Cișmigiu Gardens, or simply Cismigiu Park, is the oldest public park in Bucharest and one of the most visited green spaces in the city. It sits right in the center, covers about 17 hectares and takes less than 10 minutes to walk to from the Old Town.
Unlike Herastrau Park, which spreads across the north of the city, Cișmigiu is compact, easy to get around and surrounded by the city on all sides. You can be inside the park in minutes from most central hotels.
The park opened in 1860 and was designed by German landscape architect Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Meyer, who transformed a swampy area fed by natural springs into the garden you see today. It is listed as a historical monument in Bucharest.
Practical Information
- Entry: Free
- Size: 17 hectares
- Lake: Artificial, 1.3 km long, 50 m wide, up to 2 m deep
- Boat rentals: 10:00–21:00, 30 RON for 30 min and 50 RON for 60 min
- Winter skating: Available on the drained lake bed, seasonal
- Dogs: Allowed on leash throughout. Two off-leash enclosures available (large and small dogs separately)
- Nearest metro: Izvor (M3) or Universitate (M2), both about 10 min walk
How to Get to Cismigiu Park
The park sits between Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta to the south and Strada Știrbei Vodă to the north. The two closest metro stations are Izvor on line M3 and Universitate on line M2, both about a 10 minute walk from the park entrances.
From the Old Town or Piața Unirii, Cișmigiu is an easy 10-minute walk west along Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta. Most people visiting central Bucharest can reach it on foot without using public transport.
If you are just arriving in Bucharest, check our guide on getting from Bucharest Airport to the city center first.
The park has several entrances. The main ones face Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta to the south and Bulevardul Schitu Măgureanu to the west. There is also an entrance on Strada Știrbei Vodă to the north near the National University of Music.
Coming by car, there are several parking options close to the park:
| Parking | Total Spots | Directions |
|---|---|---|
| Schitu Măgureanu Parking | 136 | Get directions |
| Schitu Măgureanu 2 Parking | 24 | Get directions |
| Piața Valter Mărăcineanu Parking | 95 | Get directions |
| Conservator Parking | 54 | Get directions |
What’s Inside Cismigiu Gardens
The Lake
Lake Cișmigiu is an artificial lake with a surface of 29,500 square meters, a length of 1.3 km, a width of 50 meters and a maximum depth of 2 meters. It runs through the center of the park and is the main landmark everything else is organized around.
There is also a much smaller lake in the northern part of the park called Lacul Lebedelor, which is reserved for water birds and not used for boats.
Boat Rentals
You can rent rowboats and pedal boats directly at the lake jetty. The rental station is open from 10:00 to 21:00.
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes / boat | 30 RON |
| 60 minutes / boat | 50 RON |
On sunny weekends there is usually a short queue so getting there earlier in the day puts you on the water faster.
The Flower Gardens and Alleys
Cișmigiu is known for its flower displays. The park has long alleys lined with trees and wide grass strips planted with seasonal flowers. In spring the park fills with blue forget-me-nots, white daisies and pansies across large open beds. The iconic park clock surrounded by flower arrangements near the main southern entrance is one of the most photographed spots in the park.
The tree-lined alleys are wide and flat. People do run here but there is no dedicated running track. The paths are shared with walkers and cyclists so it works as a casual running route rather than a training circuit.
Rotonda Scriitorilor — The Writers’ Circle
In the western part of the park sits the Rotonda Scriitorilor, a circular garden with busts of Romania’s most famous writers and poets. The circle includes busts of Mihai Eminescu, Ion Creangă, Ion Luca Caragiale, George Coșbuc and others. It is a quiet corner worth a few minutes if you are interested in Romanian literature and history.
Monuments and Statues
The park has a number of named landmarks spread across the grounds including the Monumentul Eroilor Francezi, a memorial in Carrara marble for French troops who died on Romanian territory in World War I, and the Monumentul Eroilor Americani. These are scattered along the paths and easy to come across as you walk.
Children’s Playground
There is a large children’s playground in the park near the lake. The main play complex stands close to 7 meters tall and includes a zip line, a bridge swing, towers, slides and rope tubes. It is one of three play areas inside Cișmigiu that have been modernized in recent years.
Dog Enclosures
Cișmigiu has two dedicated off-leash dog enclosures, one for large dogs and one for small dogs. Both have been recently renovated with perimeter fencing, semi-opaque enclosure screens and a reinforced sand surface. Dogs are allowed on leash throughout the rest of the park.
Ice Skating in Winter
During winter the lake is drained and a public ice skating rink is set up on the lake bed. It is one of the most popular free winter activities in central Bucharest and skate rental is available on site.
Food and Drinks in the Park
There are several food and drink options inside the park. Near the main bridge over the lake there is a charming wooden kiosk selling snacks, drinks and beer. Along the lake path there is also Zona libera Cismigiu, a cocktail and wine bar with outdoor seating under the trees, busy on weekend afternoons.
Snack kiosks are placed at various points throughout the park selling ice cream, coffee and quick bites. Prices are reasonable for a central Bucharest location.
Public Toilets
There are public toilets inside Cișmigiu. You will find automatic eco toilet pods placed along the paths — these are self-cleaning units operated by the city. There are also portable toilet units in the park which are free to use. Both are easy to spot as you walk around.
FAQs
Cișmigiu Gardens has no fixed closing time and the paths stay open after dark. The park is lit along the main alleys but quieter at night than during the day.
Yes. The open lawns throughout the park are used by locals for picnics. There are plenty of benches and grass areas where you can sit with food and drinks.
There is no public Wi-Fi inside the park. Make sure you have mobile data if you need navigation or want to look anything up while you are there.
The park gets busy on weekends and public holidays, especially around the lake and boat rental area. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit if you want the park mostly to yourself.
The park is one of the best spots in Bucharest for photography, especially in spring when the flower beds are in full bloom. The park clock, the wooden bridge kiosk, the lake and the Writers’ Circle are the most photographed areas.
Photo Gallery
