Romania

Plan your trip to Romania

Romania combines medieval Saxon towns and Gothic castles in Transylvania with painted monasteries in Bucovina, the Danube Delta on the Black Sea, and the lively capital Bucharest. It's one of Europe's most affordable and least-crowded destinations, with dramatic Carpathian scenery and well-preserved rural traditions. A week or more lets you mix cities, castles, and countryside.

Getting there & around

The main international gateway is Bucharest's Henri Coandă Airport (OTP), with other airports at Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași, and Sibiu served by budget carriers. Trains (CFR) connect major cities but are slow; renting a car is the best way to reach mountain villages, monasteries, and castles at your own pace. Intercity buses and minibuses (maxi-taxis) fill gaps between towns, and roads range from good motorways near Bucharest to winding mountain routes.

How long to stay

Plan on 7–10 days to see Bucharest, Transylvania, and one more region without rushing. Two weeks lets you add Bucovina's monasteries or the Danube Delta.

When to go

May–June and September–October offer warm days, fewer crowds, and green or golden landscapes; July–August are hot and busiest, ideal for the Black Sea coast. Winter (December–February) brings snow to the Carpathians for skiing but closes many rural sights.

Suggested itinerary

1. Bucharest — Explore the capital's Old Town, the massive Palace of the Parliament, and leafy boulevards nicknamed 'Little Paris.' Sample Romanian food and use the day to adjust before heading north.
2. Wallachia to Transylvania via the mountains — Drive north through the Carpathians, stopping at Peleș Castle in Sinaia and Bran Castle, popularly linked to Dracula. Continue to Brașov for the night.
3. Brașov and Saxon Transylvania — Wander Brașov's medieval square and Black Church, then visit the fortified church at Prejmer or the citadel town of Sighișoara. End in Sibiu or Cluj-Napoca.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Romania?

A first visit works well in 7–10 days, covering Bucharest, Transylvania, and one additional region. Two weeks allows a more relaxed pace and the Danube Delta or Bucovina.

Is Romania worth visiting?

Yes. It offers castles, medieval towns, painted monasteries, the Carpathian mountains, and the Danube Delta at low prices and with fewer tourists than Western Europe.

Is Romania safe for tourists?

Romania is generally safe with low levels of violent crime. Normal precautions against pickpocketing in crowded areas and caution when driving on rural roads at night are advised.

Is Dracula's castle real?

Bran Castle is marketed as 'Dracula's Castle,' but Bram Stoker never visited it and Vlad the Impaler had no significant connection to it. It's a genuine medieval castle worth seeing regardless.

Do they speak English in Romania?

English is widely spoken by younger people and in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants in cities. In rural areas it's less common, though basic communication is usually manageable.