What can travelers expect in Romania?
Romania stretches from the capital Bucharest through medieval Transylvania around Brasov and Sighișoara to the Danube Delta on the Black Sea coast. Castles such as Bran and Peleș, fortified churches and Carpathian forests home to one of the largest bear populations in Europe shape the country.
Since Romania fully joined Schengen on January 1, 2025, there are no more personal checks at land borders with other Schengen states; at air and sea borders this had already applied since March 31, 2024. For travelers from Switzerland, Germany and Austria this means entry without a visa and without border formalities.
This page covers the two legs of Bucharest and Brasov/Transylvania, along with best time to visit, entry, getting there, and the advice from FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and BMEIA (as of September 2026).
Sources: European Commission · Wikipedia
What kind of travel destination is Romania?
At around 238,000 km² and just under 19 million residents, Romania is the largest country in the Balkans and Southeastern Europe. It is divided into six historic regions: Wallachia, Transylvania, Banat, Moldavia, Bukovina and Dobruja on the Black Sea coast.
The Carpathian Mountains arc across the country, separating Wallachia in the south from Transylvania at the center; there, German settlers known as the "Transylvanian Saxons" shaped fortified churches and guild towns such as Sighișoara and Brasov from the 12th century onward.
The official language is Romanian, a Romance language with Slavic, Hungarian and German loanwords. After the fall of the Ceaușescu regime in 1989, Romania went through a long EU accession process and has been a member of the European Union since 2007.
In the Danube Delta in the east, the third most species-rich wetland in the world according to UNESCO, the Danube flows into the Black Sea through several arms; the delta has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991 and a refuge for over 300 bird species.
Sources: Wikipedia · UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Which regions of Romania are worth visiting?
The two main legs are the capital Bucharest with its old town Lipscani and the Palace of Parliament, and Brasov with the surrounding area of Transylvania: Sighișoara, Bran and Peleș. Both legs are connected by highway and the DN1/A3 rail route in around 2.5 to 3 hours.
Bucharest
The capital on the Dâmbovița River is home, with the Palace of Parliament, to one of the largest administrative buildings in the world (after the Pentagon and Thailand's Sappaya-Sapasathan parliamentary complex opened in 2021, the third largest by floor area), built under Nicolae Ceaușescu from 1984 and still today the seat of parliament and several museums. The old town Lipscani with its narrow lanes and cafés, and the Romanian Athenaeum, concert hall of the Bucharest Philharmonic, are within walking distance of each other.
From Bucharest, according to the official tourism portal, medieval towns, the Black Sea or the mountains can be reached in 3 to 4 hours by car or train; the city itself offers a lively art and culture scene with numerous galleries and theaters.
Brasov
Brasov sits at the foot of the Carpathians and is the starting point for Transylvania; the well-preserved old town with cobblestone lanes and the Black Church, the largest Gothic church in Romania, shape the Council Square. A cable car leads up the local mountain Tâmpa with a view over the old town.
About 30 km to the south lies Bran Castle, known as the "Dracula Castle" because of its connection to the Dracula legend and Bram Stoker's novel; it sits perched on a 60 m rock. Peleș near Sinaia, built from 1875 in German neo-Renaissance style for King Carol I, is considered one of the most modern castles of its time, with early electricity, central heating, an elevator and even a central vacuum system.
Sighișoara
The guild town of Sighișoara, UNESCO-protected since 1999, is one of the last continuously inhabited medieval citadels in Europe; the birthplace of Vlad III ("Vlad Țepeș," the model for the Dracula figure) lies at the heart of the old town near the clock tower.
The 64 m clock tower from the 14th century houses a history museum and offers a view from its viewing platform over the colorful burgher houses of the citadel. Of the original 14 guild towers of the city wall, 9 survive today, each once financed and defended by its own craft guild.
Between Brasov and Sighișoara lies Sibiu, another Saxon-shaped town with characteristic "eye house" roof dormers; it was European Capital of Culture in 2007 and can be worked in as a further stop on a Transylvania tour.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Romania Tourism (Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism)
When is the best time to visit Romania?
May/June and September offer the most pleasant temperatures for Bucharest and Brasov; midsummer in Bucharest gets sultry and hot with values over 32 °C, while Brasov, thanks to its elevation of around 591 m, stays noticeably cooler and rainier.
The station data show two different climates: the continental lowland around Bucharest at 76 m with hot summers, and the Carpathian foothills around Brasov with noticeably lower temperatures and more rainfall in early summer.
Bucharest and Brasov (Transylvania) through the year
| Bukarest | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 5 | 10 | 14 | 20 | 24 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 28 | 20 | 12 | 7 |
| Low °C | -3 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Rainfall mm | 44 | 34 | 39 | 43 | 65 | 79 | 67 | 46 | 52 | 56 | 42 | 48 |
| Brasov (Siebenbürgen) | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 2 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 16 | 10 | 4 |
| Low °C | -7 | -4 | -1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 3 | -1 | -4 |
| Rainfall mm | 43 | 39 | 49 | 60 | 91 | 115 | 103 | 72 | 61 | 60 | 45 | 47 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station BUCURESTI FILARET (1 km, 84 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station BRASOV GHIMBAV (9 km, 538 m), auf 591 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
In Bucharest, highs climb to 32.4 to 33.2 °C in July and August; rainfall peaks in June at 79 mm, and January is driest at 44 mm. The coldest nights fall in January at -2.8 °C.
Brasov stays around 6 °C cooler than Bucharest in midsummer at 26.6 to 27.4 °C; June brings the year's highest rainfall at 115 mm, and winters are noticeably colder than in the lowlands with lows down to -7.2 °C in January.
Winter trips suit the Carpathian ski resorts around Sinaia and Poiana Brașov best; for city trips to Bucharest and Transylvania, late spring and early autumn are preferable because of milder temperatures and less rain.
Sources: Romania Tourism (Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism)
What do you need to enter Romania?
Swiss, German and Austrian nationals need no visa to enter: a valid passport or national ID card is sufficient (as of September 2026). Romania has been a full Schengen member since January 1, 2025, and personal checks at land borders with other Schengen states have been dropped since then.
- Switzerland: the FDFA refers to the Romania country page for current entry requirements; as a Schengen-associated country, Swiss nationals enter with a passport or identity card.
- Germany: according to the Federal Foreign Office, a passport, provisional passport, national ID card or provisional ID card is sufficient; documents must be valid for the entire stay including the day of departure.
- Austria: according to BMEIA, a passport or national ID card with sufficient validity is enough; no visa is required for tourist stays as an EU and Schengen citizen.
- Other nationalities: separate rules apply depending on the country of origin; the Romanian embassies and consulates provide information.
Before full accession, checks at air and sea borders had already been dropped since March 31, 2024, with land borders to Bulgaria, Hungary and other Schengen states following on January 1, 2025. For amounts over 10,000 euros, a declaration requirement applies on entry and exit.
The current information from FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office, BMEIA and the Romanian authorities at the time of travel is authoritative.
Sources: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · European Commission
What vaccinations and health precautions do you need for Romania?
No vaccination is mandatory for entry. The standard vaccinations plus hepatitis A are recommended; in Transylvania, the Carpathian foothills and Tulcea county, there is an elevated TBE risk from ticks.
TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) is transmitted by tick bites from spring through autumn; particular risk areas are Tulcea county, Transylvania at the foot of the Carpathians, and the Southern Carpathians. For hikes in these regions, a TBE vaccination is advisable, along with light-colored clothing, closed shoes and repellents.
The Federal Foreign Office also notes seasonal West Nile fever, transmitted via mosquito bites, as well as a large free-roaming bear population in the Carpathians with documented incidents; stay on marked trails and don't leave campsites with food scraps lying out.
Medical care is good in Bucharest and the larger cities, more limited outside urban centers; travel insurance with a repatriation clause is recommended, especially for mountain tours in the Carpathians.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany
How safe is Romania for travelers?
Romania is considered a safe travel destination; crime is mostly limited to pickpocketing and distraction theft. Structurally increased caution applies in the border areas with Ukraine in the east, especially in the Danube Delta and Tulcea county; check the current situation with the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA.
The Federal Foreign Office warns of pickpocketing, car break-ins and theft on overnight trains; at highway rest stops, occasional scam thefts occur involving staged vehicle damage. The general terrorism threat is rated as low, though worldwide precautions still apply.
In the interior, in Bucharest, and in Transylvania and the west, no special restrictions apply; structurally closer to the border and therefore worth watching more closely are the east and the Black Sea coast near Constanța.
Sources: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Foreign Office, Germany
How do you travel to Romania and get around the country?
International flights land mainly at Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport (OTP); direct connections include Istanbul, Vienna, Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt, plus a seasonal long-haul route to New York (JFK). Train and highway connect Bucharest and Brasov in around 2.5 to 3 hours.
| Airline | Destinations from OTP |
|---|---|
| Wizz Air | 64 destinations |
| Ryanair | 37 destinations |
| Tarom (national carrier) | 27 destinations |
| Animawings | 27 destinations |
| HiSky | 10 destinations, incl. long-haul |
The only scheduled nonstop long-haul route from Bucharest goes to New York JFK (around 9 h 50 min, HiSky); a seasonal route to Beijing (PEK) supplements the offering with around 9 h 40 min flight time. For most intercontinental trips, the route goes via a European hub such as Istanbul, Vienna, Amsterdam or Frankfurt.
Brasov itself has no international airport of its own; travelers fly to Bucharest OTP and continue by train or rental car, or alternatively via the smaller Sibiu airport, around 1.5 hours' drive from Brasov.
Within Transylvania, the train connects Brasov with Sighișoara in around 2 hours; Bran and Peleș/Sinaia are best reached from Brasov by rental car or organized day tours.
Sources: FlightConnections
What currency do you need in Romania and how do you pay?
The national currency is the Romanian leu (RON); card payment is widespread in Bucharest and Transylvania, even for small amounts. In rural areas of the Carpathians and village shops, cash remains important.
ATMs are available in all larger towns; exchange rates at bureaux de change in tourist centers are often worse than withdrawing directly at an ATM with a bank card. The euro is barely accepted outside hotels and a few tour operators.
Tipping is not legally required; around 10% of the bill is customary in restaurants if a service charge isn't already included. Taxi drivers often simply round up; contactless payment with card or smartphone has become standard in Bucharest and Brasov, even for small amounts at kiosks.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany
Where is the best place to stay in Romania?
In Bucharest, staying centrally in the old town Lipscani or around Calea Victoriei boulevard is best; in Brasov, within the historic old town near the Council Square or at the foot of the local mountain Tâmpa.
Bucharest offers accommodation from boutique hotels in Lipscani to international chains along Calea Victoriei; anyone wanting to stay central and walk between sights stays in the old town.
In Brasov, guesthouses and small hotels are mostly located within the city walls near the Council Square; for day trips to Bran, Peleș or Sighișoara, a central location in Brasov with good rail and road connections is practical.
What do you eat in Romania?
Romanian cuisine mixes Ottoman, Hungarian and Slavic influences: cabbage rolls (sarmale), grilled meat rolls (mici) and the cornmeal dish mămăligă are among the national dishes, alongside wines from growing regions such as Cotnari and Murfatlar.
Sarmale, cabbage or vine leaves stuffed with ground meat and rice, are considered a festive dish and are often served with sour cream. Mici, small grilled rolls of ground beef and lamb with plenty of garlic, are a popular street food.
Mămăligă, a firm cornmeal porridge, traditionally replaces bread and is combined with cheese, sour cream or meat dishes. In Transylvania, German-Saxon influences show up in hearty stews and baked goods.
Romania is one of the larger wine producers in Europe; well-known growing regions are Cotnari in Moldavia and Murfatlar near the Black Sea coast. Before meals, țuică, a plum brandy, is often served as an aperitif.
What culture and festivals shape Romania?
With 11 UNESCO World Heritage sites, Romania ranks among the culturally richest countries in Southeastern Europe, from the painted monasteries of Moldavia to the fortified churches of Transylvania. The Dracula legend around Vlad Țepeș and the Orthodox Easter tradition still shape the country's cultural self-image today.
The fortified churches of Transylvania in villages such as Biertan, Prejmer and Viscri have been UNESCO World Heritage since 1993/1999; they were built from the 13th century onward as protection against Ottoman raids. The painted monastery churches of Bukovina (Moldavia monasteries) with their exterior frescoes have also been protected since 1993.
Orthodox Easter is the most important holiday of the church year, with midnight services and egg-dyeing. In Bucharest, the Romanian Athenaeum honors the country's classical music tradition with the annual George Enescu Festival.
In 2024, two more UNESCO sites were added: the Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble in Târgu Jiu and the Roman Empire's Frontiers in Dacia; Romania now counts 9 cultural and 2 natural sites in total.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
What experiences are worthwhile in Romania?
Highlights include Bran and Peleș castles, the guild town of Sighișoara, a boat trip on the Danube Delta, and hiking or skiing in the Carpathians around Sinaia and Poiana Brașov.
Castles of Transylvania
Bran Castle with its Dracula legend and the elaborately furnished Peleș Castle in Sinaia, built from 1875 for King Carol I, can be combined in a day trip from Brasov; both show the range from a defensive fortress to a royal summer residence.
Sighișoara
The citadel of Sighișoara with its clock tower is one of the last inhabited medieval small towns in Europe; colorful burgher houses and a network of covered stairways shape the scene.
Danube Delta
Boat tours from Tulcea lead through the third most species-rich wetland in the world, with pelicans, cormorants and rare fish species; the delta has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991 and is best experienced in spring and early summer during bird breeding season.
- Transfăgărășan: one of the most spectacular mountain passes in Europe over the Southern Carpathians, usually only snow-free and drivable from June to October.
- Poiana Brașov: a winter sports resort 12 km outside Brasov with a Carpathian ski area.
- Maramureș: a region in the north with wooden UNESCO churches and traditional village life, reachable from Sighișoara by train or rental car.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
How do you travel responsibly in Romania?
The large bear population of the Carpathians and the fragile ecosystem of the Danube Delta call for consideration: stay on marked trails, don't leave food scraps outdoors, and travel in the delta only with licensed guides.
- Stay on marked hiking trails in the Carpathians and don't leave food scraps out, to avoid bear encounters.
- In the Danube Delta, travel only with licensed boat guides, to avoid disturbing bird colonies and protected zones.
- In the fortified-church villages of Transylvania such as Viscri and Biertan, pay entrance fees, which go directly toward preserving the buildings.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany
Which countries can Romania be combined with?
The most obvious choices are the neighboring countries of Bulgaria to the south via the Danube bridge at Ruse, and Serbia to the west via Timișoara-Belgrade. The Republic of Moldova can also be linked in from the Moldavia region as part of an Eastern Europe tour.
From Bucharest, the route leads over the Danube bridge to Ruse in Bulgaria or further toward the Black Sea coast; from Timișoara in the west, Belgrade in Serbia is reachable within a few hours' drive.
Anyone traveling through Transylvania can continue the route via Oradea toward Hungary; both neighboring countries linked here, Bulgaria and Serbia, are part of this destination database.
Who is Romania suited for, and who less so?
Romania suits culture and nature travelers who want to combine medieval towns, castles and Carpathian hikes with low prices. It is less suited for anyone looking for consistently well-developed high-speed rail connections or dense beach infrastructure.
Romania works well for road-trippers with a rental car, for those interested in the Dracula legend and the fortified churches of Transylvania, and for nature lovers seeking the Danube Delta or bear watching in the Carpathians.
The country is less ideal for anyone relying on fast train connections between regions: train journeys often take longer than the road distance suggests. The Black Sea coast around Constanța is not covered in detail on this page.