• Physical ID required for entry: a passport or national ID card (no driving licenses), shown at the information desk 15 minutes before the tour
• Stairs only, no elevators, and no liquids past the security check, so leave water bottles behind and skip the stroller
• Phone booking a day ahead for groups of up to 9 (+40 733 558 102); the cheapest tickets are sold only on the day at the Constantin Brâncuși hall on Izvor Street

Started in 1984 as the People's House and finished in 1997, the Palace of the Parliament holds Romania's parliament in about 1,100 rooms. The standard guided tour leads groups through marble halls, chandelier-lit reception rooms and grand staircases.

The whole route is on foot by stairs, with no elevators, and visitors stay with the group, so it suits school-age kids better than toddlers.