The best places to visit in Romania
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Loading... - Cheryl Gilbert
- 11 May 2022
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Tucked between Central and Eastern Europe, Romania’s popularity as a tourist destination increased in recent years. It might not be one of the first destinations that springs to mind when you think about backpacking in Europe, but it is one of the cheapest places to visit in Europe, and one of Europe’s most beautiful hidden gems.
Romania boasts spectacular mountain scenery with numerous hiking trails, as well as beautiful, wild, natural landscapes thanks to the Carpathian Mountains. Medieval cities such as Sibiu, Brașov, and Cluj Napoca offer lots of cultural attractions and ways to spend your time. And there are plenty of well-preserved, impressive medieval castles such as Bran Castle also known by its touristy name Dracula Castle, Corvin and Peles Castle.
Last but not least, Romanian’s rich folk culture is best experienced in its rural parts in the traditional regions of Transylvania, maramures and Bucovina where you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Romania, there certainly are a lot of places you could add to your Romania bucket list!
So if you’re looking for a new destination to visit this year, consider visiting Romania. Here are the top things to do in Romania, including my personal favourites and local top tips, along with the best places to visit in Romania.
The best places to visit in Romania...
1. BraÈ™ov: Romania’s beloved tourist city
BraÈ™ov is hands down one of the most charming cities in Romania. Located at the very heart of the country, BraÈ™ov is the country’s #2 favourite tourist destination after Bucharest and one of the best places to visit in Romania. And for good reason – it’s a beautiful city with medieval townhouses and cobbled streets against a backdrop of mountain scenery.
BraÈ™ov has very good restaurants serving traditional Romanian recipes with a modern twist, a laid back town square to enjoy local life and medieval walls with defence bastions you can visit to learn about the city’s history.
Due to its location there are many things to do in Brasov and most tourists spend a couple of days in the city. It’s a great base to explore the region of Transylvania on day trips or to go hiking in the Carpathians, which is one of the best things to do in Romania! And for those interested in seeing wild animals, especially bears, this is the place to be!
2. Visit the famous Bran - Dracula - Castle
Just 28 kilometres away from Brasov you’ll find one of the most important medieval routes that connects the region of Transylvania to Wallachia: the Rucăr-Bran Pass. In this village, at the top of a steep mountain cliff, lies Bran Castle, famously known as Dracula’s Castle, which is by far one of the best places to visit in Romania and one of the most popular tourist attractions.
Novels and vampire movies widely popularized it and although there is no proof that Bram Stoker knew about Bran Castle’s existence, this medieval construction is often referred to as the home of his notorious character, Count Dracula. Hence the name of Dracula’s Castle.
Nevertheless, the castle has many legends and an impressive history to tell given its strategic history. Go on a guided tour to find out – just make sure you check its schedule before going!
3. Go hiking in the traditional villages of Măgura & Peștera
Looking into the distance from Bran Castle’s defence walls you’ll see the impressive ridge of Piatra Craiului Mountains scratching the sky. Halfway up you’ll see old houses and barns scattered all over the hills – those are the villages of Măgura, Pestera, Sirnea and Holbav. For me, this is the most beautiful and picturesque region in Romania.
Natives think of these villages when they want a sweet escape from the city. It’s one of the best places to visit in Romania if you don’t want to see crowds, allowing you to connect to nature fully. Gentle hills, green meadows and sheep flocks will make your trip unforgettable. You will notice traditional wooden households where locals still live like they used to 50 years ago. With some you could even enjoy a typical lunch made with organic products from their garden.
Then, on the horizon, you will be stunned by the beauty of Piatra Craiului’s ridge. You’re in a national park with a dense network of hiking trails for beginners and experienced hikers alike. The main attraction for the most enthusiastic hikers is the 25km limestone ridge, the longest and the highest ridge of this type in the country and one of the best things to do in Romania. Hiking it safely and completely requires almost two full days, but it’s worth the effort as the panoramic views are breathtaking. Most hiking tracks start in ZărneÈ™ti, Plaiul Foii, or the small villages from the base, and you’ll have more than 70 options, from the easiest to the most intense. There are a few small refuges on the long limestone ridge, but for lengthier trails, carrying your tent & tools is the best option as, particularly in the summer, the few cabins from the national park are fully booked.
4. Visit an underground amusement park: Turda Salt Mine
Turda Salt Mine is an ideal place to cool down, relax and evade the torrid city summer. Located in Durgău-Valea Sărată, Turda Salt Mine is the world’s most spectacular underground shaped by people. It’s located 50 km from Cluj-Napoca, the unofficial capital of Transylvania and one of the best places to visit in Romania.
Turda’s salt deposits dated back to ancient times and were dug up to 30 meters deep, creating tunnels that were used as anti-aircraft shelters during the war. Each tunnel in the mine was formed without the help of explosives or machinery and, for a while, was one of the main salt deposits in the whole region.
Since the late 90s, the mine has been converted into a mining museum and tourist attraction with an incredible and very popular amusement park. The light installations create a wonderful feeling and make you feel in awe of nature’s underground beauty. And did you know that breathing salty air is good for your lungs? One of the best things to do in Romania is to spend 2-3 hours inside to see for yourself! Read More…
