15 Peaceful Places To Visit In Romania

Wondering what places in Romania to visit? This list has sites in Romania for history buffs, nature lovers, and families.

After being through a year so full of anxiety, we thought our readers might want to visit some beautiful places that bring some peace of mind – in Romania. There are no city breaks or crowded tourist places, but beautiful places bring joy and calm moments.

Travel to Romania may not be on top of your list, but after reading this, you’ll be sure to change your mind.

Let’s see what to visit in Romania.

1. Sibiu

This idyllic medieval town is at the top of every Romanian travel list, and no doubt it’s undoubtedly well deserved because Sibiu has plenty of things to do. Sibiu is one of the most picturesque places to visit in Romania, with a medieval feel that attracts travelers from all over, hoping to enjoy the beautiful architecture and rich culture.

Much like Brasov, Romania’s other ‘darling’ city, Sibiu’s medieval air can be felt everywhere, whether in large open squares where people enjoy a drink or meal with friends (Upper Town) or in the narrow cobbled-stone streets where sturdy houses have small details to offer (Lower Town). It’s one of the most historic places in Romania, after all and one of the oldest still existing Saxon towns in Romania and all of Europe.

Did I mention how friendly and welcoming the locals are? Just ask them about it! They’re very proud of their city and heritage.

The Old Town resembles a Brothers Grimm fairy tale with its narrow cobblestone streets and medieval German architecture. Besides looking so picturesque, it’s also home to mythical attractions, such as:

• The Old Town looks like you traveled back in a time machine
• The Bridge of Lies, a 160-year-old bridge that can sense if you are lying and makes strange noises
• The Upper Town and Lower Town were districts separating the rich from the working-class people (merchants, cobblers, blacksmiths)
• The Passage of Stairs connects these two districts
• The Houses with eyes spanning all around the town, watching over every step you make
• The Council Square is where you get a full view of the remarkable Old Town

2. Biertan

Another Saxon gem, a fortified village and church surrounded by romantic vineyards and hills. It’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites because it looks like it was magically trapped in time, making it a place to visit in Romania for history fans.  

Walk around and imagine how medieval people used to live here. People in folk clothing, horses and carriages, street markets with locally made products, merchants, farmers, smiths, kids, and ladies are going on about their everyday lives—a lovely place to quiet down and get inspired.

Suppose you want to immerse yourself even more in this fantasy setting. In that case, there’s an annual Horror and Fantasy Film Festival called ‘Luna Plina’ (meaning Full Moon) held every summer in this village.

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3. Danube Delta

This is one of those places to visit in Romania that is truly breathtaking. This is where the notorious European river, the Danube, flows into the Black Sea. This natural landscape was formed by the Danube River, with exceptional biodiversity. It’s home to more than 300 species of birds and around 50 types of freshwater fish.

Acres and acres of swamps, canals, marshes, wetlands, channels, and small lakes with rich flora and fauna are unique. No wonder it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991. The easiest way to reach the Danube Delta is to travel to Tulcea and buy ferry tickets.

4. Churches Of Moldavia

The interiors and exteriors of these eight beautiful churches were painted with unique Byzantine art and brightly colored biblical frescos that are surprisingly well preserved. This has to be one of the most unknown Romanian tourist attractions, built and decorated in the 15th and 16th centuries, in the village of Arbore.

One of these wall decorations depicts the Battle of Constantinople, a scene that cannot be found anywhere else. It shows other historical locations from the troubled past of Moldova province. This place is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

5. Viscri

Probably the most popular of all of Transylvania’s UNESCO villages with fortified churches is Viscri, a quaint, colorful village where time seems to have stood still for centuries on end.

Viscri itself is one of the most beautiful villages in Romania. It is a one-of-a-kind destination with an inescapably vintage aura. There are no paved streets, only dirt ones lined with picturesque medieval cottages. Don’t be surprised if you see cows, ducks, and roosters wandering around the quaint village. Viscri is all about the simple and authentic way of life.

6. Brasov

Picture the scene – breathtaking scenery, the iconic feel of Transylvania, mountains, greenery, and fresh air. Can you picture a more idyllic image?

Brasov is the place you’re thinking about.

Brasov is a large city in the center of Romania, making up part of the iconic Transylvanian region of the country. With the vast Southern Carpathian Mountains in every direction, Brasov is a nature lover’s dream. This is the place to go for anyone who enjoys taking excellent photographs and is more than fit for the best Instagram feed.

7. Sinaia

Sinaia is a charming mountain resort and town about 50 km south of Brasov. Hands down, it’s the perfect place to hide in peace, far from civilization.

It’s idyllic, small, and tranquil, and other than two truly beautiful attractions (Peles Castle and Sinaia Monastery), it’s just you, nature, and peace. It’s perfect for taking off a few days to relax, walk in nature, read, and meditate. Digital detox, anyone?

8. Fagaras Mountains

Fagaras mountains are called the “Alps of Transylvania.” This mountain group has the highest peaks in Romania (2500m) and is part of the Southern Carpathian mountain range.

You can cook or do BBQ at most outdoor places for the most authentic experience. You can also go hiking and wander through the many forests. It’s wild and untouched nature.

On rare occasions, you might encounter brown bears during your hikes, but local tour guides say they are no danger to humans if you keep a distance and don’t bother them.

But if you are worried about it, you can look for guided tours offered in several locations. You might spot other, less dangerous animals like foxes, rabbits, deer, hawks, and wild goats.

9. Poenari Citadel

If you find yourself driving the Transfăgărășan highway, then you should definitely add this citadel to your itinerary as it is located at the start of the mountain road. 

While this castle isn’t anything but ruins these days, it’s certainly worth visiting for the history and serenity of the spot. An earthquake was to blame for its demise, but Vlad the Impaler once lived here, and unconfirmed reports indicate that Dracula also spent some time there. 

Even to check out the ruins and the stunning views, this is a castle worth visiting. Be warned, you will need to climb 1480 steps, but you’ll thank us once you see the sights from atop. 

10. Sighisoara

Escape to the town of Sighisoara, a gorgeous piece of medieval Romanian history and a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ‘outstanding testimony to the culture of the Transylvanian Saxons.’ Today, the town is bigger than it once was, with modern suburbs, a bus station, and a few supermarkets surrounding the town center.

But it’s in this center that every wonderful sight and experience can be found. Sighisoara was once a hilltop fortress town, and that fortress town remains perfectly intact and populated to this day.

It’s also a city with wonderful cuisine and some excellent restaurants. 

11. Astra Museum Of Traditional Folk Civilization

Just a short 5km from Sibiu, there’s a unique place called the ASTRA National Museum Complex. Of all of the Romanian places to visit on our list, this is the only unique open-air museum, one of the biggest in Central Europe.

It was designed to show how rural, traditional Romanian the village looked in the pre-industrial ages (before 1750). It is an astonishing village spread along a ten km-long land 

It contains 300 houses, a forest, two artificial lakes, windmills, pottery workshops, houses of simple village people like farmers, shepherds, and potters, a church, a working inn, and a pub. All are looking exactly how a Romanian village once looked before 1750. It is idyllic beyond imagination.

12. Corvin Castle

This 15th-century dreamy castle, Corvin Castle, can be seen on many travel-related Instagram pages for looking like it’s straight out of a fantasy movie. It combines Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles, taking the most attractive features from both.

These high fortified stone walls, towers, bastions with pointy red-tile rooftops, a long stone bridge leading up to the entrance, a courtyard, dreamy windows, and balconies have to be one of the places in Romania to up your Insta game. It looks just how we used to imagine medieval fairy tale castles as kids, home to princesses and dragon-slaying knights.

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13. Salina Turda

Salina Turda is genuinely one of the hidden gems of Cluj Napoca. It is one of the best hidden gems in the entire world. Business Insider has personally ranked Salina Turda as one of the “25 hidden gems worldwide worth the trek.”

Salina Turda is one of the oldest salt mines in the world. First mentioned in 1075, the Turda Salt Mine remained operational until 1932. Nowadays, you won’t get any salt production here; you will find that this ancient salt mine has turned into a museum, a spa, and somewhat of an unusual amusement park where you can enjoy ping pong, mini golf, and bowling.

14. Rasnov Fortress

Sitting high on the top of a rocky hill, surrounded by forests on all sides, with fortified walls, this castle resembles Highgarden from the popular TV series Game of Thrones.

It was built around the 14th century as a defense system for the surrounding Saxon villages, and it also provided shelter for refugees in times of crisis.

This citadel complex contains 30 houses, a school, a small shrine, a museum, mazes inside the building, nine watchtowers, two bastions, and a drawbridge.

15. Liberty Bear Sanctuary

The bears of Eastern Europe have had a complicated past, with many of them mistreated or used in tourism trades for entertainment. Thankfully, for the most part, all that is behind us and the bears are free to enjoy their lives.

While it’s hard to forget what happened in the past, places like the Liberty Bear Sanctuary give you hope and make your heart melt when you see bears walking, playing, and sleeping in natural habitats.

This sanctuary is a short drive from Brasov’s center and must-do for those looking to connect with wildlife and nature.

So, tell us, which of these places in Romania will you visit first?