From spooky Dracula lore to famous historic castles, Romania has a lot to offer. Here’s a quick recap of my recent trip (and five reasons why I think you should visit Romania, too).
If you’re planning a “Euro summer” trip, Romania probably isn’t the first country on your bucket list. Sure, it might not have Italy’s limoncello or France’s famous art, but there’s so much to love about this Eastern European country. From looming countryside castles to vampire lore and UNESCO-protected citadels, Romania truly inspired me. It’s one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited, and I’m determined to send everyone else there, too.
5 Reasons Romania Should Be on Your Travel Bucket List
Welcome to Romania; the tourists haven’t found it yet. When you visit Romania, you’ll experience genuine hospitality, impressive history, and stunning countryside all packed within a two-hour road trip.
Castles that even Netflix thinks are impressive
If you’re obsessed with feel-good Christmas movies, you’ll definitely recognize Peleș Castle from A Prince for Christmas. From the extensive outdoor gardens and ornate architecture to its long-standing history, Peleș Castle is a hidden gem that most people miss during their European travels. Although it’s busy, it wasn’t nearly as packed as other places I’ve visited in Europe, and it was just as impressive.
On a spookier note, much of the show Wednesday was filmed in Romania. If you love the show, you’ll recognize locations like the Bucharest Botanical Gardens and the exterior of Cantacuzino Castle.
Everything is reasonably priced
If you want to see some of the highlights of Europe on a budget, Romania is the place to go. My biggest costs were the flight, a rental car, and lodging — and even those felt reasonable. But you’ll save the most on basics once you get to the country. For instance, a morning latte cost around $0.60, a grocery run cost $15, and a white-tablecloth dinner costs about $10, including tip.
Idyllic countryside
Maybe it’s my American side showing, but I need access to nature to feel at home. I’ve truly loved traipsing the streets of Paris, Barcelona, and Florence, but I’ve always found myself wishing for a bit of a slower pace. In Romania, many of the highlights are bookended by countryside road trips and small town visits.
The girls in my group had the best time delighting over chipmunks, horse-drawn carts, country cheese stands, stork nests, and local berry pickers. The viral Dracula Castle is surrounded by towering mountains, and just a few hours farther, you’ll find National Parks and the famous Transfăgărășan highway. Although I didn’t see any bears, the region is famous for them, and the locals will tell you to stay alert in the forest.
The best of Europe without the crowds
We love Europe for its architecture, history, idyllic charm, and walkability. You’ll find all of that and more in Romania but without the crowds or high prices. In fact, most locals were surprised to see us in their country — and so excited to show us around. While there were tourists in some high-traffic areas (like the famous castles), other spaces (like the medieval citadel) were practically deserted, and we had them all to ourselves.
Plenty of spooky lore
From Hotel Transylvania to Bram Stoker’s famous novel, Transylvania is a household name, and the region is well-known for its spooky lore. It’s the real-life birthplace of Dracula (aka Vlad the Impaler). I visited in the summer, and even then, the locals lean fully into fact and fiction fun about Vlad Dracula. But the place gets even more spooky in autumn, with ghost tours and Halloween-themed events.
Your Romania Travel Guide: Quick Tips for the Best Experience
It’s easiest to fly into Bucharest, Romania and travel the rest of the country by car. Check off well-known sites like the Dracula Castle and Transfăgărășan highway, and visit some lesser-known places like the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler (Sighișoara, Romania).
How to get to Romania
The best way to get to Romania is to fly into the Bucharest airport. From there, you’ll be able to pick up some public transportation or rent a car to navigate to the more famous regions (like Transylvania). If you’re worried about getting lost, the locals are super friendly and helpful.
Where to go in Romania
Here are some of the most well-known highlights:
- Cărturești Carusel Bookstore
- The salt caves
- Peleș Castle
- Bran Castle
- Corvin’s Castle
- National Parks
- Transfăgărășan highway
- The Transylvania region
- Palace of Parliament
- Rupea Citadel
- Sighișoara
- Brașov
- Cetatea Făgărașului
How to navigate Romania
Navigating Romania is a bit tricky, since the public transportation system isn’t as robust as in other European countries. It is possible to navigate Romania by bus and railway, but it’s not easy. We chose to rent a car, and our group had a great time singing show tunes as we traveled between castles and churches (something you definitely shouldn’t do on a bus).
When we first arrived, we were warned by a group of American tourists that driving in Romania is a beast, but we really didn’t find it to be too challenging. Everyone in our group took a turn driving, and we were all pleasantly surprised. That said, some of us have been to other countries where driving “rules” are more of a suggestion.
The best Romanian food
Romanians love simple comfort meals that include meat, root veggies, and locally sourced foods. If you’re expecting the same complex dishes you’ll be served in more touristy cities of Europe, you most likely won’t find them here. But you will feel well-nourished and taste some incredible hearty flavors. The cabbage rolls, polenta, and iaurt stood out to me as some of the best. Romania has large immigrant populations from both Italy and Germany, so don’t be surprised if you find dishes inspired by those countries, too.
If I Could Give You Any Advice for Traveling Overseas, It’s This
The internet loves to encourage solo traveling, and so do I. Don’t wait for your friends to travel the world with you — just go. That said, I also think it’s important to emphasize just how beautiful it is to travel with good friends. Trust me, as someone who’s done both solo and group trips, I often remember the people more than the places. That’s a gift. It’s perfectly okay to travel solo and to intentionally make friends who want to go with you next time.
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