Romania rewards unhurried travelers. In Iași, once the capital of Moldavia, grand palaces, gilded monasteries, and student-filled cafés mix with a literary past and leafy parks. In Brașov, pastel guild houses and the Gothic Black Church huddle beneath forested peaks, with day trips to castles and Saxon fortresses minutes away.

Begin in Iași, known for its Palace of Culture complex and Copou Park—home to Mihai Eminescu’s famed linden tree. Continue to Brașov, a former Saxon stronghold where rope-thin alleys, crenelated bastions, and mountain air set the stage for Transylvania’s legends.

Practical notes: trains are reliable and scenic for Iași–Brașov (6–7.5 hours). The currency is the leu (RON). Romanian cuisine leans hearty—think ciorbă soups, sarmale cabbage rolls, and papanași doughnuts. Check hours for Peleș Castle (often closed Mondays, with seasonal adjustments) and expect weekend crowds at Bran.

Iași

Iași sits on seven hills, a scholarly city with more than 60 churches and monasteries. Highlights include the Neo-Gothic Palace of Culture, the Byzantine-laced Three Hierarchs Monastery, and Copou Park’s statues and quiet lanes.

Food here is distinctly Moldavian: robust stews, grilled meats, and local wines from Cotnari. Cafés stud the university district, fueling students and writers late into the night.

• Top sights: Palace of Culture (four museums under one roof), Three Hierarchs Monastery, Metropolitan Cathedral, Golia Monastery & tower, Copou Park.
• Coffee & bites: Jassyro (third‑wave brews, V60s, and beans roasted in-house) and Fika (Scandi-style pastries and slow coffee).
• Where to eat: Casa Bolta Rece (centuries-old cellar and Moldavian classics), La Conac (hearty Romanian with generous portions), CUIB (seasonal, local-produce plates).

Stay in Iași: For easy sightseeing, base near Palas Garden/Palace of Culture; for greener walks, choose Copou. Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting to Iași: Fly into IAS (often via Bucharest or hubs like Vienna). Search Europe flights on Omio (flights), or if you’re coming from outside Europe, check Kiwi.com. Trains from Bucharest take ~6–7 hours; check timetables and fares on Omio (trains).

Brașov

Brașov is classic Transylvania: merchant houses around Council Square, the Black Church’s 4,000-strong Turkish carpet collection, and views from Tâmpa Mountain. Rope Street, one of Europe’s narrowest, is a favorite photo stop.

Food runs from rustic to modern. Try slow-simmered bean stews in bread bowls, Transylvanian soups at midday, and papanși with sour cream and jam for dessert. Evenings are for wine bars, craft beer, and ambient cafés doubling as bars.

• Top sights: Piața Sfatului (Council Square), Black Church, Rope Street, Catherine’s Gate, Șchei quarter, Tâmpa cable car.
• Coffee & sweets: Dr. Jekelius – Pharmacy Café (period décor, coffee and elixirs), CH9 Specialty Coffee (bright roasts), Cafeteca (espresso classics), Gelato Mania (seasonal gelati).
• Where to eat: La Ceaun (soups and stews), Sergiana (Transylvanian staples—order the pork knuckle or sarmale), Bistro de l’Arte (all-day café-brasserie), Dei Frati (handmade pasta).
• Nightlife: Deane’s Irish Pub & Grill (live music), Tipografia (artsy bar-café for late conversations).

Stay in Brașov: Old Town (Centru Vechi) for walking everywhere; Șchei for quieter, historic streets; Poiana Brașov for mountain resort vibes. Compare options on VRBO or Hotels.com.

Day 1: Arrive in Iași – Palaces, Monasteries, and Garden Strolls

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags near Palas. Start at the Palace of Culture—its mosaic floors and Neo-Gothic spires house the Art, History, Ethnographic, and Science & Tech museums. Walk to Three Hierarchs Monastery to admire its intricate carved-stone exterior, then cross to the Metropolitan Cathedral for a serene interior break.

Evening: Stroll Alexandru Lăpușneanu Street for bookstores and boutiques, then head up to Copou Park for golden-hour light by Eminescu’s linden tree. Dinner at Casa Bolta Rece—pair Moldavian sarmale with a glass of Cotnari. Nightcap at Jassyro for a final espresso or a local wine bar near Palas Garden.

Day 2: Iași to Brașov – Scenic Rails and a Twilight Old Town

Morning: Quick breakfast at Fika (try a cardamom bun) or Jassyro. Catch a morning InterRegio train Iași → Brașov (approx. 6.5–7.5 hours, ~$25–40 USD second class). Book seats on Omio (trains); buses can be similar in time and price via Omio (buses). Pack snacks; the most scenic sections roll past fields and, later, foothills near Sfântu Gheorghe.

Afternoon: Arrive Brașov and check in. Shake off the ride at Dr. Jekelius – Pharmacy Café (vintage apothecary vibe). Walk Republicii Street to Piața Sfatului, step inside the Black Church if open, and peek at Strada Sforii (Rope Street) for photos.

Evening: Dinner at La Ceaun (ciorbă in bread bowls, slow-cooked pork and polenta), or book at Sergiana for a greatest-hits of Transylvanian comfort food. Gelato Mania for dessert, then a relaxed drink at Tipografia or live tunes at Deane’s.

Day 3: Castles Day Trip – Peleș, Bran, and Râșnov

Dedicate the day to Transylvania’s headline sights on a small-group tour from Brașov. Expect ornate royal salons at Peleș Castle in Sinaia, hilltop drama at Bran Castle (tied to the Dracula legend), and sweeping mountain views from Râșnov Fortress. Note: Peleș is often closed Mondays (and Tuesdays in low season)—plan accordingly.

Peleș Castle, Bran Castle, Râșnov Fortress Day Tour (small group)
Explore Romania’s royal and medieval icons with a guide; transport included.

Lunch is typically en route—try a steaming bowl of gulaș or a plate of mici (grilled skinless sausages) in Bran village, and don’t miss a warm kürtőskalács (chimney cake) from a street stall.

Back in Brașov, keep dinner simple at Bistro de l’Arte (seasonal plates; good Romanian wines by the glass) or go for handmade pasta at Dei Frati.

Day 4: Brașov’s Old Town, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Join a guided city walk to decode the “Crown City”—Saxon guilds, bastions, legends, and the Black Church included. The tour runs ~2.5 hours and is a superb primer before you leave.

Brașov City Tour – Visit the CROWN City (includes Black Church entrance)

Afternoon: Early lunch at Sub Tâmpa (grills and mountain views) or a quick soup and salad back at La Ceaun. If time allows, ride the Tâmpa cable car for a panoramic goodbye. Depart by mid-afternoon: trains from Brașov reach Bucharest in ~2.5–3.5 hours and Iași in ~6.5–7.5; compare routes and fares on Omio (trains) or Omio (buses). For onward European flights, search Omio (flights); for long-haul, check Kiwi.com.

Optional/Seasonal Add‑Ons (if you extend)

• Bear Sanctuary, Bran Castle & Râșnov Fortress — combine wildlife conservation with medieval landmarks.

• Winter: ski lessons in Poiana Brașov; summer: day trip to Viscri and Sighișoara for fortified churches and UNESCO lanes.

Where to book stays fast:

• Iași: VRBO | Hotels.com
• Brașov: VRBO | Hotels.com

This Iași-to-Brașov route distills Romania’s essence—Orthodox spires and university cafés in the east, medieval squares and mountain horizons in Transylvania. With castles, city walks, and hearty cooking, it’s a compact, memorable four-day itinerary you’ll want to repeat with extra time.