Museum of Senses
About Museum of Senses
The Museum of Senses (Muzeul Simțurilor) opened in 2017 on the first floor of the AFI Cotroceni shopping centre and is part of a network of museums of the same name in several countries. It holds no collections of old objects: it is an interactive museum built around the way the eyes and the brain perceive space, colour and size, and the moments when they let themselves be fooled.
The route has more than 30 installations and rooms, and at each one visitors are invited to touch, step in, lie down or take photos. Some rooms also explain what is going on, for instance how the eye perceives colour, so the visit is a lesson about the senses too, not just a playground.
What you can see
In the Ames Room, two people standing in opposite corners look like a giant and a tiny figure, and when they swap places their sizes are reversed. The infinity mirror room multiplies lights and reflections endlessly, while in the RGB Room red, green and blue light combine into new shades. The brave can lie down on the bed of 1,200 nails, inspired by the Indian fakirs.
Other stops are the 2D Café, a café drawn in black and white where everything looks like a comic-book page, the "head on a plate", a mirror trick in which the head seems to float on its own, the mirror maze and the Vortex tunnel. Optionally, for an extra fee, children can stuff and name their own plush toy.
Good to know
The museum is inside AFI Cotroceni, on the first floor, in the IMAX cinema area. Last entry is at 21:15, and tickets cost more from Friday to Sunday.
- The Ames Room, where two visitors seem to change size as they move from one corner to the other.
- The infinity mirror room, where lights and reflections repeat endlessly.
- The bed of 1,200 sharp nails, inspired by the Indian fakirs.
- The 2D Café, a café drawn in black and white that looks straight out of a comic book.
- The RGB Room, where red, green and blue light mix into new shades.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the museum is in the AFI Cotroceni shopping centre, in western Bucharest, ~7 km (~15 minutes, depending on traffic) from Piața Unirii and ~3.5 km from Gara de Nord. From Henri Coandă Airport (Otopeni) it is ~19 km, about half an hour without heavy traffic.
Public transport: metro M3 to Politehnica station, then ~600 m (~8 minutes) on foot to the mall, or metro M5 to Orizont station, ~800 m (~11 minutes) on foot. Inside the mall, the museum is on the first floor, in the IMAX area.
- Where to park
Visitors use the underground or the above-ground car park of the AFI Cotroceni shopping centre. Entry to the car park is with a ticket, and the rules and conditions are posted at the entrance and on the shopping centre's website.
- Fees & discounts
Prices Monday to Thursday / Friday to Sunday: adult (over 16) 65 / 75 lei, children aged 3–15 50 / 60 lei, couple ticket (2 tickets and a game with challenges for two) 150 / 170 lei, small family (2 adults + 1 child) 170 / 200 lei, large family (2 adults + 2 children) 190 / 230 lei. People with disabilities get a discount on showing their disability certificate at reception before the visit. Groups of at least 10 people have special rates, and teachers accompanying school groups enter free. Tickets are sold at reception or online, through iaBilet; individual visits need no booking. The plush toy workshop is paid separately.
- Rules
Photography and filming for personal use are encouraged; professional photo shoots and commercial filming need the museum's prior approval. Pets are accepted, subject to the AFI Cotroceni access rules. Large bags are left in the cloakroom. The mirror maze and the Vortex tunnel cannot be done in a wheelchair or with a pushchair.
- Facilities
cloakroom and lockable drawers for small items · souvenir shop · wheelchair and pushchair access to most areas · guided visits and programmes for school groups
Frequently asked questions about Museum of Senses
How much is a ticket to Museum of Senses?
A ticket to Museum of Senses costs 65 lei (75 lei Friday–Sunday). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Museum of Senses?
Opening hours at Museum of Senses: daily 10:00 – 22:00. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Museum of Senses take?
A visit to Museum of Senses takes about ½ – 1 hours (50–60 minutes on average).
Can you visit Museum of Senses with kids?
Yes, Museum of Senses is suitable for children (illusions for all ages).
How do I get to Museum of Senses?
Museum of Senses is located at Bulevardul General Paul Teodorescu 4 (AFI Cotroceni, first floor, next to IMAX), București. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Museum of Senses?
The best season for Museum of Senses: All year round (all year, daily).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Museum of Senses, sorted by distance.
