From the urban charm of Bucharest to enchanting Transylvania and the shores of the Black Sea, weve handpicked seven Romanian cities worth visiting.
With a rich cultural heritage, lush nature, fairytale, medieval as well as cosmopolitan cities, Romaniais a captivating destination that surely deserves a place on your list of upcoming trips. The countrys beauties are countless. To help you out, weve put together a list of the cities that are truly worth visiting on an exploratory trip to Romania. They boast distinctive architecture, culture, and sights that will impress you.
Bucharest
Capital, cultural and commercial hub of Romania, Bucharest is one of themost affordable and popular destinations in the Balkans, as it is considered budget-friendly and unexpectedly beautiful. The "Paris of the East," as its called, stands out for its striking sights and monuments. The most famous is the Palace of the Parliament, built in the 1980s. The largest parliamentary building in the world, it houses the Romanian Parliament, as well as the National Museum of Contemporary Art and features one of the largest conference centers in the world. Equally impressive is the Triumphal Arch, built in its current form in 1935, modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The boulevards Calea Victoriei and Soseaua Kiseleff, as well as the medieval Lipscani quarter, are ideal for strolls.
Oradea
One of the westernmost cities in Romania, Oradea will charm you both with its architecture and its atmosphere.Once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this leafy, cosmopolitan city is a treasure trove of beautiful historic buildings, impressive Baroque churches, colorful palaces, and some of Europes most striking Art Nouveau landmarks. Take a strollthrough the citys popular central square and along the pedestrianized Republicii Street, climb the City Hall Tower for sweeping views and visit the citys fortress dating back to the Middle Ages. The local cuisine, a blend of Hungarian and Romanian flavors, will pleasantly surprise you.
Brașov
A short distance from the imposing Bran Castle (also known as Draculas Castle), lies Brașov, Romanias seventh largest city. It is a city buzzing with life and attracts thousands of visitors. In the central Piața Sfatului square the Old Town Hall dominates, while an open-air market has operated since 1364. Around it are the famed Black Church (the largest Catholic church in Romania in Gothic style), the Merchants House and the Mureșan family house-museum. Charming cafés, modern restaurants, open-air markets with local products, museums and parks complete the scene. Want another reason to visit? The city is very close to one of the regions best-known ski resorts, Poiana Brașov.
Sighișoara
Sighișoara, a medieval city on the Târnava Mare River in Mureș County, is the birthplace of Vlad Țepeș, the real Count Dracula (according to most sources). It is a popular tourist destination and stands out for its well-preserved walled old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cobbled narrow streets, colorful houses, towers and ornate churches seem frozen in time. The house where Vlad was born and lived for a few years is in Citadel Square, next to the Clock Tower. Today, the ground floor of the house is a restaurant, while the first floor houses the Weapons Museum.
Sibiu
Sibiu is another charming city in Transylvania well worth visiting. With its picturesque cobblestones, Gothic churches, the historic buildings of the Great Square (Piața Mare) and its colorful houses, it is considered one of Romanias most beautiful cities. In fact, Sibius old town was ranked as the "8th most idyllic place in Europe to live" by Forbes. The city has two major museums. The remarkable ASTRA open-air ethnographic museum, which includes 340 buildings (windmills, watermills, oil presses, etc.) and the Brukenthal art museum where works by important painters are exhibited. Dont miss climbing the City Hall Tower to see the city from above and taking a photo on the romantic Bridge of Lies.
Timișoara
At the western edge of Romania, youll find the city of Timișoara.Known as«Little Vienna» or «City of Flowers», Timișoara captivates visitors with its architecture andits countless, beautiful gardens. It is a city with a special energy, brimming with street art,modern cafés and colorful streets with umbrellas. Owing to its location, Timișoara is a multicultural city, with influences from Hungary, Austria, Serbia and Germany.
Constanța
Constanța, on the western shores of the Black Sea, is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Romania. An ancient metropolis and the countrys largest port, this city has a history of about 2,500 years. Originally called Tomis and according to mythology Jason disembarked here with the Argonauts after finding the Golden Fleece.Historic monuments, ancient ruins, the striking Casino building, museums and shops, and its proximity to seaside resorts make it a focal point of tourism on the Black Sea coast. A major attraction is Ovidiu Square (named after the Roman poet Publius Ovidius Naso), while the Art Nouveau-style Casino with its wonderful sea views is one of those buildings youre bound to notice.
