Highlights of Romania
What to Do in Romania: Our 5 Highlights
Romania is a country that truly surprised us. We started our long journey to Central Asia here and were immediately impressed by the mix of nature, castles, colourful villages, and friendly people. For many travellers, Romania is still relatively unknown, but that is exactly what makes it so exciting to explore.
In this blog, we share our 5 personal highlights: places you definitely should not miss if you are wondering what to do in Romania.
Our 5 Highlights of Romania
Sighișoara: A Medieval Town Full of History
In the heart of Transylvania, roughly halfway between Sibiu and Brașov, lies Sighișoara. This charming town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the best-preserved medieval settlements in Europe. It is built on a hill and completely surrounded by old fortress walls with towers that were once maintained by different crafts.
We wandered for hours through narrow streets filled with colourful houses and cosy squares. The Clock Tower is the highlight: a 64-metre-high tower you can climb for a beautiful view over the rooftops and the green hills surrounding the town. Another special fact: this is the birthplace of Vlad Țepeș, better known as Vlad the Impaler – the inspiration for Dracula.
Transfăgărășan: Europe’s Most Beautiful Road
In the centre of Romania, cutting through the Făgăraș Mountains in the Southern Carpathians, runs the spectacular Transfăgărășan. This mountain road was built in the 1970s under dictator Ceaușescu and is often called “the most beautiful road in Europe.”
We drove the route from north to south, and every turn revealed another breathtaking view: sharp hairpin bends, towering peaks, and mountain lakes such as Bâlea Lake. Along the way, we stopped regularly for photos and short walks. To our surprise, we even saw five bears, including two cubs, at the side of the road – a magical moment!
Tip: The road is only open from about June to October, depending on the weather. Plan your visit during the summer months.
Seven Ladders Canyon: Adventurous Hike and Zipline
Near Brașov, in the Piatra Mare Mountains of central Romania, lies Seven Ladders Canyon (Canionul Șapte Scări). It is a short but spectacular hike through a narrow gorge, where metal ladders and small bridges take you up past waterfalls. We especially enjoyed climbing the ladders, which was a fun and unique experience, giving a real sense of adventure. The area is green and peaceful, making the hike even more beautiful.
On the way back, you can choose to walk the same path through the forest, but we went for the zipline: over 30 lines in a row that take you through the trees back to the start point. A definite recommendation for anyone who loves nature and a bit of adrenaline.
Tip: After hiking Seven Ladders Canyon, pay close attention to the trail markings to find your way back to the start. We missed the red dot on a tree and ended up climbing a large part of Piatra Mare Mountain before returning – quite tough! The path through the forest back to the canyon’s starting point is about 2 kilometres. This is useful to know, especially if you start early in the morning, so you don’t get confused about where the actual trail begins.
Mud Volcanoes: Like Another Planet
About 150 kilometres north of Bucharest, in the Buzău region, you will find the Vulcanii Noroioși, or the Mud Volcanoes. This unusual natural phenomenon consists of small craters where mud constantly bubbles up from underground gases. The landscape looks like the surface of the moon or another planet.
We visited Pâclele Mici, the smaller and quieter part of the area. Because we had camped off-grid nearby, we were the first visitors in the morning. It felt very surreal to walk there, with bubbling mud and cracked clay everywhere. It is completely different from anything else in Romania and therefore a unique stop on any road trip.
Bran Castle: Dracula’s Castle
In the Brașov region, near the border with Transylvania, lies the famous Bran Castle. This fairytale-like castle is often associated with Dracula, although the real connection to Vlad the Impaler is quite small. Nevertheless, it adds to the mysterious atmosphere of the site.
The castle itself is impressive: towers, narrow corridors, and beautiful views over the hills. Inside, you can learn more about the region’s history, the royal family who lived here, and the legends and myths surrounding it. We really enjoyed exploring the mix of history and stories. Keep in mind that it is a popular destination, so it’s best to arrive early to avoid the crowds.
If we return to Romania, we definitely want to visit more castles. Peles Castle was also on our itinerary, which is said to be beautiful inside. Unfortunately, we arrived on a Monday morning, and the castle was closed that day and the next, so we continued our journey. Visiting castles is absolutely worth it in Romania, and we hope to discover more of these impressive buildings on our next visit.
Takeaway: What to do in Romania
If you are wondering what to do in Romania, these are five places you should definitely not miss: the medieval town of Sighișoara, the spectacular Transfăgărășan, the adventurous Seven Ladders Canyon, the unique Mud Volcanoes, and, of course, Bran Castle.
Romania surprised us with its variety – from culture and history to nature and adventure. For us, it was the perfect start to a longer journey, and we can recommend the country to anyone looking for a unique and affordable destination in Europe.