11 best things to see in Romania + Map

Partly because we usually have plenty of time for these trips, you can be sure that our recommendations for what to visit in Romania are authentic and based on our own firsthand experiences. Just like every other article on this blog.

To wrap things up, we’re also including a map of all the places we visited that we think are worth checking out. You can download it to your phone and use it during your trip.

Banat

It’s been a long-time dream of mine. From the very first moment I heard about the Banat region, I’ve wanted to visit this border area of Romania. So it’s no surprise that it’s on our list of places to visit in Romania. My expectations were high—after all, so many famous people head to Banat every year for the Banat Festival. If you’re not familiar with it, here’s a quick introduction.

We know Banat because of its local residents. They are Romanians with Czech roots, so it’s no wonder that people speak Czech to you and you see typical old Czech-style houses in the villages. Originally, we wanted to visit five traditional villages on foot. The trek is about 80 km long and shouldn’t take more than four days (it’s very hilly—up and down). Unfortunately, it rained a lot, so we only managed to visit Eibentál and Bígr, and then drive to Rovensko (and that’s a hell of a drive). We didn’t get to see Svatá Helena and Garnic because we were pressed for time. But we had such a blast during that time. The locals are incredibly open, funny, and can liven things up even when they’re not exactly in the mood. Oh, and they sure know how to drink, too.

If you’d like to go out and spend more time in this area, be sure to read the guide to Banat, written by local Czech-Romanians themselves.

Brasov

Originally, we wanted to head out from Brașov toward “Dracula’s Castle” in Bran. But after we arrived, we somehow started digging deeper into who Dracula really was and how the whole story came about. That led us to the conclusion that Bran wasn’t a good choice. So we spent the whole day in this romantic spot. We had no problem just wandering around the small historic center all day.

The city boasts its own brewery, many cafes and restaurants, interesting historical sites (the White and Black Towers, the Black Church), and a pleasant hike to the “Brasov” sign.

P.S.: Watch your step—but more on that at the end of the article.

The Black Sea

I remember going on vacation to Bulgaria with my parents when I was still a kid. For our family, it was the highlight of the decade back then, since we just weren’t rich. 😀 But I didn’t remember what the Black Sea was like.

It wasn’t until I saw it that the memories came flooding back. Relatively clear water, lots of waves, pleasant sandy beaches, and a sandy seabed. Now, as an adult, I can say that the Romanian Black Sea is mainly about enjoying the peace and quiet—and maybe a few parties, too—because that’s exactly what just about every city on the western coast has to offer.

Mega-structures, wide beaches dotted with bars… You can avoid this tourist hotspot by visiting during the off-season. Accommodations are half the price, no one will bother you, and you can use the lounge chairs for free.

Danube Delta

If you’re wondering whether to include the Danube Delta in your itinerary for Romania, read on carefully. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Zdenka and I paid for an adventurous 9-hour boat trip from the city of Tulcea ( Tulža) through the Danube’s canals all the way to the point where the Danube flows into the Black Sea.

If you can, definitely go. You’ll see bird colonies, the indigenous people who have settled in the inhospitable delta region, wild horses, and you’ll wade through the waves forming as the tide rolls in from the sea. The boat ride still costs 1,500 CZK (300 LEI), but it was definitely worth the money.

And if I may make a suggestion, book the activity through GetYourGuide—that way you’ll avoid any confusion in Tulcea. I especially recommend this during peak season. You’ll find all the instructions and important contact information in the app.

Salt Mines (Salina)

Romania has several salt mines. The best known is probably Salina Turda, which attracts the largest number of visitors. We had also planned to visit Salina Turda, but it didn’t really fit into our plans. In the end, we didn’t visit any salt mines.

But I just couldn’t let it go, and I kept trying to find more salt mines. After all, there can’t be just one—and I was right! There are several of them, and you can check them all out here

Băile Herculane Natural Spa

We stumbled upon this place completely by chance along the entire route from Bucharest to the Banat region. Zdenička opened Mapy.cz and simply wanted to break up our grueling 300-kilometer journey from Bucharest with a pleasant side trip. What started as an innocent little trip turned into a beautiful day in the Muntii Godeanu mountain region.

Băile Herculane is a town originally founded by the Romans when they conquered Dacia (yes, just like that car brand—Dacia, which translates to modern-day Romania) and later architecturally destroyed by the communists when they wanted to turn it into a brutalist-style convalescent resort. There are natural springs here where you can bathe freely without anyone charging you or bothering you.

The Făgăraș Mountains

While traveling along the famous Transfăgărășan Highway, we spent one night at a place called Bâlea Lac. From there, we continued hiking along the ridges of the Făgăraș Mountains, and wow! Thanks to the treeless peaks, you get a view of the entire landscape stretching for kilometers. You also get a beautiful view of the winding highway below. This place definitely belongs on your list of places to visit in Romania!

You won’t run into any bears—they stay down in the forests below. A very popular hike is the Făgăraș traverse, which takes about 7 days and covers roughly 70 km with an elevation gain of several kilometers. I’d say these mountains are a bit mischievous—the weather changes from one second to the next. They have a certain charm, and we have very fond memories of them.

Transfăgărășan Highway + Transalpina DN67C

If you’re planning to drive the Transfăgărășan DN67C as part of a tour, I’d actually recommend renting a car and driving the entire route there and back on your own. We didn’t want to spend so much time in the car, so we chose just one of the routes mentioned above: the Transfăgărășan. At the very top of this road is a place called Bâlea Lac, where “you’ll find the only life.”

We spent the night here and then went on two hikes in the Făgăraș Mountains. It’s definitely worth driving the entire Transfăgărășan route there and back, because the views are completely different from both sides. The entire drive takes about 2 hours one way (including stops to take photos). The only thing that “disappointed” us was the lack of a view of the lake on the south side of the road—maybe it’s not even worth driving out to that lake.

Sighișoara

An unassuming little town tucked away on the road from Sibiu to Brașov. We hadn’t even planned to stop here, but then we found out that this is the birthplace of Vlad III, aka Dracula. The funny thing is, though, that the house is now a bizarre restaurant with less-than-flattering reviews (Casa lui Vlad Dracul).

On the other hand, we were glad we went, because Sighișoara is kind of like a “light” version of Český Krumlov. As Zdéňa put it:“Krumlov from Wish, but without the river running through it.” The town is truly beautiful, though, and full of sights that aren’t the usual ones you see everywhere else.

Do you know why Vlad III is nicknamed Dracula? His father, Vlad II, was a member of the so-called Order of the Dragon, and as a member he was given the title “draco.” Although the Latin translation of the word is “dragon,” the Romanian translation means “devil.” His son, Vlad III, was nicknamed “Drăculea.” The Latin translation of the word means “son of the dragon,” while the Romanian translation means “son of the devil.” His cruelty and his nickname then took on a life of their own.

Romanian Vineyards

Thanks to its favorable conditions, Romania is among the producers of high-quality wines, and that’s exactly what we wanted to experience! After a few dreary days, we decided to spend a day at a vineyard. We chose an area north of Bucharest, specifically in the Târnave and Aiud regions. Other vineyards are located east of Bucharest along the road to Constanța or in the Banat region.

There really are a lot of vineyards here. During the season—that is, in August and September— you can enjoy a guided wine tasting with an overnight stay at a vineyard. In the second half of September, the harvest begins, and there isn’t much time left for tastings. We arrived in the second half of September, and all that was left for us were bottled wines without a guide to explain them.

So we spent the night at the Crama de Piatra vineyard, and it was really nice! A bottle of Riesling cost us about 350 Kč, and the setting and atmosphere were priceless—as was the room where we spent the night.

Bucharest

We saved the big city for the very end of our trip. We didn’t want to spend too much time in big cities, but I have to say that we were wrong to assume what a drag Bucharest would be.

Both domestic and international blogs are saying it— parliament and that’s it. ChatGPT, which we aptly named Bohunka (it presented itself as a “he”), more or less said the same thing. But that’s a mistake! Bucharest , once known as “Little Paris ,” has a lot to offer. A rich cultural scene (concerts, workshops, parks full of people, buskers, and more), sights, and cafés.

For Romanians, this is a very significant place from 1989. As it is for almost all countries of the Eastern Bloc, for that matter. Romanian history, however, is shrouded in an even thicker fog of events from that winter of 1989. That year, on Christmas Day, the dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu was overthrown and subsequently publicly executed. His entire story is very interesting—be sure to look up more information about it.

Safety in Romania

When planning where to visit in Romania, also keep safety in mind—an issue that has been widely discussed recently, especially due to bears in the southern Carpathians. Be sure to always check the situation in areas where bears are present before you travel.

Unfortunately, bears have become the biggest threat even to locals, who are calling for an increase in the number of these predators that are culled.

As for nights in big cities, for example, you definitely don’t need to worry about vampires or even serious crime. Just follow the general rules—don’t walk down empty alleys (even if it means taking a shortcut), don’t flash large amounts of cash, and don’t leave your belongings on the car seat.

We also regularly filmed Stories and posted updates about Romania, which you can check out in our highlights on our IG profile. We’d love for you to follow us, too! 🙂

Is Romania cheap or expensive?

For me, that chapter was closed long before I left for Romania—it’s cheap there! The reality check came just a few hours after I arrived. Honestly, I’d say it’s even more expensive in Romania than it is here.

• Fuel by 10%,
• Lunch at a regular restaurant or food stand: about 150 per serving,
• A night for two at a hostel costs about 600–1,000,-,
• Admission to attractions: 200–500 per person
• Draft beer 50–70/half-liter

Of course, it’s cheaper to shop at regular supermarket chains (Lidl, Kaufland, Carrefour), but circumstances don’t always allow for that. That’s why I’d be prepared for the possibility that you might end up spending more than you originally planned.

But as Honza Kraus says: “There’s always some money left over.”

How to Find Accommodations and What to Expect

Prices at hotels and guesthouses are relatively reasonable. A typical hotel costs between 1,000 and 1,500 CZK per night for two people, while smaller guesthouses start at 700 CZK per night. We didn’t have a single problem with any of our accommodations during our entire trip—and we even stayed in Craiova!! 😀 In smaller towns, it’s worth looking for a “Pensiunea” (guesthouse).

90% of the reservations were made through Booking or Airbnb. Both work without any problems.

You can also experience authentic accommodations in Banat, where you have the opportunity to stay with local Czech-Romanians (through a local guide). The first night in Eibenthal was fantastic (they even brew their own beer!), but the second night was less pleasant—we stayed with a Czech man in Bigar who had bought a house there. It hadn’t been renovated at all, there was barely any electricity, and it cost 2,000 per night! On the other hand, we had the best night of drinking with the locals there.

Parking in Romania: What to Know Before You Go

This is a topic I really love, because I’m a firm believer that you shouldn’t have to pay for parking! 😀 That’s why I always tried to find accommodations with their own parking, or if we went on a trip to see a landmark, we’d park in the wider city center, where parking was often free—for example, in Hundeoara.

Parking in Cities

In most cities, parking is metered, usually in the city center. The price ranges from about 3–6 RON/hour (15–30 Kč). You can pay via parking meters, text message, or apps (e.g., TPARK or Parking București). It’s pretty simple, and in larger cities, you’ll find QR codes almost everywhere to download the apps.

Parking zones are color-coded:

• Blue/Yellow Zone – Short-term parking in the city center.
• White Zone – Free long-term parking (often outside the city center).

Parking at Landmarks and Tourist Attractions

Most castles, monasteries, and nature parks have their own parking lots, which are often monitored. Prices range from about 10–20 RON per day (50–100 Kč). At lesser-known locations (e.g., mountain passes, villages in Banat), parking is free, but you must always park in a way that does not block local access. This also applies to parking at the top of the highway—there, the rule is: first come, first served, and parking is free.

Don’t miss out on more tips about the 7 Wonders of Romania, or check out the article on interesting facts about Romania.