Teeming with natural beauty and history, Romania may be one of the little-known travel destinations in Europe.
Here are just some of the reasons why this magical country should be one of the next countries you visit.

The Carpathian Mountains: A Hiker’s Must Do

The Carpathian Mountains cut right through the middle of Romania and are a hiking go-to.
There are easier trails and more challenging, multi-day trails for hikers and bikers of every level.
And they all have views that will be imprinted onto your mind forever!
Here are some of the most popular spots in the Carpathians.

  • Făgăraș Mountains: Often referred to as the "Transylvanian Alps", these peaks may be challenging to get to, but will reward you with some of the most gorgeous nature scenery on the planet. It’s also home to the Transfăgărășan Highway, a highly popular place for biking and road trips where you can take in the majestic mountains.
  • Piatra Craiului National Park: With an iconic limestone ridge, this is a must-go for nature lovers. There are also several trails for hikers, with many of them offering panoramas and even encounters with the country’s diverse wildlife.
  • Retezat National Park: Famous for both its glacial lakes and dense forests, consider this park if you want multi-day hikes and immersive camping experiences.
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Hiking in the Carpathian Mountains
Carpathian Mountains Hiking,   photo courtesy of Catalin Vezetiu
Exploring Medieval Towns and Castles

Romania is home to some of Eastern Europe’s most historic and beautiful castles. This, along with preserved and fortified churches, cobblestone streets, and other Gothic infrastructure, will take you back in time.

  • Brasov:   As a gateway to the mountains of the Carpathians, Brasov boasts both natural and man-made beauty. Visit the Black Church, stroll through its medieval streets, and go into the Rasnov Fortress—all while being surrounded by mountains in the background.
  • Sighisoara:   - a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered as one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns.
    So many of its houses and workshops, defending walls and places of worship have been very well preserved and look like just how they did centuries ago! Visitors can climb the Clock Tower, visit the the house in which the iconic Vlad the Impaler (Dracula) was born and much more.
  • Bran Castle:   is one of Romania’s most historic medieval structures.
    Often called “Dracula’s Castle”, Bran is one of Romania's most popular attractions.
  • Village Viscri: another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Viscri offers visitors a good look at how rural medieval life looked like in Transylvania. Traditional Saxon architecture and tranquil atmosphere are still alive in Viscri.
Adventures Beyond the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania Villages

Going hiking and visiting castles aren’t the only things you can do in Romania.
Here are some other popular tourist attractions and activities:

Wildlife watching in the Danube Delta:
- a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Danube Delta is premier eco-tourism destination.
Visitors can go kayaking, watch wildlife, go fishing and immerse themselves in nature.

Caving :
The Apuseni Mountains Nature Park is well-known for its karst landscapes, rich wildlife and underground rivers and caves, like Scărișoara, home to the largest underground glacier in Romania.
Other caves worth exploring include: Peștera Vântului, Peștera Urșilor, Peștera Muierilor, Peștera Limanu, Peștera Meziad, Peștera Focul Viu, Peștera Polovragi, Peștera Cetățile Ponorului, Peștera Ialomiței Peștera Huda lui Papară.
The choice is yours: you can go up into the Carpathians or down below!

Cave Comarnic in the Carpathian Mountains
Cave Comarnic, Semenic-Cheile Caraşului National Parc,
photo courtesy of Regia Nationala a Padurilor Romsilva / Romania Forest Service

Festivals: - The people of Romania also hold amazing festivals! Best known events include:
◦ Oat Country “Haferland” Festival of Transylvanian Saxons
◦ Sighisoara Festival of Medieval Arts and Crafts
◦ Transilvania International Film Festival
◦ Via Transilvanica - Marathon, Mountain-Bile and Running Competition
◦ Maramureș Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
◦ Sibiu International Theatre Festival.

Romania Trip Planning Tips

1. Plan Around the Seasons:
If hiking or experiencing nature is your top priority, go between late spring and early autumn. This is when Romania’s nature is in its full bloom. However, the winter still has plenty in store for you, such as cozy yet festive Christmas markets and great ski slopes.

2. Stay Connected Safely:
Visitors and locals alike will often need to be on public Wi-Fi. Make sure to use a VPN that suits your needs, like this UK expat VPN.

3. Protect the Environment:
To make sure that Romania remains natural and unspoiled everyone need to take care of it.
Many hiking trails feature protected areas; stay on marked paths and follow the conservation guidelines.

Why Romania Stands Out
From the serenity of the Danube Delta, to the towering peaks of the Carpathian mountains, to the nicely preserved medieval architecture, Romania just has an unbeatable blend of nature, history, and culture.
There is simply something rugged (aside from the mountains, of course) and authentic about Romania that makes it the perfect reprieve for the neverending hustle and bustle of modern urban life.