Best Day Trips from Bucharest

Bucharest is Romania's capital and most visited city, and as such has some of the country's top attractions, but it's also an ideal destination to use as a base from which to discover some of the best sites in the surrounding area. From mythical castles to medieval villages, natural wonders to seaside towns, there's something for everyone on your trip.

Some of the best things to do in Bucharest include taking a tour of Dracula's Castle, visiting Peles and Brasov, touring the coastal towns of Constanta and Mamaia, visiting the Slanic Prahova Salt Mine, exploring the beauty of Bulgaria's medieval villages and interacting with brown bears in the Carpathian Mountains surrounding Romania.

One of the best things to do in Romania is to visit Dracula Castle from Bucharest. Located in the Bran region, this experience will take you inside this iconic medieval building, which is home to the legend of Count Dracula, inspired by the Romanian prince known as Vlad the Impaler. On these excursions you can explore the castle's corridors, royal chambers and exhibits reminiscent of Bram Stoker's character.

Also a short distance from Bran is Peles Castle, in the town of Sinaia, an architectural gem in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains. This royal palace, built in the 19th century, is a testimony to the opulence of the Romanian monarchy, and you can discover its rooms, the weapons room and the surrounding gardens, which offer a unique insight into aristocratic life in Europe during the Middle Ages.

These excursions also usually include a stop in Brasov, a well-preserved medieval town that will captivate you with its Council Square and the Black Church, two highlights that reveal the rich history of the region. Nearby, Mount Tampa offers one of the best wide-open views of the surrounding mountains.

Without a doubt, this is one of the full-day experiences not to be missed during your visit to Bucharest, even if you plan to visit the city on a short 3-day stay.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 37 euros per person.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to see one of the most iconic sites in the world due to the legend of Dracula written by Bram Stoker which made the castle famous.
• Disadvantages of these tours: because they are tours of different sites, you won't have much free time to tour Dracula Castle on your own.

If you want to discover the Black Sea from Bucharest, one of the best options is to join guided excursions that will take you to this destination, as well as to Constanta and Mamaia. Constanta is Romania's oldest city, with a history dating back to the ancient Greek colony of Tomis. A stroll through its old town will reveal traces of its Roman and Byzantine past, including the Great Mosque, marking its cultural diversity.

Mamaia, known as the Pearl of the Black Sea, is a coastal extension that offers a contrast to the history of Constanta. This internationally renowned resort is famous for its golden sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. In addition, you can explore the Aqua Magic Park, which is considered one of the best and most outstanding in Eastern Europe. The Telegondola Tower offers sweeping views of the sea.

These excursions also usually include a stop at the National Museum of History and Archaeology in Constanta, which houses archaeological items that tell the story of the evolution of the region over the centuries and will complement the historical tour of the city, the beauty of Mamaia's beaches and, if you wish, the adrenaline-filled experience of the Aqua Magic Park.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 76 euros per person.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to combine a tour of two of the most outstanding cities around Bucharest with historical and adrenaline experiences.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: entrance tickets for the Costanza Museum and the Mamaia Water Park are not included in the price of the tour.

The Slanic Prahova Salt Mine is the largest in Europe and is located deep in the Carpathian Mountains. Its history dates back to the 17th century, when the mineral wealth of the region was discovered and since then it has been a crucial enclave for the extraction of salt and has been one of the economic engines of Romania. On these excursions, you can visit this site which is known as the Salt Cathedral.

In this mine you will see the corridors and salt chambers that create a unique atmosphere, adorned with sculptures and ornamentation that highlight the natural beauty of the salt. Besides, inside this site you will find the Sala de las Fuentes de Sal, where you will be able to discover the purity of the air and learn about the properties of this mineral. Also, if you plan to visit Bucharest during the winter, you will be able to learn about the work that the humidity does in this site, generating different colours and textures on the minerals.

During your visit you can also explore the Salt Museum, which provides a deeper insight into the history of the region and the importance of salt in Romanian culture. With transfers from Bucharest, this tour offers not only an educational experience, but also the opportunity to discover the underground architecture that distinguishes the Slanic Prahova Salt Mine.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 51 euros per person.
• Duration: about 7 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know one of the sites that marked the Romanian economy for more than three centuries and is nowadays one of the most visited natural wonders.
• Disadvantages of these tours: the mine offers many entertaining activities inside, but due to the length of these tours you will not have enough time to explore them all.

One of the great things about Bucharest as a Mediterranean city is that you can use it as a base from which to tour other nearby sites, including destinations in other countries, such as Bulgaria. Thus, on these excursions, you'll be able to explore the history of the Second Bulgarian Empire, which will take you to Ivanovo, the home of the rock-hewn Rupestrian Churches that reveal frescoes from the 13th to 14th centuries.

In Bulgaria you can also visit Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire and home to the Tsarevets Fortress, a testament to medieval architecture and the scene of battles and events that have left an indelible mark on Bulgarian national identity. Also, if you plan to visit Bucharest during Christmas, you will find these tours to Veliko Tarnovo one of the thematic epicentres during the eve of Christmas, with seasonal markets and decorations.

On the other hand, keep in mind that Veliko Tarnovo's history is intertwined with the grandeur of the Second Bulgarian Empire, as it is the site where art, architecture and culture flourished. During the visit to the Tsarevets Fortress you can explore ruins, ramparts and the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which recall the imperial splendour and cultural richness.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 68 euros per person.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will see some of Bulgaria's most beautiful sites in a full-day experience.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they offer a very intense and demanding tour and are therefore not recommended for the elderly or people with reduced mobility.

One of the best tours you can do in Bucharest includes the Carpathian Mountains, which is not only the setting for some of the best scenery in the region, but also the natural habitat of wild brown bears, Romania's most distinctive animal species. During the experience, you can visit a refuge that keeps the bears in a natural, wildlife-friendly area.

In addition, these regional wildlife tours also include a stop at Dracula's fortress, located in the Transylvania region. This medieval building, known as Bran Castle, is famous for its connection to Bram Stoker's novel and the legend of Count Dracula. Therefore, visiting Dracula's Castle from Bucharest will allow you to explore its corridors and towers to discover the reality behind the fiction.

During these tours, you will usually be assisted by an expert local guide who will allow you to learn about the fortress that served as a strategic defence over the centuries and offers a unique insight into the architecture and culture of the time. You can also get some of the best sweeping views of the Carpathian Mountains from this castle in an experience not to be missed.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 218 euros per person.
• Duration: about 11 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to combine a Romanian nature experience with a visit to the country's main attraction, Dracula's Castle.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they are not inexpensive experiences because entrance fees to protected areas in Romania are often expensive for visitors.

You can either book a tour from Bucharest in advance online or book it once you are in the city, although you should be aware that if you plan to visit the Romanian capital during the summer or peak season months, places on the experiences may sell out or increase in price due to last minute bookings.

On the other hand, booking in advance will allow you to put together an itinerary that allows you to get the most out of your visit and combine these full-day excursions with some of the best guided tours of Bucharest that offer different timetables. Booking in advance is also ideal if you plan to visit the Romanian capital in 2 days or even less.

Bucharest offers many attractions, both in and around the city, so the first thing I advise you to do is to plan an itinerary in advance, taking into account distances and travel times, so that you can get the most out of your visit.

On the other hand, don't forget to pack comfortable clothes and shoes, especially if your excursion involves hiking or outdoor exploration, as is the case with Carpathian tours to discover wild brown bears. Also, check weather conditions before setting out, especially if you plan to visit Bucharest during the winter, when temperatures can be chilly.

Finally, consider using local guided tour services to gain valuable information about the history, culture and highlights of each destination. This will not only maximise your experience, but also allow you to relax by relinquishing the organisation of logistics and focusing solely on the excursion.

There are many places around Bucharest that you should not miss during your visit, but one of the must-see is Bran, the village that is home to the famous Dracula's Castle, linked to the legend of Bram Stoker's story. This picturesque Transylvanian village will captivate you with its cobbled streets and traditional houses, offering you a unique experience of Romanian culture.

Also, if you opt for the Bulgaria tour, you can visit Veliko Tarnovo, a medieval jewel reflecting the Bulgarian imperial power. Here you will discover the architecture and panoramic views of the Tsarevets Fortress, a landmark that reveals the grandeur of the region over the centuries.

On the Carpathian circuit, don't forget to include the city of Brasov in your itinerary. With its colourful buildings and imposing Black Church, Brasov offers an authentic perspective that will take you back to the Middle Ages in Romania, a first-hand experience that you won't find in even the best museums in Bucharest.

Taking an excursion from Bucharest is highly recommended due to the richness and diversity of experiences offered by the surroundings of the Romanian capital. This destination also serves as a strategic starting point to explore the history, culture and natural beauty of the region, on full-day tours that will allow you to visit Dracula's Castle in Bran and other gems of medieval architecture.

In addition, these excursions will give you the opportunity to discover the panoramic views of the Carpathian Mountains, as well as the natural richness of these mountains, including species such as wild brown bears, one of Romania's distinctive animals.

In addition, the variety of excursions available from Bucharest will allow you to tailor your itinerary to suit your interests, whether it's immersing yourself in history at the Tsarevets Fortress or relaxing on the beaches of Mamaia.