A road trip through Romania is an unforgettable experience as the country has a variety of stunning landscapes, historic cities and charming villages to offer. Whether you want to explore the wild nature of the Carpathians, the medieval towns or the mysterious atmosphere of the Transylvania region, Romania has a lot to offer. A road trip through Romania is a great way to experience the diversity of the country – from medieval towns and historic castles to untouched nature and traditional life.
Here is a recommended road trip route that covers some of the best sights and highlights of the country. We were on the road for a total of 16 days and saw most of the country. Depending on how much time you want to spend here, we recommend at least a week in Romania. Enjoy your adventure and have fun!
mountains, national parks and scenic drives
Romania truly surprised us in many ways and its diversity. Here you can explore medieval towns, drive through dramatic mountain landscapes, and discover quiet villages full of charm.
The authentic food, rich traditions, warm people, and untouched nature create a special atmosphere that stays with you long after the journey ends. Romania is a destination full adventures, moments awesome places that leaves a lasting impression.
You will probably travel to Romania by plane. Here you usually land at Henri Coandă (formerly Bucharest-Otopeni Airport) international airport. From here you can either take the bus into the city or take a taxi. The journey takes around 30 minutes to the center.
We booked a rental car at the airport through Sunny Car and made our way to Constanța, 240 kilometers away. Most of the route is motorway and very well developed. The journey takes around 2.5 hours.
We can recommend the Arome22 Hotel in the Constanţa region. It is located in Eforie Sud, not far from the beach, and is an absolutely beautiful and unique hotel with its own charm and vibe.
The next morning, after a very good breakfast with local products, you can explore the city of Constanța. The drive takes around 25 minutes. You can easily spend a day here exploring the city. Constanța is an important port city in southeastern Romania, located on the Black Sea. It is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the country and a very popular tourist destination. The fourth largest city in Romania also has its own city beach, which is quite large. Of course, you should visit the old casino. Constanța combines rich history with modern tourist amenities.
In the evening you can eat out in the region or at the Hotel Arome 22. The culinary offering is large and varied.
You can spend the day relaxing by the pool or on one of the many beaches along the Black Sea coast.
Here are some beautiful beaches in Romania:
On day three, we continue from Constanța to Tulcea, around 120 kilometers away. The journey takes around 2 hours by car. Tulcea is often a place where small boats (water taxis) pick you up to and take you to the hotel you booked in the Danube Delta. We chose the Delta Boutique & Carmen Silva Resort and were very satisfied and would therefore recommend it to you. In Tulcea, there is a small parking lot where you can park for the two days for relatively little money.
After a one-hour drive through the Danube Delta, you arrive at the hotel. Here you can relax and chill on the jetty on the Danube or by the pool. You can also rent bikes here or just go for a walk and explore the area.
Especially in the evenings of the summer months, it is really beautiful and fascinating to sit by the Danube and watch the huge variety of animals.
The next morning, after a good breakfast, you can book one of the many tours through the Danube Delta. A very popular tour is to Sulina, which is the only town in the Romanian part of the Danube Delta at the mouth of the Sulina branch into the Black Sea. There is also a tour where you can watch wild horses and go on a tour with local people.
We opted for a 3-4 hour tour through the Danube Delta. Along various small branches of the delta to large lakes with pelicans and an old fishing village called Mila 23.
The Danube Delta is a fascinating place that you should definitely visit. There are also good day tours through the Danube Delta that are also highly recommended.
You can end the evening relaxing in the hotel. Usually you return to Tulcea by boat around midday the next day.
On day five we take the water taxi back to Tulcea where our car is parked. From here we go to the legendary town of Bran… to Dracula’s Castle. The journey of around 400 kilometers takes around six hours by car. That means a lot of driving on day five.
You will probably arrive in Bran in the evening. Here you can relax and enjoy something good to eat. The Hotel Conacul Törzburg probably has one of the best views of Bran Castle. The hotel is very clean and well maintained and the hosts are absolutely warm and super friendly. One of the most pleasant hotels we have visited in Romania!
The next morning on day six you can get up early and enjoy a very good breakfast in the hotel. After that you can visit Bran Castle, which is directly opposite the hotel. You can buy tickets online beforehand or on site. We recommend that you go first thing in the morning, as the place is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Romania and it can get very busy during the day. Check the opening times carefully beforehand:
01.04 – 30.09
Monday: 12:00 – 18:00 (last entry)
Tuesday to Sunday: 09:00 – 18:00 (last entry)
01.10 – 31.03
Monday: 12:00 – 16:00 (last entry)
Tuesday to Sunday: 09:00 – 16:00 (last entry)
After a great experience at Bran Castle, we continue to a bear sanctuary. The Liberty Bear Sanctuary has the mission to save the captive animals who lived in miserable conditions and is the largest bear protection center in Europe. You can book a tour here lasting around an hour (you can buy tickets online or on site) where you will be shown the grounds and the bears and you will be told stories about the mistreated bears and how the bears live here today. It is around 13 kilometers by car from Bran Castle and the journey takes around 25 minutes. You can park on site for free.
From here we continue to Râșnov, around 10 kilometers away. The small town with around 15,000 inhabitants is known for its citadel, which stands on a hill above the town. Unfortunately, the citadel was closed when we were there (July 2024) and there really wasn’t much going on in the town. So be sure to check beforehand whether you can visit the citadel. A place that you can visit if you are already in the region.
Of course, a visit to Brașov is a must. It takes around 30 minutes by car from Râșnov. Here you can check into one of the many cute and beautiful hotels or book an apartment, of which there are many good and modern ones in the city. Brașov is a Romanian city in the Transylvania region, surrounded by the Carpathians. There is a lot to see and do here. Among other things, take the gondola up the mountain to the famous Brașov sign or visit the Black Church (Biserica Neagra). A cool city with lots of cute café’s, winding streets, great views and historic buildings.
The morning of day seven you can get up early and explore the city a little more and drink a good coffee and have a delicious breakfast in one of the many cute café’s before moving on. We recommend that you stay here until lunchtime.
From Brașov we continue a little further south to the small town of Sinaia, which is known for its sights and natural beauty. The journey takes around an hour and we recommend parking directly at the car park of Peleș Castle. When we were there (July 2024) the castle was unfortunately under renovation. But it is still a very beautiful region with great café’s and restaurants in beautiful nature.
Another highlight here is definitely the Gondola Sinaia. Not far from the center, the gondola takes you to the peak above the city – the Furnica at 2103m. It goes up in two stages. The valley station of the Gondola Sinaia is at 822m and the first station (middle station) is at 1408m. Here you can change and continue to over 2000 meters from where you can go on great hikes and enjoy great views. A ticket for up and down costs 60 lei (around 12 euros) per person.
In the afternoon we continue from Sinaia to Sighișoara. The journey takes around 2.5 hours by car. On the way there, not far from Sinaia, there is also the Cantacuzino Castle. A popular excursion destination because the well-known series “Wednesday” was filmed here. Entry costs just a few euros and is quite nice to look at.
Once you arrive in Sighișoara, we recommend that you get a hotel or accommodation in the historic old town. Please note, however, that the old town is car-free. You have to park outside and then walk to the hotel. You can usually drive to the hotel quickly by car to drop off your suitcases and things.
We spent one night in the historic old town at the Boutique Hotel von Graf Sighișoara and we really enjoyed it.
You can spend the evening and the next morning wonderfully in Sighișoara. The city has some highlights to offer, but is also relatively small. In a few hours you have seen almost everything. But it is a picturesque city with beautiful buildings and great café’s, bars and restaurants.
On day eight we head to the Bicaz Gorge, around 150 kilometers away. A spectacular place with a great panorama and local market stalls. The journey takes around 2.5 hours. Once you arrive at the gorge, you can park in one of the many free parking spaces and walk along the road along the high rock walls. Here we recommend that you take the hike to the suspension bridge over the Bicajel stream, around an hour away, through beautiful nature. You just have to keep following the white and yellow dots until you reach the bridge.
The Red Lake (Lacu Rosu) is only about 10 minutes away by car. It is a very popular tourist destination, but we didn’t really like it. There are also a few market stalls and restaurants here. Parking usually costs a few lei and it is relatively busy, especially on sunny summer days.
From here it is another 2 hours to the city of Târgu Mureș where we will spend the next night. Târgu Mureș is a city located in the heart of Romania, in the region of Transylvania. It’s known for its rich history, beautiful architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. The city has a mix of Hungarian and Romanian influences, which is reflected in its language, traditions, and festivals. Here you can end the evening wonderfully and treat yourself to some culinary delights.
From Târgu Mureș we drive around three hours north to Borșa in the Maramureş region. Borșa is a town, located in the northern part of Romania, near the border with Ukraine. It’s nestled in the beautiful landscape of the Eastern Carpathian Mountains, which makes it an excellent spot for nature lovers and outdoor activities. Not far from Borșa is the beautiful 90 meter high Cailor Waterfall, also known as Horses’ Fall.
It is best to take the chairlift to the Horses Waterfall, which costs 40 lei (around 8 euros). Once you get to the top, you have to hike for around 30 minutes through beautiful scenery.
The best place to spend the night is in Borșa. We recommend the Complex Bosco. Great wooden huts with a fantastic mountain panorama and good food.
One of the absolute highlights awaits you on day 10. We set off from Borșa to Viseu de Sus, around 20 kilometers away. Here you can book a ride on an old steam locomotive through the beautiful Maramureş landscape. The trip has several stops and takes around five hours in total. It is best to buy tickets in advance on the official website. An absolute highlight on your Romania road trip. Several trains run every day. However, we recommend that you book the first one early in the morning if possible.
You should be back around midday. From Viseu de Sus it is another 40 kilometers and 45 minutes by car to the beautiful and almost unique Bârsana Monastery. It is a Romanian Orthodox monastery with a picturesque garden and great old wooden churches. Definitely worth a visit. Entry is free and you should dress sensibly out of respect.
From here it is around 1.5 hours by car to Baia Mare. There is not much to see here, however. So it is best to drive straight on to the next accommodation. The Adventure Lake Resort – Simared has a great, idyllic location right on Firiza Lake. You can eat very well here and end the evening. Room prices are also relatively cheap.
On day eleven we drive from Baia-Mare directly to Cluj-Napoca. The journey takes around 2.5 hours. If you don’t want to go to Cluj-Napoca or have more time, we would recommend a stopover or even a day in Oradea, which is also said to be a very pretty city.
Once you arrive in Cluj-Napoca, we recommend getting a hotel near the city center. We chose the Vibre Hotel. A bit more expensive by Romanian standards but worth every cent. The city itself has a number of sights to offer and beautiful historical buildings. You can also eat very well here and there is also a wide selection of café’s and bars. The center of the city is around the main square, Piața Unirii.
The morning of day twelve, we enjoy a good European breakfast in the hotel and then head straight to Salina Turda. It is one of the oldest and most famous salt mines in Romania. There is even a small Ferris wheel and you can rent small boats and ride them on a small lake in the salt mine.
It is open daily from 9:00 – 17:00
You should buy tickets online in advance.
Parking is subject to a fee.
We recommend that you arrive early in the morning as the salt mine is a very popular tourist destination and it can get very crowded around midday.
The Turda Gorge (Cheile Turzii) is around 30 minutes and 15 kilometers from Salina Turda. It is a limestone gorge in the Trascău Mountains on the eastern edge of the Western Carpathians. The gorge is around two kilometers long and really spectacular and beautiful. There is a large parking lot here, but it costs something. There is also a small restaurant and small stands where you can buy cold drinks and snacks. Another highlight is a zip line that runs from a hill down to the parking lot.
From the Turda Gorge (Cheile Turzii) we drive on to Timișoara, which is about three hours away. Here you can book a room in one of the many good accommodations. We spent the night in the ArtHomes Apartments and were very satisfied. Timișoara is located in western Romania and has around 250,000 inhabitants. There is a lot to see and do here. A cool city that is often referred to as “Little Vienna”.
The next morning, especially in the summer months, you can explore the city and treat yourself to breakfast in one of the many hip café’s. In addition to the three main squares, Timișoara is very green with many parks and botanical gardens. The Bega or Begej River also flows through the city.
From Timișoara, continue to the Corvin Caslte (or Hunyadi Castle), around two hours away. It is one of the most impressive and largest castles in Romania. It is located in the city of Hunedoara, in the Transylvania region, and is an outstanding example of the country’s Gothic architecture. The castle was built in the 14th century and originally served as a defensive structure.
Opening hours:
Monday: 12:00 – 17:00
Tuesday – Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00
From Corvin Castle it is about 40 minutes by car to one of the most cozy accommodations in the country. Transylvania Log Cabins – Adults only Resort is a place to enjoy and relax. There are only a few accommodations here on a great site with a cute pool, café and great view. However, you can only book for a minimum of two nights. If you only want to stay one, it is best to write to the hosts on Instagram or by email to see if this is possible.
On day 14, after a very good local breakfast, we start the day well and drive towards Sibiu. Another highlight awaits us on the way there. Râpa Roșie (Red Gorge) is a natural monument in Alba County in the Transylvania region, known for its striking red rock and unusual rock formations. The drive here takes around 1.5 hours. The last few kilometers to the Red Rocks are a rocky, sandy path.
From here, it’s just under an hour to get to Sibiu, a charming city in the heart of Romania, located in the Transylvania region. It’s known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, vibrant culture and impressive history. Sibiu’s Old Town is a true gem, surrounded by city walls and towers. Main attractions include the Great Square (Piața Mare), which is lined with impressive historic buildings, including the Brukenthal Palace, which now houses an art museum.
You can either stay in one of the many hotels in the city or drive about 40 minutes southeast to the small town of Porumbacu de Sus. Here you will find a cute accommodation called Ober Wood. There is an area with 5 wooden houses and a scenic ambience.
Next morning we start early, because one of the most popular and spectacular roads in Europe awaits. The Transfăgărășan is one of the most beautiful high alpine roads in the world. The road stretches for about 90 kilometers (56 miles) and reaches altitudes of up to 2,042 meters (6,696 feet) at its highest point, the Bâlea Lake. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and lakes, making it a must-see for nature lovers. It is often considered one of the best driving roads in the world due to its numerous twists, turns, and high-altitude terrain.
From here we drive on to Bucharest airport. It makes the most sense to return the rental car and take the bus to the center. The bus usually runs every hour from the airport to the center and back. Once you arrive in the city, we can recommend the Vision Apartments in the middle of the city center. The location is ideal. Bucharest itself is a great city. It’s often referred to as “Little Paris” due to its wide boulevards, elegant buildings, and cultural life. You will definitely enjoy your time here.
16 days are still not enough to travel the whole country, but you can cover a lot of places in that time and at least check off most of them. Here are a few more great places to visit in Romania.
