Romania attractions

Housed in an ornately decorated and historic synagogue dating back to 1836, Bucharest’s Jewish History Museum of Romania was founded in 1978 and contains an extensive collection of documents, books, photographs, and religious artifacts that explore the history of the Jewish people in Romania, in addition to a Holocaust memorial.

Finished in the 14th century, Sibiu’s Lutheran Cathedral (St. Mary's Evangelical Church is one of the city’s most must-see landmarks. Its soaring steeple, pointed turrets, and Gothic facade dominate the city vista, while ancient tombs, sweeping arches, and southeastern Europe’s largest organ furnish the interior.

One of only a few active synagogues in Bucharest, the Moorish Revival-style Choral Temple (Templul Coral, which was originally built in 1857, has survived anti-Jewish persecution and pogroms. Behind its yellow and red brick exterior is a colorfully adorned interior. Outside stands a memorial to victims of the Holocaust.

Take one look at the grand design of Cantacuzino Palace, and you’ll see why it’s regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings in Bucharest. This historical monument was completed in 1903. The George Enescu National Museum was opened in 1956 following the composer’s death, who also lived near the property.

The art nouveau-style Pelisor Castle was built at the turn of the 20th century to serve as a summer residence for King Carol I’s nephew and heir, Ferdinand I. Though more modest than Peles Castle, Pelisor does feature touches of opulence such as the gilded thistle-leaf walls of the Golden Room, a nod to Queen Marie’s Scottish heritage.

Located on the grounds of St. Nicholas Church in the Schei district of Brasov, the First Romanian School (Prima Scoala Romaneasca) was the first school in the country to teach in Romanian. Today it is a museum that houses a treasure trove of old books, historic documents, and exhibits showcasing the history and culture of the region.

Set up by Polish Jews in the mid-19th century, the Great Synagogue (Sinagoga Mare is one of less than a handful of working synagogues in Bucharest. Behind its simple facade is a lavish rococo-style interior and poignant exhibits documenting Jewish life in Romania and the persecution of Romanian Jews during the Holocaust.

Founded in 1834, the Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History was once housed in different buildings throughout the city as the current site was constructed up until 1944. It was named to honor the Romanian biologist Dr. Grigore Antipa who helped organize the site. The museum’s current collection exceeds 2 million objects.

Set in Brasov’s historic Schei district, St. Nicholas Church is an architectural masterpiece featuring a mixture of Gothic, baroque, and Byzantine styles. First built in the late 14th century, St. Nicholas is the oldest Romanian Orthodox Church in the country and remains a bastion of the Romanian Orthodox community today.

Located in the Romanian Carpathians, Transylvania’s premier ski resort boasts pistes that descend from altitudes of more than 5,577 feet (1,700 meters). Officially a suburb of Brașov, the resort town is home to a range of luxury hotels and restaurants, and serves as a convenient launchpad for exploring the Carpathian mountain range.

Named the European Museum of the Year in 1996 and housing more than 100,000 artifacts, the Romanian Peasant Museum offers something for everyone. Guests can choose from several exhibits, including ceramics, costumes, and religious artifacts. Most noteworthy is the Customs Collection, which features masks, painted eggs, and decorative objects unique to Romania.

First laid out in the early 1900s, Carol Park spreads out over an area of about 75 acres (30 hectares. As well as greenery and tree-lined walking trails, the park also features a lake, an open-air theater, and several monuments, most famously a large Communist-era mausoleum that is now home to Romania’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Immerse yourself in the multi-sensory exhibits of Bucharest’s Museum of Senses, home to around 40 life-size optical illusions. The family-friendly museum provides plenty of photo opportunities and unique experiences, including the chance to dance in an infinity mirror room and walk through a dizzying Vortex tunnel.

The Saint Nicholas Princely Church (Biserica Domneasca Sfantul Nicolae) in Curtea de Arges is one of the most important examples of medieval architecture south of the Carpathians in Romania. Built in the shape of a Greek cross with a dome resting on four pillars, the church is also the oldest Orthodox church in the region. The exterior of the church is notable for its alternating stone and brick layers, while the inside is home to what are possibly the oldest surviving examples of Romanian painting. The several hundred Byzantine style paintings date back to the 14th century and include a depiction of a pregnant Virgin Mary. Another highlight of the church is the tomb of Romanian ruler Radu I Basarab, which features a glass pane through which visitors can see the remains of his garments adorned with gold and precious stones.

With its montane meadows and subterranean caverns, Apuseni Natural Park (Parcul Natural Apuseni is a hiker’s and caver’s paradise. Highlights such as the Scarisoara Glacier (Pestera Scarisoara, Bears’ Cave (Pestera Ursilor, and Ponor Fortress (Cetățile Ponorului make this limestone landscape a must-see for any first-timer in Romania.

Built by the son of Vlad the Impaler at the base of a sheer cliff face, the simple white exterior of the 16th-century Ialomicioara Monastery and Cave belies an elaborate interior—inside, you’ll find frescoes and icons. Head past the mouth of the cave this monastery guards, and you’ll discover stalactite-smothered grottoes and a cave where hundreds of bear bones were discovered.

Union Square, also called Piața Unirii in Romanian and referred to as Union Park, is a public park and square in central Bucharest. One of the main squares in the city, it’s known for the Bucharest Fountains, which offer a dazzling—and record-breaking—show with music, lights, and 3D projections from May through October.

Set on the south side of Timisoara’s historical center, the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral is a colorful affair. This towering church's striped exterior and vividly patterned tiled roof help it make a strong first impression, enhanced by the cheerful flower beds of Victory Square leading up to it. Step inside for an ornate interior and compelling museum exhibitions.

A short jaunt south of Bucharest will take you to the Comana Natural Park, a beautiful and quiet getaway that's considered one of the most biodiverse areas in the country. In this 62,000-acre (25,000-hectare) park, you'll find all sorts of wild creatures, including over 140 types of birds, among them the endemic glossy ibis.

Also known as the Citadel of the Guard (Cetățuia de pe Strajă), Brașov’s small hilltop citadel dates back to the 16th century. Used by the Saxons to defend the settlement against invasion, the citadel has since served as a prison, quarantine, and barracks, though today the site is mostly used as a viewpoint for city panoramas.

Dramatic views, dense forests, and underground caves make Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park a popular spot for outdoors enthusiast. From secluded hamlets and romantic lookouts to towering peaks and native animals, there’s much to see across the park’s 150 acres—plus opportunities for hiking, climbing, camping, and more.

The Howling Waterfall (Cascada Urlatoarea) is one of Romania’s most popular natural landmarks, drawing hikers, nature lovers, and history buffs with its 16.4-yard (15-meter) cascade, wooded setting, and myths. Though it sits high in the Bucegi Mountains, the fall can be reached on a straightforward trek from Bușteni or Poiana Tapului.

Originally built in 1461 by Vlad the Impaler, the real-life ruler who inspired Bram Stoker’s fictional Dracula, Comana Monastery (Mănăstirea Comana is a must-see for history buffs and legend lovers alike. Though today’s structure is a complete reconstruction, the necropolis dates back to the 15th century and is likely the burial place of Vlad himself.

Sturdy 15th-century walls designed to withstand Ottoman sieges encircle this 13th-century church. Inside the fortifications, a 184-foot (56-meter bell tower looms over the main church, where a Baroque-style altar and centuries-old benches—the backless ones in the middle for women and those at the outer edges for men—can be seen.

Thanks to its distinctive brick-and-cream facade and Gothic bell tower, the Evangelical Church (Biserica Evanghelica Bistrita) is one of the city’s architectural symbols. At 246 feet (75 meters), the church boasts the highest medieval tower in Romania, and its history dates back to 1319.