Leaving Turkey and Gallipoli was easy and after a quick car disinfection at the border into Bulgaria (yes, you heard right, I actually had to pay 3 Euro to get the car sprayed) I was in Bulgaria. Yes, I went through Bulgaria to get back to Romania. So, before heading into amazing Transylvania I went to see the capital city of Romania, Bucharest. But, as I am a small town person, let’s see between Bucharest and Brasov. Which one is better?
By now, I am definitely the only foreign car on the road, I haven’t seen anybody with a foreign rego sign since Croatia, so I do stand out a bit. Most tourists hire cars locally or travel with the tour bus. Being foreign however helps when trying to fight the traffic and push my way through the big cities. Romanian drivers are crazy!
Before stopping in Bucharest however, I briefly stopped in Constanta on the Black Sea. It was a little bit disappointing, I must admit. The city was really run down with lots of ruins and empty building/shop fronts.
Shame, as I really like Romania.
Bucharest and Brasov
Bucharest
I was really looking forward to visiting Bucharest. After all, it is the capital of Romania. I have to admit, parts of the city were quite unexpected. By now, I was used to seeing run-down communist buildings and graffiti. However, Bucharest also has grand, wide boulevards that make a real impression. As a result, the city feels very different from the more chaotic places I had visited so far. Unfortunately, that feeling is somewhat overshadowed by the traffic. The drivers seem to come at you from every direction, and you simply have to go with the flow.
On the other hand, the Old Town is gorgeous. It is full of atmosphere, stylish cafés, beautiful streets, and plenty of places to eat. However, after wandering around for a while, I noticed that almost every restaurant had the same menu. It didn’t leave much room to try something different. That said, Romanian cuisine is delicious, especially the hearty stews and polenta.
Bucharest is a large and busy city. Fortunately, it is also surprisingly green. Parks and tree-lined boulevards soften the urban landscape and give the city a more relaxed feel. It is easy to understand why Bucharest was once known as the ‘Little Paris of the East.’ The architecture is impressive, although many buildings are still in need of restoration. Even so, you can clearly see that the city is investing in its future through ongoing renovations.
Overall, I really liked Bucharest. However, if I had to compare Bucharest vs Brasov, I would choose Brasov. I found that 24 hours was enough to explore Bucharest, whereas Brasov completely captured my heart.
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Brasov
Thinking it would be a quick drive to Brasov (170 km), I was surprised when it took me almost an hour just to get out of Bucharest. After that, however, the journey was easy. The road led through the flat countryside before the mountains slowly appeared on the horizon. Passing a few small towns along the way, I became more and more excited. After all, I was heading to Transylvania—Dracula country! Who would have thought?
Brasov turned out to be much bigger than I had expected. However, the moment I reached the Old Town, I fell in love with it.
The historic centre is full of charming buildings, narrow streets, and lively squares. I quickly realised that I am definitely more of a small-town person. Places like Brasov simply feel more welcoming to me. Even better, the city has more character, fewer tourists, and lower prices than Bucharest. It is also home to Strada Sforii, one of the narrowest streets in Europe (see the main photo).
I could easily have spent a few more days wandering through the streets and discovering hidden corners. However, Dracula and the famous castles were calling, so it was time to continue my journey.
So far, if I had to choose between Bucharest vs Brasov, Brasov wins without a doubt.
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Bucharest and Brasov – Summary
So, Bucharest vs Brasov, which one is better? For me, both cities have their own unique charm and are definitely worth a visit. However, by the end of this trip, I realised once again that smaller cities suit me better. As much as I enjoy visiting a country’s capital, I usually find that smaller towns have more character and appeal. Of course, that’s just my personal opinion.
That said, there are always exceptions. I absolutely loved Athens, despite it being a large capital city. You can read all about my 24 hours in Athens here.
I still have plenty of capitals left to explore, including Sofia in Bulgaria, Budapest in Hungary, and many more. So, stay tuned for more adventures!
(post 25)
