Romania in 10 days: complete itinerary through Transylvania, Bucovina and Bucharest

Romania is a large and diverse country: central Carpathians, Saxon cities of Transylvania, Danube Delta on the Black Sea, painted monasteries in Bucovina, Bucharest as Balkan-Latin hinge. Covering it in a single trip demands decisions. This 10-day itinerary covers the essential axis (Bucharest - Transylvania - Transfăgărășan - Bucovina - Maramureș - Bucharest) in a circular form with owned or rented car. It’s the route we recommend to first-time Romania visitors.

Summary of the route

• Day 1: Arrival in Bucharest.
• Day 2: Full Bucharest.
• Day 3: Bucharest → Brașov (170 km, 3 h). Visit to Bran and Peleș.
• Day 4: Brașov. Day trip to Râșnov and Sighișoara (return or continue).
• Day 5: Sighișoara → Sibiu (95 km). Fortified churches en route.
• Day 6: Sibiu. Afternoon: Transfăgărășan (if July-October).
• Day 7: Sibiu → Cluj (180 km). Alba Iulia on the way.
• Day 8: Cluj → Maramureș (Sighetu Marmației, 230 km, 5 h).
• Day 9: Maramureș (wooden churches + Săpânța).
• Day 10: Maramureș → Bucovina (240 km) → Suceava. Monasteries. Flight or train to Bucharest.

Total: ~1,700 km over 10 days. Car essential. Entry flight in Bucharest (Otopeni, OTP), exit in Bucharest or Iași (alternative near Suceava).

Day 1 — Arrival in Bucharest

Landing at OTP, transfer to centre (bus 783 or train to Gara de Nord, or Bolt/Uber 50-70 lei). Hotel in Centrul Vechi (old centre) or Unirii zone.

Light afternoon: Centrul Vechi, CEC Palace, Stavropoleos church, dinner at Caru’ cu Bere or at the Obor Market food stalls.

Day 2 — Full Bucharest

Morning: Palace of Parliament (prior reservation), standard tour 1 h + terrace.

Lunch near Piața Constituției.

Afternoon:

• Național de Artă Museum (Royal Palace, medieval and modern collection).
• Ateneul Român (opera house exterior), Piața Revoluției (1989 memorial).
• Cartierul Armenesc (Armenian quarter, cafés and 1900 architecture).

Night: cocktails in Blănari or dinner at Lacrimi și Sfinți.

Day 3 — Bucharest → Brașov

Departure 08:00. Stop at Sinaia (km 130, 2 h): Peleș Castle, residence of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen kings (1883), spectacular eclectic. Entry 30 lei, 1.5 h. If you like it, visit Pelișor too (smaller, more intimate).

Continue to Bran (km 165, 40 min more). Bran Castle: the Dracula-touristic. Authentic history (medieval customs, royal residence 1920-40) and Stoker legend. 2 h with queue in summer.

Arrival in Brașov in the afternoon. Hotel in historic centre.

Day 4 — Brașov and day trip

Morning Brașov: Black Church (Biserica Neagră, 14 c., Gothic, Ottoman carpet collection), Strada Sforii (narrowest street in Europe), Piața Sfatului, climb Tâmpa (cable car or 1 h walk).

Afternoon: Fortress of Râșnov (30 min from Brașov) + Bear Sanctuary Libearty nearby (rescued bears sanctuary, visits only in the morning — advance reservation if interested).

Alternative if continuing to Sighișoara: leave late and sleep in Sighișoara (100 km, 2 h).

Day 5 — Sighișoara + Sibiu

Morning Sighișoara: climb Turnul cu Ceas, walk through the inhabited medieval citadel, Vlad Țepeș’s birth house (now restaurant), Covered Staircase (1642).

Road to Sibiu (95 km, 2 h): stop at Biertan or Viscri (UNESCO Saxon fortified churches — Viscri is the most famous, with King Charles III’s house).

Arrival in Sibiu late. Hotel in the citadel.

Day 6 — Sibiu + Transfăgărășan

Morning Sibiu: Piața Mare, Piața Mică, Bridge of Liars, Brukenthal Museum (Romania’s best private art gallery, 18th c. collection), the iconic “houses with eyes” (eye-shaped dormers).

Afternoon (if in season): partial Transfăgărășan, climb to Lake Bâlea (2 h one way). Return to Sibiu to sleep.

Out of season (November-June): visit Astra Museum (open-air ethnographic museum, 90,000 m², one of Europe’s best collections) or day trip to Alba Iulia (80 km).

Day 7 — Sibiu → Cluj

Departure 09:00. Stop at Alba Iulia (70 km, 1 h): 18th c. Vauban citadel, Coronation Cathedral (Great Romania 1918).

Continue to Turda (km 150): Turda Salt Mine (Roman mine converted into underground park, 2 h, entry 50 lei). Spectacular.

Arrival in Cluj in the afternoon. Hotel in centre.

Day 8 — Cluj → Maramureș

Morning Cluj: Piața Unirii, Saint Michael’s Church, Transylvanian Ethnographic Museum, speciality coffee.

Midday departure to Maramureș (230 km, 5 h on mountain roads). Arrival in Sighetu Marmației late. Dinner at rural pensiune.

Alternative: sleep in Breb, traditional village nearby, at Babou pensiune.

Day 9 — Maramureș

Morning: Merry Cemetery of Săpânța (blue satirical crosses).

Midday: Mocănița, forest train of Vișeu de Sus (advance booking — 3.5 h route).

Afternoon: wooden churches — Ieud Deal, Bârsana, Surdești. Traditional dinner.

Alternative if you only want churches: route Barsana → Budești → Ieud → Poienile Izei.

Day 10 — Maramureș → Bucovina → Bucharest

Early morning: departure to Bucovina (240 km, 5 h on mountain roads, spectacular scenery). Mandatory stop at Voroneț (frescoes, “Sistine Chapel of the East”) and Sucevița if there’s time.

Afternoon: Suceava → night train or flight to Bucharest (flight 1 h from Salcea; train 7-8 h).

Alternative if flying from Iași (IAȘ airport near Bucovina): 2 h drive from Suceava to Iași, many flights to Europe.

Alternatives if you only have 7 days

Cut: skip Maramureș and Bucovina and extend in Transylvania and Danube Delta. Or do Bucharest + Transylvania + Bucovina without Maramureș. Maramureș requires time — if you cut it short, better sacrifice it entirely.

Alternatives if you have 14 days

Add:

• Danube Delta from Tulcea (3 days). Go before or after Bucharest.
• Banat (Timișoara, Arad) before reaching Transylvania from Hungary.
• Constanța and the Black Sea coast (1-2 days).

Approximate costs (mid-range trip)

• 10-day car rental (compact): €350-500.
• Fuel 1,700 km: €180-220.
• 9 nights accommodation (mid-range guesthouses/hotels): €450-700.
• Meals and drinks: €250-400.
• Museum/castle entries: €80-120.
• Return flights from UK/Western Europe: €150-350.

Total per person: €1,500-2,200 with shared car.

Far Guides’ complete Romania guide includes this itinerary with map, selected guesthouses at each stop, and variants by season and budget.