Explore Romania’s top 10 places to visit in Romania and immerse yourself in its rich culture, history, and natural beauty.
The land of contrasts where the culture mixes vampire stories with fairytales, where well-cherished traditions meet brand-new fancy trends, where the delicious traditional food blends with new intros of other culture’s kitchens, home for the most infamous character, Dracula, to nowadays important sports figures, Simona Halep or David Popovici, Romania gets on the podium for one of the most beautiful countries.
Stay tuned and by the end of this article, you’ll wish you would’ve visited “the country of all possibilities” earlier. But first, let me guide you through its beauties, pass you through its famous places, step you by to the most unknown and yet spectacular ones, and let you be charmed by the country of hardworking and yet, party people. Let’s get it started!
10 places to visit in Romania that will “take your breath away”
Often associated with Count Dracula and his dark side, Romania is even more than that. Let me show you how spectacular this East-European country might be and let’s make a bucket list with the best 10 places to visit in Romania that you shouldn’t miss out on.
The Danube Delta – Peace Oasis
The Danube Delta, emerging from the Black Sea in Tulcea County, Dobrogea region, is Europe’s largest and best-preserved delta. The stunning natural wonder is a shelter for a variety of plants and animals, owning 23 ecosystems. With a 5.165 square kilometers area, it is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Accessible only by boat, the Danube Delta offers peaceful tranquility with the soothing sounds of waves and crickets. Visit in spring to avoid insects. Capture stunning sunsets over the river for the best Instagram-worthy photos and breathtaking views.
Turda Saltmine – “The gate to the heart of Transylvania”
The most thrilling underground attraction you may ever come across, an amusement park hidden at a depth of 120 meters (400 feet), Turda Saltmine signifies beauty, wellness, and adventure. A spectacle of nature showcased to everyone through the efforts of the miners in Turda, upgraded to contemporary facilities, an unending source of health packed up with a range of activities ready to make the most of your time. Spend your free time and “bathe” yourself with well-being!
Bigăr Waterfall – otherwordly water veil
Bigăr Waterfall is located in the Anina Mountains and is another natural wonder that Romania hosts. Not so well-known in the last decades, recently it rose to notoriety after being mentioned in a web article a few years ago, both online and off. Ever since a rising number of people have visited the Cheile Nerei – Beușnița National Park. Water from an underground spring forms a transparent veil of raindrops as it falls over a huge stone covered in emerald moss. Spectacular sightseeing, isn’t it?
The Merry Cemetery – death in a joyful mood
Founded in 1930 by a local craftsman, the Merry Cemetery of Săpânța features unique hand-painted crosses celebrating both life and death. Being that, the crosses are breathtaking with bright colors and ancient folk motifs, serving as reminders of life’s transitory nature. Each cross is inscribed with a specially written poem about the deceased, sometimes written in an ironic or self-deprecating tone. Just give it a try and you won’t regret it.
Cluj-Napoca – the capital of European Youth
At the present time, Cluj is recognized as one of Europe’s youngest, most vibrant, and most exciting cities, a contemporary metropolis. Cluj-Napoca, Romania’s second-largest city and host of the UNTOLD Festival. Boasts the highest concentration of students and “a la Cluj cabbage. So, ” Step by “Cabbagerie”, taste and delight your taste buds!
The cave of Scărișoara – a natural monument dating from the Ice Age
And if it happens to get in Cluj-Napoca, you’d rather plan a trip to the second-largest underground glacier in Europe. To list, inside the 1,165-meter-high Scărișoara Cave in the Apuseni Mountains is a 4,000-year-old wonder reminiscent of the “Ice Age” movie. Seeing that, the cave’s interior temperature is only 1°C at its warmest, making summertime visits potentially cold. So, come, visit, and leave with a baggage full of information and …legends about dragoons!
Moldavian monasteries and frescoes
Then again, the painted monasteries of Bucovina, located in northeastern Romania, offer truly unique views. Being that, in the 15th and 16th centuries, vibrant frescoes adorned the exterior walls of several monasteries. So, the images include works of art of saints, prophets, Jesus, angels, devils, heaven, hell, and other figures. To clarify, initially, artists painted everyone to bring the Bible’s stories to life for accessibility. So, currently, UNESCO recognizes the churches as World Heritage Sites.
Palace Of Culture – history and culture in one place
At this point, this is a stunning Neo-Gothic structure in Iasi houses the Palace of Culture in Romania. As can be seen, the 390,000-square-foot structure houses 298 rooms and is home to four museums. So, the Moldovan museums comprise the Science and Technology Museum, Art Museum, History Museum of Moldova, and Ethnographic Museum of Moldova. Summing up, the National Register of Historic Places has listed this structure.
The Sphinx and its Mystery
To begin with, Romania’s stunning Sphinx, a natural rock formation in the Bucegi Mountains, resembles Egypt’s Great Sphinx with its striking human-like face. Seeing that, you can discover hidden secrets, legends, and more in this place, and give it a try for an unforgettable experience.
The Fairy Valley Clay Castle
To point out, Romania is known for its fairytales, making it one of the top 10 places to visit in the country. So, here’s the spot where the fairies live! Of course, I’m kidding, but the owners of The Clay Castle aren’t. To that end, the castle, crafted from clay, stone, and straw, boasts a Garden of Fairies and homemade items, perfect for families. For example, visit a modern, boutique shop that caters to your inner child or the one you’re holding.
Above all, Romania is spectacular, there’s no doubt. Let’s explore the capital and offer tips for those uncertain about visiting Bucharest now or later! Being that, let me navigate traffic, serve history, delight senses, spark memories, and satisfy your adventure cravings.