Romania is a great travel destination in south-eastern Europe and offers something for almost everyone. Whether you are planning a cultural trip, a weekend getaway or a hiking vacation, Romania is rich in culture, nature and hospitality. The bucket list gives you a first impression. Depending on the time of year you travel, you can swim in the Black Sea or ski in the Carpathian Mountains. But no matter when you visit Romania, you should definitely try one of the many Romanian dishes. Tochitura, a kind of goulash made from meat and sausage served with mamaliga (corn porridge) and a very special cheese. You should also try mici, sarmale or the dessert papanasi. If you like pies and cakes, Romania is also the right place for you. To round off the day, enjoy a glass of Romanian wine in one of the many restaurants. I can also recommend a cold beer.
Bucket lists with some recommended places and activities in Romania:
Bucket list for the summer:
- Visit Bran Castle (Castelul Bran), the most visited castle in Romania, and follow in the footsteps of Dracula.
- Visit the capital Bucharest, where life pulsates and you can discover numerous cultural sights.
- Take a round trip through Transylvania and visit the medieval town centers of Brasov, Sibiu, Sighisoara and more.
- Visit one or more of the national parks. The Romanian nature will inspire you. You will find numerous hiking trails there.
- Among the castles you should definitely see are the aforementioned Bran Castle (Castelul Bran), Hunedoara Castle (Castelul Corvinilor), Peles Castle (Castelul Peles) in Sinaia and the Palace of Culture (Palatul Culturii) in Iasi.
- Visit one of the many churches and monasteries in Romania and experience the very special atmosphere of these places. The best known are the Mănăstirea Voroneț (Gura) as well as Catedrala Sfantul Ioan Botezatorul (Fagaras), Biserica Neagra (Brasov), Biserica Sfantul Nicolae Domnesc (Iasi), Catedrala Evanghelica (Sibiu), Biserica Fortificata (Prejmer).
- Take a trip to the Danube Delta, a unique biosphere reserve known for its bird diversity.
- A trip to the Turda salt mine is also recommended, the impressive underground salt mine offers, among other things, the world’s only underground Ferris wheel.
- Visit one of the open-air museums, such as the Muzeul Astra in Sibiu, which is beautifully laid out in a huge park.
- Visit the artisan village of Marginea in Suceava County in Romania.
- Attend a traditional event and get to know Romanian traditions.
- Go on a culinary discovery and try traditional Romanian cuisine, including mămăligă (polenta), sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls) and mici (grilled minced meat rolls) as well as tochitura (meat stew).
Romania
Bucket List Winter:
- Visit Bran Castle (Castelul Bran), the most visited castle in Romania, and follow in the footsteps of Dracula.
- Visit the capital Bucharest, where life pulsates and you can discover numerous cultural sights.
- Take a round trip through Transylvania and visit the medieval town centers of Brasov, Sibiu, Sighisoara and more.
- Visit one or more of the national parks. The Romanian nature will inspire you. You will find numerous hiking trails there.
- Among the castles you should definitely see are the aforementioned Bran Castle (Castelul Bran), Hunedoara Castle (Castelul Corvinilor), Peles Castle (Castelul Peles) in Sinaia and the Palace of Culture (Palatul Culturii) in Iasi.
- Visit one of the many churches and monasteries in Romania and experience the very special atmosphere of these places. The best known are the Mănăstirea Voroneț (Gura) as well as Catedrala Sfantul Ioan Botezatorul (Fagaras), Biserica Neagra (Brasov), Biserica Sfantul Nicolae Domnesc (Iasi), Catedrala Evanghelica (Sibiu), Biserica Fortificata (Prejmer).
- A trip to the Turda salt mine is also recommended, the impressive underground salt mine offers, among other things, the world’s only underground Ferris wheel.
- Romania is a winter wonderland where you can go skiing, snowboarding or simply enjoy a day in the snowy countryside.
- Visit the thermal baths in Bucharest, where you can relax in pleasantly warm temperatures, swim in one of the pools or enjoy a massage treatment.
- Visit one of the museums, such as the Muzeul Astra in Sibiu.
- Go on a culinary discovery and try traditional Romanian cuisine, including mămăligă (polenta), sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls) and mici (grilled minced meat rolls) as well as tochitura (meat stew).
- Enjoy a glass of Romanian wine in one of the restaurants, preferably one that is traditionally furnished.
Itinerary suggestion:
Fly to Sibiu, the beautiful city in Transylvania, from where you can easily continue by train or car to Sighisoara, whose historic old town is a World Heritage Site. After two days, you should continue to Brasov, where you should plan at least 3 days. From there, continue to Bucharest. From here, you can fly to almost any country in the world. Take your time for your trip, you will gather numerous impressions along the way. Depending on the time available, you can also start your journey from Timisoara or Cluj-Napoca. You are flexible by car, but you can also get from one place to another by train. If possible, always book first class.
There are many ways to discover the beauty and diversity of Romania! Tailor them to your individual interests. You can find lots of information on this website.