Bucharest —
castles, thermal spas and brilliant value
We spent four brilliant days in Romania in 2015 — roaming the grand boulevards and colourful Old Town of Bucharest, hiring a private driver for an unforgettable day trip to Bran Castle, Pelеș Castle and the beautiful medieval city of Brașov, and rounding it all off with a day at a thermal spa. Romania is outstanding value, the people are incredibly friendly and it is one of those destinations that genuinely surprises you with how much it has to offer.
What this trip gave us:
The story
Four days in Romania — and it blew us away.
We arrived in Bucharest in 2015 not quite knowing what to expect — and left four days later absolutely delighted with the place. Bucharest is a city of real contrasts — grand communist-era boulevards sitting alongside beautiful Orthodox churches, a lively Old Town full of bars and restaurants, and one of the most extraordinary buildings in Europe in the Palace of Parliament.
We spent our first full day just roaming the city — getting a feel for the neighbourhoods, the architecture and the brilliant food scene. Everything was remarkably good value by any standard, and the locals were warm, friendly and proud of their city.
The highlight of the whole trip was the day we hired a private driver and headed into Transylvania. It was one of the best decisions we have ever made on a trip. Bran Castle — forever associated with the Dracula legend — is genuinely dramatic and atmospheric, perched on its rocky crag looking exactly as a castle should. Pelеș Castle, just down the road, is something else entirely — a fairy-tale Neo-Renaissance palace that does not look remotely real. And then Brașov, with its stunning medieval Old Town and mountain backdrop, capped off a perfect day.
We also spent a gloriously relaxing day at a thermal spa — very much the Romanian way to unwind — before flying home wondering why we had not come sooner.
The highlights — what stood out most
Dramatically perched on a rocky outcrop in the Carpathian Mountains — Bran Castle is everything you hope Dracula's castle will be. Atmospheric, historic and genuinely impressive.
One of the most beautiful castles in Europe — a stunning Neo-Renaissance palace in the mountains that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale. Absolutely not to be missed.
A beautiful medieval city surrounded by forested mountains — colourful buildings, Gothic churches and a charming central square that rewards a long, slow wander.
The second largest administrative building in the world — an almost incomprehensibly vast structure that has to be seen to be believed. A must in Bucharest.
Romania has a wonderful thermal spa tradition and the facilities are excellent — and very affordable. A brilliant way to spend a day on a longer Bucharest trip.
Romanian food is hearty, delicious and incredibly cheap. The Old Town is full of brilliant restaurants and bars — you can eat and drink very well for very little.
From the city to the castles of Transylvania
Grand boulevards and baroque palaces in Bucharest, dramatic castle fortresses in the mountains and the beautiful streets of Brașov — Romania in pictures.
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The Transylvania day trip
Bran Castle, Pelеș Castle & Brașov — the perfect day trip
Hiring a private driver for the day and heading into Transylvania was without question the best decision we made on this trip. The three stops — Bran Castle, Pelеș Castle and Brașov — are all within an hour or two of each other and make for a genuinely extraordinary day out from Bucharest.
Bran Castle has the drama and the legend. Pelеș Castle has the jaw-dropping beauty. And Brașov has the atmosphere and the architecture. Together they give you a completely different side of Romania that you simply cannot experience from Bucharest alone — and a private driver makes the whole day effortless and flexible.
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Watch our reel
Our Bucharest food and drink picks
Bucharest has a brilliant food and drink scene — from traditional Romanian restaurants in the Old Town to great cocktail bars and coffee shops. Watch our reel for our picks on where to eat and drink in the city.
Where to eat and drink in Bucharest 🍽️
Explore Romania with TourRadar
Want to explore Romania properly? TourRadar has brilliant Romania tours that take in Bucharest, Transylvania, the painted monasteries and beyond.
Romania is a huge and varied country — and a guided tour is a brilliant way to see more of it without spending your holiday coordinating logistics. From the castles of Transylvania to the Danube Delta and the Black Sea coast, there is far more to Romania than most people realise.
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Book Bucharest experiences with GetYourGuide
From Dracula castle day trips and Old Town walking tours to thermal spa experiences and food tours — browse Bucharest activities here:
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Common questions
Bucharest & Romania FAQ
What to pack for Bucharest
Bucharest packing essentials — what we'd bring
Bucharest has a continental climate — hot summers and cold winters. Pack for the season you are travelling in. For day trips into the mountains to visit the castles, an extra layer is always worth having regardless of the time of year. These are the things we would not leave home without.
Bucharest has cobbled streets and the castle day trips involve a lot of walking. Comfortable, supportive shoes are essential for getting the most out of every day.
View on Amazon →The mountains around Bran and Pelеș can be cooler than Bucharest even in summer. A light jacket is worth having for day trips regardless of the season.
View on Amazon →Romanian summers are genuinely hot — high SPF is essential for long days out exploring the city and visiting open-air castle sites in the warmer months.
View on Amazon →Essential for the castle day trip — carry water, a layer, your camera and anything else you need for a full day out in Transylvania without lugging a big bag around.
View on Amazon →Keep yourself hydrated on long days out — especially on the castle day trip where you will be on the move for most of the day.
View on Amazon →Full days out taking photos at the castles and navigating the city will drain your battery fast. A power bank keeps you connected and means you never miss a moment.
View on Amazon →Handy for maps and staying connected — especially useful when you are out in the mountains visiting castles and away from city Wi-Fi.
View on Amazon →Romania uses Type C and F plugs — different to Ireland. Don't arrive with nothing charged after your flight.
View on Amazon →Always worth having — for blisters from the castle walks and anything else that comes up on a busy four-day itinerary.
View on Amazon →Disclosure: These are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These are all things we'd genuinely pack for a Bucharest trip.
Planning your own Romania trip?
Romania is one of Europe's most underrated destinations — stunning castles, beautiful medieval cities, thermal spas, incredible value and some of the warmest people you will ever meet. Go. You will not regret it.
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