96 ha
Romanescu Park
6
Parks to Visit
6,000+
Species — Botanical Garden
1900
Gold Medal Paris

The #1 Attraction in Craiova

Craiova's Parks

Six oases of green that make Craiova one of the most breathable cities in southern Romania.

The lake and the suspension bridge in Nicolae Romanescu Park Craiova, designed by Édouard Redont in 1901 ⭐ Most visited attraction

🌳 National Historical Monument

Nicolae Romanescu Park

The jewel of Craiova and one of Europe's landscape masterpieces. Designed by the French architect Édouard Redont, the park's plan won the Gold Medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1900. Inaugurated on September 29, 1903, in the presence of King Carol I, photographs of the event appeared in major European newspapers of the time: London News, Berliner Post, and Leipziger Illustrierte.

With 96 hectares of forest, a lake, waterfalls, and alleys — the second largest park in Romania (after Herastrau) and the third in Eastern Europe. The 35 kilometers of alleys can be explored on foot or by bicycle.

🆓 Free entry 🕕 06:00 – 22:00 📍 Bd. N. Romanescu 1A 🥇 Gold Medal Paris 1900
Full Romanescu Park Page

What you'll find inside

Romanescu Park Attractions

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Suspension Bridge

Built 1901–1902 from metal and wrought iron, it connects two hills over the lake. Unique in Romania.

castle

Enchanted Castle

Built in a romantic style to camouflage the park's water tower. Today a photography hotspot.

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Zoo

Inaugurated in 1906, one of the oldest in Romania. Recently renovated with new animal species.

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The Lake

4 hectares with islands, water lilies, and water birds. Boat rides are an unforgettable romantic experience.

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Craiova Hippodrome

The largest in Romania, inaugurated in 1903 after a French model. First Balkan riding championship.

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Summer Amphitheater

Rehabilitated open-air theater — host to summer concerts and shows under Craiova's sky.

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Bibescu Palace

Hosted the ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza in 1859. Today a protocol building for the Craiova City Hall.

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Waterfalls and Streams

Cement structures imitating natural rocks, waterfalls, and a stream that crosses the park diagonally.

💡 Guide's Tip

Visit the park early in the morning (06:00–09:00) for a walk in total peace. In summer, the amphitheater concerts and boat rides on the lake are not to be missed. The Suspension Bridge and the Enchanted Castle — mandatory for photos! Entry is free.

More green in Craiova

All Parks in Craiova

Each park has its own personality — from the academic peace of the Botanical Garden to the romance of the English Park.

Ornamental sector of the Alexandru Buia Botanical Garden Craiova with dahlias and rare roses Science & Nature 🆓 Free

Alexandru Buia Botanical Garden

~13 hectares 6,000+ species Founded 1952

Scientific institution of the University of Craiova, founded by Prof. Alexandru Buia in 1952. The fourth university botanical garden in the country and a member of the International Association of Botanical Gardens (IABG) since 1974. Organized into 8 thematic sectors with plants from all continents. At the entrance, the Jianu Fountain (historical monument, approx. 1800) greets you with the elegance of another century. Ideal place for a quiet afternoon.

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English Park Craiova — shaded alleys and varied vegetation in British landscape style Promenade 🆓 Free

English Park

City Center British Landscape Style

A green gem hidden in the heart of the city, designed in the tradition of English gardens with sinuous alleys, varied vegetation, and benches in quiet corners. A favorite place for Craiova residents for a lunch break or a stroll for two. The sober elegance of the British landscape blends harmoniously with the Oltenian warmth — a charming contrast. Ideal for vintage photos and moments of relaxation in the middle of the busy city.

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Mihai Viteazul Park Craiova in spring — flowers and alleys in the city civic center Civic Center 🆓 Free

Mihai Viteazul Park

Central Area Famous Equestrian Statue

The green heart of Craiova — the small park in the civic center surrounds the equestrian statue of Mihai Viteazul, who unified the Romanian principalities in 1600. In spring, it becomes a true fairy tale of colors when seasonal flowers bloom on the shaded alleys. Surrounded by heritage buildings, lively terraces, and the National Theater, it is the meeting point for locals and tourists exploring the old center. Perfect place for a photo break between museums.

Discover Mihai Viteazul Park
Youth Park Craiova — green space for sports and active recreation Sports & Recreation 🆓 Free

Youth Park (Parcul Tineretului)

North Area Jogging & Cycling Tracks

Destined for active recreation, Youth Park is the most animated green space in Craiova. Wide alleys for jogging, sports fields, picnic areas, and playgrounds for children transform it into the center of urban energy. Sports events, weekend fairs, and open-air concerts keep it permanently alive. If Romanescu Park is for reflection, Youth Park is for movement — the living treasure of Craiova's vitality.

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Hanul Doctorului Park Craiova — natural green area on the outskirts of the city Authentic Nature 🆓 Free

Hanul Doctorului Park

Outskirts Untamed Nature

The least known to tourists, but prized by locals for its peace and authenticity. On the periphery of the city, Hanul Doctorului Park offers a total contrast to the designed parks — almost wild nature, secular old trees, and an atmosphere of being forgotten by the world. Ideal for photographers, lovers of untamed nature, and those who want to discover Craiova beyond the classic tourist guides.

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🗺️ Recommended Green Route — One Day

Morning (06:00–10:00): Romanescu Park — Suspension Bridge, Enchanted Castle, lake.  |  Lunch: Restaurant in the park or in the center.  |  14:00–16:00: Alexandru Buia Botanical Garden (C-tin Lecca st. 32, free entry).  |  Evening: Walk through English Park and Mihai Viteazul Park — the old center alive at sunset.

Plan your visit

Practical Information

Replace with Google Maps embed

📍 Romanescu Park

Bd. Nicolae Romanescu 1A, Craiova
Schedule: 06:00–22:00 daily
Entry: Free

📍 Botanical Garden

Str. C-tin Lecca no. 32, Craiova
Tel: 0251/413820
Entry: Free

🚌 How to get here

RAT Craiova (buses to the south area), Bolt/Uber (~10 min from center) or on foot (~25 min from Mihai Viteazul Square)

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know About Craiova's Parks

Yes, access to all public parks in Craiova is 100% free — including Romanescu Park, Botanical Garden, English Park, Mihai Viteazul Park, Youth Park, and Hanul Doctorului Park. The only activities with a fee are: boat rides on the lake and the visit to the Zoo inside Romanescu Park, both at modest prices.

Nicolae Romanescu Park has approximately 96 hectares, of which 4 hectares are occupied by the lake. It is special for several reasons: the project by French architect Édouard Redont won the Gold Medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1900, it is declared a national historical monument, it contains structures unique in Romania (the suspension bridge, the Enchanted Castle, the largest hippodrome in the country), and it is the second largest park in Romania and the third in Eastern Europe.

The four essential attractions: (1) The Suspension Bridge from 1901–1902 — built of metal and wrought iron, connecting two hills over the lake, unique in Romania; (2) The Enchanted Castle built in a romantic style; (3) The leisure lake with islands and boat rides; (4) The Zoo from 1906, one of the oldest in the country. Add the summer amphitheater and the Bibescu Palace if you have time.

The park was designed by the French landscape architect Édouard Redont, at the initiative of Mayor Nicolae P. Romanescu — a man who studied in Paris and Liège. Redont was inspired by the Buttes-Chaumont Park in Paris: the suspension bridge and the cement structures that imitate natural rocks are almost identical. The plan won the Gold Medal in Paris in 1900, two years before construction. The inauguration took place on September 29, 1903, in the presence of King Carol I, Queen Elisabeth, and the entire government.

The Botanical Garden is located on Constantin Lecca Street no. 32, in the University of Craiova area. The main entrance is from Iancu Jianu Street — at the gate, you will find the Jianu Fountain, a historical monument built around 1800 by the boyar Hagi Stan Jianu. It can be reached by RAT Craiova buses (university area), by Bolt or Uber (8–10 minutes from the center). Entry is free. Phone: 0251/413820.

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