King Mihai I Park is a large lakeside park in northern Bucharest, surrounding Lake Herăstrău. You can follow the path around the lake, seek out garden and park sights, or combine the walk with the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum as part of a one-day route around north Bucharest.
- Location: Northern Bucharest, around Lake Herăstrău.
- Park entry: Free; open 24 hours a day.
- Lake loop: Almost 6 km around the lake; allow about 2–2½ hours for the walk with stops.
- Getting there: Metro line M2 serves the southern park area at Aviatorilor station.
Finding King Mihai I Park from Băneasa
The park is about 17 minutes by car from Baneasa Parc, where you can book a room at this three-star hotel.
The park is still widely known as Herăstrău Park, and you may see the Romanian name Parcul Regele Mihai I Al României. Metro line M2 reaches the southern park area at Aviatorilor station, near Piața Charles de Gaulle. From there, the Charles de Gaulle Square entrance takes you into the park.
The park opened in 1939 as the National Park. It later had the names King Carol II Park and, during the communist period, I. V. Stalin Park. Bucharest’s General Council gave it its current name on 19 December 2017.
Which entrance and walking route should you choose?
The Charles de Gaulle Square entrance is a good starting point if you want to walk through Caryatid Alley before reaching the lakeside. Its artificial-stone statues are 2006 copies of Constantin Baraschi’s original 1939 group.
From the entrance, make the lake path your main route and add park sights as you come to them. Rose Island, the Japanese Garden, the Charles de Gaulle statue, the Summer Theatre and the lock on Lake Herăstrău are among the named sights in the park. The Japanese Garden’s cherry trees usually bloom in April.
The path around the artificial lake is almost 6 km long. A walk around it with stops takes about 2–2½ hours, so you can plan a shorter visit around one stretch of shoreline or allow more time for the full circuit.
What can you see around Herăstrău Lake?
Lake Herăstrău is an artificial lake of about 74 hectares on the Colentina River, and its shoreline gives the park a clear walking route. The path, gardens and named sights let you combine time beside the water with stops elsewhere in the park.
Entry to the park is free. Facilities such as boat rentals and restaurants may have schedules separate from the park’s access hours. Swimming is not allowed in the lake. For practical rules, follow signs about dogs, bicycles and restricted areas; sport fishing is permitted only in areas and under conditions set by the administrator.
Facility schedules can vary, so check the official site before you go. That is especially useful if you are planning around a boat rental or restaurant rather than just the park walk.
How can you combine the park with the Village Museum?
The Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum is beside Lake Herăstrău within the park area, making it a natural addition to a lakeside visit. Its address is Șoseaua Kiseleff 28–30, Sector 1, Bucharest.
You can pair the museum with a walk along the lake, then choose a section of the park path or one of its gardens. For details on planning time at the museum, see this guide to visiting the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum.
FAQs
Is King Mihai I Park the same as Herăstrău Park?
Yes. King Mihai I Park is still commonly called Herăstrău Park, after the lake it surrounds.
How long does it take to walk around Lake Herăstrău?
The path around the lake is almost 6 km. Allow about 2–2½ hours for the circuit with stops.
Is there an entrance fee for the park?
No. Entry to the park is free, though facilities such as boat rentals and restaurants may have separate schedules.
Can you swim in Lake Herăstrău?
No. Swimming in the lake is not allowed.