Authentic, natural and cultural are the words that best capture the essence of Romania, a dynamic country with a rich history, arts and scenic beauty. Romania provides countless unique travel experiences that are waiting to be discovered. A journey of three or four hours, by car or train, can take you from the Danube River to a beautiful, intact, medieval town. From Bucharest – Romania’s capital city – to the Black Sea. From Southern Transylvania to the historic regions of Bucovina or Maramures. Travel in Romania is as rewarding as it is challenging. The country’s mountain scenery, its great diversity of wildlife and cultures, and a way of life that at times seems little changed since the Middle Ages leave few who visit unaffected.
The Carpathian Mountains draw a wide arc through the centre of the country, leaving a swath of exposed rocky peaks surrounded by groves of pine and deciduous trees, and stretches of a bright green meadow below. The harsh geography has limited human habitation, and the woods are filled with deer, elk and bear. Europe’s second-longest river, the Danube, marks Romania’s southern border with Bulgaria before turning suddenly northward and emptying into the Black Sea. The delta provides sanctuary for 300 species of bird and 160 species of fish. The Danube Delta is a vast and unique protected wetland and makes a perfect backdrop for fishing, boating and, especially, birdwatching in spring. The sprawling marshes account for the largest expanse of reed beds in the world.
The rocky peaks of Transylvania and Moldavia, snow-capped from mid-October in some years, call out for conquering, and well-marked trails lead to summits from all directions. There are less adventurous but no less rewarding walks through woods, meadows and villages in other parts of the country. In summer, from mid-June to early September, the action moves to the Black Sea coast. Beach resorts fill up with swimmers, divers, sunbathers and partiers, who come for the all-night, open-air clubbing marathons.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Romania
Sighișoara
1. Sighișoara – Located in the infamous region of Romania called Transylvania, the city of Sighișoara is a must-visit for every traveller and tourist because of its beautifully preserved walled town, as well as the remains of the thriving trading town the city used to be back in the past. A Medieval Festival takes place in Sighișoara every July so make sure to plan ahead.
Sibiu
2. Sibiu – Sibiu is one of the oldest cities in Romania and a beautiful destination to head to whenever you would like to explore and enjoy the country’s culture and history by foot. We recommend you visit the Grand Square, take time to appreciate the many beautiful Baroque buildings around, visit the Brukenthal Palace which is a home to one of the oldest museums in the world.
Brașov
3. Brașov – Located in the centre on the country, Brașov is everything you would expect from a relatively big city – it has the dynamic modern city life but also houses some unbeatable old world charm and stunning scenery around. Brașov is considered a mountain resort so make sure to visit it in wintertime when Brașov will be at its most beautiful time.
Painted Monasteries
4. Painted Monasteries – The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina are hands down, one of the most beautiful and picturesque attractions in Romania. The exterior of the monasteries is decorated with hundreds of Bible scenes. The best-preserved monasteries in the area are in Humor, Moldovița, Pătrăuți, Proboda, Suceava, Sucevița, and Voroneț.
Sinaia
5. Sinaia – Sinaia is, indeed, one of the most popular mountain resorts in Romania. The town is built around a monastery which contains a copy of the first Bible printed in Romania. Sinaia is a popular touristic destination with many opportunities for hiking, relaxation, enjoying nature, and skiing.
Bucharest
6. Bucharest – Of course, the capital city of Romania Bucharest is definitely a mandatory stop for every tourist and traveller. Bucharest is definitely a city that mixes old and new in a very strange yet charming way. Each street in the city tells a story from the past of the country and its pretty dramatic history. This modernizing European capital is also housing the second largest Parliament building in the world after Washington.
Timișoara
7. Timișoara – Timișoara is one of Romania’s largest cities and is also known as the first European city to have electric street lamps. During the World War II the city was heavily bombed and destroyed but it managed to bounce back to its beauty and charm.
Mamaia
8. Mamaia – Romania is definitely not only for mountain resorts and winter holidays and the city of Mamaia located on the Black Sea Coast is just the perfect example. It is Romania’s most popular seaside resort and houses a waterpark for adults only.
Cluj-Napoca
9. Cluj-Napoca – Cluj-Napoca is considered as the unofficial capital of the infamous Transylvania region of Romania and it is a home to the largest university in the country. This city pre-dates the Roman colonization and it is one of the main art and culture centres in Romania.
Danube Delta
10. Danube Delta – Danube river is the border between Bulgaria and Romania. The river’s delta, which is the second largest in Europe, lies in Romania and allows for some pretty unforgettable and stunning views and landscapes. It is a good place for observing nature and a home to many animal and plant species that are unique to the region.