41 Of The Best Things To Do In Romania

With some of the hottest spots in Europe becoming, well… a bit too hot for the taste of many, countries in Eastern Europe have started getting some of the tourist attention they are long overdue.

You may have the option of queueing up for 30-40 minutes in front of the Mona Lisa to get a picture of the picture or take the same photo of the leaning tower of Pisa, or you could head to Romania.

So, now you must be wondering what to see in Romania – lucky you, I promise the sightseeing in Romania will not disappoint. So, let’s go through the best things to do in Romania.

Best Things To Do In Bucharest

Let’s start by saying that Romania is a huge country. You can visit the seaside, the countryside, and the beautiful mountains – but first, let’s begin in the country’s capital city – Bucharest. 

Romania is instagrammable; there is so much to see and do. Let’s start with what to see in Bucharest.

A Spa Day At Therme

Therme is one of the most impressive modern attractions in Bucharest. This wellness center with saunas, pools and other enjoyable recreational activities is only 10 minutes outside Bucharest. So, if you are still feeling jet-lagged, this is the best place to relax and unwind.

See The Palace Of Parliament

This is the second-largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon – and has to be on top of your what to do in Romania list. There is a lot of drama around this building as Ceausescu had many old historical buildings demolished in the center of Bucharest to build it. There are some horror stories about dissidents having been convicted of working to their deaths to construct this place. But we will leave it to the guides to explain this to you.

Plan Half A Day At The “Village Museum”

But don’t pick a rainy or cold day for this one, as it is an open-air museum. Here, you will have the chance to see traditional houses from all over the country grouped in regions. And you will see some significant differences between their constructions. This is only to give you a taste of what to expect when visiting the rest of the country. And speaking of taste, there is a restaurant in the center of the museum; you will need to try it out.

Spend The Night Clubbing In Bucharest’s Old Town

Practically every building in Bucharest’s Old Town has a restaurant, bistro, bar, or club you can spend a few precious hours in – making finding the best thing to do in Romania easy! You can choose one spot, stay for the night, or go bar hopping. The place will be packed with locals and tourists having a good time.

Visit The Cărturești Carusel Bookstore

You don’t need to be a bookworm to enjoy a wander through the Cărturești Carusel (Carousel of Light) Bookstore in Bucharest. Located in the Old Town, this is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Housed in a building constructed in 1903 by wealthy Greek bankers, the store encompasses three floors and thousands of books. Elegantly curved balconies dominate the interior design, while a top-floor tea house provides a superb view of the bookstore below.

Guide to Bucharest.

Where to stay in Bucharest.

Day trips from Bucharest.

Bucharest in winter.

Things To Do In Romania – Muntenia Region

Romania is one of the most beautiful places to visit, especially if you get out of the big cities. 

Water Rafting On Buzau River (Buzau County)

Looking for adventurous things to see in Romania? Rafting is always a blast, and this is no different. Hop into your raft, which is under the direction of your Raft skipper, and make your way down the Buzau river and get drenched by the river rapids.

Mud Volcanoes (Buzau County)

Maybe one of the weirdest attractions in Romania. If you visit the mud volcanoes in Romania, be sure to bring along a change of clothes for when you are done.

What To Do In Romania – Dobrogea Region

There are dozens of top attractions in Romania on this list, and we know you’ll love the Dobrogea region. 

Constanta Casino

Right between the Constanta (Dobrogea county) Port Authority and the Tourist Port, the Constanta Quai is a beautiful promenade where you can see the beautiful old Constanta Casino. The pictures of this place with the battling waves behind it will be worth the trip.

Constanta Aquarium

The Aquarium faces the Casino on the Constanta Quai.

Dinner By The Yachts In The Constanta Tourist Harbor

Make sure to call ahead and book a table at one of the restaurants overlooking the tourist harbor. It is charming and usually pretty full.

 

Constanta Old Town

If you do not have reservations for lunch or dinner, you can try any of the restaurants in Constanta Old Town. It is close to the Quai, right above it. As you make your way up from the Quai to the main square, you will notice a street with a Mosque built right next to a big Orthodox Church, as well as the ruins of the old Roman city of Constanta – Tomis. Several small streets radiate from Ovidiu Square in the center, and since you are there, you can also visit the Archeology Museum.

Sun Bathing On Mamaia Beach (Constanta County)

This is one of the most happening locations on the Romanian seashore. It is packed with clubs, restaurants, and many beaches. If you travel up north along the sea line, you will get to Vama Veche, the most funkiest seaside destination you can imagine.

Don’t miss these incredible resorts in Mamaia (& the Black Sea Coast)!

Take A Boat And See The Danube Delta (Tulcea County)

Also, in the Dobrogea area but in Tulcea county, you will find your way to the Danube Delta. This place is unique with its species of birds, incredible history, and extraordinary cuisine. Choose any of the Delta villages with accommodations and get a local to take you down the canals for a tour.

Relax At Gura Portitei (Tulcea County)

This is a secluded resort on a patch of land between Golovita lake and the Black Sea. The location is unique, the accommodation is lovely, and reservations must be made in due time—a perfect place for rest and relaxation.

What To Do In Romania – Transylvania Region

Sinaia Casino (Prahova County)

A testament to the fantastic heritage left by the Royal Family in Romania, the Sinaia Casino was designed by architects who had worked on some of the most prestigious casinos in Monaco. The tour will amaze you with some of the stories.

Peles Castle (Sinaia – Prahova County)

Peles Castle is a must in Transylvania. Once home to the Royal Family, it was equipped with all the comfort and innovation of the time. Dive deep into the history of the place, and you will even get a ghost story or two.

Cantacuzino Castle (Busteni – Prahova County)

From any of the balconies of the Cantacuzino Castle, you can see the Bucegi mountains in all their glory. And it is a sight you will not regret. Take the tour, find out the story and take in the beauty of the place as you take lunch on the terrace. If you are lucky, you might even catch a classical music concert in the evening.

The Sphinx And The Old Women (Sinaia/Busteni – Prahova County)

These are rock formations situated on a platform 2206 meters high. You can get there by hiking, as there are several scenic routes you can take, or you can take the cable car.

Brasov City Center (Brasov County)

This is one of the most popular things to do in Romania. Brasov is beautiful, impressive, and welcoming with Medieval, Gothic, and Belle Epoque constructions.

Check out the great Brasov accommodations here!

Dino Parc (Brasov County)

Take that, Jurassic park! This is a theme park designed for children and adults alike. Built in a forest, you follow the evolution of dinosaurs throughout the various ages. There are models of dinosaurs constructed according to the latest discoveries.

Poenari Castle (Brasov County)

To get to this castle, you need to be fit. You must go up some 1480 stairs, then travel through the woods. A guide will reward you with the castle’s story once you get there.

Horseback Riding In Sambata De Jos (Brasov County)

Giddy–up!

Skiing In Poiana Brasov (Brasov County)

If you happen to be visiting in winter.

City Center (Sibiu County)

No, this place is not in Austria, although it looks like it. And this beauty of Romania also hosts one of the best Christmas markets in The Balkans!

Check out these excellent hotels in Sibiu, then visit for yourself!

Astra Museum (Sibiu County)

This is one of the largest Ethnographic museums. It is an open-space location, so pick the day of visit wisely.

Transfagarasan (Sibiu County)

Of all the things to see in Romania, the Transfagarasan might be the most photographed. This spectacular winding road cuts through the heart of Transylvania, literally the land between the forests. Start from the picturesque villages of Sibiu and end up at Balea Lake, a glacier lake situated at 2,040 meters altitude.

Getting A Taste Of Medieval Life In Sighisoara (Mures County)

This is one of the oldest inhabited medieval fortresses. You can spend the night in the fortress as well.

Don’t miss our guide on how to explore Sighisoara.

What To Do In Romania – Oltenia Region

Transalpina (Gorj County) 

This is the highest and most dangerous roads in Romania. It is also the most beautiful. Drivers must be careful on a dry summer day. Therefore, the road is pretty dangerous in the dark or rainy weather. Check ahead as the road closes in the cold season.

Things To Do In Romania – Banat Region

Let’s keep discovering more sights in Romania, this time in the Banat region. 

Danube Cauldrons (Caras-Severin County)

As breathtaking as the Delta but completely different, the Danube Cauldrons represent the river’s entry point into the country. This is a place you will not regret visiting. Boat trips are mandatory.

Bigar Waterfall (Caras-Severin County)

This waterfall looks like something out of a fairytale. You might expect some magical creature to pop out at any moment. It is a natural monument that you can visit for free.

Tunnel Of Love (Caras-Severin County)

Instagram fanatics and professional photographers will surely want to visit the so-called Tunnel of Love on their to-do lists. Located in the town of Obreja in western Romania, this extraordinary place is an abandoned section of an old railway. The railroad runs through a lush, green tunnel created by bushes and trees. Light filtering through the leaves makes for fantastic photo opportunities. Pure magic!

What To Do In Romania – Moldova Region

Visiting The Secluded Monasteries (Neamt County)

Moldova is the spiritual center of Romania. They have here the highest number of monasteries and churches. Some of them are very old and served as fortresses. Others are high in the mountains, yet they are impressive constructions. 

Hiking At The Bicaz Gorges (Neamt County)

A remarkable scenery will open up in front of you as you go hiking around the Bicaz Gorges. Keep in mind that the Ceahlau mountains are wilder and less accessible than other mountains in the country.

Visiting The Suceava Fortress (Suceava County)

The fortress was rebuilt for visitors to get a clear image of how the place was supposed to look. Even so, there is a clear line between the ruins and the new construction, so you always know when you lay your hand on rocks that have been there for centuries.

Things To Do In Romania – Maramures Region

Sapanta Merry Cemetery (Maramures County)

This is a place where everybody has to write a funny epitaph for their tombstones. You will see poems and humorous drawings and get a sense of a different relationship with death.

See The Wooden Churches Of Maramures (Maramures County)

These unique constructions you will appreciate from up close.

See The Wooden Gates Of People In Maramures (Maramures County)

The county in itself is like a huge ethnographic museum. Every wooden gate is unique, and it represents the social status of the owner of the house.

For more information on what to do in Maramures, check out this post dedicated to the region!

Things To Do In Romania – Ardeal Region

Turda Salt Mine

It says salt mine, but this place is entirely unexpected. A whole world underground, looking like something out of a Sci-Fi movie. Business Insider put it at the top of the ‘coolest underground places.’ Well worth the visit!

Cluj City (Cluj Napoca County)

This is the second-largest city in Romania. It has many museums, archaeological sites, tourist routes, excellent accommodations, and leisure facilities. t is a place many tourists will love to discover, well-developed and with a Western-like vibe.

Scarisoara Cave (Alba Iulia County)

Here you can visit the biggest underground glacier in Romania and the second-biggest one in South-Eastern Europe.

Corvin Castle

Looking for spooky things to see in Romania? Well, some say this is one of the most haunted places in the country and on this side of the world. And if you stop and read the cards on the walls, you will find that there are hardly any rooms in this castle where nobody has died. All in all, it is a fascinating visit. Just stick with big crowds and do not go after dark.

If you are traveling in the cold season, check ahead and see whether some of the outdoor attractions are accessible.

Rent A Car While Your There

We hope that you are now no longer wondering what to see in Romania and have made an extensive list of things to do in Romania. Safe travels.