Hotels near King Michael I Park (Herastrau) and Herastrau Lake

Officially renamed King Michael I Park in 2017 but still universally called Herastrau, this 187-hectare green space is Bucharest's answer to Hyde Park - 74 hectares of that total is the lake itself, giving the park its distinctive irregular shape. The park was landscaped in 1936 by architects Octav Doicescu and Ernest Doneaud on former marshland, and features a Japanese garden, an outdoor amphitheatre, a summer rose garden, and clearly marked 6-km jogging and cycling loops.

Boat and pedalo rentals operate from the main pier at Aleea Trandafirilor between April and October, from 30 RON for 30 minutes. The lakeside promenade on the west side has half a dozen good terrace restaurants for a long Sunday lunch. On the northern edge of the park sits the Village Museum (see previous entry), making a full day of open-air Bucharest culture.

Pro Tip: Rent a bike from the I'Velo station near the Charles de Gaulle entrance (15 RON per hour) and ride the full 6-km outer loop before it heats up. The perimeter path is entirely flat and traffic-free, and the tree cover on the western side keeps the ride shaded even in July.