Romania is one of the most underrated countries in Europe that is literally packed with attractions. Beautiful towns and cities, breathtaking mountains, stunning castles, and palaces, or relaxing seaside – you will find it all there. The good thing is, you can visit some of the best places in Romania as day trips from Bucharest, the capital.

Most likely during your trip to Romania, you will visit Bucharest first as that’s the easiest way to get into the country. And even if you are thinking of visiting the capital only, be sure to set aside a few days in your Romania itinerary for Bucharest day trips. This way you will get to see more of what the country has to offer and learn about Romanian history and culture.

Or you can even hop quickly across the border and visit Bulgaria. There are so many options for day trips from Bucharest to choose from that everyone should find something for his or her taste.

Together with fellow travel bloggers, we put together a list of the best Bucharest day trips for you to choose from, which you will find below.

How to see places on day trips from Bucharest

Unfortunately, the public transport in Romania is a bit of a challenge (and you need to plan in advance for a smooth trip) plus some of these places are a bit remote so your best option for getting around to these places is either renting a car (you can find the best deals here) or go for a tour. Below the description of each place, you will find info on the best way to get there and recommended tours.

Best Bucharest day trips

And now, without any further ado, here are the best places you can visit on day trips from Bucharest. Below you will find the map with all of them, to give you a better overview of the region.

Brasov

Brasov is, hands-down, one of the must-visit places in Romania. Even if it’s one of the largest cities in the country, its historical old town, dating back to the 12th century, is charming and still has the feel of the old times. In the Middle Ages Brasov was one of the main trade, religious and cultural centers in the region and still today you can admire the walled city and numerous attractions from that time.

The heart of Brasov Old Town is Council Square, surrounded by beautiful townhouses and with the impressive building of the former Council House right in the middle. From here it’s only a few steps away to the main attraction of Brasov and the symbol of the city – the Black Church, a real masterpiece of medieval engineering and architecture.

For the best view of Brasov Old Town head to Black or White Towers or take the cable car up to Tampa mountain. But the best thing to do in Brasov is simply wandering around the walled old town and beyond and fall for the vibrant atmosphere of the place.

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Distance from Bucharest: 180km
How to get there: train or tour. You can read more about getting from Bucharest to Brasov in my article here.
Recommended tours from Bucharest:

• From Bucharest: Dracula Castle, Peles & Brasov Full-Day Trip
• Dracula Castle, Peles Castle and Brasov Small Group Tour from Bucharest
• From Bucharest: Peles, Bran Castle & Old Town Brasov Tour

Read more about Brasov: 15 Best Things to Do in Brasov, Romania

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Sinaia

Located only a bit over an hour by train from the capital, Sinaia is yet another top attraction in Romania, well worth a day trip from Bucharest.

The main reason to visit Sinaia is to see the stunning Peles Castle that looks like a fairy tale (you might actually recognize it from numerous movies that were filmed here). The castle dates back to the end of the 19th century and is a peculiar mix of different architectural styles that somehow works perfectly fine together.

While the castle is impressive from the outside, its interior is simply mind-blowing. Each room you can visit is even more sumptuous than the previous ones and you will most likely walk around with your jaw dropped, taking in the whole splendor around you.

Near Peles Castle, you will find another castle that is open to visitors – Pelisor as well as a few other buildings that were designed in a peculiar yet beautiful style. On the way from the train station to Peles Castle be sure to stop in the city park and see the casino building as well as the 17th-century Sinaia Monastery.

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Distance from Bucharest: 140km
How to get there: train or tour
Recommended tours from Bucharest: see in the section about Brasov

Read more about Sinaia: Visit Sinaia, Romania – home to the amazing Peles Castle

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Bran Castle

Contributed by Katerina from It’s All Trip To Me

Castles in Transylvania are among the main reasons to visit Romania. Bran Castle is one of the country’s most popular attractions and it can be easily done as a day trip from Bucharest. Although many people believe that Bran Castle is Dracula’s Castle, the truth is that the real Dracula never lived there. Bram Stoker was inspired by Bran Castle to write his classic novel Dracula and the rest was a result of people’s imagination.

Bran Castle was built in the 14th century to protect the region from the Ottomans. It is now a museum and one of Romania’s most-visited sites. It’s worth visiting Bran Castle to see its fairytale-like inner courtyard and step inside Queen Marie’s bedroom, as the castle was her favorite residence.

Bran Castle is less than three hours by car from Bucharest. However, for a more hassle-free and comfortable experience, the best way to visit Bran Castle is to join a guided tour from Bucharest.

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Distance from Bucharest: 190km
How to get there: tour
Recommended tours from Bucharest: see the section about Brasov

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Rasnov

Contributed by Bradley from Dream Big, Travel Far

Nestled in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania, Rasnov is a small town with just over 15,000 inhabitants. The surrounding mountains offer such a tranquil and serene atmosphere, making it one of the best places to visit in Romania.

Its most famous attraction is the Rasnov Fortress, which stands 650 meters above the town. With a history dating back to 1225, it was originally built by Teutonic Knights as a refuge for Transylvanian villagers. The fortress is currently closed for reconstruction but visitors are allowed to walk around the grounds and admire its impressive architecture from the outside.

Meanwhile, the Old Saxon houses offer a sneak peek into ancient medieval life, with most of the buildings being 100 to 200 years old. It’s fascinating to delve into the history, but the views themselves are also enchanting.

The fastest way to get to Rasnov from Bucharest is to drive, which should take around 2.5 hours. A train might be cheaper and more convenient for some, although the trip would take longer at 3h 45m.

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Distance from Bucharest: 175km
How to get there: tour
Recommended tour from Bucharest: Bran & Peles Castle with Rasnov Citadel Day Trip

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Seven Ladders Canyon

Contributed by Natali – from She’s abroad again

If you are looking for the best nature escapes from Bucharest, Seven Ladders Canyon is a spectacular hike in Piatra Mare massif, close to Brasov. Hiking up the canyon following the waterfalls on seven sets of metal ladders makes this hike unique in Romania.

It is an adventure day trip, so if you are scared of heights, you might feel uncomfortable on the ladders. But it is worth it! When you climb the last ladders, don’t return immediately, but continue the hike to the top of the mountain. Once you’re out of the woods, the view is incredible.

You can reach the Canyon by public transport, taking a train to Brasov and then a bus. However, the best way to visit for a day trip is by car. Simply put Canionul Șapte Scări in Google maps and drive there!

The hiking site is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. The hike is very popular with locals and tends to get busy on the weekends. You will pay a small entrance fee to access the trek, 10 lei for adults or 5 lei for children and students. Remember to bring cash since they don’t take cards!

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Distance from Bucharest: 175km
How to get there: car

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Poiana Brasov

Contributed by Rich from RJOnTour

Poiana Brasov is a fantastic place to visit for a day trip from Bucharest. The town is primarily a winter sports resort, however, it is also fantastic for hiking too. During the winter, you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, or the simple pleasure of playing with a sled. Other activities you could enjoy include quad bikes or using the shooting range.

One of the best things to do in Poiana Brasov is to ascend to the peak of Postavarul and see the views. You can take the quick route up on one of the cable cars from the town or enjoy a walk on one of the stunning mountain trails. There are many pleasant bars and restaurants in Poiana Brasov, including the delightful Yager Chalet near the top of the mountain.

You can get a train to Brasov from Bucharest and then hop onto the regular bus to the ski resorts. The journey takes just over 2.5 hours each way. Overall, the scenery and activity options in Poiana Brasov make it a fantastic option for a day trip.

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Distance from Bucharest: 190km
How to get there: bus or car

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Slanic Prahova Salt Mine

Another interesting Bucharest day trip option is the Slanic Prahova Salt Mine, located a bit over 100 km away from the capital. This is the largest salt mine in Europe, opened in 1686 and currently serving only tourism purposes.

There are 14 chambers inside the mine in a trapezoidal shape, with some halls being around 70 meters tall. Inside the Salt Mine, among other things, you will find a small history museum, a soccer field, and a children’s playground. The underground also serves as a spa thanks to its healing purposes.

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Distance from Bucharest: 120km
How to get there: tour
Recommended tour from Bucharest: Bucharest: Salt Mine Day Trip

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Cantacuzino Castle

Contributed by Anda Bartos from Travel for a while

A visit to the Cantacuzino Castle in Busteni is an ideal day trip from Bucharest. It’s easier to reach than Bran Castle and less crowded than Peles Castle in Sinaia. However, if you’re driving or joining a tour, you can combine these castles in one day.

Cantacuzino Castle was built at the beginning of the 20th century for the wealthy Cantacuzino family. The castle stands in a park overlooking the majestic Bucegi Mountains. One of the main attractions of the castle is the view and the terrace where you can have a coffee and admire the mountains.

Inside, you can admire the original decorations and the wood-carved ceilings, but most of the furniture is missing.

Walk through the park around the castle and discover the chapel and the little surprises these gardens have to offer.

You can reach Cantacuzino Castle on a train from Bucharest to Busteni. From the station, it’s a 15 minutes walk uphill to the castle. Alternatively, if you’re driving, there is paid parking on the castle’s grounds.

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Distance from Bucharest: 145km
How to get there: train or tour
Recommended tour from Bucharest: Wednesday The Adams Family tour Visit the places where was filmed

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Constanta

Contributed by Jade from Traveling Transylvania

If you’re looking for a seaside escape during your trip to Romania, a day trip from Bucharest to Constanta is the perfect option. Taking approximately 2.5 hours by car, Constanta is easily doable as a day trip (or longer if you wish to explore some of Romania’s other seaside towns!).

Many people travel to Constanta to visit the stunning Constanta casino. Visiting this iconic site is among the top things to do in Romania. It’s a popular favorite among locals and tourists of all ilks, from professional photographers to history buffs, or people simply looking for a beautiful backdrop for an afternoon.

While in Constanta, don’t miss the Tomis Turistic Port, the tower at the Grand Mosque of Constanta, Ovidiu Square, and Plaja Mamaia.

The streets of Old Town Constanta are paved in gorgeous cobblestones, winding and weaving their way through the town’s antiquated buildings. There are a number of boutique shops and delicious eateries to enjoy. Given its prime location on the Black Sea coast, there is an abundance of fresh seafood to feast on.

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Distance from Bucharest: 230km
How to get there: train or tour
Recommended tour from Bucharest: Constanta and Mamaia Day Trip

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Ruse

When planning day trips from Bucharest you don’t need to limit yourself to destinations in Romania only. 75 km away from Bucharest, across the Danube river, you can visit Ruse in Bulgaria.

Even if the history of the place dates back to ancient times, the city is known especially for its architecture from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries (usually Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo) and is often called “the Little Vienna“. You will find many impressive buildings in the center and wandering around this part of the city is a real pleasure.

Fans of brutalist architecture will surely appreciate the building of the Municipality Hall – one of the greatest examples of brutalism in Bulgaria.

When visiting Ruse, you can also stop at the Orlova Chuka cave – the second-longest cave in Bulgaria.

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Distance from Bucharest: 75km
How to get there: tour

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Map of the best day trips from Bucharest

To give you a better overview of the best day trips from Bucharest, here is the map with all the places mentioned above.

Further reading

I published many articles about Romania that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 25 Best Places to Visit in Romania
• 23 Great Things to Do in Bucharest, Romania
• 15 Best Things to Do in Brasov, Romania
• How to Get from Bucharest to Brasov
• Visit Sinaia, Romania – home to the amazing Peles Castle
• 9 Great Things to Do in Cluj-Napoca, the Vibrant City in Romania
• Why you should visit Timisoara, Romania
• and many more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in the Balkans and ask your questions there.

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