Romania
Top sights and places to visit in Romania feature medieval towns, dramatic castles, and Carpathian scenery. Transylvania is home to Bran Castle and the historic city of Brasov, while the country also offers painted monasteries, the lively capital Bucharest, and the winding roads and peaks of the Carpathian Mountains.
General information
Romania lies in south-eastern Europe where the Carpathian Mountains, the historic region of Transylvania, the Black Sea coast and the vast Danube Delta all meet. The capital is Bucharest, the language is Romanian — a Romance language — and the country is a member of the European Union, though it keeps its own currency, the Romanian leu (RON). Romania is known for its medieval Saxon towns, hilltop castles, painted monasteries and dramatic mountain roads. Spring through autumn is the best time to visit.
Transport and how to get there
The main international gateway is Bucharest's Henri Coandă Airport (OTP), with further hubs at Cluj-Napoca (CLJ), Timișoara (TSR) and Iași (IAS). Trains link the major cities but can be slow, so intercity buses and minibuses are often quicker, and a rental car is ideal for reaching castles and mountain scenery such as the Transfăgărășan road. Bucharest itself has a useful metro network.
Prices
The currency is the Romanian leu (RON) and Romania is one of the more affordable countries in the EU. A guesthouse or budget hotel costs roughly RON 150–300 a night, mid-range hotels about RON 300–550. An inexpensive meal is around RON 35–60, a three-course dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant about RON 150–250, and a coffee near RON 12. A single transport ticket in Bucharest is about RON 3, and entry to Bran Castle or Peleș Castle costs around RON 100 each. Prices are approximate.
Main attractions
Bucharest is dominated by the colossal Palace of the Parliament, but the country's heart is Transylvania — medieval Brașov, Sibiu and the UNESCO-listed citadel of Sighișoara, along with the fairy-tale Bran (“Dracula”) Castle and the lavish Peleș Castle. Beyond them lie the painted monasteries of Bucovina (UNESCO), the wildlife-rich Danube Delta (UNESCO), the winding Transfăgărășan mountain road and the wooden churches of Maramureș.