10:00

Palatul Jean Mihail

Set aside about 2–2.5 hours for the palace, home to the Muzeul de Artă Craiova: take in the grand reception rooms and decorations, then visit the available art exhibitions. If you are already in the city center, you can get there on foot; for a short trip by city bus, allow roughly 3–5 RON, while a taxi may cost around 10–20 RON depending on distance and traffic. For admission, updated rates, and opening information, consult the museum’s official website; as a rough guide, expect about 15–30 RON for an adult ticket.

Plan for a coffee break or lunch in the center after the visit: for a simple meal, budget roughly 35–70 RON per person.

14:00

Parcul Nicolae Romanescu

From the city center, reach the park by taxi, usually a transfer of about 10–20 minutes and an estimated cost of 15–30 RON, or check local bus routes and allow around 3–5 RON for the ride. Spend 3–4 hours exploring the park’s avenues, lakeshores, bridges, and scenic structures at a leisurely pace; bring water and comfortable shoes, as the internal distances are wide. Access to the green areas is generally free; any paid services or activities may have their own fees, which should be checked on site or through official channels. Wrap up with a break and a sunset stroll, leaving enough time to return to the city center by evening.

After the park, budget about 45–90 RON per person for dinner in the city center; if you’re taking a taxi, agree on the return trip in advance.

10:00

Centrul Vechi Craiova

Set aside about an hour and a half for a stroll through the old town streets, taking in the 19th-century facades, stately buildings, and pedestrian spaces around the main squares. Take your time and pause at a café: a drink can cost roughly 8–20 RON, depending on the venue. To get to the next stop, allow about 10–15 minutes on foot; before the visit, you may want to stop for a light lunch, with an estimated cost of 30–60 RON.

The city center is easy to explore on foot; wear comfortable shoes and keep in mind that the pavement can be uneven in some stretches.

12:00

Muzeul Olteniei (History and Archaeology Section)

Walk to the History and Archaeology section of Muzeul Olteniei and allow about two hours to visit the rooms filled with artifacts and materials that tell the story of the region, from antiquity to more recent times. Pay special attention to the archaeological finds and the explanatory panels, which help connect local history to the broader context of Oltenia. Admission may cost around 0–30 RON, but prices and access arrangements should be checked on the museum’s official website before your visit.

Check the official website for opening hours, any changes to access, and ticket prices; if you are short on time, also check the recommended visit duration.

10:00

Botanical Garden

Set aside about two hours for a walk among flower beds, trees, and botanical collections, noting how the surroundings change along the different paths; the actual time depends on the areas accessible and your pace. Bring water and comfortable shoes, especially if you want to explore the longer routes at a relaxed pace. Expect an indicative cost of 0–20 RON for possible entry, to be confirmed on the official website.

After the visit, plan on about an hour for lunch nearby: a simple meal can cost around 40–80 RON.

15:00

Madona Dudu Cathedral

Walk to the cathedral in about 15–25 minutes, checking the route based on where you exit the garden; alternatively, consider a short urban transfer. Outside, take in the building’s volume and façade details, then go inside with respectful attire if access is allowed and no services are in progress. The visit can last 30–45 minutes; allow 0–10 RON for a possible voluntary donation and check the official website for visiting conditions.

Leave the rest of the afternoon for a leisurely stroll through the center and a coffee or dessert break, with an estimated spend of 10–25 RON.

06:00

Târgu Jiu (Brâncuși Works)

Leave Craiova by car for Târgu Jiu: the journey is about 110 km and can take around 2–2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on traffic and road conditions. Set aside about two hours for the sculptural axis, walking between the Endless Column, the Gate of the Kiss, and the Table of Silence; allow extra short stops to take in the details and the urban setting. For the visit and any possible admission costs, allow approximately 0–20 RON and check official information before departure.

Plan an early departure: the onward transfer to Horezu takes approximately another 2–2 hours and 30 minutes. Check road conditions and access to each site.

12:45

Horezu Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage)

Drive to the monastery from Târgu Jiu, then allow about 45 minutes for lunch in the area before the visit. Spend about 1 hour and 30 minutes at the complex, observing the church, the decorations, and the architectural features characteristic of the Brâncovenesc style; dress respectfully, as this is a religious site. Allow approximately 0–30 RON for any tickets or contributions, but do not take this for granted: check the official guidance on access and costs.

After the visit, allow about 2 hours and 30 minutes–3 hours to drive back to Craiova; keep some margin for stops and traffic.

09:00

Horezu Pottery Workshops

From Craiova, allow about 2 hours and 30–3 hours by car, depending on traffic and road conditions; leave around 06:00 and plan a short break along the way. In the workshops, watch the pottery wheel work and the typical decorative motifs, including the rooster and spirals: arrange any demonstration in advance, as it may last about 30–60 minutes. Access or a demonstration may have an estimated cost of 0–50 RON, while any pottery purchased is paid for separately and can vary significantly; check availability and conditions directly with the workshops.

After the visit, allow 45–60 minutes for lunch in Horezu and about 30–40 minutes of driving to Polovragi.

13:00

Polovragi Cave and Monastery

Spend about 2 hours and 30–3 hours at the complex: visit the monastery with respectful dress and continue on to the cave, bearing in mind that the path requires walking and may include wet or uneven surfaces. For the overall visit, allow approximately 10–30 RON per person for any entrance fees and contributions, to be checked before departure; access to the cave and opening times may depend on local arrangements. Head back to Craiova in the afternoon, reserving about 2 hours and 30–3 hours for the return trip and a short break if needed.

Bring shoes with good grip and check the monastery and cave’s official channels for access details and tickets.

09:00

Drobeta-Turnu Severin (Trajan’s Bridge Ruins)

Leave Craiova around 06:30: the drive to Drobeta-Turnu Severin takes about 2 hours, depending on traffic. Spend 60–90 minutes at the archaeological site and take in the surviving structures associated with the bridge commissioned by Trajan to cross the Danube; plan a coffee break or snack in town before setting off again. Allow for 0–20 RON for entry or any visits, as an unconfirmed estimate, and check the official museum website or local authority for any tickets and visiting arrangements.

The ruins are located in the Drobeta archaeological complex: check the access point and visiting conditions before departure.

12:00

Cazanele Dunării (Danube Gorges)

Continue by car from Drobeta to the Dubova area along the road that runs beside the Danube: allow about 1–1.5 hours, with time for scenic stops. Set aside 2–3 hours for the gorges: you can admire the landscape from accessible spots on the riverbank or join a boat trip, which should be booked and checked in advance; for the latter, budget roughly 60–150 RON per person. Have lunch nearby for an estimated 40–80 RON and head back in the afternoon for the return trip to Craiova, which may take around 3 hours or more.

Boat trips depend on availability and river conditions: check operators, duration and boarding point before leaving.

09:30

Decebalus Statue

From Craiova, drive to the Mraconia area on the Danube: allow about 3–4 hours of driving, depending on the route and traffic, and set off around 05:30. Spend around 45–60 minutes stopping to admire the relief carved into the rock face, the river scenery and the accessible viewpoints along the road; for a boat visit, allow extra time and costs, roughly 30–80 RON per person. After the visit, continue to Băile Herculane and the park, allowing about 1.5–2 hours behind the wheel; plan for water and a snack during the transfer.

The scenic stops and any boat ride depend on local conditions; check availability and prices online before departure.

13:00

Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park

From the Danube area, head to Băile Herculane, a convenient gateway for exploring part of the park; allow about 1.5–2 hours of driving and choose a short trail on site, suited to the time available and terrain conditions. Set aside 1.5–2 hours for the walk, taking in forests, limestone ridges, and views over the Cerna Valley; for a longer excursion, you’ll need to adjust the plan and your return time. Access to the trails may be free, while parking, guides, or services may involve indicative costs of 0–50 RON; then allow about 3–4 hours to return to Craiova.

Check the park’s official website for notices, access rules, and trail conditions; bring suitable shoes and water. Returning by 21:00 is only an estimate and requires keeping the visit relatively short.