Romania is a country of layered stories: Roman legions on the Danube frontier, medieval Saxon traders guarding mountain passes, and a modern nation reshaping its capital and culture. You’ll see the imprint everywhere—from Bucharest’s grand boulevards and ornate 19th‑century façades to the stout bastions of Brașov under the Carpathians.

Transylvania’s legend is real, but it’s more than Dracula. Expect pastel‑painted squares, fortified churches, forested ridgelines, and castles that feel pulled from a fairy tale. Food-lovers can graze from smoky grilled mici and cabbage rolls to farm‑fresh cheese pies, with outstanding specialty coffee in between.

Practical notes: the local currency is the leu (RON); most cards are accepted, but keep small cash for markets. Trains are scenic and affordable; rideshares like Bolt and Uber are common. Romanians dine late and stroll even later—join the evening promenade and you’ll feel like a local in no time.

Bucharest

Romania’s capital is eclectic in the best way: Belle Époque grandeur, interwar Art Deco, monumental communist architecture, and leafy neighborhoods like Cotroceni. Calea Victoriei hums on weekend evenings, while Lipscani (Old Town) packs historic inns, churches, cafés, and craft bars into walkable lanes.

Don’t miss the Romanian Athenaeum’s neoclassical dome, the ornate Stavropoleos Monastery, and the jaw‑dropping scale of the Palace of Parliament. Balance urban buzz with an afternoon at Therme Bucharest—Europe’s huge tropical spa—then linger over modern Romanian cooking and an excellent wine list.

• Top sights: Palace of Parliament, Calea Victoriei, Old Town/Lipscani, Romanian Athenaeum, Village Museum, Herăstrău (King Michael I) Park.
• Where to stay (affiliate links): The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection, Novotel Bucharest City Centre, or browse VRBO apartments in Bucharest and Hotels.com Bucharest stays.
• Getting in (affiliate links): Fly into OTP and compare routes/prices on Omio (flights to/from Europe). For intra‑Europe trains and buses, check Omio trains and Omio buses.

Day 1: Arrival and Old Town orientation

Afternoon: Arrive in Bucharest and settle into your hotel. Stretch your legs on a gentle loop: CEC Palace’s glass dome, the tiny 18th‑century Stavropoleos Monastery, and Macca‑Vilacrosse Passage’s yellow stained glass. Coffee stop: Origo for top‑tier espresso or M60 for Scandinavian‑style brews.

Evening: Traditional feast at Caru’ cu Bere (vaulted beer hall since 1879; try cabbage rolls, mici sausages, and papanasi doughnuts). Prefer modern Romanian? Book Lacrimi și Sfinți for heirloom recipes with a contemporary touch. Nightcap: craft cocktails at Energiea or a rooftop spritz at Linea/Closer to the Moon.

Day 2: Power and polish—Parliament, Calea Victoriei, and a food tour

Morning: Tour the world’s heaviest administrative building: the Palace of Parliament. Skip lines and learn the building’s wild backstory with this ticketed experience:

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

Afternoon: Stroll Calea Victoriei: Cantacuzino Palace (home of the Enescu Museum), the Athenaeum, and stately façades. Lunch near the boulevard: Hanu’ Berarilor (crispy pork knuckle, house beer) or Sardin for seafood. Espresso pick‑me‑up at Beans & Dots by the National Museum of Art.

Evening: Eat like a local on a guided walk weaving history with tastes—markets, bakeries, and regional classics you might not find alone:

Taste of Bucharest: Food and Culture Private Tour

Day 3: Village Museum, parks, and Therme Bucharest

Morning: Coffee and pastries at Trofic or Frudisiac, then go al fresco at the Village Museum (open‑air collection of wooden churches and farmsteads). Picnic supplies from Obor Market or a quick lunch at Simbio (garden seating, seasonal plates).

Afternoon: Unwind at Europe’s splashiest spa complex, with palm‑filled pools, mineral baths, and saunas. It’s 30–45 minutes north of town (rideshare or taxi):

Official Entry Ticket to Therme Bucharest

Evening: Dinner in Cotroceni: Mahala for refined regional dishes or Grano for Italian comfort. Sip Romanian wines (Fetească Neagră, Tămâioasă Românească) at Vinexpert or a cozy wine bar along Calea Victoriei.

Brașov

Encircled by forest and ringed with medieval walls, Brașov is the postcard of Transylvania. The pastel‑painted Council Square, Gothic Black Church, and narrow Rope Street set the scene; Tampa Mountain watches from above, reachable by a short cable car or a brisk hike.

Use Brașov as your base for Bran Castle (often nicknamed “Dracula’s”), the cliff‑top Râșnov Fortress, and a quick hop to Sinaia’s Peleș Castle—one of Europe’s most exquisite Neo‑Renaissance palaces. Evenings are for slow strolls beneath the city’s gate towers and hearty dinners of stews, polenta, and wild mushrooms.

• Top sights: Council Square (Piața Sfatului), Black Church, Rope Street (Strada Sforii), Tampa Mountain, Catherine’s Gate, Weavers’ Bastion.
• Cafés and bites: Meron Brașov or CH9 Specialty Coffee for pour‑overs; La Ceaun for soups/goulash; Dei Frati for hand‑made pasta; Bistro de l’Arte for wine and seasonal plates.
• Where to stay (affiliate links): Aro Palace Hotel (spa, pool, city views), Casa Wagner (right on the square), Hotel Ambient, or budget‑friendly Hotel Coroana. Also see VRBO apartments in Brașov and Hotels.com Brașov stays.
• Getting from Bucharest to Brașov: Morning trains take ~2.5–3.5 hours, ~$8–15; hourly departures. Compare schedules and book on Omio trains. Comfortable buses are also available via Omio buses.

Day 4: Train to Brașov, medieval core, and mountain sunset

Morning: Depart Bucharest for Brașov by train (~2.5–3h; aim for ~8–9 a.m. departures). Grab snacks at the station bakery; prebook tickets on Omio for assigned seats.

Afternoon: Check in and wander the Old Town: Council Square, the Black Church’s towering pipe organ, Rope Street (one of Europe’s narrowest), and Catherine’s Gate. Coffee at Meron or CH9; try a kürtőskalács (chimney cake) from a street stall.

Evening: Ride the Tampa cable car for golden‑hour views over terra‑cotta roofs. Dinner at La Ceaun (beef goulash, polenta, pickles) or Prato (Italian with Transylvanian ingredients). Nightcap at Tipografia (arts café) or a pint at Deane’s.

Day 5: Sinaia and Peleș Castle day trip

Morning: Train Brașov → Sinaia (~1h20–1h35; ~$5–8 each way via Omio). Walk or taxi to Peleș Castle (15–25 minutes). Tour the lavish rooms—stained glass, walnut carvings, and a secret‑door library. Note: Peleș is typically closed Mondays; check seasonal hours.

Afternoon: Lunch in Sinaia—try Snow (soups and grilled trout) or a terrace near the park. Optional detour to Pelișor Castle (Art Nouveau). Return to Brașov by late afternoon.

Evening: Dinner at Dei Frati (book ahead; tagliatelle with porcini is beloved) or Bistro de l’Arte for duck, risotto, and local wines. Post‑dinner stroll along the fortress walls.

Day 6: Bran Castle and Râșnov Fortress

Morning: Bus Brașov → Bran (~45–60 min; departures from Autogara 2; check Omio buses). Explore Bran Castle’s crenellations, wooden galleries, and village market at the base (good for cheese and honey).

Afternoon: Continue to Râșnov (short bus) for the hilltop fortress—renovated paths and sweeping views of the Bucegi Range. Late return to Brașov.

Evening: Celebrate with a hearty meal at Sergiana (Transylvanian platters, smoked ham, baked beans in clay pots). Dessert: apple strudel or a creamy papanasi.

Day 7: Easy morning in Brașov, then return to Bucharest and depart

Morning: If skies are clear, walk the short Belvedere path below Tampa for last views; coffee and eggs at Kafe Pub or La Birou Bistro. Winter option (Dec–Mar, weather dependent):

Husky Sleigh Rides experience

Afternoon: Train back to Bucharest (~2.5–3h via Omio), then connect to OTP for your flight (direct train from Gara de Nord to the airport ~20–25 minutes). If you prefer to overnight by the castles instead, consider these stays (affiliate links): Conacul Bratescu (Bran), Pension Ana (Bran), or Club Vila Bran.

Where to eat and drink: quick picks

• Bucharest breakfast/coffee: Origo (espresso), M60 (light, Nordic‑leaning), Steam Coffee Shop (grab‑and‑go).
• Bucharest lunch: Hanu’ Berarilor (Romanian classics), Simbio (seasonal, airy house), Modelier (burgers and fries).
• Bucharest dinner: Caru’ cu Bere (historic), Lacrimi și Sfinți (updated tradition), Mahala (modern Romanian).
• Brașov coffee: Meron, CH9 Specialty Coffee.
• Brașov lunch: La Ceaun (stews and soups), Pilvax (Hungarian‑influenced).
• Brașov dinner: Sergiana (hearty Transylvanian), Dei Frati (fresh pasta), Sub Tâmpa (forest‑edge terrace in good weather).

Logistics at a glance

• Best time: May–October for hiking and terraces; December for Christmas markets and possible husky rides.
• Transit: Trains are reliable between Bucharest–Brașov; compare and book via Omio trains. For flights in/out of Europe, see Omio flights; intercity buses via Omio buses.
• Costs (approx.): Coffee $2–4, casual lunch $7–12, dinner $12–25, museum/castle entries $5–15, Bucharest–Brașov train $8–15.
• Tips: 5–10% appreciated in restaurants; tap water is generally safe; carry a light sweater for mountain evenings.

This 7‑day Romania itinerary pairs Bucharest’s energy and big‑ticket sights with Brașov’s medieval calm and castle day trips. You’ll leave with the taste of wildflower honey and mountain air, and a camera roll full of pastel squares, Gothic spires, and forested peaks.