Top travel destinations in Romania 2025: 20 must-see places

TL;DR:

• Start with Bucharest, Brașov, Sibiu, and Sighișoara.
  
• Add Danube Delta, Maramureș, or the Apuseni for nature.
  
• Drive the Transfagarasan in summer for Balea Lake views.
  
• Use our best-time table and 10-day routes to plan fast.
  
• Book castles and salt mines early in July and August.

This is a planning list, not a ranking.
Pick two hubs, then add one nature area. Trains link cities well. A car helps for mountains, villages, and the Delta.

When to go

Late April to October brings long days and events. July and August are warm and busy. December has markets and snow in the Carpathians. The Transfăgărășan usually opens in early summer and closes by late autumn, depending on snow. Local road reports confirmed a full opening on 5 June 2025. 

The 20 top travel destinations in Romania

1) Bucharest

Walk the Old Town, the Athenaeum, and the open-air Village Museum. Use the Metro for quick hops. Day trip options include Sinaia or Snagov.

2) Brașov, with Bran and Râșnov nearby

Brașov’s square and Black Church set the mood. Hike to the Tampa viewpoint. Bran Castle draws crowds, so book a timed entry.

3) Sibiu

Pastel squares, “eyes” windows, and strong food culture. The Brukenthal Museum and ASTRA open-air park fill a full day.

4) Sighișoara

A walled town with towers, lanes, and hill views. Stay overnight to enjoy quiet streets after day trippers leave.

5) Cluj-Napoca and Turda Salt Mine

Cluj mixes student energy and green parks. Salina Turda’s underground lake and galleries make an easy half-day trip.

6) Timișoara

2023 European Capital of Culture still shines. Baroque squares, riverside paths, and cafes make a gentle base.

7) Oradea

Art Nouveau facades glow after dark lighting. Thermal baths and a walkable center suit a relaxed weekend.

8) Iași

The Palace of Culture anchors museums and gardens. Add wine tastings in nearby Cotnari hills.

9) Maramureș wooden churches

Tall timber spires rise from rolling valleys. UNESCO protects several churches for their unique carpentry and paintings. 

10) Painted Monasteries of Bucovina

Vivid exterior frescoes show saints, ladders, and battles. Putna and Voroneț are highlights. UNESCO lists the group as a cultural treasure. 

11) Corvin Castle, Hunedoara

A dramatic Gothic fortress with bridges and towers. Visit early to avoid lines on July weekends.

12) Peleș Castle, Sinaia

A fairy-tale royal retreat with carved wood and stained glass. Pair with a forest walk above Sinaia.

13) Transfagarasan and Bâlea Lake

A famous alpine road with tunnels, switchbacks, and a high lake. Drive only in season and check daily conditions. The 2025 opening began on 5 June. 

14) Retezat National Park

Glacial lakes, rocky ridges, and marked trails. Good for two-day hikes with hut overnights.

15) Apuseni Mountains and Scărișoara Ice Cave

Karst valleys, caves, and friendly villages. Plan a local guide for deeper caves.

16) Danube Delta

Europe’s largest and best-preserved delta shelters rich wildlife. UNESCO notes over 300 bird species and 45 freshwater fish. Based in Tulcea for boat trips. 

17) Constanța and Black Sea beaches

See the seafront Casino and the Roman mosaic. Add a beach day in Mamaia or Vadu for a wilder feel.

18) Bicaz Gorge and Red Lake

Sheer limestone walls and a lake born of a landslide. Combine with a loop through Ceahlău National Park.

19) Alba Iulia, Alba Carolina Citadel

A star-shaped fortress with daily guard change and museums. Easy stop between Sibiu and Cluj.

20) Saxon villages with fortified churches

Viscri, Biertan, and Prejmer show sturdy walls and slow village life. UNESCO protects these sites as rare survivors.

New and noteworthy

Constantin Brâncuși’s monumental ensemble in Târgu Jiu joined the UNESCO list in 2024. See the Endless Column and the Gate of the Kiss in a linked city walk. 

The Via Transilvanica long-distance trail crosses the country for 882 miles. It links monasteries, villages, and UNESCO sites with waymarked stones. 

Best time by region

Sample 10-day routes

Cities and castles, 10 days

Bucharest 2 days. Train to Sinaia for Peleș, then Brașov 2 days with Bran and Râșnov. Train to Sighișoara for 1 day. Sibiu 2 days. Cluj 2 days with Salina Turda. Fly out.
[Related: Romania by train, tickets and tips → /guides/romania-trains]

Nature and villages, 10 days

Cluj 1 day. Drive Apuseni 2 days with Scărișoara. Maramureș 2 days, ride a Mocănița steam train in Vișeu de Sus. Bucovina 2 days for painted monasteries. End in Iași 2 days.
[Related: Driving in Romania, road rules and vignettes → /guides/romania-driving]

Coast and Delta, 8–10 days

Bucharest 1 day, Constanța 2 days and beaches. Tulcea 3 days for Delta boat days. Back to Bucharest for 2 days. Add a day for the Bulgarian coast if you have a car.

Practical tips

• Romania’s official tourism portals list routes and events. Check before you go.
  
• Book Bran, Peleș, and Salina Turda for July weekends. Lines build fast.
  
• In the Delta, use licensed boat guides and pack sun cover.
  
• In mountain parks, carry cash for huts and a light rain shell.
  
• Roads can be slow through passes. Set realistic drive times.
  
• For fortified churches, confirm opening hours in small villages.
  
• Watch wildlife from a distance, especially bison areas and bear zones.
  

Common mistakes

• Trying to see Transylvania, the Delta, and the coast in one week.
  
• Driving the Transfăgărășan outside the open season.
  
• Treating the Delta as a quick tour. Stay two nights for sunrise boats.
  
• Skipping cash in rural areas. Card coverage is improving but not universal.
  
• Booking no buffer for storms in the high Carpathians.
  

Why it matters

Romania gives strong value, varied nature, and deep history. With a simple plan, you can link story-rich towns and wild spaces in one trip. Pick a focus, book key tickets, and enjoy more time outside than in transit. 

Sources:

• Romania Travel, “Official tourism portal,” https://www.romania.travel/en/, 2025-09-12.
  
• RomaniaTourism, “UNESCO World Heritage Sites,” https://romaniatourism.com/world-heritage-sites.html, 2025-09-12.
  
• UNESCO World Heritage Centre, “Romania — State Party List,” https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ro, 2025-09-12.
  
• UNESCO World Heritage Centre, “Danube Delta,” https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/588/, 2025-09-12.
  
• Transfagarasan.travel, “Road status and updates,” https://transfagarasan.travel/en/, 2025-09-12.
  
• Time Magazine, “Via Transilvanica,” https://time.com/6992421/via-transilvanica/, 2024-07-20.
  
• Lonely Planet, “Best places to visit in Romania,” https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-in-romania, 2025-07-08.
  

National Geographic, “Romania travel guide and Danube Delta features,” https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destination/romania, 2025-09-12.