The artificial lake at the heart of Cișmigiu Gardens, fed since 1847 from the same Bucureștioara stream that gives the park its name. In summer it is dotted with rowing boats and pedalos available to rent from kiosks at the eastern end; in winter, when conditions allow, it freezes and turns into Bucharest's most central ice rink.
The lakeside terraces are the most pleasant café spots in the city centre. Visit at dusk in summer when the surrounding old men set down their chess boards and the rowboats are pulled in. Free, open dawn to dusk, with restrooms and food kiosks dotted around.