Romania

Europe

Romania

Romania feels like a country still shaped by dense forests and medieval memory, with the Carpathian Mountains curling protectively around Transylvania's fortified Saxon towns and hilltop castles, including the one linked to the Dracula legend. In Bucovina, painted monasteries covered in centuries-old frescoes stand quietly in the countryside, while the Danube Delta offers one of Europe's richest wetlands for birdwatching and slow boat travel. Bucharest mixes Belle Époque grandeur with communist-era boulevards, and hearty dishes like sarmale ground the whole experience in genuine, unpretentious comfort.

Why go thereRural traditions Sacred sites Castles & palaces Wildlife Nature & landscapes Culture & heritage Road trips Mountain hiking Wine Architecture & cities Ancient ruins Food

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Sarmale

Tender cabbage rolls stuffed with spiced minced meat and rice, simmered until melt-in-your-mouth soft.

Mici

Smoky grilled minced-meat rolls bursting with garlic and spices, best enjoyed with cold beer.

Mămăligă

Golden creamy polenta served alongside stews, cheese, or crispy bacon for rustic satisfaction.

Main destinations

Other destinations

Comfort in January · by notability

Food & drink to try

Sarmale

Tender cabbage rolls stuffed with spiced minced meat and rice, simmered until melt-in-your-mouth soft.

Mici

Smoky grilled minced-meat rolls bursting with garlic and spices, best enjoyed with cold beer.

Mămăligă

Golden creamy polenta served alongside stews, cheese, or crispy bacon for rustic satisfaction.

Ciorbă de burtă

Creamy, tangy tripe soup enriched with garlic, vinegar and sour cream for a comforting kick.

Ciorbă de perișoare

Sour meatball soup soured with borș, thickened with cream and finished with lovage.

Tochitură

Pork fried down in its own fat with sausage, served over polenta with a fried egg.

Papanași

Fluffy fried or boiled doughnuts topped with sour cream and sweet fruit jam.

Cozonac

Sweet swirled bread filled with walnuts, cocoa, or Turkish delight, perfect for holidays.

Covrigi

Chewy, golden pretzels sprinkled with salt or sesame, a beloved street-side snack.

Zacuscă

Autumn spread of roasted aubergine and peppers, jarred by the dozen for winter.

Salată de vinete

Charred aubergine chopped with oil and onion until it turns pale and smoky.

Fasole bătută

Mashed beans under fried onions, the Lenten table's richest-tasting cheap dish.

Slănină

Salted or smoked pork fat, sliced thin onto bread with raw onion.

Pastramă

Mutton cured with garlic and spices, grilled and eaten with new wine in autumn.

Plăcintă

Pan-fried pastry filled with sweet cheese, apple or pumpkin, folded flat.

Cârnați

Garlic-heavy pork sausages, smoked or fresh, grilled at every winter slaughter.

Drob de miel

Lamb offal and herbs baked in caul fat, sliced cold at the Easter table.

Țuică

Potent plum brandy that warms the soul with fruity, fiery intensity.

Vin fiert

Red wine heated with honey, cloves and pepper at winter fairs.

Socată

Elderflower fermented a few days into a cloudy, lightly fizzy summer drink.

Getting around

By train — Romania has a very dense rail network that reaches practically every town and a sizable number of villages. Although some modernisation is taking place, this network isn't in a very good condition, with low speeds and limited train frequency on many routes. Nonetheless trains remain the best option for long distance travel.

By bus — Bus can be the least expensive method to travel between towns. In the Romanian towns and cities, you can usually find one or several bus terminals (autogara). From there, buses and minibuses depart for the towns and villages in the nearby area as well as to other cities in the country. You can find timetables on the autogari website.

By car — Travelling by car or coach is the easiest way and a vast majority, over 60% of foreign tourists, use this way of transportation. The steering wheel is on the left and European driver's licenses are recognised by police. For Americans, a passport, a valid U.S. driver's license and a valid International Driving Permit are required for car rental.

From Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA. View source

Entry & health

Set your passport

romaniatourism.com agoda.com

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

<cite index="1-2">Tipping is customary in Romania, with around 10 percent for good service being standard practice</cite>, and <cite index="1-3">servers anticipate this gratuity as part of their income, even when the menu says service is included</cite>; card tipping is uncommon, so leaving cash is preferred for waitstaff, taxi drivers, and café/bar staff.

<cite index="5-2">It is polite to offer one's seat to an older person, and Romanians may offer a hand to help the elderly out of their seat or hold doors open</cite>.
<cite index="5-1">When someone sneezes, Romanians often respond with 'Sanatate' (Good health) or 'Noroc' (Good luck)</cite> — a small courtesy worth knowing.
<cite index="4-1">Do not bring uninvited guests along when visiting someone's home, as your host may feel obliged to cater to them even without enough food</cite>, and <cite index="4-2">guests should ask the host's permission if they wish to smoke</cite>.
<cite index="6-2">Try to accept any food or drink offered in a social setting, as Romanians are usually very generous and proud of their food and appreciate when others enjoy their traditional cuisine</cite>.
<cite index="6-1">Expect to be treated with some reservedness and formality when first meeting someone</cite>, so avoid being overly familiar too quickly.
<cite index="7-1">In religious places, dress modestly and decently, as you may be refused entry otherwise</cite>.

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for Romania — mobile data the moment you land.

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Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

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