Romania rewards curious travelers with layers of history, from Roman legions and Saxon merchants to Art Nouveau palaces and communist megaprojects. In one week you can taste traditional cooking, explore forested mountains, and step inside storybook fortresses that inspired vampire lore.

This itinerary pairs lively Bucharest with medieval Brașov in Transylvania, with easy day trips to Bran and Peleș Castles and time to soak at Therme—Europe’s largest indoor wellness center. Trains are frequent and scenic, food is hearty, and Old Town squares brim with cafés and music.

Practical notes: the currency is the Romanian leu (RON), tap water is generally safe in cities, and English is widely understood in tourist areas. Dress in layers; weather shifts quickly in the Carpathians. Tipping 10% is customary in restaurants and for guides.

Bucharest

Romania’s capital swings between Belle Époque elegance and bold communist architecture. Drift through Lipscani’s cobbled Old Town, marvel at the marble-and-crystal Palace of Parliament, and catch a concert beneath the frescoed cupola of the Romanian Athenaeum.

Don’t miss the open-air Village Museum for wooden churches and rural traditions gathered from every corner of the country. Later, trade history for hedonism at Therme, all palm trees, saunas, and mineral pools.

• Where to stay (Bucharest):
  • Search apartments and homes on VRBO Bucharest or hotels on Hotels.com Bucharest.
  • The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection: glam Art Deco bank-turned-hotel with a speakeasy-style vault bar.
  • Novotel Bucharest City Centre: steps from the Athenaeum and Calea Victoriei; good value and pool.
• How to get there: Fly into Bucharest Henri Coandă (OTP). Compare fares and routes on Omio flights (Europe). Airport-to-center takes ~30–45 minutes by taxi or ride-hail.

Day 1: Arrival in Bucharest

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Land in Bucharest and check in. Shake off jet lag with a slow wander in Lipscani: peek into the tiny, icon-filled Stavropoleos Monastery and pop upstairs at Cărturești Carusel, a luminous bookshop in a 19th-century bank.

Evening: Traditional dinner under painted beams at Hanu’ lui Manuc (hearty sarmale cabbage rolls and polenta) or the beer-hall bustle of Caru’ cu Bere. Nightcap at Energiea, a former print shop turned neighborhood bar known for local craft beers.

Day 2: Royal tastes and grand halls

Morning: Coffee at Origo (third-wave brews, friendly baristas) and a casual brunch at Simbio (shakshuka, pancakes, leafy garden). Head to the Village Museum to stroll centuries-old farmsteads and learn about regional textiles and woodwork.

Afternoon: Tour the Palace of Parliament, the world’s heaviest building—marble staircases, crystal chandeliers, and scale that humbles. Book with: Palace of Parliament in Bucharest - fast-track tickets and guide.

Note: bring your passport; security is strict and time slots fill up.

Evening: Join a flavor-packed stroll with a local: Taste Bucharest: A Food Lover's Tour of Markets & Neighbourhoods for market tastings, street snacks, and neighborhood stories.

Prefer a sit-down? Try NOUA for modern Romanian tasting menus (seasonal foraging) or Kaiamo for creative takes on regional classics.

Day 3: Spa day and Calea Victoriei

Morning: Espresso and a cinnamon roll at Steam Coffee Shop, then a relaxed walk along chic Calea Victoriei—peek at the Romanian Athenaeum and Revolution Square for a quick dive into 1989 history.

Afternoon: Soak at Therme, a tropical complex of thermal pools, saunas, and slides. Easy transfer and tickets via Therme Bucharest: Entry Ticket and Round-Trip Transfer.

Evening: Dinner al fresco by Herăstrău (King Michael I) Park—Pescaruș grills fish and serves lake views. For cocktails, head to Linea/Closer to the Moon rooftop for skyline sunsets.

Brașov

Set in a bowl of green hills, Brașov is a Saxon-founded jewel with pastel townhouses and the soot-darkened Black Church. It’s a perfect base for Transylvania’s castles and the forested Carpathians.

Ride the cable car up Tâmpa Mountain for a bird’s-eye view, wander Rope Street (one of Europe’s narrowest), and linger in Council Square over mulled wine in cooler months.

• Where to stay (Brașov):
  • Browse VRBO Brașov and Hotels.com Brașov.
  • Aro Palace Hotel: classic, full-service, near the old town.
  • Casa Wagner: atmospheric rooms right on Council Square.
  • Hotel Ambient or Hotel Coroana for mid-range charm.
• Getting there from Bucharest: Morning trains from Gara de Nord take ~2h40–3h to Brașov, typically $8–$20 (€7–€18). Check schedules and reserve on Omio trains (Europe) or consider Omio buses if times fit.

Day 4: Bucharest to Brașov + old town stroll

Morning: Depart Bucharest by train (~8:15–9:15 departures are common). Grab snacks and a cappuccino at Dose Café before boarding. Enjoy fields and foothills giving way to mountain views.

Afternoon: Check in, then orient around Council Square (Piața Sfatului). Visit the Black Church (look for the Anatolian carpets) and stroll Catherine’s Gate into the old Schei District.

Evening: Home-style stews and polenta at La Ceaun (two locations; order the bean stew in a bread bowl). For dessert, pop into Dr. Jekelius Pharmacy Café for apothecary vibes and excellent hot chocolate.

Day 5: Peles, Bran, and Rasnov fortress day trip

Spend a full day on a castle circuit: Neo-Renaissance Peleș (built for King Carol I), cliff-perched Bran (the “Dracula” castle), and the 13th-century Rasnov fortress. Book a small-group tour with hotel pickup: 3-Castle: Peles,Bran,Rasnov,Sinaia Monastery from Brasov w pickup.

Expect mountain roads, carved-wood interiors, and royal stories; bring a light jacket for breezy courtyards. Lunch options often include village restaurants near Bran—try grilled mici (spiced meat rolls) with mustard.

Day 6: Tâmpa views and Brașov’s hidden corners

Morning: CH9 Specialty Coffee for a flat white and pastry. Ride the Tâmpa cable car or hike up for a sweeping panorama over red tile rooftops and church spires.

Afternoon: Trace the old city walls along Strada Dupa Ziduri, duck down Rope Street (Strada Sforii), and explore the quiet courtyards of Schei. Lunch at Bistro de l’Arte—soups, seasonal salads, and local wines.

Evening: For a celebratory finale, dine at Sub Tâmpa (modern Romanian with forest views) or Sergiana (Transylvanian classics—pork knuckle and horseradish). Toast with țuică (plum brandy) and a walk across the softly lit square.

Day 7: Return to Bucharest and depart

Morning: Train back to Bucharest (~2h40–3h). To keep things easy with an afternoon flight, target morning departures before 9:30. Check times and book seats on Omio trains.

Afternoon: Last bites near Calea Victoriei—grab a quick soup and salad at French Revolution (and, if time, their famous éclairs) before heading to the airport. Depart with memories of castles, cafés, and mountain air.

Optional add-ons if you extend

• Salt cathedrals underground: a surreal day at Slănic Prahova’s salt mine from Bucharest via Slănic Salt Mine Day Trip.
• Another soak day at Therme with Relax and Fun at Thermal Spa Bucharest (Admission Ticket).

Getting around and practical tips

• Intercity transport: Bucharest–Brașov trains are frequent, comfortable, and scenic. Compare times and classes on Omio trains; tickets typically $8–$20 and ~3 hours.
• Flights: Into/out of Romania, search and book across carriers using Omio flights (Europe).
• Buses: Useful backup for late departures or peak weekends: check Omio buses.
• Money and connectivity: Cards widely accepted; keep small cash for markets and tips. eSIMs work well in cities.

In seven days you’ll have traced Romania from royal salons to mountain fortresses, with time to taste, soak, and linger in café-lined squares. It’s a balanced loop that blends Bucharest’s big-city energy with Transylvania’s romance—leaving plenty of reasons to return.