Stavropoleos Monastery
Stavropoleos Monastery
4.5
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksChurches & Cathedrals
About
Built in 1724, this beautiful church is one of Bucharest's oldest.
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Plan your visit

The area

Address
How to get there
  • Universitate (University) • 7 min walk
  • Piaţa Unirii 1 / Piaţa Unirii 2 (Union Square) • 8 min walk
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See what travelers are saying

  • Lilian F
    Salvador, BA3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I recommend this tour a 100 %.
    It's a wonderful spot to visit, Montserrat. It's essential, in my opinion. The basilica is really stunning, and the views are breathtaking. The tour was excellent; it was really well-planned, and our tour guide was outstanding—she was very knowledgeable and explained everything to us. She is really helpful and always willing to answer any questions you may have. I wholeheartedly endorse this tour.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written December 23, 2023
  • craig_traveler
    San Francisco, California361 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great for a time out.
    Great place to take a time out in Old Town. Hard to believe that this is a working monastery right in the middle of bustling Bucharest. The church is small but amazingly beautiful with its painted walls with icons. The ceiling itself id worth looking at for a long period of time. Entry is free and I really appreciated the quiet.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written February 19, 2024
  • Wayfaring Libertarian
    Belfast, United Kingdom988 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful, Peaceful, and Well-Worth a Short Visit
    This was such a pleasant place to stop in for 10-15 minutes. There’s no cost, no need to schedule your visit, and, if you’re in Bucharest, you’ll probably end up walking by it at some point anyway. It was beautiful and incredibly peaceful. As an added bonus, I was even able to purchase a candle to light for only 1.5 lei (roughly 30 cents Euro/USD).
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 8, 2024
  • Foodange
    Manchester, United Kingdom4,169 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Peaceful and Crowded
    We’d walked past here a few times when it was closed. When we did find it open, it was crowded but we managed to squeeze in. Sat quietly inside, whilst all around took selfies and filmed themselves! Guess where they were from .... There was a lovely garden square outside, very peaceful.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 12, 2024
  • Tom J
    London, United Kingdom1,756 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A peaceful and quaint little monastery in the heart of old town Bucharest
    The Stavropoleos monastery is a little gem nestled into the old town of Bucharest of which you are almost guaranteed to pass on a stroll. One of Bucharests oldest, it is amazing just how peaceful and quiet it is given its location. We visted late in the afternoon and there was no other visitors at the time so it felt a lot more personal which was nice. Its not a large place by any means but instead a small stop on a busy day. The architecture of the monastery is beautiful and something to really take a moment to be admired.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 26, 2024
  • Jason S
    Melbourne, Australia2,180 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Super Monastery to visit and explore
    Really nice Monastery to visit in the heart of Bucharest, though very small to see and walk around, it has an amazing charm to it. You can see why it's number 1 thing to do and see, would highly recommend putting this on your to do list. Courtyard area is amazing. Not to ne missed.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written June 3, 2024
  • KmanWent
    Ashby de la Zouch, United Kingdom205 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    History and Religion
    Visited here as part of a walking tour. Despite all that had gone on in Romania's history, this place is still there. The artwork/frescoes amazing, especially in the domed roof. And the courtyard outside amazing, with stones in Greek and Cyrillic.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written June 22, 2024
  • Joseph Fahey
    Boston, Massachusetts49 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stavropoleos Monastery: A Must See if Visiting Old Town in Bucharest
    Stavropoleos Monastery is located in Old Town, Bucharest. It is a small Orthodox monastery that is rich in decor. Once experiencing the beauty of this church, one can walk just a few steps to the monastery's courtyard which has fine artwork and is very traditional in style. If one is walking in the Old Town one will have the opportunity to visit this monastery and still spend time experiencing Bucharest's Old Town ambiance while also having he opportunity to visit the many restaurants that are in this exciting part of Bucharest. Definitely recommended.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written September 3, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles2,913 reviews
Excellent
1,911
Very good
838
Average
141
Poor
15
Terrible
8

Michaela T
Clacton-on-Sea, UK39 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
Very small dark inside, do not go on a sunday, as it is full of church goers. Waited till after the service and an old lady jangled keys and a padlock at us, ready to close up. Not sure why it is number 1 in Bucharest
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Octavian Exigent
Bucharest, Romania8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020 • Business
Do we love history!? Because whenever you come here you'll get a straight lesson about the Orthodoxie, the Greek regional influence and the remainings of the day... to paraphrase the movie.
You'll get a clear idea about the expansion of a city and another clear picture about the decline of a regional power. If lucky you'll understand the raise of national
Orthodox churches. Really relevant for the Balkans history. Do not hesitate to ask for details.
By the way, I do have a grand grand father arrived in Romania from Greece, specifically from Ioaninna. Does it sound credible!?
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JNYCwriter
New York City, NY7,517 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Friends
Small and quiet, there is some interesting artwork inside. Each wall has different artwork to admire so it is essential you arrive when the monastery is open. Outside the building is worth admiring from an architectural view. This is located in the Old Town and is easy to walk to and I found it to be very enjoyable stop.
Written May 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

R Giansanti
Staffordshire, UK26,131 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
The Stavropoleos Monastery is a wonderful religious site to visit. The courtyard has a lovely patio to walk around and look at the headstones and art. Inside you will find detailed architecture and fantastic frescos on the ceilings and walls. The volunteers at the monastery are very friendly and helpful. They will answer all of your questions. This monastery is also a popular stop on many of the Bucharest walking tours.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

108beckyt1991
Leiston, UK53 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Friends
Well worth a little stop off whilst wandering around. This tiny little building is nestled amongst grey, graffitied, horrible buildings and offers a bit of sanctuary for a moment. Pretty little place.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kim buay p
Singapore, Singapore13,011 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021
I did a guided live-streamed tour of the old town with Mihai from Heygo. At the start of the tour, he showed us the outstanding architectural monument, CEC Palace, across the street. He continued the tour by showing us the interior of the famous Caru Cu Bere restaurant (Beer Restaurant) along Stavropoleos Street in the Lipscani district. The Art Nouveau interior is striking with warm cosy lightings. After that he brought us to this monastery. He spent some time here showing us the courtyard and wall murals. He explained that the lighting of candles is done outside to avoid blackening the murals on the walls and ceilings. He also showed us the intricate carvings on the wooden door. A small but peaceful monastery.
Written November 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Claire
59 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
This is one of those places that requires zero effort to stop by and visit and is definitely something you should do. The monastery of historic and beautiful, with a charming little courtyard on the side of the building. The historical plaque with some information about the monastery is a little out of the way, so make sure you walk outside the fence down the left side the building (as you're facing the building) to find and read it.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

swithun
Andover, UK74 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
This is in the old town and is easily accessible. The frescoes are worth seeing as is the courtyard but the sum of he building, its surrounding and the art add up tp something special. It still has the feel of a church where prayer is regularly offered.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

zuv
Bucharest, Romania37,258 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
A very small monastery located, paradoxically, in one of the sleepless and noisy areas of Bucharest, the Old Town Center. There's not too much to see, a small church, with paintings that would need a restoration and a cloister, beautiful and quiet. Not in top 10 attractions in Bucharest, in my opinion.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

William P
Glendale, AZ1,250 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
We stopped in here as we strolled through Old Town. It is quite old and, through the centuries and the candle smoke, many of the wall paintings were blackened. We were shown the cleaned paintings along with one spot on each painting showing what it looked like prior to the cleaning! Fascinating.
Written April 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Stavropoleos Monastery, Bucharest

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