Romania is a captivating country with fascinating places to discover, from modern cities like Bucharest to charming medieval towns in Transylvania like Sibiu, Sighisoara and Brasov, which transport you to another era with their cobbled streets and historic fortresses. But that’s not all, there’s so much more to see in Romania! Don’t miss the impressive castles such as Peles and Bran and the curious 15th-century fortified churches.
The country also features magnificent natural scenery, including the Danube Delta, an ecological treasure trove of wildlife, and the majestic Carpathian Mountains, which provide opportunities for hiking and winter sports. And if that’s not enough, we can’t forget Dracula and his legacy – sounds like an interesting trip, doesn’t it?
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What are the best places to visit in Romania?
1. Bucharest, the capital of Romania
Bucharest, as well as the capital of Romania, is a bustling city with a rich history where you can enjoy its majestic neoclassical buildings, museums and many other places of great cultural interest.
Some of the must-see sights in the city include the Old Town, a network of streets surrounded by historic buildings, the Stravopoleos Monastery, the Romanian Athenaeum and the Macca-Vilacrosse Passage. However, the most impressive thing you’ll see in Bucharest is the Parliament Palace, the second-largest building in the world.
The city also has interesting museums and pleasant parks to relax in, such as Cismigiu Garden. But if you want to find out more about this wonderful city we recommend reading this post where we tell you everything in detail: Things to see and do in Bucharest
2. Sighisoara and Dracula’s house
The Transylvanian town of Sighsioara is famous for hosting the house where Emperor Vlad lived He is the character who inspired the Dracula novel. But Sighsioara is also a cosy fortified town of colourful medieval houses that you can tour in a morning.
In Sighisoara, don’t miss the Clock Tower, Cetatii Square, the School Staircase and Strada Tâmplarilor, the most beautiful street. Dracula’s house has been transformed into a restaurant, but for €3 you’ll get access to his room.
The town is relatively easy to see, so we encourage you to explore the surrounding area. There you’ll find impressive 15th-century fortified churches and pleasant villages such as Biertan and Viscri. We tell you all about it in this article: Things to see and do in Sighisoara.
3. Timisoara, the capital of Banat
In the Banat region we find Timisoara, a multicultural city with influences from various ethnic groups, including German, Hungarian, Serbian, Italian, Jewish and Greek descendants. This diversity is reflected in its rich cultural life and historical heritage that make Timisoara one of the most touristic cities in Romania.
The city invites you to wander around its streets, which will take you to beautiful corners such as Victory Square and Union Square or Alba Iulia Street. Among the most emblematic buildings in the city we highlight the Timisoara Metropolitan Cathedral. And we also recommend you visit the Memorial of the Revolution, with the entrance fee of 20 lei. We invite you to read this post to discover more about this beautiful city: Things to see and do in Timisoara.
4. Constanta, the perfect beach destination in Romania
The coastal city of Constanta is a popular summer holiday destination with long beaches, delicious cuisine and wide cultural offering. Amidst its pleasant streets you’ll find a multitude of historic buildings and entertainment for the whole family in parks and the city’s aquarium, where you’ll discover the marine life of the Black Sea.
Other landmarks include the Casino, the National Museum of History and Archaeology and the Great Mosque of Mahmudiya. And don’t miss the Mamaia Beach, a perfect place to enjoy the sun and the sea. Read on in this post to find out more about this magnificent city: Things to see and do in Constanta Romania.
5. Oradea
Oradea is an industrial city that has prospered over the years thanks to its privileged position on the Hungarian border. This economic prosperity is evident through its urban planning which includes great parks and majestic baroque buildings that have been well preserved over time.
It is precisely the architectural style of its facades that has positioned Oradea as a tourist destination in Romania. Highlights include the Oradea Fortress, the Black Eagle Palace, the Church of the Lun and the Town Hall Tower. But there are plenty of other things to do in the city, such as strolling along the banks of the Crisul River or wandering around the old town. Read more about Oradea in this post: Things to see and do in Oradea.
6. Brasov, the most beautiful city in Transylvania
Located at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains in the heart of Transylvania lies the beautiful city of Brasov, another essential stop on your trip to Romania. This charming town is famous for its medieval architecture reflecting the German influence on the region and its proximity to nature, which favours hiking and snow sports in winter.
One of Brasov’s most iconic landmarks is the Black Church, a majestic Gothic church that owes its name to the damage it suffered during a fire in the 17th century. The historic city centre, known as the Piata Sfatului, is a great place to stroll around and enjoy the traditional architecture, colourful houses and cobbled streets. The Catherine Gate, an ancient entrance to the city, is also famous. Find out what else to see in Brasov in this post: Things to see and do in Brasov.
7. Peles Castle
Peles Castle is an architectural gem that combines 19th-century Renaissance elegance with neo-Gothic and Bavarian elements, making it one of the most impressive castles in Europe. It was originally built as a summer residence for the Romanian royal family. And it is notable for its rich decoration, intricate woodwork and sculptures on the façades. The interior is equally magnificent, with opulent reception rooms, an impressive hall of mirrors and an extensive collection of art, antiques and armour.
To visit the castle you’ll need to sign up for one of the guided tours, as it’s not possible to visit on your own. But you can choose between the long tour (1h30) or the short tour (45 minutes) in several languages. The main difference is that on the long tour you can also see the private rooms.
The opening times change according to the season, but it is always closed on Mondays. The price of the basic tour is 30 lei and the longer one is 60 lei.
8. Danube Delta
The Danube Delta, one of the largest river deltas in Europe, is a vast wetland of labyrinthine channels and home to great biodiversity. In addition, it is a sanctuary for numerous bird species, including pelicans, herons and ospreys, and is also home to a variety of mammals and an abundant fish population.
This unique natural enclave located between three countries: Romania, Ukraine and Moldova, has been declared a World Heritage Site for the fusion of cultures and nature that makes it unique.
There you can explore the delta by boat, observing wildlife in their natural habitat and enjoying the beauty of the waterscapes. It is also possible to visit the local communities that inhabit the delta, which offer an authentic experience and the opportunity to try the local cuisine.
9. Sibiu, the most beautiful city in Romania
Sibiu, an hour and a half’s drive from Sighisoara, is famous for its well-preserved old town of Germanic architecture, a legacy of the Saxon settlers of the 12th century. There you’ll find numerous buildings of great historical value such as the Brukenthal Palace, Evangelical Cathedral or the Wall Towers that still remain in great condition, such as the Council Tower.
We also encourage you to visit the charming Bridge of Lies, the Big and Small Squares, and Strada Nicalai Balcescu, Sibiu’s liveliest street. A day is more than enough time to see it all, and you’ll even have time to take a stroll to Lake Balea afterwards. Find out what else to see around Sibiu: Things to see and do in Sibiu.
10. Bran Castle
Bran Castle is an iconic building in Romania and one of the most famous tourist attractions as it is known as “Dracula’s Castle” for its impressive architecture with towers, secret passages and a fairy-tale structure that stands atop a hill in the middle of the forest.
The castle stands in a strategic position on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia. It has played various roles over the centuries, from a defensive fortress to a royal residence. Today, Bran Castle is a museum that tells the story of Romania’s history and the legend of Dracula. The interior also houses a collection of furniture and historical art, and the views from its ramparts are spectacular.
The castle is open daily, from 9am to 4pm from Tuesday to Sunday and on Mondays from 12pm to 6pm. The entrance fee is 11€.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
How to plan what to see on your trip to Romania
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries
- Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information about the trip.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
- Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
- Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app so that you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
- Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your own travel tips and recommendations on the things to do in Romania.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Romania
The best time to travel to Romania is in autumn and spring. During summer it is warmer and you can swim at the Black Sea beaches, but it is also the high season and there are many more people. Winter is a good time for snow sports in the Carpathian Mountains.
The water is safe to drink, but due to its high minerality, it is recommended to drink bottled water.
Yes, travelling to Romania is safe. Just pay attention to your belongings in crowded places and always keep an eye on your bags.
The most efficient way to get around Romania is by car, but the country also has an extensive network of buses and trains that will take you to the most touristy areas.
Henri Coanda International Airport in Bucharest is the gateway to the country as it is well connected to other European airports.
If you are an EU citizen you only need an ID card, but if you are travelling from another country you may need a visa.
The most beautiful cities in Transylvania are Brasov, Sibiu, Oradea, Sighisoara and Timisoara, but there are many other places worth visiting.
The must-sees in Romania are the Bran and Peles Castles, Sibiu, Brasov and Bucharest.
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