Lake Herăstrău

Lake Herăstrău is a reservoir on the Colentina River in northern Bucharest, located within the large urban park historically known as Herăstrău and now called King Michael I Park. It is one of Bucharest’s principal urban lakes and parklands.

The lake supports promenades, cycle paths, restaurants and seasonal boat rental operations that provide short cruises and leisure boating. The lake shore is also used for public events and recreational activities.

The waterbody was formed by damming and channeling parts of the Colentina River and has been integrated into Bucharest’s park system through the 20th century. The area around the lake has been developed as public green space and cultural sites.

The lake sits in Sector 1 of northern Bucharest, adjacent to King Michael I Park and the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, which lies on the lake’s shore.

• Boating: Boat rental and short leisure cruises operate on the lake during warmer months and are a common way to view the shoreline and park from the water.
• Village museum: The Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum sits on the lake's western shore and is a major cultural attraction adjacent to the park.

What to See #

• King Michael I Park: An extensive urban park around the lake that includes promenades, cycle paths and recreational facilities; the park has been the principal public green space on the lake's shore.
• Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum: An open-air ethnographic museum founded in 1936 located on the lake's shore, exhibiting traditional Romanian village houses and rural artifacts.