21 Photos to Inspire Your First Romania Trip

For the uninitiated, Romania can be a tantalising but uncertain destination to visit. There’s plenty of allure to the country, with notions of spooky Transylvania and Dracula, but it also poses plenty of unknowns for travellers unfamiliar with eastern Europe. Often it’s this uncertainty that stops people from pulling the trigger on their first Romania trip.

So what’s so great about this under appreciated country? Well, in my eyes, most of the things that make Europe great. It’s a nation with a fascinating and complex history that has been particularly well-preserved. Romania is also home to some sweeping landscapes and layered, distinctive cities. Basically, it has something to offer everyone. If you need further proof, simply look below.

Unique Cities

Whether viewed from above or admired at street level, the cities of Romania are surprisingly varied and never really feel like a lesser version of somewhere better known. Even when the capital Bucharest is dubbed the “Paris of the East“, it’s a comparison that fails to take into account so much of the city’s character, including the Bucharest nightlife.

Certainly there are hints of familiarity like the above or the Viennese touches in Timisoara, but these are simply attempts to express how impressive Romania’s cities truly are.

Traditional, Quaint Rooftops of Brasov

Bold and Ornate Architecture of Oradea

Bright and jumbled Cityscape of Cluj-Napoca

Elegant and Vibrant Buildings in Timisoara

The Grand City Centre of Bucharest

Captivating Churches

A facet of Romania that can’t be overlooked is the role that religion has played throughout its history. While a strongly catholic country, Romania also has a sizeable Protestant streak from the Saxon settlers that arrived in the Middle Ages.

With all these influences, there are umpteen different churches and cathedrals to visit during a Romania trip. The thing is, you’re unlikely to develop “church fatigue” as their diversity is unparalleled. From the immense Black Church of Brasov to other smaller regional churches, visitors are spoilt with intriguing houses of faith.

Colours of Timisoara Orthodox Cathedral

The Warped Walls around Prejmer Church

Wooden Budesti Josani Church in Maramures

Secluded Hilltop Stone Church of Cisnadioara

The Moody Black Church of Brasov

Surreal blue decor of Oradea’s Church of the Moon

Majestic Landscapes

A Romania trip wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the many, varied landscapes and terrains found around the country. Romania is home to a little bit of everything, from rolling rural farmland in the Maramures region to the dense forest across the Carpathian Mountains. Then there’s all the serene river lands along the country’s borders. Safe to say, escaping the country’s cities comes with its own rewards as well.

Rural farmland in the quiet region of Maramures

The Raw Wilderness of the Carpathian Mountains outside Brasov

Dense Forest surrounding Rasnov Fortress

Magnetic Old Towns

Like the best places in Europe, Romania is teeming with old towns to fall in love with. At the heart of most of the cities lie old towns bursting with historic buildings and landmarks. This means that no matter where you are in Romania, you’ll find somewhere great to stroll and tumble back in time. Many of these, like the quiet Sighisoara, rest deep in the heart of Transylvania, simply dripping in the region’s characteristic atmosphere.

Charismatic Medieval Old Town of Sibiu

Small Square in the Heart of Cluj Old Town

Cobbled Streets inside the Citadel of Sighisoara

Stunning Castles

Last but not least is Romania’s fantastic, superlative castles. This is the land of Dracula after all! It’s particularly in Transylvania that you can find some devastatingly beautiful castles and fortresses, which also speak to the region’s turbulent past. For castle lovers like myself, Romania is an exciting place to visit. The city of Brasov is an especially good place to base yourself if you want to visit several of the country’s finest.

Gothic allure of Bran Castle through the trees

Terraces below the Exquisite Peles Castle

The magnificent Fairytale look of Corvin Castle

Mighty remains of the Rasnov Fortress

Planning your First Romania Trip

• • Accommodation: Here you can find hotels, apartments and guesthouses for across Romania.
  • Tours: There are countless day trips and sightseeing tours available in Romania.
  • Car Hire: If you want to travel more independently, consider renting a car to drive yourself about.
  • Guide Books: Lastly, if you’re after a physical guide to take with you then you can’t beat a Lonely Planet Guide.

Which would be your number one pick to start your first Romania trip? Have you already visited Romania and are looking to visit again? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.