Romania

I was born and raised in Romania, and I’ve traveled up and down this country for many years.

It’s safe, has so much authenticity when it comes to village life and traditions, and it’s varied – there’s the Black Sea, the Carpathian Mountains, the Delta, and not to mention the rolling hills up north near Moldova and Ukraine.

Romania is one of the most underrated and undiscovered countries in Europe and can still hold the much-coveted title of ‘hidden gem.’

What To Expect

  • Favorite Places: Fǎgǎrași Mountains, Brașov, Sinaia, Bucovina, Sibiu
  • Best Time To Visit: June to September
  • Language: Romanian (but most people speak English)
  • Capital: Bucharest
  • ATMs will accept foreign cards. You can find them everywhere, with a label of BANCOMAT.
  • Credit Cards are widely accepted, but it’s best to have Romanian Lei (RON) on you. Although it’s part of the EU, Romania does not have the Euro yet.
  • Tipping is not expected but welcome. If you get good service, round up the bill.
  • Vibe: Latin roots, Baltic vibe, and East European traditional values due to the prominent Christian Orthodox religion in the country.
  • Food & Drinks To Try: Mici (tiny sausages), Sarmale (cabbage rolls), all the soups, Papanaşi (dessert), Țuica (a clear fire whiskey), Ursus Beer (dark one is my favorite)
  • Fun Fact: Romania is famously linked with the legend of Dracula. The character of Count Dracula was inspired by Vlad the Impaler, a 15th-century ruler known for his brutal methods. His castle, Bran Castle, located in Transylvania near Brașov, is often linked to the Dracula story, though there is little evidence Vlad ever lived there.
Peles Castle in Sinaia, Romania.

10 Days in Romania: Castles & Carpathian Mountains

✔️ Best for 1st timers to Romania
✔️ 10-day road trip through the Transylvania region with both hiking and city breaks
✔️ Highlights: Bucharest, Sinaia, Brașov, Bran Castle, Peleș Castle, and Transfǎgǎrașani Road & mountains

The hills of Romania.

2-Week Romania Road Trip: Bucovina & Maramureș

✔️ 4 Days in Maramureș – Merry Cemetary, village life, hiking, and traditional food.
✔️ 5 Days in Bucovina – Painted Monasteries, TransRarau Mountains, Red Lake & village life.
✔️ 4 Days in Transylvania – city breaks in Brașov (Bran Castle), Sibiu, Turda Salt Mine, and Rimetea (Hungarian-Romanian village)

Views of Brasov in Romania during the fall.

Things To Do In Brasov (Local Guide)

✔️ Visit Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) 🧛‍♀️, Day Trip to Peles Castle & Sinaia Mountain Town, Historic Old Town Walking Tour, etc.
✔️ PRO TIPS: Favorite Restaurants in Brasov, Best Cafes, where to shop for traditional crafts

Close up of dad in the hills of Romania on our road trip.

Why Visit Romania (Travel Tips for First Timers!)

✔️ Why visit: Romania is safe, in the EU, budget-friendly, and has tons of cute villages you can only see in Eastern Europe.
✔️ UNESCO World Heritage Sites and famous castles – like Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) and Peleș Castle.
✔️ Access to hiking in the Carpathian Mountains and the Black Sea as a beach hub.

Best way to get from bucharest to brasov is by train.

How To Get From Bucharest to Brasov

✔️ By car, train, and bus
✔️ Booking links and pro tips for the Romanian public transportation system
✔️ Stops along the way from Bucharest to Brasov

Travel Planning Services