Summer special: Bucharest’s museums, the “cool” places to escape the summer heat

Some summer days can be unbearable in Romania’s capital, with daytime temperatures often going over 35 degrees Celsius. So, where to escape the heat? There are the parks, the pools and the waterparks, the shopping malls and the bookshops, but there is always a more interesting way to escape the heat: the museums. There are plenty of museums in Bucharest that await visitors with their unique items and stories, such as the Antipa Museum, the History Museum, the Village Museum, or the Peasant Museum. Check out this list: Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History The Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History, most commonly known as the Antipa Museum (Muzeul Antipa), is one of the most well-known museums in the capital. It was originally established as a natural history cabinet in November 1834, at the initiative of Prince Alexandru Ghica's brother, the Great Count Mihalache Ghica. However, in 1933, King Carol II decided that the museum should be named after its organizer Grigore Antipa, who was also its director between 1893 and 1944. The museum, which is located on the Kiseleff Boulevard in Bucharest, was reopened to the public in 2011, after two years of restoration and modernization works. Visitors can check the museum’s permanent exhibition, but also the temporary exhibitions. For example, until September 4, the museum hosts an exhibition of live exotic butterflies. The Antipa Museum is opened from Tuesday to Sunday, between 10:00 and 20:00. Find more information here. Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum Better known as the Village Museum (Muzeul Satului), the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum is an open-air ethnographic museum located in the Herastrau Park, one of Bucharest’s largest parks. It might not be the best choice on really hot summer days, as you’d end up spending the day outside, but it is still one of the places to visit in Bucharest. The museum’s official inauguration took place on May 10, 1936, in the presence of King Carol II, followed by a public opening a week later, on May 17, 1936. Nowadays, the Village Museum covers some 10 hectares, showcasing the traditional Romanian village life. This museum might be the perfect place for a summer walk, both for Romanians who want to remember their roots and the foreigners who can get to learn more about the Romanian tradition in a more special way: walking through the old houses (opening picture) and country yards full of flowers. Find more information about the museum