Romania holidays

Stories of ancient kingdoms and prominent rulers lie waiting between the walls of Romania’s medieval castles and bygone ruins. There’s the Gothic spires and vampire vibes of Bran Castle and the lavish Neo-Renaissance chambers of Peleș Castle. Many offer guided tours revealing royal secrets, medieval weapons and unrivalled mountain views reminiscent of fabled fantasy.

Alpine adventures are everywhere in the Carpathian Mountains. One of the most iconic things to see in Romania is the hairpin turns and valley views of the Transfagarasan Highway — known as one of the world’s most beautiful roads. For a wildlife adventure, head to Retezat National Park and try your luck at spotting lynx and brown bears.

Don’t pass up exploring the Danube Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site full of birds, boats and funky fishing villages. The Gothic towers of Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle, are linked to Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale. With curvy turns, dramatic peaks and glacial lakes, the Transfagarasan Highway is a road-tripper’s dream.

This country brings fairy tales to life. The grand halls of Peleș Castle in Sinaia offer kids a royal tour through opulent rooms, while Bran Castle is a maze of secret passages and medieval armour displays. The open-air Dimitrie Gusti Village Museum in Bucharest is a hands-on journey through Romanian rural life, with farmhouses, thatched-roof cottages and windmills.

Romania’s lively beach scene centres around Mamaia, a stretch of sandy beach clubs, plush hotels and bustling nightlife. Further south, near the Bulgarian border, Vama Veche is the go-to for bohemian travellers with its laid-back atmosphere by day and lively parties by night. For somewhere less developed that’s also a haven for water sports, head north to Corbu.

Ceahlău Massif in the country’s east is often dubbed the Romanian Olympus for its diverse beauty, including limestone formations, sweeping valleys and the stepped Duruitoarea waterfall. The Iron Gates Natural Park showcases where the Danube forms spectacular gorges as the river slices through the Banat Mountains. And Scărișoara Cave is home to an ancient underground glacier.

Romanian cuisine is a hearty blend of Balkan, Turkish and Central European comfort cooking. Look out for street food favourites like traditional ‘mici’ (grilled minced meat) and ‘ciorbă de burtă’ (tripe soup). Restaurants in Romania showcase classic plates like ‘sarmale’ (stuffed cabbage rolls) and ‘mămăligă’ (polenta). For picnic fixings, stock up on artisanal cheeses and homemade plum brandy from local markets.