In and around Bucharest there are many parks that beckon you to take a stroll, unwind and relax. These landscaped gardens are given their distinctive character by long and winding lakes. A glance at the map shows that Bucharest is studded with green areas and bodies of water. The biggest such leisure area is Herăstrău Park. It impresses by sheer size—187 hectares. In relation to the city’s area it is thus a good deal larger than New York’s famous Central Park with its 349 hectares.

The lake gracing the park’s centre is so long and narrow that it looks more like a river, whose banks make the perfect setting for a picnic. When the weather is warm, the Herăstrău Park is great for people-watching and soaking up the city’s flair.