Romania · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Romania
These are the places worth your time in Romania, from the museums, markets and garden bars of Bucharest to the castles around Brasov, Sibiu's squares, Cluj's cafés and the channels of the Danube Delta. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Bucharest
Arts and Culture
- Palace of the Parliament (Sector 5)
A colossal Ceausescu era building whose guided tour explains the communist years like nothing else. - Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum (Kiseleff)
Hundreds of real farmhouses, churches and windmills from every region gathered in a lakeside park. - Stavropoleos Monastery (Old Town)
A tiny, exquisitely carved church and courtyard hidden among the bars of the Old Town. - Romanian Athenaeum (Calea Victoriei)
The city's grand domed concert hall, best experienced at an evening concert. - National Museum of Art of Romania (Revolution Square)
Romanian and European art in the former royal palace, including medieval icons. - Romanian Peasant Museum (Piata Victoriei)
A creative, moving museum of village life, textiles and icons, with a good shop. - Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History (Kiseleff)
A modern, hands on natural history museum that children love.
Shopping and Markets
- Carturesti Carusel (Old Town)
A restored white bookshop with spiral balconies, one of the city's loveliest interiors. - Obor Market (Obor)
The city's biggest food market, with farm produce, cheeses and famous mici stalls. - Piata Amzei (Amzei)
A small central market for fresh produce, flowers and local cheeses.
Restaurants
- Caru' cu Bere (Old Town)
A historic beer hall with stained glass and carved wood, serving classic Romanian dishes. - Hanu' lui Manuc (Old Town)
An old caravanserai courtyard inn serving traditional food under wooden galleries. - Casa Doina (Kiseleff)
Romanian cuisine in an elegant historic villa with a garden terrace.
Cafés
- Origo Coffee Shop (Lipscani)
One of the pioneers of the city's speciality coffee scene.
Nature and Outdoors
- King Michael I Park (Herastrau)
A huge lakeside park for boating, cycling and long summer walks. - Cismigiu Gardens (Centre)
The oldest public park in the centre, with a lake, rowing boats and chess players.
Things to Do
- Mogosoaia Palace (Mogosoaia)
A Brancovenesc style palace by a lake, an easy escape from the city. - Therme Bucuresti (Balotesti)
A huge thermal spa and indoor water park with tropical gardens, open all year.
Events
- George Enescu Festival (Romanian Athenaeum)
A major classical music festival held every two years in late summer.
Stays
- Athenee Palace Hilton (Revolution Square)
A grand historic hotel next to the Athenaeum with a storied past. - Grand Hotel Continental (Calea Victoriei)
An elegant nineteenth century hotel in the heart of old Bucharest.
Places to Visit in Brasov
Arts and Culture
- Black Church (Old Town)
The largest Gothic church in the region, with a famous collection of Anatolian carpets. - Prejmer Fortified Church (Prejmer)
A UNESCO listed fortified church with storage rooms built into its massive walls. - First Romanian School (Schei)
The historic school and church of the old Romanian quarter.
Things to Do
- Council Square (Old Town)
The pastel heart of Brasov, framed by mountains and lined with cafés. - Bran Castle (Bran)
The fairytale castle sold as Dracula's home, with rooms from Queen Marie's time. - Peles Castle (Sinaia)
The lavish neo Renaissance summer palace of Romania's kings. - Rasnov Fortress (Rasnov)
A hilltop peasant citadel with sweeping views of the Barsa land. - Viscri Fortified Church (Viscri)
A whitewashed Saxon village and church that feels frozen in time. - Poiana Brasov (Poiana Brasov)
Romania's best known ski resort, also great for summer walks. - Strada Sforii (Old Town)
One of the narrowest streets in Europe, a fun short stop.
Nature and Outdoors
- Tampa Mountain (Old Town)
Hike or ride the cable car to the classic view over the rooftops. - Libearty Bear Sanctuary (Zarnesti)
The ethical way to see rescued brown bears in large forest enclosures. - Piatra Craiului National Park (Zarnesti)
A dramatic limestone ridge with gorges and serious hiking trails. - Bucegi Mountains (Sinaia)
Cable cars and trails to the Babele rock formations and the Sphinx.
Restaurants
- Sergiana (Old Town)
Hearty Transylvanian cooking in a cellar dining room, a local favourite.
Events
- Brasov Christmas Market (Council Square)
A festive December market with mulled wine and a big tree.
Stays
- Aro Palace (Centre)
A classic central hotel close to the old town and the park.
Places to Visit in Sibiu
Things to Do
- Large Square (Old Town)
Sibiu's grand central square, ringed by baroque palaces and pastel houses. - Bridge of Lies (Small Square)
An iron bridge said to creak whenever someone standing on it tells a lie. - Council Tower (Old Town)
Climb up for views over the rooftops and their watching eyes. - Passage of Stairs (Lower Town)
An atmospheric stairway linking the upper and lower towns. - Transfagarasan Road (Fagaras Mountains)
One of Europe's great mountain roads, climbing to Balea Lake in summer. - Biertan Fortified Church (Biertan)
A UNESCO listed Saxon church on a hill, with a famous marriage room. - Cisnadioara Fortress Church (Cisnadioara)
A small Romanesque church on a hilltop above a quiet village. - Sibiel Village (Marginimea Sibiului)
A shepherd village with a museum of icons painted on glass.
Arts and Culture
- Brukenthal National Museum (Large Square)
One of the oldest museums in the region, with fine European paintings. - Astra National Museum Complex (Dumbrava)
A huge open air museum of houses, mills and churches around a lake. - Evangelical Cathedral (Huet Square)
A Gothic church with a tall tower to climb and a great organ.
Nature and Outdoors
- Balea Lake (Fagaras Mountains)
A glacial lake high in the mountains, reached by road or cable car. - Paltinis (Paltinis)
A small mountain resort for forest walks and winter skiing.
Events
- Sibiu International Theatre Festival (Old Town)
A huge June festival with free street performances across the squares. - Sibiu Christmas Market (Large Square)
One of Romania's best Christmas markets, with a Ferris wheel.
Restaurants
- Crama Sibiul Vechi (Old Town)
Traditional food in a vaulted brick cellar with folk décor.
Shopping and Markets
- Piata Cibin (Cibin)
The main produce market, full of mountain cheeses in season.
Stays
- Hotel Continental Forum (Unirii Square)
A large central hotel a short walk from the old town.
Places to Visit in Cluj-Napoca
Arts and Culture
- St Michael's Church (Unirii Square)
A towering Gothic church at the heart of the city. - Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania (Centre)
Costumes, crafts and an open air village section in the forest. - National Theatre Lucian Blaga (Avram Iancu Square)
A grand theatre and opera house for an evening performance.
Things to Do
- Salina Turda (Turda)
A vast salt mine turned underground park, with a Ferris wheel and boating lake.
Nature and Outdoors
- Turda Gorge (Turda)
A dramatic limestone gorge with an easy, beautiful hiking trail. - Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden (Centre)
A large garden with glasshouses and a Japanese garden. - Cetatuia Hill (Centre)
A short climb for the best sunset view over the city. - Hoia Baciu Forest (Hoia)
A forest of strangely twisted trees with many local legends.
Events
- Untold Festival (Central Park)
One of Europe's largest electronic music festivals, held in early August. - Electric Castle (Bontida)
A summer music and arts festival in the grounds of a restored castle. - Transilvania International Film Festival (Centre)
A June film festival screening across cinemas and open air venues.
Restaurants
- Roata (Centre)
Classic Transylvanian dishes in a cosy, rustic garden restaurant.
Places to Visit in Maramures
Arts and Culture
- Merry Cemetery (Sapanta)
Painted wooden crosses with funny poems about the lives of the dead. - Barsana Monastery (Barsana)
A monastery of soaring wooden churches and gardens in the valley. - Wooden Church of Ieud (Ieud)
One of the oldest of the UNESCO listed wooden churches.
Things to Do
- Mocanita Steam Train (Viseu de Sus)
A narrow gauge steam train through the forested Vaser valley.
Places to Visit in Danube Delta
Arts and Culture
- Danube Delta Eco Tourism Centre (Tulcea)
An aquarium and exhibits that explain the delta before you head out.
Things to Do
- Sulina Lighthouse (Sulina)
The old lighthouse of the Danube Commission at the end of the river. - Mila 23 Village (Mila 23)
A fishing village of reed roofed houses deep in the delta.
Nature and Outdoors
- Sulina Beach (Sulina)
A wide wild beach where the Danube meets the Black Sea. - Sfantu Gheorghe Beach (Sfantu Gheorghe)
A remote beach on the southern arm of the river. - Letea Forest (Letea)
An oak forest on sand dunes, home to wild horses. - Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (Tulcea)
One of Europe's largest wetlands and a UNESCO site.
Places to Visit in Sighisoara
Things to Do
- Sighisoara Citadel (Old Town)
The best preserved inhabited medieval citadel in the region. - Covered Staircase (Citadel)
A wooden covered stairway leading up to the Church on the Hill.
Arts and Culture
- Clock Tower (Citadel)
The symbol of the town, with a museum and views from the top. - Church on the Hill (Citadel)
A Gothic church with old frescoes beside the Saxon cemetery. - Vlad Dracul House (Citadel)
The house where Vlad the Impaler is said to have been born.
Events
- Sighisoara Medieval Festival (Citadel)
A summer festival of costumes, music and street performers.
Restaurants
- Casa cu Cerb (Citadel)
A restaurant in a historic house on the citadel square.
Stays
- Casa Wagner (Citadel)
A historic hotel in a sixteenth century house on the square.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Kaiamo (Floreasca, Bucharest)
A creative fine dining restaurant reworking Romanian ingredients. - Lacrimi si Sfinti (Old Town, Bucharest)
Modern takes on Romanian grandmother cooking in a rustic dining room. - Cafe Verona (Piata Romana, Bucharest)
A garden café hidden behind a bookshop, perfect on summer afternoons. - Gradina Eden (Calea Victoriei, Bucharest)
A summer garden bar with deckchairs in the overgrown grounds of an old palace. - Control Club (Old Town, Bucharest)
A long running alternative club with gigs and dance nights. - Linea Closer to the Moon (Lipscani, Bucharest)
A rooftop bar with wide views over the city's skyline. - Bistro de l'Arte (Old Town, Brasov)
A cosy bistro on a quiet lane, good for a relaxed dinner. - La Ceaun (Council Square, Brasov)
Traditional dishes cooked in cauldrons, served on the square. - Kurtos Kalacs stalls (Old Town, Brasov)
Warm chimney cakes rolled in cinnamon or walnuts, straight from the coals. - Tipografia (Old Town, Brasov)
A café and bar in a former printing house with a creative crowd. - Festival 39 (Old Town, Brasov)
An art deco style cocktail bar with candlelight and vintage décor. - Deane's Irish Pub (Republicii, Brasov)
A lively pub that is a long standing meeting point for travellers. - Piata Star (Astra, Brasov)
A busy local market for fresh produce and mountain cheeses. - Casa Cu Zorele (Viscri, Brasov)
Guesthouse stays in restored Saxon farmhouses in Viscri village. - Kulinarium (Small Square, Sibiu)
Seasonal modern cooking on one of the prettiest squares. - Pivnita de Bere (Large Square, Sibiu)
A cellar beer hall under the square serving local brews. - Café Wien (Huet Square, Sibiu)
A café with a terrace overlooking the lower town. - Kulturcafe (Old Town, Sibiu)
A relaxed café bar with a cultural programme and a young crowd. - The Council (Small Square, Sibiu)
A boutique hotel in one of the oldest buildings in town. - Fabrica de Pensule (Marasti, Cluj-Napoca)
Independent galleries and studios in a former brush factory. - Baracca (Centre, Cluj-Napoca)
Creative modern cooking with a strong wine list. - Samsara Foodhouse (Centre, Cluj-Napoca)
A popular vegetarian and vegan restaurant with a calm atmosphere. - Olivo (Muzeului Square, Cluj-Napoca)
A busy café with a big terrace on a pedestrian square. - Yume Coffee Roasters (Centre, Cluj-Napoca)
A small speciality coffee roaster favoured by locals. - Flying Circus Pub (Centre, Cluj-Napoca)
An alternative bar and club with gigs and dance nights. - Joben Bistro (Centre, Cluj-Napoca)
A steampunk themed bar with inventive cocktails. - Piata Mihai Viteazu (Centre, Cluj-Napoca)
A local market for fresh produce, honey and cheese. - Hotel Melody Central (Unirii Square, Cluj-Napoca)
A central hotel right on the main square. - Small boat trip from Crisan (Crisan, Danube Delta)
Dawn trips through narrow channels to see pelicans and herons. - Lake Fortuna (Maliuc, Danube Delta)
A wide lake known for large flocks of pelicans. - Anonimul Film Festival (Sfantu Gheorghe, Danube Delta)
An independent film festival held in the delta each August. - Fish soup at village guesthouses (Crisan, Danube Delta)
Ciorba de peste and saramura cooked by delta families. - Delta Nature Resort (Somova, Danube Delta)
Lakeside villas with boat trips into the reserve. - Pensiunea Pelican (Murighiol, Danube Delta)
A family guesthouse with boat trips and home cooking.