Chapters
For travelers looking for a bit more adventure, Romania remains a relatively undiscovered European country. Due to rising global tourism, many travelers are now moving away from heavily trodden capitals and must-see hotspots towards places which offer more breathing space and a sense of authenticity – they are basically trying to run away from the places with overtourism in Europe.
Europe remains appealing for its art, history, and quaint towns. However, tourists wish to escape the crowds, queuing, and general fatigue associated with touristic hubs. Quiet, personal explorations away from the tourist spots are on offer through Romania’s vast wild landscapes and rich culture, providing deep-rooted journeys that go beyond the well-beaten paths.
Discover Why Romania Has All the Charm of Europe—Minus the Crowds
Romania is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. And it is not just us that say this. Romania gained international recognition as most rewarding – and underrated travel destination in Europe – travel destinations as stated by travel media.
- CNN Travel called it “a gift in these days of overtourism,” highlighting its diverse landscapes from Black Sea beaches to the majestic Carpathians.
- Vogue echoed this sentiment, praising Romania’s vibrant cultural and culinary scenes, calling it a country that “truly has it all,” from the Transylvanian countryside to Cluj’s creative energy.
- National Geographic named Brașov and the Transilvanica Trail as must-visits, especially with new travel access opening the region up.
- Lonely Planet recognized the Danube region as “Best Value”.
- Rough Guides celebrated Romania’s mix of dramatic nature and rich heritage.
- Condé Nast Traveler spotlighted Romania’s villages among Europe’s prettiest.
Altogether, these mentions paint a clear picture: Romania is a hidden gem ready to offer travelers authenticity, variety, and space – without the crowds.
Romania has the wine, the mountains, the castles, and Little Paris, but not the masses
In 2024, Romania hosted 2.4 million foreign tourists out of a total of 747 million international visitors in Europe. Just for the sake of comparison, France welcomed 102 million. Romania hasn’t changed to cater to mass tourism — and that’s actually a good thing. It still feels real, lived-in, and raw — which is exactly why more people should come.
It is one of the safest countries in Europe
Romania had a 33.4 crime index in 2024 which is categorized as low. To stay to the same comparison, France had a moderate level of crime with a 55.3 index. Romania hasn’t faced any terrorist attacks yet, and there is no record of tourists encountering serious incidents. Common sense applies though; it is recommended to avoid unlit areas at night and keep valuables secure, just like anywhere.
You can see its history
Romania has an incredibly diverse historical heritage, with sites that cover all major historical periods of Europe, from prehistory to the modern era. The culturally curious traveler can find few places in Europe where you can follow the story of human development in this way.
| Historical period | Description | Sites |
Prehistory
| The Cucuteni–Trypillia culture (c. 5200–3200 BC): one of the oldest civilizations in Europe, known for its painted ceramics. |
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| Antiquity (Dacian-Roman period) | Dacia, the ancient kingdom of the Dacians, conquered by the Romans in 106 AD. |
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| Middle Ages | A rich period influenced by Byzantine, Hungarian, Ottoman, and German (Saxon) cultures.
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| Modern Era (18th–19th century) | Phanariot period, neoclassical and baroque architecture influences.
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| 20th Century (Interwar & Communist Era) | Neo-Romanian style, Art Deco, socialist architecture.
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The traditions will catch your eye
It is one thing to visit a landmark, but it is totally different to experience Romania the way we do. Holidays here, especially in rural areas, are frozen in time. And if you happen to be there, you are more than welcome to join the fest.
| Holiday | Time of the year | Customs |
| Sanziene | June 24 | Girls wear white dresses and make flower crowns, believed to bring love and protection. In some areas, there are dances in circles (hora), fire-jumping rituals, and nature-based blessings. |
| Caroling | December 24 | Groups of children or young men go door-to-door singing traditional carols (colinde) with unique melodies and verses. In Maramureș and Bucovina, colindatul is a serious ritual, often involving traditional costumes, wooden masks, and instruments like the bucium (alpenhorn). |
| Winter Masked Dances | Between Christmas and New Year | People perform dances wearing animal masks — the Goat (Capra), Bear (Ursul), or the Stag. These are symbolic rituals meant to scare away evil and bring fertility and abundance in the new year. |
| Martisor | March 1 | People offer a red-and-white thread (mărțișor) tied around a small trinket, worn as a symbol of spring, good luck, and health. Recognized by UNESCO as intangible heritage. |
| Dragobete | March 24 | Traditionally, young people dress in festive clothes and go out into nature to gather spring flowers, while couples share affectionate gestures, believing that those who celebrate love on this day will be lucky all year. In villages, songs, dances, and symbolic rituals mark the day, blending romance with the welcoming of spring. |
| Calusarii | Pentecost | A traditional Romanian dance performed by men in white costumes with bells and sticks. The ritual, which includes energetic movements and symbolic gestures, is believed to heal and protect communities. Recognized by UNESCO as intangible heritage. |
| Ignat | December 20 | Before Christmas, many families in the countryside still follow the tradition of slaughtering a pig (Ignat). It’s a communal event involving preparation of pork dishes, ritual blessings, and neighbors helping each other — a living example of Romanian hospitality and food culture. |
| Easter Egg Decorating | The week before Easter | In Bucovina and parts of Transylvania, Easter eggs are hand-painted using wax and natural dyes. Each region has its own symbols and color patterns, and the craft is passed down through generations. |
| Traditional Weddings | All year round (except for fasting days) | In rural areas, especially in Maramureș, weddings are full of rituals: dowry displays, “stealing the bride,” ceremonial songs, and symbolic gestures to bring prosperity to the couple. Everything is done in traditional dress, with live music and multi-day celebrations. |
It has it all
Often referred to as “Europe’s Yellowstone,” the Carpathians of Romania are one of the last truly wild places in Europe. Here, over two-thirds of the virgin forests left in the EU have free wandering bears, wolves, and bison. But it is not just roaming terrain for wilderness adventurers; with over 1,300 mineral springs, Romania is a deeper type of restorative tourism, with fresh, mountain air, forest retreats, and spa towns with healthy waters. And don’t forget the Danube Delta, the largest river delta in Europe and a UNESCO site, with a peaceful maze of waterways teeming with wildlife, especially birds.
Romania has a very balanced and diverse relief, with all major landforms represented. This geographical diversity is one of the country’s greatest natural assets and there is a lot to do here.
The Carpathian Mountains
- Hiking
- Trekking
- Off-road
- Wildlife watching
- Skiing
- Cave exploring
- Exploring traditional villages
Subcarpathian Hills, Moldavian Plateau, Transylvanian Plateau, and Getic Plateau
- Wine tasting in the vineyards
- Taste ripe fruit in the orchards
- Explore traditional villages, heritage sites, monasteries and castles
Romanian Plain & Western Plain
- Experience rural life & traditional crafts
- Taste authentic cuisine from farm to table as plains are Romania’s agricultural heartland
- Horse riding
- Farming activities
- Visit boyar mansions, churches, and fortified monasteries
- Leisure biking
- Join traditional fairs, harvest festivals, and folklore events
Danube Delta
- Kayaking
- Bird watching
- Explore canals by canoe or motorboat
- Sunset boat rides
- Traditional fishing
- Spot wild horses in Letea Forest
- Taste local cuisine
- Cultural visits to traditional villages
- Relax on the wild beach
Black Sea Coast
- Sunbathe and swim
- Watch the sunrise
- Relax in spa centers
- Perform water sports
- Visit Romania’s oldest city – Constanta
- Catamaran cruises
- Enjoy fish and seafood dishes
- Join summer parties
The perfect weather
Although the weather in Romania is also changing along with the Global Warming, we still enjoy warm springs and sunny autumns here. Every season has its own beauty, and we don’t experience dramatic temperatures in summers and winters.
Depending on the activities you come in Romania for, we recommend:
- Spring (Apr–May) and Autumn (Sep–Oct) are perfect for sightseeing, hiking, and avoiding crowds.
- Summer (Jun–Aug) is ideal for coastal, mountain, and delta adventures—just be ready for hotter weather and occasional storms.
- Winter (Dec–Feb) offers charming snow-covered landscapes—great if you are seeking off-season, cozy escapes.
The most welcoming people
Our past travelers state “I felt like a guest, not a tourist.” – this is how Romanians make you feel. They will always welcome you in their houses and offer you coffee, food or even a place to stay. Their hearts are always open, and their souls are warm. Even in city areas, people will help you and offer to show you around. Romanians tend to leave the impression of sometimes being assertive – but this is just how they are: genuinely curious.
You will meet no language barriers here – in main cities and touristic areas they speak English and even Italian, French or Spanish. Even with limited language, in rural areas, locals often try to communicate with smiles, gestures, and good humor.
If you are looking for authentic experiences, rural peacefulness, photographic spots and great tastes, Romania is the choice for you.
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