Welcome to Romania! This vibrant country is filled with unique cultural experiences, beautiful natural sites, and rich history.
If you’re looking for the top 10 things to do in this spectacular nation, then you’ve come to the right place. From spending time exploring the enchanting Transylvania region to visiting iconic architectural landmarks like Bran Castle, here’s a list of the top 10 things to do in Romania that you should not miss out on. So, without further ado, let’s explore these top activities!
1. Visit the Palace of Parliament
This colossal building is the second-largest administrative building in the world and an iconic landmark for Romania. Take a guided tour to learn about its history and architecture, or take some time to admire its grandeur from the outside.
The Palace of Parliament, also known as the People’s House, is the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon.
It is located near Victory Square in Bucharest and was commissioned by former Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and completed in 1984.
This colossal structure stands 270 meters long and 240 meters wide with a total of 1,100 rooms. Its grandeur is often compared to that of Versailles or a small city.
Today, it serves as an exhibition center where visitors can explore its opulent halls and admire its treasures. There are daily guided tours available that take you through some of its most impressive chambers like the Hall of Honor and Council Room.
You will also learn about Romania’s history during this tour as the Palace of Parliament is home to some of its most significant artifacts. This is a must-see for anyone visiting Romania and learning more about its rich cultural heritage.
2. Explore Transylvania
When traveling to Romania, you must visit Transylvania.
Transylvania is full of stunning landscapes and old-world charm. Spend some time wandering the small cobbled streets of Sighisoara or visit Brasov, a city known for its medieval Saxon architecture. Don’t forget to make a stop in Bran to explore the famous Bran Castle.
This region is best known for its stunning mountains and medieval towns like Sighișoara, Bran Castle (aka Dracula’s castle), and the fortified churches of Biertan.
Don’t forget to take a trip up to the top of Mount Tampa, where you will be rewarded with breathtaking views. You can also explore the local culture by visiting some of the many museums scattered throughout this area such as the Peasant Museum in Bucharest and the National History Museum in Cluj-Napoca.
Whether you journey through ancient ruins or modern cities, your experience in Transylvania will stay with you forever.
Lastly, don’t forget to sample some of the delicious traditional dishes like sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls) or ciorbă de perișoare (meatball soup). These foods will add even more flavor to your Transylvanian adventure.
3. Take a culinary tour
One of the top things to do in Romania is to try its distinctive food! Sample local specialties like sarmale, mititei or mici, or go on a food-tasting tour for some of the best traditional dishes.
4. Visit Sarmizegetusa Regia
This impressive 2nd-century BC fortress was once the capital of Dacia and serves as an important archaeological site today. Take some time exploring its ancient ruins and learn about its history from your guide.
Located in the mountainous region of Romania, Sarmizegetusa Regia is a must-see for anyone interested in Roman history. This ancient settlement was the former capital of the Dacian Kingdom and dates back to the 6th century BC.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and visitors can explore the ruins of the royal palace, temples, and defensive walls that still remain.
Sarmizegetusa Regia is an incredible experience for anyone who loves learning about ancient cultures and seeing impressive archaeological sites. Make sure you take plenty of pictures as you wander around this incredible site.
5. Enjoy a night out in Bucharest
The capital city of Romania has a vibrant nightlife that’s full of music, dancing, and good food. Check out some of the top venues for a night to remember.
There are a variety of things to do in Bucharest ranging from exploring the historic Old Town to visiting some of the city’s top tourist attractions such as the Parliament Palace and Stavropoleos Church.
For those looking for something more exciting, there are also plenty of bars and clubs around town for nighttime entertainment.
The streets of Bucharest come alive at night with music, lights, and crowds everywhere so be sure to take advantage of this.
Additionally, there are plenty of shops and markets throughout the city offering everything from Romanian souvenirs to designer clothes – perfect for picking up a few mementos or gifts to bring home.
6. Visit the Merry Cemetery
This unique cemetery is full of whimsical tombstones that tell funny stories about the people buried there. It’s a great way to learn about Romania’s culture and traditions in an entertaining way.
Located in the Maramures region of northern Romania, it’s known for its colorful, intricately carved wooden crosses that contain humorous epitaphs about the deceased.
The cemetery was founded in 1935 by local artist Stan Ioan Pătraș and contains over 800 brightly colored crosses depicting scenes from the deceased person’s life as well as their achievements and personality traits.
Visitors will find unique stories about love lost and won, brave deeds done in wartime and more — all told with a heavy dose of humor. It has become one of Romania’s top tourist destinations due to its unique artistry and wit.
7. Take a boat cruise along the Danube Delta
Enjoy beautiful views of nature while exploring the Danube Delta on a boat cruise. Go bird-watching or spot local wildlife while relaxing on board.
The Danube Delta is a top must-see destination in Romania and the second-largest delta in Europe.
As one of the most important wetlands, it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its natural beauty and importance for migratory birds. The area consists of numerous small channels with islands, lagoons, and islets making up an incredibly diverse ecosystem which makes it ideal for fishing, birdwatching, and boat tours.
The best way to explore this unique region is by sailing along the rivers or taking guided boat excursions that take you through some of its most impressive sights such as Stipoc Monastery or Letea Forest – the oldest man-made forest in Europe.
Visitors will also be able to admire traditional fishermen’s villages like Dunavatul de Jos and Tamarin, a top cultural experience. The Danube Delta is truly an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and adventurers alike.
8. See the paintings of Voronet Monastery
This 15th-century monastery boasts one of Europe’s most impressive frescoes with its intense shades of blue, known as “the blue of Voronet”.
Voronet Monastery, also known as the ‘Sistine Chapel of the East’, is a top tourist destination in Romania.
Built-in 1488 by Stephen the Great after a successful battle against the Ottomans, it houses some of Romania’s best frescoes and paintings.
The exterior walls are decorated with vibrant shades of blues and greens above Byzantine-inspired arches; depicting scenes from religious stories such as the Bible and The Lives of Saints. Inside, visitors can explore magnificent chapels adorned with glittering golden icons and murals depicting Biblical stories.
Voronet Monastery is definitely worth visiting for anyone interested in Romania’s culture and history– it truly is an incredible sight.
9. Take a trip to the Black Sea
The Black Sea holds some of Romania’s top beach resorts, making it a great destination for a summer getaway. Enjoy sunbathing on the sandy beaches or take a dip in the cool waters.
With a stretch of coastline over 500km, you can expect plenty of beaches and stunning scenery while exploring. From some parts of the coast, you can even get a glimpse of the mighty Danube Delta to the south. In the north, explore Constanta – an ancient port city with plenty of modern attractions such as casinos, theatres, and more.
Take time to relax on one of its many beaches or take a boat trip out into the sea for unbeatable views. Don’t forget about Mamaia Beach either – it’s a perfect spot for sunbathing during the summer months.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, head out to Nebunu Lake where you can go swimming, hiking, or even try your luck with fishing.
10. Experience the folk music and dance
No visit to Romania is complete without experiencing its traditional folk music and dance! Visit one of the top venues offering live performances and enjoy an evening full of laughter and culture.
Thoughts and Conclusion
No matter what you choose to do on your Romanian vacation, there’s something here for everyone! From exploring historical sites to soaking up the culture, top 10 things to do in Romania won’t disappoint. So don’t wait – start planning your trip and make sure you experience the best of Romania.
4 thoughts on “Top 10 Things to Do in Romania – European Travel Guide”
That area of the world is so beautiful. There is so much history to talk about in each and every location to talk for days.
I hear the people who live in those areas are so down to earth and everywhere you go the people are very hospitable.
Romania is definitely on my to do list as top destinations to visit on vacation.
I highly agree, Romania is an awesome country to visit, because there’s a lot of culture and history within the country. And the food over there is delicious. Thank you for reading.
Thanks for a wonderful description of the things to do and see in Romania. Who hasn’t read the books by Mary Shelley .with the stories of Frankenstein and the stories of Count Dracula and the location of Transylvania. If I was younger I would like to take one of those boat trips on the Danube. Perhaps you can talk about the types of food on a menu tourists would encounter when visitng a restaurant in Romania. For some reason the term “Borscht” pops in my mind but maybe that is more Hungarian.
Thank you for reading, and thanks for your feedback. Romania is a beautiful country with a lot of things that you can visit and Travel too. Transylvania is a cool place to visit because it’ll take you to the Dracula atmosphere like scenes. Thanks for reading.