Romania Itinerary: 7 Days from Bucharest to Transylvania
Seven days are enough for a great first trip to Romania: Bucharest, Peleș Castle, Brașov, Bran, Sighișoara, the Saxon villages and Sibiu. The route below works by car or by train and organised tours, and you can adapt it to the season. For the regions and ideas beyond this route, see our Discover Romania guide.
Below you will find the route day by day, how many days you really need and how to get around.
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Key facts
- 7 days are ideal for a first trip: Bucharest plus the highlights of Transylvania.
- The route sleeps in Bucharest, Brașov, Sighișoara and Sibiu, with short drives between them.
- You can do it by car or without a car, combining trains and organised tours.
- With 5 days, focus on Brașov and its surroundings; with 10 to 14 days, add Maramureș, Bucovina or the Danube Delta.
- In summer you can add the Transfăgărășan; in winter, Christmas markets and skiing.
The 7-Day Route at a Glance
This route starts and ends in Bucharest and follows the classic loop through southern Transylvania:
| Day | Route | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bucharest: old town and Palace of the Parliament | Bucharest |
| 2 | Sinaia and Peleș Castle, then Brașov | Brașov |
| 3 | Bran Castle and Râșnov Fortress; bears in the evening (spring to autumn) | Brașov |
| 4 | Brașov old town and Mount Tâmpa, then Sighișoara | Sighișoara |
| 5 | Saxon villages (Biertan, Viscri or Rupea), then Sibiu | Sibiu |
| 6 | Sibiu, plus the Transfăgărășan (summer) or Corvin Castle | Sibiu |
| 7 | Back to Bucharest, or fly home from Sibiu | - |
Days 1 and 2: Bucharest, Sinaia and Peleș
Day 1: walk through Bucharest’s old town, see the Romanian Athenaeum and visit the huge Palace of the Parliament, which can only be seen on a guided tour (bring your ID or passport).
Day 2: drive or take the train north through the Prahova Valley to Sinaia, home of Peleș Castle, one of the most beautiful royal residences in Romania. Check its opening days before you go. Continue to Brașov for the night.
Tours to Complete Your Itinerary
A walking tour of Bucharest for day 1, an evening at a bear hide from Brașov and a small-group day to Sighișoara, Viscri and Rupea. Check the dates of each tour for your trip.
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Viator
Best of Bucharest | Private Walking Tour
A private walking tour of the best of Bucharest with your own guide: the Old Town, historic churches and the stories behind the city. Price is per group.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
Wild Carpathian Nature: A Wildlife Experience from Brașov
A small-group experience focused on ethical brown bear watching with a guide in their natural habitat in the Carpathian forests, departing directly from Brașov.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
Small-Group Tour of Sighișoara, Viscri and Rupea from Brașov
A small-group day trip from Brașov to the medieval citadel of Sighișoara, the Saxon village of Viscri and Rupea Fortress: UNESCO heritage in one day.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Days 3 and 4: Brașov, Bran and the Bears
Day 3: visit Bran Castle, the famous “Dracula’s Castle”, and Râșnov Fortress, both less than an hour from Brașov. From spring to autumn, end the day with an evening at a bear hide in the forest. Read bear watching from Brașov or Bucharest to plan it.
Day 4: enjoy Brașov’s old town, the Black Church and the views from Mount Tâmpa in the morning, then drive about two hours to Sighișoara for the night. Our guide to things to do in Brașov has the details.
Day 5: Sighișoara and the Saxon Villages
Walk the medieval citadel of Sighișoara early, before the day visitors arrive: the Clock Tower, the covered staircase and the church on the hill.
Then head towards Sibiu through the Saxon villages with fortified churches. Biertan is on the way, while Viscri and Rupea Fortress are a detour towards Brașov, so choose based on your time. More ideas in things to do in Transylvania.
Days 6 and 7: Sibiu and the Way Back
Day 6: explore Sibiu’s three squares and the Bridge of Lies. In summer, take a day trip on the Transfăgărășan to Bâlea Lake; the rest of the year, visit Corvin Castle in Hunedoara.
Day 7: return to Bucharest (about four to five hours by road) or fly home from Sibiu airport if it has a convenient connection for you.
How Many Days Do You Need in Romania?
It depends on how much of the country you want to see:
- 3 to 5 days: Bucharest and Brașov with Bran, Râșnov and, in season, the bears.
- 7 days: the route on this page, ideal for a first trip.
- 10 days: add Corvin Castle, Cluj-Napoca and the Turda Salt Mine.
- 14 days: add the painted monasteries of Bucovina, Maramureș or the Danube Delta.
- To choose when to travel, read our guide to the best time to visit Romania.
Getting Around: Car, Train or Tours
A rental car gives you the most freedom, especially for the Saxon villages and Corvin Castle. Remember that national roads require a road vignette (rovinietă).
Without a car, trains connect Bucharest, Sinaia, Brașov, Sighișoara and Sibiu, and organised tours fill the gaps: day trips to Bran and the villages, or multi-day tours from Bucharest. If you are coming from Bucharest just for Bran, see how to get from Bucharest to Bran.
In winter, swap the Transfăgărășan and the bears for Christmas markets, castles in the snow and a day of skiing in Poiana Brașov.
7-Day Romania Itinerary: FAQ
Is 7 days enough for Romania?
Yes for a first trip: Bucharest and the highlights of Transylvania. To add Bucovina, Maramureș or the Danube Delta you need 10 to 14 days.
How many days do you need in Romania?
3 to 5 days for Bucharest and Brașov, 7 days for the classic route through Transylvania and 10 to 14 days to see more regions.
Can you do this itinerary without a car?
Yes. Trains connect the main towns, and organised tours cover Bran, the Saxon villages and the bears. A car is only really needed for the villages and Corvin Castle.
Where should I stay on a 7-day trip?
In Bucharest (1 night), Brașov (2 nights), Sighișoara (1 night) and Sibiu (2 nights).
Can I do this route in winter?
Yes. Replace the Transfăgărășan and bear watching with Christmas markets, castles in the snow and skiing in Poiana Brașov.
Should I start in Bucharest or Cluj?
Most flights arrive in Bucharest, so this route starts there. If you fly into Cluj-Napoca, start with Cluj and Turda and do the loop the other way round.
