Located on the Balkan Peninsula, Romania is a country of contrasts. The former Eastern Bloc country has, over the years, belonged to the Romans who gave the country its name, the Hungarians and the Ottomans. It is filled with quaint old towns, mountain resorts that offer great skiing, and a burgeoning art community. It’s most famous citizen, however, may be the vampire Dracula, a fictional character found in Transylvania.
History is something that Romania is definitely not short of. Medieval castles dot the country – notably in Sighişoara, which is filled with historic buildings and Gothic-era, cobblestoned old quarters.
You’ll find even more history in Brașov, where – if you really do want to know where Dracula really lived – you’ll find the 14th-century Bran Castle to learn about more than just legends. And Bucharest? You’ll find yourself charmed by the medieval architecture as much as wowed by the wild buildings of the Communist era. Here’s a look at the best places to visit in Romania:
10. Danube Delta[SEE MAP]
Goliath / WikipediaThe majority of the Danube Delta, Europe’s second largest river delta, lies in Romania. Originally part of the Black Sea, the Danube Delta is a good place to observe nature.
It is home to many unique species of plants and animals in Europe, as well as contains 23 different ecosystems, including some of the world’s largest wetlands. Previous visitors rave about the spectacular sunsets and highly recommend taking a slow boat ride on the river.
9. Cluj-Napoca[SEE MAP]
Home to the country’s largest university, Cluj-Napoca is considered the unofficial capital of the historical region of Transylvania. The city, which pre-dates the Roman colonization, is one of Romania’s arts and cultural centers. Home to a large Hungarian population, Cluj-Napoca features a statue honoring one Hungarian king.
Built in the 14th century, the Gothic St. Michael’s Church has the tallest church tower in the country. The National Museum of Art, housed in a former palace, has a large collection of work by Romanian artists.
8. Mamaia[SEE MAP]
Located on the Black Sea, Mamaia is Romania’s most popular seaside resort. Mamaia is small, however, situated on a strip of land that is about 8 km (5 miles) long.
It has great white sand beaches, just made for sunning or people-watching. Mamaia has a water park, but activities are limited for small children. Adults, however, might enjoy a few lessons at the wind-surfing academy.
7. Timisoara[SEE MAP]
Located in western Romania, Timisoara is one of the country’s largest cities, dating back to the early 13th century. Once part of the Ottoman Empire, it was the first European city to have electric street lamps. The city has bounced back after sustaining heavy bombing damage from both sides during World War II.
Unlike many European cathedrals, the Timișoara Orthodox Cathedral was only built in the 20th century, but the central, notable for its 11 towers, houses many historic religious objects as well as vintage icon paintings.
6. Bucharest[SEE MAP]
Mastermindsro / WikipediaBucharest is a city that combines the old with the new. Visitors might come across a centuries-old building, a modern high rise, and a Communist-style building all in the same block.
This modernizing European capital boasts the largest Parliament building in the world with 3,100 rooms and 12 stories high. Tours of this impressive building, constructed in 1984, are given frequently throughout the day. Also not to be missed in Bucharest is the old town center with its narrow cobblestone streets and old buildings, including medieval churches.
5. Sinaia[SEE MAP]
Geluxc / WikipediaSinaia is a mountain resort town that grew up around a monastery that was named for Mount Sinai. The monastery, which contains a copy of the first Bible printed in Romania, is a popular site today with tourists, who enjoy hiking in the summer and some pretty tremendous downhill skiing in the winter.
King Charles I built his summer home, known as Peles Castle, near here; it also is a popular tourist attraction. The town is noted for having pretty flowers, but visitors who pick them can find themselves in hot water, as this is not allowed.
4. Painted Monasteries[SEE MAP]
Petr Sporer / WikipediaAmong the most picturesque attractions of Romania are the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina in the northeastern part of the country. Their painted exterior walls are decorated with elaborate 15th and 16th century frescoes featuring portraits of saints and prophets, scenes from the life of Jesus, images of angels and demons, and heaven and hell. The best-preserved are the monasteries in Humor, Moldovita, Patrauti, Probota, Suceava, Sucevita, and Voronet.
3. Brasov[SEE MAP]
Doru10stefan / WikipediaLocated in central Romania, Brasov boasts everything from dynamic modern city life to old world charm and fascinating scenery. Surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, the city is considered a mountain resort, with skiing and ice skating facilities.
A top sight is the Black Church, a Gothic cathedral so named because smoke from a huge 17th century fire blackened the stones. Visitors also may want to take a stroll down Rope Street, which is the narrowest street in the country.
2. Sibiu[SEE MAP]
Sibiu, once part of Hungary, dates back to the early 12th century. The city is located in Transylvania, an area that is associated with vampires, including Dracula, but it’s highly unlikely that visitors will run across any in this day and age.
Instead, travelers will find the Grand Square, in use since the 15th century, and Baroque buildings, including Brukenthal Palace, home to one of the oldest museums in the world. Visitors may also want to be on the lookout for remnants of old fortifications used to defend the city hundreds of years ago.
1. Sighisoara[SEE MAP]
Marculescu / WikipediaAlso located in Transylvania, Sighisoara is one of the best places to visit in Romania due to its beautiful preserved walled town. During the 12th century German craftsmen and merchants,
The Transylvanian Saxons, were invited here by the King of Hungary to settle and defend the frontier. They established a thriving trading town here and the citadel visitors see today. It was later extended and enlarged in the 14th century. Every July a Medieval Festival takes place in the old citadel. The landmark of the city is The Clock Tower, a 64 meter (210 foot) high tower build in 1556.
I visit 2 times in Romania it’s so beautiful ?️❤️ country people are very nice and kind . Price of hotel , food and car rental cheap .
it is very interesting for me to visit Romania. I know this country has its unique culture and history.
Adderrazak,
Try airport of Sibiu or Cluj Napoca(better connected, but not so nice city) . Don’t miss Brasov, surrounding mountains with winter resorts (+ castle in Sinaia), Sibiu, Sighisoara. Trains are OK, buses OK, but if your budget allows, rent a car. Each destination is doable in 2 days, there are no road tolls and parking is cheap or you can find free.
I’m thinking of visiting Romania in November. It ‘s my belief that the capital is not the most attractive city to visit. I’d love to visit Sighisoara but that wouldn’t be possible since it doesn’t have an airport. Which airport city is worth visiting in you opnion?
The description of Cluj-Napoca is a little bit incorrect: The highest church in the country is the Timisoara Orthodox church, which is 83.7 meters high, while the St Michael’s church is 80 meters high.
I love my country and i am proud to be native Romanian. We have a very beautifal country, traditional’s culture in different part of country and ppl are kind.
I don’t know why the Hungarians are mentioned so much in this article. Sure, Transylvania was once part of Hungary, but that doesn’t mean that Romanians alone have no culture of they own. we don’t have a hungarian – ottoman mixed culture. We have our own culture, and it’s so different from that of neighbouring countries.
I am Romanian, but I live in California now. However, I go home every summer. I am still amazed how beautiful my motherland is. This summer I’ll come visit with a friend, she’s American, who will see Romania for the first time. I know where to take her, since I have lived there 30 years. Romania needs a lot of rehabilitating, but it is still an underestimated gem in the heart of the Balkans.
This is very helpful and I agree to that Romania is beautiful and many people don’t know how the ruins and landscape just takes your breath away!!!
Unfortunately,most of the old buildings from the cities you mentioned in this report are almost in ruins.Their facades need to be restored ,otherwise in short term they will colapse, endangering the people walking by.I do not know why the local authorities can not find a solution to force the owners of these old building to restore them.The cities would show a different face if these building were rehabilitated.
Indeed many many people do not even know Romania. A country that is very beautiful in terms of landscapes, culture and much much more.
I think many people do not understand how beautiful Romania is in my next trip to Europe i will sure go there.