Romania’s story arcs from Roman legions and Dacian gold to medieval Saxon towns and 20th‑century upheaval. Today, the capital Bucharest pairs grand Belle Époque avenues with gritty-cool creativity, while Transylvania guards mountain passes, fortified churches, and the hilltop fortress often called “Dracula’s Castle.”

In three days, you’ll savor Old Town Lipscani, the monumental Palace of Parliament, and shaded boulevards along Calea Victoriei. Then you’ll head into the Carpathians to tour Peleș Castle’s Neo‑Renaissance splendor, wander Brașov’s medieval core, and stand beneath the turrets of Bran Castle.

Expect generous plates of sarmale (cabbage rolls), ciorbă (tangy soups), and fluffy papanași doughnuts, alongside third‑wave coffee, natural wine, and breezy rooftop bars. Practical notes: card payments are widely accepted, rideshares are affordable, and taxis to/from the airport are metered. This Romania itinerary assumes an afternoon arrival on Day 1 and an afternoon departure on Day 3.

Bucharest

Once nicknamed “Little Paris,” Bucharest mixes French-influenced architecture with Art Deco and robust Communist-era landmarks. Lipscani (Old Town) hides ornate courtyards and the serene Stavropoleos Monastery; Calea Victoriei strings together the Romanian Athenaeum, Revolution Square, and handsome mansions.

Top sights include the colossal Palace of Parliament, the open-air Village Museum showcasing rural life, and bookstore-temple Cărturești Carusel. Between stops, fuel up at specialty coffee bars and sample contemporary Romanian cuisine in buzzing bistros.

• Where to stay (center/Old Town for easy walking):
  • The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection – Art Deco glamour in a former bank, cocktail-forward bar, spa.
  • Novotel Bucharest City Centre – Indoor pool, family-friendly rooms, steps from Revolution Square.
  • Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Bucharest or apartment-style options on VRBO – Bucharest.
• How to get here:
  • Flights within Europe: check Omio (flights); most routes to OTP take 1.5–3.5 hours (fares often $60–$180 roundtrip).
  • Trains and buses in Europe: see Omio (trains) and Omio (buses). Example: Brașov–Bucharest by train ~2.5–3h.
  • Long‑haul from outside Europe: compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Airport transfer: OTP to the city center is ~30–40 minutes by taxi or rideshare (roughly 40–70 RON / $9–$15 off-peak).

Day 1: Bucharest Old Town, Calea Victoriei, and Tastes of Romania

Morning: Travel day. Aim for a late-morning or early‑afternoon arrival at OTP. Drop bags at your hotel and freshen up—most properties will hold luggage if your room isn’t ready.

Afternoon: Start with an orientation stroll through Lipscani: peek into the jewel-box Stavropoleos Monastery, admire 19th‑century façades, and step into Cărturești Carusel, a light‑filled bookshop perfect for photos. Coffee break at Origo (benchmark espresso), Steam Coffee Shop (tiny, punchy brews), or Beans & Dots (Scandi vibe).

Prefer to eat your way through the city? Join this guided food walk (great for first‑timers):

Taste Bucharest: A Food Lover's Tour of Markets & Neighbourhoods – sample local cheeses, cured meats, street snacks, and pastries while exploring historic neighborhoods. Expect 3–4 hours; small groups keep it personable.

Evening: Traditional dinner in Old Town. Try Caru’ cu Bere (beer hall since 1879; roast pork knuckle, sarmale, live music) or Hanu’ lui Manuc (courtyard inn from 1808; hearty stews, polenta, grilled meats). For a contemporary twist, book Kaiamo (modern Romanian tasting menus) or Kane (seasonal, produce-led plates). Nightcap choices: Fix Me a Drink (botanical cocktails), Linea/Closer to the Moon or NOMAD Skybar (rooftop views).

Day 2: Full‑Day Transylvania Castles and Brașov (from Bucharest)

This is a long but rewarding day into the Carpathians—no need to split by morning/afternoon/evening.

Small‑Group Day Trip to Dracula's Castle, Brașov and Peleș Castle – typically 12–13 hours with early pickup. Wind through Sinaia to tour Peleș Castle (Neo‑Renaissance opulence built for Romania’s kings), continue to Bran Castle (the atmospheric 14th‑century hilltop fortress tied to the Dracula legend), and finish in Brașov for time in the medieval Old Town by the Black Church and Council Square.

• What to expect: Scenic mountain roads, guided castle visits, and free time in Brașov. Bring layers—weather shifts quickly at altitude.
• Lunch ideas in Brașov: La Ceaun (Transylvanian soups and stews), Sergiana (classic regional fare in vaulted brick rooms), or a quick covrig (Romanian pretzel) if you’re on the move.
• Timing & price: Depart ~7:30–8:00 AM; return ~8:00–9:00 PM. Prices vary by season and inclusions; check current rates on the tour page.

Day 3: Parliament, Parks, and Spa Time — then Departure

Morning: Choose one of these signature experiences:

• Inside the Palace: Palace of Parliament in Bucharest – fast‑track tickets and guide. Tour gleaming marble halls in the world’s heaviest building and learn how it reshaped the city in the 1980s. Reserve ahead; ID is required for entry.

• OR thermal bliss: Therme – entrance ticket with transfers. Soak in the palm‑lined, 30°C+ pools and saunas at Europe’s largest indoor wellness center, ~25–30 minutes north of town. Great for families and flyers with sore legs.

Afternoon: Quick lunch before you go: Papila (comfort bowls, shakshuka), SimBIO (sunny garden brunch), or La Mama (straightforward Romanian staples). If time allows, stroll Calea Victoriei past the Romanian Athenaeum and Revolution Square for a neat history loop. Transfer to OTP (~30–40 minutes by taxi/rideshare).

Evening: If your flight is later, squeeze in a final pastry at French Revolution (eclairs) or toast the trip with a local craft beer at Zăganu Taproom. Prefer nightlife? There’s a guided option: Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town for a lively send-off.

Essential Eats & Sips (bookmark-worthy)

• Breakfast/coffee: Origo (textbook espresso), Trofic (filter coffee and eggs), Beans & Dots (pastries, minimal decor).
• Lunch: La Mama (Romanian classics, quick service), Simbio (market-driven plates, leafy patio), Veloce (Romanian-Italian panini and salads).
• Dinner: Caru’ cu Bere or Hanu’ lui Manuc (heritage feasts), Kaiamo and Kane (modern Romanian cuisine), Suento (garden vibes, seasonal plates).
• Drinks: Fix Me a Drink (foraged botanicals), Nota (wine bar with smart Romanian labels), Linea / NOMAD (city views).

Good to know: Sundays and Mondays can alter museum hours; book major sights and popular restaurants in advance on weekends. Carry a light scarf for church visits, and pack a layer for the mountains on Day 2. Tipping 10% in restaurants is customary.

Optional extra tour if you’re a history buff: The Real Tour of Communism – a focused look at life from 1948–1989 and the 1989 Revolution landmarks.

With Bucharest as your base, this 3‑day Romania itinerary balances landmark architecture, a deep-dive castles excursion into Transylvania, and a delicious cross‑section of local cuisine. You’ll leave with a camera roll full of Old Town alleys, Carpathian views, and grand staircases—and a solid reason to come back for more.