Romania

Romania — detailed country information with photos. Landmarks, cities, climate, geography, population, and culture.

Romania (România)

Romania is a country in Southeastern Europe, located in the northern part of the Balkan Peninsula. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Serbia to the southwest, Hungary to the northwest, Moldova to the northeast, and Ukraine to the north and east. Romania is a unitary presidential-parliamentary republic and is washed by the waters of the Black Sea. It is an industrial state with a dynamic economy and has been a member of the European Union since 2007.

Romania is one of the most picturesque countries in Europe, boasting stunning natural diversity, charming rural areas, and beautiful historic cities. It represents a unique historical and cultural synthesis of the Balkans and Western Europe, giving it a distinctive contrast and charm. The most popular tourist region (aside from Bucharest) is the mysterious Transylvania, associated with the legends of Dracula, home to numerous ancient Saxon villages and magnificent castles.

Useful Information About Romania

• Population — over 19.5 million people.
• Area — 238,391 km².
• Language — Romanian.
• Currency — Leu (RON).
• Time zone — UTC +2 (EET), UTC +3 (EEST) in summer.
• Visa — Schengen (though Romania has not yet fully implemented all Schengen Agreement requirements).
• Capital — Bucharest.
• Driving — right-hand traffic.
• Romania is one of the most religious countries in the world, with about 90% of the population identifying as Orthodox Christian.
• It is best to make purchases in Romania using the national currency. Always carry cash, as credit cards are not accepted everywhere.
• The best places to buy food are farmers’ markets and local fairs.

Geography and Nature

Romania is the largest country in Southeastern Europe and is located in the northern part of the Balkans. Its terrain features a balanced mix of mountains, hills, and plains. The largest mountain system is the Carpathians, which stretch across the country from the Ukrainian border to the Serbian border. The highest point in Romania is Moldoveanu Peak (2,544 m). The longest river is the Danube, which forms natural borders with Serbia and Bulgaria.

Romania is renowned for its stunning nature. Nearly 50% of its territory consists of natural landscapes, and about 5% is protected as nature reserves and national parks. The country has one of the largest areas of untouched forests in Europe, covering almost 30% of its land. These forests are home to diverse wildlife, including 50% of Europe’s brown bear population (excluding Russia) and 20% of its wolves.

Climate

Romania has a temperate continental climate with distinct seasons. Winters are relatively cold, with frequent fog and snowfall, while summers are warm and somewhat rainy. The Black Sea coast experiences milder winters with rare subzero temperatures.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Romania is during the warm season (April to September).

History and Interesting Facts

In ancient times (around 2000 BC), the territory of Romania was inhabited by the Dacians (Thracian-Phrygian tribes), who established a kingdom by the 3rd century BC, reaching its peak two centuries later. In the 7th century BC, Greek colonies emerged along the Black Sea coast. At the beginning of the Common Era (late 1st to early 2nd century), Romania was conquered by the Romans. By the end of the 3rd century, the Dacians pushed the Roman Empire beyond the Danube. In the 4th–5th centuries, barbarian hordes—Goths, Huns, and Vandals—swept through Dacia. In the 6th century, Slavs began settling in Romania.

During the Middle Ages, three principalities were formed in Romania: Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania. Hungarians began settling in Transylvania early on, and by the 11th century, the region became part of the Hungarian Kingdom while retaining broad autonomy. In the 16th century, Transylvania gained independence, which lasted until 1711. In 1526, Hungarian forces were defeated by the Ottomans, beginning a period of Ottoman vassalage that lasted until the 19th century.

The 17th century in Romania was marked by internal strife. In the early 18th century, Wallachia and Moldavia allied with Russia to break free from Ottoman rule, but the war ended unfavorably for them. The Romanian national revival movement began in Transylvania in the late 18th century, inspiring the unification of Moldavia and Wallachia in 1859, which laid the foundation for modern Romania.

In 1881, the Kingdom of Romania was established through the unification of the Romanian principalities. At the start of World War I, Romania remained neutral but joined the Allies in 1916, gaining Transylvania and Bessarabia afterward. During World War II, Romania allied with Germany. After the war, a socialist republic was established. In 1965, Nicolae Ceaușescu came to power, but his regime was overthrown in 1989.

Administrative Divisions

Romania is divided into 8 regions, which are further subdivided into 41 counties and 1 municipality (Bucharest).

Romanian regions:

• Transylvania — the most famous region of Romania, known for its historical and mystical atmosphere. It is a land of dark forests, snow-capped Carpathian peaks, medieval castles, and ancient towns.
• Banat — the westernmost Romanian province, part of the historical region of the same name. Known for its beautiful Baroque cities, charming countryside, and vast forests in the east.
• Oltenia (Lesser Wallachia) — a region in southwestern Romania with stunning ancient monasteries, caves, and mountain resorts.
• Southern Bukovina — picturesque hills in northeastern Romania.
• Maramureș — the northernmost region, located in the Carpathians. Famous for its traditional wooden churches and beautiful mountain landscapes.
• Crișana — a region in northwestern Romania along the border with Hungary. Known for its historical landmarks and medieval heritage.
• Dobruja — a historical region including the Black Sea coast and the Danube Delta. Famous for ancient Greek and Roman ruins and seaside resorts.
• Muntenia (Greater Wallachia) — a historical region in southern Romania, including Bucharest.

Population

Ethnically, 90% of Romania’s population is Romanian. Hungarians make up the second-largest group, with over 1 million people. Roma (Gypsies) are the third-largest ethnic group, numbering around 600,000. Other significant minorities include Ukrainians, Germans, Turks, and Russians. The official language is Romanian, though about 7% of the population also speaks Hungarian.

Romanians are hospitable, religious, peaceful, and non-confrontational (especially in rural areas).

Transportation

Romania has excellent transport accessibility due to its location at the crossroads of the Balkans and Europe. The largest international airports are in Bucharest, Timișoara, and Cluj-Napoca. Romania has regular air connections with cities in Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Russia, Ukraine, Belgium, and other European countries.

Romania can also be reached by train from Vienna, Budapest, Istanbul, Chișinău, Moscow, and Kyiv. The country has an extensive railway network connecting nearly all major cities. However, Romanian railways are not in the best condition and trains are relatively slow. Still, trains remain the most convenient way to travel around the country.

Cities of Romania

• Bucharest — the capital and largest city of Romania, as well as its economic, political, and cultural center. It features a mix of medieval, neoclassical, and modern architecture.
• Brașov — a historic city in southeastern Transylvania, known for its charming medieval center and proximity to Bran Castle.
• Cluj-Napoca — the unofficial capital of Transylvania and the largest city in the region. A major center of Romanian economics and education.
• Constanța — Romania’s main Black Sea port and one of its largest commercial hubs.
• Iași — the fourth-largest city in Romania. A major economic and cultural center and the historic capital of the Principality of Moldavia.
• Sibiu — one of the most beautiful cities in Transylvania, with numerous historical landmarks and stunning medieval architecture.
• Sighișoara — a picturesque historic town built around the last inhabited medieval citadel in Europe.
• Oradea — the capital of Crișana, known for its beautiful Rococo, Baroque, and Renaissance buildings.
• Suceava — the main city of Bukovina and the medieval capital of the Principality of Moldavia.
• Timișoara — the largest city in Banat and Romania’s industrial capital.

Landmarks of Romania

Romania’s landmarks include a rich collection of historical, cultural, and architectural treasures, as well as stunning natural sites. The country boasts a wealth of medieval heritage, including breathtaking castles, ancient churches, beautiful old towns, and charming villages. One of the most fascinating regions is Transylvania, located in central Romania. It is home to nearly 200 Saxon villages, churches, and fortifications built between the 13th and 15th centuries. Seven of these fortified Saxon churches are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Bran Castle — one of Romania’s most famous landmarks, associated with the Dracula legend inspired by Bram Stoker’s novel and the historical figure Vlad the Impaler. This majestic structure stands on a high cliff and is shrouded in mystery. Built in the 14th century on the site of a Teutonic Knights’ fortress, its narrow staircases lead through wooden rooms connected by secret passages, housing collections of furniture, weapons, and armor from the 14th–19th centuries.

Fortified Churches of Transylvania — remarkable medieval monuments and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Built between the 13th and 16th centuries by German settlers, they served as defensive structures during sieges.

Most Notable Fortified Churches:

• Biertan Fortified Church — one of Transylvania’s most impressive medieval structures, a 15th-century citadel surrounded by vineyards.
• Câlnic Fortified Church — a significant defensive structure built in the 13th century, surviving multiple Ottoman sieges.
• Prejmer Fortified Church — the largest fortified church in Southeastern Europe, built by the Teutonic Knights in the early 13th century.
• Viscri Fortified Church — one of Transylvania’s oldest, founded in the 12th century.

Peleș Castle — a masterpiece of German Renaissance architecture and one of Europe’s most beautiful castles, built in the 19th century at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains.

Râșnov Fortress — a stunning medieval Teutonic citadel from the 14th century, strategically located on the route between Transylvania and Wallachia.

Corvin Castle — Romania’s largest Gothic castle, built in the 14th century on the ruins of a Roman camp. One of Transylvania’s most breathtaking fortresses, remarkably well-preserved.

The Black Church in Brașov — Romania’s most important Gothic monument and the largest church between Vienna and Istanbul. Built between 1385 and 1477 by the German community, it was named “Black” after a fire blackened its walls.

The Parliament — a colossal building in Bucharest, constructed during Ceaușescu’s regime. One of the largest administrative buildings in the world, with over 3,000 rooms.

Scărișoara Ice Cave — one of Europe’s largest ice caves, located in the Apuseni Mountains at 1,165 m altitude.

Sighișoara — a UNESCO-listed medieval citadel and the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler.

Painted Monasteries of Moldavia — Orthodox churches and monasteries in eastern Romania, built between the 15th and 16th centuries and adorned with exquisite frescoes.

Iași Palace of Culture — one of Romania’s most iconic buildings, a 19th-century neo-Gothic palace with a clock tower.

Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Romania is easy. With growing tourism, options have expanded. The best approach is to book hotels through popular online platforms. Interestingly, unrated “bed and breakfast” guesthouses in Romania are often more expensive than two- or three-star hotels, despite sometimes offering better comfort.

Cuisine

Romanian cuisine is a delicious blend of Balkan and Austrian culinary traditions. The country is also known for its wine and beer.

Traditional dishes:

• Sărățele — salty sticks.
• Tochitură — a type of stew.
• Mămăligă — cornmeal porridge (similar to Italian polenta).
• Pandișpan — sour cherry cake.
• Zacuscă — a vegetable spread.
• Ciorbă țărănească — a soup resembling borscht.
• Langoși — fried dough with cheese filling.
• Mici — grilled meat rolls (traditional sausages) served with mustard and mămăligă.
• Gogoși — doughnuts.
• Ciorbă de burtă — tripe soup.
• Pască — chocolate or cheese pie.
• Bulz — mămăligă with cheese, bacon, and sour cream.
• Cozonac — Christmas or Easter sweet bread.
• Covrigi — hot pretzels with salt.