28 Things to Do in Romania (2026): A Local's Guide to Castles, Bears & Villages

We’ve shown more than 10,000 travellers around Romania since 2017. This is the list we’d give to a friend: the famous places worth your time, the ones that are overhyped, and the secret experiences most visitors never hear about.

Whether you want to track brown bears in ancient forests, drive alpine roads, or wander medieval citadels, here are our 28 top picks, curated by our network of 50+ local guides.

Before we start, if you're looking for practical info check our guide on how to visit Romania for the first time or the best time to visit.

AT-A-GLANCE-TABLE

UNIQUE & OFFBEAT

1. Bear Watching in the Wild

Romania has more brown bears than any other European country outside Russia, with more than 10,000 according to a 2025 survey. On our bear watching trip from Brasov, a licensed forester takes you to a hide in the forest near Zărnești, where bears come to feed in the late afternoon. Yes, they are fed, and the forester explains why. If that bothers you, our wild bear safari has no feeding at all.

Your odds are 75% or higher from May to September, and 50–75% in late March–April and late October–early November. There are no guarantees, and children must be 7 or older. Read our honest guide to bear watching before you book.

“We were lucky enough to see 7 bears while we were there and made great memories.” said Vede R., one of our travellers.

Simona (Guide): “Bears don’t follow a schedule, so I tell everyone the same thing: stay quiet, wear dull colours and let the forest do the rest.”

2. Hoia Baciu: The Haunted Forest

Hoia Baciu near Cluj-Napoca became famous in the late 1960s, when a military technician photographed a UFO above it. Twisted tree trunks and a perfectly round clearing where nothing grows add to the legend, and many locals still avoid the forest at night.

Our night tour of Hoia Baciu is private, lasts about three hours and includes a hike of about 4 km, with flashlights and ponchos. There is also a day trip version. Read more about the area in our Cluj-Napoca guide.

Alex (Guide): “I’m a sceptic by training, so I bring an EMF meter and we test the stories together. The clearing is the part that still doesn’t have an easy answer.”

“His passion in the way he tells stories and facts allowed me to enjoy the walk and connect with the environment.” said Santiago, one traveller.

3. Turda Salt Mine’s Underground Theme Park

Salina Turda, 40 minutes from Cluj-Napoca, is a salt mine that has been used since Roman times and now holds an underground amusement park. Over 100 metres down you’ll find a lake with rowboats, a mini-golf course, a bowling alley and an underground Ferris wheel set against massive salt-carved chambers.

We combine it with Alba Iulia and Rimetea on our Turda Salt Mine and Alba Iulia day trip. Read more in our guide to the salt mines of Romania.

“Turda salt mine is a must-see place for everyone who will visit Cluj. Florin was the best guide. Knowledgeable, professional and friendly.” said Kyriaki O.

4. Walk a Stage of Via Transilvanica

Via Transilvanica (“the trail that unites”) stretches about 1,400 km from Putna to Drobeta-Turnu Severin, in around 69 stages. You don’t need three months to enjoy it. A single stage of 15–20 km through villages is a perfect day, with a stone marker about every kilometre and guesthouses at around €20–40 a night.

The season runs from late April to October. Snow can linger on high passes until May and return as early as October, and mobile coverage is patchy, so carry offline maps.

When we take travellers on a stage, the part they remember is the home-cooked meal in a village at the end of it. Our Via Transilvanica hike with a home-cooked meal starts from Sibiu, and our complete Via Transilvanica guide explains how to plan your own stage.

5. The Merry Cemetery of Săpânța

Unlike traditional solemn graveyards, this cemetery in Maramureș has bright blue wooden crosses painted with folk art and humorous, honest poems about the life and quirks of the deceased. It began in the 1960s, and it is unique in Europe, especially as it sits in one of the most religious regions of Romania.

The verses are in Romanian, so a local guide who translates them makes the visit. That’s why we go with Florin, who is from Maramureș and takes you to meet the artisan who carves the crosses. See it on our 2 or 3 days in Maramureș tour and read our Merry Cemetery guide.

Florin (Guide): "The locals believe death is not an ending, but a transition. Reading the translated epitaphs with travellers always brings laughter rather than sadness."

6. Village Life & Rural Guesthouses

Escaping to a small village lets you taste homemade farm-to-table meals, stay in restored timber houses and see traditional Romanian hospitality at the pace of the people who live it: shepherds, horse carts and a village oven.

Our guide Vlad puts it simply, and it’s why most of our village days include a family lunch. Read more in our guide to traditional Romanian villages, or join our Transylvanian home cooking and Saxon village tour.

Vlad (Guide): “Everyone remembers the castles, but then they tell their friends about the lunch in somebody’s kitchen, and the grandmother who kept refilling the plate.”

“We hiked, visited two local fortified churches, met an amazing chef Simona who taught me how to make a Saxon appetizer and a dessert.” said October D., a traveller.

7. Relax at a Traditional Romanian Thermal SPA

After a week of castles and hikes, a spa day is the very Romanian way to recover. Modern wellness centres like Therme Bucharest are 20 minutes from the capital, and classic thermal towns like Băile Herculane and Sovata have been welcoming guests for generations. Brașov has Aqua Paradise with indoor and outdoor pools, open all year.

When tired guests ask us what to do on a rest day, this is what we suggest. See our full guide to spa resorts in Romania.

ROMANIAN EXPERIENCES

8. Saxon Villages & Fortified Churches (incl. Viscri)

Seven villages in south-east Transylvania have UNESCO-listed fortified churches, built by Saxon and Szekler communities to shelter from invaders. Viscri is the standout: a 12th-century church, fortified in the 15th century, in a village where time seems to have stopped. Prejmer has walls 4.5 m thick, and Biertan is the most impressive, with three rings of walls on a hill.

The villages are small, churches are often locked until the keyholder arrives, and few people speak English, so a guide helps a lot. Join our Viscri and Sighișoara tour and read about the UNESCO villages with fortified churches.

“The tour was a great day around old Saxon towns and villages. I would highly recommend this tour as a great introduction to the area.” said Matthew S.

9. Maramureș: Wooden Churches & Ancient Traditions

Tucked away in northern Romania, Maramureș is where traditions are still alive. The wooden churches are UNESCO-listed, the gates are hand-carved, and on Sundays people wear traditional hand-woven clothes to attend mass. Between the churches are hay-making villages, artisans and homemade meals at village guesthouses.

The churches are spread over a wide area with no public transport between them, so you need a car or a guide, and we’d plan two to three days at least. Our guide Florin is a native of the region and knows the families and craftspeople. See our 2 or 3 days in Maramureș tour and our Maramureș wooden churches guide.

“Florin is extremely knowledgable regarding the history and culture of the region, and Romania as a whole. It was an absolute authentic experience!” said Joan C.

10. Painted Monasteries of Bucovina

Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, these monasteries are covered outside in vivid frescoes of biblical scenes that have survived centuries of winters. Eight of them are UNESCO-listed: Voroneț, Humor, Moldovița, Pătrăuți, Probota, Suceava (St George), Sucevița and Arbore.

Start with Voroneț and its famous “Voroneț Blue” Judgement Day fresco, then see Moldovița and Sucevița. These are active monasteries, so dress and behave respectfully. Plan at least three days to reach Bucovina from Bucharest and enjoy it at a relaxed pace. Read our painted monasteries guide or see them on our Maramureș and Bucovina tour.

Florin (Guide): “People expect old walls. What they remember is the colour, and the nuns who still live and pray there.”

11. Sample Authentic Romanian Food

Romanian cuisine is hearty and savoury, mixing Balkan, Saxon, Hungarian and Turkish influences. Must-tries are sarmale (cabbage rolls), mici (grilled minced-meat rolls), sour ciorbă soups, mămăligă with cheese and sour cream, and warm papanași for dessert. Vegetarians do well, thanks to Orthodox fasting dishes made without meat.

For us, the best meals are home-cooked, which is why most of our tours include one. Read our Romanian food guide and see our tour with a home-cooked meal in Brașov.

John S., a traveller, said: “Our tour with Vlad was “Top Notch”. My wife & I had an incredible experience with his wife’s home cooked meal, wine and playing games with his family.”

12. Romanian Wine Tasting

Romania is the sixth-largest wine producer in Europe. In the last 15 years quality and variety have exploded, and besides the big producers there are small artisan winemakers who focus on two or three exceptional wines. Dealu Mare, one hour from Bucharest, is known for premium wineries, and Cotnari and Murfatlar produce indigenous varieties such as Fetească Neagră.

One practical problem: most wineries only host tastings for groups of four or more. We have partnerships with some premium wineries, so if there are two of you, we can still arrange a tasting. Try our bike and wine tour or read about Wallachia.

“Oana was incredibly knowledgable and kind. The views were amazing. She made the entire day seamless and easy.” said Kat H.

13. Slow Steam Train Rides (Mocănița)

The best way to enjoy the Romanian countryside is slowly. Old narrow-gauge steam trains cross valleys you can’t reach any other way. The most famous is the Vaser Valley Mocănița in Maramureș, a three-hour ride through valleys and woodland on a line built for logging. A similar train, the Hutulca, runs in Bucovina.

My favourite is lesser known and more beautiful: the Oravița–Anina Semmering railway, south of Timișoara, with open valleys and traditional villages. The best time I know is mid-September to late October, when the autumn colours are at their best. Add the Mocănița to our Maramureș tour or try our Bigar Waterfall and Oravița–Anina train tour. More in our Maramureș guide.

NATURE & THE OUTDOORS

14. Hiking in the Carpathian Mountains

The Carpathians run through the middle of Romania and offer hiking from gentle meadow walks to technical ascents up Moldoveanu Peak (2,544 m), with rugged peaks, glacial lakes and old-growth forests. There is also MTB, via ferrata and canyoning.

The honest part: trail marking can be poor, even locals get lost, and this is bear country. We always recommend a licensed mountain guide. One of our favourite days is the ridge of Piatra Craiului near Brașov. Join our Piatra Craiului day hike or plan with our hiking guide for Romania and Transylvania.

“The mountains were breathtaking and I was lucky to see a bear on the highway. I highly recommend this tour and Peter!” said Erin, on our Sibiu hiking tour.

15. The Sphinx & Bucegi Mountains

The Sphinx is a natural rock formation high on the Bucegi plateau, reached by cable car from Bușteni or on foot. Local legends link it to the Dacians’ god, and some link it to aliens, which is part of the fun. Nearby are the Babele rocks, and a hike of about four hours one way leads to Omu Peak (2,505 m).

Even if you don’t believe in energy lines, the plateau is a great place to spend a day. It’s the easiest way we know to get above the treeline without a long hike, and our guides take people up the Transbucegi road for the views. Join our Bucegi hiking tour or read our Bucegi Mountains guide.

“The hike started with an uphill climb then went across a scenic plateau with stunning views. It was a nice break from the city and a great day of scenic adventure.” said Walter B.

16. The Transfăgărășan Highway

The Transfăgărășan is the ultimate driving experience in Romania. The communists built it for military use, and Jeremy Clarkson called it the best road in the world on Top Gear. It crosses the Făgăraș Mountains with endless hairpins, reaching Bâlea Lake at about 2,034 m before twisting back down.

It is open from 1 July to 31 October. Go early to avoid the crowds, and if you see a bear by the road, don’t feed it. That’s how bears learn that people mean food. Take our Transfăgărășan day trip from Sibiu, or read about the nearby Transalpina road.

“Our guide brought us to the Transfagarasan highway early and we manage to avoid the crowds!” said Joel T., one of our travellers.

17. The Danube Delta

The Danube Delta is a UNESCO site and one of the richest wildlife areas in Europe: a vast network of canals, lakes and reed beds with over 300 bird species and wild horses near Letea Forest. It’s perfect for birdwatchers and photographers.

Everything happens on the water, so you need a boat and a local guide, and speedboats disturb the wildlife. It’s about four hours from Bucharest, and we’d plan two to three days to enjoy it and try the local fish. Read our Danube Delta guide and see our Danube Delta tour from Bucharest.

“The bird life and vegetation are amazing. The sunsets and sunrises are to die for and the local food is fantastic.” said Michael C.

18. The Black Sea Coast

In summer, Bucharest’s nightlife moves to the coast. Mamaia has the beach clubs, and Vama Veche is the laid-back bohemian resort where people party day and night. But the sea is more than parties: Romania has about 245 km of coastline, with nearly 150 km of sandy beaches and 15 resorts, including quiet ones for families.

We’d tell you to pick the resort by the kind of trip you want, and visit in July or August for the best weather. See our Black Sea resorts guide, or join our Constanța and Mamaia day trip.

CITIES & LANDMARKS

19. Brașov & The Black Church

Brașov is a medieval town at the foot of Tâmpa Mountain, ringed by the Carpathians. Council Square is dominated by the Black Church, the largest Gothic church in Romania, with over 600 years of history and an organ of nearly 4,000 pipes.

Brașov is also our favourite base for Transylvania: Bran, Peleș, Râșnov, Sighișoara and bear watching are all a day trip away, and in winter there is skiing at Poiana Brașov. Read our 30 things to do in Brașov or take our guided walking tour of Brașov.

Vlad (Guide): “Everyone walks Council Square. What surprises guests is the Șchei district behind the old walls, where the Romanians lived while the Saxons ran the town. It feels like a village inside a city.”

20. Sibiu Citadel & Old Town

Sibiu was European Capital of Culture in 2007. It’s known for its “eyes in the roofs” (dormer windows looking down on the squares), the Bridge of Lies and lively outdoor cafés, in a Lower Town and an Upper Town you can walk in an afternoon.

From Sibiu you can reach Corvin Castle, Sighișoara, the fortified churches and the Transfăgărășan in a day each. Read our 25 things to do in Sibiu and our best sights of Transylvania, or join our Sibiu countryside day trip.

Adela (Guide): "Wandering through the Lower Town at sunset feels like stepping into a romantic fairytale village."

21. Sighișoara Citadel

Sighișoara is one of the best-preserved medieval citadels in Europe: a 12th-century hilltop town built by Saxon merchants, still inhabited, with clock towers, cobblestone alleys and the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. It is UNESCO-listed.

My favourite time to go is winter, with cold air, snow on the cobbles and hardly any tourists. Climb the Clock Tower for the view, and take a guide, as there is a lot of history that you won't get from the signs. Read our Sighișoara guide or join our Sighișoara and Transylvanian countryside tour.

22. Bucharest Old Town & Nightlife

Lipscani Street was a street of merchants and artisans, left to decay under communism and renovated by 2010. Today the Old Town has more than 120 bars, cafés and restaurants and is where Bucharest goes out, with many places turning into urban gardens in summer. Beyond it, Bucharest mixes Belle Époque architecture with brutalist communist blocks.

We’ll be honest: the Old Town has become very touristy. Go once, but go late, as locals only start around 11 pm. For something calmer, look for the craft beer bars on the side streets. Read our 50 things to do in Bucharest and join our craft beer tour.

“I had a great time and learned a lot about local beer but also the city. Lots of fun, highly recommend!” said Daniela L.

23. Palace of Parliament

The Palace of Parliament is the heaviest building in the world and the second-largest administrative building after the Pentagon, with over 1,000 rooms of marble and crystal. Ceaușescu had a whole neighbourhood demolished to build it in the 1980s, and Romanians are still divided on what it means.

The official tour is run by Parliament staff and sticks to architecture, so we add the communism and Ceaușescu story. Book ahead, and join our communism tour with the Palace or read our communist Romania guide.

Alina (Guide): “The building impresses everyone. What guests ask about most is the people who lived through its construction, and that’s the story we tell.”

24. Bran Castle

Bran is the number one tourist attraction in Romania, perched on a rock on the border of Transylvania and Wallachia. It was an important medieval fortress and the home of Queen Marie, but it’s famous for a fictional resident, Count Dracula, though nobody is sure how much Bram Stoker was inspired by it.

We’ll say it straight: it’s crowded, and the area around it is tacky, with cheap Dracula souvenirs. Don’t plan your trip around it. Go if it’s on your list, go early, and go with a guide who tells the real history. Read about the real Dracula legend and see our Peleș, Bran and Brașov day trip.

“He dispelled many myths about Romania and gave us a history lesson about Vlad Tepes - where he was and where he wasn't!” said Ron S.

25. Peleș Castle

Peleș in Sinaia was built in the late 19th century by King Carol I, the first king of Romania, as a royal summer residence. It has 160 rooms, crystal chandeliers and an armoury with pieces from the 15th century, and it is widely considered one of Europe's most stunning Neo-Renaissance castles. Don't miss little Pelișor Castle next door.

It's a personal favourite of ours, and the interior is why we say it beats Bran. Our guides tell how three principalities under foreign rule became a monarchy, and how communism ended it. See our best castles in Romania and join our Peleș, Bran and Brașov day trip.

“Peles in particular is spectacular. It was also enlightening to finally hear the true history of Vlad Tepes and how the Dracula story came about.” said Koen V.

26. Corvin Castle

Corvin, also called Hunyadi Castle, is a 15th-century Gothic-Renaissance stronghold in Hunedoara, with a drawbridge over a gorge, soaring towers and knights' halls. It belonged to John Hunyadi, and it's one of the largest and best-preserved castles in Europe.

We think it's better than Bran. It looks like a castle from a film, you can see how it changed from a fortress into a noble residence, and there are fewer crowds. Read our Corvin Castle guide and take our Corvin Castle and Dacian sites tour.

“During the drive to Corvin Castle, we discussed Transylvanian, Romanian, and eastern European history extensively, which was very interesting.” said Janna S.

27. Castle Hopping: Cantacuzino & Poenari

Cantacuzino Castle in Bușteni belonged to Prince George Cantacuzino, said to be the richest man in Romania in the late 19th century. It has a mountain backdrop and featured as Nevermore Academy in Wednesday. Poenari Citadel is Vlad the Impaler's real fortress, perched on a cliff above 1,480 stone steps.

When we take people to Poenari, the moment that gets everyone is realising the climb was worth it for the view over the valley. Join our Cantacuzino Castle and hiking tour, or see Cantacuzino Castle and Poenari Castle.

28. Romania's Museums & Architecture Landmarks

Our open-air museums show why the village is at the centre of Romanian culture. The ASTRA Museum in Sibiu has over 300 historic structures and was awarded 3 stars in the Michelin Green Guide. In Bucharest, the Village Museum is the quick version if you don't have time to visit the countryside, and the Museum of Communism is a 1970s apartment kept as a time capsule.

For architecture, walk Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, with the Romanian Athenaeum and CEC Palace that earned the city its “Little Paris” nickname. Beyond the capital, Oradea has the Black Eagle Palace and Mogoșoaia Palace (1698–1702) is 10 km from Bucharest. Our tip: look up, the details are above eye level.

Read our most interesting museums in Romania and 19 WOW buildings in Romania, or visit the Museum of Communism.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is Romania worth visiting?
Yes! Romania offers a rare combination in Europe: dramatic mountain wilderness, exceptionally preserved medieval towns, rich traditions, and budget-friendly travel. Learn more in our complete first-time visitor guide to Romania.

How many days in Romania is enough?
For a first trip, 7 to 10 days lets you explore Bucharest, the main highlights of Transylvania (Brașov, Sighișoara, Peleș Castle), and take a mountain scenic drive. Check our recommended itineraries in our Romania travel itinerary guide.

What is Romania best known for?
Romania is famous for Transylvanian castles (like Peleș and Bran), brown bears, dramatic mountain roads like the Transfăgărășan, painted UNESCO monasteries, and vibrant historic cities. Read more in our article on what Romania is known for.

When is the best time to visit Romania?
May through October is ideal. Summer (July–August) brings warm weather and open high mountain roads, while September and October offer beautiful autumn foliage and pleasant temperatures. Read our detailed guide on the best time to visit Romania.

Do you need a car in Romania?
Not for the cities: Bucharest, Brașov, Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca are well connected by trains and buses. For villages, Maramureș, Bucovina and the Transfăgărășan, a car or a guide is far easier. See our guide to getting around Romania.

Is Romania safe for tourists?
Yes, with the usual city precautions you’d take anywhere in Europe. Read our safety and travel advice for Romania.

Is Romania expensive?
No, it is one of the cheaper countries in Europe for food, transport and accommodation. See our budget and travel costs guide.

***
Whoa, that’s a long list!

And even if we haven’t mentioned other tourist attractions in Romania (like the Mud Volcanoes, Dacian Ruins, and the Saint Ana Lake) or great things to do for outdoor adventure fans: (rock-climbing, local craft workshops, caving, MTB or via ferrata), I think this should be enough to get you started with planning your trip to Romania.

On our website you'll find lots of resources, articles and tours and if you need help with your itinerary send us a message – happy to help!

Your Romanian Friend,
Marius

Founder of Romanian Friend since 2017, working with a network of 50+ local guides. Former lawyer, recovering perfectionist, and the person who re-reads our partners' insurance policies every January so you never have to think about them.