Romania, a country where medieval charm meets natural wonders, offers visitors an unforgettable blend of history, culture, and stunning landscapes. If you’re planning a trip to this beautiful Eastern European gem, you’re in for a treat! We’ve put together an easy-to-follow guide of the 10 places you absolutely can’t miss in Romania, complete with all the details you need to plan an amazing trip.
Latest Tourism Data for Romania
| Category | Information | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Arrivals | Annual visitors | 12.8 million |
| Popular Seasons | Peak months | June-September |
| Average Stay | Length of visit | 4-5 days |
| Top Tourist Cities | Most visited | Bucharest, Brașov, Sibiu |
| Tourism Growth | Year-over-year increase | 15% |
| Average Daily Cost | Tourist spending | €50-100 |
| Hotel Occupancy | Peak season | 85% |
| Transport Options | Available methods | Train, bus, car rental, internal flights |
| Tourist Activities | Most popular | Castle tours, hiking, cultural visits |
| International Flights | Weekly to Bucharest | 850+ |
1. Bran Castle: More Than Just Dracula’s Home
Let’s start with the big one – Bran Castle. You might know it as “Dracula’s Castle,” but there’s so much more to this amazing place!
What makes it special:
- Built way back in 1377 (that’s almost 650 years ago!)
- Sits on top of a 200-foot-high rock
- Has 57 rooms full of cool historical stuff
- Gets about 2,500 visitors every day in summer
Fun fact: Queen Marie of Romania used to live here, and she loved it so much she made it look exactly like we see it today.
Visitor tips:
- Get there early (around 9 AM) to avoid crowds
- Plan for about 3 hours to see everything
- Buy tickets online to skip the long lines
- Best photos are taken from the garden in the morning light
2. Sighișoara: Step Back in Time
Picture the most colorful medieval town you can think of – that’s Sighișoara! This place is so special that UNESCO put it on their World Heritage list.
What you’ll love:
- Nine towers you can actually visit
- Houses painted in rainbow colors
- The house where Vlad the Impaler was born (now a restaurant!)
- A 500-year-old clock that still works
Local secrets:
- Try the local plum brandy called “țuică”
- Visit the Church on the Hill – climb all 175 steps
- Stay overnight to see the city lights
- Best photos from the Clock Tower at sunset
3. Palace of Parliament, Bucharest: The Giant of Europe
This building is HUGE – so big it got into the Guinness Book of Records!
Mind-blowing facts:
- Uses more electricity than a small city
- Has 1,100 rooms (and they’re all fancy!)
- Took 700 architects and 20,000 workers to build
- Has 4,500 chandeliers (yes, really!)
Visitor must-knows:
- Book your tour at least 24 hours ahead
- Bring your passport (they actually check!)
- Choose the extended tour to see the rooftop view
- Best time: early morning on weekdays
4. Peleș Castle: A Royal Dream Come True
If fairy tales had a home, this would be it! Peleș Castle looks like something Disney would create, but it’s totally real.
Amazing features:
- First castle in Europe to have electricity
- Has a room made entirely of wood from a single walnut tree
- Houses over 4,000 weapons and armor pieces
- Every room has a different theme
Smart tips:
- Basic tour: 45 minutes
- Extended tour: 1.5 hours (worth it!)
- Closed Mondays (plan accordingly)
- Great coffee shop in the garden
5. Transfăgărășan Highway: The Road to Heaven
Top Gear called it “the world’s best road” – and wait until you see why!
Cool stuff:
- 90 kilometers of pure driving adventure
- Reaches higher than most clouds
- Has Romania’s biggest glacier lake at the top
- More hairpin turns than you can count
Driver’s guide:
- Open only from July to October
- Start early to avoid fog
- Fill up gas before starting
- Stop at Bâlea Lake for amazing photos
6. Painted Monasteries: Instagram Before Instagram
These monasteries have been showing off their colors since before social media was a thing!
What’s special:
- Outside walls covered in 500-year-old paintings
- Colors still bright after all these years
- Each monastery tells different Bible stories
- The blue at Voroneț is so special it has its own name
Visitor tips:
- Wear modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered)
- Best light for photos: early morning
- Get a local guide to understand the stories
- Visit at least three to appreciate the differences
7. Sibiu: The City with Eyes
Yes, this city literally watches you – the windows look like eyes!
Can’t-miss stuff:
- The Bridge of Lies (with a fun legend)
- Three main squares full of cafes
- Houses with “eyes” that follow you
- Europe’s first hospital and pharmacy
Local tips:
- Try the “covrigi” (local pretzels)
- Visit during the Christmas Market
- Walk the city walls at sunset
- Look up at the houses – the “eyes” are everywhere
8. Danube Delta: Nature’s Paradise
Where birds party and fish swim free!
Amazing facts:
- Home to more birds than all of Europe combined
- Changes shape every day
- Has beaches with no people
- Hosts the largest reed bed in the world
Visitor guide:
- Best times: May and September
- Take a small boat tour
- Stay in a floating hotel
- Bring binoculars and bug spray
9. Corvin Castle: The Real Gothic Beauty
This castle makes Dracula’s place look tiny!
Cool features:
- Has the longest knight’s hall in Europe
- Bears used to live in the moat
- Knights actually trained here
- Has a 100-foot well with a cool legend
Visit smart:
- Go on a weekday
- Take the audio guide
- Plan for lots of stairs
- Best photos: early morning or sunset
10. Brașov: Mountain City Magic
Where old meets new in the best possible way!
Must-see spots:
- Black Church (survived a huge fire)
- Tampa Mountain cable car
- Narrowest street in Eastern Europe
- Hollywood-style sign on the mountain
Local secrets:
- Free walking tours at 10 AM and 3 PM
- Best pretzels at the main square
- Hidden cafes in the old town
- Great shopping on Republicii Street
Smart Travel Tips for Romania
Money matters:
- Credit cards work in cities but carry cash for villages
- Tipping: 10% is normal
- ATMs are everywhere in cities
- Exchange money at banks, not street kiosks
Getting around:
- Trains are cheap and fun
- Uber works in big cities
- Rent a car for mountain trips
- Buses connect everywhere
Food tips:
- Try “sarmale” (stuffed cabbage rolls)
- Street food is safe and yummy
- Local wine is great and cheap
- Always try the homemade soups
Safety and comfort:
- Romania is very safe for tourists
- Wi-Fi is fast and free almost everywhere
- People speak good English in tourist areas
- Pharmacies are open 24/7 in cities
When to Visit
- Spring (April-May): Perfect weather, fewer tourists
- Summer (June-August): Busy but fun, lots of festivals
- Fall (September-October): Beautiful colors, great weather
- Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, skiing
Takeaway: Why Romania Will Steal Your Heart
Romania isn’t just another spot on the map – it’s a place where every day brings a new adventure. From castles that touch the clouds to cities that feel like time machines, this country has a way of making you feel like you’re living in a story book. Whether you’re snapping photos of painted monasteries, driving on roads that reach the sky, or watching pelicans in the Danube Delta, Romania will give you stories to tell for years to come.
The best part? It’s still one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, which means you get all this magic without the huge crowds and high prices of other tourist spots. So pack your bags, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready to fall in love with Romania. Trust us – this might just be the best trip you’ll ever take!
