Ten days. Hundreds of kilometres across Romania. From vibrant Bucharest to the misty Carpathian Mountains, our road trip through Transylvania was a whirlwind of medieval towns, fairytale castles, daily 5k runs, and delicious vegan discoveries. Here’s the day-by-day journey of our 10-day Romania itinerary – personal highlights, practical tips, and unforgettable experiences.

Find us on Instagram for highlights: @lets_strikeapose

10-day Romania itinerary

Featuring daily 5ks, plant-based eats, and picture-perfect villages!

Day 1: Arrival in Bucharest & Drive to Transylvania

10-day Romania itinerary – 2 nights in Șelimbăr

Touchdown in Bucharest! We arrived excited and a bit bleary-eyed after an early flight. Picking up the Klass Wagen rental car at OTP Airport was a breeze – their shuttle whisked us to the lot and soon we were handed keys to our little Renault Clio for the next 10 days. With our GPS set for Șelimbăr, Transylvania, we were able to hit the road by mid-morning and start our 10-day Romania itinerary.

Our first hours in Romania were literally on the road. I drove north-west out of Bucharest, making a quick pit stop in Găești a quiet little town where we stretched our legs with a picnic lunch in the park and explored a few side streets. We passed through Golești and couldn’t resist photographing the traditional Romanian homes still very much in use. By early afternoon we reached Râmnicu Vâlcea, a convenient stopping point. We have run a daily 5k since the start of the year and completed this in the Râmnicu Vâlcea park. Post-run, we explored a nearby Carrefour and were delighted to find a plant-based Nutella – always a win!

Our last stop of the day was at the Mănăstirea Cozia, a peaceful riverside monastery. The 14th-century stone church, with its Byzantine arches offered a peaceful break from driving. Entry was free and we spent time admiring the faded frescoes – a perfect intro to Romania’s rich history.

By evening, we arrived at Șelimbăr, a village next to Sibiu, and checked into a cosy Airbnb – our base for the first two nights and start of our 10-day Romania itinerary. Our Airbnb was spacious with a great kitchen – ideal for unwinding after a full day. We settled in with a simple home-cooked dinner (thanks to a grocery stop – Lidl didnt dissappoint with its vegan selection, showing Romania’s supermarkets can cater to all diets).

• Travel Hack when planning your 10-day Romania itinerary: Pre-booking with a local car hire company like Klass Wagen can save money. They provide an airport shuttle and include the mandatory road tax vignette. Before driving off, do a thorough check of the car (scratches, spare tyre) and ensure you have a decent roaming plan or local SIM when planning your 10-day Romania itinerary – you’ll have 4G signal on most major roads, handy for Google Maps.

Day 2 of our 10-day Romania itinerary: Exploring Sibiu & Open-Air ASTRA Museum

Despite it being March, we woke to warm weather and sunshine. After breakfast, we drove the short distance to Sibiu, parked up and headed into the ASTRA Museum, just outside Sibiu in Dumbrava Forest – an open-air collection of traditional Romanian buildings, waterwheels and farms.

This open-air museum is huge and had to be part of our 10-day Romania itinerary. We spent hours wandering among over 400 historic houses, wooden churches, watermills and even windmills brought from all over Romania. Imagine an idyllic lakeside setting, with gravel pathways leading you through different regions and eras – one moment I was peeking into a 18th-century peasant home with hand-woven textiles, the next I found a wooden Orthodox church with beautifully painted icons. It’s a photographer’s dream and so immersive. Entry was 35 lei (around £6), well worth it for an entire village-worth of culture.

A highlight was meeting a woman who showed us her handmade traditional Romanian embroidery, destined to become a blouse sleeve. We spent the whole day exploring the museum’s trails and restored houses, and even ran our daily 5k within the museum grounds.

Hungry and curious, we tried Rawissima, a raw vegan café. While beautifully presented, and very popular on happy cow, we quickly realised raw desserts are not for us! We wandered into Sibiu old town, exploring its cobbled streets, iconic bridge of lies, churches, square and citadel park before heading back to Șelimbăr for a night in feeling content after a full day of culture and exploration. . Sibiu is a saxon gem – colourful buildings, charming squares, and those famous rooftop windows that look like eyes watching you!

• Foodie Tip when planning your 10-day Romania itinerary: Many Romanian restaurants offer dishes “de post” – these are Orthodox Christian fasting recipes, essentially vegan by tradition (just be careful about honey). I frequently ordered de post options as we visited just before Easter in Lent, they’re authentic, delicious, and animal-product free!

Day 3: Saxon Villages – Alma Vii, Biertan & Arrival in Sighișoara

10-day Romania itinerary – 1 nights in Sighișoara

We traded city sights for countryside delights today. On the road headed north-east through backroads to discover some of Transylvania’s Saxon villages. First stop: Alma Vii, a tiny village seemingly lost in time. Alma Vii’s claim to fame is a beautifully restored 13th-century fortified church perched above the village. We arrived to find we were the only visitors. This off-the-beaten-path gem recently won a European Heritage award for its restoration. The citadel was closed, but we admired it from the outside, explored the village well and befriended a few friendly stray dogs. No internet here, but that added to its charm!

We had a picnic lunch in Biertan, one of Transylvania’s UNESCO-listed villages. Unlike sleepy Alma Vii, Biertan had at least a few tourists besides us. The Biertan Fortified Church sits impressively on a hill in the center, protected by multiple layers of walls.

Biertan’s church is famous for its intricate wooden lock mechanism – the sacristy door has an ingenious 19-point locking system that won a prize at the 1900 World’s Fair​. A single key turn can slid all those bolts at once. Even more intriguing was the quirky room, so-called “marital prison.” In the 17th-18th centuries, couples seeking divorce were locked in this cramped marital prison for unhappy couples room and forced to sort out their differences. Legend says the community recorded only one divorce in 300 years of using this method​ – bizarre medieval marriage counselling, but apparently effective!

A steep hike after took us to a breathtaking viewpoint – worth the climb even past a “beware of bears after sunset” sign! We left Biertan both amused and fascinated by these stories from the past.

We detoured to Criș to see the Bethlen Castle, a Renaissance manor known locally as Castelul Bethlen. It was after opening hours so the Bethlen Castle was also closed, but incredibly, a worker offered us a private 40-minute look around and shared the castle’s history and film use. Such a magical surprise.

By late afternoon, we arrived in Sighișoara, the famed medieval citadel city and our base for the night. Checking in at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sighișoara felt like a refreshing dose of modern comfort after a day in remote villages.

The hotel is right below the citadel hill, so after unloading our bags we ran our 5k in the gym, used the pool and steam room, then headed our to enjoy a hearty veganised Romanian dinner at Mimoza in Sighișoara’s Old Town. We tried some traditional Romanian food but veganised. I couldn’t resist ordering mămăligă cu ciuperci – polenta topped with a rich mushroom stew, and a creamy mushroom pasta, a side of sweet potato fries with a Hugo for Jon and elderflower lemonade for me. The vegan food was delicious and we highly recommend eating there.

• Tip when planning your 10-day Romania itinerary: Fill up your car when you can in larger towns – petrol stations can be far apart in the countryside.

Day 4 of our 10-day Romania itinerary: Medieval Magic of Sighișoara

10-day Romania itinerary – 3 nights in Brașov

Waking up in Sighișoara felt magical, knowing we were in one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval citadels. We set out early for a 5k run in the gym then went out sight-seeing in Sighișoara. The day was unseasonably warm and it was a perfect holiday stroll.

Sighișoara felt like a fairytale, cobblestone streets wound up to the central square lined with candy-coloured medieval houses. We wandered under the iconic Clock Tower – its ancient mechanism still chimes the hours – and up through the covered Scholars’ Stairs to the Church on the Hill. What a sight!

Sighișoara’s charm is off the charts: narrow alleys and brightly painted houses, beautiful little shops. We bought two gorgeous hand-painted plates from the Spoonman Shop with traditional Southern Romanian techniques used and tried a langos cu gem de post from a street vendor. As it was Orthodox fasting season, de post food was everywhere – vegan by tradition.

In the afternoon, we took it slow – opting for a picnic lunch at Saschiz, looking towards the closed Peasants’ Fortress. We visited Viscri, home to another fantastic fortified church. Viscri is the postcard village of Transylvania, largely thanks to its most famous foreign homeowner (Prince Charles owns a restored house there). Dusty unpaved roads lined with traditional blue-painted houses, ducks waddling about, cattle and a handful of other visitors. No flashy signs, no commercialisation – just an authentic rural village. Both Saschiz and Viscri are UNESCO-listed like Biertan.

Leaving Viscri, we rejoined the main road and soon saw the striking silhouette of Rupea Citadel rising on a cliff. Rupea Citadel, which was technically closed, but the kind security guard let us peek in before sunset. The citadel, recently restored, looked fantastic. We arrived in Brașov as the sky turned pink, checking into our Airbnb for three nights.

Four days in, and Romania was exceeding every expectation.

• Travel Tip when planning your 10-day Romania itinerary: Sighișoara’s cobblestones can be steep and slippery – wear good shoes. Also, if you visit in summer, go early or late in the day to avoid day-trip crowds. We had the streets nearly to ourselves in the morning and after dusk, which made it feel all the more magical.

Day 5: Castles Galore – Pelișor, Peleș & Cantacuzino

Next stop: Sinaia, a mountain resort town, often called the “Pearl of the Carpathians.” Sunny and unusually warm, we drove to Sinaia and explored Peleș Castle and the neighbouring Pelișor Castle.

Travel tip when planning your 10-day Romania itinerary: Peleș and Pelișor are closed Mondays and Tuesdays in off-season​; we were lucky to spot this and visited on the Sunday as it was the only day open when we were in the area).

The castles are next to each other, we paid roughly £6 for all day parking and you can purchase tickets to see both castles at the ticket office next to Pelișor Castle. Peleș Castle, a Neo-Renaissance masterpiece nestled in the Carpathian foothills sits amidst manicured gardens, and even from afar it looks like a Bavarian fairy-tale palace. ​

We started our visit in Pelișor Castle, a smaller Art Nouveau-style villa and wandered through it on our own. We didn’t realise what a contrast this would be from the bustling Peleș Castle. Pelișor includes a golden room decorated by Queen Marie with Celtic-inspired designs, quite unique and worth the extra time.

Though some restoration was ongoing in the exterior, both castles were a dream. The self guided tour of Peleș blew us away. Room after room of extravagant wood carvings and bohemian crystal chandeliers. This was the summer residence of Romania’s royal family, completed in 1883, and it was incredibly modern for its time (central heating, electricity, modern plumbing and even a vacuum system).

We continued to Bușteni to admire Cantacuzino Castle, famously used as Nevermore Academy in the Wednesday series. Towering above the town are the Bucegi Mountains with sheer cliffs – an impressive backdrop. Bușteni’s gem is the Cantacuzino Castle, a lesser-known but elegant early 20th-century castle built by a Romanian prince.

The castle, set in a beautifully landscaped estate, offers tours and also houses an art gallery. The exterior has a Neo-Romanian style with a loggia offering a jaw-dropping view of the mountains and the famous Caraiman Cross (a giant cross monument atop a nearby peak). Entry was pricey, so seeing it from outside and walking nearby for mountain views was more than enough for us.

Back in Brașov, we did a night-time run through the town centre – an atmospheric way to explore. Brașov is one of Transylvania’s largest cities, yet it’s nestled snugly against forested mountains – a beautiful juxtaposition of urban and wild. Our accommodation was an Airbnb near the historic centre with a view of Tampa mountain.

• Note: Peleș Castle is an absolute must-see, but plan your 10-day Romania itinerary accordingly – it’s closed on Mondays (and Tuesdays in winter)​. If you go when it’s open, consider the optional extended tour to see the upper floors. If you’re castle-ed out, the gardens and mountain views around Peleș are free to enjoy without a ticket. Pelișor and nearby Sinaia Monastery are worth adding to your 10-day Romania itinerary if in the area too!

Day 6: Snow in Bran & Râșnov

Day 6 was one of the most anticipated of our 10-day Romania itinerary – castle day! The weather took a turn as we headed through picturesque villages to Bran Castle. Approaching Bran, the landscape changed to rolling hills with the Bucegi Mountains rising ahead. And then there it was: Bran Castle, perched on a rocky cliff, straight out of a Dracula tale.

Yes, Bran Castle is touristy, had to be included on our 10-day Romania itinerary and is linked tenuously to the Dracula legend, but it’s also undeniably atmospheric. We wandered the Dracula-themed rooms and the beautiful courtyard as thick snow started to fall. Magical!

The interior was surprisingly cozy for a fortress – furnished with Queen Marie’s early 20th-century furniture, as the castle was a royal residence in that era. My favourite spots were the circular stairwell (so tight I had to duck) and the open courtyard with a deep well. From the ramparts, you can look out over the misty forests and can see why this castle spawns legends. It’s all very Gothic-romantic.

There were plenty of information panels; one clarified that while Vlad Țepeș (the inspiration for Dracula) likely never lived here, the castle’s spooky aura keeps the myth alive. True enough – you will spot a few vampire-themed exhibitions and souvenirs in the gift shop. Thanks to visiting on a suddenly very cold and very snowy Monday the castle wasn’t crowded – with its tight spaces it probably isn’t nice to see on a weekend.

Just a short drive from Bran is Râșnov Fortress. Unlike Bran’s fairy-tale verticality, Râșnov’s citadel sprawls atop a hill overlooking the town of Râșnov. Râșnov Fortress is undergoing restoration and is closed (2025) so we just had a quick look at the Râșnov sign.

Our Brașov run that night was a snowy one – our hats covered in thick snowflakes. Back at the Airbnb we did some laundry (reality of travel – by Day 6 it was necessary!) and planned the next day’s route.

Day 7: Brașov Old Town in the Snow

10-day Romania itinerary – 3 nights in Bucharest

This day was dedicated to experiencing Brașov and its mountain surroundings. The temperature was still cold and showy and we found a nice route looping from Council Square, past the Black Church, and up a slight incline towards Șchei (the historic Romanian quarter). Brașov’s heart is the Council Square (Piața Sfatului), and it wowed us at first sight. ​The square is expansive and bordered by pastel-coloured baroque buildings and the imposing Black Church on one side. In the centre stands the old Town Hall (now a history museum) with its iconic Trumpeter’s Tower.

We saw the Black Church, named for its soot-darkened walls from a great fire in 1689 is the largest gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul! We walked down Rope Street (Strada Sforii), one of the narrowest streets in Europe – barely wide enough for one person. Just a quirky little detour but made for a fun photo-op squeezing through. Then into the Șchei district, outside the old Saxon Poarta Ecaterina city gates. Brașov really is a melting pot of cultures and architecture.

We hiked up to the Black Tower (old watchtowers on a hill) to get a bird’s-eye view of the city’s red rooftops and church and the sprawling plains beyond covered in snow.

We tried strudel cu mere de post and prăjitură fragedă mere de post from Palatul Saray – absolutely delicious.

It was then time to move on and we made our way to Bucharest. Sinaia Monastery was en route (next to Peleș, we ran out of time to see it on day 5) so we had a brief stop off here – a serene compound that predates the castles (built in the 17th century). The monastery’s Great Church had beautiful frescoes and a quiet courtyard. It was a nice contemplative pause with free parking available just outside. If you are doing Peleș you may prefer seeing this on the same day as Peleș.

The transition from mountain vistas to the sprawling cityscape of Bucharest was striking. We rolled into Bucharest city centre in the evening, and the driving was not easy. We checked into the RIN Grand Hotel on the city’s outskirts (south side) and went from a chilly 5k street run. As sad as leaving the rural towns behind we slept soundly that night, back in the capital and city life outside – a reminder that our 10-day Romania itinerary road trip was nearing its end, but still a couple of exciting days in Bucharest to go!

Day 8: Bucharest Bustle – Parks, Museums & City Life

After a 10-day Romania itinerary starting with a week in quaint towns and rural mountain villages, waking up in bustling Bucharest was a jolt to the senses. We took a taxi into the city (driving in Bucharest was challenging, so I gave my rental car a rest as the taxi was 18 minute ride for £3.70 booked via Bolt).

We wandered the Old Town (Lipscani area), which is a mix of charming and edgy. We visited the stunning churches including Saint Anthony, Saint Demetrius and Stavropoleos Monastery Church, a tiny 1720s church tucked away on a side street. Its courtyard and facade are covered in ornate stone carvings and inside, candlelight flickered over gilded icons – absolutely enchanting and completely free to visit.

Just a few steps away is the famous Cărturești Carusel bookstore, which we couldn’t miss. Walking into Carusel feels like entering a white, spiral carousel (hence the name). The multi-level bookstore has an airy central atrium with spiral staircases and soft light – basically Instagram heaven for book lovers. Grab a coffee from their top floor café and enjoy the peaceful vibe in the middle of the bustling city.

We picked up vegan scovergi from Scovergaria Micai – mine with blueberry jam, Jon’s with garlic sauce (no vampire risk, the garlic sauce was very strong). Delicious vegan romainian food we enjoyed eating outside – now it was back a bit warmer and sunnier after the snow. We enjoyed views of Palace of the Deposits and Consignments and walked to University’s Square, Piața Universității and the Cismigiu Gardens.

In the afternoon we walked to see the People’s Salvation Cathedral (Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului) and Palace of the Parliament. This new cathedral is massive – still under construction but already partially in use. It stands 135 m tall, making it one of the tallest Orthodox churches in the world​. The sheer scale is jaw-dropping; it dwarfs everything around, even the gigantic Parliament building nearby. It’s a blend of awe-inspiring and controversial (locals have mixed feelings due to the cost).

The Palace of the Parliament (formerly Ceaușescu’s Palace) is the second largest administrative building in the world – an utterly colossal Soviet-style edifice. It’s both impressive and a bit ominous in its brute size.

As the sun lowered we wandered back to the Old Town. We admired the Choral Temple near where we ate, choosing dinner at Level Up – a vegan feast including sarmale, vegmici, and papanasi. The food at Level up was wonderful, and all vegan – sadly noone else visited the restaurant whilst we were there. The Papanasi (Romanian doughnuts) was on the menu to my delight. That dessert – hot fried dough with fruit jam – was indulgent and the perfect cap to the day. We loved every bite – however my Romanian friend does say we’re going to Romanian hell for the vegan mici.

I capped off the night with a run along the Dâmbovița River near our hotel. Bucharest had surprised us – full of character and beauty.

• 10-day Romania itinerary Travel Hack: In Bucharest, use taxi apps (Uber/Bolt) to get around cheaply if you don’t want to drive. Other taxi’s are known to rip off tourists, but these apps offer fixed rates. The city is large and public transport, while extensive, can be confusing for short visits. And for delicious Romanian food in vegan form, seek out vegan eateries like Level Up or just ask for “de post” options at traditional restaurants.

Day 9: Bucharest’s Therme Spa Time

We started our first full Bucharest day by discovering a surprise right next to our hotel: Parcul Natural Văcărești, an urban wetland nicknamed the “Delta of Bucharest.” It’s an improbable oasis in the middle of the capital. The perfect circuit for our 5k run, with a tinge of accomplishment at having maintained our goal of running every single day of this trip, snow or shine, city or countryside!

The daywas reserved for something special: a visit to Therme București – the famous thermal spa on the outskirts of Bucharest (and reportedly the largest wellness centre in Europe). We’d heard so much about it and figured it was the perfect relaxing finish to an active 10-day Romania itinerary trip. We drove out to Therme, which is near the airport, about a 30-minute drive from the city. The facility is huge – a futuristic glass-domed complex.

Inside, it felt like a tropical paradise: palm trees, orchids, dozens of pools (hot, cold, mineral-infused, you name it), and even water slides. We soaked in thermal pools, sweated out toxins in a scented sauna ritual (they do these aufguss sessions with aromatherapists waving towels – invigorating and kind of fun), and took a donut for the waterslides.

It was pure bliss for my travel-weary muscles. We spent a good few hours there hopping between sauna rooms and pools. There’s nothing like swimming in a warm pool with a swim-up bar – indulgence at its best. (For a full scoop on the Therme experience, here is my full guide to Therme Bucharest, where I share tips on packages, timings, and how to get the most out of a visit.)

By the time we left Therme it was dark and we had spent 10 hours inside. As we spent my final night in Bucharest we scrolled through the hundreds (okay, thousands) of photos we’d taken: fortified churches, castle interiors, forest trails, colourful city scenes… It was hard to believe how much we’d experienced in just 10 days.

• Wellness Tip when planning your 10-day Romania itinerary: If you have a spare half-day in Bucharest, Therme is absolutely worth it. They provide shuttle buses from the city and airport. Bring a swimsuit, flip flops and towel and be ready to pamper yourself – indoor and outdoor thermal pools are open year-round. Wespent a glorious day there – check out my detailed Therme experience here for all the details and tips!

Day 10: Farewell, Romania – One More Run & Until Next Time

Our last destination of our 10-day Romania itinerary was Herastrau Park (now officially King Michael I Park) next to the Arcul de Triumf – the largest park in Bucharest, built around Herastrau Lake. The perfect final day as it took us to the north of Bucharest and was very near the airport. We threw on our running shoes for one last 5k run on Romanian soil and ran around the dedicated path around the lake.

Finishing up Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, which is inside Herastrau Park. Since we had loved the ASTRA Museum in Sibiu, we were curious how this one compared. It’s smaller, but still delightful – dozens of traditional houses and farmsteads from different regions of Romania, assembled in a leafy open-air setting. Entry was about 30 lei. We stepped inside wooden churches with steep shingled roofs, peeked into peasant cottages with traditional clay stoves, and even saw a watermill.

It’s amazing how connected I felt to this country after such a short time. In ous 10-day Romania itinerary, Romania gave me medieval towns steeped in legend, countryside tranquility, bustling city energy, delicious plant-based versions of its hearty cuisine (and maybe outrun a bear, ha!).

10-day Romania itinerary

Final Thoughts: This 10-day Romania itinerary Transylvanian road trip was truly the adventure of a lifetime. Every day was packed with something new – one day we’re exploring a Saxon village church, the next we’re soaking in a futuristic thermal spa. The ease of having a car allowed usto see both famous landmarks and hidden gems at our own pace. And as a vegan traveller and avid runner, we was thrilled to find Romania accommodating and inspiring on both fronts – from plentiful “de post” food options to scenic routes everywhere we went (who knew I’d run next to castle walls in the snow and glaring sunshine overlooking wetlands full of birds?).

Transylvania captivated me with its authenticity. The locals we met on our 10-day Romania itinerary were warm, proud of their culture, and eager to share. We leave with memories of bear warning signs on mountain trails, the sound of church bells echoing in medieval squares, freindly strays, the taste of sweet fried pastries with berry jam, and the sight of countless steeples and castles that dot this enchanting land.

If you’ve enjoyed following along on this 10-day Romania itinerary journey, be sure to follow my Instagram @lets_strikeapose for more photos and videos from the trip (I captured everything from my daily runs to Dracula’s digs!). And don’t miss the in-depth Therme Bucharest spa day recap on my blog – it’s a story of pure relaxation you’ll want to read, especially if you plan to replicate this 10-day Romania itinerary.

Romania, îți mulțumesc (thank you)! Until next time – or, as the locals say, pe curând! 🚗✨