Romania is that underrated destination you go to “just for a few days”… and end up obsessed with. Starting in Bucharest, where you’ll bounce between cheap eats, aesthetic cafés, and the chaotic energy of Bucharest Old Town (yes, it really does turn into a party every night). Then switch the vibe completely with a day trip to Transylvania—think misty mountains, storybook towns, and castles that look straight out of a Pinterest board. The best part? You get all of this without spending much, making it the perfect mix of budget travel, iconic views, and main-character moments. ✨
In this itinerary, I’ll show you exactly how to spend your days—from exploring Old Town and finding instagrammable spots, to relaxing at Europe’s biggest thermal spa and squeezing in an unforgettable Transylvania day trip. Expect a mix of chill moments, party nights, and must-see sights, all mapped out so you can just follow along and enjoy the ride.
How to reach
You can take a flight from anywhere in Europe to Bucharest for under 100 euros for a round trip, sometimes even under 50 euros. It is one of the cheapest locations to fly to (ideal for young people). Most common airlines are Ryanair, Wizz Air Malta, and easyjet. Check Skyscanner to book your next flight!
Where to stay
Accommodation in Bucharest is refreshingly easy on the wallet — you’ll find solid hotels and hostels for well under €50 a night, whether you want a private room or a social dorm vibe. Browse and compare the best deals on Trivago and lock in your stay before prices creep up. Some recommended areas to stay in would be Sector 1, 2 and 3 because of their accessibility and safety.
I have added all the places mentioned in this itinerary on this map for your convenience.
Before jumping into details, here’s an overview of the budget for 3 days in Romania:
| Accommodation | 120 € |
| Public transport | 7 € [0,6€ per bus trip; 1€ per metro trip] |
| Therme bucharest entry (reccommended Elysium – includes The Palm + Saunas) | For 4.5 hours adult- 31 € (Mon-Thu) 34 € (Fri-Sun) Check all prices here |
| Transylvania day trip | 34 € (GetYourGuide) |
| Food | 40 € |
| Total (3 days) | 230 € |
Day 1 – Bucharest
Start your day with walking around the old town which has some of the oldest buildings of Bucharest. It is the most atmospheric neighborhood filled ith cobbled streets, churches and historic monuments.
Old town
The old Town is where Bucharest really comes alive—think cobblestone streets, cool cafés, and nonstop energy. By day, you can wander past spots like Curtea Veche and snap pics at the super aesthetic Stavropoleos Monastery. But once the sun goes down, the whole area flips into party mode, with bars, street music, and packed terraces everywhere. It’s the perfect first stop to get a feel for the city’s mix of history, vibes, and nightlife.
In the image below you also see a 100 years old restaurant – Caru cu Bere, with classic Romanian dishes, live performances and insane interiors with balconies. Make a reservation in advance to get a place of your choice among different kinds of seating spaces.
Stavropoleos Monastery
A beautiful 18th century orthdox church with a green and peaceful courtyard located in the center of the old town stands out as you see it surrounded by concrete buildings. The architecture is a standing example of Greek craftsmanship with sculptures made with plant motifs.
Carturesti Carusel
As I always say, it’s not necessary for you to like books but it’s an absolute sin if you miss extraordinary bookstores. This one is particular is an iconic instgram-famous bookstore with completely white intriors and spiral balconies. The picture don’t do justice to how other-wordly this bookstore looks.
Lipscani Street
What to do
Get lost on purpose. Seriously. Duck off Lipscani into the side alleys and you’ll find hidden courtyards, independent bookshops, and bars tucked into old merchant houses. There’s no wrong turn here.
Evening is the move. Lipscani transforms once the sun goes down — the lights come on, the music spills out, and the whole street feels like a block party that no one technically organized. Summer nights are electric, but even autumn has a great moody energy with fewer crowds.
Eating & Drinking Without Crying at Your Bank Account
- Ciorba de burtă or mici from a street stall — under €2 and genuinely delicious.
- Happy hour cocktails on Lipscani run from about 4–8pm at most bars and are sometimes as cheap as €2–3. The bar scene here is legendary — rooftops, garden terraces, underground caves, you name it.
- Covrigi (Romanian pretzels) from the bakeries near the street — the perfect €0.20 snack.
- Look for restaurants with a “meniu zilei” (daily menu) — a two-course lunch for around €4–6. Locals eat this way and you should too.
Day 2 – Therme Bucharest
Spend a full day at Therme Bucharest—basically Europe’s biggest spa playground and the ultimate reset after a night in Old Town. Just 30–40 minutes outside the city, this place feels like a tropical escape with palm trees, warm thermal pools (even in winter), and a mix of chill + fun energy.
Start slow in the Palm area, floating between indoor and outdoor pools, then level up with sauna rituals, salt rooms, or hydromassage beds of Elysium. Grab lunch inside (yes, you never really leave the water-world), sip cocktails at the pool bar, and spend the afternoon switching between sunbeds and saunas. By evening, the vibe gets even better—think glowing pools, music, and a laid-back luxury feel.
Check the admission prices here.
Pro tip 1: go on a weekday and stay for at least 4.5 hours—it’s way less crowded and actually worth taking your time.
Pro tip 2: choose Elysium, if possible. It includes entry to The Palm, additional pools and offers multiple Saunas for days, with an excellent restaurant. Stay for the full experience.
Pro tip 3: Carry your own towel, slippers, swimwear and bathrobe, basically whatever you need for a day at the pool and saunas – to avoid their rental charges (which you’ll definitely regret).
Day 3 – Castle-hopping through Transylvania
If your idea of a perfect day includes chasing medieval castles, dramatic mountain views with a hit of dracula energy – this one’s right up your ally. I booked a day trip from Bucharest via GetYourGuide and accidentally signed up for a full-blow fairytale. Expect a lot of “wait, is this real?” moments, too many photos, and a mild obsession with castle-life in the mountains. The tour was 12 hour long, starting at 8-9 am in the morning with food breaks on the way, and back to Bucharest at 9 pm.
Little tip: Even though the tour guide offers to buy tickets directly from them which includes them guiding you through the castle with the historical facts, I’d also suggest checking the castle entry prices online to avoid paying extra. If you buy from the tour guide, please pay in the local currency Lei to avoid paying conversion charges.
The tour charges were 70 € for Peles (with guided tour) and Bran castle (with audio guide).
I have included the link to individual bookings for each castle.
Peles Castle
Adult: 100 lei (~ 20 €), Student: 25 lei (~ 5€)
This one isn’t a castle. It’s a flex. In the middle of Caroathian mountains, Peles looks like it was designed by someone who was the opposite of the word ‘subtle’. Ornate woodwork, chandeliers for days, and rooms that will make you question your investment portfolio (even the ceilings were outworldly). It was giving vacation home + ‘this is where all my money went’ energy – with a side of Pinterest overload. After you’ve seen it, DM me on instagram which one was your favorite chandelier!
Check and book the tickets here.
Bran Castle (Dracula’s castle)
Adult: 90 lei (~ 17 €), Student: 50 lei (~ 10 €)
The drama. The mystery. The marketin genius. Bran’s castle, or otherwise called Dracula’s castle, is all about narow staircases, hidden corners with ‘horror escape room’ vibes and an amazing view of the spooky mountains of Transylvania. It is comparatively smaller than other castle you might’ve seen, but definitely adds a twist to your Romanian adventure.
If you take the GetYourGuide tour like me, you’ll be at this castle during lunch hours. Feel free to take a quick bite and some souveniers from the delightful market below the castle.
Check and book your tickets here.
There’s one more castle included in this tour which is Cantacuzino Castle – also marketed as – the filming place of Netflix series Wednesday. I personally was not interested in seeing this one from inside, but you could choose as you wish. The entry fee is – Adult: 85 lei (~ 16.5 €), Student: 60 lei (~ 12 €). Nevertheless, the views around this castle were the most immaculate. The picture below does not do justice to it. Take a walk down the street and admire the snow-covered Bucegi mountains and take in the crisp, cool air.
Brasov
Can you imagine yourselves living in the spooky towns of Transylvania ? I wouldn’t stay more than a day. Brasov is one of the oldest cities in Romania – the most gothic looking city I’ve ever visited yet you’ll find some cute shops and cafes to balance it out. Medieval Saxon walls and bastions, the towering Gothic-style Black church, cobblestone streets and pastel buildings with a Hollywood-style sign of Brasov in the mountains – a small town vibe and somehow you end up taking 200 photos of every nook and corner. A perfect little breather to end your day trip to Transylvania.
The best part? You don’t need to figure out the logistics yourself — book your Transylvania day trip on GetYourGuide and just show up ready to explore.
That’s a wrap on Romania — big adventures, tiny budget!
Before you leave Romania, don’t forget to grab a postcard of those dreamy views — some memories are worth holding on to🏰🏔️ Here’s mine😊
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