From the busy capital of Bucharest to the towering mountains of Transylvania, Romania is an Jap European nation with loads of journey, tradition, and historical past simply ready to be uncovered.
Probably the greatest methods to do that is by taking a highway journey round the entire nation. There are such a lot of epic viewpoints and tiny villages to cease off in Romania that having your personal set of wheels provides you the choice to have a totally bespoke journey, precisely the way you prefer it.
The roads are usually in good situation, and the visitors (outdoors of Bucharest) is manageable – so what are you ready for? Whether or not you may have per week, let’s delve into this Romania highway journey itinerary and present you the locations you’ll be able to uncover with your personal wheels whether or not you may have per week, 10 days, or 2 weeks!
Suggestions for driving in Romania
Exploring Romania by automotive is a good concept! The nation is linked by rail and bus networks, however they could be a little unreliable, so many locals choose to fly as an alternative.
Nonetheless, for those who do that you just’ll miss out on a number of attractive little cities and epic viewpoints in your journey! So, we predict that highway tripping is the reply.
To assist along with your planning, listed below are some suggestions for driving in Romania:
- Romania drives on the right-hand aspect of the highway, like most of Europe, the USA, and Canada.
- Velocity limits are in kilometers per hour, with highways having a restrict of a moderately speedy 130 kilometers per hour (bear in mind, you don’t have to go that quick!)
- When you’re touring with a toddler below 12, they aren’t allowed to go within the passenger seat on the entrance of the automotive.
- There’s a zero-tolerance coverage with regards to drink driving, so don’t drive even for those who’ve simply had a small drink.
Automotive rental in Romania
Plenty of automotive rental corporations, like Hertz and Europcar, function in Romania. You’ll be able to hire a automotive straight from Bucharest airport, or there are rental places of work within the metropolis. When you’re spending a while exploring Bucharest initially, you in all probability received’t want a automotive, so it’s a good suggestion to rent the automotive on the day that you just go away the town!
Romania Street Journey Itinerary
Able to uncover all of the stops you can not miss on a correct Romanian highway journey? Right here’s an itinerary map of what this publish will cowl:
Bucharest: 1-3 Days
The capital metropolis of Romania, Bucharest is the place most highway journeys across the nation start and finish. That is for numerous causes; it’s the place you’ll probably fly into, you’ll have the very best choice of automotive rental corporations, and many of the fundamental roads of Romania find yourself in Bucharest!
Chances are you’ll in truth find yourself crossing by Bucharest a few occasions in your journey, nevertheless it’s an excellent concept to spend a few days seeing all that the town has to supply earlier than renting a automotive and heading out in your journey.
Listed here are the primary sights of Bucharest:
- The Palace of the Parliament: That is the heaviest administrative constructing on this planet and the second largest after the Pentagon. Constructed by Communist dictator Ceaușescu however by no means truly utilized by him, you’ll be able to take a tour right here to be taught concerning the oppressive Communist regime in Romania.
- The “new” previous metropolis: Solely constructed within the early 2000s, this “previous city” was established to encourage extra vacationers to post-Communist Bucharest. These days, it’s the guts of the town, with a number of cafes, bars, and eating places.
- Ceaușescu’s mansion: That is one other vital attraction to go to to grasp Communist Bucharest. Ceaușescu’s mansion is opulent and glamorous, and it stands as distinction to how the typical Romanian lived in the course of the period.
- Romanian village museum: It is a nice approach to study rural Romania, which you’ll be visiting quickly in your highway journey! There are reveals about totally different areas in Romania by the ages.
- The church buildings: Romania is a deeply non secular nation, and the church buildings are great locations to study their spirituality. Notably, go to the Antim Monastery, which was one of many church buildings that was moved on railings throughout Ceaușescu’s rule.
- Cărturești Carusel: Climate not so form if you’re in Bucharest? This bookshop is among the many most Instagrammable locations within the metropolis!
Do you solely have 2 days in Bucharest? Then verify our 48h in Bucharest information.
The place to remain in Bucharest
Capitol Lodge is a four-star property that’s positioned within the coronary heart of Bucharest, in one among its historic buildings. You’ll discover well-furnished rooms with loads of deluxe choices, holding onto among the property’s authentic options in addition to having all of the mod-cons you’ll want!
Constanta: 1-2 Days
Constanta is round a two-hour drive from Bucharest and is likely one of the nation’s favourite beachside places, because it’s on the Black Sea.
Within the summertime, it’s among the many hottest vacationer locations within the nation, with three seashores which are good for sunbathing and enjoyable. You could possibly additionally go to Mamaia, a vigorous resort city that’s shut by!
Alternatively, Constanta has a number of city sights, together with an Artwork Deco on line casino, numerous museums, and an interesting planetarium.
The place to remain in Constanta
Lodge Megalos is a mere 500 meters from the Black Sea, so it’s perfect for a seashore break in Constanta! Get pleasure from conventional rooms with luxurious bedlinen and cozy mattresses right here.
Iași: 1-2 Days
Not many vacationers go to Iasi. Sitting on the border of Romania and Moldova, it’s most well-known for being a college vacation spot. Nonetheless, it’s a culturally wealthy metropolis – the second largest in Romania and it has been each the capital of Moldova (earlier than it turned a separate nation) and the capital of Romania. This fascinating historical past makes it nicely value a stopover in your Romania itinerary!
First, go to the Palace of Tradition, which is a powerful constructing constructed within the early twentieth century and is dwelling to some museums, together with the Moldovian Historical past Museum – a must-visit to familiarize yourself with this space.
There are many monasteries to go to inside the metropolis and Europe’s second oldest synagogue. Plus, botanical gardens and many lush parks and inexperienced areas make the town a beautiful place to amble round.
From Iasi, you’ll be able to both drive again by Bucharest or take some mountainous roads to get to Brasov. The route that you just take relies on what time of 12 months it’s. When you’re visiting Romania in winter, I’d suggest avoiding mountain roads and taking the freeway (some roads might even be closed within the snow).
Nonetheless, if it’s {the summertime}, driving across the mountainous roads is an expertise in itself!
The place to remain in Iasi
The Lodge Moldova is in a first-rate place proper within the heart of the town, with views over the Palace of Tradition. The rooms are fairly historic however have a sure attraction to them, and there’s a fitness center and indoor swimming pool on website.
Brașov: 1-3 Days
An enthralling city sitting in the guts of Transylvania, Brasov is a must-visit in Romania. The cobblestone streets are lined by historic buildings, and all the metropolis basks in a mountainous valley. Don’t miss climbing as much as the Brasov signal and taking within the attractive views over the entire city!
It’s a beautiful city to stroll round in and admire, nevertheless it’s additionally in a first-rate location to see a few of Romania’s greatest castles. These embrace:
Bran Fort: That is well-known as Dracula’s fort, though it doesn’t even have a connection to the e-book or Vlad the Impaler, who the character Dracula relies on (other than he might have been imprisoned there in some unspecified time in the future!). Nonetheless, it’s a medieval fort steeped in historical past, and it actually appears as if Dracula might be hanging out right here…
Peles Fort: An actual fairytale fort, this constructing was dwelling to the Romanian royal household. They ended up fleeing after World Warfare Two as a result of rise of Communism and anti-royal motion, and by no means returned. You’ll be able to benefit from the exterior of the fort and pay an additional price to see the opulent inside.
Poenari Fort: That is the precise Dracula’s fort! Courting again to the thirteenth century, it was the place Vlad the Impaler lived and it sits at 800m top, looming over the environment – you’ll be able to solely attain it by climbing 1480 stone steps!
You could possibly additionally go to neighboring Rasnov. It is a smaller city with an excellent citadel, which is a fortress courting again to the thirteenth century, from which you’ll soak up unbelievable views of the city and surrounding space.
In case you have time, ensure that to cease in Sighisoara and Târgu Mureș earlier than reaching the subsequent cease, Cluj-Napoca.
The place to remain in Brasov
Lodge Bella Muzica is positioned proper within the coronary heart of city, in a Sixteenth-century constructing that’s been renovated completely to showcase conventional options but nonetheless present final luxurious. Reception is open 24 hours and there’s a bar and restaurant on-site.
Cluj-Napoca: 1-2 Days
Generally known as the capital of Transylvania, Cluj-Napoca is a vigorous metropolis the place there’s at all times one thing to do.
It facilities on Unirii Sq., which is a part of the previous city (on this case, it’s an precise previous city, not just like the one in Bucharest!).
St Michael’s Church imposes on the sq. with its Gothic structure, and you may as well discover the Nationwide Artwork Museum right here.
Because it’s a pupil metropolis, there are tonnes of thrilling bars and an excellent cafe scene.
It’s additionally value getting out the town to see the Salina Turda (Turda salt mine) which has been a mine, a bomb shelter and extra recenly, a funfair. It’s a surreal attraction that’s positively value visiting if you’re within the space!
If you wish to get pleasure from a few of Transylvania’s greatest nature, you may as well go to Cheile Turzii nature reserve, which is ideal for climbing, or see the beautiful Lake Tarnița.
The place to remain in Cluj-Napoca
Lodge Belvedere is near the centre of Cluj-Napoca, and boasts nicely kitted out rooms with comfy beds, conventional options and an indoor swimming pool and spa. There’s additionally a restaurant on-site!
Sibiu: 1-2 Days
The lovable city of Sibiu is Romania’s best-kept secret. A Transylvanian gem, this city appears straight out of a fairy story, and it’s a beautiful place to pause, get pleasure from some genuine Romanian food and drinks and replicate in your highway journey to this point!
Sibiu is the sort of metropolis that you may spend hours strolling round in, taking within the stunning coloured homes on both aspect of the road and ambling round winding streets. Nonetheless, sights embrace the Fifteenth-century Piata Mare, which is dwelling to the attractive Catholic Basilica. There’s additionally an Orthodox Cathedral which has unbelievable murals on the partitions!
The Bridge of Lies is one other fashionable vacationer spot; it’s a tiny multi-level bridge that spans between two buildings.
When driving south from Sibiu, you may wish to take the Transfagaran Freeway route.
That is the windy freeway that makes it onto a number of individuals’s Romanian bucket lists! It appears intimidating, however it’s saved in good situation; simply watch out when driving across the bends.
The place to remain in Sibiu
MyContinental Sibiu is a contemporary lodge with nice views from the higher flooring. Positioned in town’s fundamental boulevard, it’s straightforward to entry the entire metropolis’s greatest sights from right here. Within the rooms, get pleasure from deluxe bedlinen and beautiful en-suite bogs.
Craiova: 1 Day
Romania’s seventh-largest metropolis is someplace that doesn’t make it onto everybody’s Romania highway journey itinerary. Town heart boasts attractive Belle Epoque structure, and it’s regarded amongst locals to be one of many prettiest cities in Romania. It additionally has a number of sights to supply vacationers, together with a pure historical past museum and some fairly Cathedrals.
However the primary cause to go to Craiova is for its spectacular festive market, which runs from late November by December yearly.
Whereas Romania is a really Christmassy nation, and there are tonnes of festive markets all through the nation, Craiova’s is arguably the very best. They use over one million LED mild bulbs to light up the market, which sells souvenirs made by native artists and scrumptious festive meals. There’s an ice rink right here too!
The place to remain in Craiova
Lodge Europeca is a snug lodge with a number of totally different room varieties, together with an condominium and customary rooms. Rooms have options like comfortable gray carpet and cozy sofas, and breakfasts are included in your room charge.
As you’ll be able to see, there’s a lot to get pleasure from in stunning Romania. Driving is the best approach to discover this nation, as having your personal automobile will will let you go by your personal schedule and make as many stops as you want alongside the way in which! So seize your ticket to Bucharest, rent a automotive and begin exploring this excellent nation!
Claire is a world traveler who blogs about Europe in winter. She goals to assist different vacationers discover the continent within the cooler months by her informative weblog posts and journey journalism.
