Romania rewards curious families with a mix of storybook castles, leafy parks, and hearty comfort food. In just five days, you’ll trace the arc from Bucharest’s Belle Époque facades and café culture to Brașov’s cobbled squares, framed by the Carpathian Mountains. This compact route keeps travel time short while packing in museums, markets, and fresh-air adventures.

Transylvania’s legends run deep—Bran Castle inspires the “Dracula” myth, while Peleș glitters like a royal dream in the forest. Back in the capital, you’ll step into Europe’s heaviest building, the Palace of Parliament, nibble your way through markets on a guided food walk, and unwind at Therme, Europe’s largest indoor wellness complex—ideal for kids and parents alike.

Practical notes: Romania uses the leu (RON); cards are widely accepted and tipping 5–10% is appreciated. Museums often close on Mondays (notably Peleș Castle), so swap days if needed. Trains between Bucharest and Brașov run frequently and are stroller-friendly. Romanian and Hungarian culinary traditions shine here—look for sarmale (cabbage rolls), ciorbă (tangy soups), and papanași (fried donut with sour cream and jam).

Bucharest

Bucharest is a capital of contrasts: neoclassical palaces beside modernist blocks, 19th-century beer halls next to third-wave coffee bars, and parks dotted with lakes and rowboats. The Old Town (Lipscani) charms with narrow lanes, while grand boulevards lead to the colossal Palace of Parliament.

• Top sights for families and photos: Palace of Parliament, Village Museum (Dimitrie Gusti), Cărturești Carusel bookstore, Cișmigiu Gardens rowboats, and Herăstrău (King Michael I) Park.
• Foodie highlights: Caru’ cu Bere (old-world beer hall, mititei and schnitzel), Hanu’ lui Manuc (Ottoman-era courtyard; sarmale), Lacrimi și Sfinți (modern takes on classics), Simbio (brunch in a garden townhouse), and Energiea (gastropub favorites).
• Coffee stops: Origo (espresso temple), M60 (Scandi vibe), Beans & Dots (light, bright workspace).
• Family fun: Therme Bucharest (pools, slides, palm house), pedal boats on Herăstrău Lake, playgrounds in Cișmigiu.

Stay in Bucharest: Elegant to mid-range picks include The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection and Novotel Bucharest City Centre. Or browse apartments/homes on VRBO Bucharest or hotel deals on Hotels.com Bucharest.

Getting to Bucharest (OTP): Compare flights within or to Europe on Omio (Flights). In-city transport is easy via rideshare or metro; most sites cluster centrally.

Brașov

Brașov sits in a mountain bowl, a medieval gem with pastel houses, the Gothic Black Church, and a hilltop sign to rival Hollywood’s. It’s a photographer’s playground—especially from the Tâmpa cable car overlooking Council Square (Piața Sfatului).

• Top sights: Black Church, Council Square, Rope Street (Strada Sforii), bastions and old walls, Tâmpa cable car for sweeping views.
• Close-by legends: Bran (Dracula) Castle and fairy-tale Peleș Castle—great if you don’t visit them on a day trip from Bucharest.
• Family and boating: Lacul Noua has pedal boats in season, with a playground and easy walking paths; Zoo Brașov is next door; Parc Aventura offers ziplines (check seasonality and height limits).

Eat & drink: Sergiana (Transylvanian fare; pork knuckle, bean stews), La Ceaun (hearty soups and stews), Sub Tâmpa (grill under the forest edge), and Dei Frati (handmade pasta). For treats: kurtoskalacs (chimney cake) stands and Hof Café hot chocolate; coffee at Meron or Tipografia.

Stay in Brașov: Centrally located picks include Aro Palace Hotel, Casa Wagner, Hotel Ambient, and Hotel Coroana. Also explore VRBO Brașov and Hotels.com Brașov.

Getting Bucharest → Brașov: Trains take ~2.5–3 hours, typically 50–90 RON ($11–20) for InterRegio; compare times on Omio (Trains). Buses take ~3 hours; check Omio (Buses).

Day 1: Arrive in Bucharest (Old Town, easy boating, and classic fare)

Afternoon: Land at OTP and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle wander in the Old Town: Stavropoleos Church’s stone carvings, Lipscani’s lanes, and the photogenic Cărturești Carusel bookstore. If the kids need fresh air, rent a rowboat at Cișmigiu Gardens (usually spring–autumn; ~20–30 RON per 30 minutes) for a serene first taste of the city.

Evening: Dinner at Caru’ cu Bere for old-world grandeur and Romanian staples (mici, schnitzel, apple strudel). Alternatively, Hanu’ lui Manuc serves sarmale and polenta in a historic caravanserai courtyard. Early to bed or a short stroll down Victory Avenue for night photos of the CEC Palace dome.

Day 2: Bucharest Icons, Food Tour, and Therme Fun

Morning: Tour the Palace of Parliament, the world’s heaviest building, for a time-capsule peek into the 1980s. Secure fast-track access with this option: Palace of Parliament in Bucharest - fast-track tickets and guide.

Refuel with specialty coffee at Origo, then head to the Village Museum (Dimitrie Gusti), an open-air collection of wooden churches and farmhouses—great for photos and for kids to roam.

Afternoon: Dive into markets and local bites on a private food-and-culture walk—perfect for curious eaters and photographers alike: Taste of Bucharest: Food and Culture Private Tour.

Evening: Unwind at Therme Bucharest—tropical pools, slides, and family zones, with warm water year-round. Book timed entry here: Therme Bucharest Tickets and Water Theme Park.

Back in town, consider a relaxed dinner at Simbio (kid-pleasing pastas, salads, and burgers) or Energiea (seasonal plates and house lemonades).

Day 3: Full-Day Transylvania Castles from Bucharest

Spend the day amid forests and fortresses on a small-group excursion to Peleș Castle (neo-Renaissance jewel), Bran Castle (Dracula lore, great ramparts for kids to explore), and Brașov’s Old Town. This efficient route shows you the region’s big three with a guide handling the logistics: Small-Group Day Trip to Dracula's Castle, Brașov and Peleș Castle.

Notes: Peleș is typically closed Mondays (interiors), so swap with Day 2 or 4 if needed. Expect an early start and a late return; pack snacks and layers. For dinner on return, try Lacrimi și Sfinți’s modern Romanian plates or Hanu’ Berarilor for kid-friendly portions.

Day 4: Train to Brașov, Old Town Walk, and Tâmpa Views

Morning: Take a morning train Bucharest → Brașov (~2.5–3 hours; 50–90 RON). Compare departures and book e-tickets on Omio (Trains). Check into your hotel near Council Square.

Afternoon: Stroll the pastel houses of Piața Sfatului, step into the Black Church to see its famed Anatolian carpets, and squeeze down Strada Sforii (Rope Street) for a fun family photo. Ride the Tâmpa cable car for wide-angle shots of the city ringed by forest.

Evening: Dinner at Sergiana for Transylvanian staples (cabbage rolls, smoked meats with polenta). If you prefer lighter fare, Dei Frati’s handmade tagliatelle is a hit with kids. For dessert, share papanași or pick up warm kürtőskalács from a street stall.

Day 5: Boats at Lacul Noua, Zoo Stop, and Departure

Morning: Head to Brașov’s Lacul Noua for pedal boats (in season; usually spring–autumn; ~20–30 RON per 30 minutes). There’s a playground and easy lakeside paths for toddlers. If energy allows, pop into nearby Zoo Brașov for an hour of animal watching.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Sub Tâmpa (grills, soups, and salads under the trees) or La Ceaun (stews and cornbread), then grab the train back toward Bucharest or continue to your next stop. Check schedules on Omio (Trains) or Omio (Buses), and, if you’re flying onward, compare flights on Omio (Flights).

Evening: If you have a late departure, enjoy one last hot chocolate at Hof Café or a golden-hour photo loop around Council Square before heading out.

Optional/Alternative Bucharest Activities (swap into Day 2 if desired)

• Herăstrău Lake boating and playgrounds in King Michael I Park (spring–autumn). Great picnic lawns and space to run.
• National Museum of Art of Romania (inside the former Royal Palace) for an easy, compact art fix.
• Quirky ride: a Tuk Tuk spin through the highlights if little legs are tired: Bucharest Tuk Tuk city tour.

Budget tips (aimed at ~50/100 budget scale): Use bakeries for quick breakfasts (covrigi pretzels), ride trains instead of private transfers, and favor mid-range traditional restaurants where portions are generous. Museums are inexpensive, and parks/boating are great-value crowd-pleasers.

In five days you’ll taste, see, and sail through two of Romania’s most inviting cities. Between castle courtyards, lakeside pedals, and steaming bowls of ciorbă, this family-friendly route balances discovery with downtime—leaving you with photos and flavors worth coming back for.