Find your holiday
Holidays to Romania are about sandy beaches, open countryside and an easy-going city scene.
A box-ticking holiday
Romania is a good option if you like combining different types of trips into one. Bucharest brings a mix of nightlife, cafés and historic buildings, while the countryside offers quieter landscapes with forests, rivers and small villages. Plus, you’ve got vast beaches bordering the Black Sea. Romania also sits within easy reach of several neighbouring countries, so it can work well as part of a wider European adventure.
Transylvania and beyond
Outside the capital, Transylvania is one of the best-known regions. You’ll find pocket-sized towns, rolling countryside and mountain scenery, with places like Bran Castle drawing visitors for both the setting and its history. Often linked to the Dracula story, there's more to it than you might think, including a royal background and a museum that explains the castle’s past. It’s the perfect region if you want to balance sightseeing with time outdoors.
Black Sea coast
Romania’s coastline is often overlooked, but it offers a mix of livelier and more relaxed seaside spots. The coast stretches for around 250 kilometres – Mamaia is the main hub for nightlife and beach bars, while places like Venus Beach in Mangalia are quieter, with a string of resorts lining the sand. The weather can vary slightly compared to southern Europe, but that means you can find better value beach breaks.
Best places to stay in Romania
Bucharest
Bucharest is a practical base for Romania holidays, especially if you want a mix of culture, food and nightlife. The Old Town is packed with restaurants, bars and historic buildings, while wider spots in the city, like the Palace of Parliament and leafy parks, give you more to explore during the day. It’s also one of the easiest places to get around, with good transport links for daytrips.
Brașov
Brașov is one of the best Romanian cities to visit if you want to be close to the mountains while still having shops, cafés and a walkable centre. It’s a popular base for Transylvania castle tours and nearby sights, with plenty of things to do in Brașov itself. Prices can vary depending on the season, especially in winter and autumn when it gets busier.
Sibiu
Sibiu is a smaller, more relaxed option that works well if you prefer a slower pace. The Old Town is compact and easy to explore, making it a good fit for weekend breaks. Accommodation tends to be mid-range or boutique style, which keeps things comfortable without pushing into higher price brackets.
Sinaia
Sinaia is best known for its mountain setting and day trips to Peleș Castle, one of Romania’s standout landmarks. It works well as a short stay or a stop on a wider itinerary, with a mix of hotels and guesthouses. Prices can rise during peak ski season or summer weekends, so it's worth booking ahead if you want the best choice.
Why we love Romania
Here are some top tips from our team
Expert recommendation
"Instead of driving from castle to castle, you can hike or horse ride a section of the Via Transilvanica – ‘the path that unites’. It’s a long-distance trail that crosses the entire country diagonally. Each kilometre is marked with an individually carved stone post, and it’s easy to hike a small section of it to get a flavour – the section through Saxon Land near Sibiu is particularly spectacular, with its chocolate box villages, emerald meadows and spired churches." – Amabel Buck
Non-touristy activities
If you want to go beyond the typical tourist trail, explore the country’s wilder, more traditional corners rather than Dracula-and-castles routes. Head to the Danube Delta for boat trips through reed beds, birdwatching and sleepy waterside villages, or visit Maramures for wooden churches, carved gates and rural landscapes that feel properly old-world. In Transylvania, swap Bran Castle for Saxon villages like Viscri and Biertan, where fortified churches, cobbled lanes and countryside guesthouses give you a slower pace.
Free things to do
Romania is brilliant for free exploring, especially if you like old towns, viewpoints and big landscapes. In Bucharest, wander the Old Town, relax in Cișmigiu Gardens, and stop by Stavropoleos Monastery for a peaceful break from the city. In Brașov, stroll the Medieval centre and hike up or around Tâmpa Mountain for views over the rooftops. Meanwhile, nature lovers can follow scenic trails in the Carpathians, explore traditional villages in Transylvania, or walk riverside paths and promenades in places like Cluj-Napoca.
Romania FAQs
Although Romania is part of the European Union, it doesn’t use the euro. The official currency is the Romanian Leu (RON). While contactless payments are widely accepted in premium hotels, high-end restaurants, and city boutiques, it’s a good idea to carry cash for tipping and when travelling through smaller rural villages in Transylvania.
May, June, and September offer temperate weather ideal for exploring the cities and hiking in the Carpathians. October is particularly spectacular, as the dense Transylvanian forests turn deep shades of copper and gold. Alternatively, December brings a dusting of snow and traditional Christmas markets to Bucharest and Sibiu.
While the national rail network connects the major cities, the most seamless way to experience Romania’s dramatic landscapes is by hiring a car or arranging a private driver. This grants you the freedom to explore remote mountain passes, hidden fortified churches and secluded aristocratic manor houses at your own pace.
Yes, you'll find that English is widely and fluently spoken by the younger generations and throughout the premium hospitality, tourism and dining sectors.
When you click through to book your holiday, we’ll supply the exact travel requirements for your chosen destination through our partner, Passolution. In the meantime, check the FCDO for the most up-to-date information on entry requirements and health and safety information.