fun, half-day outing.

Grigore Antipa Museum of Natural History

A dinosaur and natural history museum with interactive exhibits (butterflies, fossils, skeletons) that offer a great educational experience.

Orășelul Cunoașterii (Knowledge Town / Children’s Museum)

An interactive science museum perfect for children aged 2+ — with experiments in physics, balance, optics, ecology, and more.

Edenland & Adventure Parks Around Bucharest

Just outside the city, Edenland Park offers treetop walks, zip lines, animal farms, pony rides, and more, great for a full day out in nature!

Village Museum at Herăstrău

This open-air folk museum features 300+ traditional rural buildings and cultural exhibits—perfect for wandering and exploring with kids in tow.

Summary

Bucharest is a city full of history, beautiful architecture and fun activities. For us it was the perfect end to our Transylvanian road trip (which you can read about here) and I would highly recommend you visit as a stand alone city break or as a longer trip seeing the castles and wild bears of Transylvania!