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Romania holiday

Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Romania holiday in Europe

Romania is one of the last great adventures in Europe: Transylvania with its castles and bear forests, the Carpathians as a hiking paradise, the painted monasteries of Bukovina, and the Danube Delta as a natural wonder. Additionally, Bucharest is an underrated metropolis with a wild mix of architecture and a vibrant art scene – all at surprisingly affordable prices.

Capital

Bucharest

Language

Romanian

Currency

Romanian Leu (RON)

Time zone

UTC+2

Flight time from DE

approx. 2.5 hours

Entry requirements

EU identity card

Top hotels & accommodations in Romania

Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Romania — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.

Top 5 highlights in Romania

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Bran Castle

The legendary 'Dracula's Castle' in the Carpathians – a medieval fortress with a spooky history and panoramic views.

2

Bucharest

Contrasting capital: The huge Palace of the Parliament meets Art Nouveau villas and trendy street cafĂŠs.

3

Painted Monasteries of Bukovina

UNESCO World Heritage: Centuries-old monasteries with colorful exterior frescoes in the Moldavia region.

4

Carpathians

Europe's wildest low mountain range: Bears, wolves, lonely alpine meadows, and the Transfăgărășan Pass.

5

Danube Delta

Europe's second-largest river delta – a paradise for pelicans, sea eagles, and boat expeditions.

Hotels in Romania

Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.

Über 700.000 Hotels
Kostenlose Stornierung
Bestpreis-Garantie
Hotels in Romania vergleichen

* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.

Reise-SIM fĂźr Romania

Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Romania. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.

Sofort einsatzbereit
200+ Länder
Kein Roaming
SIM-Karte fĂźr Romania bestellen

* Weiterleitung zu travSIM.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.

Reiseversicherung abschließen

Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de

Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen

Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

Best time to visit Romania

Recommended travel time

May–September

Summer

25–33°C

Winter

-5–3°C

How much does a holiday in Romania cost?

Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)

🎒

Budget

25–45€

Hostel, street food, public transport

🏨

Mid-range

45–90€

Hotel, restaurant, excursions

🌟

Luxury

90–180€

Boutique hotel, fine dining

5 travel tips for Romania

Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.

The Transfăgărășan Pass is only accessible from June to October – one of the most beautiful roads in the world.

Night trains between Bucharest and the capitals are cheap and save on hotel costs.

In the Danube Delta, be sure to book a boat tour with a local guide.

Romanian bread and cheese at farmers' markets are exceptionally good.

Bear watching in the Carpathians is possible with a certified guide.

Food & drink in Romania

These dishes you must try!

Sarmale
Mici (Mititei)
Ciorbă de burtă
Mămăligă
Cozonac
Papanași

Discover Romania

5 regions, cities and highlights in Romania

Cities

Brașov

Brașov is the gateway to Transylvania — a picturesque Saxon founding city at the foot of the Carpathians, which fascinatingly combines Gothic churches, medieval fortifications, and the legend of Count Dracula. The seventh largest city in Romania is nestled in a basin, surrounded by dense forests and the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Carpathians, and was one of the most important trading centers of Transylvania in the 13th century under the name Kronstadt. The Black Church (Biserica Neagră), the largest Gothic hall church between Vienna and Istanbul, is the city's landmark: Its name comes from the devastating fire of 1689 that left the outer walls charred. Inside, it houses the largest mechanical organ in Southeastern Europe (4,000 pipes) and a unique collection of over 100 Anatolian carpets from the 15th to 18th centuries. Bran Castle (Castelul Bran), located just 30 kilometers southwest of Brașov, sits atop a rock overlooking the gorge between Transylvania and Wallachia: Although Vlad III. Draculea (the historical Dracula) probably never lived here, the atmosphere of the castle perfectly fits the vampire legend — winding stairs, secret passages, and a view over misty forests. Tampa Mountain (955 m) rises directly behind the old town and is accessible by cable car or on foot: At the top, the huge sign BRASOV stands out in Hollywood style, and the panorama over the city, the red roofs, and the Carpathians is breathtaking. In winter, the ski resorts Poiana Brașov and Predeal can be reached in 20-40 minutes. Strada Republicii, the car-free pedestrian zone in the heart of the old town, is lined with pastel-colored Baroque houses, street cafes, and the Town Hall Square (Piața Sfatului), where one of Romania's most atmospheric Christmas markets takes place in December.

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Bucharest

Bucharest, Romania's capital, was once known as the "Paris of the East" and today showcases a fascinating mix of Belle Époque palaces, brutalist concrete buildings, and an exploding creative scene. The Palace of the Parliament — the heaviest building in the world and the second-largest administrative building after the Pentagon — stands as a monument to Ceaușescu's megalomania. However, the city has long found a new identity: In the Lipscani district, craft beer bars line up next to vintage shops, and the Old Town pulses with nightlife in converted ruin bars. The Romanian Athenaeum concert hall is a neoclassical masterpiece and home to the Philharmonic. Bucharest surprises with its hidden courtyards, the vast Herăstrău Park by the lake, and a price level that makes it one of the cheapest capitals in Europe. From here, excursions to Transylvania, Dracula's Castle, and the Carpathians begin.

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a statue of a man on a horse in front of a church

Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca is the unofficial capital of Transylvania and Romania's most exciting city — a young, energetic university metropolis that combines medieval architecture, a vibrant student scene, and a booming tech culture in a surprisingly cosmopolitan mix. With over 80,000 students among about 320,000 residents, Cluj has one of the highest student ratios in Europe, reflected in affordable prices, a lively nightlife, and a creative atmosphere. Piata Unirii (Union Square) is the heart of the city: The Gothic St. Michael's Church (Biserica Sfantul Mihail) from the 14th century dominates the square with its 80-meter high neo-Gothic tower, while the equestrian statue of Matthias Corvinus — the city's most famous son, who brought the Renaissance to Central Europe as King of Hungary — guards the square. Surrounding it are baroque and neoclassical facades, street cafes, and a daily market. The Botanical Garden (Gradina Botanica) is one of the most beautiful in Europe: Spanning 14 hectares, it features a Japanese garden, a Roman garden, greenhouses with tropical plants, and a rose garden — a green oasis in the middle of the city. The Cetatuie Hills on the outskirts offer hiking trails with panoramic views over Cluj and the Carpathians. Just 30 kilometers southwest lies the Turda Salt Mine (Salina Turda) — one of the most spectacular underground experiences in Europe: In the vast salt caverns from the 17th century, an amusement park has been established with a Ferris wheel, rowing boats on an underground lake, bowling alleys, and an amphitheater. The temperature remains at 11-12 °C year-round, and the salty air is said to have healing properties. The nightlife in Cluj is legendary and incredibly affordable: Craft beer bars, rooftop terraces, underground clubs, and the renowned UNTOLD Festival (one of the largest music festivals in Europe) make the city a party insider tip on the continent.

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Sibiu (Hermannstadt)

Sibiu, in German Hermannstadt, is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and the cultural jewel of Transylvania. The former Saxon settlement at the foot of the Southern Carpathians combines German colonial heritage with Romanian vibrancy and has developed into one of Eastern Europe's most exciting travel destinations since its designation as a European Capital of Culture in 2007. The landmark of Sibiu is the "Eyes of Sibiu" — the distinctive roof-shaped dormer windows that adorn almost every historic building in the old town, giving the impression that the houses are watching the passersby. Together with the pastel-colored Baroque facades, the cobbled squares, and the silhouettes of church towers, they create an atmosphere that could not be more fairy-tale-like. The Great Square (Piața Mare) and the Small Square (Piața Mică), connected by narrow alleys and the famous Bridge of Lies, form the historic center. The Bridge of Lies (Podul Minciunilor) — Romania's first iron bridge — is said to collapse if someone lies on it. The legend makes it the city's most popular Instagram spot. The Brukenthal Museum, one of the oldest museums in Europe (1817), houses a significant European art collection in a Baroque palace. The Evangelical City Church with its massive tower offers the best panoramic view, and the ASTRA Museum in the open-air museum on the outskirts showcases over 300 traditional buildings from all over Romania. Sibiu is also the gateway to the Transfăgărășan, one of the most spectacular mountain roads in Europe, winding through 90 kilometers of serpentine roads in the Carpathians and culminating at the glacier lake Bâlea at 2,034 meters. The drive is an adrenaline rush for both drivers and motorcyclists alike. The culinary scene combines Saxon heritage with Romanian tradition. Restaurants in medieval vaulted cellars serve Ciorbă (sour soup), Mici (grilled minced meat rolls), and Saxon Hanklich (cake), and the local wines from the Tarnave Valley surprise with their quality.

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Regions

Two riders are enjoying a horseback ride in the valley.

Transylvania

Transylvania — just the name conjures images of misty mountains, Gothic castles, and forests where imagination knows no bounds. But Romania's central highlands are much more than the home of Dracula's legend: it is one of the last great wilderness areas in Europe, a living open-air museum of medieval villages, and a cultural landscape like no other. The Carpathians form the dramatic backdrop: dense beech forests, home to Europe's largest population of brown bears, wolves, and lynxes, alternate with flower-strewn alpine meadows and rugged peaks. The Transfăgărășan road, described by Jeremy Clarkson as the "most beautiful road in the world," winds in breathtaking serpentine curves over the mountains, offering panoramas that leave even seasoned Alpine drivers in awe. The Saxon fortified churches are Transylvania's hidden treasure: built by German settlers in the 12th century, over 150 fortified churches stand in the villages — seven of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Viscri, the favorite village of King Charles III, consists of colorful houses along a single street, dominated by a mighty white fortified church. Here, farmers still work their fields with horse-drawn carts — a scene from a bygone era. Sibiu (already captured separately), Brașov, and Sighișoara form the urban triangle of Transylvania: Brașov enchants with its Gothic Black Church and the cable car to Tâmpa Mountain, while Sighișoara — the birthplace of Vlad Țepeș, the historical Dracula — is one of the best-preserved medieval citadels in Europe. The atmosphere of these cities combines Habsburg elegance with Romanian warmth and a surprisingly vibrant nightlife.

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Package holiday to Romania

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Holiday apartment in Romania

Holiday homes with more space and privacy.

Holiday flats

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Complete guide for Romania

Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.

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Suitable for:NatureBudgetAdventureHistoryInsider Tip

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Plan a holiday in Romania

Romania is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, offering Nature, Budget, Adventure and much more. The best time to visit Romania is May–September, when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 25–45€ (Budget) to 90–180€ (Luxury), Romania is suitable for various travel budgets.

From the capital Bucharest, Romania can be excellently explored. The official language is Romanian, and the currency is Romanian Leu (RON). From Germany, you can reach Romania in approx. 2.5 hours. Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Sarmale, Mici (Mititei), Ciorbă de burtă, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Romania has something for every type of traveller.

Use our free travel tools to prepare your Romania holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Romania is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.

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