IOR Park — officially called Parcul Alexandru Ioan Cuza — is the second largest park in Bucharest after Herăstrău. It covers 98 hectares in the eastern part of the city in Sector 3 and is built around the only natural lake in the Romanian capital.
Locals have called it Parcul IOR for decades, a name that comes from the nearby Întreprinderea Optică Română factory that stood here before the park was built.
The park sits next to Park Lake Mall on one side, making it easy to combine a visit with shopping or a meal without leaving the area.
At a Glance
Visitor quick guide · IOR Park
Worth knowing: The free Vaporașul Alexandru Ioan Cuza runs seasonally and needs at least 15 passengers to depart. Check the current timetable before planning around it.
Practical Information
- Entry: Free
- Size: 98 hectares
- Lake: Natural, 50 hectares, split in two by the Liviu Rebreanu bridge. Swimming not allowed
- Boat trip: Free, max 50 passengers, min 15 to depart. Seasonal schedule May–August
- Kayak: Kayak Champions — from 50 RON/session, Mon–Fri 16:00–20:00, kayakchampions.ro
- SUP: Club Sportiv Titan — 30 RON/hour, suptitan.ro
- Running track: 3.3 km loop
- Sports courts: Football, tennis, basketball, volleyball, ping pong — all free
- Outdoor gym: Free, multiple stations throughout the park
- Dogs: Allowed on leash. Off-leash enclosure on Insula Câinilor (Dog Island)
- Drinking water: Multiple free water points throughout the park, dog-friendly basins included
- Nearest metro: Nicolae Grigorescu (M3)
- Park Lake Mall: Accessible directly from the park on one side
- Recommended visit time: 2 to 3 hours for a casual visit. Half a day if you add a boat trip, kayaking and lunch
How to Get to IOR Park
The closest metro station is Nicolae Grigorescu on line M3, which puts you at the eastern side of the park. From Piața Unirii it takes about 10 minutes on the metro.
You can also reach the park from Dristor 1 (M1/M3 interchange) or Dristor 2 (M1) with a short walk.
The Park Lake Mall entrance is accessible directly from one side of the park. You can walk straight from the park into the mall for shopping, food or air conditioning on a hot day.
Coming by car, choose a parking zone on the side of the park you want to visit. Liviu Rebreanu runs between the two sections, Baba Novac and Constantin Brâncuși serve the northern area, and Câmpia Libertății and Nicolae Grigorescu are on the western and eastern sides. Here are five named zones listed by amParcat, with total capacities checked on 1 October 2026. These are not spaces currently free; check local signs, restrictions and payment rules.
| Parking | Total Spots | Directions |
|---|---|---|
| Liviu Rebreanu Parking — Strada Liviu Rebreanu | 201 | Get directions |
| Nicolae Grigorescu Parking — Bulevardul Nicolae Grigorescu | 120 | Get directions |
| Baba Novac Parking — Strada Baba Novac | 147 | Get directions |
| Constantin Brâncuși Parking — Strada Constantin Brâncuși | 148 | Get directions |
| Câmpia Libertății Parking — Strada Câmpia Libertății | 63 | Get directions |
[→ View all parking spots on the map]
ParkLake Shopping Center is another option beside the park, especially if you are combining the walk with shopping or a meal. Cinema City lists 1,099 spaces in the mall’s car park. Check the mall’s current parking terms before leaving your car there.
The Lake and the Islands
Lake Titan is the only natural lake in Bucharest. It covers 50 hectares and is split into two sections by the Liviu Rebreanu road bridge. The lake has five islands, four of which are accessible to visitors:
- Insula Câinilor / Dog Island — a dedicated off-leash dog enclosure with its own gated entrance
- Insula Pensionarilor / Pensioners’ Island — a quieter area with benches and shade, designed for relaxing
- Insula Artelor / Arts Island — connected by bridge, used for cultural events and gatherings
- Insula Trandafirilor / Rose Island — accessible by a red iron bridge, known for its greenery and weeping willows
- Insula Rațelor / Ducks’ Island — not accessible to people, left undisturbed for wildlife
There are multiple free drinking water points placed throughout the park along the paths. The water stations also have lower basins designed for dogs.
Free Boat Trip — Vaporașul Alexandru Ioan Cuza
One of the best things about IOR Park is the free boat trip on Lake Titan aboard the Vaporașul Alexandru Ioan Cuza. The covered boat holds up to 50 passengers and does not depart with fewer than 15 people on board. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. No bikes, scooters or alcohol on board. Sector 3 residents get boarding priority.
- May departure times: 11:00 / 11:45 / 12:30 / 13:15 / 14:00 / 14:45 / 15:30 / 16:15 / 17:00 / 17:45 / 18:15 / 19:00
- June–August departure times: 9:30 / 10:15 / 11:00 / 11:45 / 12:30 / 16:00 / 16:45 / 17:15 / 18:00 / 18:45 / 19:30 / 20:15
Kayaking, Canoeing and Stand-Up Paddle
There are two clubs operating on the lake shore.
Kayak Champions (0766 349 975) offers kayak courses for children and adults with a qualified coach. All equipment is provided. Sessions run Monday to Friday 16:00–20:00. They also organise kayak trips outside Bucharest to Snagov Lake, Vidraru Lake and the Danube Gorges — check their website for the full schedule.
| Kayak sessions | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 session | 50 RON |
| 4 sessions | 160 RON |
| 8 sessions | 300 RON |
| 16 sessions | 500 RON |
Club Sportiv Titan (0774 639 148) offers stand-up paddle for adults and children, plus recreational and competitive kayak and canoe. SUP sessions are guided on the water. Life jacket and all equipment are provided and the briefing happens on shore before you get on the water. Check suptitan.ro for the current schedule.
| SUP rental | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 hour per person | 30 RON |
What to bring for both clubs: sports clothes and a spare set, a cap and a water bottle. For SUP add sandals.
Running Track
IOR Park has a dedicated running lane that loops around the inside of the park. One full lap is 3.3 km. The track is well shaded and one of the better running circuits in Bucharest given the lake views along the route.
Sports Courts — All Free
All outdoor sports courts in the park are free to use:
- Football pitch
- Tennis courts
- Basketball court
- Volleyball court
- Ping pong tables
Outdoor Gym
There are multiple outdoor gym stations throughout the park with equipment for stretching, strength and cardio. Free to use and busy on weekend mornings.
The Stage and Events
There is a large open-air amphitheatre right on the lake edge. Local artists perform here during warmer months and the stage is also used for outdoor fitness classes and dance fitness sessions with an instructor. Check local listings before your visit if you want to catch a performance.
Musical Fountain
The lake has a large musical fountain with multiple jets that runs during the day. It is one of the more photogenic spots in the park and is best seen from the lakeside path or from the boat.
Food, Drinks and Snacks
IOR Park has 6 to 7 restaurants and terraces spread across both sides of the lake. Options include a Birra Moretti outdoor terrace bar with large seating under the trees and a busy open-air grill serving mici, ribs, chicken and other grilled meats — expect a queue on weekends. There are also 4 to 5 kiosks throughout the park selling ice cream (cone 10 RON, cup 15 RON), popcorn, cold drinks and coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. IOR Park is free to enter and most activities inside are free including the running track, sports courts, outdoor gym and the boat trip. You pay only for kayak and SUP rentals and food and drinks.
They are the same park. The official name is Parcul Alexandru Ioan Cuza but locals have always called it Parcul IOR after the Întreprinderea Optică Română factory that previously stood nearby.
Yes. Lake Titan is the only natural lake in Bucharest. It covers 50 hectares and is split into two sections by the Liviu Rebreanu bridge.
Yes. Dogs are allowed on leash throughout the park. There is also a dedicated off-leash enclosure on Insula Câinilor (Dog Island) where dogs can run freely in a fenced area.
Yes. The park has a dedicated running lane with a loop of 3.3 km. It is one of the better running circuits in Bucharest with good shade and lake views throughout the route.
IOR Park is safe all year round, especially during the day and in the early evening. The main paths are busy with families, runners and cyclists throughout the day. Stick to lit paths after dark.
Yes. Park Lake Mall is directly accessible from one side of the park. You can walk from the park straight into the mall for shops, restaurants and food courts.
