Best Places to Visit in Romania & Is It Worth Visiting?

Romania is a beautiful country with lots of interesting places to visit. The historic cities, scenic countryside, coast and Danube Delta are all big draws for me. Highlights for me are the mountain towns and cities for walking and views, the Danube Delta for its remoteness, and the larger cities. Of the cities, Bucharest, Sibiu and Brasov are my top picks to recommend to visitors.

My first visit to Romania was in 2019; since then, I’ve visited multiple times as a tourist, and I’m now an official resident. Thus, I have visited many tourist attractions in Romania, including some fascinating places.

The Best Places to Visit in Romania

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Many Romanian holidays are tours of the country and include stops in many cities; thus, you get to see lots more of the country. You can find various tours on the GetYourGuide website. However, if you are organising your own trip, the Romanian train network connects most cities and towns. This includes night trains, so you can travel while you sleep.

Brașov, a popular Tourist Destination

The city of Brașov is where I have spent the most time, and I now call it home. It is a fantastic city; I spent several Christmases in Brașov and some extended stays before settling here. The city is in the Carpathian Mountains, and Mount Tâmpa overlooks it; thus, the scenery is stunning.

There are many things to do in Brașov, including visiting tourist attractions, churches, and museums, as well as walking the city walls. The city is also a top destination for hiking and mountain adventures. You can hike from the city centre up onto Mount Tampa, then onwards. Brașov also has some great bars and restaurants to enhance your visit.

Bucharest, the Capital of Romania

Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is a fascinating place to visit. It is the biggest city in the country. The city has plenty of sights to see, from the epic parliament building to many Eastern Orthodox churches. Bucharest has lots of museums to peruse, including the outdoor museum of village life.

Bucharest is well known for its nightlife, and the bars in the old town area are very vibrant. It’s a rather easy destination to reach, as it is on the major train line from Central Europe and has a busy international airport. As with most of the country, it’s a cheap city to visit compared to those of Western Europe.

Sibiu: A Beautiful City

Sibiu has lots of historic attractions and beautiful architecture throughout the old town. This includes some rather epic churches and cathedrals which you can visit.

You can also visit a variety of museums and galleries, including the village museum. Sibiu comes to life during the Christmas markets, which make it a wonderful time of year to visit.

There are many restaurants in the city’s central areas, including many that serve traditional regional cuisine. You can find options for cool coffee shops and bars too if you want to stop sightseeing for a drink.

Sighisoara: A Historic Citadel Town

Sighisoara is a historic citadel city in the heart of Transylvania. There are loads of splendid examples of medieval architecture, and the town is very vibrant. Sighisoara has churches, towers, colourful buildings and museums. This is also the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler and has attractions related to that.

As it’s a popular place to visit, there are accommodation options and some fantastic restaurants, many serving local cuisine.

Alba Iulia

The city of Alba Iulia is another historic city that is a medieval fortress. Alba Iulia is a real gem of a place that has two cathedrals, including the stunning Coronation Cathedral. Coronation Cathedral was built to commemorate the union of Transylvania with Romania.

The city has museums to visit that cover its history back to Roman times. One of the epic features of the citadel is the walk around the fortifications.

Cluj-Napoca: A Nice City

The northern city of Cluj-Napoca is lovely and has a great vibe. Cluj has an international airport with flights to the UK, including to Birmingham. It is on the rail network, meaning you can city-hop through Transylvania or the rest of the country with ease.

There are lots of things to do in Cluj-Napoca, including museums, churches, art galleries, and an open-air village museum. The nightlife and bar culture in Cluj are fun – one of the big draws for me. Cluj-Napoca also has many good restaurants.

Constanta, a city on the Black Sea

The coastal city of Constanta has grand architecture, a rich history, and a coastline with fantastic Black Sea beaches. Its centrepiece is the famous Art Nouveau casino building.

The Old Town area is well worth a visit, with many religious sites, museums, and unique architecture. This includes Constanta Cathedral, a lovely Orthodox church, and the Grand Mosque. There are lots of fun things to do when visiting Constanta, including some water sports in the sea.

The city also has some fantastic restaurants, including some with sea views. Overall, I really enjoyed visiting Constanta, especially the historic sites.

Mamaia: A Popular Holiday Resort

Mamaia is the most popular seaside resort in Romania and has the charm typical of resorts worldwide. It has large sandy beaches and is very vibrant during peak season. The sea is warm throughout the summer months.

The resort offers many hotels and guesthouses to suit most budgets. Dining out offers many cuisines, including many restaurants serving traditional dishes. There are also many other options for beach holidays on the Black Sea.

The Danube Delta For Wildlife Holidays

The Danube Delta is a massive, stunning nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a remote place, a vast wilderness. There are lots of nice places to visit, including tiny fishing villages and parts of the Black Sea coastline.

There are many boat tours of the area and many outdoor activities to enjoy, especially canoeing on the channels or birdwatching. A popular place to visit in the region is Sacalin Lagoon, where you can see wildlife and a shipwreck. The area is known for its fish cuisine, which they catch from both the river and the sea.

Sinaia: A Town In The Mountains

Sinaia is a town that is surrounded by mountains in the Prahova Valley. The highlights include Peleș Castle, a monastery and the Bucegi Mountains.

Because of the mountains, Sinaia is a popular location for hiking and, in the winter, a busy ski resort. One of my favourite things to do in the town is to ride the gondola to the top of the mountains. The views are epic year-round, including in the snow.

Busteni in The Mountains

Busteni is a picturesque town in the mountains. Busteni is about halfway between Brasov and Bucharest, the capital, and is easy to reach by train. One of the main draws of the town is mountain activities. This includes hiking in the mountains, winter sports and ATV fun. Busteni also has some historic tourist attractions. The main ones are the castle and an epic monastery. Throughout the town, you can see the mountainous backdrop.

Făgăraş: A Small City

Făgăraş is a small city in central Romania, easily reached by train from various places in the country. One of the top sights is to visit the city’s fortress. This is a top attraction to visit and is rather interesting, especially the museum inside the castle’s keep. Other places of interest in the town include churches, a golden-domed cathedral and a synagogue.

There are opportunities for walks near the city, including along the River Olt and in the Fagaras Mountains. There are options for bars and restaurants, including those in colourful buildings around the town’s main square.

Poiana Brașov for Winter Sports

Poiana Brașov is one of the best places for skiing & hiking in Romania and is thus an ideal destination for people who enjoy being active. In the winter, Poiana Brașov comes to life. It is the best and most popular ski resort in the country.

Hiking is my favourite activity in town, including walks down the mountain from the cable car’s top station. The peak of the nearby mountain is one of my favourite places. As it’s a popular tourist destination, there are many other outdoor activity options.

Tulcea: A City and River Cruise Destination

The city of Tulcea is the administrative centre for the county of the same name in the Dobruja region. It is on the banks of the Danube. As a result, a good deal of Delta Dunării cruises and boat trips start here. The city is fascinating to visit and offers a few attractions, including churches and a cathedral.

Deva: An Interesting City

Deva is a city in western Romania and the capital of Hunedoara County. The city is on the Mureș River. The city is on the international railway line and thus is a good place to stop. Deva has a citadel on a hill overlooking the city. They used this as a defensive fortification in the past.

At Christmas, the city has some festive lights, especially the church, which is lit in a nice blue colour. To reach the iconic Corvin Castle, a popular attraction, many buses depart from Deva railway station.

Is Romania Worth Visiting?

Romania is a diverse country with an interesting history; hence, it has many great places to visit. The country’s history dates back to Roman times and beyond. The Romanian food is very good value, especially the traditional cuisine.

The capital, Transylvania and the Danube Delta have been the best areas I have visited so far on my travels to Romania. I also enjoy the Romanian beers when out and about, which are good value compared to other countries. I’m keen to see more, including doing more activities in the Carpathian Mountains and seeing additional castles.