Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Bucharest — Old Town Charm
Morning Arrivée & Installation
Arrive at Bucharest's Henri Coandă Airport. Transfer to the city center by express bus 783 (3.50 RON, 40 min) or taxi (around 80-100 RON / €16-20). Check into your hotel in the Old Town (Centrul Vechi), near Piața Universității.
Afternoon Vieille ville & Palais du Parlement
Explore Bucharest's Centrul Vechi (Old Town): cobbled streets, Orthodox churches hidden between buildings, lively terraces, and street art. Then admire the Palace of the Parliament, the world's second-largest administrative building after the Pentagon. Ceaușescu's megalomania features 1,100 rooms and 12 floors — a guided interior tour is fascinating.
Evening Dîner roumain dans la vieille ville
Dine at a traditional restaurant in the Old Town. Romanian cuisine is rich and comforting: sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), mici (grilled minced meat rolls, a national institution), ciorbă de burtă (sour tripe soup), and mămăligă (Romanian polenta). Pair with a glass of Romanian wine from the Dealu Mare valley.
Day 2 Sinaia & Bran Castle — Road to Transylvania
Morning Château de Peleș — Sinaia
Early departure by rental car or train (CFR, ~2h) to Sinaia, the 'Pearl of the Carpathians.' Visit Peleș Castle, the summer residence of Romanian kings, considered one of Europe's most beautiful castles. Its neo-Renaissance architecture, 160 richly decorated rooms, and park surrounded by fir forests are spectacular in autumn.
Afternoon Château de Bran — Le mythe de Dracula
Drive to Bran Castle (~45 min from Sinaia), world-famous as 'Dracula's Castle.' Perched on a rock above a village, this 14th-century medieval fortress is associated with Vlad the Impaler, who inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. The interior displays Queen Marie's furniture and medieval collections.
Evening Soirée à Brașov
Continue to Brașov (~30 min from Bran), a medieval Saxon town nestled in a mountain amphitheater. Settle in the historic center and dine on Piața Sfatului (Council Square), surrounded by colorful gabled houses and overlooked by the old Council House. The autumn atmosphere with illuminated mountains is magical.
Day 3 Brașov — Medieval City & Râșnov Citadel
Morning Église Noire & centre historique de Brașov
Visit the Biserica Neagră (Black Church), Romania's largest Gothic church, named after the 1689 fire that blackened its walls. The interior houses an impressive collection of Anatolian carpets donated by Saxon merchants. Then stroll the medieval lanes: Rope Street (Strada Sforii, Europe's narrowest), Ecaterina Gate, and defense towers.
Afternoon Citadelle de Râșnov & route du retour
On the way back to Bucharest, stop at Râșnov Citadel (~20 min from Brașov), a 13th-century peasant fortress perched on a rocky spur. Built by Teutonic Knights to protect villagers from invasions, it offers a panoramic view of the Carpathians and the Transylvanian plain. The village below is charming with its colorful houses.
Evening Retour & soirée à Bucarest
Arrive in Bucharest in the evening. Dine in the trendy Floreasca district or return to the Old Town for the nightlife atmosphere. Lipscani Street and surroundings are packed with cocktail bars, terraces, and clubs — Bucharest is known for its dynamic and affordable nightlife.
Day 4 Bucharest — Parks, Art & Departure
Morning Parc Cișmigiu & Village Museum
Morning stroll through Cișmigiu Park, Bucharest's oldest and most charming public garden. In October, the linden and chestnut tree lanes turn golden. Then visit the Muzeul Satului (Village Museum), an open-air museum in Herăstrău Park gathering 272 traditional houses and authentic farms from all regions of Romania.
Afternoon Dernières découvertes & transfert aéroport
Final stroll through the Cotroceni or Dorobanți districts, elegant residential areas with Belle Époque villas and trendy cafés. Optionally visit the National Museum of Art of Romania (in the former Royal Palace) if time permits. Then transfer to Henri Coandă Airport.
Evening Départ
Transfer to Henri Coandă International Airport for your return flight. La drum bun! (Have a good trip!)