Romania was one of the biggest surprises of our Eastern Europe trip.
We arrived from Istanbul and started in Bucharest, which immediately felt different from what I expected. Parts of the city felt grand and historic, while other parts felt modern, slightly gritty, and very much in transition. We stayed in the Old Town and spent our time exploring the historic center, touring the enormous Palace of the Parliament, wandering through bookstores and cafés, and eating far more well than we expected to.
One thing that stood out throughout the trip was the food. We had several genuinely memorable meals in Romania, from traditional Romanian dishes at Caru' cu Bere to unexpectedly great Middle Eastern food in Bucharest. One of the most random highlights of the trip was stopping for lunch at a steakhouse called Grill Pampas during our drive north. It wasn't touristy at all and somehow ended up being one of the best steaks I had the entire trip.
From Bucharest we rented a car and drove north toward Brașov, stopping along the way at places like Snagov Monastery and Peleș Castle. Peleș was probably the biggest surprise of the entire country for me. Before visiting Romania, I had never even heard of it, and then suddenly we were standing in what felt like one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. The setting in the mountains only makes it more impressive.
Brașov itself ended up being our favorite part of the trip. The old town felt walkable, relaxed, and surrounded by dramatic scenery in every direction. We spent our time wandering through Council Square, visiting the Black Church, and taking day trips out to Bran Castle and Râșnov Fortress.
Romania felt very different from Western Europe in a way I appreciated. It was less polished, less predictable, and felt a little more adventurous without ever feeling uncomfortable. The combination of castles, mountain scenery, history, and surprisingly strong food made it one of the more memorable countries from that stretch of travel.
If I had to give one recommendation to someone planning a similar route, it would be this: don't think of Romania as just "Dracula tourism." The country has far more depth and beauty than I realized before visiting.