Top Towns + Local Tips

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Scenic view of a historic town at sunset, surrounded by hills and autumn trees.

Castles, vampires and stunning scenery! My home country sure is an exciting place to visit and today I’ll help you plan your trip there, with this Romania itinerary for 10 days.

I’ve been exploring Romania since I was little and over the years I’ve gathered so many tips on how to make the best out of your holidays here! I’ve included all that plus much more information on transportation, costs and attractions in this post.

I custom built this itinerary so that you can do it either by renting a car to get around or just using public transport (mainly trains).

Definitely book your hotels and attraction tickets in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the summer or winter months.

Quick Picks for Your Stay

A person holding a map of Romania stands overlooking a winding mountain road and lush green landscape.

Here’s a short list with the main things to consider for your trip to Romania:

Days: 10
Cost: US$1500 if traveling on a tight budget & around US$2000 for mid-range travelers, and for luxury the prices can go as high as possible
Transportation: train, bus, car
Best luxury hotels in the itinerary: Bucharest, Sinaia, Brașov, Sibiu, Sighișoara, Cluj Napoca
Best mid-range hotels: Bucharest, Sinaia, Brașov, Sibiu, Sighișoara, Cluj Napoca
Best budget accommodation: Bucharest, Sinaia, Brașov, Sibiu, Sighișoara, Cluj Napoca

Quick picks for your stay

Here are all the stops that we’ll make in this 10 day Romania itinerary:

Illustrated map of Romania showing a travel itinerary with landmarks and cities including Cluj, Sighişoara, Sibiu, Braşov, Sinaia, and Bucharest.

Day 1 – 2: Bucharest
Day 3: Leave Bucharest for Sinaia
Day 4: Go to Brasov from Sinaia
Day 5: Leave Brasov & go to Sibiu
Day 6: Take a day trip from Sibiu
Day 7 – 8: Leave Sibiu & arrive in Sighișoara
Day 9 – 10: Go to Cluj from Sighișoara

Day 1 – 2: Arrive in Bucharest & start exploring

The Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, Romania, under a dramatic sky with sunbeams shining through the clouds, highlighting the grandeur of this massive, imposing government building

● Distance & travel time: –
● Why visit: unique architecture
● Key activity: Palace of Parliament
● Estimated daily budget: US$200
● Where to stay: The Marmorosch Bucharest ($$$), Hilton Garden Inn ($$), Rembrandt Hotel ($)

Welcome to Bucharest, a city that I’ve been calling home for a few years now!

The vibrant capital is the perfect place to start your adventures, since you’ll most likely land here from wherever you’re coming from.

Bucharest is packed with unique attractions, from countless museums and gorgeous buildings with stunning architecture! You’ll also find plenty of parks where you can escape the city heath (if you’re visiting during the summertime) and historical areas where you can learn more about the country’s past.

One of the biggest attractions here is the Old Town! That’s a great place to start your adventures as there are lots of unique buildings.

Another perk is that Bucharest has a super fun nightlife scene! Yep, once the sun sets you can hit many bars (especially in the Old Town) and grab some drinks.

A bronze bust of Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler) with the years 1456-1462 engraved, set against the backdrop of an old brick building, evoking a sense of history and legend

If you’re wondering how to get around Bucharest, you can use public transport (metro, buses, trams) or Ubers (I’d avoid local taxi companies as sometimes they charge tourists more than the fare actually costs).

I wouldn’t recommend renting a car in Bucharest as the traffic is pretty bad here and you’ll probably waste more time rather than gaining.

Day 1 in Bucharest

Day 2 in Bucharest

Optional extras

Planning to spend 1 more day in Bucharest? Here are some extra places that you could visit:

Where to stay in Bucharest

A street scene with historic buildings, outdoor cafes with umbrellas, and people walking on a cobblestone path. A domed building is prominent in the background.

Check out this short list below with some of the top hotels in Bucharest. If you want to see a more extensive list, here’s a post on where to stay in Bucharest where you’ll find more areas and accommodations:

Day 3: Leave Bucharest & head to Sinaia

Yulia, the founder of this website, stands smiling in front of a scenic backdrop featuring a large, ornate castle surrounded by lush greenery.

● Distance & travel time: 1h 30min by train, 2h by car
● Why visit: learn more about Romania’s history
● Key activity: visiting Peles Castle
● Estimated daily budget: US$150
● Where to stay: Chalet Royal ($$$), Hotel Sinaia ($$), Hotel Marea Neagra ($)

Alright, let’s leave the city and head into the mountains!

Romania is known for its natural beauty and there’s no better place to get acquainted with its wild side than Sinaia!

Once the residence of Romania’s royal family, Sinaia is home to some castles and old buildings with unique architecture.

To get here from Bucharest, you can rent a car and get there in around 2h if the traffic is light. Or if you’re not renting a car, you can use the train and get there in 1h and 30 min. You can get your tickets from this website, and leave from this station (map).

PRO TIP: If you’re traveling by car during the summer (June, July, August) or winter (December, January, February), I’d avoid leaving during the weekend, as everyone goes there and the traffic builds up (if it’s busy it can take even up to 3h to get there from Bucharest). If you can’t avoid traveling during the weekend, make sure you leave Bucharest super early in the morning.

Once you get to Sinaia you can do your hotel check-in and then head out to explore. Unfortunately, there are no luggage storage places in Sinaia, but I’m sure that if you talk to the hotel staff, they’ll be able to keep your bags for you, until you head to your rooms.

A historic castle towers above a lush, green park with manicured flower beds and dense trees.

NOTE: For those who have a car, you could also easily visit Bran Castle (also known as Dracula’s Castle). It takes only 1h to get there from Sinaia. Unfortunately, there is no public transport to get to Bran from Sinaia. But, if you have the time, you could take a day trip there from Bucharest or from Brasov.

Day 3 in Sinaia (drive from Bucharest to Sinaia & spending the night there)

Where to stay in Sinaia

Here are some amazing hotels in the city, all set in the center or near it so you can easily get to the attractions:

Day 4: Leave Sinaia & go to Brasov

Street view of historical buildings in Brasov, Romania, with a forest-covered hill in the background, and a BRASOV sign on the hilltop mimicking the Hollywood sign.

● Distance & travel time: 1h by train, 1h by car
● Why visit: rich history
● Key activity: the Gothic Black Church
● Estimated daily budget: US$200
● Where to stay: Kronwell Brasov Hotel ($$$), Safrano Palace ($$), Casa Chitic ($)

Ready for your next destination? Now we’re headed to Brasov, one of the main cities in the Transylvania region.

To get to Brasov from Sinaia you can go by car and it’ll take you around 1h to get there. Or you can also take the train from Sinaia Station (map) to Brasov Station (map) and get there also in 1h. You can buy your train tickets from this website.

Once you get to Brasov, get all comfy in your hotel! If your check-in is later, ask them to help you with the luggage so that you can explore the city. If that’s not possible, you can head to this storage facility (map) and leave your bags there.

You can head straight to the Old Town, which is one the main sites in the city. You’ll find most of the attractions there too so you can easily hop in and visit them.

Brasov is a pretty quiet town, so if you’re looking for some tranquility you’ll definitely like it here!

A large, historic church with Gothic architecture is surrounded by colorful buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

Day 4 in Brasov

Explore the Old Town (map)
Visit the Black Church, the largest Gothic church in Eastern Europe
Go on a walk around the Council Square (map)
Take the cable car or hike up to Mount Tampa (map)

Where to stay in Brasov

Check out this short list of the best places to stay in Brasov! Or if you’d like to see more accommodations in the region, have a look at our post with the top hotels in Transylvania:

Day 5: Leave Brasov & go to Sibiu

A picturesque European street featuring colorful historic buildings, a decorative iron bridge, and a clear blue sky.

● Distance & travel time: 3h by train, 2h 40 min by car
● Why visit: to see the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture
● Key activity: National Brukenthal Museum
● Estimated daily budget: US$200
● Where to stay: Noblesse Boutique Resort ($$$), Apartment Green ($$), Lumiere House Sibiu ($)

Pack your bags and get ready to visit one of my favorite cities in Romania: Sibiu!

It takes around 2h and 40 min to get to Sibiu by car and around 3h by train from Brasov. You can buy your tickets from this website.

Once you get to Sibiu, leave your bags at the hotel or if they can’t accommodate you yet, I’ve found this storage facility (map) right in the train station.

Sibui is known as one of Transylvania’s culture hubs and its Old Town is packed with super Instagrammable buildings with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. It’s such a pleasure to walk around Piata Mare (map), the main square in Sibiu where you can admire some of them.

Since you’ll mostly stay in the central area where all the attractions are, you can easily get around on foot, you won’t need a car or to use public transport here.

Day 4 in Sibiu

Day 6: Take a day trip from Sibiu

Aerial view of a historic city square with colorful buildings, outdoor cafes, parked cars, and a church with a tall spire under a partly cloudy sky.

● Tour duration: from 9AM to 5 PM
● Why visit: learn more about Romanian culture
● Key activity: Corvin Castle
● Tour price: US$95
● Book your tour: Corvin’s Castle & Alba Iulia tour

Up for something exciting? If you don’t have a car and you want to visit other parts of the country, then check out this day trip tour that I found from Sibiu, which costs US$95.

NOTE: If you do have a car you can totally visit these places on your own!

A person stands on a wooden bridge leading to a large medieval castle with multiple towers under a partly cloudy sky.

The tour includes a visit to Corvin Castle, which was built in the 15th century on the top of a rocky cliff overlooking the city of Hunedoara. This is one of the largest castles in Europe and there are lots of legends and stories about it.

From Corvin Castle, you’ll get back in the van and visit Alba-Iulia, one of the oldest settlements in the country, where you’ll do a walking tour of the city, and learn more about it.

Once you’re done in Alba-Iulia you’ll get back to Sibiu and still have time for some dinner! Sounds pretty amazing, right? Honestly I think this is the best way to see a bit more of the region if you’re not renting a car, as it’d take much longer to visit these places by using public transport.

Day 4 day trip from Sibiu

Day trip to Corvin Castle & Alba Iulia

Where to stay in Sibiu

Looking for some of the best places to stay in Sibiu? Then check out this short list of accommodations:

Day 7 – 8 : Leave Sibiu & head to Sighișoara

A quiet, cobblestone street with colorful buildings and a small red and white train. Table umbrellas are set up outside a building next to a large tree.

● Distance & travel time: 3h by train, 1h 30 min by car
● Why visit: see the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Town
● Key activity: Clock Tower
● Estimated daily budget: US$180
● Where to stay: Casa Georgius Krauss ($$$), Casa Savri ($$), Gloria Apartments ($)

Here’s another amazing Romanian city with a rich history that I’m sure you’ll love!

To get to Sighisoara from Sibiu, you can take your rented car and be there in 1h 30 min or the train from Sibiu station (map) and get there in 3h. You can buy your tickets from this website.

Once there, leave your bags at the hotel (I didn’t find any storage facility here so talk to the staff at your accommodation and see if they can help and hold the bags for you) and head out to explore the city.

Sighișoara dates back to the 12th century and its Old Town is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Everytime I come here, I feel transported to another era, especially as I start exploring!

You can start in the Old Town, which is the city’s main spot! There you’ll find a few souvenir shops, cafes and lots of historic attractions! Luckily the town is pretty small so you won’t need to use buses or anything like that to get around.

Aerial view of a historic town with red-tiled roofs, colorful houses, and a forested hillside in the background.

Day 7 in Sighișoara:

Explore the Old Town
Grab a bite at Martini (map)
Stop by Clock Tower (map)
Snap a pic of the The Ironsmiths’ Tower (map)
Visit the House of Vlad the Impaler (map)

Day 8 in Sighișoara

Grab some coffee at Atelier Specialty Coffee (map)
Climb up the Covered Stairway (map)
Visit Biserica din Deal (map)
Stop by Butcher’s Tower (map)
Learn new things at Casa Breslelor
Grab dinner at Gasthaus Altepost (map)

Where to stay in Sighișoara

Aerial view of a historic town with colorful houses, a church on a hill, and a clock tower. Green trees cover the surrounding hills under a clear blue sky.

Here are 3 amazing hotels in Sighisoara, that are set in the center or near it.

Day 9 – 10: Leave Sighișoara & arrive in Cluj

Yulia, the founder of this website, in a coat and beanie sits on a ledge, overlooking a cityscape with red-roofed buildings and a church tower in the distance.

● Distance & travel time: 4h by train, 2h 30 min by car
● Why visit: Unofficial capital of the Transylvania region
● Key activity: St. Michael’s Church
● Estimated daily budget: US$200
● Where to stay: Hotel Platinia ($$$), Golden Tulip Ana Dome Hotel ($$), Carpe Diem Cluj ($)

We’re getting to the end of this fun 10 days Romania itinerary and we’ll end it with a bang!

Pack your bags and get ready to visit Cluj-Napoca, the unofficial capital of the Transylvania region that is home to some amazing attractions and tons of festivals!

It takes around 2h 30 min to get to Cluj Napoca by car from Sighisoara and if you’re taking a train from Sighisoara station (map) to Cluj Napoca station (map) , the journey will take around 4h. You can buy your tickets from this website.

Once you arrive in this university city you can leave your bags at the hotel or in this storage facility room (map) set right in the station.

NOTE: Although not as big as Bucharest, Cluj is definitely a large city so if you’re wondering how to get around, you can totally use the trams, buses and even Ubers as they’re pretty affordable. I wouldn’t recommend using a car inside the city as traffic can be quite bad, especially during rush hour.

Statue of a horse and rider in front of a historic church with a tall, pointed tower and red-tiled roof, framed by greenery under a clear blue sky.

Cluj is a fun city and it has a wide range of attractions for all interests so you’ll definitely won’t get bored here! There are tons of museums, churches and parks where you can relax and take a break from all the city noise.

PRO TIP: During the summer months there are lots of festivals taking place in Cluj so if you’re coming during that time, make sure you book your accommodation way in advance, as the city is packed with tourists from all over the country and the world, during that time. The main 2 festivals are Electric Castle, which takes place mid-July and UNTOLD, which takes place usually in August.

Day 9 in Cluj-Napoca:

Yulia, the founder of this website, with long hair walks on a brick pathway surrounded by lush green tropical plants in a conservatory.

Day 10 in Cluj-Napoca:

Where to stay in Cluj

Looking for some amazing places to stay in Cluj-Napoca? Here are some amazing hotels, all located near the center:

Yulia, the founder of this website, in a pink dress stands by a reflective lake surrounded by misty mountains.

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Top Towns + Local Tips

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Quick picks for your stay