As soon as you cross the border, you’ll be drawn in by Romania’s mysterious and alluring country. People often think of Transylvania and Dracula when they think of Romania, but there are many other things to do there.
Romania has a lot of amazing buildings, like tall castles from the Middle Ages and old churches with walls around them. It is also home to the Carpathian Mountains and the Danube River, two of the most beautiful places on Earth. If you want a country with a lot of history and lots of fun things to do outside, look no further than Romania.
Castle Corvin
The Corvin Castle is a great example of the traditional architecture of Transylvania. John Hunyadi, a Hungarian military leader, built the castle in the 15th century. Its huge stone skyscrapers and brightly colored roofs can be seen for miles. It is on top of a rocky cliff with a view of Hunedoara and the Zlatsi River.
Corvin Castle is not only the biggest castle in Europe, but its history is full of strange stories. It is thought that Vlad the Impaler lived there. Many visitors also say Bram Stoker’s Dracula was based on the castle.
Palace of Parliament (Bucharest)
The Palace of Parliament in Budapest is a stunning piece of architecture. This huge building, made by more than 700 architects, is the world’s biggest and most expensive organizational building. It is made of crystals, marble, wood, and carpet, all of which come from Romania.
The Senate and the Compartment of Deputies are held in the Palace of Parliament. The Palace of Parliament is not only where the government works, but it also has three museums and an international treaty center. But because of seasonal events and conferences, about 70% of the building is still empty.
Sarmizegetusa Regia
Visit the old capital city of Sarmizegetusa Regia to step back in time. It was built over 2,000 years ago as part of the Dacian Empire’s main defense system to keep the Romans from taking over.
During your visit, you’ll be able to see how different buildings were set up, such as a huge four-sided fortress, workshops, houses, and pipe systems. Walking through the ruins and broken pieces of stone, you can try to picture how the Dacians lived.
Sighisoara Citadel
The Sighisoara Citadel is a must-place because it is one of Romania’s best-preserved medieval towns. This old city was constructed in the 1100s and is best known as the place where Vlad the Impaler was born.
You’ll see cute city squares and bright-colored houses as you walk through the old city’s winding streets. Don’t forget to stop by the Sighișoara Clock Tower, which is in the middle of the village. Spending hours in this beautiful town will help you learn more about the Transylvanian Saxons’ history and culture.
Merry Cemetery (Săpanţa)
Going to a cemetery will not be at the top of everyone’s list of things to do when they travel. But the Merry Cemetery in Săpanţa is like no other cemetery in the world, and it’s one of the places you have to see when you’re in Romania.
On the colorful tombstones, which number around 800, some poems and pictures show how the people buried there lived. Some of the stories have meanings, but most of them are happy and sometimes even funny. They often show how the person died.
Danube Delta
The Danube Delta is the second-largest river delta in all of Europe. It starts in Romania and flows into Ukraine. As you go through the narrow canals to get to the Black Sea, you will pass through wetlands and marshes full of plants and animals.
There are a lot of fish, mollusks, and sturgeons in the water, among other things. Many kinds of birds also live in the delta, such as the rare pygmy cormorant. Since you can only get too much of the delta by boat, it’s a good idea to join a cruise or tour to get the most out of your trip.
Sibiu Big Square
Sibiu is a small, colorful town in Romania known as “Little Vienna” because of its many charming Baroque and Gothic buildings. The Big Square is a beautiful plaza with hotels, stores, and restaurants in the middle. It has been over 500 years and is still the city’s heart and the center of daily life.
The main thing to see in the square is a statue of St. John Nepomuk in the middle. Grab a bite to consume or a cup of coffee and sit back to view one of the most popular squares in Romania.
Fortified Churches
Some of the most attractive fortified churches in all of Europe are in Romania. These churches show that the Saxons who moved to Transylvania from Germany brought a lot of rich cultural history. In Romania, there are more than 150 fortified churches. Many of them were built between the 13th and 16th centuries.
Visit the church of Biertan, which has been kept in great shape, or the church of Harman, which has rare murals from the 15th century. Along with the church of Clinic and Prejmer, the beautiful fortified church of Viscri is also a popular place for tourists.
Transfagarasan Highway
The Transfagarasan Highway is sure to please all travelers because it has stunning views of blue lakes, rolling mountain hills, and old castles. The Transfagarasan Highway is among the most popular places to take a road trip. It goes from Wallachia to Transylvania and is 56 miles long.
Because of the steep hairpin and winding S curves, the highway is only open in the summer when it is less likely to rain or snow. The drive may be hard, but anyone who takes on its roads will have a trip they’ll never forget.
Turda Gorge
The unspoiled Turda Gorge is a peaceful place if you want to get away from it all in the great outdoors. The limestone canyon’s sharp, jagged cliffs are almost made for hiking. The hike is almost 5 miles long, so it should take about an hour and a half each way to finish.
You’ll see many plants, trees, and animals along the way. In the Gorge, there are more than 1,000 plants and more than 67 kinds of birds, fish, and mammals. The very rare rock eagle also lives in the Gorge.