Compare Romania holidays

With world-class wildlife, diverse landscapes, beautiful beaches and cities steeped in history, Romania holidays have something to fill most travel itineraries. If your time here is tight, try to take in the food stalls and bars of Bucharest’s Centrul Vechi and explore the legendary castles of Transylvania.

Food and drink

Wherever you are in Bucharest, you’re not usually far from a stall selling small meat sausages known as mici or the pretzel-like covrigi. Both are local must-try specialities.

For finer dining, book a table at Kané, which serves up local, seasonal Romanian produce, or The Artist to taste a modern take on traditional dishes.

If you like a tipple, seek out Romanian wines. Either grab a glass at a bar or book a vineyard tour to sample it straight from the source.

Castles

Castles adorn hills and mountains across Romania. The gothic Corvin Castle – largest medieval building in the country – is a must-see if you’re here on a history tour.

The same is true of Bran Castle, also in Transylvania. Known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’, it’s now packed with the art collection of former resident Queen Marie of Romania.

There’s also Sinaia’s Peleş Castle, considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe and well worth a visit.

Hiking

Romania’s vast wetlands, deep valleys and mountainous trails demand exploration. The route from Buşteni is brilliant for beginners, taking in sensational views of the Bucegi Mountains and ending at the Urlatoarea waterfall in just over an hour.

For something a little more strenuous, book a hiking weekend in the Apuseni Mountains. Here you can explore one of Romania’s most extensive cave systems, trek past 3,000-year-old glaciers and stop off in cabins and campsites to rest your weary legs.

Wildlife

Romania has some of the best wildlife watching in Europe. Book a guided van safari to get up and personal with bears in their natural habitat in Brașov.

Or for an ornithological adventure, take a boat trip down the UNESCO-listed Danube Delta, where bird species include white-tailed eagles, egrets, herons, warblers, buzzards, ducks and geese.

Alternatively, if you have plenty of patience, head for the forests around Transylvania to track elusive wolves (with a trusted guide, of course).

Skiing

Romania’s ski slopes are often overlooked by winter sports lovers in search of European snow. But for a bargain alpine break, they truly take some beating.

Whether you hit the beginner slopes of Brașov or prefer the steeper, off-piste snow in Sinaia, you’ll find the perfect runs to swoosh along. With abundant après and many slopes in easy reach of surrounding cities, a winter break to Romania is well worth it.

Beach breaks on Romania’s Black Sea coast suit even the smallest of budgets. Book your summer holiday here to lounge on unspoiled sands, sip cocktails on the shore or relax with family-friendly facilities.

Plaja Mamaia

Mamaia is Romania’s most popular beach town and the place to head for watersports and well-served sands. If you’re looking for a place to pitch up for an all-day beach session, this is it. 

Costinesti Beach

For a livelier beach break, book a stay in Costinesti. Famed for its Evangelia shipwreck and popular with younger crowds, it’s perfect if you like cheap drinks, pubs and parties on the sand.

Eforie Nord

If you’re hitting the beach with your family in tow, head for Eforie Nord. The little ones will love the waterpark, while the big ones can relax with soothing mud treatments.

Corbu Beach

Corbu Beach offers a wilder Black Sea experience. There’s little here other than clear waters and beautiful sweeping sand – perfect if you like relaxing away from the crowds.

Modern Beach

At Modern Beach in Constanta, you can while away the hours on your sun-lounger, take a dip in the warm shallow waters and explore the charming old town. It’s tough work but someone’s got to do it.

The best time to visit Romania for a holiday depends on your travel to-do list. Head here in the winter to hit the slopes or the summer for the best of the Black Sea beaches. Spring and autumn are great times to travel if you’re visiting for the cities and the scenery.

When is the cheapest time to visit?

Holidays to Romania are relatively cheap all year round, but for the best bargains on flights, accommodation and attractions, visit during the low season between September and June.

If you’re here to ski, book your trip between January and March (outside the peak winter season) for the best prices.

When should I go for the best weather?

For the hottest possible temperatures, book your trip for July and August when highs regularly top 25C. If you plan on exploring the great outdoors, the slightly cooler months between May and September will be more comfortable. December through March are best if you’re in search of snow.

For family holidays

Sighişoara is perfect for a family getaway. The region’s fortified medieval villages put history before your eyes. Ride the tourist train to take in the whole city and stop off at ‘Dracula’s House’ to see the inspiration behind the classic novel.

If you’re more of a beach-loving clan, book a stay around the Black Sea resorts of Mamaia and Corbu. Expect easy access to sun-loungers, beach bars and cafes, as well as watersports and calm seas.

For cheap holidays

Bucharest stakes a claim for the cheapest capital city break in Europe, giving you plenty of bang for your buck.

As well as masses of free attractions, from walking tours and museums to national parks, the city is packed with budget accommodation. Hire e-bikes for a cheap and easy way to explore the city.

For an affordable beach break, book into the resort of Neptun on the Black Sea. The shore is packed with hotels, apartments, restaurants and bars to suit bargain budgets.

For couples’ holidays

Home to renaissance architecture, charming squares and quaint bridges, Sibiu is an easy choice for a romantic getaway. Visit the open-air Muzeul Astra for a look at traditional Romanian life or sit down for some of the city’s speciality seafood.

For an even more scenic sojourn, book a trip to Brașov. Take the cable car together up Mount Tâmpa for incredible views across the city, and the mountains and valleys beyond. Be sure to try a dark and sweet Romanian coffee in the historic centre before you leave.

For action and adventure

Take to the Tarcu Mountains in the Southern Carpathian range for incredible outdoor adventure. Track wild bison (reintroduced in 2014) and bears through the forest, swim in wild rivers and lakes, then settle in for a night beneath the stars.

For a waterborne adventure, book a Danube Delta cruise. Rent a small boat, book a day cruise or hop in a canoe to get closer to the action. Whether you’re here for a day, a week or a month, there’s more than enough wildlife to keep you entertained, with pelicans, jackals, wildcats and boar among its residents.

For winter sports holidays

Poiana Brașov is great if you’re new to skiing or travelling in a mixed-ability group. With plenty of green and blue runs and après-ski bars open late into the night, you’ll love it if downhilling and sundowners are of equal importance to your trip.

If you take your skiing a little more seriously, stay in a resort near Rânca. On one of the highest mountains in the region, it’s more catered to experts and intermediates who like to test themselves on slightly wilder terrain.