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Every year, my friend Kathy (from Darling Traveler) and I plan a European adventure together. We’ve explored cities like Prague, Paris, and Istanbul, but this year we decided to go somewhere that’s often overlooked: Bucharest, Romania.

We spent four days exploring this beautiful and affordable city filled with old-world charm, grand architecture, and friendly people. From its cozy cafés and fairytale castles to an unforgettable day trip across the border, this itinerary has everything you need to experience the best of Bucharest and beyond.

Itinerary Overview

Arrival Evening: Dinner at Trattoria Colosseum and drinks at The Vault
Day 1: Walking tour of Old Town and evening at Therme București
Day 2: Castle tour featuring Peleș Castle, Brașov, and Bran Castle
Day 3: Full-day trip to Bulgaria visiting Ruse, Arbanasi Village, Tsarevets Fortress, and Veliko Tarnovo
Day 4: Café-hopping and sightseeing around Old Town and Primăverii neighborhood
Departure Morning: Early airport transfer

Walking through Old Town Bucharest — Old Town Bucharest

Arrival Evening – First Taste of Bucharest

We landed in Bucharest in the evening and checked into our cozy Airbnb downtown. The apartment had two balconies, and every morning a pair of doves would visit, hoping to be fed. Our host even left birdseed for them, which made the stay feel extra charming.

Balcony view from Airbnb in Bucharest — View from our Airbnb Balcony

Dove waiting for her food on the balcony — My new friend in Bucharest waiting for some food

That night, we had dinner at Trattoria Colosseum, a colorful Italian restaurant with bright umbrellas hanging above the tables. The food was delicious, and the cocktails were surprisingly strong.

After dinner, we stopped by The Vault, a bar built inside an old bank vault complete with rows of metal safe boxes. It had a cool and unique atmosphere, making it a fun place to start our trip.

Taking a selfie at the Vault Bar surrounding by gold vaults — First night out in Bucharest with Kathy!

Espresso martini at The Vault — Fancy Espresso Martini

Gorgeous bar at The Vault in Bucharest — Gorgeous bar

Day 1 – Exploring Bucharest and Evening at Therme București

Our first full day began with breakfast at Bread & Butter, a cozy café with excellent food and friendly service. Afterward, we joined a walking tour of Old Town to get our bearings and learn more about Bucharest’s mix of neoclassical buildings, wide boulevards, and communist-era architecture.

We had lunch at Alt Shift, a modern restaurant with great reviews that we couldn’t get into the night before. It lived up to the hype and made for the perfect midday break.

Omelette entree with a little salad — Excellent omelette at Bread and Butter

Drinking a mojito cocktail at Alt Shift — Enjoying my delicious Mojito at Alt Shift

Standing in front of Hanu' lui Manuc in Bucharest — Hanu' lui Manuc, Bucharest's oldest continuously operating inn

That evening, we called a Bolt (the local equivalent of Uber) to Therme București, the largest thermal spa in Europe. It’s about an hour away depending on traffic. The spa is massive, with multiple pools, saunas, water slides, and relaxation areas. You get a wristband that acts as your wallet, so you can scan it for food, drinks, and locker access.

While the space is impressive, it was quite crowded. The infrared light therapy beds were my favorite area because they were calm and relaxing. If you plan to go, visit on a weekday or early in the day for a more peaceful experience.

We ended the evening with dinner at Saray, a Turkish restaurant that served flavorful dishes and had warm, welcoming service.

Therme Bucuresti day time — Therme Bucuresti

Relaxing red light therapy at Bucharest's thermal spa — Relaxing Red Light Therapy

Therme Bucuresti night time — Therme Bucuresti is gorgeous at night too

Day 2 – Castles of Romania: Peleș, Brașov, and Bran

Day two was one of our most anticipated experiences: a 12-hour guided tour through Romania’s countryside.

Our first stop was Peleș Castle, a fairytale palace surrounded by forested mountains. The intricate wood carvings and stained-glass windows were breathtaking, and it’s hard to imagine this was once a royal residence.

Intricate drawings on the exterior of Peles Castle — Peles Castle exterior

Next, we stopped in Brașov, a charming medieval city with colorful buildings and a Hollywood-style “Brașov” sign perched on the hill. We had lunch in the town square before heading to the final stop, Bran Castle, famously known as Dracula’s Castle.

Bran Castle was packed with visitors, so prepare for narrow staircases and some waiting. Still, it’s an unforgettable place to visit, especially with the surrounding mountain views.

Friends taking a picture in Brasov, Romania — The charming town of Brasov

Standing in front of Dracula's Castle — Made it to Dracula’s Castle

We returned to Bucharest around 7 p.m. and went to Caru’ cu Bere for dinner. This restaurant is one of Bucharest’s most iconic spots, known for its ornate interior and traditional Romanian performances. We made reservations in advance, which was smart since it’s always busy. If you can, plan your visit for a weekend evening. We went on a Saturday when the dances started at 9 p.m., and the show was full of energy and culture.

Dancers dancing at Caru cu Bere restaurant in Bucharest — The dancers were stunning at Caru’ cu Bere

Day 3 – A Day Trip to Bulgaria and Rooftop Dinner

We joined another 12-hour tour, this time crossing the border into Bulgaria. The drive to the border took about an hour, and passport checks were done randomly, so be sure to bring yours.

Our first stop was the Holy Trinity Cathedral Church in the quaint Old Town of Ruse, where we admired the peaceful atmosphere and elegant architecture. Next, we headed to Arbanasi Village, a picturesque town perched on a high plateau. This area offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and is filled with medieval buildings that date back centuries.

Crossing the bridge looking at Bulgaria's flag — Crossing the bridge into Bulgaria

Stunning views of Bulgaria from Arbanasi Village

The third stop was the Tsarevets Fortress, one of Bulgaria’s most important historical sites. The views from the top were incredible and gave us a real sense of the country’s medieval past.

Our final stop was Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s former medieval capital. The cobblestone streets and hillside homes created a beautiful and nostalgic setting. We grabbed some coffee and souvenirs here before making our way back to Bucharest.

Tsarevets Fortress Bulgaria — Tsarevets Fortress

That night, we had dinner at Linea / Closer to the Moon, a stunning rooftop restaurant with transparent domes that overlook the city. From our table, we had an incredible panoramic view of Bucharest’s Old Town. The atmosphere was absolutely perfect and the espresso martini I ordered was one of the best I’ve ever had. The food was just as impressive, beautifully presented and full of flavor, and the service was outstanding. Everything felt polished yet welcoming, and it ended up being one of my favorite restaurants in Bucharest.

Day 4 – Cafés, Architecture, and Old Town Charm

Our last full day in Bucharest was dedicated to exploring more of the city’s highlights.

We started with coffee at First Coffee Bucharest before heading to the famous Cărturești Carusel bookstore, one of the most beautiful bookstores in Europe. The architecture and spiral staircases make it a photographer’s dream.

Matcha Latte and pastries at First Coffee Bucharest

Cărturești Carusel beautiful bookstore — Cărturești Carusel

Romanian Athenaeum Bucharest — Romanian Athenaeum

We continued sightseeing with stops at the Romanian Athenaeum and Grand Café Van Gogh, a bright and airy spot perfect for a coffee break. Later, we grabbed some sweet treats at Love You Choux, a pastry shop that specializes in cream-filled desserts.

Grand Cafe Van Gogh dining room with Van Gogh's colorful paintings on the wall — Grand Cafe Van Gogh

In the afternoon, we took a Bolt ride to the Primăverii neighborhood. During Romania’s communist era, this was where the country’s leaders and elite lived. Today, it remains one of Bucharest’s most upscale areas, with tree-lined streets and stately homes. Visiting this neighborhood gives you a fascinating glimpse into how the communist elite once lived, especially if you stop by Nicolae Ceaușescu’s mansion, which is now a museum.

We ended our final night with dinner and drinks at Nomad Skybar, a stylish rooftop spot in Old Town with great food and lively music.

Nicolae Ceaușescu’s mansion entrance — Nicolae Ceaușescu’s mansion

Departure Morning

The next morning, I had an early flight back home while Kathy’s flight was later in the afternoon. I took a Bolt at 5:30 a.m. for my 8:30 a.m. flight, which took about 25 minutes since there was no traffic. During rush hour, the same ride can take twice as long, so plan ahead if your flight is later in the day.

Final Thoughts on Bucharest

Four days in Bucharest was the perfect amount of time to explore the city and enjoy a couple of incredible day trips. From the ornate architecture and cozy cafés to the scenic countryside and medieval towns, Romania offers a mix of experiences that make every day feel new.

What stood out most was how friendly and welcoming everyone was. The food was consistently great, and the prices were much more affordable compared to other European capitals.

If you’re looking for a destination that combines history, culture, and value, Bucharest should definitely be on your list.