10 Days in Romania: Castles & Carpathian Mountains

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I feel like nobody goes to Romania, but they should! 

For context, I was born in Romania and have been back many times to visit family who live near Brașov.

This past summer, I dedicated a couple of months road-tripping the cities and small villages of central Romania, and I was shook by how pretty my country was and how open my fellow people were! 🩷

I’ve put together this itinerary for 10 days in Romania to share with you my beautiful country. Here’s a peek at what 10 days in Romania looks like, with a focus on the Transylvania region, some pretty famous castles and UNESCO World Heritage cities, and, of course, a bit of hiking in the famous Carpathian mountains.

Romania is absolutely one of the last hidden gem destinations in Europe, and I’m so glad I get to share a bit of my homeland with you. So let’s dive into what you need to know before you go and the day-to-day of the 10-day itinerary for Romania.

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10 Days in Romania: Tips Before You Go

Before you head out for 10 days in Romania, here are a few things you should know about my country.

⭐️ I GET ASKED THIS ALL THE TIME ⭐️
✅ Yes, most people speak English in Romania.
✅ Yes, there is Uber in Romania if you need it.

Also, and more importantly:

✅ Romania is safe. It is part of the European Union and NATO, and traveling with my family, as well as solo, was no problem at all. As you start booking your trip to Romania, make sure you have travel insurance sorted out.

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR ROMANIA

My favorite, and the one I use, is SafetyWing Nomad Insurance because it’s pretty comprehensive and more affordable than some of the other travel insurance I’ve researched.

Obviously, prices will vary based on your age, but my cost was about $56 per month. Luckily, I didn’t have to use it in Romania, but because I was there for 2 months total, I needed peace of mind while hiking. Or if I got food poisoning because there’s always that local guy who starts grilling a weird piece of pork and doesn’t quite get it right.

Travel medical insurance is a must when planning a trip to Eastern Europe because we’re adults, and it’s called being responsible. Insurance is important not just because of the financial side if something goes wrong but also because you’ll be glad to have someone to call and help you sort out hospitals and get medicine abroad – in a foreign language.

✅ While Romania is in the EU, it does NOT use the Euro yet. The official Romanian currency is the RON, but we call it Lei. Cash is king in Romania, and I always had about 500 RON cash on me for random taxis I took, farmers’ markets, artisan shops, etc. This is about €100.

There are ATMs (bancomat) almost everywhere, or you can exchange Dollars or Euro at an exchange house (casǎ de schimb). Most exchange offices in the cities offer better rates than the banks and often don’t charge any exchange fees.

✅ Renting a car in Romania is pretty easy – you will need your passport, an International Drivers Permit you can get at AAA or online, and your credit card.

Driving in Romania is a bit more aggressive, and they do love to pass in the craziest of places. Regarding the roads, they’re in good condition, with a slight caveat when you get to the more rural mountain roads, but there are few of those on this road trip.

✅ This itinerary for 10 days in Romania is focused on Transylvania, the region I come from. It also focuses on hiking my favorite mountains and seeing my favorite city – Brasov. You’ll see Dracula’s Castle, our former Kings Castle, and the cutest little town, Sinaia.

While you can see many other things in Romania, this is a fantastic itinerary if you want to spend more time in nature and mountain towns.

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10 Days in Romania: FULL ITINERARY

Before I jump into the 10-day Romania itinerary, here’s some basic knowledge and context about my country.

BASICS ABOUT ROMANIA:
✔️ Capital: Bucharest
✔️ Currency: Romanian Lei (RON)
✔️ Population: ~20 million
✔️ Language: Romanian (English is widely spoken except in the small villages)
✔️ Vibe: Latin roots, Baltic vibe, East European traditional values due to the Christian Orthodox religion being prominent in the country.
✔️ Food & Drinks To Try: Mici (tiny sausages), Sarmale (cabbage rolls), all the soups, Papanaşi (dessert), Țuica (a clear fire whiskey), Ursus Beer (dark one is my favorite)
✔️ Best Way to Travel: Road Trip style, 5-7 in a specific region.
✔️ Gas Stations with Cleanest Bathrooms: PETROM and OMV.

As you scroll through each day, I’ll share my favorite things to do, where to stay that’s good value and beautiful, my personal favorite restaurants, and insights on why things are the way they are (Romania can be quirky to a foreigner).

Beyond this, my people love to grill, drink their homemade moonshine, and sit around talking about what soccer team they think will win next.

Of course, there’s the other Romanian favorite pastime, which is complaining about everything under the sun – but that’s usually reserved for the locals.

Let’s dive into the logistics of day-to-day!

Day 1: Arrive in Bucharest, Romania

The best place to land for this road trip is in our capital, at the Bucharest International Airport (OTP). This will be the starting point of our 10 days in Romania – it’s a route I’ve taken a few of my friends on.

Once you’ve picked up your rental car and checked into your lodging, I recommend walking around Bucharest’s Old Town or Cismigiu Gardens if it’s a pretty day and grabbing a traditional meal in the main square for dinner.

🧡 PERSONAL ADVICE: You’ll be coming back to the capital for a day of visiting the highlights, so there is no need to rush through or have that nagging feeling of missing out – just get settled and eat well today.

I love Caru Cu Bere in the Old Town for dinner. It’s where I recommend everyone to go.

🥨 ROMANIAN TRADITIONAL FOOD: Start off with a bowl of soup, as it’s the Romanian thing to do – all are unique and great, but my favorite is the beef one called “ciorba de vacuta“. For the second course, my favorite things to order are“mici” with horseradish mustard dip and hand-cut french fries.

There are a few local Romanian beers to drink, but my favorite (and the best) is Ursus – the one with the bear on the label.

For a final digestive, try the Romanian clear liquor called Palinka or Țuica, which will put you straight to sleep – welcome to Romania!

Where To Stay in Old Town Bucharest (1 night)

📍 Luxury: La Boheme Boutique Hotel – a bit more upscale and boutique vibe, this is a great location and deal for one night in Bucharest!
📍 Mid Range: Hotel Cismigiu – old-school hotel remodeled, pretty famous one in Bucharest with a lot of history. While both options are great, I like this one best because it’s next to Cismigiu Park.

Day 2: Sinaia Old Town

🚗 Drive from Bucharest to Sinaia: 2 hrs on DN1 (~ 130km)

I have driven from Bucharest to Sinaia so many times I can barely keep track. It’s a pretty straightforward 2-hour drive on a well-maintained 2-lane highway called DN-1.

🥹 PERSONAL FUN FACT: My grandma lives in a little town called Breaza, which is only 20 minutes away from Sinaia.

Sinaia is one of those super pretty mountain towns most Romanians go to vacation because there is so much going on around it, especially for hikers, skiers, and people who love nature.

🥘 FOR LUNCH: My uncle showed me an amazing restaurant for lunch, and I highly recommend all the traditional stuff on the menu, including pork knuckles: Taverna Sârbului.

After lunch, check into your lodging and walk around the old town of Sinaia. These are a few of my favorite spots:

• Dimitrie Ghica Park – there’s a hotel inside where a bunch of weddings are hosted, so you can sometimes see how fancy Romanians get for weddings!
• Sinaia Monastery – This church is near the park, and I think it’s a nice example of Orthodox monastery architecture with little lines along the outside.
• Bulevardul Carol I – This is the main road through the old town where the shops and restaurants are, and usually, there are little markets and vendors selling traditional goods, which make for great souvenirs.
• Peleş Castle – This is the coup de gras of Sinaia when it comes to buildings. It closes at 4 pm, but it’s nice to visit and walk the grounds (best to save it for the morning)

Where To Stay in Sinaia (2 nights)

📍 Luxury:
📍 Mid Range:

Day 3: Peleș Castle & Sinaia Mountains

Today we’ll be seeing the famous Peleș Castle in the morning and taking gondolas up one of the tallest mountains near Sinaia in the afternoon!

Peleș Castle is a fairy-tale palace known for its pretty Bavarian meets Romanian architecture and luxurious interiors that blend Neo-Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque styles.

I recommend heading to Peleș Castle by 9:30am and doing a little tour of the grounds (free) and inside the castle (paid).

You can walk to the entrance or park outside the gates, and you can buy tickets to visit the interior right in the castle entrance itself. There are English tours.

Originally built as a summer residence for Romania’s first king, Carol I, I loved going inside because I find it interesting to see how the royals of Romania lived. Each room is super decorated, and you’ll get to see their bedrooms too.

For lunch an the afternoon, drive up from Peleș Castle to POPAS ALPIN COTA 1400 restaurant (it’s essentially 1,400 meters high). It’s a beautiful drive, and there is a little restaurant here my family and I always eat at – it’s amazing!

NOTE ON PARKING: You can park anywhere you find a spot, or along the side of the street – it’s not managed well.

After lunch, take this Telegondola Cota 1,400 up higher to Telegondola Cota 2,000 and walk around the mountain top for a couple of hours. It’s beautiful up here, especially when the flowers are in bloom. In the wintertime, people ski down from here.

TELEGONDOLA INFO: Here is the price list and daily schedule, so be mindful to be back off the mountain by 4:30 pm. You can also ask the kiosk girls. They speak English.

Day 4: Brașov Old Town

🚗 Drive from Sinaia to Brașov: 1 hrs on DN1 (~ 50km)

Today is all about Brașov, one of my favorite cities in Romania. I think I’m lucky because a couple of my cousins live here and they showed me around to their favorite spots – which I will now share with you.

My favorite and best things to do in Brașov are:

• Tâmpa Hill and Brașov Sign [2 hours] – You can ride a gondola up to the the Brașov sign for about $7 from here. The restaurant right next to it, Sub Tampa, is actually super good as well!
• Brașov Old Town [2 hours] – This is where you can window shop and get traditional Romanian souvenirs. I got myself an authentic embroidered shirt called a “iie” which should range at around $150.
• Biserica Neagra [30 min] – This is the biggest church in the Old Town, aptly named Black Church because it burned down a while back and left the stones tarnished. As far as churches go, it’s pretty huge, and they have a lovely organ inside playing.
• The Fortress on Straja [2 hours] – My parents visited the fort while I went up to Tâmpa Hill, and they recommend it for the views. Also to get your steps in, as you do have to walk up a hill!

➡️ I recommend this Small Town Brașov Walking Tour for those who want a bit of history to go along with their walk! ⬅️

For dinner, I recommend Roata Norocului, a traditional Romanian restaurant that also has live bands playing at night.

For after-dinner drinks, my cousin showed me the cutest wine garden, JUNO. It looks like one of those Instagram places, but all the locals and young Romanians hang out here, and the local variety of wines is spectacular.

Where To Stay in Sinaia (3 nights)

📍 Luxury: Hotel Belmont – A super beautiful luxury hotel in Sinaia, right in the middle of the old town. I highly encourage you to use their facilities, especially the sauna!
📍 Mid Range: Hotel Sinaia – Best bang for your buck option, this is a more modern, vibey option for 3 nights in Sinaia. It’s an easy walk to Peleș Castle from Hotel Sinaia, and they also have a spa!

Day 5: Hike – Piatra Craiului

🚗 Drive from Brașov to Zǎrnești (Piatra Craiului): 40 min (37km)

Piatra Craiului is a beautiful mountain range in the Southern Carpathians, known for its jagged peaks and pretty steep ridges. Most of the trails start in Zarnesti, about 40 minutes by car or train from Brașov.

🚨 GET A HIKING GUIDE! This is a hard hike, and I ONLY recommend doing it with a guide. This is who I went with: Andrea & Lucian at +40 735 154 074. They own a trekking company and are excellent guides.

This was the most challenging hike I have done in Romania, but the guide I went with can cater to anybody’s needs because he literally grew up on these mountains, is a triathlete, an absolute legend.

While it was tough to summit, and it took the whole day, I saw wild goats, the most splendid views from the top, and only a tiny scare of bear paws towards the end – all in all, for the avid hiker, I recommend!

🥵 NOT INTO HIKING? If you’re not keen on a hike today, there are tons of things to do in Brasov. For a bit off the beaten path, my best recommendation is to visit the Zarnesti Bear Sanctuary.

Day 6: Bran Castle & Local Viewpoints

🚗 Drive from Brașov to Bran Castle: 40 min (31km)

Today is a recovery day, and the day we visit the biggest tourist attractions in Romania. Yes, I’m talking about Bran Castle, which is also known as Draculas Castle.

The drive from Brașov to Bran is about 40 minutes. You can park here and walk to Bran Castle and buy tickets at the door, which are about $20.

Now, don’t get me wrong, just because they lean into the vampire mythology does not mean it’s a bust. I visited Bran castle a couple of times and did the tour inside and I was impressed at how fun it was – which is why I recommend it!

In the afternoon, my cousin and I went to Belvedere Point, which is the prettiest views of Piatra Craiului National Park and the entire valley below it. The road does get rural for the last 20 minutes of the ride – meaning it is a small dirt road – but it’s worth stressing your rental car out!

There’s a delicious snack bar at the top where you can get drinks and a clǎtitǎ filled with jam, which is basically a Romanian crepe you have to try.

Head back to Brașov for dinner and some rest, because tomorrow we head into a different mountain range.

Day 7: Transfǎgǎrǎșani Road & Lake Bâlea

🚗 Drive from Brașov to Lake Bâlea: 2.5 hrs via Cârțișoara/E68 (130km)

There’s no rush today, but I recommend you leave Brașov after lunch. From Brașov to Cascada Bâlea is about 2 hours driving.

From here, it’s a beautiful serpentine road to Lake Bâlea and the cabin at the top. You will be driving the famous Transfǎgǎrǎșani Road, which sometimes makes it to the action movies we see on TV.

👉 NOTE: Make sure to reserve the cabin at the top ahead of time, either via email or Booking, because there are not a lot of lodging options at the top.

There’s not much to do at the cabin except walk around the lake, which is beautiful, and get mentally prepared for the hike tomorrow.

I will say that the food and dinner at the cabin is AMAZING. Best soups and traditional food you will have because they use local produce – like cheese from the meat of sheep on the mountains you’re about to climb!

Where To Stay Around Lake Bâlea (2 nights)

📍 Mountain Cabin: Balea Lake Chalet – This is where we always stay and where I recommend you do, too, as it’s right on the lake and where the hiking trails start. There’s no online booking. You will have to email them to request a room. You can also call; they speak English.
📍 Mid Range: Liniștea Muntilor Cartioasra – These are super cute A-Frame cottages about a 15-minute drive from the lake in the small town below the mountains. If you can’t book the mountain cabin, this is your next best bet!

Day 8: Hike – Negoiu Peak

🚨 This hike is challenging, and I would rate it as difficult. You will have to scramble on ridges, there are chains to assist in certain areas, and there is a bit of rock climbing involved. The whole out-and-back trek takes about 9-11 hours.

Negoiu Peak, looming high at 2,535 meters, is Romania’s second-highest peak and a centerpiece of the Făgăraș Mountains in the Southern Carpathians.

The trek from Bâlea Lake to Vf. Negoiu is another one of Romania’s toughest hikes, especially via the legendary Strunga Dracului route (so you bet I took that route).

From the Bâlea Lake cabin, you follow this trek to Șaua Capra and then head left up the mountain. You will then follow the red cross () pathway to Curmatură Bâlei Saddle and then switch to the blue line ()pathway to Vf.Negoiu.

It took me about 9 hours to complete, but that’s because I didn’t end up getting all the way to the peak due to a thunderstorm pulling in. Most folks do the trail in about 10-11 hours.

There are some parts where you will need to scramble and rock climb, and there are sections with chains that can help. I recommend at least 2 liters of water, a couple of snacks, and the right hiking boots and gear.

I started the hike around 8 am and was back by 5 pm, just in time for a hot shower and an amazing dinner at the hut.

Day 9: Bucharest Old Town

🚗 Drive from Lake Bâlea to Bucharest: 4.5 hrs via Pitești/7C/E81 (233km)

After breakfast, it’s time to hit the road back to the capital city. It’s a big drive but a pretty one to get out of the mountains.

I would leave by 9 am to be in the capital city by 2 pm for a late lunch.

If you want to stop mid-way, Curtea de Argeș is a great spot for a little walk and lunch.

Curtea de Argeș Cathedral is the final resting spot for a few important Romanian kings, including King Carol I, the founder of the modern Romanian state, and King Ferdinand I, who unified Romania.

When you get into Bucharest, check into your lodging. From here, you have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy a unique little tour.

➡️ I liked this Bucharest Private Tuk-Tuk Tour because you can hop around the city easily, and you can also customize the time! ⬅️

And if you haven’t been a Tuk Tuk before, it’s the best way to hop around the city – they have them here in Lisbon too, and I’m obsessed!

Where To Stay in Old Town Bucharest (1 night)

📍 Luxury: La Boheme Boutique Hotel – a bit more upscale and boutique vibe, this is a great location and deal for one night in Bucharest!
📍 Mid Range: Hotel Cismigiu – old-school hotel remodeled, pretty famous one in Bucharest with a lot of history. While both options are great, I like this one best because it’s next to Cismigiu Park.

Day 10: Fly Home

Your flight is likely going to be early in the morning if you’re flying internationally. Mine are always around 7am, so you can drop the rental car in the morning and get to the airport on time.

It’s sort of a mess at the Otopeni Airport for those early international flights, so give yourself some time.

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Romania Road Trip Map

Here’s where the road trip will lead you.

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Renting A Car In Romania

Renting a car in Romania is pretty easy. You will need to have your driver’s license and an International Driver’s Permit when you pick up your car, as well as the credit card you used to book the reservation.

➡️ I personally rent and recommend Discover Cars for car rentals in Romania. ⬅️

As far as what type of car to rent, I made this whole trip with a small sedan, and it was fine, even on some of the unpaved village roads.

I recommend renting from a well-rated company, anything 7+. I rented from Klass Wagen, a local Romanian company, because it was cheaper than Alamo or Sixt, and it was great.

Also, remember to get the car insurance – I usually skimp out on this, but I know my country, and it’s a bit more rustic than others.

Driving in Romania

Driving in Romania is fine and easy most of the time.

The only thing I might say is that drivers are a bit aggressive in my country when trying to pass you on the highway, but otherwise, observe the rules and the speed limit.

One tough part about driving in Romania is the traffic, especially around big cities like Bucharest, and especially when you’re trying to exit the airport.

As far as road conditions, the highways and major roads are pretty good, which is a welcome surprise from the clusterfuck of 15 years ago when I used to visit. That said, there are still dirt roads and plenty of potholes; it is still Eastern Europe, after all.

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Where To Stay In Romania

Here’s a quick guide to the highlights of each day of my Romanian road trip and where I stayed.

🏠 PRO TIP: As a heads up, there are a ton of really good lodgings that will look shady and communist from the outside but are super cute, newly remodeled, and amazing on the inside. I think this is just the way it goes for Eastern Europe.

Daily Highlights	Where I Stayed
Day 1: Arrive in Bucharest	La Boheme Boutique Hotel Hotel Cismigiu (old-school luxury)
Day 2: Sinaia Old Town Day 3: Peleș Castle & Sinaia Mountains	Hotel Belmont (high-end) Hotel Sinaia
Day 4: Brașov Old Town Day 5: Hike – Piatra Craiului Day 6: Bran Castle & Viewpoints	1910 Boutique Hotel Vila Katharina (luxury, super nice!)
Day 7: Transfǎgǎrǎșani Road Day 8: Hike – Nogoiu Peak	Balea Lake Mountain Cabin (my fave! best to email, no online bookings) Liniștea Muntilor Cartioasra (good option)
Day 9: Old Town Bucharest Day 10: Fly Home from Bucharest	La Boheme Boutique Hotel Hotel Cismigiu

📆 LESS TIME? MORE TIME?
If you need to cut a couple of days, I would skip the hikes on Days 5 & 8 because while the mountains are beautiful, you do need the proper boots and gear for these adventures, and they are quite challenging.

If I could spend more time somewhere, I would spend more time in Bucharest, maybe even do a proper guided city tour, visit a couple of museums, and go see an opera or traditional music show. There is nothing like spending a full day exploring cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, etc., to really appreciate the little things of a big city!

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FAQ: First Time Visiting Romania

It’s always tough visiting a country for the first time because you don’t know what to expect. Here are a few basics and my advice on frequently asked questions.

• Capital: Bucharest
• Currency: Romanian Lei (RON)
• Population: ~20 million
• Language: Romanian (English is widely spoken except in the small villages)
• Gas Stations with Cleanest Bathrooms: PETROM first, and OMV second.
• Best Road Trip Food: When you see a HAN or PENSIUNE restaurant on the side of the road, that’s good homemade traditional food. Stop here to eat. 

Is Romania worth visiting?

Yes, Romania is worth visiting.

It’s one of those Eastern European countries that is still a hidden gem, and while the best way to visit my country is with a local, it’s still pretty easy to follow my itinerary and have a great time!

More importantly, Romania is tourist-friendly in that most people speak English, it’s safe (even as a solo female traveler like myself), the food is fantastic, and people are warm and kind.

What is the best time to visit Romania?

The best time of year to visit Romania is either in the summertime, July to September, or the winter for its traditions around Christmas and New Year.

How many days in Romania is enough?

I think 10 days is a perfect amount of time to visit a region of the country.

Romania is a big country, practically the size of France, and getting around takes a long time – driving, flying, train, bus, or in a horse-drawn carriage (because that’s an option in Romania) – it just takes longer than you think.

Is Romania cheap or expensive?

Romania is not expensive. Here was my budget for this road trip:

• Lodging: $75-100 a night 
• Food: $30-50 a day – Breakfast was usually included in our stay, so your money usually goes to lunches and dinners.
• Car Rental: $20-30 a day – Summer high season will be more expensive, so will renting an automatic vehicle versus a manual transmission

Is it safe to go to Romania at the moment?

Yes, Romania is safe.

It is part of the European Union and NATO, and traveling with my family, as well as solo, was no problem at all.

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Conclusion: 10 Days in Romania is Perfect!

Romania is a fantastic country to visit, especially if you’re into history, wild mountains (yes, I do mean wild in the sense that you can sometimes spot black bears), and unique experiences, like taking shots of homemade raki with the locals at lunch, and eating pig ears grilled by the local grandpa.

The 10 days in Romania road trip starts in Bucharest, our big ass capital, where it’s all about learning about Communism and visiting the Old Town’s lively streets,

From there, head up to Sinaia to see our old king’s Peles Castle, then on to Brasov, a charming medieval city surrounded by mountains.

Sinaia and Brașov are where I hung out the most as a kid, and even now, when I go visit my family. Don’t miss the impressive Black Church and a stroll through the cozy little streets around the old town.

For outdoor lovers, the Piatra Craiului National Park and Fagarași Mountains remain my favorite places to escape in Romania.

And of course, you can’t visit Transylvania without driving the famous Transfăgărășan Highway, one of the world’s most scenic roads, winding its way through the Carpathian Mountains with epic views and cool photo ops.

That’s what 10 days in Romania looks like, and I just gave you an epic road trip itinerary to go for it!