The most beautiful gardens in Bucharest to check out this summer

Bucharest has plenty of sunny days, year round. But at the height of summer, the city can become too hot to handle. Find your green oasis in Bucharest among these very charming gardens scattered around the city, and enjoy the shade and drinks served in many of them.

Cafe Verona

An extension of the Carturesti bookstore, Cafe Verona is the favourite getaway destination for book lovers. Serving a wide range of lemonades in oversize glasses, it welcomes everyone under its canopies for long and breezy evenings. Occasionally, the space hosts book launches, concerts and fairs.

Gradina Eden

Located behind the imposing Stirbey Palace, on Calea Victoriei lies Eden, one of the biggest gardens in the city. Scattered between the trees, which have been growing wildly for years, you’ll find hammocks, wooden tables and chairs and beanbags to rest after a day’s worth of sightseeing alongside the locals. Three bars are serving the garden, with drinks ranging from fruit juices to cocktails and specialty beers.

Cismigiu

One of the most charming parks in Bucharest, Gradina Cismigiu is one of the favourite places for locals of all ages. Its lanes, lined with fragrant linden trees, lend the park a layer of enchantment, particularly in spring. Find your favourite spot, under an old tree, on one of the benches dotted alongside the many paths or alongside the artificial lake found near the main entrance.

Gradina Botanica

Head to Bucharest’s botanical garden for a quiet afternoon, which should also include a visit to the greenhouses and the herb garden of this Bucharest institution. Built at the end of the 19th century, the greenhouse was modelled after that in Liege, Belgium. Take advantage of the garden’s location in the charming Cotroceni neighbourhood to stroll along the shaded streets and do consider paying a visit to the Cotroceni Museum, host of an impressive collection of old books and paintings.

Dianei 4

This centrally located terrace serves some of the best brunches in town. Find a spot at one of their tables hidden under the thick canopy of trees and consider yourself lucky to be able to escape the city’s busy centre. Inside, in the restored but vintage looking belle époque house that hosts Dianei 4, they play good music, so do step in for a quick tour.

J’Ai Bistrot

One of Bucharest’s most famous gardens, J’Ai Bistrot is a favourite destination for many locals. Enter the narrow corridor and you will find a courtyard filled with wooden tables and chairs as well as plenty of shade. Serving a wide range of dishes, this garden is also perfect for a pitstop for refuelling after a full day of sightseeing.

Gradina Floreasca

This garden is perfect for music lovers. Regularly hosting concerts, it is located in the up and coming neighbourhood of Floreasca, one of the city’s liveliest. The open air bar serves great burgers and salads as well as cocktails, so include dinner in your evening plans to make the best of this destination.