6 fascinating cities to visit in Romania

6 fascinating cities to visit in Romania

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Romania will remind you of epic movies, with its medieval setting- fortified churches and castles, mountains and forested terrain. Remember the animated movie ‘Hotel Transylvania’? Yea, Transylvania is a real place and it is located in Romania! ‘Romania’ comes from the Latin word ‘Romanus’ which means ‘citizens of the Roman Empire’. Romania is well known for its salt mines, stuffed cabbage leaves, and amazing sunflower fields. Medieval towns like Sighisoara, mountainous regions like Transylvania and modern cities like Bucharest make the country situated in Southeastern Europe a fascinating place to visit. It is a country of diversity and history; it is a country of firsts, and visiting it should be on everyone’s bucket list!

1. Bucharest 

Parliament: Image: Pixabay

The Communist-era Palatul Parlamentului government building, which has 1,100 rooms is the most memorable landmark in Bucharest and the largest Parliament building in the world! Bucharest is Romania’s capital, a city that is also the country’s commercial, economic and financial center. The city has amazing parks, striking architecture, beautiful cafes, malls, galleries, open-air markets, and gothic-style buildings!
The city still has a feel of the Communist influence and was nicknamed Bavaria’s Paris of the East before World War II.

2. Sinaia

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In Prahova County, a mountainous region in Romania is a town called Sinaia. It’s accessible by train from Brasov and Bavaria. There are perfect places for hiking especially during the summer and skiers in the winter. The city has amazing ski trails so people who love the outdoors will definitely love this city! Sinaia has houses that are crayon-colored houses.

There are great places to check out, rich in history- the German neo-Renaissance Peles Castle, Busegi Mountains, George Enescu Memorial House, Pelisor Castle, a relaxing afternoon at the Dimitrie Ghisa Park among others. People can go for tours to castles like the Transylvania and Dracula’s Castle. You can also meet the Monks at the 17th Century Sinaia Monastery, which is known as the monastery that housed the first Bible to be translated into Romania. The beautiful picturesque city great activities and experiences that can be done all year round! Oh, it also has lovely springs that are rumored to have medicinal properties!

3. Brasov 

Brasov Image Source: Pixabay

Brasov is in the mountainous Transylvania region. The Carpathian Mountains are the highlights of Bravos, which is one of Romania’s towns. The town Casa Sfatului is also one of Brasov’s highlights, Biserica Neagra Black Church- the largest Gothic Church in Romania, medieval Saxon walls. Mt Tampa; legend says Hamelin, the Pied Piper reemerged up in this beautiful town. The town has a vibrant nightlife, fine resorts and culinary heaven for food enthusiasts. The Black Church is one of the most monumental structures in the city center. Rope Street, one of the narrowest streets in Europe is in Brasov. 

4. Cluj-Napoca 

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Cluj-Napoca is the capital of the Transylvania region of Romania. The name Cluj is derived from the Latin word Clusa which means ‘Closed Place’. It is the city that is home to universities, schools, a vibrant nightlife, and amazing tourist facilities. Some of the most iconic sites the city has to offer, include The Gothic-style St Michael’s Church, and Matthias Corvinus State of the 15th Century King. There are also very many landmarks like the baroque-era Bánffy Palace which is now a museum showcasing Romanian art. The Cluj Napoca Botanical Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in town, which is worth checking out. Hotel Melody Central is also a monumental place; opened in 1890 as a hotel. Apart from film and art, Cluj also has a series of great music festivals, especially between June and August! The city, also known as ‘the Treasured city’ is charming, with its youthful vibe; but yet gives that traditional feel, with its neoclassical architecture, gothic buildings, and rich culture.

5. Sibiu

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Sibiu is an enchanting town in the Transylvania region of Romania. The Gothic city is one of the most sought after tourist cities not only in Romania but in the whole of Europe! One of the things you will notice in the architecture in this town will be eye-shaped windows on the roofs of most houses. The eye-shaped windows give an illusion that you are being watched, but the real reason behind them was initially to cool the attics; they were incorporated in buildings from the 15th Century! The cobbled streets, the beautiful buildings, the open squares are just some attractions that make Sibiu stand out! The blooming trees, festivals, Christmas markets are also sights to behold.

6. Constanta

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Constanta’s history goes back 2,000 years! The Romanian city is located on the shores of the Black Sea. The city, which is located in the Southeastern part of Romania has a ton of things to experience; from museums that ooze history, to amazing beaches, to nature parks, to beautiful culture and food! It is the country’s oldest inhabited towns and was originally called Tamis. The Ovid Square was built in honor of Romania’s first poet Publius Ovidius Naso, also known as Ovid, who was exiled to the town in 8 AD. The Genoese Lighthouse is also one of the most iconic monuments in the town. It was built back in 1860, by the Danubius and the Black Sea Company to honor the sea trade merchants in the area who were growing the economy in the region. And since we are in Europe, we definitely have to explore churches! Some of the most beautiful churches are also found in this town; St Mina Orthodox Church and the roman basilica shaped St Anthony Roman Catholic Church are found in this town. The cultural attractions also found in this town are museums- Constanta Art Museum which has more than 7,300 Romanian contemporary art pieces, Folk Art Museum, and many others. Other attractions that are a must-see include a stroll along the Mamaia Beach, Constanta Casino and the Mosque of Constanta-Minaret. This is a city full of diversity!