Romania is a land of dramatic castles, medieval villages, and wild Carpathian landscapes that feel untouched by time.
In This Article
1. Transylvania – Castles and Saxon Fortresses
No trip to Romania is complete without exploring Transylvania. Bran Castle, often linked to the Dracula legend, draws crowds with its spires and mountain setting, entry around $12 as of 2026. Nearby Sighisoara, a UNESCO World heritage site, is a perfectly preserved medieval citadel with cobblestone lanes and colorful merchant houses. The fortified church of Biertan and the Viscri village, favored by the British royal family, offer quieter but equally rewarding glimpses into Saxon heritage.
2. Bucharest – The Little Paris of the East
Romaniau2019s capital blends Belle Epoque architecture with massive Communist-era constructions. The Palace of the Parliament, the worldu2019s heaviest building, offers guided tours for about $10. The Lipscani district buzzes with cafes, street art, and boutique shops. Donu2019t miss the Romanian Athenaeum, a concert hall with stunning frescoes, and the Village Museum, an open-air display of traditional rural life from across the country. Bucharest is surprisingly affordable: a three-course meal for two runs around $35.
3. The Carpathian Mountains – Hiking and Wildlife
The Carpathians stretch across central Romania and offer some of Europeu2019s best hiking. The Bucegi Mountains are easily accessible from Brasov and feature the famous Sphinx rock formation. The Fagaras range has challenging multi-day treks with alpine huts costing around $20 per night. Brown bears, lynx, and wolves still roam these forests, and guided wildlife-watching tours start from $45 as of 2026. In winter, Poiana Brasov and Sinaia offer skiing at prices far lower than the Alps.
4. Maramures – Wooden Churches and Village Traditions
Northern Romaniau2019s Maramures region feels like a living museum. Its eight UNESCO-listed wooden churches, such as the one in Sapanta, feature distinctive tall spires and interior frescoes. The Merry Cemetery of Sapanta is world famous for its colorful, humorously inscribed tombstones. Local villagers still wear traditional embroidered costumes on Sundays, and horse-drawn carts are common on rural roads. Homestays cost around $30 per night including meals, giving you an authentic taste of rural Romanian life.
5. The Danube Delta – Europeu2019s Best Wetland
Where the Danube River meets the Black Sea, the Danube Delta forms a vast labyrinth of channels, lakes, and reed beds. It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a paradise for birdwatchers, hosting over 300 species including pelicans and cormorants. Boat tours from Tulcea start at $25 per person as of 2026 and can last from a few hours to multiple days. Stay overnight in a local guesthouse on channels like Crisan or Mila 23 for a truly immersive nature experience.
Getting Around Romania
The train network connects all major cities. The CFR InterCity trains from Bucharest to Brasov take 2 hours 30 minutes and cost roughly 70 lei ($14) in first class. The private operator RegioCalatori offers slower but cheaper services on secondary routes. Buses are faster than trains between smaller towns. The Autogemi and Eurolines networks cover the entire country. Renting a car costs $25-40 per day as of 2026. The roads are well-maintained on the main routes. The mountain passes through the Carpathians require caution in winter. Driving is on the right and the speed limit on motorways is 130 km/h. The Romanian police use radar cameras extensively on the road from Bucharest to Constanta. The fines start at 300 lei ($60) for a minor speeding violation.
Which region of Romania would you explore first? Drop a comment below!
Category: Uncategorized | Romania travel guide
Another reason: Romania has three national currencies that coexist. The Romanian leu is the official currency. Euros are widely accepted in Brasov, Sibiu, and Bucharest tourist areas at poor exchange rates. Hungarian forint is accepted in Transylvanian border towns. Pay in lei at ATMs for the best rate.
Explore all our Europe travel guides, discover the best of the continent.
Explore More
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:
- Budapest, Hungary, The Sarcastic Travel Guide – Uncategorized
- Eutelsat 36A: Russian Travel Guide TV Ultra HD/4K – Uncategorized
- Travel Guide to Tallinn, Estonia – Uncategorized
