Many of the places in Romania that spark your interest on social media are only a small part of the stunning things you can discover if you decide to travel to Romania. Or maybe you came across a picture-perfect place you didn’t know where it was and were surprised to find out it’s in Romania. Without further ado, here are some of the most iconic Romanian landmarks, which will surely convince you to book your next trip here.
1.The Merry Cemetery
What: The Merry Cemetery is an ordinary cemetery, but it’s distinguished by its unique crosses. Wood carving is one of the favorite occupations of many local craftsmen and one of them, Stan Ioan Patras has begun this tradition of carving wooden crosses that don’t look sober, but on the contrary are very colorful and inscribed with short poems about the life of every man. Thus, the Merry Cemetery can be considered a unique place in Romania and it’s not surprising that it has become a real tourist attraction at national and international level.
Where: The cemetery can be found in the village of Sapanta, Maramures County, a region famous for its beautiful traditions preserved by locals for hundreds of years. If you’re already there, you can also visit the beautiful wooden churches scattered around various villages.
When: You can visit the Merry Cemetery all year round, but there is also a local festival organized each year in August, called the “Long Road to the Merry Cemetery”, which includes concerts of traditional and symphonic music, local products tasting, craft workshops and visits to the craftsmen’s homes in Maramures County.
2. Biertan fortified church
What: Fortified churches are a common sight in the Transylvania region, because of the many Saxon villages that were built centered around them. However, the fortified church from Biertan is one of the most impressive ones. It has an interesting story, about the tower that once served as a „prisonʺ for couples who wanted to get a divorce, but it also boasts a sophisticated door locking mechanism with 15 bolts and a beautiful Viennese pipe organ.
Where: The church is located in the village of Biertan, Sibiu County.
When: You can visit the church whenever you want, but it probably would be best to do it during summer, because it’s easier to get around and visit other nearby tourist attraction as well or to engage in various outdoor activities.
3. Retezat Mountains
What: The Reteazat Mountains region is one of the best places for hiking in Romania. Spruce forests, whimsical meadows and clear mountain lakes are just some of the beautiful sights you can see while you go hiking. Not to mention that you will also have plenty of opportunities to take some great pictures.
Mountains Romania
Where: The Retezat Mountains are part of the Southern Carpathians.
When: Especially if you’re not an experienced hiker, avoid going to the mountains during winter to avoid unnecessary risks.
4. Brasov
What: Considered one of Transylvania’s medieval cities, Brasov creates a fairy tale-like atmosphere surrounded by hills and mountains. You can explore the city and admire its medieval architecture, especially in the main square or you can easily reach the nearby mountains of foot or by cable car.
Where: Brasov is the largest city in Brasov County.
When: You can visit Brasov in any season. During winter, you can practice winter sports in the winter resorts near to the city, or you can go for a city break during summer when there are various concerts, exhibits and outdoor events organized throughout the city.
5. Bucharest’s Old Town
What: The Old Town is probably the most popular part of Bucharest, with its cobbled streets, bars, terraces, cafes and beautiful building dating from the beginning of the 20th century or even older. It’s the best place to start exploring the city, especially if you want to know more about its history.
Where: The Old Town is part of the Civic Center. Here are the Old Princely Court, Manuc’s Inn, Stavropoleos Church, as well as many other old buildings that are historic monuments.
When: There’s never not a good time to visit the Old Town. You can always go for a walking tour, do some shopping or attend a music concert.
6. The Danube Delta
What: The Danube Delta is one of the most unique places in Romania, perfect for those who want to relax and enjoy nature during their trip. The delta is home to more than 300 bird species and watching a sunset here is one of the most magical moments you can experience. If you like fish, than this is also a perfect place for you because you can go fishing and have a taste of the local cuisine which included many fish dishes.
Where: The Danube Delta is found in the southeastern part of Romania, easy reachable from Tulcea, in the Dobrogea region.
When: The best time to visit the Danube Delta is during summer, because you can get around mostly by boat only and the temperatures are also more pleasant.
7. Sighisoara
What: Although Sighisoara is a town that you could easily explore in just one day, the colorful medieval buildings and the mesmerizing overall ambiance are bound to make you fall in love with the place.
Where: Sighisoara is a town located in Mures County, in the Transylvania region.
When: You can visit Sighisoara anytime you want, but you should check out the local medieval festival that takes place usually during summer or make a stop around Halloween because there are several vampire-themed parties, especially since Sighisoara is considered to be Dracula’s native town.
8. Transfagarasan road
What: Many people say that the Transfagarasan is the most beautiful road in Romania, which makes it perfect for a road trip. The road cuts right through the Fagaras Moutains, the highest mountains in Romania, so you are bound to see some incredible sites on the way. Most popular tourist attractions are Vidraru Lake, the Vidrau dam, Poenari Fortress and Balea Lake.
Where: The road stretches across two counties, Arges and Sibiu, making a connection between the Transylvaia region and the Muntenia region.
When: The road is usually open for traffic from July to November, but you should check first before you start your trip. The Transfagarasan can become crowded during summer weekends.
9. Bran Castle
What: Probably one of the most iconic Romanian landmarks on this list is Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Caste because it’s said to have inspired Bram Stoker to set up the plot of his novel in Transylvania.
Transylvania tours
Where: The castle is located at the border between Transylvania and Wallachia near the Bran village in Brasov County.
When: The castle is open for visitor all year round, but usually there are special events organized around Halloween.
10. Turda salt mine
What: The salt mine was used in the past to extract salt or even as storage space for various purposes, but now it was turned into a real underground amusement park.
Where: The salt mine is located near the city of Turda, in Cluj County.
When: The salt mine can be visited all year round, but you will probably enjoy the cool air below ground more during summer.
11. Sarmizegetusa Regia
What: This mysterious architectural complex has become one of the most iconic landmarks in Romania. The archaeological site represents remains from an old Dacian fortress and for many it’s like a Romanian version of Stonehenge.
Where: The site is found near a village in Hunedoara County.
When: There’s no ideal time to visit the site, you just have to consider the weather conditions during your trip.
If these iconic landmarksseem familiar to you and you want to see them for yourself, or if you want to explore even more of Romania, you can book one of our trips to Romania, or you can asks for help to plan your Romanian trip.
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