Bucharest (București) is a city of layered stories—Ottoman trade routes, French-inspired boulevards, interwar elegance, and stark communist-era ambition all tucked into walkable neighborhoods. You’ll see Belle Époque façades on Calea Victoriei, serene monasteries in Old Town, and dramatic socialist architecture crowned by the colossal Palace of Parliament.

Beyond the landmarks, Bucharest shines in its cafés, parks, and kitchens. Brunch in converted townhouses, sip third‑wave espresso, taste smoky mici at a market grill, then slip into a speakeasy for foraged‑botanical cocktails. When you need a breather, Europe’s largest urban thermal complex—Therme Bucharest—awaits with palm trees and warm mineral pools.

Practical notes: the currency is the Romanian leu (RON), cards are widely accepted, and rideshare (Bolt/Uber) is common. Tip 10% in restaurants and keep an eye on belongings in crowded Old Town lanes at night. Spring and fall bring mild weather; summers are lively and warm—perfect for terrace culture and park strolls.

Bucharest

Nicknamed “Little Paris” in the early 1900s, today’s Bucharest is more a confident collage: neo-Classical palaces, modern galleries, leafy parks, and exuberant nightlife. The best way to feel it is on foot—start in Lipscani (Old Town), arc up Calea Victoriei, and finish at the Romanian Athenaeum as the evening light warms its columns.

• Unmissable sights: Old Town Lipscani, Stavropoleos Monastery, Romanian Athenaeum, Palace of Parliament, Revolution Square, Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, Herăstrău Park and the Arcul de Triumf.
• Where to stay: For nightlife and sights, base yourself in Old Town/Calea Victoriei. For parks and calmer evenings, choose Aviatorilor/Herăstrău. Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• Getting in: Fly to OTP (Henri Coandă). Typical flight times: London 3–3.5h, Rome 2h, Paris 2.75h, Vienna 1.5h (often $60–$180 one way). Search flights on Omio. The airport train to Gara de Nord takes ~20–25 minutes and costs just a few RON; rideshare to center is ~35–70 RON depending on traffic.
• Trains/buses in Europe: If connecting overland (Budapest, Sofia, Brașov), compare options on Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town First Impressions, and a Classic Romanian Dinner

Morning: In transit. If you arrive early, drop bags and stretch your legs in Cișmigiu Gardens—locals’ favorite lakeside park—and grab a first Romanian espresso at Origo (specialty roastery; try a naturally processed Ethiopian pour-over).

Afternoon: Check in, then wander Lipscani’s cobbles: see the tiny, icon-lined Stavropoleos Monastery, peek at the barrel-vaulted courtyard of the Old Princely Court, and step into the photogenic Cărturești Carusel bookstore. Snack stop: French Revolution for glossy éclairs (salted caramel or fistic/pistachio).

Evening: Welcome dinner at Caru’ cu Bere, a 19th‑century beer hall with stained glass and sarmale (cabbage rolls) that taste like Sunday at grandma’s. Alternative: Hanu’ lui Manuc for grilled trout and polenta in an atmospheric caravanserai courtyard. Nightcap with rooftop views at Nomad Skybar or a botanical cocktail at Fix Me a Drink.

Day 2: Calea Victoriei, the Athenaeum, and the Palace of Parliament

Morning: Coffee and breakfast at M60 (Scandi minimalism; try the shakshuka or a ricotta toast). Stroll Calea Victoriei—Bucharest’s showcase avenue—past the CEC Palace and the National Museum of Art. Time your guided visit to the Romanian Athenaeum; the frescoed concert hall is a national treasure.

Afternoon: Head to the world’s heaviest administrative building, the Palace of Parliament. Save time with a hosted, fast-track visit:

Palace of Parliament in Bucharest - fast-track tickets and guide

Lunch nearby at Vatra for ciorbă de burtă (tripe soup) or bean stew in a bread bowl; lighter option: Paine și Vin for wood-fired flatbreads and local cheese boards.

Evening: Dinner on Calea Victoriei at Caju by Joseph (modern Mediterranean with Romanian notes—chef Joseph Hadad; try grilled octopus or slow-cooked beef cheeks). Afterwards, stroll the pedestrianized stretch of Calea Victoriei—on weekend evenings it hums with street music and terrace culture.

Day 3: Hidden Churches, Village Museum, and Herăstrău Sunset

Morning: Brunch at Simbio in a restored townhouse (eggs Benedict, fluffy pancakes). Slip back into Old Town to admire the tiny Russian Church of St. Nicholas’s gilded domes, then detour to the Hanul cu Tei passage for art shops.

Afternoon: Taxi or metro to the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum—dozens of historic wooden houses and farmsteads gathered from across Romania, set among trees by the lake. Follow with a loop through Herăstrău (King Michael I) Park to the Arcul de Triumf.

Evening: Dinner at Casa Doina (classic setting, terrace under linden trees; try duck leg with red cabbage). For something lively, Berăria H on the lake serves craft lagers and live bands. Dessert: gelato at Cremeria Emilia by the park gates.

Day 4: Transylvania Castles and Medieval Brașov (Full-Day Tour)

Leave Bucharest early for a cinematic day in the Carpathians: Neo-Renaissance Peleș Castle in Sinaia, the cliff-perched Bran Castle (the so-called Dracula’s Castle), and time to wander Brașov’s colorful Council Square under Tampa Mountain.

Small-Group Day Trip to Dracula's Castle, Brasov and Peles Castle

Expect 12–13 hours door to door with scenic mountain drives, skip-the-line entry arranged by your guide, and free time for a late lunch in Brașov (look for papanasi—warm doughnuts with sour cream and jam). Back in Bucharest, grab an easy late bite near the hotel.

Day 5: Spa Day at Therme Bucharest and an Evening Wine Tasting

Morning: Light breakfast and espresso at Beans & Dots (in a creative hub; try a V60 filter). If you’re curious about recent history, pop into the Museum of Recent Art (MARe) in Primăverii to see contemporary Romanian works in a striking modern space.

Afternoon: Head to Therme Bucharest, the vast palm-filled thermal complex north of the city—tropical pools, saunas, mineral water, and relaxation zones, great in any weather. Book admission here:

Relax and Fun at Thermal Spa Bucharest (Admission Ticket)

Expect 20–30 minutes each way by rideshare; plan 3–4 hours to enjoy saunas and pools. Eat a light bowl or salad at the on-site restaurants so you can linger longer.

Evening: Sample Romania’s underrated wine scene—Fetească Neagră reds and aromatic Tămâioasă Românească—on a guided tasting in the city:

Wine Tasting in Bucharest

Dinner afterwards at Mahala (neo-Romanian bistro; try calf brains tempura and beef tartare with smoked paprika) or the modern-rustic Lacrimi și Sfinți for reimagined peasant recipes.

Day 6: Markets, Street Art, and Nightlife

Morning: Obor Market is a feast for the senses and stomach: taste mici (grilled skinless sausages) with mustard at Terasa Obor, sample local cheeses, and nibble ziama pickles. Coffee after at Steam Coffee Shop for a strong flat white.

Afternoon: Explore Carol Park’s shady paths and the granite mausoleum, then step into the post-industrial creativity around Halele Carol and Fabrica—colorful murals, pop-up design stores, and casual terraces. If you prefer museums, the Museum of the Romanian Peasant (wood icons, textiles, ceramics) offers a graceful cultural arc.

Evening: Dinner at Paine și Vin (Romanian wines by the glass, shareable plates) or Vatra if you didn’t try it earlier. For nightlife, Control Club spins indie/electronic in a courtyard-meets-club space; Expirat (Halele Carol) is beloved for concerts and DJ nights.

Day 7: Ceausescu’s Mansion, Last Strolls, and Departure

Morning: Tour the former Ceausescu residence (Palatul Primăverii), preserved as a time capsule of 1970s-80s luxe—Persian carpets, mosaicked pool, diplomatic gifts. Coffee and light pastries at Origo or a final brunch at Simbio if time allows.

Afternoon: Final wander along Calea Victoriei for gifts (look for ceramic mugs and handwoven textiles), or duck into the National Museum of Art for the Romanian medieval rooms. Depart for the airport; allow extra time if raining (Bucharest traffic can snarl).

Evening: If you have a late flight, squeeze in a sunset walk through the University area and a quick dinner—La Mama does fast, comforting traditional dishes like chicken schnitzel and mamaliga with sour cream—before your transfer.

Where to Stay (and How to Book)

• Old Town/Calea Victoriei: Steps from major sights and nightlife; ideal for first-time visitors. Browse apartments and boutique stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• Aviatorilor/Herăstrău: Leafy, upscale, near parks and the Village Museum—great for joggers and families.
• Dorobanți/Floreasca: Trendy dining, lakeside walks; slightly pricier but polished.

Getting Around

• Airport transfer: Train from OTP to Gara de Nord (~20–25 min). Bolt/Uber are reliable; use in-app fare estimates.
• City transport: Metro is clean and fast for main axes; buses and trams fill the gaps. Walking Old Town and Calea Victoriei is easy.
• Regional travel: Compare trains and buses on Omio Trains and Omio Buses; flights in and out of Europe on Omio Flights.

Optional Extras (If You Have More Time)

• Black Sea day trip (summer): Sand and seafront architecture in Constanța, plus seafood on the promenade.
• Slănic Prahova Salt Mine: An underground cathedral of salt chambers—cool year-round and fascinating for families.

Handy Dining Shortlist

• Traditional: Caru’ cu Bere; Hanu’ lui Manuc; Vatra.
• Modern Romanian: Kaiamo (tasting-menu storytelling), Mahala, Lacrimi și Sfinți.
• Cafés and brunch: Origo; M60; Simbio; Beans & Dots; Steam Coffee Shop.
• Sweets: French Revolution (éclairs); artisanal gelato at Cremeria Emilia.
• Nightlife: Control Club; Expirat; Nomad Skybar.

Viator Activities Featured in This Itinerary

• Palace of Parliament in Bucharest - fast-track tickets and guide
• Small-Group Day Trip to Dracula's Castle, Brasov and Peles Castle
• Relax and Fun at Thermal Spa Bucharest (Admission Ticket)
• Wine Tasting in Bucharest

In one week, you’ll taste, soak, stroll, and time-travel through Bucharest—then crest the mountains to touch Transylvania’s castles. It’s a trip that balances blockbuster sights with easy pleasures: long coffees, golden-hour walks, and the warm hum of evening terraces.

Keep this guide handy as your day-by-day companion—you’ll move like a local, but see like a historian.