Many of your guests at Majestic Massage from Bucharest asks us what to visit. So, we prepared this page with everything important for you to know. it is based from our long experience as locals. We hope it will be really useful.
Romania is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe – yet quite a few people know it. Here you will find wide fields, round hills, high mountains, best quality water springs, natural thermal waters, seaside, delta…well, everything! 🙂 Once you come here, you will want to come again for sure.
From the wonderful Romanian warm soul, then a super fun in the old town to the rolling mountains, Romania is a country of beauty and wonder. It will lit your interest for sure.
Romanians are latin
So you may understand a bit about what they say but do not worry: many of them know english (especially under 35 years old). So, if you have any questions, you may ask them in english, even french and italian.
Romanian mountains and ever-changing landscapes make it one of the best countries in Europe for a road trip. The epic and scenic countryside views along your voyage will make you stop often to take photos. So your planned time to drive to your destination may take longer than expected.
Many of Romania’s towns are unusual and colourful, making them fun places to explore. What’s more, each of them is packed with history, stories and its own little quirks. People are interesting, a bit weird but as you know them, actually very lovely.
Their sense of humour is very sarcastic but lively. Once you realise this, you’ll have a much easier time connecting with locals.
Romania is a safe country
I know, you heard about Ceausescu and revolution from ’89. But if you are a hard traveller all around the world, then you will realize that Romania is refreshingly safe. Compared to many countries, here the crime rates are low.
Many tourists after arriving in Romania feel very safe and then they recommend a visit here to their friends.
Love nature? You will get plenty of fun into the wild
Because Romania won’t let you down! Here nature is one of the wildest in Europe and there are not so many extravagant changes.
Outside cities, nature is wild and green and in the mountains you may see various wildlife includes lynx, bears and bison, rare wild birds, wild goats, while the hiking trails are endless.
Did you know that Romania has the biggest population of brown bears in Europe?
Actually here are 60% of Europe bears. So, while hiking in the mountains talk or make some noise so they will have time to avoid you. And if you meet one, do not look into their eyes, but slowly walk backwards (do not turn the back) and continue your route.
They do not attack humans unless they are surprised. Do not take close photos, and NO flash as that it might scare them and will attack you.
The Beaches at the Black Sea
If you choose to go the the Black Sea, then prepare for a lot of fun! In summer time there are endless parties, discos, clubs and topless. If outside the temperatures are hot, the beaches become crowded. There are many resorts with all kind of accomodation prices, you may come with tent too.
There are also wild beaches when you may enjoy silence or tan at the nude beaches (1 May resort, French Golf etc).
The cities are beautiful too
Anybody who travels to Romania can expect to be spoiled. The prices are low compared to western Europe and here you can indulge in endless massages, pools, natural thermal or hot spring baths, shopping, eating etc.
Everything about Bucharest
We recommend spending at least 2 days in this lively town. Bucharest has a lot more to offer than you will expect as it is also called The Little Paris of the East.
Here people are busy but friendly and in weekends are waking up late so if you are a relaxed one, you will love it. You don’t need to get up early to make the most of your time in Romania’s capital.
We give you some tips about what are the main points of interest you may visit here.
What to visit in Bucharest?
1. Bucharest Old Town
Here are a lot of crowded restaurants, pubs, discos, bars, clubs etc places along the old style beautiful buildings and streets. Here the big fun begins!
2. The Palace of the Parliament
Also known as House of the People is the second largest building in the world and was built by Ceausescu. In the middle of the town this is an impressive huge and luxurious architectural masterpiece. The project for it’s contruction changed the face of the capital in the 1980’s.
There are several tours and if you want to go inside, book a guided tour in advance (with several languages guide). You can ascend on top and have a great overview of this amazing city and you understand more about romanian history and the huge role that Nicolae Ceausescu played in shaping Romania.
In the front there are a lots of artesian fountains and in the summer time there is a spectacular show with colours and music between 8pm to 9pm in weekends. They became the latest tourists attraction as the show is really great!
3. The charming Peasant Village Museum
It is just near Herastrau Park and is one of the most impressive open air ethnographic museums in the world. So here in this “blast from the past,” you would have a nice walk between the authentic Romanian peasant houses is rich in monuments.
You will admire the old countryside style of the traditional houses from all over Romania counties. Inside each house, old peasant tools, objects, furniture and artefacts from the 17th to the 20th Century specific to each area are decorating.
4. A walk tour to the Revolutiei Square
Here is the place where huge crowds gatered to take down Ceausescu and there is also the balcony where he kept the last speech and then flew with a helicopter.
You may visit also in Bucharest
The Patriarchal Palace & Church dating back to the 17th Century, The Constitution Square – where the Romania’s Parliament is located, Grigore Antipa National Museum – one of the best natural history museums in all of Europe, Pasajul Macca-Vilacrosse, National Museum of Art of Romania – majestic former Royal Palace full with thousands of major paintings and art, CEC Palace, Arch of Triumph, Stavropoleos Monastery, Romanian Athenaeum – clasic music concert hall with a stunning Neo-classical architectural style and world-famous for the clarity of it acoustics (here are some major international contests), the huge Hystory Museum etc.
So, after so much walking and visiting, you might get tired and your legs and back to hurt. This is the perfect time to order to us a well done and massage. You deserve it!
What to visit near Bucharest?
Therme
Well, this place is worth a whole day to relax cause is one of the biggest wellness, relaxation and entertainment center in Europe. And it is located North of Bucharest, near Otopeni airport and ~ 40 minutes away from the city. (they have their own buses for visitors).
The indoor temperature is 29-30C the whole year.
The thermal water comes from deep underground to supply 9 pools, 6 saunas, 4 wet saunas and 16 water slides. Everything is quite luxurious, you will feel spoiled and relaxed for sure.
At Therme București, nature surrounds you: exotic palms, orchids and plants. There are plenty of sunbeds..
Here you can drink, have a massage, eat at 3 restaurants, sleep, make sport in water, shower, get a sauna or a jacuzzi or ride on a water slide, or get lazy in the sun outside.
The most expensive price in weekend for the whole day ticket is no more than 30 euro and you will receive a bracelet and will pay later at exit what you spent there.
Mogosoaia Palace (+10 kilometers) from Bucharest built near a lake at the end of the 17th century by Constantin Brancoveanu is surrounded by one of the most beautiful private park.
Near Bucharest you may visit also Snagov Monastery (+35 km) – a nice place near Bucharest place built on an islet in Lake Snagov. Is the burial place of Vlad the Impaler, who provided the inspiration for the fictional Dracula.
Places to visit in Romania ~ 3-4h driving from Bucharest
1. Peles Castle in Sinaia City
This most famous castle was between 1873 and 1883, the neo-Renaissance Masterpiece was a summer residence for Romanian royals. With 170 sumptuous decorated rooms, the castle was equipped with the most modern conveniences of the time—electricity, elevators, and central heating.
2. Bran or Dracula’s Castle in Bran City
It was not really his but it is a nice one. 🙂 Built high on top of a 200-foot (61-meter) cliff in the middle of Transylvania, Bran Castle is surrounded by mystery tied to both Count Dracula (myth of Bram Stoker’s) and the cruel habits of King Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad the Impaler.
3. Brasov old town and Black Church
Brasov is a real nice place to visit, and the old town is a perfect place for relaxing. Nice restaurants and terraces, tasty little local things will spoil you. The cakes from Saray are simply delicious.
Just near stands the monumental Black Church, the most famous landmark. Dating from the late 14th century, the largest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul got its name from the 1689 Great Fire, which damaged the church and much of the town.
You can take the cable car if you want to admire form the top the whole city.
4. The Sphinx
Is a natural rock formation in the Bucegi Mountains and from a certain angle it has the shape of a man’s head. It is located at an altitude of 2,216 metres (7,270ft) within the Babele complex of rock formations.
It is the Romanian national symbol. You can go there by cable car from Sinaia (program: 8:30-15:30, Monday closed) or from Busteni (Program 8:30-15:00, Mo, Tu, Wed closed) or you can go by car until Piatra Arsa ad then mild walking 1.5h. The view is stunning from the top of the mountains.
5. Salt Mine – Slanic Prahova
100 km from Bucharest this salt mine was diged 208m down and has an area of 53,000sqm. Just being there are therapeutic effects on health especially on lungs.
Program: Wed-Fri 09-14:30, Sa-Su 09:00- 15:30.
*Be 1.5h earlier cause there are lots of people waiting in weekends. Near the mine there are 7 salty lakes where you can rest, tan, float and cure. We recommend Telega Lake. The enviroment is very natural and beautiful.
6. Transfagarasan Road
With more than 150 kilometres in length the Transfagarasan Highway is most spectacular and famous alpine road in Romania. It is passing on top of the Carpathian Mountains (altitude of 2,042 metres) – featuring countless switchbacks and spectacular views.
First you will admire the view of the Vidraru Dam (one of the largest hydroelectric dams in Europe) surrounded by forests and then on top at the high of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) , you will pass a tunnel and will arrive at Balea Lake – one of the most popular glacial lakes at more than 2,000 meters high in Fagaras Mountains.
7. Transalpina Road
One of the highest roads of the Carpathian Mountains and is the highest road in Romania (2,145 m). It is closed during the winter, it stays open from mid-May to mid-October (depending on the weather) and only during daytime (08:00-20:00).
8. Danube Delta
Is the second largest river delta in Europe, after the Volga Delta and is the best preserved on the continent.
Did you know that more than 50% of Europe’s bird species are found in the Danube Delta?
It is a national protected area and is a labyrinth of lakes and canals, which meander through the largest, compact reed surface in the world and is one of the areas with the highest biodiversity on the planet.
Here you can see numerous rare species: flora – 1839 species of plants (water plants, forests and water lilies), 133 species of fish (e.g: 4 kinds of sturgeons) and fauna – 54 animal species (ermine, raccoon dog, bison, fox, otter, European mink, wild cat, wild boar, beaver, etc)
Situated on major migratory routes and providing adequate conditions for nesting and hatching, the Danube Delta is a magnet for birds from six major ecoregions of the world, including the Mongolian, Arctic and Siberian. There are over 331 bird species found in the delta during summer. Over one million individual birds (pelicans, swans, wild ducks, coots, etc.) winter here.
Advices:
The best time to visit is late spring as the fishing season is not yet and is not so crowded. Mile 23 is perhaps the best point to explore Delta.
Always choose a skilled guide and low speed boats that do not disturb the place. Delta discovers itself quietly, at a slower pace and not sailing at speed.
At the junction of the Danube with the Black Sea, you will find a picturesque corner of wild beach.
Sighisoara city and the Clock Tower
Dating on 14th century this city landmarks has a high of 64 meters over the main square. The clock is a distinctive feature of 17th-century and has some mechanical figurines that symbolize Peace, Justice, Law, Day and Night.
Today, here is local history museum, with exhibitions spread over the tower’s three floors and reached by the original narrow stairwell.
Artifacts on display include Romanian furniture, medieval tools, medical equipment, old clocks and traditional handicrafts. Visitors can also take a peek at into the clock’s mechanism and climb to the top-floor observation platform for a view over the city.
Other places you may visit In Romania
Libearty Bear Sanctuary Zarnesti – a place for bears who suffered (please go only before 11am there, as after is closed)
Zarnesti Precipices – best hiking place inside mountains in Piatra Craiului (mild walk)
Cozia Monastery, with interesting legend is the 14th – century royal court and monastery in Curtea de Arges (the former capital of the medieval Wallachia)
Poenari Fortress (the real castle of Dracula – Vlad Tepes)
Places to visit in Romania ~ 7-14h driving from Bucharest
Transylvania:
Is a big and famous and is the world’s most spectacular natural underground formation, shaped by people. Here you can stay all day, charge yourself with good energies in a natural evironment good for your health.
Here are so various facilities that you would like it a lot: spa & welness centre, trips on the panoramic wheel, sport field, billiard, table tenis, boat ride, bowling, minigolf, amphitheatre, playground for children etc
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 9:00 – 17:00, last entrance at 16:00.
It is carved to depth of 120 m from the surface (15 degree celsius). Here you will find children’s playgrounds, creative and leisure spaces, a chapel, café,restaurant, 3D cinema etc.
Opening hours: 08-14
Merry Cemetery
It is a village of Săpânța, Maramureş county, in the north. It is famous for its brightly coloured tombstones with naive paintings describing, in an original and poetic manner, the lives of the people who are buried there. Lately it became an open-air museum and a national tourist attraction.
Corvin Castle in Hunedoara
Is the most impressive medieval castle, a Gothic masterpiece built by the Anjou family- a fortress from the mid-14th century)
Scărișoara Cave – is one of the biggest ice caves in the Apuseni Mountains and Inside you can see a natural over 100 ice stalagmites.
Clay Castle from Valea Zanelor (tr. Fairy Valley) – an eco adorable castle built from clay and sand,
Moldova
The Moldavian Monasteries
There are some beautiful, old Romanian Orthodox Churches from Moldavia located in Suceava County. Some of the most visited are: Varatec, Arbore, Sucevita, Moldovita, Putna, Humor, Agapia and Voronet. They were built approximately between 1487 and 1583 and they are a World Heritage Site.
The architecture combines the traditional elements of the Moldavian style. A visit to Monasteries in Moldova can take the form of an incredible inner experience.
You have to see with your own eyes why “Voronet blue” is so special and unique. And you have to feel on your skin the peace that surrounds you when you enter one of these monasteries, a sensation that you will not find elsewhere.
Bicaz Canyon & Red Lake
Ceahlău Massif – a wonderful popular mountain in a wild nature (large variety of flora and fauna; some of the species are endemic or rarely seen elsewhere).
Other regions
Danube Iron Gates
Is a long gorge of 134 km (83mi) between the green mountains made by the river Danube and it is part of the boundary between Serbia and Romania. Along are built two hydroelectric dams, with two power stations. You may pass also in Serbia over the main bridge.
You can rent a boat from Orsova city and then float from there admiring the spectacular view: Danube’s Big Boilers (the water seems to boil), caves, castles, the huge Rock sculpture of King Decebalus (the tallest rock relief in Europe, at 55 m (180 ft) in height and 25 m (82 ft) in width).
Driving in Romania
You may travel by a rented car or by public transportation.
Bucharest has a good Metro system. All the towns are serviced by buses, trams or taxis which are very good value by western European standards. You may install the Moovit app which will is very intuitive to guide you to all public transportation.
Recently, at 1th August 2021, you can buy a 90 min ticket with only 5lei (1 euro) to travel outside and underground. It is very convenient.
Romania also has a good network of inter-city trains but they are rare and very slow. In winter/summer time their delay is significant (sometimes 4-5h!!). Motorways are not extensive.
Bucharest Taxi
In Romania the taxi is quite cheap.
In general it is recommended that taxis are booked using one of the various methods available, rather than hailed on the street. This is especially the case where vehicles do not have a meter or display fares.
Some visitors have reported incidents of overcharging, especially from airports and major train stations (Gara de Nord) – some taxi drivers will offer a fixed price to the city centre which may appear reasonable but could be significantly in excess of the normal fares in Romania.
Please be aware and try to avoid them.
Visitors arriving at the airport are advised to decline any taxi offers in the arrivals area but instead to avail of one of the simple-to-use automated taxi ordering machines at the right side as you exit in the arrivals hall. The fares are quite low.
In the past years, the Romania Tourism has received quite a few complaints regarding taxi drivers who overcharged customers by not using the meter or employing malfunctioning meters.
Taxis can be summoned by telephone or hailed on the street. Confirming the cost of the ride with the driver, before starting the trip, is always a good idea.
Inside Bucharest we suggest you to install Uber or Bolt applications on your mobile phone as there is no need to pay money cause they charge your card at fair prices. You can pay in cash as well, if preffered.
If you want to use a taxi, we recommend installing also Meridian or Star Taxi app because you can add the card also, so the price will be fair.
If you are using the public transportation, you must first take a card form the designated kiosks, pay some money to charge them (e.g. 50 lei) and then you can ride any bus ot tram. Please approach each time you change the public vehicle the card to the machine and so you will pay the ride.
To file a Taxi complaint please call:
+4021 201 3242 (Transportation Bureau of the Police Department) and/or
+4021 9844 (Bucharest City Hall – Complaints)
+4021 9551 (Consumer Protection Authority).
Bucharest Consumer Protection Agency
E-mail: bucuresti@opc.ro
Telephone: +4021.310.63.75
Romanians Driving Style is Like in a Race 🙂
In Bucharest some Romanian drivers have a competitive driving style. They drive erratically and at excessive speeds but do not stress too much, as we are hot latins. So if they do improper passing/cutting into another car’s path and tailgating flash of the headlamps, that is quite common here. But they respect the red signal. 🙂
Most major tourist attractions in Romania are easily accessible by public transportation but always renting a car is a good idea to discover Romania‘s charming villages and to reach attractions located in areas with limited bus or train service.
In some rural areas of Romania, conditions of roads can be of poor standard, badly lit, pot-holed and with barely visible markings compared wit what you are familiar with in other western countries from Europe.
You may meet a number of slow moving vehicles, including horse-drawn wagons. Appropriate precautions should be taken, especially at night. Here Google Maps can hep a lot!
There is zero tolerance for drink-driving and permitted blood/alcohol ratios are below those in Ireland. This it could bring you in serious trouble.
In Romania, police have the right to stop any motorist and carry out an alcohol test. So, if you are renting a car in Romania, don’t even think about drinking while driving!
However, as long as you drive cautiously, we believe that you will enjoy very much your driving vacation in Romania.
Better to have a health insurance before coming
This is a good advice before going anywhere abroad so we advice you that before travelling to obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) so you can have a comprehensive travel insurance.
It needs to cover all medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
Internet is very fast and calls are cheap
Internet has a huge speed here, even the wireless.
Romania internet connection is one of the fastest in the world. In major cities you can have 1 GB/s if they use Digi connection. So, for those who want to work remotely, here is a great destination for digital nomads.
If in your country is too expensive for you to use your internet or calls within Romania, then here is our strong point: you can buy a phone card for one of the major mobile companies (Vodafone, Orange, Telecom and Digi) and for e.g. 7 euros/month you can have a lot (e.g. unlimited) of calls, messages, internet and even international calls included(400min). It is very cheap and convenient!
Natural Climate
Romania has four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures can rise above 40 degrees whereas winters can be very cold, with temperatures often as low as minus 20, sometimes with heavy and prolonged snowfalls.
We wish you all to have a nice visit in Romania!