Romania’s story hums through grand palaces, Saxon citadels, and mountain villages perched under the Carpathians. In Bucharest, Belle Époque façades and communist-era megaprojects sit side-by-side, anchored by the colossal Palace of Parliament. North, Brașov unfolds in cobbled squares and pastel townhouses, a gateway to Transylvania’s most fabled castles.

Expect hearty, garden-driven cooking—sarmale (cabbage rolls), ciorbă (sour soups), and smoky “mici” grilled over coals—plus a specialty coffee scene that rivals Europe’s best. Day trips whisk you to Peleș Castle, a Neo-Renaissance jewel, and Bran Castle, famous for its Dracula lore but worth visiting for its hilltop views and medieval bones.

Practical notes: Romania uses the leu (RON); card payments are widely accepted. Trains link cities comfortably; buses fill gaps; rideshares and taxis are affordable. This 7-day itinerary blends history, architecture, food, and spa time—balanced for a relaxed pace with strategic travel windows.

Bucharest

Romania’s capital is a study in contrasts: Belle Époque mansions along Calea Victoriei, Art Deco theaters, and the outsized Palace of Parliament—second in size only to the Pentagon. Lipscani (Old Town) is a lively maze of 19th-century storefronts, churches, and cafes.

Highlights you’ll love: the Romanian Athenaeum’s ornate concert hall, the Stavropoleos Monastery’s stone lacework, and Obor Market for plump pretzels and sizzling “mici.” Coffee is serious here—third-wave roasters and pastry shops dot every neighborhood.

• Where to stay: Browse apartments and houses on VRBO Bucharest or hotels on Hotels.com Bucharest. Specific picks: The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection (historic bank-turned-hotel with an atmospheric bar) and Novotel Bucharest City Centre (family-friendly, pool, prime Calea Victoriei location).
• How to get there: Fly into OTP (Henri Coandă). Search competitive Europe fares on Omio Flights. In-city, use rideshare, metro, or trams; for intercity rail lookup times on Omio Trains or Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrive, Settle into Lipscani, and First Tastes

Afternoon: Arrive OTP; transfer to Old Town (30–45 minutes by taxi). Shake off jet lag with a gentle loop: Cărturești Carusel bookstore’s spiral balconies, the tiny, serene Stavropoleos Monastery, and Macca-Vilacrosse Passage’s glass-roofed arcade.

Evening: Dinner at Caru’ cu Bere for traditional fare, vaulted ceilings, and house beer; try sarmale with polenta and a slice of walnut cozonac. Or book Hanu’ lui Manuc, a historic inn courtyard serving hearty grills. Nightcap at Fix Me a Drink (botanical cocktails) or Nomad Skybar for a skyline view.

Day 2: Icons of Bucharest + Palace of Parliament

Morning: Specialty coffee at Origo (beans roasted in-house) and a covrig (Romanian pretzel) on the go. Walk Calea Victoriei for the Romanian Athenaeum, Revolution Square, the National Museum of Art, and handsome interwar façades.

Afternoon: Tour the world’s heaviest building with skip-the-line assistance:

Palace of Parliament in Bucharest - fast-track tickets and guide for gilded halls, marble staircases, and a candid look at Ceaușescu’s architectural legacy. Allow ~2 hours.

Evening: Book Kaiamo (modern Romanian; creative plating, seasonal produce) or Lacrimi și Sfinți (heritage recipes, contemporary twist). For dessert, French Revolution eclairs in inventive flavors. Late drink at steampunk-styled Joben Bistro.

Day 3: Markets, Food Culture, and Therme Spa Night

Morning: Breakfast at Pain Plaisir (buttery croissants) or Papila (shakshuka, porridge bowls). Stroll Herăstrău (King Michael I Park) and peek into the open-air Village Museum to see wooden churches and rural houses from across Romania.

Afternoon: Eat your way through Bucharest: Taste Bucharest: A Food Lover's Tour of Markets & Neighbourhoods. Expect market tastings, historical context, and neighborhood bites—come hungry.

Evening: Unwind at Europe’s largest indoor wellness complex: Therme Bucharest: Entry Ticket and Round-Trip Transfer. Warm pools under palm trees, saunas, mineral waters—bring swimwear; family and adult-only zones are separate.

Brașov

Ringed by forested peaks, Brașov is the Transylvanian postcard: the Council Square’s pastel façades, the Gothic Black Church, and a Hollywood-style “BRASOV” sign up on Mt. Tâmpa. It’s your springboard to Bran and Peleș Castles, Rasnov Fortress, and mountain walks.

Beyond the sights, Brașov charms with hearty cooking and cozy cafes. Try La Ceaun’s soups, Sergiana’s Transylvanian classics in vaulted rooms, and Dei Frati’s handmade pasta. For coffee, Tipografia and CH9 have you covered; for a quirky stop, Dr. Jekelius—Pharmacy Cafe mixes apothecary nostalgia with sweets.

• Getting there from Bucharest: Morning trains take ~2.5–3.5 hours; fares typically 50–90 RON (~$11–$20). Compare departures on Omio Trains or Trip.com Trains. Buses can be similar time and price—see Omio Buses.
• Where to stay: Search VRBO Brașov or Hotels.com Brașov. Specific picks: Aro Palace Hotel (city’s grand hotel, spa and pool), Casa Wagner (right on Council Square), and Hotel Ambient (solid midrange near the center). Budget classic: Hotel Coroana.

Day 4: Train to Brașov, Medieval Strolls, and Hearty Transylvanian Dinner

Morning: Depart Bucharest on an early train (aim for ~8:00–9:00). Grab takeaway coffee at M60 or Beans & Dots before you go.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander Council Square (Piața Sfatului), peek into the Black Church (German-built Gothic landmark), and trace narrow Rope Street (Strada Sforii). Coffee at Tipografia or apothecary-themed Dr. Jekelius.

Evening: Dinner at La Ceaun (try bean soup in a bread bowl, slow-cooked pork, pickles) or Sergiana (polenta, stews, and Transylvanian charcuterie). Nighttime viewpoint: stroll to the Black Tower or take the cable car up Mt. Tâmpa (weather permitting).

Day 5: Full-Day Castle Circuit from Brașov

3-Castle: Peles, Bran, Rasnov, Sinaia Monastery from Brașov (with pickup) is an efficient way to see Transylvania’s headliners in one day: Neo-Renaissance Peleș, myth-soaked Bran Castle, the hilltop Râșnov Fortress, and the serene Sinaia Monastery. Expect a 9–10 hour day with scenic drives through the Carpathians.

Back in town, celebrate with fresh pasta and local wine at Dei Frati or modern plates at Bistro de l’Arte. Gelato stop: Gelato Mania just off the square.

Day 6: Mountain Time or Saxon Village Detours, Then Return to Bucharest

Morning: Choose your flavor: hike the limestone walls of Zărnești Gorge in Piatra Craiului National Park (easy, dramatic) or ride up to Poiana Brașov for alpine trails and views. Prefer to linger? Browse local artisans and cafes around Strada Republicii.

Afternoon: Late lunch at Prato (Italian with Transylvanian produce) or Sub Tâmpa (forest-edge terrace). Collect your bags and catch a mid-to-late afternoon train to Bucharest (2.5–3.5 hours; check Omio Trains for exact times). If you’re airport-bound next day, consider staying near the center for last-night dining.

Evening: Back in Bucharest, go casual with Simbio (garden bistro, smart comfort food) or seek a final Romanian feast at Lacrimi și Sfinți. Toast the trip with a botanical cocktail at Fix Me a Drink or a rooftop nightcap at Linea / Closer to the Moon.

Day 7: Farewell Bucharest and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Beans & Dots (at the National Museum of Contemporary Art entrance) or espresso and pastries at Origo. If time allows, head to Obor Market for fruit, cheeses, and freshly grilled mici—Romania on a plate.

Afternoon: Depart for OTP (plan 1–1.5 hours with traffic). Check flight options and airport transfers on Omio Flights; if you prefer rail to the airport, the city’s train link is frequent—verify schedules on Omio Trains.

Evening: In case of a late flight, squeeze in one last walk along Calea Victoriei for souvenirs, bookstores, and a final pastry from French Revolution.

Optional Swap: Castle Day from Bucharest (if you’d rather stay more nights in the capital)

If you prefer four nights in Bucharest and two in Brașov, move the castle day earlier and use: Small-Group Day Trip to Dracula's Castle, Brașov and Peleș Castle—a picturesque loop through the Prahova Valley with time in Brașov’s Old Town.

Good to Know: Transport & Booking

• Flights: Use Omio Flights to compare carriers into/out of OTP.
• Trains and buses: Check Omio Trains and Omio Buses for real-time schedules and tickets; alternative listings via Trip.com Trains.
• Hotels & apartments: Compare centrally located options in Bucharest on Hotels.com or VRBO; in Brașov use Hotels.com or VRBO. Handpicked options linked above.

Trip at a glance: This 7-day Romania itinerary balances Bucharest’s museums, architecture, and food with Brașov’s medieval charm and two blockbuster castle excursions, capped by a restorative evening at Therme.