The In-Laws’ Grand Adventures: Bucharest Edition - Part Three the Palace of the Parliament

A Mad Stroll Through Bucharest’s Contrasts

Our walk to the Palace of the Parliament was an adventure in itself. Bucharest is a city of contrasts, and we saw it all: sleek modern buildings standing next to grand old ones, some beautifully preserved, others weathered by time and traffic pollution. The streets swung between chaos (blaring horns, daring pedestrians, and the odd bit of creative driving) and quieter pockets of the city, where things felt a little more serene.

 

It was a flat walk of about 25 minutes (or less) from the Old Town, and although the morning started off cold, the sun made a surprise appearance, warming things up to an almost spring-like temperature—not what we’d expected for January! Just before reaching the palace, we took a well-earned break at Haute Pepper on Boulevard Unirii. It was almost warm enough to sit outside in the unexpected sunshine, and there were plenty of al fresco tables. Instead, we opted for a coffee (or in some cases, a cold beer or a glass of rosé) in the classy indoor surroundings, with equally elegant service. Although we only had drinks, we were warmly welcomed, and the food menu looked excellent.

 

Inside the Beast

The Palace of the Parliament—formerly known as the People’s Palace—is utterly ridiculous in size. It’s the second-largest administrative building in the world (only the Pentagon beats it), and honestly, when you’re standing in front of it, you can’t quite believe someone looked at the plans and thought, Yep, this seems reasonable.

 

Built under Ceaușescu’s rule as a grand communist (or rather dictator's) statement, the project was a financial black hole, costing an estimated €3 billion. After the revolution in 1989, the new government had to decide what on earth to do with it—finish it, sell it, or knock it down. Since billions had already been poured in and most of the materials were sitting there ready to be used, they decided to carry on. Today, it houses not just the Parliament but several other government agencies, presumably because you don’t build a place this massive and then only use a handful of rooms.

 

The Tour

Once inside, we joined a guided tour, led by someone who clearly had a great sense of humour about the whole thing. The sheer extravagance of the place is mind-blowing—marble staircases wide enough to host a parade, chandeliers that could double as small planets, and endless halls dripping in luxury. The guide balanced history with plenty of dry wit, which made the whole experience even more entertaining.

 

Despite its somewhat controversial history, the palace is undeniably impressive. It’s a symbol of excess, ambition, and a fair bit of madness, but it’s also a fascinating glimpse into Romania’s past and present. Would we recommend a visit? Absolutely. But don’t forget your passport, or you’ll be left staring at the absurdity from the outside!

 

Top Tips for Visiting the Palace of the Parliament

• Flat Walk: The palace is an easy, flat 25-minute (or less) walk from the Old Town. But you can get a Bolt, Uber, or combine a walk with a bus.
• Booking: Secure your tour tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. We used Get Your Guide's Palace of the Parliament Tour
• Identification: You must bring your passport for entry—no exceptions.
• Timing: Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled tour to get through security.
• Dress Code: Wear comfy shoes—the palace is vast, and there are plenty of stairs.
• Enjoy the Surroundings: Stop for a drink at Haute Pepper on Boulevard Unirii beforehand, it’s a great place to take in the city before diving into the grandeur of the palace.

From Palatial Grandeur to Toastie Bliss: A Perfect Bucharest Detour"

After leaving the Palace, we meandered back up toward the Old Town, passing some expensive shops and letting the buzz of Bucharest, guide us. 

Along the way, still a bit stunned by the opulence we had just seen, we stumbled upon Le Bab (also known as Le Bab Downtown), an industrial-chic little gem tucked into the vibrant heart of the city. Drawn in by its warm atmosphere and the irresistible aroma wafting from within, we decided to take a break and indulge in what turned out to be the most incredible toastie we've ever had. It was actually on the menu as a Pulled Pork Crack Monsieur (honestly!), organic granary toast with ham, cheese mix and slow-cooked pulled pork with a pickle on the side. A couple of us chose the upgrade a Cheesy Crack Monsieur. The same, only with cheese on top as well! Both types oozed with perfectly melted cheese and layers of seasoned fillings; it was the ultimate comfort food. Paired with (probably) a couple of beers and two glasses of rosé or prosecco and the lively hum of Old Town around us, it was a moment of simple indulgence that made our wandering all the more memorable.

After mooching round a few more old churches and a stop-off at the hotel bar, we took a break for a shower and to put our feet up before heading back down to the hotel restaurant for dinner.

Our waiter was cheery and entertaining, but there were a few things unavailable from the menu, and overall, the meal was FINE, but we enjoyed each other's company more than the meal itself!

Following that, with just a couple more drinks in the foyer (as the bar was closed for a private function), we reflected on another great day in this surprising city.