I don’t think even the Romanian people realize how varied and beautiful Romania really is. I am happy to be among the ones who have visited a very large part of it but there is always something more to discover.
1. Peles Castle in Sinaia – a very popular mountain resort related for a long time to Royal family. The Royal family built the beautiful Peles Castle as their summer residence and its now one of the most visited castles in Romania all year long.
2. Bran Castle (aka Dracula’s Castle) – maybe you wonder why it is not first on the list, but I honestly prefer the Peles Castle first. And I would like to hear your impression after you visited the two. The document first attesting Bran Castle’s existence dates back to 1377. Bran Castle is most associated with the myth of Dracula’s Castle – linked to the Bram Stoker’s novel, which made it famous all over the world.
3. Brasov, Sibiu and Sighisoara – the medieval cities of Transylvania – are probably the nicest cities of Romania. All of them are part of a former citadel itself, first established over 700-800 years ago by the Saxons. The cities welcome the visitors with an ancient air still existing in the old city center.
5. The Saxon Villages in Transylvania and their fortified churches are surely a must for Romania. Viscri – with its fortified church in UNESCO – is probably the most famous now, especially for having Prince Charles of Wales – the biggest ambassador of Romania abroad – owning an old traditional Saxon house and locating its own foundation in this village. Another 6 Saxon Villages with their fortified churches are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, namely Biertan, Calnic, Darjiu, Prejmer, Saschiz and Valea Viilor.
6. Bucharest – the capital of Romania. A city of contrasts, it combines the old and very new, was once called “Little Paris”. In the same part of the city you can come across a centuries old building, a communist block of flats and a skyscraper of nowadays. You shouldn’t miss the House of Parliament – second largest building in the world, and also the Old Town area. HERE ARE OUR TOURS IN BUCHAREST
7. Maramures region – with its 8 Wooden Churches namely Budesti, Desesti, Ieud, Poienile Izei, Barsana, Rogoz, Plopis, Surdesti included in UNESCO World Heritage list. Maramures is that part of Romania where traditions are still best preserved. It might be one of the best-kept secrets of Europe for the ones searching for authentic experiences. Also you can find here the only Steam Train for tourists still operating, Mocanita.
8. Bucovina region – with its 8 Painted Monasteries namely Arbore, Humor, Moldovita, Patrauti, Probota, Suceava, Voronet and Sucevita included in UNESCO World Heritage list. It is probably the most peaceful and holy part of Romania, especially due to the so many nuns living every day for centuries in these monasteries. The region is also worth a visit for the unique beauty alone.
9. Danube Delta – the only natural part of Romania included in UNESCO World Heritage list, is one of the places that must be visited in Romania. Its amazing variety of flora and fauna includes at least 23 natural ecosystems and over 300 species of birds, some coming here starting in spring until autumn from far-away continents like Asia or Africa.
10. Transfagarasan road is the “best road in the World” according to Jeremy Clarkson from UK Top Gear show. It was built between 1970-1974 for military reasons, as the will of former communist dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu was for Romania to be prepared in the event of a Soviet Union invasion. It stretches from the city of Pitesti to Sibiu and it runs through some of the highest peaks in the country, at 2034 meters high.
There are certainly more attractions in Romania which are not mentioned here. I invite you to send me an email if you have a particular interest in another attraction/tradition/city/village and I would be happy to answer you with all the information about it.
