Romania – Travel Guide
Romania is a beautiful country in Eastern Europe with a rich history and culture. It has vibrant cities, stunning natural landscapes, and friendly people. As a matter of fact, it is also very well known for its diverse cuisine, ranging from savories to sweets and everything in between. Romania is a place where travellers can discover a world of wonders and memories. So whether you’re looking for an adventure, a chance to immerse yourself in Romanian culture, or just trying something different, Romania is the place to be.
All about Romania
Romania FAQ
What is Romania known for?
Romania is well-known for its rich history, dating back before the time of the Greeks and Romans. Ruins from days gone by, ranging from Roman structures in Alba Iulia to remnants of Communism in Bucharest, are vivid illustrations of life in Romania through the years. Whether the museums are open-air or in exhibition halls, these are fun ways to learn more about Romanian history and folk culture.
The best-known region of Romania is Transylvania. People have vivid images of Medieval-era towns and villages, Bran Castle, and perhaps vampires when they think of Transylvania. The varied geography of Romania, from the Danube Delta to the Black Sea Coast to the Carpathian Mountains, allows visitors many great opportunities for outdoor activities and excursions.
What are the best places to visit in Romania?
The most popular cities for tourists who visit Romania are all ones you should make time for. Romanian vacations typically start in the capital, Bucharest. From there many people venture out to Transylvania and its mysterious Medieval cities and towns such as Brasov, Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Sighisoara, and Bistrita. Other people head north and east to Moldavia, where Iasi, Suceava, and Galati are located, or to the Black Sea Coast and the seaside resorts of Constanta and Mamaia.
How many days should I spend in Romania?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel, and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
What is the best way to get around Romania?
We recommend seeing Romania by car. For those who want to control their experiences and explore the Romanian countryside, renting a car might be ideal. You can pick up your car at the airport upon arrival in Romania. For those who want to include multiple stops in Romania but want to leave the driving to the professionals, consider hotel-to-hotel private transfer pickup/dropoff, available for a number of Romanian vacation packages.
What is the currency of Romania?
The currency of Romania is the leu (written in shorthand as L). U.S. dollars are not accepted. Be prepared to arrive with the correct currency on hand or make sure to exchange your dollars for lei upon arrival. There are currency exchange desks at the airport and at many locations throughout the country.
Do people speak English in Romania?
About 40% of Romanians speak English on at least a conversational level, and you will find that this is more common with younger people than older people. You will find English speakers in Bucharest and other major cities, and in all major tourist areas. Don`t assume everyone can speak English, however. Be prepared to learn basic Romanian phrases like hello/goodbye, please/thank you, how much is it?, where is the bathroom?, and the numbers from 1-10. To say `Do you speak English`, say `Vorbiti in engleza?`.
Best time to visit Romania
Romania experiences a temperate-continental climate due to its southeast European location. Undoubtedly, the country experiences four distinct seasons, the winters can sometimes be incredibly cold, followed by very hot summers, however, every season is interesting and there are plenty of things to see and do.
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Romania has plenty to offer with skiing available at the Romanian winter resorts, Christmas markets, and summer months spent on the Black Sea Coast soaking up the sun, sand, and seas.
The best time to visit the country is said to be between March through October when the weather is reasonable and not too cold. The spring months are when flowers are in bloom and the mountains are verdant from the rain. The summertime is stunning along the coastline and brings the hottest temperatures of the year to the southern and eastern lowlands. Early autumn is the perfect time to check out festivals held throughout the country, and explore hiking trails, and painted monasteries.
The beautifully diverse country of Romania is a great destination worth visiting filled with natural wonders, historic cities, charming traditions, and a lot to offer at any time of the year. Check out the Danube Delta, twitchers begin to flock here in May, beautiful Easter celebrations come along with blooming wildflowers. Autumn explodes with color throughout the country, and the winter months are great for winter activities in a pristine white wilderness.
December – February – (Winter)
The winter months in Romania can be extremely cold with average temperatures throughout the country dropping to below zero with strong, icy winds sweeping down from Russia. The country is normally blanketed in snow, and frequent snowstorms sweep through the country. The snow does create the perfect destination for skiing and other winter sports in the mountains and at the Romanian ski resorts such as Poiana Brasov, one of the best places to visit during the winter. Christmas Markets are some of the most beautiful in Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca. A simply spectacular experience featuring hundreds of merchants selling traditional handicrafts, wooden cottages, and mulled wine. The cities of Bucharest, Brasov, Sighi?oara, and Timisoara also feature Christmas markets and Christmas decorations that will not disappoint. The popular Christmas markets usually begin in mid-November and run through mid-January.
Events and Festivals
-Christmas Eve – December 24th
-Christmas Day – December 25th
-Second Day of Christmas – December 26th
-New Year’s Eve – December 31st (Large parties in the capital city)
-New Year’s Day – January 1st
-Christmas Markets – Mid-November – Mid-January – Sibiu, Cluj Napoca, Bucharest, Brasov, Sighisoara, and Timisoara.
March – May (Springtime)
The spring months in Romania can be pleasant, but still relatively cold, especially during March. The weather starts to improve in April and May, which can be a very wet month, but a great time for sightseeing and museum exploring. The springtime brings frequent rain throughout the country, which in turn creates verdant landscapes and blooming flowers to the countryside. Bird-watching enthusiasts will love Romania during the springtime as birds migrate here to find shelter in the Danube Delta, numerous species of birds and other wildlife can be admired in the area.
Events and Festivals-Cluj Shorts, Este Film, Transylvania International Film Festivals – Springtime – Many of the country’s big film festivals take place during the spring in Cluj-Napoca, and Sibiu.
-Spotlight Festival – Old Town Bucharest features loud music, dancing, food and drinks during one of the most spectacular festivals in the world with a series of light installations and projections.
-Sunwaves Music Festival – Spring – On Crazy Beach in the resort town of Mamaia, one of the largest music festivals in the country with a wide range of famous artists
-Easter Celebrations – Easter is one of the most celebrated holidays in Romania, they celebrate Orthodox Easter, about a week after Catholic Easter. There are popular vibrant Easter markets, with gifts to buy and Easter food.
June – August – (Summer)
The summer months are the busiest season in the country, the prices of travel and hotels go up and are often booked to capacity especially along the coast. The weather is at its best during the summer with daily average temperatures ranging from 86-95 degrees. The city’s capital of Bucharest is flooded with visitors during the summer months when everyone flocks to outside attractions, dining, bars, and pubs. The summer months are when many of the country’s festivals and events take place, there is always something happening somewhere in the country. The mountains offer verdant, lush landscapes in the summer making them a popular destination for hikers. Constanta is nestled on the Black Sea and offers a great destination for a beach holiday.
Events and Festivals
-UNTOLD Festival, NEVERSEA Festival, Dakini Festival, Awake Festival, Summer WEll Festival, Electric Castle – just a few of the summer festivals held throughout Romania during the summertime.
-International Vampire Film and Arts Festival – Sighisoara (The birthplace of Vlad Dracula) is the host of this annual festival.
-Sighisoara medieval Arts and Crafts Festival – July – A unique festival held in one of the old Transylvania Saxon walled citadels. Costume parades, performances, concerts, handicraft stalls, and much more.
-Maiden’s Fair – Mount Gaina and Avram Iancu – of the oldest and most popular folk events, the ethnographic festival promotes local cultures with music, performances, and lots of Romanian food.
September – November – (Autumn)
The low season in Romania begins in late September and lasts until around June, there are fewer crowds and more availability in hotels, etc. The milder temperatures arrive and the bursting autumn colors of harvest time. There is an authentic atmosphere in the country in Autumn, and it is a great time to travel with the cities offering serenity. The historic region of Transylvania with its charming castles and medieval towns is especially enchanting in Autumn. Other quaint towns such as Rimetea, are deserted and quiet this time of year. A Romanian road trip through the colorful countryside is a great activity this time of year to absorb the foliage. Hiking can be done as the weather is moderate, but the temperatures will become quite chilly from the end of October into November.
Events and Festivals
-Oktoberfest – October – Brasov hosts the traditional German festival with traditional music, Bavarian costumes, sausages, and beer.
-CibinFEST – Oktoberfest held in Sibiu, an annual event celebrating the seasonal harvest with Bavarian beer, Bavarian cuisine, music, and dancing.
-ASTRA Film Festival – Held in Sibiu, the oldest international festival in Romania featuring films from Eastern and Central Europe.
-Halloween Party At Bran Castle – October/Halloween – The alleged birthplace of Dracula, the castle becomes one of the biggest attractions in Romania with its annual Halloween party which includes costumes, food, drinks, dancing, and music.
Tipping in Romania
The questions “when?” and “how much?” can leave some of the travelers confused, as the practice varies. This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these “tips” will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, as well as taxis.
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Tipping in Romania
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use the Romanian Leu?
The currency of Romania is the Romanian Leu (RON/Lei), euros might be accepted in the city of Bucharest, but doubtful anywhere else in the country. You will need to exchange your currency for the Denar, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks of banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be easily found in big cities and larger towns.
A VAT percentage is a service fee for the state used in Western Europe and American countries, you are obliged to pay the service fee. The fee will be automatically included in your bill and can range from 12-15%.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
Tipping in restaurants in Romania is normally expected, when dining out the service charge is not typically included in your bill. Waitstaff and bartenders will expect a tip and the amount should be anywhere from 5-20% of the bill as a general rule of thumb. Most people tip at least 10%, so an equal amount of 10% of your total bill as to not look cheap.
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
At hotels in Romania tipping your hotel staff is customary. You should tip the hotel maid around 5 Lei a day, or an accumulation over your entire stay. Tipping the bellman around 2 Lei per piece of luggage is a good amount to show your appreciation. Tipping the hotel concierge around 15 Lei is considered average for excellent services.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?
Taxi drivers in Romania run on meters, a tip is usually expected and appreciated by the driver. Around 4-5, Lei or rounding up the fare for a ride is a good choice. Always remember when travelling abroad that it is good practice to agree on a final fare before the cab driver begins driving.
Tour Guides: Is a tip required?
Tipping your tour guides in Romania around 10-20 Lei per day is recommended. You can always add more if your tour was exceptional. And if terrible, then don’t feel obligated to tip.
Miscellaneous: Is there anyone I should tip that I would not normally?
If visiting a spa or hair salon in Romania, you should tip up to 10% of the bill if you received great service. You can always tip more if you feel as if the service deserved it.
Final Thoughts:
Remember that it is perfectly okay to abstain, especially if you are not happy with the service provided. Unlike in the U.S., waiters are paid a living wage, and the expectations for tipping are lower in Romania than in America. This is also true for hotel staff, though if you encounter a problem with the service within the hotel, we highly recommend speaking with the manager.
When paying for services in cash (which we generally recommend for services other than your hotel) remember to take your receipt. This is important for two reasons; If you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it, and if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.
Driving in Romania
In Romania, travelers have a variety of road-tripping routes to choose from, whether you desire to criss-cross the Carpathian mountain ranges “Romanian Alps”, take a trip through spooky Transylvania to the unique castles and buildings, or travel along the Black Sea coast and stay at resorts along the water, this country has it all.
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Drive carefully and defensively in Romania, as other drivers on the roads may drive quite erratically. The roads in rural areas may be shared with pedestrians, cyclists, livestock, and even horse-drawn carts, so keep your eyes on the road and your foot close to the brake. If you wish to drive in Romania you must acquire an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to holding a valid U.S. Driver’s license.
Road Conditions
Some of the roads in Romania are not in great condition and the country is rated 120 out of 137 states for road quality, with limited freeways and infrequent passing lanes. The roads in major cities and urban areas are generally in fair to good condition, many secondary roads are unpaved, poorly lit, narrow, and lacking marked lanes.
It can be extremely dangerous to drive in the Mountain areas of Romania during the winter months when the roads are covered in ice or snow. Winter tires are recommended for this time of year with deep treads that provide adequate traction. Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers in the vehicle, and children under 12 cannot travel in the front seat. Mobile phones cannot be used while driving in Romania unless with a hands-free system.
Road Signs
Road signs are well posted in Romania. However, they are posted in Romanian and may be unfamiliar to you, it is always a good idea to read up on the signage before driving in another country. Speed limits are shown in km/h.
Speed Limits
The national speed limit in Romania is 130 km/h on the highways, 90 km/h on regional roads, and 50 km/h within towns. (unless otherwise specified).
Documents and Laws
They drive on the right-hand side of the road in Romania and pass on the left. You are required to have the right paperwork when driving including a valid driver’s license, an International Driver’s permit, registration for the vehicle, and proof of insurance. Seatbelts are required by all passengers in the vehicle at all times.
U.S. Drivers must obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Romania as well as an accompanying valid driver’s license from the U.S. You can get an IDP from AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance in the U.S.
Car Rentals
When traveling to Romania, you must be at least 21 years of age to rent a vehicle in Romania and have held a valid driver’s license for at least one year before renting. It may be possible to rent if you are under 25, however, there will be higher fees added to your rental price. The great majority of vehicles to rent in Romania are manual cars, an automatic may be available but will cost you a higher price. The country offers major car rental companies at the airport and in major cities, these include Avis and Hertz.
Gas Stations/Petrol Stations
There are plenty of petrol stations found along the main roads in Romania as well as through the cities and towns. Petrol stations are readily available around cities and villages. On the main highway, the petrol stops are clearly marked and often don’t offer a wide range of services like elsewhere in Europe, where you would have a resting place with a restaurant next to it.
Top cities in Romania
More Cities in Romania
A-Z
What to expect while traveling
