The best museums in Romania will most likely surprise you. Why?
Theyāre living testaments of our countryās tumultuous past, rich natural diversity, unique cultural heritage and artistic expression.
Youāll get to see unique folklore items essential for our customs (clothing, masks), rural technology, and a variety of contemporary art and culture.
And if you canāt spend 2-3 days in the traditional regions of Transylvania, Maramures or Bucovina where some villages are real-life open air museums - then a Romanian village museum - of which we have many! - is your next best choice.
I know, visiting museums sounds old-school and boring for some whoād rather be out exploring the city. But for others, including me, itās one of the best ways to explore a new country and dive deep into a specific topic. Especially if itās rainy outside!
So if youāre interested in culture trips and wondering if a trip to Romania is worthwhile, then we prepared a list of the best Romanian museums to visit so you can plan your trip.
We also included lesser-known museums that are captivating and worth the time of any traveller interested in what they have to offer.
Table of contents
- 1. National History Museum of Romania, Bucharest
- 2. National Museum of Art of Romania, Bucharest
- 3. National Museum of Natural History (Grigore Antipa Museum), Bucharest
- 4. Museum of Immersive New Art, Bucharest
- 5. National Museum of Contemporary Art, Bucharest
- 6. Cotroceni National Museum, Bucharest
- 7. The National Military Museum King Ferdinand I, Bucharest
- 8. The National Village Museum "Dimitrie Gusti" in Bucharest
- 9. K. H. Zambaccian Art Museum, Bucharest
- 10. The National Museum of the Romanian Peasant, Bucharest
- 11. Museum of the National Bank of Romania, Bucharest
- 12. The First Romanian School Museum, Brasov
- 13. Tulcea Museum of History and Archaeology
- 14. Moldova National Museum Complex, Iasi
- 15. Museum of National History and Archeology, Constanta
- 16. PeleČ National Museum, Sinaia
- 17. SighiČoara History Museum
- 18. The Guild House, Sighisoara
- 19. The Dracula Investigation, Sighisoara
- 20. ASTRA National Museum Complex, Sibiu
- 21. Brukenthal National Museum, Sibiu
- 22. Priest Zosim Oancea Museum, Sibiel
- 23. Muzeon - Storytelling Jewish History Museum, Cluj-Napoca
- 24. Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance
- 25. Maramures Village Museum
- 26. Merry Cemetery of SÄpĆ¢nČa
- 27. Oradea Fortress
- 28. MÄldÄreČti Museum Complex
- 29. The Watermills in Eftimie Murgu
- 30. Other museums worth visiting
This is the most important permanent exhibition in our country
1. National History Museum of Romania, Bucharest
š Calea Victoriei, no 12, Bucharest
Located on Calea Victoriei Street in Bucharest the National Museum of Romanian History displays artifacts from prehistoric times up to the modern era, thus preserving our national history and thesaurus.
Many objects on display are made of precious metals and stones, but there are a lot of other pieces that have archeological value, such as weapons and pottery dating as far back as 3,000 years old.
Perhaps the most interesting items on display is the permanent exhibition of golden jewellery made by our ancestors, the Dacians. Romania was known for its gold reserves and they were skilled craftsmen, which eventually made them an attractive expansion target for the Roman Empire.
The building in which the museum is housed is a historical monument in itself closed to the Old Town area and is known as Palatul PoÅtelor (The Post Office Palace).
The museum has permanent collections and also temporary exhibitions. A full-size copy of Trajanās Column from Rome can also be studied and admired from up close as part of the permanent exhibition Lapidarium.
š The National Museum of History of Romania is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00-17:00 and you can book tickets online here.
Housed in the former royal palace, this historical monument is worth seeing
2. National Museum of Art of Romania, Bucharest
š Calea Victoriei, no 49-53, Bucharest
Housed in the former Royal Palace in the city center of Bucharest, the National Art Museum of Romania is the countryās prime holder of Romanian and European fine artworks.
There is also a captivating gallery of Oriental art. Still, the National Gallery (medieval and modern Romanian art gallery) and the European Art Gallery, are the main parts of the National Museum of Art.
The art collections feature valuable works by well-known Romanian artists such as Theodor Aman, Nicolae Grigorescu, Nicolae Tonitza, Theodor Pallady, Constantin Brancusi or Dimitrie Paciurea.
Local tip:the National Museum of Art can be visited for free on the first Wednesday of every month.
The Throne Hall, the Royal Dining Room, and the Voivodsā Stairs are historical spaces of the palace that went through many restoration phases in the past, but you can now see them as they were in their glory days.
You canāt miss this building when you visit Bucharest as it's close to other major landmarks in the city and Revolution Square, where the communist revolution started.
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Start from: Piata Romana (Romana Square)
š You can visit from Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00-18:00 and buy tickets here.
Visiting Antipa Museum is one of the best things nature lovers can do on a rainy day
3. National Museum of Natural History (Grigore Antipa Museum), Bucharest
š Åoseaua Pavel D. Kiseleff, no 1, Bucharest
The Natural History Museum stands in Piata Victoriei Square and takes visitors through a journey of the various natural habitats of Romania.
Its diverse collections include these major categories: Geology and Mineralogy, Paleontology, Comparative Anatomy, Ethnography and Anthropology, Vertebrates, Invertebrates and Entomology.
The Natural Science Museum is equally interesting for children and adults because some years back it underwent an impressive modernization and now the information is presented in a visually engaging manner through dioramas.
The museum also showcases the various animal and bird species present in Romania, which is a good preparation if youāre planning to go hiking in the Carpathian Mountains - but also if you canāt!
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Start from: Rucar, Arges county
š The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00-18:00 and there are guided tours in Romanian and English. Buy tickets online to skip the lines which can be quite long.
Our favorite, and one of the best museums in Romania to visit
4. Museum of Immersive New Art, Bucharest
š Strada George Constantinescu, no 2-4, Bucharest
MINA is the first immersive space in Romania and the largest new media art center in Southeast Europe. This impressive Romanian museum blends the old with the new and quickly became a rising star among the best museums in Romania.
Itās especially recommended if youāre planning a family holiday in Romania. It combines technology and sensory experiences in a creative way with various shows featuring works of famous artists, educational projections and even a Water Show.
š Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00-19:00, get tickets here.
5. National Museum of Contemporary Art, Bucharest
š Calea 13 Septembrie, no 1-3, Bucharest
Located in the southwestern wing of the Palace of the Parliament (formerly the House of the People), the most famous landmark in Bucharest, MNAC stands as a creative laboratory for artistic expression of past and present trends.
This Romanian modern art gallery integrates the evolution of visual culture but also social and political changes, the evolution of mentalities across generations, and ideological fractures in contemporary Romania.
The museum became more popular as it became a place preferred by open-minded, progressive artists in the building symbolising communism in Romania.
It hosts many temporary exhibitions, workshops, debates, shows, and festivals that constantly change - so you experience something new each time.
Local insight:sip a coffee or your favorite drink on the museumās terrace with beautiful views of the city
š Opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00-19:00 and you can book tickets here.
Not a royal residence, but a presidential one
6. Cotroceni National Museum, Bucharest
š Bulevardul Geniului, no 1-3, Bucharest
Cotroceni Palace is the official residence of the President of Romania. One of the old wings of the 19th-century palace was transformed into a museum.
The museum features ornate interiors and medieval and contemporary art collections. The building itself is very beautiful with tranquil and well manicured gardens, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
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Start from: University Square
š Itās open for visits from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00ā17:00. To visit the museum you need to book tickets at least 1-2 days in advance on the official website.
Tanks are always on permanent exhibition!
7. The National Military Museum King Ferdinand I, Bucharest
š Strada Mircea VulcÄnescu, no 125-127, Bucharest
This Romanian museum has played an important role in promoting the military and historical traditions of the Romanian Army.
The items on display are linked to significant military events in our history and display weapons and military equipment (including aircraft, tanks, etc), from the Stone Age to modern times.
š Visit from Monday to Friday, 8:00-15:00, get tickets here and know that guided visits can be scheduled on request since English descriptions are limited.
This is the most popular village museum in Romania
8. The National Village Museum "Dimitrie Gusti" in Bucharest
š Åoseaua Pavel D. Kiseleff, no 30, Bucharest
Located in Herastrau Park, this is probably the most famous open air museum in Romania and can be visited in the same way you would explore a real-life typical village in our country.
It features real size village houses representative of different ethnographic regions of the country, so it will be easy to notice differences and the fascinating diversity Romanian culture has. And, yes, you can go in!
Inside each traditional household you will see typical objects, sheepfolds, mills, and technical installations from the 17th century to the early 20th century.
Local tip:traditional fairs and markets are often organised at the National Village Museum, and these are great to find an authentic Romanian souvenir
There are also some wooden churches similar to the ones found in the region of Maramures which makes the traditional setting complete.
š The ethnographic museum is open every day from 9:00 to 17:00 and check for tickets here.
This Romanian museum hosts the most valuable art collection in the country
9. K. H. Zambaccian Art Museum, Bucharest
š Strada Muzeul Zambaccian, no 21A, Bucharest
This small museum in Bucharest is named after Krikor Zambaccian, who commissioned the building to host one of the richest and most valuable selection of artworks in Romania.
This art collections museum offers a condensed view of the best of Romanian art ā from famous painters such as Theodor Aman, Nicolae Grigorescu and Nicolae Tonitza to sculptures by Constantin Brancusi.
Local tip:Zambaccian Museum can be visited for free on the first Wednesday of every month.
š Visiting hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00-18:00 and you can get tickets here.
This is the best ethnographic museum in Romania
10. The National Museum of the Romanian Peasant, Bucharest
š Åoseaua Pavel D. Kiseleff, no 3, Bucharest
Hosted in a building that is an architectural monument because of its Neo-Romanian style, this ethnographic museum in Bucharestās city center houses the richest collection of peasant objects and household items, including folk arts and costumes, ceramics, and icons.
Whereas the village museum in Herestrau Park offers a macro perspective of the Romanian village, this one will take you deep into the heart of it.
The museum is also about the pivotal role the typical Romanian peasant plays in Romanian literature, its symbolic and spiritual meaning in our culture. This is one of the main reasons to visit this museum.
š The Romanian Peasant Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00-18:00.
11. Museum of the National Bank of Romania, Bucharest
š Strada Doamnei, no 8, Bucharest
Built by the Romanian famous architect Ion Mincu, the impressive national bank building in the heart of the Old Town area hosts a small but informative museum, especially for numismatics lovers.
Here you can explore one of the most valuable numismatic collections in Romania, the oldest coin minted on the territory of present-day Romania, and the smallest paper money printed in Romania.
The museum also presents the history of our national currency, the Leu as well as other currencies used throughout Romanian territories, and a gold treasury.
šThe museum can only be explored as part of a free guided tour, from Monday to Friday, but the visits must be booked at least two days in advance.
12. The First Romanian School Museum, Brasov
š PiaČa Unirii, no 2-3, BraČov
Erected on the grounds of the 16th-century St. Nicholas Church which youāve got to put on your list of places to visit in Brasov this cultural heritage museum in BraČov highlights the beginnings of formal education in Romania.
Discover the first books printed in Romanian and other cultural developments from the Middle Ages until recent times.
š The museum is open from Wednesday to Monday, 10:00-17:00, but itās mandatory to schedule a visit beforehand.
13. Tulcea Museum of History and Archaeology
š Strada Gloriei no 84, Tulcea
If youāre planning to visit the Danube Delta, youāve got to stop at this history museum in Tulcea.
The archaeology museum shows aspects of the economic, historical, cultural, religious, political, and military life in the Dobruja region from antiquity until the 19th century. Before the Black Sea resorts were set up for tourism, this area was known for its rich cultural life thanks to its position by the sea.
Even though itās a hidden gem compared to other notable history museums, it has good signage in English and itās usually not crowded.
š The museum is open Tue-Sun from 8:00-16:00 and you can check its website here.
Not just a museum, but an impressive historical building too
14. Moldova National Museum Complex, Iasi
š Bulevardul Čtefan cel Mare Či SfĆ¢nt, no 1, IaČi
Hosted in the impressive Neo-Gothic building of the Palace of Culture in IaČi, the complex has four different museums with four major exhibitions:
- Art Museum (paintings, graphics, sculpture)
- Moldavia's History Museum (the communities in the East Carpathians from Palaeolithic to the present day)
- Ethnographic Museum of Moldavia (handicrafts, technical installations, folk art collection)
- "Čtefan Procopiu" Science and Technique Museum (pieces on the evolution of sound recording and playback)
š The exhibitions are open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00-17:00 and you can buy combo tickets here.
15. Museum of National History and Archeology, Constanta
š PiaČa Ovidiu, no 13, ConstanČa
The museum building was made in the typical Romanian BrĆ¢ncovenesc style and is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city of Constanta.
Even though a bit old-fashioned (it doesnāt even have an official website), the history museum in ConstanČa displays a great number of objects found in the Dobruja region from Neolithic times to the recent communist era.
š Visit from Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00-17:00.
16. PeleČ National Museum, Sinaia
š Aleea PeleČului, no 2, Sinaia
Probably one of the most famous castles in Romania, this one was built by the first King of Romania, King Carol I of Hohenzollern, as the summer residence for the kingās family in Sinaia.
When the communist regime forced King Michael to abdicate in 1947, Peles Castle went into conservation so everything inside (luxurious decorations and art collections) has been preserved in its original form. So not only will you learn a lot about Romanian history but youāll also see how royals lived!
Peles museum of history and art is one the top museums of Europe and stands in a large meadow at the foot of Bucegi Mountains.
Pelisor Castle was built as a smaller royal residence for King Ferdinand and Queen Marie of Romania, the heirs of King Carol.
š Check opening hours, buy tickets and get additional details on the castleās official website.
17. SighiČoara History Museum
š PiaČa Muzeului, no 1, SighiČoara
The history museum is housed in SighiČoaraās famous Clock Tower and has a 360-degree observation platform at the top. Itās the best place for the panoramic views of the UNESCO listed medieval citadel and Transylvaniaās famous rolling hills - so this is a good enough reason to visit!
Crammed in the perimeter of the main gate tower, the museum has three floors exhibiting objects from different historical eras. Near the top, wonder at the ancient clockās mechanism visible for curious travelers.
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Start from: Bucharest
Inside the museum, you have brief Romanian, English, German, and French descriptions of the exhibits.
š Check winter and summer visiting hours here.
18. The Guild House, Sighisoara
š Strada Turnului, no 1, SighiČoara
In the heart of SighiČoaraās citadel, the Guild House displays a collection of Saxon tools, equipment, and machinery.
Even though it's a small museum, itās immersive and makes it easy to visualize how craftsmen in guilds worked in medieval Transylvania.
š The museum is open Open Monday to Sunday, 10:00ā18:00.
19. The Dracula Investigation, Sighisoara
š Strada Čcolii, no 12, SighiČoara
This exhibition in SighiČoara is not a typical museum, but more of an immersive exhibition about the life of Vlad ČepeČ also known as Vlad Dracula, the inspiration for the famous Dracula.
Itās the first interactive audiovisual experience in the city, and this makes it suited both for adults and children.
š Open from Thursday to Tuesday, 11:00-16:00. Visit it separately or pair it with the SighiČoara Tales tour which is at the same location.
The 3* Michelin ranked Astra Museum, one of the best in Romania
20. ASTRA National Museum Complex, Sibiu
š Strada PÄdurea Dumbrava, no 16, Sibiu
On the outskirts of Sibiu, the largest open air ethnographic museum in Romania was designed as a continuation of Dumbrava Forest.
It contains a rich and varied range of ethnographic objects - a repository of over 400 buildings and over 200,000 objects showcasing traditional Romanian folk culture.
Wander through water and windmills, households from different regions of the country, and even a wooden church (where you often see couples getting married). The museum often holds cultural events and festivals, so make sure you check their schedule in advance.
š Go for a stroll there from Monday to Sunday from 09.00-17.00 and get your tickets online.
21. Brukenthal National Museum, Sibiu
š PiaČa Mare, no 4 - 5, Sibiu
The first ever museum opened in Romania in 1817 (and also in Central Europe), is housed in the former Brukhental palace in the Big Square of Sibiu Old Town. Itās unmissable and one of the best places to visit in Sibiu.
Brukenthal was the wealthiest in Transylvania at the end of the 18th century, and he was known for his passion for fine arts, culture and educating the masses. He was also a high-ranking freemason and had a significant influence in regional politics and economy.
Besides its architectural charm as a typical Baroque palace with Rococo interiors in Transylvania, the art museum now houses an old Romanian art gallery with an art collection of paintings, historical maps, and even Brukhentalās mineral collection.
š Visit between Wednesday and Sunday, 10.00-18.00 and get tickets here.
Icons are central to Romanian culture
22. Priest Zosim Oancea Museum, Sibiel
š Strada Bisericii, no 329, Sibiel
The tiniest exhibition youāve ever seen, this cultural heritage museum in Sibiel village (Sibiu County) holds the largest collections of icons painted on glass in Transylvania, and itās one of the largest collections of its kind in the world.
The genuine icons are a miracle of artistic creativity and religious inspiration born of the riches of the Orthodox tradition and the great imagination of Romanian peasant painters. The curator will show you the technique of painting on glass that involves painting in reverse.
Orthodox Romanian churches have lots of icons and paintings and they're a great place to visit if you want to understand the role they played in shaping Romanian national identity.
š Itās open every day between 8.00-13.30 and 14.00-20.00.
23. Muzeon - Storytelling Jewish History Museum, Cluj-Napoca
š Strada Virgil Fulicea no 3, Cluj-Napoca
Muzeon is an innovative Jewish history exhibition in Cluj Napoca. Compared to other Jewish history museums in Romania, it offers a meaningful learning experience, without putting in much effort.
It tells captivating stories of the Jewish community in Cluj by combining real stories in first person with audio guides, interactive exhibits, artifacts, artistic installations, and virtual reality.
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Start from: Cluj-Napoca
The information is available in English, Romanian, Hungarian, Hebrew, French, and Spanish.
š Itās open Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00ā18.00.
24. Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance
š Strada Corneliu Coposu, no 4, Sighetu MarmaČiei
The memorial museum in the small town of Sighetul MarmaČiei in Maramures is housed in the rehabilitated ruins of the former prison of the communist regime.
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Start from: Cluj-Napoca
As you walk along the corridors, discover the old cells and understand the dark side of the Communist era: how intellectuals, priests, and dissidents were treated here, how they lived in prison, and how some of them died.
These scars are still part of the countryās modern history and we often remember those days.
š Check the visiting hours here for the winter and summer schedules.
25. Maramures Village Museum
š Strada Muzeului, no 1, Sighetu MarmaČiei
Located on DobÄieČ Hill in Sighetu Marmatiei, the ethnographic museum recreates a typical village from the MaramureČ region.
Itās an open air museum with original wooden houses, a village school and churches (some of them hundreds of years old) relocated from villages in the region.
You can easily read information about the exhibits by scanning QR codes.
š Open every day between 8.00-16.00.
A unique museum in Romania and cultural attraction
26. Merry Cemetery of SÄpĆ¢nČa
š Strada Ioan PÄtraČ, SÄpĆ¢nČa
In SÄpĆ¢nČa village, this unusual open air museum is unique and famous for its colorful āhappyā crosses.
Stan Ioan PÄtraČ (a simple wood sculptor) created the first crosses inscribing on them humorous epitaphs. The paintings and epitaphs depict the life of the departed and, this way, people remember the bright side of that person.
Despite it being in the far Noth-Western corner of the country, Sapanta Merry Cemetery is one of the best things to visit in Romania.
š The cemetery is open every day between 8.00 and 20.00. - just donāt forget to be respectful as you are still in a cemetery!
27. Oradea Fortress
š Emanuil Gojdu, no 41, Oradea
One of the best-preserved fortresses in Romania, the old citadel in Oradea now houses the history museum, craftsmanās workshops, medieval reenactments, events, and art galleries.
You can glimpse traces of the medieval fortress as well as the bastions and trenches of the late 18th-century Vauban extension. The history museum is one of the recently renovated museums in Romania, so you can have high hopes for this one.
š The fortress can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday. Check its timetable for the winter and summer visiting hours.
28. MÄldÄreČti Museum Complex
š Strada Principala nr. 1, MÄldÄreČti
The history compound in MÄldÄreČti shows how old fortified dwellings built in the shape of defense towers named cula (from Turkish etymology) to protect against Ottoman invasions.
These are found only in the Wallachia region and are quite interesting for their layout and architectural creativity.
Visit two very well-maintained fortified dwellings, Cula Duca and Cula Greceanu (the oldest one in Romania), and a 17th-century church with vibrant frescoes near the complex.
š Check the winter and summer visiting hours here.
29. The Watermills in Eftimie Murgu
š DJ571F, Eftimie Murgu, MÄldÄreČti
In the southern part of the country, in the Almajului Mountains, an āunofficialā ethnographic museum of watermills is located along a river on the edge of Eftimie Murgu village.
Itās the largest park with wooden watermills in South-East Europe, and a hidden gem even for many Romanians.
Wander freely amidst the 22 amazing wooden water mills still used by locals (thereās no entrance fee). If you wait a little, you can witness firsthand the centuries-old Romanian tradition of grinding cereals using water power.
30. Other museums worth visiting
Other honorable mentions include:
- Elie Wiesel Memorial House in Sighetu Marmatiei
- George Enescu National Museum in Bucharest
- Museum of Senses in Bucharest
- The Theodor Pallady Museum in Bucharest
- The Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest
- National Museum of Transylvanian History in Cluj-Napoca
***
Bucharest has the most various offerings of museums in the country, but there are other provincial cities and even small villages that can surprise you with unique outdoor and traditional museums as main tourist attractions.
Think of traditional and old memorial houses, churches, and even graveyards set up as museums and this is just a small part of what you can explore in the country's rich cultural heritage.
Museums in Romania have contributed to the preservation of our countryās identity, highlighting important phases of our history and traditions. Some of these traditions are gone but you can still experience them through the cultural setting in our remarkable museums. I tell you, Romania will surprise you!
I hope youāll have the chance to explore as many museums during your visit to Romania. And donāt forget that we are here to help you plan your trip and choose the best things for you.
Your Romanian friend,
Iuliana
