Romania – The Land of Dracula

Romania has always intrigued me. I could never put my finger on exactly why, I can’t say I ever knew too much about the country. Maybe it was the Transylvania/Dracula factor. It might have been the odd picture that I would have seen on Google of a castle perched upon a hill, looking like something out of a fairy tale. Whatever the reason was, I wanted to go there. I went with high expectations, very high expectations. Romania is, for the most part, what I always imagined it to be. The streets are beautiful and picturesque. Churches, Castles, medieval buildings, yes Romania has all of that in abundance and more. Of course, not all of the country is like this, as any train journey will soon let you know.

Travelling there, and travelling slow there will open your eyes to the extremes that are a part of everyday life. The beautiful buildings, standing next to something dating back to the Communist era in the country, a building grey and soulless. Whilst these buildings might not fit the beautiful narrative surrounding the country, they are just as important historically. It is a big country, a slow country to travel through. A country that you might never have long enough to fully explore, there is always something else to see or somewhere to visit. This Romania travel guide will hopefully help you in some way with planning a visit to one of the most diverse and interesting countries you could ever hope to visit.

Currency Converter – 10RON = €2.15/£1.90/$2.45

Weather

Romania has a continental climate. The summers are very hot with the average maximum temperatures being 29 °C (84.2 °F), although much hotter temperatures are not uncommon. During the winter months, the temperatures plummet. Below zero temperatures are almost guaranteed, as is snow, ice and cutting winds. In some ways, the cold can make Romania even more picturesque than it already is. However, if you are not prepared, these icy conditions can play havoc with your daily activity and travel plans whilst in the country.

Visa Policy

Romania is not part of the Schengen agreement. That being said, passport holders from the U.S, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, as well as most European countries, do not need a visa to enter. This free entry is granted providing you do not stay over 90 days. To find out if you need a visa to visit Romania, click here.

Things to See and Do in Romania

Bucharest – Romania’s capital is an exciting and vibrant city full of culture and amazing architecture. There is a huge mix of old, dull, grey communist buildings and some of the most beautifully designed buildings you could imagine. There are also plenty of museums, cathedrals and historical sites to explore. You really won’t find it hard to fill a few days here. On top of all that, Bucharest has a crazy nightlife scene. Visiting the capital of Romania is a must on any visit to the country.

To read all about my favourite buildings in Bucharest, click here

Sighisoara – The birthplace of Vlad Tepes, the man behind the inspiration of Dracula. Sighisoara is one of the most well preserved medieval towns in Europe. This walled, old town is packed with cobbled streets, towers and churches. It is the sheer beauty of Sighisoara that makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Romania.

Timisoara – The entry or exit point for most travellers making the journey between Hungary and Romania. Timisoara is subtly beautiful. It isn’t exactly a small city but feels a lot quieter and more personal than it is. The cobbled streets throughout its centre lead you to Piata Victoriei, the central square of the city. This is overlooked by many stunning buildings, none more so than the Metropolitan Orthodox Church. Whether or not you have any intention of crossing the border into Hungary, it is still worth your time and effort to pay Timisoara a visit.

Brasov – A few hours north of Bucharest is the increasingly popular Brasov. The centre of the city is very charming and it can be the perfect base to explore the surrounding areas and all that they have to offer. Bran Castle (commonly known as Dracula’s Castle) and Peles Castle are just short bus rides away. With the right weather, there are also quite a few hiking routes leaving the city. The most popular of these is to the Hollywood style Brasov sign that overlooks the city. It is a quiet city that is definitely worth a place on your itinerary.

Oradea – Oradea was not in my original plans for Romania. It was only because I had to change trains here travelling from Cluj to Timisoara that I thought it was worth visiting. I am so glad I did. An underrated, quiet city in the west of the country, Oradea has as much to offer as any of the nearby popular destinations. The city has a few market squares in the centre that are overlooked by stunning churches and a citadel that, during the summer, looks to be a thriving spot. There were also some really delicious, very budget friendly restaurants in the centre. It might not be a place high up on your itinerary but Oradea is most definitely worth considering.

Visit “Dracula’s Castle” – In popular western culture, the Dracula myth and the tales from Transylvania are possibly Romania’s biggest claim to fame. Despite never visiting the castle, Bram Stoker (the Irish author who created Dracula), used Bran Castle as his inspiration behind the illustration for Dracula’s castle. A day trip to Bran is sure to be considered by every traveller in the country. The castle is beautiful and Bran itself is a really nice, small, picturesque town. To read in more detail about a visit to ‘Dracula’s’ Castle, click here.

Cluj-Napoca – A student city in the mid-north of the country, Cluj-Napoca is a great place to visit if you are coming in or out of Hungary and wish to explore more of the country than just Bucharest. The city dates back hundreds of years with so many interesting churches and museums dotted around the beautiful centre. It is this, and the hoards of students that make the city so interesting. Cheap, new places to eat are always popping up, designed to get student business. This made Cluj-Napoca one of my favourite places to eat in Romania. Like most places in Romania, you don’t need a lot of time here unless you plan on using it as a base to explore the nearby areas. But I think Cluj-Napoca is definitely worth a visit.

Go Skiing – Romania’s mountainous landscape and cold winter weather make it a great place to go skiing (more so than people realise I think). Most ski resorts are found in the centre of the country, north of Bucharest. Sinaia, Straja and Poiana Brasov are some of the most popular, although there are over 90 ski resorts throughout the country. Prices are also extremely fair, making Romania a super place for a cheap ski holiday.

What To Eat in Romania

Polenta – Although originating in Northern Italy, Polenta is a favourite of the Romanian people. It is popular as a side dish, accompanying a stew for example. Polenta is made from boiled cornmeal that is typically allowed to cool and solidify into a loaf before being baked. You are sure to eat this during your time in the country as it can be found at almost any restaurant.

Romanian Stew – Quite different to an Irish stew that I would find at home, Romanian stew was more tomato based with a slight hint of Paprika about it. It is also typically served with chicken. It is tasty though and felt like I was eating a home-cooked, wholesome meal that would heat you up in the winter. Eat it with some Polenta and you will leave satisfied and full.

Sarmale – These are stuffed cabbage rolls and are usually stuffed with grains, typically rice, and minced meat. They are then baked and served with a sauce, usually tomato. If done well, they are one of the tastiest dishes in the country and can be found at most eateries that serve typical Romanian food.

Ciorba – The Romanian people love soup. It is most likely the minus temperatures that are common during the winter months which make it a popular meal of choice. Ciorba can be made with many different ingredients, with one common trend, they all seem to be slightly sour. It can come in many forms, tripe, bean or potato soup just to name a few. It is thought that one in every five Romanians declares ciorba as their favourite dish. This is what makes it a must try during your time in the country.

Covrigi – Covrigi to Romania is what Simit is to Turkey. They are cheap snacks that are readily available to grab on the go and locals love them. Similar in shape and taste to a pretzel, they are made from salted bread and then topped with one of either poppy or sesame seeds. Not a day went by that I didn’t eat one whilst I was in Romania. They are cheap and surprisingly filling, perfect for a midday snack.

Pizza – Yes, I know this isn’t a Romanian dish but it is possibly the most common meal available throughout the country. Pizzerias are everywhere and some of them are really, really good. Whether it was Latin Pizza in Bucharest or Pizzeria Della Nonna in Brasov, I loved eating pizza during my time in Romania. You might not envision travelling there to eat a traditional Italian meal, but the locals love it and it can be delicious, so why not? Don’t deny yourself excellent food just because it is something you might be able to eat at home whenever you please.

Helpful Phrases

Hello = Salut/Buna Ziua (Boo-noh zi-ua)

How are you? = Ce faci? (Che fatch)

Yes = Da

No = Nu

Thank you = Multumesc (Mool-Tzu-Mesk)

Excuse Me – Scuze (Sku-zeh)

I don’t understand = Nu înțeleg (Nu in-te-legh)

How much does it cost? = Cât costă? (Cat kos-tah)

Goodbye = La revedere (La re-ve-de-reh)

Typical Costs in Romania

Accommodation – A bed in a dorm room will cost you on average 40RON. Bucharest offers cheaper prices, but areas like Brasov will set you back slightly more. For a private room in a hostel, expect to pay somewhere in the region of 125RON. For a standard hotel, prices usually start at 165RON.

Transportation – Trains will be your transport of choice throughout the country. Most journeys cost just under 50RON if you take the quicker, more direct route. A slower train can at times be available for half of this price.

Food – I found food to be surprisingly expensive during my time in Romania. Good quality, budget-friendly local food was difficult to come by. When I did find it, prices were on average 25RON which is more than fair. Pizza and burger restaurants are commonly found. Whilst burgers are slightly more expensive than this, Pizza can be bought by weight in most places and can work out cheaper.

How To Save Money in Romania

Cooking – Romania is not the cheapest country in Eastern Europe to visit and food will be a large part of your expenses whilst there. In order to cut these costs down, I suggest you make use of your accommodation’s cooking equipment. I think a large part of the problem was the lack of cheap foods to snack on during the day. I often made breakfast and dinner at my hostel and ate out for lunch. Many restaurants have set lunch menus which helped keep costs down. Whilst it’s not ideal, if you are on a tight budget this was unfortunately necessary.

Avoid Taxis – When I first arrived in Bucharest, one of the first pieces of advice I was given was to avoid taxis. It was actually more of a plea than a friendly piece of information. They are notorious for overcharging tourists. Most Romanian towns and cities have good public transport that can be used in favour of walking. Ask your accommodation for the best route to take, whether it be a bus, tram or metro. This will be sure to save you money and the stress of negotiating a price.

Take the Slow Train – Buses are the best option for shorter journeys, but it’s unlikely you will find one that can bring you further than the next big city or town. For long distance journeys, the train is the transport of choice for most locals. On many of the journeys, there tend to be two types of trains available, Intercity and Regio. The Intercity trains are quicker, stopping at considerably fewer stops, whilst the Regio trains can take as much as double the time. They primarily run between small towns and villages and it’s unlikely for passengers to cover huge distances on them. If you wish to save money, this is the train you should be taking. Prices almost double for the Intercity trains so if you are in no rush, take the slow train, relax and watch the countryside go by.

Loosening the purse strings is the best way to explore Romania. A very low budget can be quite restrictive here. When I return to Romania, I will be renting a car. The cities, whilst beautiful, are not overly packed with ways to spend a few days. The majority of the key sights are located outside the cities. The castles and hills, the beautiful landscapes and small villages can all be explored better and easier if you have your own transport. That being said, if this is not an option, don’t let it hold you back. Romania is worth visiting regardless of your budget or what mode of transport you must take. It is a contrasting country in so many ways, from the people to the buildings. It is also, for the most part, what you imagine it to be, but why only imagine it? Go see it and explore it yourself!!

Before you go, check out more of my blog posts on Romania. You can do so by clicking here.