Bucharest residents can see the city from a less familiar perspective at the end of this week. The Timpuri Noi Landing Stage will host two new sessions of free kayaking and canoeing, organised as part of the “Dâmbovița, apă dulce!” project.

The activities will take place on Friday, July 31, 2026, between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and on Saturday, August 1, between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Participation is free, no previous experience is required and, most importantly, no reservation is necessary.

Those interested simply need to go directly to the landing stage. Access is subject to the availability of places and equipment, so there may be a waiting time during busier periods.

Where the free kayaking sessions take place

The meeting point is the Timpuri Noi Landing Stage, located on the banks of the Dâmbovița River, close to the metro station of the same name. The location can be reached easily by public transport, bicycle or car.

Those travelling by metro should get off at Timpuri Noi station and use the exit towards the river. According to the organisers, parking spaces are also available near the metro entrance, on the same side as the landing stage.

The event is open both to Bucharest residents and to visitors to the capital. There is no online registration procedure and no form to complete in advance. Participants simply arrive at the location and will enter the water according to the order established by the team coordinating the activity.

The schedule is:

• Friday, July 31: 4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.;
• Saturday, August 1: 3:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

The organisers recommend arriving well before closing time, as the number of outings depends on the time available, conditions on the water and the number of people waiting.

Is a reservation or previous experience required?

No reservation is required, and the activity is designed for people who have never used a kayak or canoe before. Participants must follow the instructions provided at the landing stage and the rules set by the organising team.

Free access does not, however, guarantee immediate entry onto the water. The number of kayaks and canoes is limited, and when demand is high, the outings take place in successive groups.

Those who own a kayak, canoe or SUP board are also invited to bring their own equipment and join the community. In this case, participants must still follow the organisers’ instructions and the conditions in place at the water access point.

For a more comfortable experience, visitors should wear light clothing that can get wet and suitable footwear for the riverside area. Phones, wallets and other sensitive items should be protected in a waterproof case.

How the Dâmbovița experience unfolds

Participants are welcomed at the landing stage and enter the water in groups, depending on equipment availability. The outing offers a different view of the city, seen from river level and away from the traffic along Splaiul Independenței.

This is not a competition and the activity is not intended exclusively for athletes. The aim of the project is to bring the public closer to the Dâmbovița and show that the river can also be used as a recreational space, rather than being regarded only as part of the city’s infrastructure.

For safety reasons, the duration and route may be adjusted depending on water conditions, the weather and instructions from the team on site. Participants must follow the rules communicated before departure at all times.

Those attending with children should ask directly at the landing stage about the participation conditions for minors. These may depend on age, the availability of appropriate equipment and the rules applied during the respective session.

“Dâmbovița, apă dulce!”, a project bringing people back to the river

The sessions are part of the 2026 season of the “Dâmbovița, apă dulce!” project, launched in May. The initiative organises recreational and community activities designed to help residents rediscover the river as a public space in Bucharest.

In recent decades, the relationship between residents and the Dâmbovița has largely been shaped by traffic along the two riverbanks and by the image of a waterway separated from the city’s everyday life. The activities at Timpuri Noi aim to change this perspective and temporarily transform the riverbank into a meeting place and leisure area.

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Kayaking and canoeing also provide an alternative to traditional weekend activities, particularly for those staying in Bucharest during periods of hot weather. The afternoon and evening schedule helps participants avoid the hottest hours of the day.

The event at the Timpuri Noi Landing Stage will take place on Friday and Saturday, with free access and no reservation required. The only limitation is the number of available places, so those who want to take part should arrive early.