If you're bored of all that Bucharest has to offer, or if you simply want to spend a few hours outside the city, not too far away, it's good to know that you have many different alternatives, less than 60 minutes from the city center.

Whether you want to visit soothing corners of nature, mind and body spas or educationally enriching museums, you can really find what you're looking for near Bucharest!

Here are the most popular places to visit near Bucharest:

Snagov Forest and Lake - About 40 km away from the center of Bucharest, in Ilfov County, lies Lake Snagov, one of the most picturesque places near the capital, where you will surely be able to spend good hours of peace and relaxation. Surrounded by thick and mysterious forests, which retain their charm and wildness even in the modern era, the lake is not small at all - it covers an area of 600 hectares, spread over 16 kilometers, of which 100 are protected natural areas. Its clear, calm water attracts both adventure anglers and those who want to relax and enjoy the scenery.  Its banks are lined with reeds, papyrus, and water lilies - a species protected by law. Here you'll also find the Indian lotus - a unique flower with pink petals.

The forests around Lake Snagov are true sanctuaries of biodiversity. They are home to an impressive variety of plant and animal species, some of which are rare or even endemic to this region. Here you can listen to the songs of robins, finches, nightingales, and among the trees you can spot deer, deer, deer, lopards, wild cats, wild boar, pheasants and more.

Therme Spa Complex - Located near the capital, in the commune of Balotești, Therme is the largest relaxation and wellness complex in Europe, offering a unique relaxation experience, combining nature with science and entertainment. The complex can simultaneously accommodate up to 4,000 people and is renowned for its botanical garden with over 880,000 plants and the largest palm plantation in Europe, as well as for its 30,000 square meter urban beach with fine sand and sun loungers, which is extremely popular in the summer season. 

Facilities on offer include swimming pools, jacuzzis, saunas, Turkish baths, relaxation areas and wellness centers, where visitors can enjoy various treatments and therapies. Therme Bucharest also includes fitness areas, restaurants and children's play areas, ensuring a complete experience for all ages.

Stirbei Palace - The Stirbei Palace in Buftea is one of the largest and most appreciated event venues in the capital area, its construction dating back more than 150 years. Situated on the shores of the lake of the same name, Stirbei Palace is an important tourist attraction due to its historical, architectural and cultural value. 

The history of the palace, only 18 km from Romania's capital, dates back to 1845, at the initiative of Barbu Constantin Stirbei, ruler of Romania. During the First World War, Știrbei Palace was a place of refuge for Queen Maria and five of her six children. Architecturally, the pride of the Buftea estate was and remains the Byzantine-influenced chapel, a jewel built in neo-Gothic style with an altar and grotto and a particularly beautiful access staircase in white Carrara marble, carved, with two flights and stained-glass windows polished with gold, unfortunately lost today.

The palace is set in the middle of a charming park with over 400-year-old secular trees and a beautiful inland lake. There are 7 venues for private and corporate events on the estate.

Băneasa Zoo - Located in the northern part of Bucharest, Băneasa Zoo is the ideal place for young and old alike, offering a unique and memorable experience in the middle of nature. Băneasa Zoo covers a total area of 5.85 hectares and is home to over 150 animal species, representing a wide range of habitats and regions of the world. Visitors can see everything from exotic animals such as lions, tigers, jaguars, alpacas to native species such as wolves, bears and various species of birds of prey. Each species is housed in specially designed enclosures that mimic their natural habitat as closely as possible, ensuring the animals' well-being.

Moreover, in addition to visiting the animals, Băneasa Zoo offers a variety of activities and attractions for all ages: educational programs and recreational activities, guided tours, children's play areas, workshops and special events.

Domeniul Greaca - Located near Bucharest, in Giurgiu County, about 45 minutes from the capital, this tourist complex combines luxury with the beauty of the rural landscapes of southern Romania. Situated on the Danube plain, Domeniul Greaca is located on a former estate of a Greek woman who is said to have been so beautiful that everyone associated the estate with her.

Before you get here, though, you shouldn't expect lush greenery or a "Greek" landscape; the estate will win you over with its tranquility and stylish landscaping.

Spread over 32 hectares, the Greek Estate welcomes its guests with a 5 Daisy-listed mansion, built in the style of ancient Romanesque architecture with exquisite accommodation, and is known for its hospitality and modern facilities offered to visitors. It includes a restaurant serving traditional and international cuisine, swimming pools, sports fields and a luxurious spa, open from May to September, where you can relax in the Jacuzzi or massage, sauna and fitness center.

Read also Weekend stroll? Top 10 places to visit within an hour of Bucharest – Part II