Welcome to a compact Romanian journey that sweeps from scholarly Iași to cosmopolitan Bucharest. In three days, you’ll sample the nation’s layered history—Moldavian monasteries and Neo-Gothic palaces set against Belle Époque boulevards and bold communist-era landmarks.

Iași, once the capital of the Principality of Moldavia, blends university-town energy with calm monastery courtyards and leafy parks. Bucharest, nicknamed “Little Paris” for its early 20th-century flair, counters with grand avenues, thriving café culture, and a culinary scene reinventing traditional dishes.

Expect walkable neighborhoods, hearty Romanian cuisine (think sarmale and papanși), excellent specialty coffee, and warm hospitality. Practical notes: carry a photo ID for major security sites like the Palace of Parliament, watch for pickpockets in crowded Old Town lanes, and book intercity transport ahead, especially weekends.

Iași

Iași is Romania’s “city of great loves”—of books, theater, and gardens. The famed Palace of Culture anchors a cluster of museums, while Copou Park hosts the Eminescu Linden Tree, a pilgrimage spot for literature lovers.

• Top sights: Palace of Culture museums, Trei Ierarhi Monastery, Golia Monastery & Tower, Copou Park, and the National Theatre.
• Why go: Elegant architecture, lively student life, and a dining scene that highlights Moldavian flavors.
• Where to stay: Browse apartments and guesthouses on VRBO Iași or hotels on Hotels.com Iași.
• Getting there: Domestic flights connect via Bucharest (≈1 hr; check Omio flights). Trains from other Romanian cities typically run 5–8 hours (Omio trains).

Bucharest

Bucharest is a study in contrasts: Belle Époque palaces, WWII and communist-era blocks, and an ever-creative present of design cafés, craft cocktails, and independent galleries. Calea Victoriei and Old Town (Lipscani) are the city’s showpiece promenades.

• Top sights: Calea Victoriei, Romanian Athenaeum, Revolution Square, Palace of Parliament, Village Museum (Muzeul Satului), Carturești Carusel bookstore.
• Why go: Big-city energy, affordable dining, and a deep, complex history made visible on every street.
• Where to stay: Compare well-located stays near the Old Town or Calea Victoriei on VRBO Bucharest or Hotels.com Bucharest.
• Getting around: Rideshare and metro are reliable; walk Calea Victoriei in the evening when it’s buzzing.

Day 1: Iași arrival, palaces and parks

Morning: Travel to Iași. If you arrive early, ease in with a flat white at Jassyro (a local specialty-coffee pioneer) and a quick bite—try a cheese placintă from a nearby bakery. Check in and drop bags.

Afternoon: Start with the Palace of Culture, a Neo-Gothic icon housing four museums (Art, History, Ethnography, and Science & Technology). Then join the Iași City Tour to get your bearings—expect Trei Ierarhi Monastery’s stone lacework, the Golia Monastery tower view, and stories of poets and princes.

Evening: Dinner at Bolta Rece, a 19th-century haunt of writers serving Moldavian classics like tochitură (pork stew) and locally baked bread; pair with Cotnari wine. Prefer something lighter and eco-minded? CUIB dishes seasonal spreads, zacuscă, and veggie mains in a friendly bistro setting. For a nightcap, The Trumpets pours Romanian craft beers with live music vibes.

Optional hands-on dinner experience: Swap the restaurant for a home-style feast at the Traditional Romanian Cooking Class in Iași—learn to make sarmale or hearty soups with a local host.

Day 2: Morning transfer to Bucharest, afternoon on Calea Victoriei

Morning: Travel Iași → Bucharest.

• Train: ~6–7 h to București Nord, from ~120–200 RON; reserve on Omio trains. Comfortable and scenic.
• Flight: ~1 h to OTP, fares often ~300–700 RON one-way; see Omio flights. Factor 45–60 min transfer into town.
• Bus: ~7–8 h, budget-friendly from ~100–150 RON via Omio buses.
• Private transfer: Door-to-door ~6 h—ideal for groups or lots of luggage. Book the Iași to Bucharest - Fast Transportation.

Afternoon: Drop bags, then stroll Calea Victoriei—peek into the Romanian Athenaeum’s marbled foyer and pause at Revolution Square for context on 1989. Coffee at Origo (espresso royalty) and a light lunch at Simbio, a sunlit house serving seasonal bowls, shakshuka, and great cakes.

Evening: Explore Old Town lanes around Lipscani and Stavropoleos Church (a Brâncovenesc jewel). Dinner at Caru’ cu Bere inside a Gothic Revival beer hall—order sarmale or roasted pork knuckle and a house beer; alternatively, Zexe offers refined historic recipes, while Lacrimi și Sfinți reimagines traditional plates. For cocktails, try Fix Me a Drink (foraged ingredients) or the rooftop Linea/Closer to the Moon for skyline views.

Day 3: Parliament, Village Museum, lakeside lunch—then departure

Morning: Tour the Palace of Parliament, an immense 1980s project and the world’s heaviest building. Bring a passport/ID and book ahead; expect security checks and a 60–90 minute guided visit (basic tours typically in the ~60–80 RON range). Pre-tour coffee at M60 (silky cappuccinos, good pastries).

Afternoon: Head to Herăstrău (King Michael I) Park and the open-air Village Museum, where wooden churches and peasant houses map centuries of rural life. Lunch nearby: Mahala serves modern Romanian comfort with pickled sides; for a beer-garden vibe, Berăria H offers hearty grills by the lake.

Evening: Last-minute browsing at Carturești Carusel for design books and Romanian gifts. If time allows, walk Arthur Verona Street for colorful murals, then depart in the afternoon. To reach OTP airport, allow ~45–60 min by taxi/rideshare; the train from Gara de Nord takes ~25 min.

Where to Eat and Drink: Highlights

• Iași coffee & breakfast: Jassyro (single-origin espressos), Acaju (arts café, good for a croissant and chat).
• Iași lunches: CUIB (sustainable, veggie-forward), La Conac (rustic plates, generous portions).
• Iași dinners: Bolta Rece (historic Moldavian fare), Krud (casual burgers and craft beer).
• Bucharest coffee: Origo (espresso bar), M60 (Nordic-style brews), Beans & Dots (design-forward café).
• Bucharest lunches: Simbio (bright, seasonal), Papila (creative soups and comfort food), La Copac (homestyle Romanian).
• Bucharest dinners: Caru’ cu Bere (classic experience), Zexe (heritage recipes), Mahala (modern Romanian), Hanu’ Berarilor (old-time atmosphere).

Add-On Ideas (for a future longer stay)

If you return with an extra day in Iași, consider a winery or monastery excursion:

• Half-Day Gramma Wine Tasting Tour in Iași — urban vineyard tastings 8 km from the center.

• Day trip from Iași to the UNESCO Painted Monasteries in Bucovina — vivid medieval frescoes in forested hills.

Where to book stays: VRBO Iași, Hotels.com Iași, VRBO Bucharest, Hotels.com Bucharest.

Where to book transport: Omio trains (Europe), Omio buses (Europe), Omio flights (Europe), or a door-to-door car via this private transfer.

In just three days, you’ll feel the contrast and kinship between Iași’s scholarly calm and Bucharest’s metropolitan pulse. With smart transport, well-placed cafés, and landmark-packed walks, this route captures Romania’s texture—historic, creative, and welcoming—at a relaxed pace.