Herăstrău Park (King Michael I Park)

Parcul Regele Mihai I (Herăstrău)

Bucharest's largest park, wrapped around a broad lake with gardens, walking paths, boat rentals and lakeside terraces. It is the city's favourite green escape for strolling, cycling and relaxing away from the traffic.

Things to do

• Stroll the lakeside promenade — Walk the shaded paths that wrap around Lake Herăstrău, the park's main attraction and favourite promenade for locals.
• Boat trip on the lake — Rent a pedal boat or hop on one of the small pleasure cruisers that ply the broad waters of Lake Herăstrău.
• Visit the Village Museum — Explore the open-air Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, with hundreds of authentic peasant houses, churches and windmills from across Romania.
• Cycle or rollerblade the loops — Rent a bike and follow the flat lakeside circuits that make Herăstrău one of the best places in Bucharest to ride away from traffic.
• See the Roman Square rose gardens — Wander the formal gardens and floral displays near the park's main entrances, especially colourful in late spring.
• Charles de Gaulle statue and entrance — Enter near the striking statue of the French general at Piața Charles de Gaulle, one of the park's grand gateways.
• Japanese Garden — Find the tranquil Japanese-style garden with its little bridges and pond, a quiet corner tucked within the park.
• Relax at a lakeside terrace — Settle onto one of the floating or waterside terraces for a drink while watching the sunset over the lake.

Food to try

• Mici (mititei) — Grilled skinless minced-meat sausages served with mustard and bread, the quintessential Romanian park and terrace snack.
• Papanași — Warm fried doughnuts topped with sour cream and sweet fruit jam, a beloved dessert at the park's restaurants.
• Ciorbă de burtă — A tangy, garlicky tripe soup often served at the lakeside terraces as a hearty Romanian classic.
• Lakeside terrace dining — Sit-down meals at established restaurants like those around the lake offering grilled meats, fish and Romanian wine with a water view.
• Kürtőskalács (chimney cake) — Sweet spit-roasted cake rolled in sugar and cinnamon, sold from park kiosks as a warm street treat.
• Covrigi — Fresh soft pretzels sprinkled with salt, poppy or sesame seeds, the go-to grab-and-go snack from stalls near the entrances.

Local customs & good to know

• Use the metro to arrive — Aviatorilor station on the M2 line drops you near the southern entrances, avoiding the notoriously heavy Bucharest traffic.
• Weekends get crowded — Locals flock here on sunny weekends, so come early for boat rentals and quiet paths, or visit on a weekday.
• Combine with the Village Museum — The Village Museum charges a separate entry fee and is a genuine cultural highlight worth budgeting an hour or two for.
• Bring cash for small vendors — Kiosks, boat rentals and some terraces prefer cash in lei, though larger restaurants accept cards.

Nearby

• Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum — 0 km
• Arch of Triumph — 1 km
• Romanian Athenaeum — 4 km
• National Museum of Art of Romania — 4 km