Herăstrău Park is the largest park in Bucharest and one of the best places to spend a full day in the city. It covers roughly 187 hectares in the northern part of the capital and wraps around the shores of Lake Herăstrău. You can go for a run, rent a boat, grab a beer under the trees or just sit by the water and watch the city slow down.
Locals call it Parcul Regele Mihai I, which is its official name, but everyone still says Herăstrău. Either way, you will know where you are the moment you walk in.
How to Get to Herăstrău Park
The easiest way to reach the park is by metro. Take line M2 to Aviatorilor station and you exit right at the main entrance on the southern side of the park next to the lake. This is also where you will find the bike rental station.
From the Old Town or Piața Unirii it is a straight ride on the M2 line and takes about 10-15 minutes.
You can also enter from the north side of the park. That is where the Village Museum entrances are located.
Coming by car, there are several parking options around the park. Here are the closest ones with total available spots:
| Parking | Total Spots | Directions |
|---|---|---|
| Charles de Gaulle Parking | 109 | Get directions |
| Aviatorilor 1S Parking | 181 | Get directions |
| Aviatorilor 1D Parking | 233 | Get directions |
| Pescarus Parking | 94 | Get directions |
| Pavilion H Parking | 363 | Get directions |
| Soseaua Nordului Parking | 543 | Get directions |
| Elena Vacarescu Parking | 64 | Get directions |
[→ View all parking spots on the map]
What’s Inside Herăstrău Park
The park is large enough that you will not see everything in one visit without a plan. Here is how it breaks down.
The Lake
Lake Herăstrău sits right in the middle of everything and most of the park’s main attractions are organized around its shores. You can walk the full perimeter, run along the dedicated paths or rent something and get out on the water.
Boat Rentals and Lake Activities
You can rent hydrobikes and rowboats by the hour, or buy a ticket for a boat trip around the lake.
There is also a separate boat service called Vaporașul Cernica which is a larger boat that takes you on a longer ride around the lake. Prices for that one are:
- Adult: 25 RON
- Child: 15 RON
- Senior: 15 RON
Both options are good on a sunny day. The Cernica boat fills up fast on weekends so get there early if you want a spot.
| Activity | Price |
|---|---|
| Hydrobike rental | 12 RON/hour |
| Rowboat rental | 12 RON/hour |
| Boat trip — Adult | 18 RON |
| Boat trip — Children 7–14 | 12 RON |
| Lake crossing — Adult | 12 RON |
| Lake crossing — Children 7–14 | 6 RON |
| Vaporașul Cernica — Adult | 25 RON |
| Vaporașul Cernica — Child | 15 RON |
| Vaporașul Cernica — Senior | 15 RON |
Running and Cycling
The park has wide well-maintained paths that loop around the lake and they work well for both running and cycling. The full loop is a solid workout and the tree cover keeps it comfortable even in summer.
If you did not bring a bike you can rent one at the Aviatorilor entrance using the I’Velo bike sharing system. Download the I’Velo app on iOS or Android, register, add your card details and then scan the QR code on any available bike. When you are done return it to any I’Velo station. Check ivelo.ro for current pricing.
Skatepark and Basketball Courts
In the southern part of the park there is a skatepark with ramps and a separate outdoor basketball court with a bright yellow surface. Both are free to use and get busy on weekends. It is a good spot to watch or join in.
Dog Enclosure
Right near the Aviatorilor entrance, about one minute walk from the metro exit, there is a fenced dog enclosure inside the park. It is a large gated grass area where dogs can run off leash. If you are visiting Bucharest with your dog this is one of the few dedicated off-leash spaces in the city center.
The Michael Jackson Tribute
One of the more unexpected things in Herăstrău is a Michael Jackson memorial. It is a white marble monument with his silhouette and a Hollywood-style star embedded in the ground with his name on it. Fresh flowers are regularly left there by fans. You will find it along one of the main walking paths and it is worth a quick stop.
Food and Drinks in the Park
There are snack kiosks and small food stands scattered throughout the park selling drinks, ice cream and quick bites. A soft drink or coffee will not cost you more than a few lei.
For a proper sit-down meal the park has some well-known options.
Berăria H is one of the most popular beer gardens in Bucharest and sits in the northern part of the park. It is a large open-air terrace with a full food and drinks menu.
To give you a real idea of prices: a plate of mici with bread and mustard costs 32 RON, a baguette is 5 RON and a Heineken 0.0 330ml is 24 RON. A meal for one with a drink runs around 60 RON.
There are also several bars and terraces along the lakeside paths. Most have outdoor seating under the trees which makes for a good atmosphere on warm evenings.
The Village Museum
On the northern edge of the park sits the Muzeul Național al Satului Dimitrie Gusti which is one of the largest open-air museums in Europe. It is a full village built with authentic traditional houses, churches and farms brought from every region of Romania.
It has its own entrance ticket and is technically a separate attraction but it shares a border with Herăstrău and you can access it from both the northern and southern sides of the park. It deserves its own visit and we cover it in full detail in our dedicated Village Museum post.
Getting Around the Park
One of the things that makes Herăstrău easy to get around is the brown directional signs posted throughout. Among the attractions they point to:
- Exploflora — a botanical exhibition space with plant collections and outdoor displays
- Insula Trandafirilor — Rose Island, a small island on the lake known for its rose gardens
- Fântâna Arteziana Zodiac — an artesian fountain with zodiac-themed decoration
- Fântâna Modura — a fountain landmark used as a meeting point inside the park
- Debarcader — the main boat jetty where you board the lake boats and vaporașe
- Foișorul pentru Fanfară — a traditional bandstand used for open-air concerts and performances
The park is large enough that following the signs on your first visit saves a lot of time.
Practical Information
- Entry: Free
- Dogs: Allowed on leash throughout the park. Off-leash enclosure near the Aviatorilor entrance.
- Nearest metro: Aviatorilor (M2)
- Recommended visit time: 2 to 3 hours for a casual visit. Add the Village Museum, a boat trip and lunch and plan for a full half-day.
FAQ
No. Swimming in Lake Herăstrău is not allowed. The lake is used for boat trips, hydrobikes and rowboats only.
Yes, there are multiple children’s play areas inside the park. The lake rides, open green spaces and food stands also make it a practical choice for a family day out.
There is no public Wi-Fi inside the park. Make sure you have mobile data if you need navigation or want to use the I’Velo app for bike rentals.
