Romania is becoming one of Eastern Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. Romania enchants visitors with its gorgeous mountain landscapes, stunning painted monasteries, and the ancient medieval towns of Transylvania. Most people know Romania as the setting that inspired Bram Stoker’s vampire lore, but there’s much more to Romania.
Here is our list of enchanting destinations in Romania.
12. Bucuresti
Bucharest was once referred to as “the Little Paris,” but because of Communist dictatorship and decaying structures, its reputation has slightly declined in recent years. While there is still much to see and do in the capital city of Romania, it is slowly regaining its appeal as a travel destination. The lush gardens, gorgeous 17th-century Orthodox churches, fascinating museums, and the enormous Parliament Palace. The biggest parliament building on Earth. It makes Bucharest a fascinating place to visit. The streets of Bucharest are teeming with life thanks to the city’s unique mix of Communist-era concrete blocks and monuments mixing with magnificent villas, and stunning buildings, like the luxurious Mitropoliei Palace. Another aspect of this fascinating capital city is revealed by its trendy bars and vibrant nightlife.
11. Sighisoara
Sighisoara undoubtedly portrays a picturesque picture with its lovely pastel-colored houses, winding cobbled streets, and tall spires and towers. Its beautiful, walled old town has been beautifully conserved and is today a well-liked travel attraction. The Sighisoara Historical Center will undoubtedly confirm your preconceived assumptions about life in the Middle Ages. Sighisoara’s Old Town is medieval at its best. Sighisoara is a magnificent representation of a fortified medieval town. Transylvanian Saxons founded it in the 12th century. It has traditional stone buildings in various colors lining the small streets. Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula in Bram Stoker’s novel, was born here. Every July, Sighisoara has a festival with rock bands as part of its celebration of the Medieval Era.
10. Sibiu
Sibiu is in the renowned and stunning historical region of Transylvania. It is a fantastic mix of history and the lively spirit of a contemporary European city. The city has a rich history dating back more than 800 years, but it also has strong ties to the present and values of Europe, giving it a distinctive personality. Sibiu offers a variety of activities, including tours of the historic fortress, urban entertainment, excursions into the centuries-old traditions still practiced in the nearby villages, and hikes in the nearby hills and mountains. Sibiu’s most notable attraction is the Eyes of Sibiu.
9. Painted monasteries
The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina in the country’s northeastern region are among the most gorgeous sights in all of Romania. Extensive 15th and 16th-century paintings depicting portraits of saints and prophets, scenes from the life of Jesus, pictures of angels and demons, and representations of heaven and hell are painted on the outside walls of these buildings. The monasteries in Humor, Moldovita, Patrauti, Probota, Suceava, Sucevita, and Voronet are the best preserved.
8. Bicaz lake
The largest artificial lake in Romania, Lake Bicaz, also known as Lake Izvorul Muntelui, is a popular tourist destination, particularly in the summer. The lake is a beautiful place, especially in good weather, where you can enjoy peace, quiet, pure mountain air, coolness, and the presence of wildlife. The lake is home to many fish species, allowing the fishermen to indulge their passion. You can go sailing, rent a boat, or ride a hydro bike on the lake. Visitors can board a ferryboat at the Bicaz port and travel across the lake to see Mount Ceahl?u on the western shore.
7. Salina Turda
After salt excavations ceased in 1932, the Salina Turda mine, which dates to the 17th century, served as everything from a cheese storage facility to a bomb shelter during World War II. It has now been turned into a fantastic science fiction theme park. Salina Turda, which is in Ciuj County, has been dubbed one of Earth’s most extraordinary underground locations. You must descend roughly 120 meters (400 feet) to reach the submerged wonderland when you visit the mine. Once inside, you’ll discover a Ferris wheel, an underground lake with paddle boats, an amphitheater, a bowling alley, and more.
6. Brasov
Brasov’s picturesque medieval center wonderfully complements its stunning surroundings. Brasov is one of Romania’s most well-liked travel spots for a reason. A great way to spend the day is to stroll through the Old Town, which is reminiscent of a fairytale, passing beautiful baroque buildings, Gothic churches, and medieval watchtowers. If you want to have a coffee and watch the world go by, many cafes and restaurants are on the main square. One of Romania’s top ski resorts is in the surrounding mountains, including some pleasant tiny hiking routes and roads. Many visitors utilize Brasov as a picturesque starting point to tour some of Transylvania’s magnificent castles.
5. Castle Corvin
Corvin Castle is the most captivating castle in Transylvania despite being surrounded by steel mills. You’ll be enchanted as soon as you cross the drawbridge into the stone courtyard with its pointed towers looming above. Because visitors are not required to take guided tours, they can wander around and let their imaginations run wild. Architectural highlights include the Mace Tower, completed in 1440, and the late-Gothic Knights Hall, which features armor, cannonballs, and a giant bronze statue of Ioan of Hunedoara. Three Turkish captives were sentenced to death despite being promised their release after construction is said to have cursed the castle well. Equally chilling is the Bear Pit, where prisoners were thrown to animals after their usefulness expired.
4. Bran Castle
Bran Castle is often associated with the home of Dracula. The castle, a famous sight in Romania, peeks up from a hillside covered with trees not far from Brasov, in Transylvania. This historic fortress, whose origins date back to the 13th century, is now a museum featuring items Queen Maria gathered, including paintings and furnishings. An outdoor museum with peasant buildings from around Romania is also featured here. You’ll ascend its conical turrets, taking in the views of dense forest, and wander through creaky-floored halls decorated with 19th-century antiquities and bearskin rugs.
3. Constanta
The second most significant city in Romania is Constanta, a large port city on the Black Sea. Amazingly, it was established almost 2600 years ago. While most tourists travel to Constanta to enjoy the surrounding beaches and coastal resorts, the city has much to offer. There are several fascinating museums and historic buildings here. With its extensive collection of artifacts and marble tombs, The National Museum of History and Archaeology is unquestionably the most interesting. Constanta is more than simply a stopover location en route to the nation’s Black Sea beaches due to the city’s abundance of fine hotels, bars, and seafood restaurants.
2. Sinaia
The mountain tourist town called Sinaia was established around a monastery named Mount Sinai. The monastery is a well-liked destination nowadays for tourists who love hiking in the summer and fantastic downhill skiing in the winter. It houses a copy of the first Bible printed in Romania. King Charles I constructed Peles Castle near the monastery, which is currently a well-liked tourist destination. Although the town is known for its beautiful flowers, anyone who picks them risks getting into trouble because it is prohibited.
1. Transfagarasan
On Nicolae Ceausescu’s direct command, the Transfagarasan was constructed between 1970 and 1974. Ceausescu sought to establish a key route across the Fagaras Mountains to transport soldiers north if the USSR attacked Romania. The Transfagarasan Highway stretches for more than 150 kilometers and is Romania’s most stunning and well-known road. Since being featured on BBC Top Gear in 2009, it has become one of the nation’s most well-liked tourist destinations. The tunnel connecting the northern and southern sides at Balea Lac (Lake Balea) is the road’s highest point at 2042 meters, but it is only fully operational from June to October.
Romania is one of the least expensive countries to visit in Europe, but this is changing. One thing to remember is that Romania’s popularity is rising fast. Once underestimated destinations, but not any longer. Be sure to include Romania in your next travel plans.