last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Romania
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Location Map of Romania
Romania
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Romania has 7 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:
Danube Delta (1991)
Three-quarters of the reserve is in Romania and one-quarter in Ukraine. It is a major ornithological site in Europe, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Romanian side. You can enjoy beautiful boat trips along its many channels.
Three-quarters of the reserve is in Romania and one-quarter in Ukraine. It is a major ornithological site in Europe, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Romanian side. You can enjoy beautiful boat trips along its many channels.
Wooden Churches of Maramureș (1999)
Eight wooden churches from the 17th and 18th centuries in this region of Maramureș, located in the heart of the country and listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Saint Nicholas Church in the village of Budești is one of the most representative.
Eight wooden churches from the 17th and 18th centuries in this region of Maramureș, located in the heart of the country and listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Saint Nicholas Church in the village of Budești is one of the most representative.
Byzantine Churches of Romanian Moldavia (1993)
In the Bucovina region, you’ll find eight stunning painted Byzantine churches listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The monasteries of Voroneț, Humor, and Sucevița are the most interesting, though you can visit the others (and even more unlisted ones) nearby.
In the Bucovina region, you’ll find eight stunning painted Byzantine churches listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The monasteries of Voroneț, Humor, and Sucevița are the most interesting, though you can visit the others (and even more unlisted ones) nearby.
Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains (1999)
In this region of the Orăștie Mountains, around the eponymous town, you can discover the remains of six Dacian fortresses from antiquity (including Sarmizegetusa), classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
In this region of the Orăștie Mountains, around the eponymous town, you can discover the remains of six Dacian fortresses from antiquity (including Sarmizegetusa), classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Horezu Monastery (1993)
At the gates of the Carpathians, this beautiful 17th-century building is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
At the gates of the Carpathians, this beautiful 17th-century building is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Sighișoara (1999)
A beautiful Transylvanian town of Saxon origin, with its entire historic centre listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A beautiful Transylvanian town of Saxon origin, with its entire historic centre listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Villages with fortified churches in southern Transylvania (1993)
These are the small "Saxon" villages and their fortified churches found in southern Transylvania, six of which (including the most interesting, Prejmer) are UNESCO-listed.
These are the small "Saxon" villages and their fortified churches found in southern Transylvania, six of which (including the most interesting, Prejmer) are UNESCO-listed.
The Coast
Adamclisi
The village is home to the "Tropaeum Traiani", Romania’s most important Roman monument, and a small museum dedicated to excavations in the region.
The village is home to the "Tropaeum Traiani", Romania’s most important Roman monument, and a small museum dedicated to excavations in the region.
Constanța
This Black Sea city, along with its suburbs, forms Romania’s second-largest urban area. It’s a rather beautiful place, touristy in season, with its casino, historic buildings, museums, beaches (including Mamaia Beach), and hotel complexes.
This Black Sea city, along with its suburbs, forms Romania’s second-largest urban area. It’s a rather beautiful place, touristy in season, with its casino, historic buildings, museums, beaches (including Mamaia Beach), and hotel complexes.
Costinesti
A lively seaside resort with a young, festive crowd, located between Constanta and the Bulgarian border.
A lively seaside resort with a young, festive crowd, located between Constanta and the Bulgarian border.
Mangalia
This seaside resort, almost at the border with Bulgaria, extends northward into smaller resorts named Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Venus, and others. Some ancient ruins nearby and an archaeological museum.
This seaside resort, almost at the border with Bulgaria, extends northward into smaller resorts named Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Venus, and others. Some ancient ruins nearby and an archaeological museum.
Tulcea
On the Danube, at the Ukrainian border, the city is primarily a base for exploring the delta and its birds.
On the Danube, at the Ukrainian border, the city is primarily a base for exploring the delta and its birds.
Vama Veche
On the Bulgarian border, this seaside village resists mass tourism and positions itself as an alternative spot popular with young people and independent travellers.
On the Bulgarian border, this seaside village resists mass tourism and positions itself as an alternative spot popular with young people and independent travellers.
Natural Heritage
Danube Delta
Three-quarters of the reserve is in Romania and one-quarter in Ukraine. It is a major ornithological site in Europe, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Romanian side. You can enjoy beautiful boat trips along its many channels.
Three-quarters of the reserve is in Romania and one-quarter in Ukraine. It is a major ornithological site in Europe, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Romanian side. You can enjoy beautiful boat trips along its many channels.
The Interior
Brăila
A small town on the Danube near the Moldovan border, with an old centre and many 19th-century buildings.
A small town on the Danube near the Moldovan border, with an old centre and many 19th-century buildings.
Brașov
It’s a beautiful old city with its museums, churches, and historic buildings. There are plenty of tourist attractions nearby, such as the Rasnov Citadel, Dracula’s Castle, and the well-known Poiana Brașov ski resort.
It’s a beautiful old city with its museums, churches, and historic buildings. There are plenty of tourist attractions nearby, such as the Rasnov Citadel, Dracula’s Castle, and the well-known Poiana Brașov ski resort.
Bucharest
The capital city, with its museums, churches, ancient and modern monuments, plus those from the Ceaușescu era, including the immense Palace of the Parliament.
The capital city, with its museums, churches, ancient and modern monuments, plus those from the Ceaușescu era, including the immense Palace of the Parliament.
Bukovina
This is the northern part of Romanian Moldavia. Beyond monasteries, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, the region offers beautiful mountain and forest landscapes dotted with small villages where traditions remain very much alive.
This is the northern part of Romanian Moldavia. Beyond monasteries, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, the region offers beautiful mountain and forest landscapes dotted with small villages where traditions remain very much alive.
Cacica
This small town on the border with Ukraine features salt mines converted into tourist attractions, including one that houses a church.
This small town on the border with Ukraine features salt mines converted into tourist attractions, including one that houses a church.
Carei
This town on the Hungarian border is home to a castle and several religious buildings and monuments that bear witness to its past.
This town on the Hungarian border is home to a castle and several religious buildings and monuments that bear witness to its past.
Bran Castle
Located near Brasov, this 13th-century castle inspired the character of Dracula. Around it, a small "typical" Transylvanian village has been (re)built around this theme and attracts quite a few visitors.
Located near Brasov, this 13th-century castle inspired the character of Dracula. Around it, a small "typical" Transylvanian village has been (re)built around this theme and attracts quite a few visitors.
Poenari Castle
The ruins of a medieval citadel perched atop a cliff near Curtea de Arges, featured in the Dracula legend.
The ruins of a medieval citadel perched atop a cliff near Curtea de Arges, featured in the Dracula legend.
Cluj-Napoca
The pleasant capital of Transylvania is one of Romania’s main tourist cities. It offers a charming urban centre blending Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic styles, several museums, and numerous medieval castles in its surroundings.
The pleasant capital of Transylvania is one of Romania’s main tourist cities. It offers a charming urban centre blending Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic styles, several museums, and numerous medieval castles in its surroundings.
Curtea de Argeș
A small town in central Romania known for its cathedral-monastery with original architecture.
A small town in central Romania known for its cathedral-monastery with original architecture.
Wooden Churches of Maramureș
Eight wooden churches from the 17th and 18th centuries in this region of Maramureș, located in the heart of the country and listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Saint Nicholas Church in the village of Budești is one of the most representative.
Eight wooden churches from the 17th and 18th centuries in this region of Maramureș, located in the heart of the country and listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Saint Nicholas Church in the village of Budești is one of the most representative.
Byzantine Churches of Romanian Moldavia
In the Bucovina region, you’ll find eight stunning painted Byzantine churches listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The monasteries of Voroneț, Humor, and Sucevița are the most interesting, though you can visit the others (and even more unlisted ones) nearby.
In the Bucovina region, you’ll find eight stunning painted Byzantine churches listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The monasteries of Voroneț, Humor, and Sucevița are the most interesting, though you can visit the others (and even more unlisted ones) nearby.
Prejmer Fortified Church
This 13th-century fortified church built by the Teutonic Knights is the best-preserved of the 150 in the country, including among the six other UNESCO-listed churches of this type (Biertan, Valea Viilor, Viscri...).
This 13th-century fortified church built by the Teutonic Knights is the best-preserved of the 150 in the country, including among the six other UNESCO-listed churches of this type (Biertan, Valea Viilor, Viscri...).
Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains
In this region of the Orăștie Mountains, around the eponymous town, you can discover the remains of six Dacian fortresses from antiquity (including Sarmizegetusa), classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
In this region of the Orăștie Mountains, around the eponymous town, you can discover the remains of six Dacian fortresses from antiquity (including Sarmizegetusa), classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Iași
It's the second-largest Romanian city, just a stone's throw from Moldova. Religious buildings, catacombs, a few palaces like the Palace of Culture, several urban parks, and Soviet-era architecture.
It's the second-largest Romanian city, just a stone's throw from Moldova. Religious buildings, catacombs, a few palaces like the Palace of Culture, several urban parks, and Soviet-era architecture.
Maramureș
The northern region of Romania is known for its wooden churches, eight of which (out of around a hundred) are UNESCO-listed. Beyond these buildings, the small region offers some beautiful landscapes and many interesting villages (including Budesti, Breb...) where traditions remain very much alive.
The northern region of Romania is known for its wooden churches, eight of which (out of around a hundred) are UNESCO-listed. Beyond these buildings, the small region offers some beautiful landscapes and many interesting villages (including Budesti, Breb...) where traditions remain very much alive.
Mogoșoaia
This town near Bucharest is home to Mogoșoaia Palace and its gardens, which have become a tourist attraction.
This town near Bucharest is home to Mogoșoaia Palace and its gardens, which have become a tourist attraction.
Horezu Monastery
At the gates of the Carpathians, this beautiful 17th-century building is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
At the gates of the Carpathians, this beautiful 17th-century building is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Piatra Neamț
A town in northeastern Romania, in the Moldavia region, with some lovely old civil and religious buildings.
A town in northeastern Romania, in the Moldavia region, with some lovely old civil and religious buildings.
Rasnov
This small town near Brasov is home to a beautiful Teutonic citadel dating from the Middle Ages, as well as an old town center.
This small town near Brasov is home to a beautiful Teutonic citadel dating from the Middle Ages, as well as an old town center.
Sapanta
This northern village, not far from Ukraine, is famous for its "Merry Cemetery," featuring graves decorated with colorful, naive motifs.
This northern village, not far from Ukraine, is famous for its "Merry Cemetery," featuring graves decorated with colorful, naive motifs.
Sibiu
The city west of Brașov has preserved its magnificent old centre intact, blending Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.
The city west of Brașov has preserved its magnificent old centre intact, blending Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.
Sighetu Marmatiei
This town in Maramureș is home to several museums dedicated to local culture and Elie Wiesel, who was born here. Also features the Memorial of the Resistance and Victims of Communism.
This town in Maramureș is home to several museums dedicated to local culture and Elie Wiesel, who was born here. Also features the Memorial of the Resistance and Victims of Communism.
Sighișoara
A beautiful Transylvanian town of Saxon origin, with its entire historic centre listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A beautiful Transylvanian town of Saxon origin, with its entire historic centre listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Timișoara
This large commercial and cosmopolitan city in the west has an old town centre. Several small natural areas with forests, lakes, and marshes surround it.
This large commercial and cosmopolitan city in the west has an old town centre. Several small natural areas with forests, lakes, and marshes surround it.
Transylvania
This part of west-central Romania is best known for its association with Dracula. But it is also a beautiful region, rich in culture, home to numerous castles (including Bran and Hunedoara...), small "Saxon" villages, and fortified churches (150 of them!), which are collectively listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This part of west-central Romania is best known for its association with Dracula. But it is also a beautiful region, rich in culture, home to numerous castles (including Bran and Hunedoara...), small "Saxon" villages, and fortified churches (150 of them!), which are collectively listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Villages with fortified churches in southern Transylvania (1993)
These are the small "Saxon" villages and their fortified churches found in southern Transylvania, six of which (including the most interesting, Prejmer) are UNESCO-listed.
These are the small "Saxon" villages and their fortified churches found in southern Transylvania, six of which (including the most interesting, Prejmer) are UNESCO-listed.
Viseu de Sus
From this mountain-surrounded town, you can still catch one of Europe’s last steam trains.
From this mountain-surrounded town, you can still catch one of Europe’s last steam trains.
Natural Heritage
Carpathians
This mountain range in north-central Romania, extending into neighboring countries, is a major tourist destination with stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife and flora, hiking and skiing opportunities, and vibrant traditions and culture.
This mountain range in north-central Romania, extending into neighboring countries, is a major tourist destination with stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife and flora, hiking and skiing opportunities, and vibrant traditions and culture.
Scărișoara Cave
Located in the western range of the Carpathians, these are the most visited caves in the country.
Located in the western range of the Carpathians, these are the most visited caves in the country.
Rodna Mountains
This mountain range, part of the Carpathians in the Maramureș region, is prized for its landscapes and opportunities for skiing or hiking. You can also spot bears, wolves, and eagles here, among other wildlife.
This mountain range, part of the Carpathians in the Maramureș region, is prized for its landscapes and opportunities for skiing or hiking. You can also spot bears, wolves, and eagles here, among other wildlife.
Retezat National Park
Romania's largest and most beautiful park is located in the eponymous mountain range. Visitors can enjoy its stunning lakes and mountains, hike, and discover its wildlife (bears, wolves, lynx...) and flora.
Romania's largest and most beautiful park is located in the eponymous mountain range. Visitors can enjoy its stunning lakes and mountains, hike, and discover its wildlife (bears, wolves, lynx...) and flora.
Apuseni Nature Park
A beautiful Transylvanian park in the Carpathians, featuring caves, lakes, valleys, forests, and pastures perfect for hiking.
A beautiful Transylvanian park in the Carpathians, featuring caves, lakes, valleys, forests, and pastures perfect for hiking.
Iron Gates
This is the name given to the stunning Danube gorges on the border between Romania and Serbia.
This is the name given to the stunning Danube gorges on the border between Romania and Serbia.
Prahova Valley
Around a hundred kilometres north of the capital, the region is popular with mountaineers, hikers, and skiers, with resorts like Predeal, Azuga, and Busteni...
Around a hundred kilometres north of the capital, the region is popular with mountaineers, hikers, and skiers, with resorts like Predeal, Azuga, and Busteni...
Berca Mud Volcanoes
This natural curiosity in the country’s centre is a collection of mud mounds forming small volcanoes in a desolate landscape.
This natural curiosity in the country’s centre is a collection of mud mounds forming small volcanoes in a desolate landscape.
Must-see & highly recommended
Carpathians
★★★★ This mountain range in north-central Romania, extending into neighboring countries, is a major tourist destination with stunning…
Recommended
Bucharest
★★★ The capital city, with its museums, churches, ancient and modern monuments, plus those from the Ceaușescu era, including the immense…
Bukovina
★★★ This is the northern part of Romanian Moldavia. Beyond monasteries, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, the region offers…
Cluj-Napoca
★★★ The pleasant capital of Transylvania is one of Romania’s main tourist cities. It offers a charming urban centre blending Renaissance…
Danube Delta
★★★ Three-quarters of the reserve is in Romania and one-quarter in Ukraine. It is a major ornithological site in Europe, listed as a UNESCO…
Retezat National Park
★★★ Romania's largest and most beautiful park is located in the eponymous mountain range. Visitors can enjoy its stunning lakes and mountains…
Iron Gates
★★★ This is the name given to the stunning Danube gorges on the border between Romania and Serbia.
Sibiu
★★★ The city west of Brașov has preserved its magnificent old centre intact, blending Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.
Sighișoara
★★★ A beautiful Transylvanian town of Saxon origin, with its entire historic centre listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Transylvania
★★★ This part of west-central Romania is best known for its association with Dracula. But it is also a beautiful region, rich in culture, home…
Worth a look / Other
Brașov
★★ It’s a beautiful old city with its museums, churches, and historic buildings. There are plenty of tourist attractions nearby, such as…
Bran Castle
★★ Located near Brasov, this 13th-century castle inspired the character of Dracula. Around it, a small "typical" Transylvanian village has…
Hunedoara Castle
★★ This 14th-century structure is the largest castle in Romania.
Peleș Castle
★★ A charming "romantic" castle from the late 19th century located in the town of Sinaia.
Constanța
★★ This Black Sea city, along with its suburbs, forms Romania’s second-largest urban area. It’s a rather beautiful place, touristy…
Prejmer Fortified Church
★★ This 13th-century fortified church built by the Teutonic Knights is the best-preserved of the 150 in the country, including among the six…
Byzantine Churches of Romanian Moldavia
★★ In the Bucovina region, you’ll find eight stunning painted Byzantine churches listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The monasteries…
Wooden Churches of Maramureș
★★ Eight wooden churches from the 17th and 18th centuries in this region of Maramureș, located in the heart of the country and listed as…
Iași
★★ It's the second-largest Romanian city, just a stone's throw from Moldova. Religious buildings, catacombs, a few palaces like the Palace of…
Maramureș
★★ The northern region of Romania is known for its wooden churches, eight of which (out of around a hundred) are UNESCO-listed. Beyond these…
Horezu Monastery
★★ At the gates of the Carpathians, this beautiful 17th-century building is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Putna Monastery
★★ A significant 15th-century Orthodox monastery in the town of the same name.
Rodna Mountains
★★ This mountain range, part of the Carpathians in the Maramureș region, is prized for its landscapes and opportunities for skiing or…
Apuseni Nature Park
★★ A beautiful Transylvanian park in the Carpathians, featuring caves, lakes, valleys, forests, and pastures perfect for hiking.
Rasnov
★★ This small town near Brasov is home to a beautiful Teutonic citadel dating from the Middle Ages, as well as an old town center.
Timișoara
★★ This large commercial and cosmopolitan city in the west has an old town centre. Several small natural areas with forests, lakes, and…
Prahova Valley
★★ Around a hundred kilometres north of the capital, the region is popular with mountaineers, hikers, and skiers, with resorts like Predeal…
Vama Veche
★★ On the Bulgarian border, this seaside village resists mass tourism and positions itself as an alternative spot popular with young people…
Villages with fortified churches in southern Transylvania
★★ These are the small "Saxon" villages and their fortified churches found in southern Transylvania, six of which (including the most…
Adamclisi
★ The village is home to the "Tropaeum Traiani", Romania’s most important Roman monument, and a small museum dedicated to excavations…
Aiud
★ A town in north-central Romania with a medieval citadel and several religious buildings.
Baia Mare
★ The main city of Maramureș with a rather pretty old centre.
Brăila
★ A small town on the Danube near the Moldovan border, with an old centre and many 19th-century buildings.
Cacica
★ This small town on the border with Ukraine features salt mines converted into tourist attractions, including one that houses a church.
Carei
★ This town on the Hungarian border is home to a castle and several religious buildings and monuments that bear witness to its past.
Fagaras Castle
★ It is a medieval fortress in the town of the same name.
Poenari Castle
★ The ruins of a medieval citadel perched atop a cliff near Curtea de Arges, featured in the Dracula legend.
Costinesti
★ A lively seaside resort with a young, festive crowd, located between Constanta and the Bulgarian border.
Curtea de Argeș
★ A small town in central Romania known for its cathedral-monastery with original architecture.
Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains
★ In this region of the Orăștie Mountains, around the eponymous town, you can discover the remains of six Dacian fortresses from…
Scărișoara Cave
★ Located in the western range of the Carpathians, these are the most visited caves in the country.
Istria
★ This locality north of Constanta is home to the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Histria.
Mangalia
★ This seaside resort, almost at the border with Bulgaria, extends northward into smaller resorts named Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Venus, and…
Mogoșoaia
★ This town near Bucharest is home to Mogoșoaia Palace and its gardens, which have become a tourist attraction.
Cozia Monastery
★ A charming small medieval monastery in the center of the country.
Piatra Neamț
★ A town in northeastern Romania, in the Moldavia region, with some lovely old civil and religious buildings.
Sapanta
★ This northern village, not far from Ukraine, is famous for its "Merry Cemetery," featuring graves decorated with colorful, naive motifs.
Sighetu Marmatiei
★ This town in Maramureș is home to several museums dedicated to local culture and Elie Wiesel, who was born here. Also features the…
Snagov
★ This large lakeside town is home to a monastery on one of its islands.
Targu Mures
★ The city boasts many beautiful civil, religious, and military monuments.
Tulcea
★ On the Danube, at the Ukrainian border, the city is primarily a base for exploring the delta and its birds.
Viseu de Sus
★ From this mountain-surrounded town, you can still catch one of Europe’s last steam trains.
Berca Mud Volcanoes
★ This natural curiosity in the country’s centre is a collection of mud mounds forming small volcanoes in a desolate landscape.
- Bukovina
- Danube Delta
- Prejmer Fortified Church
- Maramureș
- Sighișoara
- Transylvania
- Adamclisi
- Constanța
- Costinesti
- Istria
- Mangalia
- Tulcea
- Vama Veche
- Aiud
- Baia Mare
- Brăila
- Brașov
- Bucharest
- Cacica
- Carei
- Bran Castle
- Fagaras Castle
- Hunedoara Castle
- Peleș Castle
- Poenari Castle
- Cluj-Napoca
- Curtea de Argeș
- Iași
- Mogoșoaia
- Cozia Monastery
- Horezu Monastery
- Putna Monastery
- Piatra Neamț
- Rasnov
- Sapanta
- Sibiu
- Sighetu Marmatiei
- Snagov
- Targu Mures
- Timișoara
- Viseu de Sus
- Carpathians
- Scărișoara Cave
- Rodna Mountains
- Retezat National Park
- Apuseni Nature Park
- Prahova Valley
- Berca Mud Volcanoes
- Byzantine Churches of Romanian Moldavia
- Villages with fortified churches in southern Transylvania
- Dacian Fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains
- Wooden Churches of Maramureș