5 Days in Romania on a Budget: Bucharest & Brașov for Food-Loving Walkers
Romania is where medieval legends, Communist-era grandeur, and café culture mingle. Bucharest, once nicknamed “Little Paris,” pairs Belle Époque boulevards with edgy street art and a famously energetic food scene. A scenic train hops you to Brașov, a Saxon-era gem cradled by the Carpathians, with cobblestones, church spires, and mountain views.
Transylvania’s castle circuit is irresistible: Bran (tied to the Dracula legend), fairy-tale Peleș in Sinaia, and the hilltop citadel at Râșnov. In Bucharest, the colossal Palace of Parliament, the neoclassical Romanian Athenaeum, and leafy parks showcase the city’s layered history. Balance big sights with slow pleasures—coffee, markets, and meandering side streets.
Practical note for budget travelers: card payments are widely accepted, but keep some RON for markets and buses. Romanian cuisine is hearty and affordable—think sarmale (cabbage rolls), ciorbă (sour soups), mici (grilled sausages), and papanași (donuts with sour cream and jam). Trains between cities are inexpensive, and local buses make castle day trips easy.
Bucharest
Vibrant and witty, Bucharest rewards walkers: 19th-century façades and interwar palaces sit beside communist blocks and new-wave bistros. Old Town (Lipscani) hums at night, while grand landmarks like the Palace of Parliament and Romanian Athenaeum anchor the city’s story.
- Top sights: Palace of Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, CEC Palace, Revolution Square, Cișmigiu Park, Herăstrău Park & the Village Museum.
- Food & drink: from traditional taverns (sarmale, soups in bread bowls) to third-wave coffee and craft beer. Street snacks like covrigi (warm pretzels) fuel long walks.
- Fun fact: The Palace of Parliament is the world’s heaviest building—its chandeliers alone could headline an exhibit.
Stay central for walkability and transit. Browse stays on VRBO Bucharest or Hotels.com Bucharest. Well-located picks: The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection (historic bank turned hotel, steps from Old Town) and Novotel Bucharest City Centre (excellent value on Calea Victoriei).
Getting in: Compare flights to Bucharest (OTP) on Omio (Europe flights) or for long-haul options try Kiwi.com. Budget-friendly city transfer: prebook an airport ride with Viator.
Day 1: Arrival and Old Town Warm‑Up
Afternoon: Land in Bucharest and check in. Shake off travel at Origo Coffee (Romania’s third-wave pioneer) or M60 for pour-overs and a sweet slice of cozonac. Stroll Lipscani: see the jewel-box Stavropoleos Church, the ornate CEC Palace, and Hanul cu Tei passage’s art shops.
Evening: Spin through the city lights on the Tuk Tuk Bucharest Tour—a fun, affordable overview with photo stops.
Dinner ideas (budget to mid): La Mama (local staples like sarmale, polenta with cheese), Caru’ cu Bere (iconic beer hall—book early; try the pork knuckle), or Hanu’ lui Manuc (courtyard vibes, mixed grill). For a nightcap, pop into Energiea for Romanian craft beers.
Day 2: Icons, History, and Foodie Finds
Morning: Tour the world’s heaviest building with skip-the-line access: Palace of Parliament – fast-track tickets and guide.
Walk to Revolution Square and the frescoed Romanian Athenaeum; pause in Cișmigiu Park to watch chess players under the lindens. Breakfast/lunch options: Papila (shakshuka, polenta bowls), Simbio (garden brunch), or a quick covrig pretzel from a street kiosk.
Afternoon: Choose a museum or outdoor culture: the Village Museum (open-air traditional houses) pairs well with an easy Herăstrău Park loop. Coffee break: Beans & Dots or Guidance Roastery for single-origin espressos.
Evening: Eat your way through the city on Taste of Bucharest: Food and Culture Private Tour—it’s a relaxed dinner-by-walk packed with stories and neighborhood bites.
Alt wind-down (spa lovers): soak under palm trees at Therme Bucharest—thermal pools and saunas; rideshare from center ~50–70 RON each way.
Travel to Brașov
Depart this morning for Transylvania. Trains from Bucharest Gara de Nord to Brașov take ~2.5–3 hours (InterRegio), typically 50–80 RON per person. Book seats on Omio (trains in Europe); buses are a similar price and time via Omio (buses). Aim for a departure between 8:00–10:00 to maximize your Brașov afternoon.
Brașov
Storybook streets meet mountain air in this Saxon-founded city. Council Square’s pastel façades frame the spire of the Black Church, while the forested slope of Tâmpa Mountain rises right behind the Old Town.
- Don’t miss: Black Church (organ concerts in summer), Rope Street (Strada Sforii, one of Europe’s narrowest), Catherine’s Gate, and the cable car to Tâmpa for sunset views.
- Tastes to try: ciorbă in bread bowls, bulz (polenta with cheese), kürtőskalács (chimney cake), and local craft beers.
Where to stay: central options span budgets—browse VRBO Brașov and Hotels.com Brașov, or consider: Aro Palace Hotel (classic landmark), Casa Wagner (characterful rooms on Council Square), Hotel Ambient (good value), Hotel Coroana (budget, central).
Day 3: Arrival in Brașov, Medieval Streets, Sunset on Tâmpa
Morning: Train to Brașov. Drop bags and grab a quick lunch: La Ceaun for hearty stews, pickles, and local breads; or Simone for fresh salads and sandwiches.
Afternoon: Explore the Old Town loop: Council Square (Piața Sfatului), peek into the Black Church, wander Rope Street, pass Catherine’s Gate into the old Schei quarter. Coffee at Tipografia or Croitoria de Cafea—both beloved by locals.
Evening: Ride the Tâmpa cable car for panoramic golden-hour views over red roofs to the Carpathians. Dinner: Sergiana (Transylvanian classics—try the bean soup in bread and pork with horseradish) or Dei Frati (handmade pasta; modest prices). Dessert: papanași with sour cream and jam.
Day 4: Castles or Carpathian Adventure
Morning: Easy DIY castle day. Take a local bus/taxi to Bran Castle (about 45–60 minutes). Arrive early to beat lines; exhibits blend royal history and Dracula lore. Snack on warm kürtőskalács from a market stall.
Afternoon: Continue to Râșnov Citadel (short ride from Bran or on the way back) for sweeping valley views. Return to Brașov for late lunch: La Ceaun – Piata Enescu (soups, polenta, pickled sides). Optional side trip (time allowing): train to Sinaia for Peleș Castle (highly recommended if you didn’t see it from Bucharest; allow 1.5–2 hours each way).
Evening: Casual dinner at Prato (Italian with Romanian ingredients) or local craft brews at Beraria Ciucas. Stroll the illuminated bastions and quiet lanes.
Winter alternative: Swap the castles for a snowy thrill on the Husky Sleigh Rides experience (from Brașov)—a rare, photogenic outing in season (typically Dec–Feb, weather permitting; limited spots).
Day 5: Brașov to Bucharest for Departure
Morning: Slow start with pastries and espresso at Kafe Pub or Croitoria de Cafea. Loop the quieter Șchei district to see St. Nicholas Church and the First Romanian School Museum courtyard.
Afternoon: Take an early-midday train back to Bucharest (2.5–3 hours) via Omio (trains). If flying today, allow ample buffer to connect from Bucharest Nord to OTP Airport (commuter train or rideshare). For a stress-free finish, consider a prebooked airport transfer. If you have extra time before your flight, a quick soak at Therme Bucharest is blissful and close to the airport.
Optional Add-On (from Bucharest on Day 2 or a future visit): Castles in One Go
If you prefer a guided castle day including Brașov highlights from Bucharest, these top-rated options bundle transport and tickets:
Budget & Practical Tips
- Daily budget (per couple, excluding lodging): 200–350 RON ($45–$78) covers coffee, street snacks, two sit-down meals, transit, and one attraction.
- Transit: Use Omio for trains and buses. Validate tickets where required. City rideshares are abundant and affordable.
- Eating well on a budget: soups and daily menus at local cantines are excellent value; share mains (portions are generous) and always leave room for papanași.
- Safety: central areas are lively; watch for pickpockets in crowds (Old Town, trains). Tap water is generally safe; many cafés happily refill bottles.
In five days you’ll taste Romania’s essence: the urban pulse of Bucharest, the medieval calm of Brașov, and the myth-laced castles between. Come hungry, walk often, and let the Carpathian skyline guide your next trip back.