CEC Palace (Palatul CEC)

Built on the site of a former monastery in the French Beaux-Arts style with Romantic and Neoclassical elements, the palace is striking with its elegant façade made from marble and stone from Dobrogea, its grand central glass and metal dome flanked by four corner cupolas, and prominent statues of Mercury and Demeter. The palace's exterior is included as part of many sightseeing tours of Bucharest, including walking, bike, and tuk-tuk tours.

• The CEC Palace is ideal for first-time visitors and architecture fans.

• The building is not usually open to the public, but it’s worth visiting for its exterior.

• Be careful when crossing Calea Victoriei, as it's a busy street for pedestrians and vehicles.

• Bring binoculars to get a closer look at the building’s architectural details.

CEC Palace is located on Calea Victoriei, one of Bucharest’s oldest and main boulevards, across the street from the National Museum of Romanian History. The nearest metro stations are Universitate and Piata Unirii and the nearest bus and trolley stations are at Universitate and Gradina Cismigiu.

Since the CEC Palace is not open to the public, its exterior can be viewed anytime. Given its central location, it can be easily combined with visits to nearby attractions along Calea Victoriei during the day. However, it's particularly striking to see at night when its exterior is lit up.

Located across the street from CEC Palace on Calea Victoriei is the National Museum of Romanian History. The Neoclassical building has more than 60 exhibition rooms, so visitors should leave plenty of time. Highlights include the Romanian crown jewels in the Treasury Hall, the Bronze Age artifacts in the Lapidarium, and a full-size replica of Trajan’s Column.