11 Incredible Places to Visit in Romania

 

1. Bucharest

The biggest and busiest Romanian city to make your way around you can use the Bucharest Metro services, buses, trams, trolleybuses and rail services. Additionally you can take a taxi, but this can be expensive in during rush hours highly impractical. The city has an active and effervescent nightlife with some of the best clubs and pubs including venues like Kristal Glam Club, Gaia, The Fabric, Bamboo and may others. In Bucharest you should visit the Palace of the Parliament the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon in US.

On every 1st - 2nd of May and 1st of December they’re having an Open Gates Day and you can enjoy a free visit the almost 1000 chambers (including reception halls, offices, restaurants and a concert hall). Take a walk through the Herastrau and Cismigiu Parks, or discover city landmarks like Revolution Square, the Cotroceni Palace, The Triumphal Arch and the Cantacuzino Palace. Also have a culture filled day at the National History Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, the Romanian Athenaeum, Buleandra Theatre or the National Opera

 

2. Transfagarasan Highway

A spectacular 100km drive zigzagging through the Fagaras Mountains in Romania linking the provinces of Transylvania and Muntenia. Passing dramatic scenery and breathtaking views, this trip is not for the fainthearted as the route climbs to an altitude of 2034 meters. If you decide to embark on this trip you must plan carefully.  Because of the high altitude winter comes early here and the snow stays for longer, so this route is open only for three months between July - September. Make sure to allow yourself enough time to stop and enjoy some of the amazing sites you will be driving by, such as Balea Glacier and Waterfall, the Vidraru Dam and the Poienari Fortress

 

3. Ice Hotel

During winter once the Balea Lake freezes over you can experience the magic of The Ice Hotel. High at 2000 meters above sea level and accessible only by cable car, this magnificent structure is redesigned and rebuilt every year from blocks of ice cut and dragged from the lake. If you do not mind the cold temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees you can enjoy a unique experience and take part in different snow-based activities like tunnel trekking, snowboarding, ice sculpting or sledging

 

4. Dracula’s Castle

Situated in the heart of Transylvania, 30km from Brasov, Bran Castle is known as the home of Count Dracula, being one of the most famous Romanian landmarks. Here you can find various exhibitions, themed tours and an annual Halloween Ball. A ticket costs about 25 lei (approximately £6) however, we recommend you take a step off the tourist track and also visit the Hunedoara Castle (also known as Corvins’ Castle or Hunyad Castle). Either because of its Gothic architectural style or because of its troubled history this castle is considered to be one of the most fighting buildings in the world. You can buy a ticket for approximately 10 lei (about £2.50).

 

5. Danube Delta

An UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Danube Delta features a great number of lakes and marshes linked through narrow channels, floating reed islands and large saline lagoons. Among the various activities available you can try a fishing trip, birdwatching and photography tours, kayaking, speed boat or catamaran trips. The closest city to the delta is Tulcea, but a genuine experience we recommend you book a more picturesque location like Mila 35, Sulina or Sfantul Gheorghe Branch.

All locations outside Tulcea will require transfer between mainland and your chosen destination in the Delta. You can hire a private boat or take a ferry, but if you are traveling on a budget you might want to check with your hotel first as they usually can provide this service for you (and sometimes it is included in the price of the accommodation). The traditional fish dishes are highly prised in this area, so make sure you try some of the fried fishcakes, fish broth or spitted fish.

 

6. Festival of Medieval Arts and Crafts

One of best preserved medieval cities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 14th century town of Sighisoara features nine towers, narrow passageways and cobbled streets and every year on the last weekend of July it hosts the largest medieval festival in the country. Complete with costume parades, handcrafts displays, feudal ceremonies, street entertainers and open-air concerts, it’s the perfect opportunity to take part in the legends and lore of medieval Transylvania. Among the many attractions here you can find The Clock Tower, The Church on the Hill, Scholar’s Stairs, The Venetian House, The History and Torture Museums.

 

7. The Bear Cave

Take a walk through the candlelit galleries and discover impressive stalagmites and stalactites structures, as well as over 140 bear skulls and skeletons dating back 15000 years

 

8. The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina

Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each of these 25 churches is a one-of- kind architectural site and a masterpiece of Byzantine art

 

9. The Seven Ladders Canyon

Carved in limestone and featuring seven waterfalls, the tallest one being 35 metres high, this is one of the main attractions in the Piatra Mare Massif

 

10. The Peles Palace

This stunning building served as a summer residence for the royal family from 1883 – 1947 and it hosts one of the most luxurious art collections in Eastern and Central Europe

 

11. The Black Sea

The Romanian sea coast offers calm waters, soft sandy beaches and a bustling night life from May until September. We recommend you try the Stufstock music festival taking place in Vama Veche with more than 40000 people attending every year

 

Related Pages

• Top 10 Reasons to Visit Romania
• Romania Tours
• Romania Volunteer Programs
• Teach English in Romania
• Romania Gap Year