This guide covers three of the best spots in Romania to visit: Bucharest, Constanta, and Brasov. Each spot will give you something unique - Bucharest for the architecture, history, big city feelings; Constanta for the beach town and laid back ambiance; and Brasov for the authentic towns close to everything outdoors. One thing will feel the same though - the Eastern European culture of Romania will shine through! Try the food, drinks, activities, castles, history, and everything you possibly can whilst you are here and make sure this is added to your bucket list.
Romania is an Eastern European country found on the coast of the Black Sea. From beach towns, mountains, to historic cities - everyone will find something here! Below you will find our three favourite spots we visited in Romania and what you should do in each of them (food, activities, accommodations, tours, etc). We found Romania to be a safe place in general and you could easily spend anywhere from a weekend to months travelling this beautiful country.
How Much Time You Need
We would suggest that one week in Romania for these three spots is sufficient, but if you have more time there's even more you could see! If you have a rental car it will be the easiest way to get to these locations.
The route we would recommend is to start in Bucharest (as you'll likely fly into here) and spend 2 days, travel to Constanta and spent 2 days, and then travel to Brasov where you'll do day trips and tours around the area for 3 days before finishing up your road trip.
I would suggest anytime from spring - fall is a good time to visit, with fall time (September - early November) being my ultimate favourite time. Fall colours in Romania are no joke and with this road trip (especially visiting the hiking areas / mountain towns / famous Romanian highway) you will be immersed in the foliage which will have you in awe. However, summer is always a good bet for a beach trip to Constanta.
Money
The local currency in Romania is Lei, and most places will accept credit cards. The country is really cheap to travel - one of the cheapest we have visited! If you have the Euro, British Pound, US dollar, or CAD dollar (or your currency is stronger than any of these), the exchange rate will definitely work in your favour.
Tipping in Romania will depend but is usually expected. A base of 10% for things such as taxis, restaurants, tour guides. and so forth is a good baseline - with more percentage depending on the service received.
Driving
Driving in Romania is a bit crazy - "he who dares wins" kind of driving! People drive really fast here and aren't the safest so make sure your safe. In the mountain areas the driving is insanely beautiful but also has a lot of switchbacks and sharp turns. However, we made it without any problems - as long as you are extra cautious and attentive you should be fine. Ensure you read up on the policies about your drivers license use in Romania - you may need an international drivers license. If you are planning on crossing any borders, make sure you check with he rental agency before doing so.
The Food
When visiting a Romanian restaurant, expect it to be a whole evening affair. Service is slow here - they like you to take your time and relax. If you want your bill to be separated by person you will want to ask BEFORE your meal to make sure they can accommodate, and its not aways possible.
Bucharest is the capital of Romania and is full of history, culture, great food, and so much more. If you are visiting Romania from further away, the Bucharest International Airport (Henri Coanda International Airport) is likely where you will fly into.
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Bucharest will either be a lot of walking, site-seeing, or day-trips to other parts of Romania. Mix in some good food and wine and you will have a great time! If you are into history and eastern european ambiances and architecture this city will really peak your interest.
Personally, I would recommend staying two days here. One to walk the city, the other to see / do what you didn't on the first! However, if you are staying longer, the tours, restaurants, and nightlife will sure keep you occupied.
Right in the old town is a hotel that will peak your interest! Modern decor and spacious rooms, on-site restaurants (including breakfast), and all the amenities you could need. Not to mention the close walking distance to most things you'll want to see in the area.
This hotel is 25 minutes away from the airport but right in the city centre! Be close to some key locations in the area whilst staying comfortable in a luxury hotel. This hotel even has its own restaurants if you're not looking to venture too far.
This hotel is located in a historic building which is bound to peak your interest. Great amenities, on-site dining and drinks, and modern hotel rooms is what you can expect here. You'll be a short walk from the old town and the sites you will want to see!
The best way to explore Bucharests Old Town is simply by walking it. Spend the day walking around the area and visiting monuments, admiring the architecture, eating great food, and visiting the shops along the way.
Just outside of Bucharest is one of Europes largest salt mines. Inside you will find impressive geological sites and structures, and a museum in the area. This place is more than just your average salt mine - there is so much to learn here about the benefits of this place.
10 minutes outside of the city is one of Europes largest relaxation and activity centres. A place dedicated to wellness, here you will see an impressive variety of botanical gardens, spas, relaxation areas, fitness areas, and so forth. Spend an afternoon here and relax on your vacation!
In the northern part of the city you will find this impressive arch structure. Located in the middle of a round about and at the ends of long stretches of road, its a beautiful site on a short road trip! You can actually visit the inside of the arch, make your way to the top for a viewpoint, and learn about this history of why this arch exists (and how it came to be over multiple iterations).
If you're looking for something to do and show peaks your interest check what the national theatre has on offer to experience some of the culture and art that this nation has.
In typical European style, Romanians are big on their football clubs! Check the local schedule to find out when the games are. The ambiance here will be unmatched.
This really is just a bookstore, but its the interior that is so impressive. If you're a photo-op type of person, this is a place to go! Not only can you get beautiful and impressive pictures but you can buy all sorts of the cutest items at this place (its not JUST a bookstore).
If you're looking for a European thing to do, a stroll in the park should be high on your list and this park is a great place to check that off!
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Tours To Jump On:
Private Castle Day Trip From Bucharest: This tour is a private tour by vehicle with a private guide who will personally take you from place to place and sort out your day trip. You will require to purchase your own access to each castle, but they are small costs. You can choose to explore with the guide or on your own time in each of the locations: Dracula (Bran) Castle, Pele Castle, and the beautiful town of Brasov. This is a good option if you don't have time to venture up to Brasov / the castles yourself.
Private Tuk-Tuk Tour In Bucharest: Take a tour of Bucharest in style - via a Tuk Tuk! 1-2 hours will take you by the main landmarks in the area. This would be a great tour to do at the beginning of your stay to orient yourself to the area, see the highlights, and ask the tour guide for more suggestions from a true local!
Bucharest Historic Tour: If you're a history buff, this tour is for you. Take a walking tour of some of Bucharests main landmarks and learn about life under a communist regime. This three hour walking tour will ensure you get your steps in.
Bucharest Market / Food Walking Tour: Take this small group tour with a local to experience more than the hustle and bustle of Bucharest. Get into the neighbourhoods to truly experience local culture, wine, alcohol, and food.
Bucharest Pub Crawl: Get a feel for the night life in Bucharest during this tour! Find the downtown bars and clubs whilst meeting new people under the guide of a local!
The greatest beer hall and architecture which happens to come with great drinks and food! This place is seriously impressive with a stunning interior and a great location downtown. This should be one of your must visits.
Great location, great pizza, great platters, great drinks, and a place for a great time! This is a great spot to bring your travel partners and hang out over a meal.
A large and hearty menu set in a great atmosphere will of course, along with their great service, make for a great night. Stop here when you're feeling empty to fill up on this food!
This has more of a pub-style vibe with burgers, craft beer, cocktails, etc and set up with a beer garden. This is a great hangout spot to have a few drinks and a good meal!
If you're a tea person, this place is for you. With a huge menu of tea plus some coffee and sweet nibbles on offer, this tea room is a great place for a morning relax.
Constanta is a beach town located on the Black Sea with stunning stretches of beaches that people from all over come to relax at. With amazing restaurants, beach bars, and activities in the area who can blame them!
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There is an airport located in Constanta, but it is likely you will have a transfer or drive to this city from Bucharest.
We would recommend spending 2-3 days here if visiting during summer and less if not visiting during the summer (as spending time at the beach will likely not be on your to-do list).
This is where we stayed and it was in a great spot. Right on the riverside for good views, but also a close walk away from the summer carnival, the beach, the restaurants, and the downtown beach area. They have a great buffet breakfast, sky tower for drinks (and dinner if you're in the mood), and a nice sized gym!
You come to Constanta for the beach, so why not be right on it. This place has great rooms and so many amenities on offer - you'll always find something to do. With direct access to the sea side you can't go wrong.
The best thing to do in Constanta is visit a beach and the most comfortable way to do this is to rent beds at a beach club for the day! Prices can range from 50-100 lei per person which is quite pricey but if you're willing to splurge comfortable beach beds with amenities such as beach volleyball, sports areas, washrooms, and being right beside their bar for food and drinks all day could make for a perfect beach day right on the ocean!
The oldest inhabited city in Romania located on a beautiful coastline with impressive architecture and so much to offer. Markets, shops, and restaurants will keep you occupied through the day as you walk around. Pop into the different museums and learn about this history of this amazing town.
This museum is located in another stunning building (there's so much architecture to admire in this place) and you will find impressive ruins, archeological finds, and lots to learn here. We're not huge museum people but this museum had a wide variety of displays and themes that there was something to peak your interest around every corner. There is a fee to enter this museum.
This impressive building is located right on the waters edge and makes for stunning views. The walk along the coastline to get to and from the Casino is a lovely sight to see as well so make a morning out of it!
This is the gondola station that will bring you up into the sky above the beach strip to see the town and ocean on both sides. You'll have great views and it runs into sunset which would be a beautiful view. Walk one way down the strip and take the gondola back to really experience the Constanta beach strip downtown.
If you're visiting the Danube Delta, make sure to schedule an hour or so to walk around this area too. It has so much culture here - when we were visiting (on a weekend) they had a farmers market with local cooked food to try and performances on stage. There are many restaurants and a walk along the river to experience here.
One of Europes best protected rivers (which means nature is thriving). Where the Black Sea and the Danube Delta meet in Eastern Romania is the UNESCO protected site begins - it's a nature lovers paradise. Take a boat tour to experience the nature and local culture.
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If you're interested in a river tour, check out these guided tours. The first one is cost per person and you will have a professional guide take you down the river and its villages via boat and safari van. The second is cost per group and is a guided birdwatching day trip as the area is home to hundreds of bird species.
I spent so much time in Constanta so there are SO many good restaurant options to try. The food in this country is so good and not to mention, well priced.
This restaurant downtown has aesthetic indoor and outdoor seating. It's an Italian restaurant that serves a variety of dishes so something for everyone! Fresh salads, pizzas, seafood, meats, and good wine to top it all off.
This restaurant is a great place for Turkish food - wow is all I can say. The vegetables, salads, and meat were all so well flavoured and every bite was delicious. Highly recommend this restaurant, but it is a bit more out of the way (but worth the trip!).
We came here at night and the ambiance was amazing. The lights are dimmed and the place is cozy and not over-crowded so you can really enjoy the space. The food and the service are great - they have so many appetizers and dishes available.
This pub-style restaurant is more than just you're average pub. With an amazing ambiance, this place has a large menu with everything from pub-style fares to high-scale meals. They have a large drink menu and especially Guinness to match the theme!
As you can probably tell, this place does great pizza! However, like most Romanian restaurants, this place offers a huge menu. Salads (that really hit the spot), pizza, sushi, steak, etc are all on offer so everyone has options. They have fantastic indoor and outdoor seating options, being situated in the middle of the old town square with exceptional views of the surrounding architecture.
If you need a sweet treat, the donut library is the place to go. They have so many options of donuts that get really creative and taste amazing. Grab some coffee here to wash it down afterwards.
There is so much to do in and around this town, and the town itself is awesome. This town can be found in the Transylvanian Area which is our favourite area in Romania. Found in central Romania and not too far away from Bucharest, this is a great place to spend a few days exploring the area.
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You'll definitely want a car or to book some tours here, as the best day-trips can be found here! We would recommend spending 3 days here (or more) to visit the Transylvania Region, castles, mountain towns and mountains, small historic towns nearby, the highway area, and Brasov itself.
On a beautiful street only 500m away from the old town. this hotel is located within a historic building with modern furniture, settings, and amenities. Feel comfortable and close to everything you could need.
A bit further from the old town but worth the distance is this penthouse. If you are looking for a place to share, cook your own meals, relax on the rooftop with great views, watch your own movie in your private theatre, or just relax in luxury, this penthouse will not disappoint. Its about 3.5 km away from the old town, but makes up for it with all its amenities.
Right in the heart of Brasov is this hotel situated in an old but modern and charming building that will make you feel like you went back in time! With all the amenities you could need for your stay, you're sure to love this place.
If you're looking for somewhere cheap to spend the night that's right downtown this hostel will do the trick! This will be the best way to meet people that are looking to do similar things to you, or even just to hang out for the night.
This is one of the most beautiful city squares you will find. Right in the middle of the square you will have views of the parks around the town and the architecture that makes this town so stunning. The history here goes far back, and you will find old buildings and churches right beside this square. This is the main area for tourists and restaurants, so its likely you will want to stay close to here for your visiting, eating, and of course drinking needs!
This gothic church located right beside the council square in the old town of Brasov has jaw dropping architecture, history, and is a must visit spot - even if you just take a stroll around the outside.
As the castle for the inspiration of Dracula, this is another must visit in the Transylvania region. You will have to pay an entrance fee but it's really worth it and we're not usually big on tourist traps! However the let you visit the interior of the castle where you will walk through a variety of rooms, learn about the history, see original furniture and decor, and have amazing views of the castle in the interior garden. It is an extremely impressive structure.
The cutest mountain town near Brasov is this place. Here you will find hotels, restaurants, shops, and even a gondola to take up to the mountain top if you don't feel like hiking. Although we highly recommend the hike below for avid hikers (it is intense so its likely not for those who do not hike very often or are with young ones), the gondola is a great option to skip the hike and see the amazing views at the top with shorter walks to the best view points. The gondola itself is amazing and best viewed during the fall months where the foliage colours will really pop!
One of the most impressive highways you will ever see, this road has been featured by many (you've likely already seen it). It features many switch backs for stunning views over the mountains in the area. Although this specific part of the highway doesn't have too many trees for those fall colours, we did this highway after Brasov on our way back to Constanta and right before and after this part of the highway the tree foliage is insane - for this reason I would recommend fall time frame for a visit!
A highly rated place for dinner located right in the city council square in the beautiful old town of Brasov. They have traditional food and fan favourites with a great menu and accompanying drinks. The restaurant itself is modernly decorated and the service is well-rated! We had such a good meal at this place.
In this small shop they sell one type of the drink - the local visinata. Its a cherry liqueur that you can buy by the glass or the bottle. Swing by here for a quick drink in a cool bar (surrounded by all things red!) close to the square to get your evening started.
A hole in the wall kind of place with an incredible atmosphere - this is where to go for your evening drinks! They also serve food but we went for the night life here.
If you like something sweet make sure you try this spot. They have Kurtos - a local sweet treat in Romania and it's incredible. With so many different types of toppings including sugar and cinnamon with Nutella filling (a personal favourite). They have small portions cut up, or big packages to go. This is one of our favourite treats in Romania!
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Thank You!
We really hope you enjoy this mini-guide to the our favourite spots in Romania and that we have convinced you to go! We have only amazing things to say about this beautiful country and now is the time to visit before it gets on everyones radar as a popular travel destination.
If you're looking for more content be sure to check out our blog (including some more detailed information about Romania such as the hike), and feel free to contact us anytime at twentyfivedaysayear@gmail.com - we would LOVE to hear from you.
With a full time job, there are twenty five days a year I want to FILL with travelling and have been doing so every year. We love to research, plan, and travel to new destinations around the world as much as possible. We travel at least twice per year and quite a bit for work, and love to share our favourite places along the way with everyone who wants it!
