10 Best places in Romania – Recommended from my time living there

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Maramureș

(pronounced: mah-rah-MOO-resh)

If you asked me which part of Romania felt the most different from anywhere else in Europe, I'd probably choose Maramureș.

Tucked away in the country's far northwest, near the Ukrainian border, this region is where traditions have been preserved for generations. 

Horse-drawn carts still travel quiet country roads, villagers gather for festivals in beautifully embroidered traditional clothing, and some of Europe's finest wooden churches continue to watch over tiny farming communities.

One of the highlights for me was exploring the UNESCO-listed wooden churches scattered throughout the valleys.

Built entirely from timber hundreds of years ago, their soaring spires, hand-painted interiors, and peaceful settings make them feel wonderfully untouched by time. 

The biggest surprise, however, was the Merry Cemetery in Săpânța. Instead of somber grey headstones, the cemetery is filled with bright blue wooden crosses, each decorated with a painted portrait and a humorous poem telling the story of the person buried there, often including the way they died. 

It sounds unusual, but I found it surprisingly uplifting. Rather than fearing death, the cemetery celebrates a life well lived with warmth, humour, and remarkable honesty.

How Maramureș fits into your Romania itinerary

Maramureș is one of Romania's most remote regions, so it's best suited to travelers with at least a week to explore the country. I recommend spending two or three nights here.

The Danube Delta

(pronounced: DAHN-yoob)

At the country's eastern edge, the Danube River spreads into hundreds of winding channels before finally reaching the Black Sea, creating one of Europe's largest and most important wetland ecosystems. 

There are no roads leading into much of the Delta, so the only real way to explore is by boat, which immediately slows the pace of your trip.

One of the highlights of my visit was joining a half-day birdwatching tour with a local guide. Not only was it a wonderful way to experience the Delta, but I also learned so much about Romania's incredible wildlife.

The Delta is home to around 300 bird species, including enormous white pelicans, cormorants, herons, egrets, and birds of prey. Having someone point out species I would have completely missed on my own made the experience far more rewarding.

The early morning hours were especially memorable. As the sun rose over the reeds, the waterways were perfectly still, a light mist drifted across the channels, and birds began to fill the sky. 

It was one of the most peaceful mornings I've experienced anywhere in Europe, and a reminder that sometimes the best travel experiences come from simply sitting quietly and taking it all in.

If you have the time, continue all the way to Sulina, Romania's easternmost town. Its quiet streets, weathered buildings, and remote location give it a character all its own, making it feel like you've reached the very edge of the country.

How the Danube Delta fits into your Romania itinerary

The Danube Delta is best added to the beginning or end of your Romania itinerary, as it's typically reached via Tulcea, about three hours from Bucharest. I recommend spending at least two nights here to fully appreciate its unique landscapes before returning inland to continue exploring the rest of Romania.

Sighișoara

(pronounced: see-ghee-SHWAH-rah)

Sighișoara feels like stepping into a storybook. Perched on a hill in the heart of Transylvania, the town has kept its cobbled streets, colorful merchant houses, and medieval towers remarkably unchanged for centuries. 

What makes it even more special is that this isn't an open-air museum. People still live and work within the ancient citadel, giving the town an authenticity that's increasingly rare in Europe.

Founded by Saxon settlers in the 12th century, Sighișoara is one of the best-preserved medieval towns on the continent and has earned its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

It's also widely believed to be the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the 15th-century ruler whose story later inspired the Dracula legend.

My favorite part of visiting Sighișoara was climbing the Covered Staircase to the Church on the Hill.

The wooden staircase has protected visitors from the weather for centuries, and reaching the top rewards you with beautiful views over the red rooftops of the citadel and the surrounding countryside. The peaceful church and its medieval frescoes make the climb well worth the effort.

Unlike many famous medieval towns, Sighișoara never felt overcrowded or overly commercial during my visit. It's the kind of place that's best explored slowly, wandering quiet streets, discovering hidden courtyards, and simply enjoying the atmosphere.

How Sighișoara fits into your Romania itinerary

Sighișoara sits almost perfectly between Brașov and Sibiu, making it an easy stop on any Transylvania road trip.

The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina

(pronounced: boo-koh-VEE-nah)

I wasn't quite prepared for just how extraordinary the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina would be. 

I'd seen photographs beforehand, but nothing compares to standing in front of buildings whose exterior walls are almost completely covered in colorful frescoes that have survived more than 500 years of rain, snow, and harsh Romanian winters.

Scattered across the rolling countryside of northeastern Romania, these monasteries were built during the 15th and 16th centuries, and today eight of them are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Rather than decorating just the interiors, artists transformed the entire outside of the churches into enormous works of art, creating vivid biblical scenes that could be understood by people who couldn't read. It's one of the most unique collections of religious art I've seen anywhere in Europe.

Voroneț Monastery is undoubtedly the most famous, thanks to its brilliant blue frescoes and remarkable depiction of the Last Judgment covering the southern wall. It deserves every bit of its reputation. 

My personal favorite, however, was Sucevița Monastery. Surrounded by fortified walls and backed by forested hills, it felt quieter, more intimate, and somehow even more atmospheric. Every surface seemed to tell another story, and I found myself slowing down just to take in the incredible level of detail.

How the Painted Monasteries fit into your Romania itinerary

I recommend basing yourself near Suceava for a night or two, allowing enough time to visit Voroneț, Sucevița, Humor, and a few of the smaller monasteries without feeling rushed.

The Transfăgărășan Highway

(pronounced: trans-fah-gah-RAH-shahn)

If you love scenic road trips, the Transfăgărășan Highway deserves a place on your bucket list. 

Winding through the highest section of Romania's Carpathian Mountains, it's one of those drives where you find yourself pulling over every few minutes because the views somehow keep getting better.

The road climbs to more than 2,000 meters above sea level, twisting through countless hairpin bends before reaching beautiful Bâlea Lake near the summit. 

On a clear day, you can see mountain ridges stretching toward the horizon in every direction. It's easy to understand why Top Gear famously called it "the best road in the world."

For me, the highlight was approaching from the south. The road gradually climbs through forests before the landscape suddenly opens up into dramatic alpine scenery. 

Then, after passing through the tunnel near the summit, you're greeted by the iconic view of Bâlea Lake surrounded by rugged mountain peaks. It's one of those moments that photographs simply can't capture.

We had lunch at a small rustic restaurant on the lake, and it was some of the best traditional Romanian food we had on our trip.

How the Transfăgărășan Highway fits into your Romania itinerary

The Transfăgărășan is a perfect road trip between Sibiu and Curtea de Argeș, and can easily be combined with Brașov, Sighișoara, or other highlights of Transylvania. I recommend allowing most of a day so you have plenty of time to stop at viewpoints, enjoy Bâlea Lake, and simply soak in one of Europe's greatest mountain drives.

Peleș Castle & Sinaia

(pronounced: PEH-lesh)

I've visited a lot of castles around Europe, but Peleș Castle genuinely surprised me. 

From the outside, it looks like something lifted straight from the pages of a fairy tale, tucked among the forests of the Carpathian Mountains. Then you step inside and realize the interior is somehow even more impressive.

Built for King Carol I in the late 19th century, Peleș Castle was designed to showcase the confidence of a newly independent Romania. Every room seems to have its own personality, from elaborate carved wood ceilings to richly decorated reception halls inspired by architectural styles from across Europe and beyond. 

The craftsmanship is extraordinary, and it's easy to lose track of time wandering from one lavish room to the next.

The room that stayed with me the most was the Turkish Parlour. It feels completely unexpected inside a Romanian mountain castle, filled with intricate Moorish-inspired details that look as though they belong in Istanbul rather than the Carpathians. 

If you have the time, Sinaia itself is a lovely mountain town. I highly recommend taking the cable car into the Bucegi Mountains. The panoramic views from the plateau offer a completely different perspective on the region and provide a perfect contrast to the elegance of the royal residences below.

How Peleș Castle & Sinaia fit into your Romania itinerary

Peleș Castle is one of the easiest day trips from Bucharest, but it also fits perfectly into a Transylvania road trip between the capital and Brașov.

Sibiu

(pronounced: SEE-byoo)

Sibiu was one of the biggest surprises of my trip through Romania. It has all the charm of a beautifully preserved medieval town, but it also feels sophisticated and effortlessly livable. It's easy to understand why it was named the European Capital of Culture in 2007.

Founded by Saxon settlers in the 12th century, Sibiu later became one of Transylvania's most important cities under the Habsburg Empire, and you can still see those influences throughout the old town. 

Colorful merchant houses line the grand squares, elegant churches rise above the rooftops, and the famous dormer windows, affectionately known as the "Eyes of Sibiu," give the city an unmistakable character. Once you notice them, it feels as though the rooftops are quietly watching you wherever you walk.

While many visitors spend most of their time around Piața Mare, my favorite area was actually the Lower Town. Connected to the upper city by steep stairways and old passageways, it feels quieter and more authentic.

Wandering its narrow streets, past centuries-old buildings, gave me a much stronger sense of Sibiu's history than simply staying in the main squares above.

If you have extra time, don't miss the ASTRA Museum just outside the city. It's one of the largest open-air museums in Europe, with hundreds of traditional homes, churches, watermills, and workshops relocated from across Romania.

How Sibiu fits into your Romania itinerary

Sibiu makes an excellent base for exploring central Romania. It pairs naturally with Sighișoara, Brașov, and the spectacular Transfăgărășan Highway, making it one of the best stops on any Transylvania road trip.

Bran Castle

(pronounced: BRAHN)

Seeing Bran Castle for the first time was exactly the moment I'd hoped for. 

As the road wound through the trees, its towers gradually appeared on the hill above, looking every bit like the castle from a gothic fairy tale. I knew before arriving that the connection to Dracula was more legend than history, but honestly, that didn't matter. 

The setting alone is enough to make the visit worthwhile. Wandering through the narrow staircases, hidden passageways, and stone corridors, I found myself appreciating the castle for what it really is rather than what popular culture has turned it into. 

I actually became far more fascinated by Queen Marie of Romania, who transformed Bran into a royal summer residence during the early 20th century. Walking through her beautifully preserved rooms gives the castle a warmth that many medieval fortresses lack.

Rather than feeling like a dark museum dedicated to Dracula, Bran feels like a place that was genuinely lived in and loved.

Of course, the setting is just as memorable as the interior. Approaching the castle through the surrounding forests and seeing its towers emerge above the trees is every bit as magical as you'd hope, and the views from the upper levels across the valley are well worth the climb.

How Bran Castle fits into your Romania itinerary

Bran Castle makes an easy half-day trip from Brașov and is often combined with nearby Peleș Castle or Râșnov Fortress.

Bucharest

(pronounced: byoo-kah-REST)

Bucharest completely surprised me. Before arriving, I'd heard plenty about its communist architecture and enormous government buildings, but I wasn't expecting such a vibrant, welcoming city. 

It felt modern and creative, yet full of reminders of its past. One moment I'd be walking past elegant Belle Époque buildings, and the next I'd find myself standing in front of massive communist-era monuments. 

One of the highlights of my visit was touring the Palace of the Parliament. I'd seen photographs beforehand, but nothing prepared me for its sheer scale. Even though visitors only see a small fraction of the building, the enormous halls, grand staircases, and lavish interiors make it easy to understand why it's considered one of the largest administrative buildings in the world.

Afterward, I spent several hours wandering through Bucharest's Old Town, which had a completely different atmosphere. 

The narrow streets were filled with cafés, restaurants, and historic buildings, making it one of my favorite places to simply slow down and explore without an agenda. By evening, the area comes alive as locals and visitors gather to enjoy the city's food and nightlife.

The place I found myself recommending most, however, was the Village Museum in Herăstrău Park. Walking among traditional houses, churches, windmills, and farm buildings that had been relocated from across Romania helped tie together so much of what I'd experienced throughout the country.

After visiting places like Maramureș and Bucovina, it was fascinating to recognize the different regional building styles all in one beautiful lakeside setting.

How Bucharest fits into your Romania itinerary

Bucharest is the perfect place to begin or end your Romania adventure, with excellent international flight connections and easy rail links to the rest of the country.

Brașov & Transylvania

(pronounced: BRAH-shov)

If I could only choose one place to base myself while exploring Transylvania, it would be Brașov without hesitation. 

It has everything I look for in a destination: a beautiful medieval old town, excellent restaurants, easy access to the mountains, and some of Romania's most famous attractions all within an easy drive.

I loved wandering through the old town without much of a plan. Council Square quickly became my favorite place to slow down with a coffee and simply watch the world go by, while the surrounding colorful streets were filled with hidden courtyards, cafés, and centuries of history. 

The towering Black Church dominates the skyline and gives the whole city an unmistakable sense of place.

One of the highlights of my visit was taking the cable car up Tampa Mountain. Looking out across the red rooftops of Brașov, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains in every direction, it was easy to understand why so many people fall in love with this part of Romania.

My favorite moment, though, came later that evening. I wandered along the old defensive walls as the sun began to set, looking down over the rooftops while the mountains slowly faded into shadow. 

The Black Church rose above the city, church bells echoed through the streets, and for a few minutes, everything felt wonderfully still. It was exactly how I'd imagined Transylvania, only somehow even better.

How Brașov fits into your Romania itinerary

If you're visiting Romania for the first time, I'd build my itinerary around Brașov. Its central location makes it incredibly easy to explore many of the country's biggest highlights on day trips while returning each evening to one of Romania's most beautiful and enjoyable cities. It's the destination I found myself wishing I'd planned even more time in.

Romania Itinerary Ideas

Romania may look relatively compact on a map, but travel times can be longer than expected, especially through the mountains and rural regions. Here is the route I’d personally recommend for a first visit.

Romania Itinerary: 7 Days

Why this route?

This seven-day Romania itinerary combines the country’s lively capital with its most famous castles, medieval towns, and mountain scenery.

The route keeps travel concentrated within Bucharest and southern Transylvania, allowing you to see several of Romania’s most memorable destinations without spending the entire trip in transit.

*Renting a car provides the greatest flexibility, particularly for Peleș Castle, Bran Castle, and the journey between Sighișoara and Sibiu. Travelers who prefer public transportation can complete much of the route by train and use organized day tours from Brașov for the castles.

Why Romania completely exceeded my expectations

Romania surprised me at almost every stop. I expected castles and medieval towns, but I discovered so much more: spectacular mountain roads, peaceful wetlands filled with wildlife, beautifully painted monasteries, vibrant cities, and villages where traditions have been preserved for generations.

If it's your first visit, don't feel like you need to see all 10 destinations. Some travelers will fall in love with the castles and Saxon towns of Transylvania, while others will be drawn to the wildlife of the Danube Delta, the mountain scenery of the Carpathians, or the rich history of Bucovina.

The best Romania itinerary is the one that balances its famous landmarks with the lesser-known places that make the country so unforgettable.

FAQs about visiting Romania

Ready to explore Romania? Optimise Travel is here to help

Romania has a way of surprising almost everyone who visits, and planning the perfect itinerary can be more challenging than it first appears. 

From the medieval towns and legendary castles of Transylvania to the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina, the wildlife of the Danube Delta, and the breathtaking scenery of the Carpathian Mountains, every region offers a completely different experience.

At Optimise Travel, we create personalized travel itineraries based on your interests, travel style, and budget. Whether you're dreaming of exploring fairytale castles, driving the spectacular Transfăgărășan Highway, spotting pelicans in the Danube Delta, discovering charming Saxon towns, or venturing beyond the well-known highlights, we'll help you build an itinerary that makes the most of your time.

If you'd like help planning your trip to Romania, click here to learn more about our concierge travel services.