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Municipality and county seat in Prahova, Romania
Photo: Gabriel from Bucharest, Romania, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ploiești (Pronounced: Plo-yesht) is the closest city to Bucharest in Romania (2021 population: 180,540). The city has an attractive core with a collection of 19th-century mansions, unique museums, and excellent rail connections to the rest of the country, making it a convenient base or jumping-off point while exploring Romania.
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Catedrala Sfântul Ioan Botezătorul
Romanian-Orthodox cathedral of St. John the Baptist, built in 1923-37 in Neo-Brâncoveanu style, a highlight of Romanian ecclesiastical architecture.
Statuia Libertății
A gift from France erected in 1881, the freedom statue depicts the Roman goddess Minerva.
Halele centrale
Built between 1930 and 1935, these interwar market halls are one of Ploiești’s most distinctive landmarks. Their neo-Romanian façade, crowned by a clock tower and steel-framed dome, hides a bustling world of traders selling fresh produce, cheeses, meats, baked goods, and Prahova Valley honey.
Palatul Culturii
Built between 1912 and 1918 as a courthouse, this striking neoclassical building is one of Ploiești’s architectural gems. Its grand façade features imposing columns and ornate detailing characteristic of early 20th-century Romanian design. Today, the Cultural Palace serves as a vibrant cultural centre housing several museums and exhibition spaces. Visitors can explore local history, art, and cultural heritage showcased through rotating exhibits and permanent collections.
Marea Sinagoga
The House of Marriages
The most elegant mansion in Ploiești is popularly known as the Wedding Palace, a name it earned after serving as the city’s registry office. Before that, the property was privately owned by two successive mayors — father and son, both named Radu Stanian — who governed Ploiești around the turn of the 20th-century. At that time, the house was far more modest. Its present grandeur is the result of a major reconstruction in 1926, which introduced elements of the national architectural style so successfully that the building now stands as a textbook example of Romanian architecture.
The Boulevard of Chestnuts
The main artery connecting Ploiești’s city centre to the southern train station, the boulevard is lined with a charming mix of historic buildings and important civic landmarks. It’s a popular promenade where locals gather, especially under the shade of the many chestnut trees that have long adorned the sidewalks. Along the boulevard and its 2 parallel side streets, you’ll find a blend of architectural styles reflecting Ploiești’s past. The wide sidewalks make Independence Boulevard perfect for a leisurely stroll to soak up the city’s atmosphere.
Filarmonica Paul Constantinescu
Although the concert hall building is modest and unassuming, it is home to Ploiești’s acclaimed philharmonic orchestra, which regularly performs a rich program of classical and contemporary music. The concerts are highly praised for their quality and atmosphere, making attending a performance a rewarding cultural experience. Check the schedule online to see what’s on during your visit.
Muzeul Ceasului Nicolae Simache
A charming and unique collection of over 1000 sundials, astronomical clocks & vintage watches, that were once owned by famous Romanians, including King Carol I, displayed in a 19th-century magistrate's home.
Muzeul Național al Petrolului
The museum offers a comprehensive look at Romania’s pioneering role in the global oil industry. Through a fascinating collection of vintage machinery, historic photographs, models, and documents, it traces the development of oil extraction and refining from the 19th century to today.
Muzeul Casă de Târgoveţ - Casa Hagi Prodan
The house of Hagi Prodan from 1785 is the oldest standing non-religious building in the city. It's an example of old Romanian architecture with Oriental details with covered porch and carved wood pylons. Now it's a museum giving a view into the lifestyle of an 18th-century rich merchant living in Ploiesti.
Muzeul Județean de Artă
Housed in an elegant mansion near the city centre, this museum showcases a diverse collection of Romanian fine art, spanning classical paintings, modern works, and local artists.
Galeria de Arta
Small art gallery in the city centre.
Casa Dobrescu
Building from the late 18th century, nowadays housing a museum about the writer Ion Luca Caragiale (1852–1912).
Traditionally, a central hub for produce and livestock, Ploiești’s Obor Market was moved to the city outskirts as the town modernized in the 19th century. Today, it’s a sprawling open-air market where you can find everything from antiques and DIY goods to fake branded clothes and Ukrainian contraband, plus plenty of surprises. Don’t miss trying traditional Romanian mici with a cold beer while you explore.
also known as Constantin Stere Memorial Park
Just outside the city and can be a good place to spend a few hours on a nice day. The park has a zoo, botanical gardens, and a few outdoor bars during the summer where you can also have lunch.
Hipodrom
Go to the race tracks to watch horse races right next to the university. There are races roughly every fortnight on Sundays between May and November.
FC Petrolul Ploiești play in the top football league in Romania. Their Ilie Oană Stadium (capacity 15,000) is 500 m east of town centre.
A popular game in Ploiesti with events organised by the Carpathian Brothers Squad in the ruins of the huge 'Columbia' refinery of the city. Game types include capture the flag, last man standing, and deathmatch. You can make reservations and rent equipment on site.
A sizable human-made lake with a sand beach, offering water sports, kayaking, a bar, and a food van. Perfect for the hot summers. Can be reached by car or by slow train to 'Prahova' station and a 25-minute walk.
The Timiș Estate is a 5 star resort and vineyard domain 10 km away from Ploiești, set on 140 hectares, blending the elegance of its restored neo-Romanian manor with modern nature-inspired bungalows. It offers refined accommodation, diverse dining (Romanian fusion, Mediterranean, bars & tastings), spa & wellness, outdoor activities (walks, cycling, mini-golf, lakes), all in a setting of luxury on the hills overlooking the city.
Traditional Greek restaurant with amazing quality food and wines.
Hands-down the best Turkish food in the city. Be sure to try the home-made ayran.
The Cafe of the People
Amogst the very few vegetarian options in the city. Worth a visit for the soups, chickpea and avocado pancakes, and the wide selection of teas.
Japanese-inspired sushi and noodles bar. Their spicy beef noodles are the closest you're going to get to an authentic Asian meal.
Upscale restaurant serving international food.
Pub, grill, and shisha bar.
Traditional Romanian restaurant with a focus on grills.
Spanish tapas restaurant across two different locations in the city.
Asian-inspired cuisine.
Italian and Romanian cuisine.
A relaxed beer garden with food and drinks.
Bar with small summer terrace and decent food.
Popular bar with outdoor seating and a good selection of cocktails and fine spirits.
The Theatre of the People
From the owner of Cafeneaua Natiei, a cultural hub located near the university hosting concerts, performances and events. The same great vegetarian food from Cafeneaua Natiei is available here too.
Known locally as 'Irish'. The bar is located on the roof of Winmarkt Omnia in the city centre. During summer, there are tables outside on the roof where you can enjoy the view.
A rock bar with a sizable beer garden and probably the best fried anchovies you will ever have.
Try this café for their Belgian waffles.
Speciality coffee place with outdoor seating.
Cafe close to the cathedral in the city centre.
Italian coffee and delicious lunch options.
Has a very nice Viennese cafe vibe.
Has premium coffee in a minimalist modern atmosphere.
One of the trendy outdoor cafes of the city serving speciality coffees and smoothies. The typical hanging out spot for younger people.
Your typical Eastern European communist hotel.
Another one of the big hotels of the city. As central as it gets.
Central mansion turned into hotel.
Pensiunea Casa Simoni
This one is really buttoned up with decor inside so that you'll feel a bit like you're in a dollhouse possibly. Breakfast available.
Looks a little bit like one of those gentleman clubs outside, but here you'll find clean, warm rooms; a restaurant with an outdoor terrace and substantial breakfasts; and possibly even some karaoke or bar and entertainment.
A three-star hotel
Five cabins on a hill above the Dealu Mare vineyards: two A-frame chalets sleeping 6, two barnhouse cabins sleeping 3, and a studio for 2. Wood-fired hot tub, fire pit, and a specialty coffee shop on the grounds. Welcome basket with local wine and bread included. The SERVE, Davino, LacertA wineries and others are nearby.
A Russian-themed shop with food and drinks from all over the former Soviet Union.
Shop with various Italian products.
Shop with various Italian products.
By train
Ploieşti is the second most important railway hub in Romania and is linked by numerous trains with every major city in the country (there are more than 60 trains daily connecting Bucharest) through…
By bus
Ploieşti is home to two official bus stations and one minibus station.
By car
Ploieşti is very well connected with other cities in Romania, being very close to Bucharest and placed almost midway between the capital and Brașov.
By public transport
The city’s public transport network, operated by Transport Călători Express Ploiești (TCE), covers all districts with 38 bus routes, 4 trolleybus lines, and 2 tram lines.
By taxi
Taxis and ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt) are widely available at all hours, and a trip across the city rarely costs more than 25 lei.
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Otopeni · International · OTP
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Articles and travel topics about Ploiești and Romania.
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