Romania, a country on the Balkan Peninsula, is a diverse and interesting place. The Romans, who gave the country its name, the Hungarians, and the Ottomans have all held sway over the territory that is now part of the former Eastern Bloc.
It has a thriving artistic scene and is dotted with historic villages and ski resorts. Yet maybe Transylvania’s most recognisable resident is the fictitious vampire Dracula.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Romania
Romania is rich in historical sites and artefacts. There are several mediaeval castles in Romania, but the city of Sighişoara stands out for its wealth of mediaeval architecture and Gothic-style streets.
You may learn more than just urban legends about Dracula at Bran Castle, which dates back to the 14th century and can be found in Brașov. Furthermore, Bucharest. Medieval structures will captivate you just as much as avant-garde Communist structures will astound you. The top tourist destinations in Romania are as follows.
1. Danube Delta
Romania is home to the vast majority of Europe’s second-largest river delta, the Danube Delta. The Danube Delta, which was once a part of the Black Sea, is a beautiful natural area.
It comprises 23 distinct habitats, some of the largest wetlands in the world, and is home to numerous endemic plant and animal species. Past guests have recommended a leisurely boat ride down the river to take in the breathtaking sunsets.
2. Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca, Romania is home to the country’s largest university and is widely regarded as the de facto capital of Transylvania. The city has been an important cultural and artistic hub in Romania since before Roman invasion. Cluj-Napoca, which is home to a sizable Hungarian community, has a statue dedicated to the country’s last ruler.
St. Michael’s Gothic Church, constructed in the 14th century, is the highest church tower in the country. The National Museum of Art is located in a palace and features extensive holdings of Romanian artistic production.
3. Mamaia
Mamaia, Romania, is the most visited Romanian coastal resort because of its location on the Black Sea. Mamaia is a tiny town, stretching just around 8 kilometres (5 miles) along a narrow peninsula.
It boasts beautiful beaches with fine white sand, perfect for lounging in the sun or people-watching. There is a water park in Mamaia, but there isn’t much for toddlers to do there. Nonetheless, adults may benefit from taking lessons at the wind-surfing school.
4. Timisoara
Timisoara, in western Romania, is one of the country’s oldest and largest cities, having been settled as early as the 13th century. It was the first city in Europe to have electric street lamps, and it was once part of the Ottoman Empire. The city has recovered from the enormous damage it sustained from bombing on both sides during World War Two.
Although the core part of the Timișoara Orthodox Cathedral, famous for its 11 towers, was constructed in the 20th century, it retains numerous historic religious artefacts and vintage icon paintings.
5. Bucharest
Bucharest is a city where the modern and the historic coexist. On the same block, tourists might see a century-old structure, a brand new high-rise, and a building designed in the Communist style.
With 3,100 rooms and 12 floors, the Parliament building in this rapidly developing European metropolis is the largest in the world. This magnificent structure, completed in 1984, is open for tours at various times daily. The historic cathedrals and tiny cobblestone lanes of Bucharest’s old town centre are also not to be missed.
6. Sinaia
Mount Sinai inspired the founding of Sinaia, a mountain tourist town. Hiking in the summer and some fairly incredible downhill skiing in the winter have made the monastery a popular tourist destination, and it also houses a copy of the first Bible written in Romania.
Peles Castle, the summer residence of King Charles I, is also located in this area and is a major tourist magnet. Because of the town’s reputation for beauty, tourists who steal its flowers risk getting into trouble.
7. Painted Monasteries
The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina, located in the country’s northeast, are among the country’s most photogenic landmarks.
Frescoes depicting saints and prophets, scenes from Jesus’ life, angels and demons, and the afterlife adorn its painted exterior walls, which date back to the 15th and 16th centuries.
Humor, Moldovita, Patrauti, Probota, Suceava, Sucevita, and Voronet are home to some of the country’s best-preserved monasteries.
8. Brasov
Brasov, in the heart of Romania, is a vibrant metropolis with a remarkable blend of modern amenities and historic buildings and landscapes. The city is a mountain resort, complete with ski slopes and ice rinks, thanks to its location in the shadow of the Carpathian Mountains.
The Gothic cathedral known as the Black Church is a must-see. It got its name after smoke from a catastrophic fire that occurred there in the 17th century. Rope Street, the country’s smallest street, is another attraction that may pique a tourist’s interest.
9. Sibiu
Historic Sibiu began in the early 12th century. Despite the city’s location in Transylvania, a region commonly linked with vampires according to legends like Dracula’s, visitors are extremely unlikely to encounter any living vampires in the modern era.
In its place are Baroque structures like Brukenthal Palace, which houses one of the world’s oldest museums, and the Grand Square, which has been in use since the 15th century. Also, tourists might want to keep an eye out for ancient defences that were formerly used to protect the city.
10. Sighisoara
Sighisoara, another Transylvanian city, is a must-see because of its stunning walled old town. German artisans and merchants of the 12th century. The king of Hungary asked the Transylvanian Saxons to settle and guard the border.
They built the fortress and bustling commercial centre that tourists see today. In the 14th century, it saw a period of expansion and improvement. Each July, the historic citadel hosts a Medieval Festival. The Clock Tower, standing at a lofty 64 metres (210 feet) in height, has been a local icon since its construction in 1556.
