This Romanian industrial center, once driven by oil production, houses the Oil Museum and St. Nicholas Cathedral. Local restaurants and bars create an active nightlife scene.
Located 56 km north of Bucharest, Ploiești grew around Romania's petroleum industry. In the city center, you'll find the Palace of Culture with its striking neoclassical columns, and a 19th-century mansion housing rare astronomical clocks. Within an hour's drive, you can explore the Prahova Valley's ski slopes or taste wines at traditional cellars in the eastern hills.
Using Public Transport in Ploiești
TCE Ploiești operates 38 bus lines, 2 tram routes, and 4 trolleybus lines throughout the city. Yellow buses run from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Take routes 1 or 2 from the main train station to reach the city center every 10 minutes. You can walk across the central area in about 20 minutes.
Essential Museums
Step into the Clock Museum (Strada Nicolae Simache 1), set in a 19th-century magistrate's home. Each room focuses on a specific era of timekeeping, from sundials to modern chronometers. Visit Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. At the Oil Museum, you can see working models of early drilling equipment and learn about the 1856 refinery. The Art Museum displays the Quintus collection of Romanian paintings, while the Hagi Prodan house from 1785 contains original furniture and craft items from the region.
Architecture and Parks
Walk through the city center to see architect Toma Socolescu's 1920s and 1930s buildings. The Central Markets building combines curved lines with Art Nouveau details, while classical columns mark the Palace of Culture. Rest at Mihai Viteazul park's central fountain, or cycle 3 km to Bucov Park, where you can rent bikes and visit the small zoo.
Day Trips from Ploiești
Take an hourly train from Ploiești South Station to explore the Slănic Salt Mine's vast underground galleries, 208 meters below ground. Visit the eastern hills' twenty wineries between April and October for cellar tours and tastings. Catch a train every two hours to see Sinaia's Peleș castle. Drive 12 km north to Timiș Estate to tour its mansion and vineyard.
Transport Connections
Catch trains to Bucharest every 30 minutes from either of Ploiești's two main stations. Drive the A3 motorway south to Bucharest or north to Brașov. Regular buses connect Henri Coandă International Airport (45 km south) with Ploiești's central bus station.
