Nestled on the Balkan Peninsula, Romania is a European country flaunting a strong yet mysteriously unique character. Full of contrasts, the country has abundance of pulsating western cities on one side while the other end features rustic old towns along with Gothic-era buildings and churches running along the cobblestone streets that seem to have stood still in time.
History is something that Romania is definitely never short of. Medieval castles and old towns dot the country – notably in Sighişoara and Bucharest that feel like a place straight from the pages of a fairytale; in the Bran Castle of region Brașov, you’ll find more about history of the legendary Dracula and not to forget, the Peles Castle, one of the most stunning Romania Tourist Attractions, is a new-Renaissance architectural masterpiece that you should definitely not miss. Not only is history an integral part of the country’s magnetic appeal, its diverse landscape, crammed with thick forests, remote mountain passes, rugged hills and gorgeous plains cast a magical spell with their scenic beauty. Along with these, the chic mountain resorts, cafes, glitzy restaurants and a burgeoning art scene, add to the modern beauty of Romania. Just a few days in the journey to Romania Attractions and you will be bowled over by its beauty. From the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Danube Delta to the beautiful, undamaged, medieval towns, from Romania's lively capital city Bucharest to the Black Sea, from wild Carpathian Mountains to the unmissable Turda Salt Mine, from Transylvania to painted monasteries in Bucovina or wooden churches and old villages at Maramures, every place and corner of this country deserves appreciation and attention.
The first point of arrival for many visitors is the capital city, Bucharest and no Romania itinerary is ever complete without mentioning the Top Bucharest Tourist Attractions. A wonderful mix of the old and new, medieval buildings and churches thriving along the city centre’s growing gastronomic scene, a wave of artisan coffee joints and art aplenty- Bucharest has a unique appeal attached to it. Once known as the “Little Paris of the East”, the capital city even today, is delightfully off the tourist’s radar which is considered quite a blessing for those still wanting to discover the interesting Bucharest Attractions.
Tie up your shoelaces and get going to explore the mysteriously beautiful Romania tourist places mentioned below along with some unmissable places to visit in Bucharest - You won’t regret it!
Top Tourist Places to Visit in Romania and Bucharest
Bran Castle
Habsburg Palace
Chindia Castle
Peles Castle
Cibin Market
The Old Town
Bucharest’s Old Town is also known to most locals as Centru Vechi (the Old Centre). This town is defined by the area bordered by the Dambovita river to the south, Bulevardul Brătianu to the east, Calea Victoriei to the west, and Regina Elisabeta to the north. The area of this town is more or less all which is left of pre-World War II Bucharest.
Palace of the Parliament
The Palace of Parliament is the biggest and heaviest administrative building on the globe which is used for civilian purposes, and also the second largest administrative building overall, after the Pentagon. This imposing building currently houses the Romanian Senate and the Romanian Chamber of Deputies, and it is also the headquarters of the Southeast European Cooperation Initiative. This building is also known as the “People’s House”. It was an attempt of Nicolae Ceausescu of redesigning Bucharest by constructing a series of impressive buildings which are meant to prove to the world how wealthy, successful, and powerful was the Socialist Republic of Romania.
Romanian Athenaeum
Romanian Athenaeum is one of the top ten places to visit in Bucharest. The concert hall is located in the Bucharest, Romania center and marks as a landmark in the list of Bucharest sights. It was opened during 1888 in the shape of a circular design. It is built in a neoclassical style with some amorous traces. The small park present in the hall’s front gathers huge attraction. The statue of Mihai Eminescu (Romanian poet) makes it a picturesque place. Being the city’s top-picked a destination among tourists, the concert hall remains a fascinating place to explore with the Costin Petrescu’s extensive fresco. In 2007, it was recorded in the list of “Label of European Heritage Sites".
Stavropoleos Church
The Stavropoleos Monastery is in the Bucharest central location which is built with Brancovenesc architectural style. St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel are the saints of the church. Its choir gives a magnificent impression about the Byzantine melody piece which was created in 1994. It holds the largest collection for this melodious book in the city. It was erected during the time period of 1724. Ioannikios Stratonikeas was the Archimandrite who constructed it. When Ioannikios died in 1764, his dead body was buried in his assembled church.
Revolution Square
When roaming around the Bucharest tourist places, Revolution Square can’t be missed. The Palace Square (name until 1989) is on the Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, Romania. Later, in 1989, it was named after the Revolution in Romania. It remained a royal palace which is now transformed into the National Museum of Art of Romania. It has an Athenee Palace Hotel, University of Bucharest Library, Memorial of Rebirth, and Athenaeum.
The Arch of Triumph
The Arcul De Triumph is one of the major Bucharest tourist attractions which is located in the city’s Northern area on the Kiseleff Road. It was the first wooden arch which came into construction for the heroes of the World War I and War of Independence. It reaches a 27-meter height from the ground, which makes it a picturesque site. The foundation is measured as the 25x11.50 meter as a rectangular shape. Ion Jalea and Dimitrie Paciurea were the Romanian carvers behind the decoration of the elevation. Every year on December 1st, a military parade is scheduled to happen underneath the arch in respect of Romania’s national holiday.
National Museum of Art
In the list of Romania tourist attractions, the National Museum of Art is a famous site. The Royal Palace lies in the Revolution Square in Bucharest, Romania. With the presence of archaic and contemporary Romanian artwork, it becomes a Major Romania Tourist Spot. The exquisite catholic collection, which is congregated by the Royal Family in Romania is also gathering huge attraction. During 15th July to 2nd October 2005, a giant exhibition was held with the title “Shadows and Light.” It was titled as the largest exhibition held with the French artwork and paintings in the four centuries.
Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum
In the list of top ten things to do in Bucharest, this village museum cannot be skipped to explore. The open-air museum lies in King Michael I Park in Bucharest, Romania. It showcases a beautiful attraction of the historic conventional village life of the Romanian people. It has 272 sterling farmhand plantation and vineyard from all over the Romania country. During the time of 1936, the museum came into existence.
National Museum of Romanian History
In the list of Attractions in Romania, the National Museum of Romanian History remains a famous sight in Romania. It lies on the Calea Victoriei located in Bucharest city. The archival artifacts from the Romanian ancient period till the twenty-first-century are present in the museum. It has a surface which spreads over 8000 sq meters with about 60 exhibition halls. The perpetual views comprise the Pietroasele treasure, Trajan’s column, and Romanian crown jewels. It showcases various pieces that are connected to the Siege of Plevna. In 1892, the building became authorized. The eclectic architectural style is really eye-catching. It has a giant porch along with the three built upper flooring
Bucharest Parks
Among the Bucharest Parks, there exist 9 parks which are present in the list of Bucharest tourist attractions. These include Kiseleff Park, Cismigiu Gardens, Botanical Garden, Carol Park, Herastrau Park, Circus Park, Titan Park, Tineretului Park, and Plumbuita Park. These gardens are a great site to enjoy peace from the city’s bustling environment. Some of the old parks feature a historical aspect. The lake view in these peaceful surrounding gives immense pleasure. During the summer season, tourist can enjoy boating activities. The winter calls for the skaters.
Transylvanian Alps
Transylvanian Alps are mountain ranges situated in south-central of Romania. Also, known as “Southern Carpathians” these mountains stretch from Carpathian Mountain arc from Prahova River valley, to split in which the Timiş and Cerna rivers flow. These towering mountains are much elevated, closer and blocked than those in eastern and western Romania, making it a popular destination for hiking and skiing. The beauty of Transylvanian Alps is its alpine landscapes, lush forests, crystalline massifs and glacial lakes. Scientists also find these mountains attractive as they possess rich flora fauna for research. These mountain ranges are a reservoir for valuable resources like coal, iron and lignite deposits.
Salina Turda
Salina Turda is a century old salt mine in Romania located in Durgău-Valea Sărată area of Turda. The mine is popular for its 2000 years of history, preserved galleries and sci-fi amusement park, all situated below 120 metres below the surface of the Earth. It is one of the oldest mine ever known in history, where salt extraction started on the surface in antiquity, but the underground work was initiated during the Roman occupation of Dacia. The most impressive point about Salina Turda is that no explosives were used to hollow the mine, it was exclusively done by hand or machine. The Salt mine was functional till 1932 after which it was closed. Later it did serve many purposes like a Bomb shelter during World War ll and a warehouse for storing cheese. Today it has a huge museum, an amphitheatre, an underground lake, a ferry wheel, spa treatment and much more. Salina Turda is the most stunning place in the world and once in a lifetime place to visit.
Sighisoara Historic Center
The beautiful Historic Centre of Sighișoara is also known as Sighișoara Citadel. Saxon settlers built it in the 12th century. The tourist comes here to see the well-preserved walled old town. In 1999, UNESCO designated this place as a World Heritage Site for its 850-year-old presence in history and culture of Transylvanian Saxons. It is the birthplace of Vlad III the Impaler and on this day every year, Sighișoara hosts a medieval festival where people celebrate it with local art, rock music and plays. The city exhibits medieval period architecture and cultural heritage.
Merry Cemetery
Merry Cemetery is a place in Romania where grave markers celebrate life with beautiful pictures, colours and ornate it. Located in a village of Săpânța, Maramureş county is a place famous for its colourful tombstone with naïve paintings. This tradition began in the 1930s by Ion Stan Patras and continues to be followed by the Pop, even today. Unlike usual graves, they are not marked with an austere and cold stone. However, each grave is decorated with a lively wooden cross painted in radiant blue of heaven and decorated with pictures and an original poem depicting the life and character of the eternal inhabitant. It is said that this unusual belief has connections with European societies and Dacian culture who believed in the immortality of the soul and that death was a joyous moment and anticipation of a better life
Piata Mare
Piata Mare is one of the few places in Europe which has received love, care and cold hard cash over the last few years. The stunning Square has always been famous for its imposing tower and the old historic houses. Everything in the square is protected and is a historic monument. Although, the Square was not where the Sibiu began. Its first market square was located in the corner of Piata Huet. However, as time passed by, in the 15th century, Piata Mare became the centre of Sibiu, hosting markets and public meetings. Its pedestrian-friendly place where one can walk around the Square and can view Urnul Sfatului, or Council Tower, the statue of Gheorghe Lazar, La Turn restaurant that runs in a building from the 1650s, elegant baroque Catholic church, and much more.
Biertan Fortified Church
Biertan Church is a 15th Century fortified church located in Biertan, Transylvania. The village of Biertan was first mentioned in an official document in 1283, and so has an important link in the medieval history of Transylvania. Biertan Church is situated in the middle of this village surrounded by quaint streets and vineyards. It is protected by 35-foot-high strong walls, connected by towers and gates, making the church impossible to conquer during medieval times. The church depicts late-gothic architecture with heavy wooden doors. Visitors can admire the Church organ which was built in 1869 and has some 1290 pipes and 25 registers. Also, visitors can view the towers surrounding the church, namely the Clock Tower, the Bell Tower, the Gate Tower and the Bacon Tower.
Sucevita Monastery
Sucevita Monastery is one of the eight painted churches from Bucovina that are included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Known for its mesmerizing and inspirational Moldavian art, the monastery marked an end to an era where medieval religious art reached a new level of innovation and creativity in Romania. During the times of the Ottoman Empire, the Moldavian state was asked to destroy its fortresses, however, the local princes fortified the monasteries for darker times. Today, the monastery is a place for inspiration for many artists.
Corvin Castle
Built by Anjou family, Corvin castle is the most stunning gothic style castle in Hunedoara, Romania. Until mid-14 century, the castle served as a fortress which was later turned into a spectacular Transylvania castle by Iancu de Hunedoara. The castle preserves beautiful medieval time rooms, a chapel, Knight Hall, an impressive drawbridge, high buttresses and many antiques from the past. The castle courtyard has a 100 ft well dug into the stone. It is believed that this well was dug by 3 Turkish prisoners who were promised freedom when the task was done. During 14th and 15th century Hunedoara was the main centre for iron extraction and processing. It is a must watch Castle as it is one of the largest castles in Europe.
Poiana Brasov
Among the Romanian ski resorts, Poiana Brasov is a famous one for the tourists. Being Brasov neighbor, it attracts tourist from the European states. With a speedy modernization in 2010, the resort experienced enhancement and enlarged from an area of 50 hectares to 80 hectares. The length of the slope also got raised to 23.9 km from 13.8 km. Among this modernization scheme, snow cannons were also installed on several slopes. During the time of 2013, several sports like alpine skiing, short track, and figure skating were introduced at the Olympic Winter Festival held for youth. This made it an adventure spot among the visitors. In the resort, there are seven snowboard or ski slopes are present, which include Bradul, Stadion, Drumul Rosu, Sulinar, Kanzel, Subteleferic, and Lupului. The traditional mulled wine and tuica are the famous drinks served at the place. The foreign tourists can spend their time in the hotels and enjoy the mouth-watering meals in restaurants hosted by the resort.
Vaser Valley Forestry Railway
When the tourist visits Romania, Vaser Valley Forestry Railway is a famed place which reflects the dimensions of a high-tech ethnic patrimony. This unique place attracts the tourist with its picturesque look. It is an interesting place to explore by traveling through a distance of 60 km in the tapering pathway. The wood-flaming hazed locomotive is one of the most engrossing things about the site. In Romania, it stands the last example, operating with the use of steam locos. To give an amazing experience to the visitors, the steam railway is kept as a tradition. The regular steam operating trains give a fascinating experience while traveling within the track. There is a presence of catering services in the charter trains in case of the unique events.
Wooden Churches of Maramures
The Wooden Churches of Maramures lies in the region of Maramures located in the Northern side of Transylvania, which is a residence to hundreds of Orthodox churches. The architectural designs from the past decades until the running time can be explored in the churches located in Transylvania. The construction of these churches begins in the seventeenth century and continued until the nineteenth century. The Wooden Churches of Maramures are built with an elevated wooden erection. It features a high towering and willowy bell tower, which captures huge attention of the viewers. The bell towers are standing on the western side of the edifice. The cultural topography-based appearance makes it a picturesque place among the tourists. Among the Maramures churches, eight were recorded in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites during the period of 1999.
Danube Delta
In Europe, the Danube Delta is titled as the “second largest river delta” which makes it a populous place among the visitors. The first largest delta river in Europe is Volga Delta. All over the continent, it is the only river which is best preserved. A great portion of Danube lands of the Tulcea County, Romania. With a surface area of about 4,152 km sq., it is a picturesque river for the tourists. From the 4,152 km sq. area, 3,446 km sq. Portion lies in Romania. It has the Razim-Sinoe lagoons which are reaching a surface area of 865 km sq. raising the total area of the Danube Delta up to 5,165 km sq. The Delta is falling from the ecosystem of the Pannonian steppe in the region of Eastern Europe. Along with it, it also hosts 23 more pure ecosystems.
Dracula’s Castle
Dracula’s castle refers to the Bran Castle, which lies near the regions of Bran, and is a famous tourist attraction in Romania. The national monument is also a famed landmark which lies in the surrounding area of Brasov. Standing between Wallachia and Transylvania, the castle is a picturesque castle for the visitors. Outside the regions of Romania, Bran Castle is famous as the Dracula’s Castle. Often, it is fallibly regarded as the residence of the main character in the Bram Stoker's Dracula. The eye-catching view of the castle on a hill is soothing to see. It is a unique example of the medieval architectural style which is alternatively named as Mister Valentin’s house. The fortress is at an elevation of 2,500 feet, which makes it look more exquisite. Inside the fortress, a beautiful western tower can be seen with the naked eyes.
Monasteries of Bucovina
In medieval times, the Monasteries of Bucovina remain greatly popular among the tourists. In Romania, the Monasteries of Bucovina are one of the picturesque places among tourists to explore. The eye-catching paintings made by the local painters on the walls of it make it come under the list of famous monuments in Romania. The exterior walls are adorned with the fifteenth and sixteenth-century paint which features magnificent prophets and saints' sketches. These painted walls reveal the life of Jesus with its drawing. Another focus laid by these painted walls is on the angels, demons, hell, and heaven paintings.
The Black Sea Coast
The beautiful water body and sea present between Eastern Europe, Western Asia, the Balkans, and the Caucasus gives major sight-seeing goals. The Black Sea Coast is the only water body in Romania which is a contribution from major divine rivers which include Don, Dnieper, Rioni, Dniester, Danube, and Southern Bug. With an area of 436,400 km sq., the sea is fascinating to explore by the tourists. It has a volume of 547,000 km sq. and the depth is a maximum of 2,212 m. Both the dynamic and active aquatic ecosystems are supported by the sea. The tropic groups, autotrophic algae, diatoms, dinoflagellates can be easily located in the Black Sea.
Mamaia
Mamaia is an exquisite resort which lies on the Romanian Black seashore and a Constanta district. In Romania, Mamaia is considered as the most famed resort among the tourist attractions. Being situated right to the northeast city center of Constanta, it has become a most visited place. The resort lies between the eye-catching Siutghiol Lake and the picturesque Black Sea. In the Northern side, camping sites are open for visitors to enjoy and have fun. There are some private clubs open for the tourists and 4 to 5-star hotels for a comfortable stay.
Sibiu
Sibiu lies in the region of Transylvania in Romania and is at a distance of 275 km to the north-west of Bucharest. In Romania, Sibiu holds a title to be a “famous cultural center.” It was given the title of “European Cultural Capital” for the coming period of 2007. The city also holds the right to administer Paltinis village which is a famed ski resort for the tourists. Sibiu city is one of the most visited places by tourists in Romania. Throughout the country of Romania, Sibiu is famous for its well-preserved ancient sites. The early fortifications in the ancient sites are kept in a sublime way to maintain its beauty and perfection. The main sights visited by tourists are Sibiu Lutheran Cathedral, Large Square Christmas Fair, Azilului Street’s ancient building, Cooper’s Tower, Sibiu City Hall, Liars Bridge, Lesser Square, and so on.
Timisoara
When visiting Romania, Timisoara can’t be missed from the list of tourist attractions. Being the capital of Timis County, the city remains a beautiful place to explore. In Romania, it is titled as the “third largest city” and “Main economic, social, and cultural center” in the western region. During the period of 2016, Timisoara was picked for the title as the “European Culture Capital” for the upcoming period of 2021. When exploring the beauty of Timisoara, the Victory Square pops up as a first place. At night, the view of Victory Square is worth watching. The tourist attractions present in the city include Union Square, St. George Cathedral, Millennium Church, Fabric New Synagogue, and so on.
Sinaia
The beautiful town remains extremely popular in the list of Romania tourist attraction sites. It is a picturesque mountain resort which finds its location in Prahova County, Romania. The Muntenia historical area is graced with the presence of Sinaia resort. The hikers and winter sports lovers should come to the city when visiting Romania. One of the popular sports is downhill skiing which is mostly enjoyed by visitors. The tourist sites are also made with a magnificent attraction and include the Sinaia Monastery, Peles Castle, Sinaia Casino, Pelisor Castle, Franz Joseph, and Saint Anne Cliffs, and the Sinaia train station. George Enescu, a composer from Romania used to stay in the Luminis villa in the city. The adventure, sights include 16 ski slopes which makes it a popular destination for the hikers. The old villa present is giving some aspect of the historical background associated with the place.
Sighisoara
This beautiful city is a picturesque place for many visitors. It lies in the Mures County on the magnificent Tarnava Mare River in Romania. With a population of 28,102 as stated in the 2011 census record, Sighisoara is a historical town. The tourists find it as a perfect destination to plan a well-managed trip into the renowned town. With the presence of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, namely Walled Old Town, it has become a famed city in Romania. The town holds administration, powers for seven villages which include Viilor, Angofa, Aurel Vlaicu, Soromiclea, Venchi, Hetjur, and Rora. The cultural town has become a great tourist attraction place for its towers, churches, civil architectures, and the legendary natives. The church on the hill remains a magnificent architectural style build in the city and reflects the Gothic site in the most beautiful way. Some other famous churches include Leprosy Church, Saint Joseph Roman Catholic church, Monastery Church, and the Orthodox Cathedral of Sighisoara