Romania One Week Itinerary: Experience Castles, Culture & Nature

This is a suggested one-week travel itinerary for Romania that includes Bucharest, Brașov, Sighișoara, and the magnificent castles.

Why Travel To Romania

• Stunning architecture & breathtaking castles
• Fascinating history
• Vibrant city nightlife
• Spectacular natural landscape
• Diverse wildlife
• Rich cultural heritage
• Budget friendly
• Delicious cuisine

Best Time To Visit Romania

If you're basing your visit solely on temperatures, then the ideal time to travel to Romania is from mid-May to mid-September. However, June through August marks the peak season, meaning accommodation and flight costs will be at their highest. For more affordable prices and still pleasant weather, consider going in late spring or early autumn.

Romania Top Experiences

• Bucharest history and architecture
• Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum in Bucharest
• Medieval town of Brașov
• Stunning Peles Castle 
• Bear watching in Carpathian region
• UNESCO-protected historic town of Sighișoara

Romania Itinerary Map

A:Bucharest  B:Brașov  C:Sighișoara

Romania Travel Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Bucharest
• Day 2: Explore Bucharest
• Day 3: Explore Bucharest
• Day 4: Bucharest to Brașov
• Day 5: Explore Brașov
• Day 6: Day trip to Peles Castle, Bran Castle and Rasnov Citadel from Brașov 
• Day 7: Day trip to Viscri Village and Sighișoara from Brașov
• Day 8: Depart

If you've more days then you could also include Sibiu, Cluj Nacova and the Monasteries of Bucovina.

Day 1: Arrive In Bucharest

After arriving in Bucharest, settle down in your hotel and take it easy on your first day. Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania.

Best area to stay in Bucharest: Best location to book your stay in Bucharest is the City Center area.

Day 2: Explore Bucharest

• After a restful night's sleep, begin your morning in Bucharest with a nice breakfast. Then start your day with a guided walking tour to understand the city's fascinating history and admire the beautiful architecture. Afterward, enjoy authentic Romanian cuisine for lunch at the famous Manuc's Inn, a historic and iconic spot.

• After lunch explore the charming Stavropoleos Monastery Church, a hidden gem constructed in 1724. Later in afternoon you can have a nice stroll in King Michael I Park (formerly Herăstrău Park), which is a big park on the northern side of Bucharest. End your day with dinner at one of the nice restaurants in the city center.

Piata Unirii (Bucharest)

Bucharest

Stavropoleos Monastery Church (Bucharest)

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Day 3: Explore Bucharest

• Begin your day by exploring the "Dimitrie Gusti" National Village Museum. This unique outdoor museum features over 60 authentic houses, farmsteads, windmills, churches, and more from various regions across Romania.

• In the afternoon visit the massive Palace of Parliament. It is the second largest administrative building in the world. The Palace was ordered by Nicolae Ceaușescu who was the president of Communist Romania. Entry to the building is by guided tour only, so please book your Place of Parliament Guided Tour ahead.

"Dimitrie Gusti" National Village Museum (Bucharest)

"Dimitrie Gusti" National Village Museum (Bucharest)

Palace Of The Parliament (Bucharest)

(Image By European People's Party - EPP_Congress_2361, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33091612)

 

Day 4: Bucharest to Brașov, Explore Brașov

Travel to Brașov from Bucharest in morning and settle down into your hotel. Brașov  is a charming city and is a prefect base to explore the beautiful Transylvania region. Brașov was established in 1211 by the Teutonic Knights and the area was subsequently developed by the Saxon settlers. 

In the afternoon join a guided walking tour of the historic Brașov town. End your day with dinner at one of the nice Romanian restaurants near the Council Square.

Best area to stay in Brașov: Best location to book your stay in Brașov is close to the Council Square.

Council Square (Brașov)

Brașov

Day 5: Explore Brașov

• Start your day by exploring The Black Church (Biserica Neagra), a stunning Gothic church dating back to the 15th century. The church earned its name from the tragic fire in 1689 that left its walls blackened. Afterward, make your way to Strada Sforii, known as one of the narrowest streets in Europe.

• Then also visit Saint Nicholas Church, one of Transylvania's most historically and culturally significant religious institutions. The church is one of Romania's oldest Orthodox churches, having been established in 1292. It was an important religious and educational institution for Romanians in Transylvania. The interior is decorated with frescoes and murals from the 18th century, influenced by both local and Greek artists. It also has an extensive collection of religious objects, many of which are centuries old.

• Spend your afternoon either hiking up the Mount Tampa or taking a cable car for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Alternatively, you can stroll through the charming streets of Brașov and admire the lovely architecture. 

• Afterward, relax with a refreshing drink at the square and soak in the lively atmosphere. Finally, conclude your day with a delicious dinner at one of the restaurants located around the Council Square. 

Black Church (Brașov)

Strada Sforii (Brașov)

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church (Brașov)

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church (Brașov

Day 6: Day trip to Peles Castle, Bran Castle & Râșnov Fortress from Brașov

• Join Peles Castle, Bran Castle & Rasnov Fortress Day Tour from Brașov. Alternatively you could rent a car in Brașov for the day to explore the castles.

• After leaving from Brașov in morning you'll visit Peles Castle first. Peles Castle, located in the Carpathian Mountains, is a 19th-century Neo-Renaissance structure known for its elaborate architecture and luxurious interiors. It is considered by many as one of the most stunning castles in Europe. 

• After lunch you'll visit the Bran Castle which was built by the Saxons in 1377 and is a national monument in Transylvania. Outside Transylvania the castle is commonly known as Dracula's Castle. The castle is now a museum dedicated to displaying art and furniture collected by Queen Marie.

• In the end you'll visit Râșnov Fortress which is a 13th-century fortress-village located on a hilltop.

Peles Castle

Bran Castle (Dracula Castle)

Bran Castle (Dracula Castle)

Râșnov Fortress

(Image by Pudelek, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

Day 7: Day trip to Viscri Village & Sighișoara from Brașov

• Join Sighișoara & Viscri Day Tour from Brașov. After leaving from Brașov in morning, you'll stop at the historical Viscri village which is a charming Romanian village. Here you'll visit the Viscri Fortified Church which is one of Transylvania’s UNESCO-listed fortified churches.

• Then you'll continue your trip to visit the UNESCO-listed medieval town of Sighișoara. It is a citadel-city with buildings, walls and defense towers built during the middle ages. Sighișoara is also the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration behind Dracula. 

• Later in the afternoon if you're not too tired, you can also join Brown Bear Watching Guided Tour in the Carpathian mountain region.

Viscri Village

Viscri Fortified Church

 

Sighișoara

 

Sighișoara

Bear Watching (Carpathian Region)

 

Day 8: Depart

On this last day of your trip you can do last minute shopping if you've some time. Then depart from Brașov to your destination.

What to Shop In Romania

Romania is known for wine, fruit jam, Romanian traditional blouse, painted eggs, ceramic objects, and Dracula souvenirs.

Foods To Try In Romania

• Sarmale (Cabbage rolls)
• Polenta
• Ciorbă de burtă (Beef tripe soup)
• Salata de vinete (grilled Eggplant salad)
• Mici (grilled meat rolls)
• Zacusca (vegetable spread)
• Papanasi (fried cheese doughnut)

Romanian Potato Soup (Ciorba de cartofi)

(Above Image By User Paulnasca on en.wikipedia - Own work, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=986545)

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this itinerary! Feel free to share your questions or suggestions in the comments section below.