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Bucharest in 3 days between relaxation, nature and culture - itinerary with photos
We then headed to our apartment in downtown Bucharest. Here is the link to make a reservation: Central Studio Corail
Our hotel was a stone’s throw from Old Town and Parliament, 800 m from Stavropoleos Church. After visiting the city though, I can recommend better areas in my opinion.
Here are some recommended hotels:
- BalcescuSuite: here is the booking link. Located in the center of Bucharest, 700 m from the National Theater and 400 m from Revolution Square.
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Luxury City Center Apartment – Garofita Romana: here is the booking link. 600 meters from the Romanian Athenaeum and 400 meters from the center.
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Apartament platinium central bucuresti: here is the booking link. In thecenter of Bucharest, 300 m from the National Theater of Bucharest and 500 m from Revolution Square.
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Old town Super suites plus: here is the booking link .Right in the heart of Bucharest, a short distance from Revolution Square and the National Art Museum of Romania.
Day 2: In the heart of Transylvania.
If the first day was all about relaxation, the second day of our trip to Romania was a true adventure in nature and history. Yes, we are talking about Transylvania friends, a region that seems straight out of a storybook.
The day started early, at 07:30, with a short walk downtown to the meeting point of our tour. We booked ours on Get Your Guide: here. Our tour was in English, but of course there are also in Italian, although a bit more expensive.
Here the tour in Italian if you are interested: Italian castles tour – get your guide.
We found ourselves in University Square, a place that is a mix of culture and history, with four statues representing important figures in Romania.
The tour includes a visit to Peles and Bran Castles with a stop for lunch in Brasov!
- Peles Castle: This castle is both an architectural and technological gem. Built between 1873 and 1914, it was one of the first castles in Europe to have electricity, central heating, and even an elevator!
- A Break in Brasov
In between visits, we made a stop in Brasov. We had lunch at a lovely little place downtown, where we enjoyed typical dishes such as “Pie with mushrooms and garlic yogurt sauce” and a “sour soup with seasonal vegetables.” - Bran Castle: Also known as “Dracula’s Castle,” although the connection to the famous vampire is more legend than reality. It is a place shrouded in mystery and history, with secret corridors and hidden rooms.
Some Practical Tips
- The tour is quite long, so be prepared for a busy day.
- If possible, bring snacks and water but still you will find various stores and markets where you can buy everything you need during the tour.
- As rains are frequent in this part of Romania, don’t forget an umbrella!
Curiosities and interesting things to know:
- Transylvania is often associated with vampires because of Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula,” but the region is also known for its rich biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes.
- Romania is one of the European countries with the highest percentage of unspoiled natural areas! Perfect for nature lovers!
- Brasov is one of the most visited cities in Romania and offers a perfect combination of modernity and tradition.
- The “Sforii Street” in Brasov is one of the narrowest streets in Europe, and according to legend, couples who kiss here are destined to stay together for life.
Day 3: Discovering the Culture and Flavors of Bucharest.
If the first two days were a mix of relaxation and adventure, the third day was a real journey into the cultural heart of Bucharest.
We started the day with a typical breakfast: the Pricomigdales. These are sweets made of almonds or walnuts, sugar and egg whites, filled with delicious creams. If you are in Bucharest, you can’t not try them!
We then headed to the Parliament Building, one of the largest buildings in the world. It is a true colossus of marble and crystal, and if you have time, I recommend taking the guided tour inside. We unfortunately had little time, but it is absolutely on my list for next time! Here is the link to book the visit.
We continued our exploration with a visit to Stavropoleos Church, a little gem in the heart of Old Town. The architecture is a mix of Eastern and Western elements, a real feast for the eyes. We then got lost in the narrow streets of the Old town and came across this must-see bookstore, Cärturesti carusel . We then passed through“Revolution Square” one of the most famous places in Bucharest. It was here, in December 1989, that the crucial events that led to the fall of the communist regime and the end of Ceausescu’s dictatorship took place.
The square is surrounded by several important buildings, such as the Royal Palace (which now houses the National Art Museum of Romania) and the Romanian Athenaeum. In the center of the square is the Revolution Memorial, a sculpture commemorating the victims of the 1989 riots. A few steps away we then saw the Romanian Athenaeum from outside. Built in 1888, inside, the concert hall is famous for its excellent acoustics. The Athenaeum is the headquarters of the “George Enescu” Philharmonic Orchestra and hosts numerous other musical and cultural events, including classical music concerts, operas and ballets. We then went to lunch at
Caru’ cu Bere
‘, one of the oldest and most renowned restaurants in Bucharest. In addition to the delicious and typical food, the restaurant is famous for its live music and folk shows so I recommend going there in the evening if you can!
In general however friends have a way with food in my opinion! Reading the menus and looking at the dishes everything looks really top even a lot of bakeries with bomb baked goods and a lot of really top bakeries.
We then headed to“Pasajul Macca-Vilacrosse,” a small Parisian-style indoor passageway full of small bars and clubs perfect for coming there in the evening being open until 2 a.m. We then passed by Kiseleff Park where we had the opportunity to try the famous“placinta,” you can find them either in a savory version with cottage cheese or in a sweet version! We of course, needless to say, got a sweet cherry one that was GOOD!
Continuing on, one finds oneself in front of the Bucharest Arc de Triomphe, inspired by the one in Paris and has a height of about 27 meters. A memorial for the Romanian army that fought during World War I where you can also find an exhibit inside and like in Paris you can climb to the top.
Just next door, inside Herastrau Park, you will find the open-air museum “Satului” a museum village. We got in by paying 6€ each! The museum’s goal is to preserve and present Romanian culture and traditions, and it does so through a collection of more than 200 traditional buildings from around the country. The structures on display include peasant houses, wooden churches, windmills, etc. Each building has been disassembled from its place of origin and reconstructed inside the museum. The interiors of the houses are furnished with period objects to give an idea of what life was like in the different regions of Romania.
Some curiosities:
- Money issue: The local currency is the LEI (5 LEI=1 euro). We pretty much paid for everything with the card (Revolut here is the article where I talk about it) except on one occasion where we had to withdraw to give money to the guide for entrance fees to the castles. Since there is a currency other than the euro remember that if you withdraw you will be charged a fee of about 4-5 euros per withdrawal.
- The Parliament Building is so big that it is said it can be seen from space!
- Stavropoleos Church is one of the few buildings in Bucharest that survived both World War II and the communist regime.
- Caru’ cu Bere was founded in 1879 and its neo-Gothic architecture has been declared a historical monument.
This concludes our three-day trip to Romania! I hope you find this information useful and inspiring for your next trip. Let me know what you think and if you have any questions or curiosities!
Here, on my Instagram profile, you can also find the reel dedicated to these three days and the featured stories!
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