Looking for the most beautiful places in Romania? Look no further. As a local, I know more about what things to do in Romania than any travel agencies or paid tours. Here’s a list of places to visit in Romania that will make you say ‘Wow’.
Make sure to check the page I created, especially for foreigners travelling to Romania. You’ll find the most exciting Romania itineraries and all the tips you’ll need to plan your trip to Romania. If there’s something missing, feel free to reach out by email or on my social media channels.
This list is probably the most extensive list you’ll find on the entire internet. It’s more of a guide than a quick checklist of places to visit in Romania, and if you do want to see them all, it will probably take more than one month.
That’s how big and beautiful Romania really is.
Places to visit in Romania
The list of the most beautiful places in Romania is in no particular order, and I can’t rank any place to be more beautiful than another. They’re all different and you can’t compare them.
This list of places to visit in Romania has palaces, castles, natural landscapes, mountains and cultural places. And to be honest, there’re more than 51 that should make it on the list, but this is a great start if you want to visit the most beautiful places in Romania.
Reaching these places will get you to some other places not included on this list (yet!) and will enforce the entire experience.
1 Culture Palace, Târgu Mureș
Built between 1911-1913, the Culture Palace in Tărgu Mureș is one of the most representative buildings for the Belle Époque in Transylvania.
2 Balea Lake
Balea Lake is a glacial lake situated at 2034m altitude. It is located on one of the best roads in Romania, Transfagarasan, which is also considered one of the best driving roads in the world.
During winter there is an ice hotel where you can sleep or stop for a drink. The roads are closed during winter. The only way to reach Balea Lake during winter is by cable car. Check out the ultimate guide for Transfagarasan to plan your trip to Balea Lake.
3 Ceahlau Massif
Romania is blessed with beautiful mountains, and they all deserve a visit. That’s why is hard to choose one over the other, but if you do have more time to visit Romania, then you’ll pass by some of its more beautiful places and mountains.
Ceahlau Massif is beautiful and is one of the most famous mountains in Romania. It is often called “The Romanian Olympus” and it stands out with its extremly diverse flora and fauna, and it’a a major hiking location with seven main trails.
4 Merry Cemetery (Cimitirul Vesel, Săpânța)
One of Romania’s main attractions is the Merry Cemetery from Săpânța, near the border with Ukraine. Why is this cemetery unique?
On the wooden cross of each grave, is a short but amusing poem which describes the life of the one buried in that place. The poems are in Romanian, but even so, it’s worth paying a visit the Merry Cemetery to enjoy its lovely colours.
5 Danube Delta
The Danube Delta is the second-largest delta in Europe, and it’s the best-preserved delta in Europe.
People from all over the world come to visit Delta Dunarii due to its spectacular landscape, flora and fauna and wilderness.
6 Corvin Castle
Corvin Castle is the largest medieval castle in SE Europe, and it has been used as a filming location for horror films and as a model for computer games in which the scene was set in medieval times.
Corvin Castle is one of the places to visit in Romania, and you can read all about this beautiful castle in my Corvin Castle travel guide.
7 Casino Constanta
Constanta is one of the top cities in Romania and is the largest city on the Romanian shore of the Black Sea. You can visit this major port on the Black Sea on a day trip from Bucharest.
Check out all the cool places to visit in Constanta.
8 Cheile Nerei-Beușnița National Park
Romania has beautiful national parks, and it’s hard to choose only a few to feature on the list of the most beautiful places in Romania.
Cheile Nerei became even more famous with foreigners after Bigar waterfall was featured in a few online publications, in which it was regarded as the most beautiful waterfall in the world. Unfortunately, this beautiful waterfall has collapsed a few years ago. However, the entire area is amazing and I do recommend visiting it. Check out my Oravita to Anina train ride experience and a lovely itinerary for a road trip in this area in Romania.
Check it out here on what to do around Cheile Nerei and how to plan your visit to Bigar waterfall.
9 Vidraru Dam
Built in 1966 on Arges River, Vidraru Dam was built with the main purpose to produce hydroelectricity. The dam has a height of 166 meters and 305 meters in length, which makes it one of the top attractions in Romania.
Note that Vidraru Dam is located on Transfagarasan and you will pass right on it if you intend to drive on this beautiful road in Romania.
10 Palace of Parliament, Bucharest
The Palace of Parliament in Bucharest is one of the most famous buildings in the world. It is the second-largest building in the world, after the Pentagon and the heaviest building worldwide.
Read all about it in my travel guide about Bucharest. Since this is probably one of the most famous places to visit in Romania, I have also included it on this list of things to do in Bucharest, and it’s one of the most Instagrammable places in the capital.
11 Peles Castle
Peles Castle is an extremely famous landmark in Romania. Peles is a Neo-Renaissance castle built between 1873 and 1914, for the first Romanian king, Carol I.
It’s a must-see place in Romania, even if you plan to stay in Romania for only a couple of days.
12 Rasnov Citadel
Rasnov Citadel, or Rasnov Fortress, is a historical defence structure built to fortify the Transylvanian villages against the Turkish invaders.
Rasnov is regarded as one of the most well-preserved medieval citadels from Transylvania. Don’t miss it if you plan a day trip to the nearby Dracula’s Castle or Brasov.
13 Bicaz Gorge
Bicaz Gorge offers an 8km drive between spectacular ravines and it is one of the main rock climbing sites in Romania.
The natural formation leads to the Roșu Lake, the only lake from Romania formed by a natural dam.
14 Rosu Lake
Situated at an altitude of 938m, Lacul Rosu (Red Lake) is unique in Romania because it is the only lake formed by a natural dam. The fresh mountain air makes the area an attraction for those looking for relaxation.
To reach the lake, the road goes through Bicaz Canyon (Cheile Bicazului), which is beautiful.
15 Bran Castle (aka Dracula’s Castle)
Known worldwide as Dracula’s castle (Yes, Dracula is a legend from Romania), the actual name of the castle is Bran Castle and is one of the most visited attractions in Romania. People from all over the world come to see the famous Dracula’s Castle.
What’s inside, and how to plan your visit to Dracula’s Castle? Check out this travel guide from Dracula’s Castle.
16 Transfagasan
Transfagarasan has been built in 1974 during the communist regime in Romania and was meant to unite the two important regions of Romania, Muntenia and Transylvania.
Read all about the most beautiful road in the world in this dedicated guide about Transfagarsan.
17 Salina Turda
Regarded as one of the historical monuments from Cluj county, Turda Salt Mine has been exploited by people since 50 BC and until 1932. Today, Turda Salt Mine is one of the main touristic attractions in Transylvania, and the largest hall is its main attraction, fostering a Ferris wheel, an amphitheatre, a sports court and it even has a lake on which you can rent boats.
Check out this video about Turda Salt Mine, and I’m sure you’ll be amazed.
18 Sarmizegetusa Regia
Sarmizegetusa Regia was the royal and most important settlement of the Dacians, before the wars against the Roman Empire.
Most of the ruins are still uncovered, but there are many ruins of the temples, the walls and the paved road which you can visit. Sarmizegetusa Regia is a UNESCO heritage site and it dates from approximately 50 BC.
I’ve included Sarmizegetusa Regia on two of my Romanian road trip itineraries:
- 3-Day Heritage Trip Itinerary Around Romania (Bucharest – Rosia Montana – Sibiu)
- A 4-day road trip around Romania
19 Sculpture of King Decebalus
Decebalus (Decebal in Romanian) was king of Dacia, the historical country that was settled on the land of today’s Romania – mostly in Transylvania.
A stone sculpture of his face was made between 1994 – 2004, on the Romanian shore of the Danube, on the border with Serbia. The entire area is beautiful, and it is called the Danube Gorges.
You can visit the sculpture of King Decebalus on a 2-day trip from Bucharest.
20 Painted Monasteries of Moldova
The country of Moldova shares the name with one of the Romanian regions, which is also its neighbouring land on the Romanian side.
Moldova is famous worldwide for its painted monasteries, and they are a tourist attraction even for those who aren’t religious.
21 The Sphinx Rock Complex
The Sphinx rock complex is an unusual rock formation from the Bucegi Mountains, located at approximately 2216m. You can visit the Sphinx on a day trip from Bucharest.
You can drive up close to it, and from there you will have another 30-45 min easy hike before you reach it. Or you can take the cable car from Busteni.
22 Palace of Culture, Iasi
Built between 1906 and 1925, Palace of Culture in Iasi is an emblematic Neo-Gothic flamboyant, architectural masterpiece located in the centre of the City.
It was used as the home for the Palace of Justice until 1955, when it became a museum.
23 The Red Ravine (Râpa Roșie)
The Red Ravine (Râpa Roșie) is a spectacular geological formation, which can be seen from the highway near Sibiu.
24 Curtea de Argeș Monastery
Built between 1515 and 1517, Curtea de Argeș Monastery is an Orthodox monastery, and it is considered one of the most important religious sites in Romania.
It’s built in a Byzantine style, and it also serves as a necropolis for the Royal family of Romania.
25 Densus Church
Densus Church is the oldest stone church in Romania. It was built in its actual form in the 13th century on the ruins of a 2nd-century Roman temple. There were used stones from Sarmizegetusa Regia, the old Dacian settlement.
26 Transalpina
Transalpina is the highest road in Romania, with a maximum altitude of 2145m. It offers a beautiful view over Parang Mountains, and it passes close by to four mountain peaks over 2000m.
27 Biertan Village, Transylvania
Biertan was first mentioned in 1283, and it was declared a fortress in 1397. It is a typical Saxon settlement, and it is the best-preserved fortified church in Transylvania.
28 Saschiz Village
Saschiz is a village from Transylvania which was first documented in 1308. It is famous for its fortress and the fortified church.
29 Brancusi’s open-air sculptures in Targu Jiu
Brancusi was a Romanian sculptor who became famous in Paris. He is considered a pioneer of modernism and one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century.
Brancusi was born in a village near Targu Jiu, where you can find three of his open-air sculptures, which he gifted to Romania: the endless column, the Table of Silence and the Gate of the Kiss. He considered these to be a cultural homage to the Romanian heroes of the First World War.
Read more here: The Sculptures of Brancusi from Targu Jiu, Romania.
30 Viscri Village
Viscri is one of the oldest Saxon villages in Transylvania and one of the most famous. It is best known for its fortified church and heritage community.
31 TransRarau Road
TransRarau is another beautiful alpine road in Romania, after Transfagarasan and Transalpina. It has a length of 28 km, and it links Bistrita County and Moldova Valley.
32 TransBucegi
TransBucegi is the scenic mountain drive that gets you near 2000m altitude and close to the Sphinx rock formation in the Bucegi mountains. It can be seen during a one day trip from Bucharest.
33 The Clock Tower, Sighisoara
Part of the UNESCO world heritage list, Sighisoara is one of the prettiest and best-preserved inhabited citadels in Europe. One of its main attractions is the Clock Tower, but the entire citadel is lovely and worth at least a 1-day visit.
34 Brukenthal Palace, Avrig
Brukenthal Palace in Avrig was built in 1788 in a baroque style as the summer residence of the Transylvanian baron Samuel von Brukenthal. The palace is now restored and has modern facilities to accommodate guests and host events.
35 Rope Street, Brasov
Rope Street (Ro: Strada Sforii) is one of the narrowest streets in Europe, and it was built to facilitate the access of firefighters to the centre of the city.
Check out the other top thing to do in Brasov. Do know that most foreigners declare that they love Brasov and preferred it when they compare it to the capital city, Bucharest.
36 Deva Fortress
Cetatea Deva is the medieval fortress of Deva, Romania.
Deva Fortress used to be the entry gate towards Transylvania. Its location made it easy to spot any enemies approaching the city. Visiting Deva Fortress during July can be a bit too hot, and some might have trouble walking around. That’s why I recommend May or September.
37 Retezat National Park
Retezat National Park (Ro: Parcul National Retezat) is one of the most diverse mountain ecosystems in Romania and has over 20 peaks over 2000m and over 80 glacier lakes. Bucura Lake (Ro: Lacul Bucura) is the largest glacier lake in Romania. The highest peak is the Retezat peak (2485m).
38 Scarisoara Cave
Scarisoara Cave (Ro: Pestera Scarisoara) is the largest ice cave from the Carpathian mountains in Romania and the second largest in the world after Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave from Austria. During hot summer days, the temperature in the cave doesn’t go beyond 1°C.
39 Neamt Citadel
Neamt Citadel (Ro: Cetatea Neamț) is a medieval citadel from the Moldova region in Romania near Târgu Neamț, Neamț County. It was built in 1359 and has been considered to be the best citadel in Moldova.
40 The Horses’ Waterfall
The Horses’ Waterfall (Ro: Cascada Izvorul Cailor) is located in the Rodnei Mountains in Bora, Maramuses, near the National Park of Rodnei Mountains, in the Eastern Carpathians. It is the tallest waterfall in Romania, with a total height of 80 m (262 ft) split over several steps.
41 Berca Mud Volcanoes
Berca Mud Volcanoes in Buzau County are the most representative mud volcanoes in Romania. These small volcanoes are formed due to the eruption of mud and natural gases. The main tourist sites are Pâclele Mari and Pâclele Mici.
42 St. Michael’s Church, Cluj-Napoca
St. Michael’s Church (Ro: Biserica Sfântul Mihail) is one of Transylvania’s most representative examples of gothic architecture. The church has a length of 70 meters and an 80 meters tall tower.
Check out the best things to do in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
43 Geamana, The sunken village
Geamana is also known as the sunken village in Transylvania. Due to intensive mining, the village which is located in a valley, was slowly covered in waste coming from the mining process. The locals were moved from the village during the Communist Regime in Romania. Every year, the lake gets deeper by 90-100 cm.
44 Mogosoaia Palace
About 15 km outside of Bucharest is the Mogoșoaia Palace, which for almost 120 years belonged to the Brâncoveanu family. Locals love to spend their weekends here, as this is a huge park, but also a venue for events, and even weddings. I included it in my most Instagrammable places in Bucharest list. Each time I go here, I recreate this photo, and I probably have one for each season.
The Mogoșoaia Palace has a Romanian Renaissance style (Brâncovenesc style) and it combines Venetian and Ottoman architectural elements. It is composed of its own “palace” – the inner courtyard, the Gate Tower, Cuhnia (old kitchen), Villa Elchingen (old guest’s house), the glacier, the family grave and the greenhouse.
If you ever visit Mini-Europe Park in Brussels (it’s a park featuring all the wonders of Europe in miniature), you’ll notice that Romania has Mogoșoaia Palace as a representative monument. This is it!
45 Alba Iulia Citadel
Alba Iulia is also known as the ‘other capital of the country’ as this was the place where the three regions of Romania first united under the same leader in 1600. It is the largest citadel in Romania and was built between 1715 and 1738 in Alba Iulia, in the centre of Romania. The citadel is in great shape and has a star form if you look at it from above.
46 Colibita Lake
Colibita Lake (Ro: Lacul Colibita) is said to be the place with the cleanest air in Romania, and some refer to it as the sea from the mountains. Lake Colibita is an artificial reservoir in the Călmani Mountains, Bistrita-Năsăud county, created by constructing Colibita dam on the river Bistrita.
47 Bears’ Cave
Bears’ Cave (Ro: Peștera Urșilor) is located in the western Apuseni Mountains, and it was discovered by accident in 1975 by Speodava, an amateur spelaeologist group. Its name comes from the 140 cave bear skeletons discovered inside the cave.
48 Racos basalt columns and volcano
Racos is a small village close to Brasov, which is well-known for its volcano crater and basalt columns. This complex is considered to be one of the oldest archaeological sites in Romania.
49 Lake Sfânta Ana
Lake Sfânta Ana (Ro: Lacul Sfânta Ana) is the only crater lake from Romania, located in a volcanic crater. t is situated at an altitude of 950 meters and is surrounded by lush forests.
50 Rimetea Village
Rimetea Village is located in Alba County, Transylvania, Romania, and it is best known for its traditional white houses with green windows. Considered to be one of the best conserved rural attractions in Romania.
I’ve included Rimetea on this 3-day heritage itinerary in Romania.
51 Ceausescu’s Mansion in Bucharest
Nicolae Ceauşescu is the former communist leader of Romania.
The Ceauşescu Mansion was, for a quarter of a century (1965-1989), the private residence of Nicolae and Elena Ceauşescu and for their children. It is located in Bucharest, on one of the most expensive streets.
Check out other places to visit in Bucharest and the most Instagrammable places in Bucharest.
Romania has more to offer than this list of the most beautiful places in Romania. But it’s hard to include everything in just one post. That’s why I encourage you to check out the road trip itineraries I linked for some places and the Romania page I have on my blog. Those itineraries include other places and cities to discover in Romania.
Let me know when you want to plan your travel to Romania and what you plan to include in your itinerary in the comments! Also, I’d love to help with your itinerary if you need some ideas or help planning it.
Enjoy Romania!
Love it !
I wish to visit Romania.
Thank you for reading my post about the most beautiful and best places to visit in Romania! I hope you will have the opportunity to visit my homeland and see some of the landscapes in Romania. I bet that pretty soon, it will become a more famous destination in Europe and that many will come to admire Romania’s nature.