Transylvania is real — and better than Bram Stoker imagined. Romania combines perfectly preserved Saxon towns, painted monasteries of Moldavia, the Carpathian bear corridor, and one of Europe's most vibrant tech scenes.
- Capital
- Bucharest
- Population
- 19,036,031
- Area
- 237,500 km²
- Languages
- Romanian
- Currency
- New Romanian Lei (RON)
- GDP
- $403,395M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Mămăligă, Sarmale, Mici
Annual visitors
5,023,000 (2020)
Safety
Low (1.11/100k)
Big Mac
$3.98
Avg temp
10.2°C
Religion
Christianity
Coast
Coastal
Travel guide
Romania (Romanian: România) is a country of great natural beauty and diversity and a rich cultural heritage, including a variety of ethnic, linguistic, and confessional groups. Romania enchants visitors with its scenic mountain landscapes and unspoilt rural areas, but also with its historic cities and busy capital. There has been significant development, especially since it joined the European Union in 2007. Still, it may surprise some of its visitors who are used to western Europe. It has one natural and six cultural UNESCO world heritage sites. Romania is a large country which can sometimes be shocking with contrasts: some cities are truly modern, while some villages can seem to have been brought back from the past. While it has significant cultural similarities with other Balkan states, it is regarded as unique due to its strong Latin heritage, reflected in every part of Romanian society from its culture to its language. Things for which Romania is famous include: the Carpathian Mountains, wine, medieval fortresses, Dacia cars, Dracula, stuffed cabbage leaves (sarmale), the Black Sea, sunflower fields, painted monasteries and the Danube Delta.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Romania
Best time to visit
May–September is the best period. Brasov and Sibiu are best April–October. Bucharest is year-round. Transylvania's countryside is stunning in autumn. Romanian monasteries are beautiful in spring. Ski season December–March in the Carpathians.
Visa
Citizens of US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and most Western countries receive 90 days visa-free. Romania is EU member but not yet Schengen (partially from 2024).
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (11)
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Major cities
Bucharest
Romania's underrated capital with the world's second-largest parliament building, vibrant nightlife, and excellent food.
Brasov
A Transylvanian gem with a medieval town square, the Black Church, and Dracula's Bran Castle nearby.
Cluj-Napoca
Romania's most vibrant city, a university town with a growing arts and tech scene and gateway to Transylvania.
Sinaia
The Pearl of the Carpathians — the Peles Castle, one of Europe's most beautiful royal residences, in a forested mountain valley.
Sibiu
A beautifully restored Saxon city in Transylvania, with two-story medieval houses, the Brukenthal Museum, and fairytale architecture.