Nestled in the heart of Eastern Europe, Romania is a country of breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and vibrant traditions. From medieval castles to mystical mountains, and from the wild Danube Delta to modern cities, Romania offers an unforgettable travel experience.
1️⃣ Transfăgărășan Highway – The Road to the Sky 🚗🏔️
📍 Location: Southern Carpathians, between Sibiu and Argeș
⏳ Best Time to Visit: June – October (closed in winter due to snow)
💡 Interesting Facts:
- Built between 1970 and 1974 on the orders of Nicolae Ceaușescu for military purposes.
- Named “the best road in the world” by Top Gear due to its breathtaking curves.
Things to Do:
✅ Drive the 90km scenic route, full of hairpin turns and tunnels.
✅ Visit Bâlea Lake, a glacial lake at 2,034m altitude, and stay in the famous Bâlea Ice Hotel (winter).
✅ Explore Poenari Castle, the real Dracula’s fortress, accessible via 1,480 steps.
✅ Take in the views at Vidraru Dam, one of Romania’s largest hydroelectric dams.
🚗 How to Get There: Start your drive from Sibiu or Curtea de Argeș. Guided tours are also available.
2️⃣ Danube Delta – Europe’s Last Wild Paradise 🦩🌊
📍 Location: Southeastern Romania, near Tulcea
⏳ Best Time to Visit: April – October (birdwatching is best in spring & autumn)
💡 Interesting Facts:
- The third-largest biodiversity area in the world after the Great Barrier Reef and the Amazon Rainforest.
- Home to over 5,000 species of animals and plants, including the largest pelican colony in Europe.
Things to Do:
✅ Take a boat tour through the labyrinth of canals and lakes.
✅ Visit Letea Forest, Romania’s only subtropical forest, where you can see wild horses.
✅ Relax on the wild beaches of Sfântu Gheorghe and Sulina.
✅ Discover traditional fishing villages and taste fresh Danube Delta fish soup.
🛶 How to Get There: Take a boat from Tulcea—the gateway to the Danube Delta.
3️⃣ Retezat National Park – A Hiker’s Dream 🏞️⛰️
📍 Location: Hunedoara County, Western Romania
⏳ Best Time to Visit: June – September
💡 Interesting Facts:
- One of Romania’s oldest national parks (established in 1935).
- Home to over 80 glacial lakes and over 1,200 plant species, including rare alpine flowers.
Things to Do:
✅ Hike to Bucura Lake, the largest glacial lake in Romania, at 2,040m altitude.
✅ Climb Peleaga Peak (2,509m), the highest point in Retezat.
✅ Spot brown bears, lynxes, and chamois in their natural habitat.
✅ Explore hidden waterfalls and stunning glacial valleys.
🎒 How to Get There: Base yourself in Nucșoara or Cârnic village for hiking access.
4️⃣ Bucegi Mountains & Sphinx – Romania’s Mystical Land ⛰️🔺
📍 Location: Near Sinaia & Bușteni, Central Romania
⏳ Best Time to Visit: Year-round (hiking in summer, skiing in winter)
💡 Interesting Facts:
- The Bucegi Sphinx is a natural rock formation shaped like a human face. Some believe it has ancient mystical energy!
- The area is full of hidden caves and tunnels linked to Romanian legends.
Things to Do:
✅ Hike or take a cable car from Bușteni to see the Bucegi Sphinx and Babele rock formations.
✅ Visit Omu Peak (2,505m) for breathtaking 360-degree views.
✅ Explore the mysterious Ialomița Cave and Monastery inside a deep cavern.
✅ Ski in Sinaia, one of Romania’s best winter resorts.
🚠 How to Get There: Take the cable car from Bușteni or hike from Piatra Arsă.
5️⃣ Bigăr Waterfall – The Fairytale Cascade 💦🍃
📍 Location: Cheile Nerei-Beușnița National Park, Southwest Romania
⏳ Best Time to Visit: April – October
💡 Interesting Facts:
- Famous for its moss-covered rock, which creates a veil-like cascade of water.
- It was once ranked among the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.
Things to Do:
✅ Admire the unique water flow over the mossy rock.
✅ Explore Cheile Nerei gorges, a paradise of limestone cliffs and turquoise water.
✅ Visit Beușnița Waterfall, another spectacular multi-tiered cascade.
🚗 How to Get There: Drive to Bozovici village, then walk 5 minutes.
6️⃣ Apuseni Mountains – The Kingdom of Caves 🏔️🕳️
📍 Location: Western Romania
⏳ Best Time to Visit: May – October
💡 Interesting Facts:
- Home to Romania’s most famous caves, including Scărișoara Ice Cave and Bear’s Cave.
- A region rich in folklore and legends about hidden treasures.
Things to Do:
✅ Explore Scărișoara Ice Cave, home to one of the oldest underground glaciers.
✅ Visit Bear’s Cave, where prehistoric cave bear fossils were found.
✅ Hike in the Padiș Plateau, a stunning karst landscape.
🎒 How to Get There: Stay in Arieșeni or Gârda de Sus for cave tours.
7️⃣ Red Lake & Bicaz Gorge – Nature’s Masterpiece ⛰️🛶
📍 Location: Harghita County, Eastern Carpathians
💡 Interesting Facts:
- Red Lake formed after a landslide in 1837, leaving behind tree trunks sticking out of the water.
- Bicaz Gorge is one of the most dramatic road trips in Romania, with vertical cliffs towering above the road.
Things to Do:
✅ Take a boat ride on Red Lake among the submerged trees.
✅ Drive or hike through Bicaz Gorge, a limestone canyon.
🚗 How to Get There: Drive along the DN12C road.
8️⃣ Turda Gorge – A Natural Canyon Adventure 🌿🧗
📍 Location: Near Turda, Cluj County
💡 Interesting Facts:
- The gorge has 300m-high cliffs and over 60 caves.
Things to Do:
✅ Hike the 4km trail with wooden bridges.
✅ Go rock climbing on the vertical walls.
🎒 How to Get There: Start from Cheile Turzii village.
9️⃣ Scărișoara Ice Cave – A Frozen Underground World ❄️🕳️
📍 Location: Apuseni Mountains
💡 Interesting Facts:
- The ice inside is over 3,000 years old.
Things to Do:
✅ Explore the frozen Great Hall.
🎒 How to Get There: Hike from Gârda de Sus.
🔟 Maramureș Hills – A Living Fairy Tale 🌾🏡
📍 Location: Northern Romania
💡 Interesting Facts:
- Known for its UNESCO-listed wooden churches.
Things to Do:
✅ Visit The Merry Cemetery, a colorful graveyard with funny tombstone inscriptions.
🚗 How to Get There: Stay in Sighetu Marmației.
📍 Read more on my blog: Preparing Travel! ✈️🌍
