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With a vibrant capital city, numerous medieval towns, a Black Sea coast and many picturesque sceneries with the Carpathian Mountains, Romania is a great place to visit, offering an interesting blend of cultural and natural gems. You can find lots of medieval history, folk culture, and natural sceneries regardless of what region you choose to explore first.
But what cities, places, and regions should you include in your travel plan if you’ve never been to Romania before? Here are some amazing places you should consider for your holiday in Romania. And if you need more inspiration, you should check some examples of tours in Romania.
#1 The Region of Transylvania
Even those who aren’t exactly sure where Romania is have heard at least once of Transylvania. While the many vampire stories linked to its name are the ones to make the region so famous around the world, Transylvania has so much more to offer than Dracula legends. Located in the heart of the country, the plains and hills are surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains. The medieval towns of Brasov, Sibiu, and Sighisoara are rich in history, culture, and art. Besides other tourist attractions such as Bran Castle or Transfagarasan Highway, you should also consider experiencing the slow and simple life in villages. Here are some other suggestions for you:
Viscri – one of Transylvania’s hidden gems is the Saxon village Viscri. Here you will discover a fortified church, restored Saxon houses and a traditional – and relaxing – way of living.
Sarmizegetusa Regia– a place with mystical feeling, this UNESCO site is one of 6 ruins of 2,000-year-old Dacian fortresses. Remains of the old fortress, a sundial and colons are the things you’ll get to see there. The place will give you a glimpse of ancient history.
The Clay Castle– if you’ve watched the hobbit, you’ll love checking out the mesmerizing place of Clay Castle. Resembling hobbit houses, the castle has a fairytale vibe to it, and is situated in a natural setting.
#2 Traditional lands: Maramures
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Moving on to the next must-see region in Romania, Maramures is in the northernmost corner in the country. Referred to by many tourists as “the land of the wood”, Maramures has become famous for its wooden architecture, spotted in the traditional houses scattered around the region and village churches.
In Maramures, you can have an active holiday with plenty of spots for hiking, cycling or simply wandering around sightseeing villages and local attractions. You can walk or even cycle from village to village just like locals do as these roads are beautiful and with little traffic. Here are some sights for you to consider:
- The 8 wooden churches are the highlight of Maramures’ wooden architecture and part of UNESCO heritage. These are found in the villages of Barsana, Budesti, Ieud, Desesti, Poienile Izei, Plopis, Surdesti, and Rogoz.
- The village of Sarbi is where you can encounter talented local artisans and get to see them using traditional craft techniques and tools. You can visit their workshops and even get your own authentic artisan products.
- The Merry Cemetery situated in Sapanta is unique in the world for the funny way it portrays death. The graves are made of wood, in shades of blue, having funny phrases written on them, which sustain the local ancestral philosophy of seeing death as normal instead of tragic.
#3 The Danube Delta
One of Romania’s most beautiful natural attractions is the Danube Delta, a UNESCO-protected natural biosphere. Before flowing into the Black Sea, the Danube created this unique and very large area crisscrossed by canals and patches of land with fisherman villages scattered all over.
This location draws many tourists interested in birdwatching and delta-like views, and once you get there, you will immediately understand why. The variety of fauna and flora holds somewhere around 23 natural ecosystems and 7 others created by man, with more than 300 bird and small animal species and 3,000 different plants.
Spanning over 4,152 km², you will encounter islets, sandbanks, lakes, and marshes. So if you were eager to see some great natural landscapes, you won’t be disappointed in what the Danube Delta has to offer. Wildlife spotting, and especially bird watching, are popular activities in the area, but people around the country come here for fishing, water sports or simply to enjoy beautiful views and the delicious fish cuisine of locals.
You’ll find diverse accommodation options, ranging from budget-friendly to luxury. Take a trip to Sulina and Sfantu’ Gheorghe while you’re there, and if you want to see some wild horses roaming around, head to Letea Forest nature Reserve as well.
#4 The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina
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Bucovina is another famous and traditional region in North-Eastern Romania and home to 7 painted monasteries built in the 1500s. The collection of Byzantine jewels and 15thand 16thcentury exterior and interior Orthodox-inspired frescoes give these monasteries their unique appeal and ancient feeling.
Considered masterpieces of art, these UNESCO-listed monasteries have been preserved in great condition over the years. The Monastery of Voronet and Sucevita are the best known examples. Stay at Gura Humorului if you want to easily get around by car, or book accommodation in the nearby city of Suceava if you prefer a guided tour of all the monasteries.
#5 Bucharest
Let’s end this list with the country’s capital, Bucharest. A cosmopolitan city with many cultural events, friendly people, French-inspired Belle Epoque meets communist architecture and amazing nightlife – that’s what Bucharest is like in a nutshell!
The famous Palace of the Parlament, Romanian Atheneum, Cotroceni Palace or National Museum of Art are only a few examples of buildings that impress with their architecture and stories. Head over to University Square or in Cismigiu Garden to get a feeling of local life.
What’s great about this city is that there’s always something going on: concerts, fairs, food markets or special are usually held in front of the Atheneum or the Parliament, in University Square or Romexpo hall. If not, then you can end your day by having a drink at one of the many pubs, bars or restaurants in Old Town, city center area. Bucharest excels in terms of nightlife and during weekends you should prepare for some serious fun!
