Romania is known for its history, landscapes, and culture. It is different from other European countries in unique folklore, such as the legend of Dracula and its distinct blend of rural traditions and modern urban life.
There are many things to do in this country, reaching the dramatic landscapes, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains and the Danube River, exploring local culture, the traditional Romanian cuisine, and the warmth of people here.
Read on to learn more things to do in Romania and prepare for your next visit:
1. Explore Bran/ Dracula's Castle
The Bran castle is directly related to Vlad the Impaler, the real-life inspiration of Dracula. The architecture of the castle is mainly inspired by the Gothic style, it has towering stone walls, narrow windows, and steep, sloping roofs.
The castle is one of the most visited tourist spots in Romania, most people come here to explore its mysterious rooms, staircases with no landings, and passageways that are mostly hidden.
If you are also fascinated by the novel Dracula and the history associated with it, the castle is a perfect place to visit to feed your curious mind with both myth and reality.
2. Visit The Beautiful Peles Castle
The castle is located in the Carpathian mountains, surrounded by greenery all around. It is considered one of the most beautiful castles in the whole of Europe, the architecture of the place is nothing but stunning.
A huge structure with many towers that seem elegant from the outside, beautiful decorations done both inside and outside, and luxurious interiors, the castle has that fairytale vibe.
The castle was originally a place to stay for the old kings of Romania. After the mid-1900s it was made open to the public to have a close look at the royal life, the architecture, and the collection of royal arts that once adorned the royal chambers.
3. Drive Through Transfagarasan Highway
This highway across the Fagaras mountain is a long road that connects two regions of Romania, Transylvania and Wallachia. As the highway lies in the beautiful mountain, it is a view to rejoice in.
The scenic view is what makes it one of the spectacular spectacular-looking roads of the world. The road is perfect to have a ride in, people enjoy biking, cycling or even having a vehicle ride down the highway.
The turns here are sharp, so, being cautious when you ride here is important. Moreover, the highway is best to visit in summer as in winter the heavy snow blocks the road, and is not accessible due to this reason.
4. Relax At The Herastrau Park
The Herastrau park is located in Bucharest, the capital city of the country. Also famous as King Michael I Park among the locals, this is one of the largest parks in the capital city.
The park is well-conserved, surrounded by greenery and water areas where you can relax the day off by strolling and boating. It can be a good place to visit if you are in Romania with your family.
One of the attractions available in the park are Village Museum which is full of traditional architecture. So, you can spend some time here if you want to have an insight about the traditional Romanian life.
5. Discover The Unique Palace Of Parliament
The second-largest administrative building to exist in the world, the Palace of Parliament is a unique sight to have in Romania. The white building with over 1,100 rooms and grand halls, this place serves as the seat of the Romanian Parliament.
Some parts of the parliament are open to the public too, so with a valid ID, you can enter the palace and explore its vast halls and meeting rooms that are impressive in structure.
6. Stroll Through the Old Town of Bucharest
The Old Town, known by the name of Centru Vechi among locals is in Bucharest. It was a trading hub back in the time, filled with shops, cafes, bars, and galleries.
The streets and alleys in this town are narrow giving the quaint vibes and the old buildings with similar patterns give a charming atmosphere.
This place is a must to stop by to experience the old-fashioned town in the capital city. There are eateries here where you can taste original Romanian foods and also the nightlife here is vibrant, perfect to unwind a tiring day.
7. Learn History Of Romania At Muzeul Astra
A museum in the open air, Muzeul Astra has all, Romanian's rural traditions, practices passed through generations, and ancient craftsmanship.
The museum covers a large area, the land has Romanian houses that were made in old times, churches that date back to time, and workshops showcasing village life of the different regions of the country.
This place is perfect for travelers who want to know more about the history of Romania and want to dive into the native culture. Overall, you'll know old Romania after you return back from this museum.
8. Wander Around The Town Squares In Sibiu
Sibiu is a beautiful city in Romania that reflects places with medieval architecture and old-fashioned cobbled streets. Everything old-styled makes it picturesque.
The city is full of squares, the main ones being Piața Mare, the big square, Piața Mică, the small one, and Piața Huet. Furthermore, the squares are surrounded by even more beautiful buildings as well as multiple bakeries and coffee places.
Visiting the squares in Sibiu is a perfect option if you want to get out of the capital city and get somewhere new. The place is the best for the ones who want to explore authentic places except Bucharest.
9. Amazed By The Saxon Villages With Fortified Churches
These villages with fortified churches are located in the Transylvanian Plateau. The German settlers in the country, known as Saxons, used to live here in the 12th century. So, the villages are a combination of both, Germanic and Romanian cultures.
As you reach these villages, you'll get a glance at medieval German architecture, very colorful houses, and churches that are unique in structure.
Preserved by the community of the villages till now, the fortified churches have thick walls, watchtowers, and also fortified gates.
Some of these churches are also recognized by UNESCO, Biertan Fortified Church, Viscri Fortified Church, and Prejmer Fortified Church are the ones in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
10. Hike In The Bucegi Mountains
Except for the exceptional architecture, Romania is also blessed with beautiful nature. Bucegi mountains located in the central region of the country hold the best example of this.
The scenic routes in the mountains are perfect for hiking, and there are trails for each level of hiker. Along the way, visitors can be mesmerized by the view of vegetation in high altitudes like alpine meadows, caves, and gorges.
The view gets even more spectacular in the snowy season, imagine mountains and alpine meadows covered with white snow! If you're not up to a hike, then you can also explore the area by taking a cable car ride.
11. Have Fun At Black Sea Coast Beach
There are many beautiful beaches all around the Black Sea Coast. These beaches are for water lovers, anyone who wants to enjoy swimming in the clear waters near the beach and want to relax enjoying the views of sunrise and sunset.
There are hotels around this beach which can be a perfect option for visitors to stay. Also, popular beaches like Mamaia and Vama Veche are popular for being relaxing and a vibrant nightlife.
Spending hours on the beaches is a perfect thing to do to have a look at different birds roaming near the waters and also, visiting cultural attractions nearby can be suitable to spend some more time in the beach area.
12. Get Mesmerize By The Turda Salt Mine
We would love to recommend this place, Salina Turda, a salt mine located underground in Transylvania. This impressive attraction was once a major source of salt in the country.
Now, it's a tourist destination with a range of activities. There are salt chambers that have therapeutic purposes, an amusement park where children can engage, and a lake with available boat rides.
There are also vast chambers in the mine which are built for educational purposes. You can explore some of the main ones like the colossal Unirea Chamber to have an awe-inspiring experience.
13. Climb Up The Seven Ladders Canyon
The name of the landmark comes from the wooden ladders that are seven in number. The ladders take you through the canyon's steep and rocky walls, providing a thrill at every step.
The hike is not just limited to the rocks of the place, there are also a series of waterfalls all over. The paths are covered with forests, so, when you are hiking, you'll be continuously uplifted by the lush forested paths and the sound of rushing water.
The hike is not so challenging, so anyone can try it. It's a perfect thing to do for those who want to roam around in nature but with some level of adventure.
14. Go For Hiking At Apuseni Mountains
Another place to hike, this mountain in western Carpathians has perfect hiking trails. The landscape is the main draw here followed by caves, waterfalls, and wildlife.
Some of the popular spots located in this region include an ice cave called Scărișoara Cave which is one of the largest in Europe. The waterfall Râmețului Gorge, known for falling from a great height also lies in this mountain.
There are rural villages here too where visitors can experience the authentic Romanian culture, foods, and hospitality.
15. Travel By The Mocanita Steam Train
The Mocanita train offers a journey that can make you feel nostalgic. The journey takes you to Romania's scenic countryside where you can feel relaxed's beauty.
Powered by a steam engine, this experience is rare in other parts of the world. As the train takes you along forests, valleys, and remote villages, you will have once in a lifetime journey here.
The routes like the Maramureș region make the journey even better as along with discovering nature, you'll also get to observe the villages that take you through Romania's past.
16. Taste The Delicious Romanian Cuisine
Romanian cuisine is unique on its own and is a must-try when you are here. Different regions of the country have their own kind of specialties, altogether, the cuisine is the blend of Balkan, Turkish, and Hungarian cuisines.
Some of the traditional dishes to have in Romania include:
- Sarmale (cabbage rolls filled with minced meat)
- Mămăligă (polenta made with maize flour)
- Mititei (grilled sausages) and
- Ciorbă de burtă (made with beef tripe, a soup)
There are also Romanian desserts you shouldn't forget to try. Papanași (fried doughnuts with sour cream and jam) and cozonac (a sweet, braided bread) are some traditional ones native to this country.
17. Go For A Guided Wine Tour
If we look at the history, Romania is one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world. There are many wine regions here, the popular ones being Dealu Mare, the Transylvanian plateau, and the Murfatlar region located near the Black Sea.
Whichever wine region you choose to visit, depending on your ease of access, the wine tour lets you visit the cellars used in making wine and also taste the samples, from white to red.
The guided tour can be a memorable as well as educational experience for the wine lovers.
18. Immerse In Nature At Danube Delta
A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Europe's most biodiverse regions, visiting the Danube Delta is a must to explore the natural diversity of Romania.
There are many species of birds and other wildlife in the area, which can be explored with boat tours.
Overall, the Danube Delta is a paradise that offers a combination of all, wetlands, forests, and lakes, perfectly allowing visitors to immerse in nature.
19. Stop By The Merry Cemetery In Maramureș
Placing a cemetery visit in things to do may be a surprise, but this one in Maramureș County is a unique one to explore.
The cemetery here is colorful and was made by a local artist in the 1930s to celebrate life rather than death. A unique perspective to explore in detail, the place is covered by wooden crosses depicting scenes from the deceased person's life, along with humorous epitaphs.
The visit to the cemetery can be opening as you'll be taken away from what's normal. The visit here, overall, provides an insightful and unusual look at Romanian customs and beliefs surrounding life and death.
20. Roam Around The Colorful Town Sighișoara
Another UNESCO World Heritage site in Romania, this best-preserved medieval town in Europe is a center of attraction for tourists.
The town has colorful buildings and cobbled narrow street perfect to roam around. The charming squares around add more to the aesthetics of the place.
There are many places to visit here, the ones you must go to include the Clock Tower and the Church on the Hill Moreover, it also has lively festivals that brings town’s medieval past to life.
21. Enjoy In Romania Regional Festivals
Many regional festivals are continuously conducted, all around the year in Romania. These festivals perfectly showcase the rich cultural heritage of different areas, music, and traditional dances.
Some of the popular ones where the entire town engages in the celebration include, the Othe Oradea Medieval Festival and the Folk Art Festival in Craiov, being a part of these is a great opportunity to live the Romanian life.
Furthermore, if you are a film lover then Transylvania International Film Festival (TIFF) is for you. This one is joined by people around the world. All of these festivals are good to truly connect with Romanian culture.
