Romania’s valuable heritage, culture, and tourist attractions, most of which are unique in Europe and even the world, rarely get the attention they deserve. From the northernmost subtropical forest on the planet to the deepest underground attraction and the best preserved of Europe’s deltas, here’s what you can expect to find in this beautiful Southeastern European country brimming with castles, folk tales, and pristine nature.
Berca Mud Volcanoes, Buzau
Situated in Berca, a small village in the Buzau county of Romania, the Mud Volcanoes (Vulcanii Noroiosi) are a pretty spectacular sight, one that resembles a moon-like surface. This phenomenon occurs due to the underground eruptions of gases, and thanks to its peculiarity and the unique plant species found here, the area is now a protected botanical and geological reservation.
Sighisoara, Transylvania
You wouldn’t expect the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula, to be a fairytale come to life. But that’s exactly what it is – an impossibly pretty huddle of narrow cobbled streets, colorful houses, and mighty watchtowers. Surrounded by fortified walls, its postcard-perfect medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site bursting with gorgeous Gothic and Saxon architecture. Sighisoara is the only inhabited citadel of its kind in Europe and one of the best-preserved fortified medieval towns you’ll ever see.
The Rock Sculpture of Decebalus, Orsova
At 55 m high and 25 m wide, the statue of Decebalus near the town of Orsova is the largest rock sculpture in Europe. Carved into a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube, the monument depicts the last king of Dacia and it took 10 years to complete. The huge statue can only be reached by boat, but for those interested in admiring it from afar, there’s a small parking lot along the road where you can stop and take in the views.
Letea Forest, Danube Delta
Tucked amidst the sand dunes between the Danube branches of Chilia and Sulina, Letea Forest is not only Romania’s oldest nature reserve, but also the northernmost subtropical forest in the world. It is a magical place where wild horses roam freely and where century-old oak trees stand side by side with swinging lianas, orchids, and water lilies.
Voronet Monastery, Bucovina
Part of the UNESCO-listed Painted Monasteries of Bucovina, the Voronet Monastery is one of the most treasured religious monuments in Romania. Also known as the “Sistine Chapel of the East”, this 15th-century architectural jewel stands out for the unique shade of blue featured in its marvelous frescoes. The monastery is situated near the town of Gura Humorului, in Suceava County.
The Sphinx, Bucegi Mountains
Perched at an altitude of 2.216 m, in the Bucegi Natural Park (Southern Carpathians), the Romanian Sphinx is a natural rock formation similar to the Great Sphinx of Giza. The megalith’s peculiar shape is the result of wind erosion, though there are many mysteries surrounding it. The Sphinx sits on a plateau with breathtaking mountain views and can be reached by cable car from Busteni, a small alpine town in Prahova Valley.
Merry Cemetery, Sapanta
If you thought cemeteries were cold, creepy places, think again. Romania is home to what could be the happiest cemetery in the world. Situated in Sapanta, a village of 1,500 inhabitants in Maramures, Cimitirul Vesel (Merry Cemetery) is teeming with colorful gravestones decorated with good-humored images and poems that satirize the life of those buried there.
Danube Delta
A UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, the Danube Delta is home to over 300 species of birds, 160 species of fish, and the greatest expanse of reed beds in the world. This paradise for wildlife lovers is also the best-preserved delta in Europe, and its 23 natural ecosystems include everything, from marshes and floating reed islets to lakes, forests, and sandy areas. The variety of fauna and flora is unique on the continent and makes the Danube Delta a wonderful destination for eco-tourism.
Wooden Churches of Maramures
Thanks to its bucolic scenery, timeless traditions, and nearly 100 wooden churches sprinkled around, visiting this picturesque corner of Romania is like stepping back in time. Eight of the Wooden Churches of Maramures have been included in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, who describe them as “outstanding examples of vernacular religious wooden architecture resulting from the interchange of Orthodox religious traditions with Gothic influences in a specific vernacular interpretation of timber construction traditions, showing a high level of artistic maturity and craft skills”.
Living Fires, Lopatari
Locally known as Focul Viu, the living fire of Lopatari is a rare phenomenon caused by the emission of natural gas through cracks in the surface crust. The area where these 30-50 cm-high flames are burning for thousands of years has been declared a geological reservation and is located about 60 km from the city of Buzau.
Salina Turda, Cluj
A salt mine transformed into an underground amusement park, Salina Turda is one of the most amazing and unique attractions in Romania. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the mine is one of the oldest in the world and houses a panoramic wheel, a boating lake, a sports arena, a bowling lane, and a museum. Additionally, visitors can play mini golf, enjoy a spa treatment, or admire the 1000-year-old stalagmites and spectacular light displays that decorate the interiors, all at 400ft underground. Salina Turda is situated near Cluj, Transylvania, and is the world’s deepest underground attraction.
Groapa Ruginoasa (The Rusty Pit), Bihor
Situated in the Apuseni Natural Park, in the Bihor county of Romania, the Groapa Ruginoasa is a geological nature reserve covering an area of 20 hectares. The huge, reddish ravine stands out for its otherworldly scenery, a result of the erosion of streams in the area.
Mocanita, Maramures
One of the most authentic and fascinating experiences one can have in Romania is a steam train ride with Mocanita on the last forestry railway still in use in Europe. The journey starts in Viseu de Sus, Maramures and takes you past vast, untouched pastures, rushing rivers, and wild mountain forests. And yes, it really is as idyllic as it sounds, especially when your steam-powered locomotive runs at a speed of 10 km/h, allowing you to soak up the outstanding natural beauty along the way.
Sarmizegetusa Regia, Hunedoara
Sarmizegetusa Regia is a Dacian fortress in the Orastie Mountains, near the city of Hunedoara. Dating back to the 1st century BC, the archaeological site – once the capital of the Dacian Kingdom – consists of 3 main components: the fortress, the sacred area, and the civilian quarter. These well-preserved remains are beautifully located on top of a 1200-meter-high mountain plateau and showcase some exceptional military and religious architectural techniques, which has led UNESCO to declare them a World Heritage Site.
Movile Cave, Mangalia
Romania boasts many unusual places, and the Movile Cave (pestera Movile) is definitely one of these. The story began in 1986 when a group of Romanian researchers discovered the cave in Mangalia, a town near the Black Sea Coast. After a more detailed study, they observed that the cave was inhabited by some unusual organisms.
The real reason why Movile Cave has shocked the entire scientific world was in fact the weird ecosystem found inside. Several animal species, of which 33 were completely new, have been found in this absolutely independent bionetwork.
According to scientists, this is the first ecosystem on Earth whose life is based on chemosynthesis (life without oxygen), a procedure that was supposed to be possible only on Mars, Europa, and other planets, but never on Earth.
Among the creatures found inside the Movile Cave, there were two pseudo scorpions, a 10 cm millipede whose bite is venomous and extremely dangerous, a very unusual water scorpion, four spiders, and a new species of leech. All the underground residents are characterized by a pale color, a total lack of vision, and giant antennas used to move in the dark.
It is believed that these living fossils have survived for millions of years, their refuge in the Movile Cave beginning to take place during the Ice Age.
Larry Lemke, a prominent researcher at NASA whose main preoccupation is to investigate the existence of life on Mars, has compared Movile Cave’s living conditions with those on Mars.
Moreover, the Romanian cave has also inspired the production of “The Cave (2005)”, directed by Bruce Hunt.
