Romanian Bucket List - Places to Visit

Picture this: you’ve already been in your Erasmus country for some time now. You don’t get lost around the city (so much) anymore and you even managed to decode your class schedule! You’ve found your ride or die group of international friends and lately you’ve been trying to plan your first trip. But there’s so much to see and so little time, you don’t even know where to start.

 

Don’t worry! We’ve got you. Here are some of the places in Romania you should definitely put on your bucket list, so have an eye, pack your bags and let’s go.

 

 

Sighișoara

Sighisoara is the only still inhabited medieval fortress in South-Eastern Europe and the birthplace of the famous Vlad the Impaler. Easy to reach from Brașov, Târgu-Mureș and Cluj-Napoca, during a one-day trip to Sighișoara you can wonder on its lovely colourful streets, admire the view from the Clock Tower and learn about the life of Vlad the Impaler and sighisorean people at MYstical Transylvania… It is also a must to try the traditional soup in bread at the Casa Vlad Dracul restaurant. 

 

 

Transfăgărășan & Bâlea Lake

Transfăgărășan and Bâlea Lake should be on the top of your Romanian Bucket List. Transfăgărășan is a breathtaking road through the Făgăraș Mountains starting in Argeș county. It takes you to Bâlea Lake, a spectacular  glacial lake. If you want to spend the weekend there, you can explore the hiking trails to Bâlea Waterfall or Negoiu Peak, but do not forget to wear the right equipment! 

 

 

Peleș Castle

Close to Brașov and Bucharest, the Peleș Castle is probably the most beautiful and elegant castle in Romania! Not only eye-catching from the outside, the Peleș Castle has a sophisticated interior design and a wide collection of art pieces, arms and armour and many more!

 

Babele (the “Old women”) & Sfinxul (the Sphinx)

Up in the Bucegi Mountains, the “Old women” and the Sphinx are geological formations located at over 2000m altitude. Many legends are known around the strange rocks. The “Old women” are a symbol of spring and believed to be The Old Dokia, a mythological figure who turned to stone. The Sphinx is supposed to be the place where the Dacian  king Decebalus killed his son as a tribute to gods and it is thought to be interconnected with the Egyptian Sphinx. Anyhow, they can be reached with the cable car from Bușteni.  Make sure to be there early as there are usually long queues for the cabin. For the adventurous hikers, you can also reach the Omu Peak and the Heroes Cross on Caraiman Peak which are not very far from Babele. 

 

 

 

Turda Salt Mine 

Only half an hour away from Cluj-Napoca, the Turda Saline is an underground wonderland. You can get lost in its numerous chambers, mines and galleries, hop on a boat tour on the underground lake or go to the amusement park. You are in for a unique experience! 

 

 

 

Maramureș

Maramures is a picturesque area in the north of Romania. Here you should definitely check out Mocănița and the Mery Cemetery. Mocănița is a steam train that takes you on a 5-hour ride through Maramureș mountains to enjoy the stunning views. The Mery Cemetery is known for its colourful tombstones. Other popular tourist attractions in this area are the Bârsana Monastery, Horses` Waterfall and the Memorial of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance. 

 

 

ASTRA Museum

Very close to Sibiu, the ASTRA museum is an outdoor museum of over 96ha where you can wander for hours.  In the park you find traditional houses bringing together styles from all over Romania. 

 

 

Corvin's Castle

One hour away from Alba-Iulia, The Corvin Castle is one of the largest gothic-style castles in Europe. One legend says that Vlad the Impaler spent some time imprisoned in this castle. The castle has two large areas, The Knight’s Hall and The Diet Hall and the Torture Chambers in the underground prison. 

 

 

Oradea

In the west of Romania lies Oradea, a city with delightful architecture inspired by the Art Nouveau style. During a one-day trip you should totally visit the Darvas House, the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the Oradea fortress and take a picture in the exquisite historical center. 

 

Palace of Culture

The impressive Palace of Culture in the city of Iași hosts museums related to arts, history, science and Moldavian ethnography and other temporary exhibitions. Don’t miss the chance to climb up in The Clock Tower where you can book a guided tour only twice a day at 10:40 and 11:40. 

 

 

Moldavian Monasteries

The north of Moldavia region of Romania is well-known for preserving numerous monasteries. The most popular one is Voroneț monastery also called the Sistine Chapel of the East. It was built by Ștefan the Great and it is unique for the special shade of blue it is painted in. Other monasteries are Văratec, Putna, Moldovița and Humor.