Romania is a great holiday destination for those looking for something new. The sandy beaches of the Black Sea, the city life of Bucharest and the great natural attractions of the countryside make the country definitely worth a visit. Read the Beach Ball Destination Guide and plan your own vacation.
Mountains, beaches and small villages
One third of Romania is mountains, one third hills and the rest is plains. With the addition of even more historic small villages, magnificent castles, the seafront and vibrant Bucharest, the whole becomes an interesting tourist destination.
Dracula’s homeland has been described as the most beautiful in Eastern Europe. The almost untouched forests and rugged mountain areas make Romania stand out. In small rural villages, everyday life is also organic, while in the capital, Bucharest, the European heartbeat is pulsating.
According to countryaah, Romania, one of the newest members of the European Union, is located in south-eastern Europe on the shores of the Black Sea. Its neighbors are Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Ukraine and Moldova. The western part of Romania is dominated by the Carpathian Mountains, whose highest peak is about 2,500 meters. Going east, the height differences decrease until you meet the Black Sea and the Danube estuary that ends there.
Sighisoara is one of Romania’s Unesco sites.
In summer to the beach, in winter to the city
Nearly a third of Romania is the forested Carpathian Mountains, which cut through almost the entire country. The rest of the area is mainly covered by fields and cities. Romania also has a small stretch of the Black Sea coast, where the Danube flows into the sea.
Most of Romania has a continental climate, which means hot summers and relatively cold winters. Rainfall is mainly in the spring and early summer, although more often in the Carpathian Mountains. Late spring and early autumn are the best times to travel, at least to the Romanian lowlands, such as the capital, Bucharest.
Eat, Drink and Shop
Short for RO by abbreviationfinder, Romania is an affordable destination for Finnish travelers. There is no problem finding a restaurant where dinner is available for around 5 euros. There are also expensive restaurants in Bucharest, but prices are generally low in the countryside.
Romanian food is typically meat-focused, and soups also have a place in the food circle. Romania produces a number of wines that are less frequently sold abroad. Local wines are much cheaper than foreign ones.
In Bucharest in particular, new shopping centers are being built almost constantly, with movements largely the same as elsewhere in Europe. More original souvenirs are traded in stalls located at least close to tourist attractions. The most typical products are various handicrafts, such as decorative fabrics, woodwork, lace cloths and woven rugs.
City break or beach rentals
The capital Bucharest is an interesting city destination that is perfect for a weekend destination, for example. With good food and affordable prices, it easily takes a few days. In Romania, you should also visit the castles and mansions, the most famous of which is probably Brac Castle, home to Dracula. A very different environment can be explored on the shores of the Black Sea. The short stretch of beach is home to several beach resorts as well as the naturally unique Danube Delta.
FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN ROMANIA
In the city of Oradea you can admire the beautiful Art Nouveau architecture.
Flights to Romania
Romania’s largest airports are located in Bucharest. The busiest of them is Henri Coanda (Otopeni) Airport. In addition, there are Aurel Vlaicu (Baneasa) airport used by some low cost airlines, such as Wizzair. Romania’s other international airports are located in Timisoara and Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania.
Blue Air operates direct flights from Finland to Bucharest . In addition, many European airlines, such as Air France and Austrian Airlines, offer alternative connections from Finland to Romania. On these alternative flights, the return price is easily less than 200 euros.
There are also train connections to Romania from other parts of Europe, especially popular is the night train from Budapest in Hungary to Bucharest.
Romania hotels
In Romania there are accommodation options for many purses. In Bucharest and other major cities you will find both top hotels and cheap hostels. During the high season, locals, who rent rooms from their own apartments, also move around the stations, especially around the stations. Value for money varies greatly, so it’s always a good idea to research customer reviews carefully before making a reservation.
Getting around Romania
Getting around Romania is cheap, with a few euros you can get hundreds of kilometers. Longer distances should be folded by train, shorter buses are more convenient. If there are plans to tour the countryside, renting a car may come into play. In Romania, the roads are in pretty good condition, but the driving style of the locals is carefree in places, so extra care is needed when driving cars.
ROMANIA TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
In the spa town of Baile Felix, you can spend a pampering holiday cheaply.
The capital of Bucharest
With a population of over two million, Bucharest is the largest and most important city in Romania. Bucharest is located in the southern part of the country near the Bulgarian border. Like many other major cities in Eastern Europe, the capital of Romania is an exciting mix of old and new. Next to the medieval church may rise a modern glass building with little history to tell.
Bucharest may not be the most beautiful city in Europe, but definitely interesting. Mandatory attractions include the massive Parliament Building, which is also worth visiting from the inside.
There are also small towns worth visiting in Romania, the most attractive of which are Sighişoara and its old town, as well as the Transylvanian Oradea and Cluj Napoca.
Transylvanian castles and Dracula stories
The mythical Transylvania is not only the home region of Dracula, but also the location of many of the country’s most spectacular castles and medieval villages. The most popular of these is Bran Castle, known as Dracula’s home. Dracula’s story lives on strongly, especially among tourists, and there are certain connections to history in it – but in fact, Dracula’s creator Bram Stoker himself never even visited Romania and he just picked up reference pieces from Vlad the Savior’s story into his vampire saga.
In addition to Transylvania, castles are located elsewhere in Romania. Particularly handsome are also the Gothic-style Corvinest Castle in central Hunedoara and the luxurious Peles Castle just over a hundred kilometers north of Bucharest.
Stunning Nature Attractions in the Danube Delta
The Danube Delta is one of the most important natural sites in Romania and especially a paradise for bird watchers. Depending on the calculation method, the area of the estuary is about 4,000 km², most of which is protected. A significant part of the area consists of bogs, lakes and other water bodies. The estuary is best explored from the city of Tulcea. There are regular ferries from Tulcea to several villages in the estuary, and it is also possible to rent a boat from there.
Turda salt mine
What does a day in a salt mine deep inside the earth sound like? The Transylvanian Turda salt mine has produced millions and millions of kilos of salt in the past, but today it is used by tourists and is a very popular place to visit. In addition to exploring the mining history, there are plenty to do in the depths of the country: pool tables, darts and other games, the possibility of a rowing trip on an underground lake and even your own Ferris wheel at a depth of 120 meters.
THE BEST OF ROMANIA
Driving in Romania can mean everything from highways to narrow mountain trails.
The best beach resorts in Romania
- Mamaia
- Eforie Sud
- Eforie Nord
- Mangalia
- Constanta
The most interesting cities
- Bucharest
- Oradea
- Cluj Napoca
- Sighisoara
Natural attractions
- Danube estuary
- Carpathian mountain views
- Carpathian caves