The best cities to visit in Romania - Traveling outside the box

Romania was one of the most surprising destinations I’ve discovered in Europe. When I first arrived there, I was amazed to find a beautiful, affordable, and accessible country, with warm and welcoming people and a variety of charming towns and cities that are easy to fall in love with. Over three visits, two of them with my husband Ruman, we had the chance to explore different cities, enjoy breathtaking nature hikes, and stay in unique and pampering accommodations. On the third trip, I went on a women’s getaway during winter, staying in a lovely villa in the snowy mountains that added a whole new layer of magic to the experience.

In this post, I’ve put together a guide to the top cities to visit in Romania. These places are well worth including in a longer trip or visiting separately. I recommend spending at least three days in each city to experience its vibe and make the most of what it has to offer. In addition to the cities, Romania also boasts the famous Transfagarasan Highway and incredible hiking trails. You’re welcome to check out my detailed guides on our one-week and ten-day trips in Romania.

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Brasov

Brasov, located in the Transylvania region, completely charmed us with its beauty. The city has picturesque old streets, an impressive gothic church, and a particularly relaxed atmosphere. We explored the main square, Piata Sfatului, walked through the narrow Strada Sforii, and took the cable car up Mount Tampa for stunning views. One of the best experiences we had was the free daily walking tour with Walkabout. We learned about the city’s history, heard fascinating stories, and met travelers from all over the world.

For a festive dinner, I highly recommend Sapori, an Italian restaurant with fresh pasta, beautifully presented dishes, and a warm, pleasant ambiance. Don’t skip the apple strudel – it’s one of the best I’ve ever had. For an afternoon coffee and dessert, Zoomserie is a charming bakery with wonderful cakes – the savarina got huge compliments from our group. If you want to sit in the main square and people-watch, German Bakery is the perfect spot for an iced coffee and relaxed vibes.

Brasov also makes a great base for day trips. I highly suggest hiking the Seven Ladders Canyon or visiting the famous Bran Castle, known as “Dracula’s Castle.” If you’re traveling with kids, Adventure Park Brasov and Dino Park Rasnov are great options. From there, we continued on to unique countryside cabins and then to Sinaia, for a wonderful nature-filled getaway with fresh air and breathtaking views.

A detailed post about things to do in Brasov

Sinaia

Sinaia is a stunning resort town in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains, and one of the most delightful surprises of our trip. We spent two nights there and honestly wished we had booked an extra night. The magical vibe, stunning views, and crisp air won us over instantly. We visited Sinaia as part of a ten-day road trip that started in Cluj and ended in Bucharest. Renting a car made everything much easier and more relaxed.

A must-do in Sinaia is the Gondola lift, which takes you up to 1,400 meters and even up to 2,000 if you continue higher. The views are breathtaking, but make sure to dress warmly even if it’s hot at the bottom. Another place you can’t miss is Peles Castle, a fairytale-like palace surrounded by lush greenery. The walk up is gorgeous and the tour inside is worth every minute. Book tickets to the castle online.

We really enjoyed our stay at Pension Casa Teo, a charming boutique hotel (note: as of 2025, the hotel has permanently closed). Sinaia also impressed us with its food scene. We found a great local restaurant with amazing burgers – the vegan burger was a surprising highlight, and the classic one was one of the best we had. For a late dinner, we popped into Irish House, a cozy Irish pub with excellent food. The grilled fish and shepherd’s pie were especially good. For something different, try Taverna Sarbului, a Serbian restaurant with an endless menu and a fun, laid-back vibe.

A detailed post about things to do in Sinaia

Sibiu

Our trip to Sibiu happened by chance after finding cheap flights for August. Once we did a bit of research, we realized it’s a lovely city with lots to see and do. We booked three nights in the city and three more in a nearby village. Our apartment wasn’t in the center, but the host was very kind and taxis were cheap, so it worked out fine. Renting a car is also a good idea for exploring the area. We rented through Autonom and enjoyed the flexibility.

In Sibiu, we loved walking through the old town, sitting in charming cafés like Arhiva de Cafea si Ceai and Wien Cafe, and climbing the cathedral tower for a beautiful view of the city. On Fridays from 10 am to 1 pm there’s a lovely local market with cheese, vegetables, honey, and bread – perfect for a picnic. Among local restaurants, we recommend Prima for its delicious sour ciorba soup and great Romanian pastries in a less touristy area. For a romantic final dinner, we ate at Old Lisbon, a fantastic Portuguese restaurant with great service and excellent seafood.

One special spot in Sibiu is the Bridge of Lies, an iconic landmark surrounded by food and souvenir stalls. It’s worth passing through even if it’s not in your plan. We loved wandering the city without a strict schedule, enjoying the architecture, relaxing in the main square, and listening to live music. Sibiu is one of those places where you can just sink into the atmosphere and feel completely at home.

A detailed post about things to do in Sibiu

From Sibiu, we drove the Transfagarasan Highway – one of the most scenic roads in the world.

Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca is a charming city full of life, surrounded by beautiful green nature. I especially enjoyed walking through the city, discovering lovely cafés and hidden corners around every turn. The city’s botanical gardens were a highlight for me, with Japanese gardens, forests, cacti, and even a rose garden – a magical escape into nature within the city.

Another great spot is the Fortress Hill viewpoint, which offers panoramic views of the city. Go up a little before sunset and sit on a bench or at a nearby restaurant to enjoy the view. Don’t miss a relaxed stroll through the main square near St. Michael’s Church, an area full of restaurants, shops, and vibrant energy.

Food-wise, I loved Roots, a healthy café with amazing toast, fresh juices, and an unforgettable banana bread. For authentic local food, try Valachia – their traditional polenta and sour ciorba soup are fantastic. In the evening, we went to The Lab, a bar designed like a science lab, with cocktails served in lab flasks – a creative and fun experience. If you’re heading out of town, don’t miss the Salina Turda salt mine, one of the most incredible places we visited in Romania.

A detailed post about things to do in Cluj-Napoca

From Cluj-Napoca, we continued to Salina Turda – an unforgettable experience.

Bucharest

Bucharest truly surprised me. It’s a vibrant, modern city full of life, cool cafés and restaurants, street art, and a feeling of renewal in the air. We stayed in a beautiful Airbnb right near the old town – stylish, clean, and super convenient. We joined a graffiti tour with Open Doors, which cost just 15 euros. Our guide, Elena, was amazing. She told us not just about the street art, but also about local history and culture. We also took a free walking tour with Walkabout that covered downtown highlights, churches, the Parliament building, and even a Dracula-themed stop.

One of the most memorable experiences was a homemade dinner at the home of Laura and Cosmin. We found them through a Facebook page called Eat with Bucharest Locals (Update from 2025: The page is no longer available).

Another great day was spent in Herastrau Park, a huge green space with a lake, restaurants, lawns, and even a big playground for kids. I also had an incredible Thai massage at Balinesse Spa – just like in Thailand, fairly priced, and with excellent service.

If you’re looking for shopping, AFI Palace Cotroceni is a massive mall with dozens of restaurants, attractions for kids, and even an ice-skating rink. It’s worth spending half a day there. Another place we didn’t get to visit but looks amazing is Therme Bucharest – a spa and thermal water complex that’s perfect for couples or families. It looks like a mix between a water park and a luxury spa and would be a great addition to any Bucharest trip.

In short, Bucharest is a lively and exciting city that deserves a spot on your Romania itinerary.

A detailed post about things to do in Bucharest

To sum up, Romania surprised me again and again with its unique blend of historic cities, stunning nature, and warm, authentic atmosphere. The cities I’ve mentioned here are just a small part of what Romania has to offer, and each one brings a different and special experience. Whether you’re looking for old streets and beautiful architecture, breathtaking landscapes, or a vibrant, modern vibe, you’ll find it all in Romania. If you’re planning a trip, make sure to include these cities in your route, and don’t miss the amazing nature and hiking trails along the way.

I hope this post helped you. If it did, I’d love for you to leave a comment below, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments or message me on the blog’s social media – Facebook or Instagram.

Looking for more info on Romania? I’ve got plenty more Romania travel posts on the blog.