How to Visit Palace of Parliament in Bucharest: Tickets, Tours, Prices and Hours

Among the best things to do in Bucharest, the Palace of Parliament is a must-see, not only because it is one of the largest public buildings in the world, but also because it is one of the most visited attractions in Bucharest.

Located in the heart of the Old Town, near the Romanian Athenaeum and the Cismigiu Garden, the Palace of Parliament is a neoclassical building that was begun during the communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu and was completed in 1997, and is now the seat of the Romanian Legislative Power. Its silhouette is one of the unmistakable faces of Bucharest.

Tickets to the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest start at approximately 14 euros per person for adults and 5 euros per person for children aged 7 to 18, although these tickets do not include the assistance of an expert local guide, only the right to enter the building and tour it on your own in the designated areas.

If you want the assistance of an expert local guide, you can find one at the door of the building, who will agree a price with you and accompany you on the tour. The official organisation of the Palace of Parliament does not offer the possibility of buying tickets with guided tours.

Tickets for Romanian citizens are free of charge, and for students who can prove their status as such, the initial cost of the tickets is approximately 7 euros. Note also that some of the best tours of Bucharest include a stop at the Palace of Parliament.

Interesting details

• Location... Strada Izvor 2-4, Bucharest.
• Opening hours... March to October daily from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and November to February daily from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Inside the Palace of Parliament you can find different tickets. General admission tickets for adults have an initial cost of approximately 14 euros per person, and apply to all persons over 18 years of age who do not prove Romanian nationality. For local citizens, tickets are free of charge.

On the other hand, children between the ages of 7 and 18 will pay an initial fee of approximately 5 euros, while children under the age of 7 will be admitted free of charge, as long as they are accompanied by a responsible adult. Students who can prove their status as such will pay a ticket of 7 euros.

All tickets will give visitors access to the areas set aside for tours inside and outside the building, and also to the corridors on the upper floor, from which you can enjoy some of the best views of the city, including some popular buildings on the skyline, such as the Romanian Athenaeum, the Arc de Triomphe and the monuments of the University Square.

The ticket office at the Palace of Parliament does not offer skip-the-line tickets, but guided tours of this building usually ensure priority access in small groups, even during the high season months. Tickets included in the Bucharest Card also offer priority access.

Tickets to the Palace of Parliament are included in the Bucharest Card, a tourist pass that includes free travel on the city's public transport and free access to more than 50 attractions in the Romanian capital, including the legislative building.

The Bucharest Card can be purchased in 1, 2, 3, 3, 5 or 7-day services, which will be activated from the moment of first use and will be counted in consecutive days from activation. The approximate initial price of this tourist pass, for 1-day tours, is 19 euros.

Note that this alternative may be of interest if you plan to visit Bucharest in 3 days or even less and need skip-the-line tickets, although they do not include the assistance of an expert local guide in your Palace of Parliament ticket.

The tickets for the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest that are sold on the official website of the building or at the ticket office do not include or offer a guided tour, but only give you the right to walk through the spaces inside and outside the building. However, you can book a guided tour on your own, either online in advance or on the steps of the palace.

While you can visit the Palace of Parliament on your own, I advise you to choose a guided tour option, as this will allow you to learn about the Palace's past and its intimate relationship with the country's history, whether during its construction during the communist regime or its role as the epicentre of assembly during the 1989 Revolution in Romania.

Also, note that some of the best Bucharest tours include a guided tour of the site, so you can save time with these combined alternatives as well.

Tickets for adults start at approximately 14 euros per person, while children between the ages of 7 and 18 pay a special ticket of 5 euros. Children under the age of 7 are free, provided they are accompanied by a responsible adult.

This differential rate is ideal if you are planning to visit Bucharest with your family or children and if you are planning to visit this site, as you will be able to get discounts. Some tour service providers offering guided tours also offer special deals for family groups.

Bucharest's Palace of Parliament is the main attraction and the most visited building in the city, so it tends to be very crowded, whether you plan to travel in summer, during the high season, or visit the Romanian capital in the winter. Therefore, the best alternative is to buy tickets in advance online and avoid last-minute delays at the building's ticket office.

On the other hand, if you book your tickets in advance online, you will be able to put together a detailed itinerary to see the most famous sights of the city and make the most of your visit to the Romanian capital, which is ideal if you are planning a short stay of 2 days in Bucharest or even less.

Also, by booking in advance online you will be able to set the day of your visit and secure your space at this site, which is one of the must-see buildings you can't miss during your tour of the city.

The Palace of Parliament is open every day of the year, except on public holidays, which include Christmas Day on 25 December and New Year's Day on 1 January, plus a few other dates which are usually listed on the building's official website.

However, you should bear in mind that the opening hours change according to the time of year. If you plan to visit the city from March to October, you can tour the palace from 9am to 5pm, while if you plan to visit from November to February, which coincides with winter in Bucharest, the opening hours are from 10am to 4pm.

The Palace of Parliament can be visited in about 1 hour, which is also the time it takes for the tour proposed by the expert local guides. During this time you will be able to see the rooms of the building, the luxurious meeting rooms, the outdoor gardens and the main halls.

However, if you wish, during your visit you can stay longer in the Palace of Parliament and, after the guided tour, if you have chosen this alternative, you can walk around the site at your own pace or visit again some of the rooms of this building before continuing your itinerary to the best museums of Bucharest or to the public parks of the city.

One of the best times to visit the Palace of Parliament is during spring and summer, especially from May to September. During these months, the weather in Bucharest is warmer and more pleasant, allowing visitors to explore the gardens surrounding the palace and enjoy panoramic views of the city from its spacious terraces.

In addition to the favourable weather conditions, the high tourist season offers the opportunity to participate in more regular guided tours and special events organised at the Palace of Parliament. During this period, opening hours are extended, allowing visitors to enjoy the architecture and history housed in the palace for longer. However, you should be aware that the crowds are also larger.

However, those who prefer to avoid the crowds and enjoy a quieter experience may want to consider visiting during the cooler months of the year. Between November and February the tourist crowds decrease substantially and the Palace of Parliament becomes an ideal retreat to avoid the winter cold in Bucharest and also to discover the city's snowy skyline.

Getting to the Palace of Parliament is easy from anywhere in the city as it is located in the centre of the Romanian capital, although one of the best alternatives is to take the Metro to Unirii station and from there walk two streets to the steps of the building. Buses N101, N104, N106, N114, N118 and N122 are also available.

Another popular alternative is to use taxis, which are readily available throughout the city. Taxis in Bucharest are relatively inexpensive and offer a convenient way to get directly to the Palace of Parliament. In addition, many visitors choose to arrive on foot, as the palace is located in an area that is often in between the Romanian capital's best museums and other famous attractions.

The Palace of Parliament is one of the most imposing buildings in the world and houses several attractions you won't want to miss. The Mirror Room, which is one of the most luxurious rooms in the building, stands out for its decoration, which includes a large number of mirrors and crystals that make it the epicentre of the Romanian government's official meetings.

Another notable room is the Union Hall, a hall that also serves as a stage for official ceremonies and events and is characterised by its opulent design, with marble columns and ornate detailing, reflecting Romania's rich culture and history. Nearby you can also explore the Palace Library, which contains a collection of books and documents on the country's history.

The extensive gardens surrounding the Palace of Parliament are also a must-see. There you can stroll along the green paths and enjoy panoramic views of the city, which provides a lovely contrast to the architecture of the building.

As a first step, I advise you to book your tickets in advance, especially if you plan to visit the city during the peak tourist season, which coincides with the European summer. This will allow you to avoid long queues and ensure your access to the interior of the palace.

Also, if you plan to visit the building on your own, bear in mind that the size of the palace can be overwhelming, so make sure you have enough time to explore every room and corner at your leisure. However, I advise you to book a guided tour, as this experience is often part of the best tours in Bucharest.

Finally, don't forget to explore the surroundings of the Palace of Parliament. The surrounding gardens offer a tranquil setting and unmissable views, ideal for relaxing after a visit inside the building.