ROMANIA

01 – AT A GLANCE

Romania combines a lively capital, medieval Transylvanian towns, Carpathian mountains, Black Sea

beaches and the Danube Delta. The country is particularly attractive for travelers who want several

travel styles in one trip.

Item

Quick Answer

Ideal first visit

5-8 days

Best for

History, castles, food, mountains, wildlife, beaches and city breaks

Best summer window

June-August for mountains, beaches and Delta trips

Shoulder seasons

May, September and early October

Winter

Christmas markets, city breaks and mountain sports

Schengen

Romania is fully in the Schengen Area since 1 January 2025

Currency

Romanian leu (RON)

Emergency number

112

Main airports

Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Iasi, Sibiu, Brasov and others

Rail backbone

CFR Calatori domestic network

Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides current visa-entry conditions, while EU guidance confirms

Romania is in the Schengen Area.Romania Travel Guide • Bucharest, Transylvania & the Danube Delta • 2026 Edition

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02 – WHEN TO VISIT

Choose the season based on the region you want to experience.

Season

What to Expect

Best For

Winter

Cold temperatures, snow in mountains, short days

Skiing, Christmas, city museums

Spring

Green landscapes, variable weather

Cities, photography, early hiking

Summer

Warm weather, long days, mountains and coast

First-time visits, beaches, hiking,

Delta

Autumn

Cooler air, foliage and food season

Transylvania, photography, city

breaks

Summer is the easiest season for combining mountain routes and the Black Sea. The Danube Delta is also

particularly suitable for boat and wildlife trips in warmer months.Romania Travel Guide • Bucharest, Transylvania & the Danube Delta • 2026 Edition

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03 – ENTRY & SCHENGEN PLANNING

Romania has been fully part of the Schengen Area since 1 January 2025. The European Commission

states that the EU common short-stay framework generally covers stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day

period for travelers who are visa-exempt.

Topic

Planning Guidance

Short stay

For non-EU nationals, Schengen short-stay rules generally apply: up to 90 days in

any 180-day period, where eligible.

Passport

EU guidance says passports should generally be valid at least 3 months beyond

planned departure and issued within the previous 10 years.

EES

The EU Entry/Exit System has been fully operational across Schengen external

borders since 10 April 2026 and records entry/exit and biometrics for covered

non-EU short-stay travelers.

ETIAS

The European Commission says ETIAS is scheduled to start in the last quarter of

2026; the exact start date is to be officially announced.

Supporting documents

Border authorities may ask for accommodation, return travel, purpose of stay and

proof of sufficient funds.

For a commercial guide, never promise a visa or ETIAS result. Travelers should check their nationality and

exact route against current EU / Romanian requirements before departure.Romania Travel Guide • Bucharest, Transylvania & the Danube Delta • 2026 Edition

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04 – GETTING AROUND

Romania is straightforward to explore by a mix of train, coach, taxi and rental car. CFR Calatori provides

current train schedules and online ticketing, with routes connecting Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu,

Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Iasi and other cities.

Mode

Best Use

Practical Tip

Train

Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu,

Sighisoara and major cities

Check current timetable and seat reservation rules.

Metro

Bucharest

Fast for central urban trips.

Tram / Bus

Cities

Useful for neighborhoods and local travel.

Coach

Regional / rural links

Useful where rail is less direct.

Car

Carpathians, castles, Delta

gateways, rural areas

Best for flexibility outside cities; plan parking and

mountain roads.

Taxi / ride-hailing

Airport, luggage, late journeys

Use reputable operators and confirm destination.

CFR Calatori notes that domestic tickets and current journey information are available online, and operating

conditions can affect schedules.Romania Travel Guide • Bucharest, Transylvania & the Danube Delta • 2026 Edition

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05 – WHERE TO STAY

Base

Best For

Advantages

Watch Out For

Bucharest Center

First-time visitors

Transport, restaurants, museums

Large and busy

city

Brasov Old Town

Transylvania

first-timers

Walkable historic center + mountain

access

Peak weekend

demand

Sibiu Center

Architecture and slow

travel

Compact historic center

Smaller nightlife

scene

Sighisoara Center

Medieval atmosphere

Historic citadel

Limited room

supply

Bran / Rasnov

Castles + mountains

Rural atmosphere

Car or careful bus

planning

Cluj-Napoca

Center

Food, culture, younger

atmosphere

Modern city energy

Less historic than

Brasov

Danube Delta

lodge

Wildlife and nature

Direct access to boat trips

Remote; logistics

require planning

Constanta /

Mamaia

Beach holiday

Sea, restaurants, nightlife

Summer crowds

Booking strategy

For 3-4 city days, prioritize central location and public transport.

For mountain trips, choose accommodation based on trail access and road connections.

For Delta stays, verify boat transfer times and luggage arrangements before booking.

For summer coast travel, reserve early.Romania Travel Guide • Bucharest, Transylvania & the Danube Delta • 2026 Edition

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06 – BUCHAREST

Bucharest is Romania’s largest city and the natural gateway for many international visitors. Its

experience is a mixture of grand boulevards, historic churches, modern cafés, museums and large

parks.

Top Experiences

Old Town and Lipscani streets.

Palace of the Parliament exterior / visitor experience where open.

Romanian Athenaeum.

Village Museum.

Cismigiu Gardens and Herastrau / King Michael I Park.

National Museum of Romanian History.

Local cafés, bakeries and modern restaurants.

Neighborhoods

Area

Best For

Old Town

First-time sightseeing and nightlife

Universitate

Culture and central transport

Dorobanti / Floreasca

Restaurants and upscale cafés

Cotroceni

Quieter streets and architecture

Herastrau

Parks, walking and relaxed dining

Suggested rhythm

Historic morning -> Romanian lunch -> museum -> café -> park or evening restaurant. Keep one indoor

block as a rain-day backup.Romania Travel Guide • Bucharest, Transylvania & the Danube Delta • 2026 Edition

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07 – BRASOV & BRAN

Brasov is one of Romania’s strongest first-stop destinations in Transylvania. Its historic square, Gothic

church, old fortifications and nearby mountains make it easy to combine culture and nature.

Top Experiences

Council Square (Piata Sfatului).

Black Church.

Old Town fortifications and lanes.

Tampa viewpoint where conditions and access permit.

Bran Castle area as a day / half-day excursion.

Rasnov and nearby mountain villages.

Bran Castle Planning

Treat Bran as a heritage stop, not as proof of the Dracula legend. Combine it with a mountain or village

stop rather than spending the whole day at the castle unless you are especially interested in its history.

Best For

Families, couples, photography, history, winter sports and travelers who want easy access to the

Carpathians.Romania Travel Guide • Bucharest, Transylvania & the Danube Delta • 2026 Edition

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08 – SIBIU & SIGHISOARA

Sibiu is known for its elegant historic center, while Sighisoara offers one of Romania’s most atmospheric

medieval citadels. Both are strong slow-travel destinations.

Sibiu

Grand Square and Small Square.

Bridge of Lies.

Historic Lutheran architecture.

Local cafés and restaurants.

ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization as a regional culture experience.

Sighisoara

Citadel and Clock Tower.

Covered Staircase.

Historic houses and viewpoints.

Quiet evening walk after day visitors leave.

Travel Strategy

A rail or road circuit of Brasov -> Sighisoara -> Sibiu creates a strong Transylvania itinerary. Add a mountain

day if you have extra time.Romania Travel Guide • Bucharest, Transylvania & the Danube Delta • 2026 Edition

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09 – TRANSYLVANIA & THE CARPATHIANS

The Carpathian Mountains are the nature backbone of central Romania. The region is suitable for hiking,

wildlife, scenic drives and winter sports.

Base

Best For

Suggested Stay

Brasov

City + mountain access

2-3 nights

Sinaia

Peles Castle + mountain scenery

1-2 nights

Busteni

Mountain access and viewpoints

1-2 nights

Bran / Moeciu

Rural villages and castle area

1-2 nights

Sibiu

Culture + western Carpathians

2 nights

Outdoor Activities

Hiking on marked routes.

Scenic cable cars where operating.

Castle and village visits.

Wildlife observation with responsible guides.

Skiing and winter sports in suitable resorts.

Mountain Safety

Check weather and trail conditions, carry water and layers, and stay on marked routes. Mountain weather

can change quickly and conditions differ significantly from cities.Romania Travel Guide • Bucharest, Transylvania & the Danube Delta • 2026 Edition

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10 – DANUBE DELTA

The Danube Delta is one of Europe’s great wetland landscapes and a major wildlife destination. It is best

experienced by boat, with a slower pace than a conventional city trip.

What to Expect

Birdwatching and photography.

Boat channels, reed beds and lakes.

Fishing where permitted.

Local fish-based meals.

Sunrise and sunset excursions.

Village and lipovan cultural experiences.

Where to Base

Area

Best Use

Tulcea

Gateway, transport and supplies

Sulina

Remote delta + Black Sea edge

Sfantu Gheorghe

Quiet village + nature

Murighiol

Organized Delta excursions

Planning Note

Boat transfers should be confirmed before arrival, especially when luggage is involved. Remote locat