Itineraries

About Romania

See the best in Romania. But first, let’s introduce you to it and tell you what to expect.

Located in Eastern Europe, neighboring Ukraine to the North, the Republic of Moldova in the North-East, the Black Sea to the South-East, Bulgaria to the South, Serbia to the South-West, and Hungary to the West, Romania is a diverse country both geographically and culturally.

With the terrain roughly distributed equally between mountains, hills, and plains, Romania has lots to offer in terms of natural landscapes.

From the majestic Carpathian Mountains, breathtaking gorges, secluded villages surrounded by virgin forests (among the last in Europe), spectacular caves, crystalline rivers, and all the way to the Danube Delta and the Black Sea, Romania will surely surprise you in the most unexpected ways.

Do you want to learn more about Romania?

I was completely surprised by what I saw of Romania as a whole. As a destination, Romania was never on my bucket list but the country seduced me beyond my wildest imagination. I was very moved by the pervasive melancholy of its deep, diverse, and violent history. The beauty of the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania are epic and I felt transported and energized. Having been to many destinations in the world I felt jaded and thought nothing would surprise me ever again but I was wrong. It is a country worth exploring fully. The landscapes, the people, the food, the hospitality, and the friendships I gained in one short week are nothing short of miraculous.

Mouna M.

Lebanon

Thank you again for a wonderful trip to Romania. I am still processing everything, to be honest. I recorded a few videos of my immediate reflections while there because I wanted to capture my raw feelings. I said to Alex, our guide, while we were there, that volunteering with the kids from Ukraine and tracing our ancestral roots would have satisfied me! Getting to explore Transylvania was the icing on the cake! We are very grateful to Raluca, Laura, Alex, and you for making it all happen. What special memories! I loved the accommodations and excursions. Zero ways to improve there. The food was so fresh and tasty - that was an unexpected treat.

Carrie

USA

Best times to visit Romania

For most travelers, June to September are the best months to visit Romania. Everything is green, temperatures are optimal (potentially higher in July and August in the larger cities), and there are many things you can do.

We would, however, also recommend that you consider coming in April, May, or October.

Here’s why: nature is still wonderful (green in spring and turning brown in fall), temperatures are pleasant enough to be outside (albeit with some additional rains here and there) and there are fewer crowds even in the popular spots.

Get inspired

by the multitude of beautiful places that you can see and the thrilling activities that you can experience in Romania.

Wildlife Wonder

Romania is a hidden gem for wildlife enthusiasts, offering diverse and thriving ecosystems. Home to the largest population of brown bears in Europe, along with wolves, lynx, and wild boars, its dense forests and remote mountains create the perfect habitat for these majestic creatures. The vast Carpathian Mountains and pristine woodlands serve as sanctuaries for countless species, many of which are rare or endangered.

Biking - Wheels of Wonder

Discovering Romania by bike is an unforgettable adventure through some of Europe's most stunning and diverse landscapes. Whether you're cruising along the rolling hills of Transylvania, winding through the dense forests of the Carpathian Mountains, or exploring the serene countryside dotted with traditional villages, Romania offers cyclists a unique and immersive way to experience its natural beauty. Along the way, you'll encounter historic castles, ancient fortresses, and charming rural towns that make each ride as culturally rich as it is scenic.

Culture and History

Romania has a unique culture, being the melting pot of Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern European cultures. Being influenced since ancient times by different civilizations that have inhabited the land, the cultural heritage of the Dacians and Romans is beautifully blended with Slavic, Ottoman, and Saxxon traditions and architecture that are very much alive today.

Location: Malancrav Lutheran Church / Photo: Warren Singh-Bartlett

Landscape and Nature

Romania is blessed with plenty of nature and beautiful landscapes will accompany you along your journey. From vast plains as far as the eye can see, to rolling hills carved by rippling rivers, all the way to the mighty Carpathian range that borders the charming villages of Transylvania, Romania has something for everyone who loves the great outdoors.

Location: Danube Delta

Local Experiences

Whether you enjoy a slow pace throughout your travels or you prefer a more active vacation, the range of activities that you can choose from to experience in Romania varies from, pottery, cooking classes, meeting the locals, hot air balloon trips, bird watching, to hiking, horseback riding, climbing, biking, and pretty much anything that you’d like.

Location: Transylvania / Photo: Andreea Macri

Active Travel

Location: Copsa Mare Guesthouse

Family Travel

Romania is a great destination that is suitable for all kinds of travelers, including families with children. Starting from a safety perspective, all the way to our accommodating partners and the types of activities that you can enjoy as a family, Romania is a perfect item to add to your bucket list, if you consider traveling with children.

Location: Viscri village in Transylvania / Photo: Andreea Macri

Ancestry

Due to its tumultuous past, throughout the world wars, and during communism, many have fled Romania to build a life somewhere else. This has led many people from different parts of the world, such as the US, Western Europe, and even the Middle East to visit Romania looking to find out more about their roots and ancestors.

"When one thinks of "bespoke" travel they think of a custom adventure tailor-made to their interests and needs. While they might come home with hundreds of photos, new wines for their cellars, or art for their walls they usually don't come home with a new passport and citizenship in another country. However, that's exactly what Beyond Dracula helped me achieve by planning my bespoke travel to Romania and Transylvania. Beyond Dracula found guides who assisted with my visits to archives to wade through hundreds of 19th Century birth certificates and ultimately find the one that opened the door to obtaining my Romanian citizenship and an EU Passport. During our five visits to Romania Beyond Dracula also planned custom-made itineraries that took us through fields of sunflowers and lavender as our car climbed high into the Carpathian Mountains, took us to the kinds of castles that we thought only existed in fairytales, allowed us to have dinner with a Roma family, and visit vineyards that used techniques that ranged from the ancient to the most modern. While I could go on and on with the multiple ways Beyond Dracula tailor-made my trips to this very special place it's best that you stop reading about mine and start creating your own bespoke Romanian adventure."

Shondell & Ed S.

USA

Best properties

Our hand-picked and tested hotels and guesthouses will offer you a diverse experience. From charming traditional guesthouses to luxurious and opulent hotels, you can be sure that our accommodation recommendations are always according to your needs and preferences and always the top picks in the country.

Location: Schuster Boarding House in Brasov

Beyond Romania

As many of our travelers are coming from across the Atlantic, we understand that they want to make the most of their trip to Eastern Europe. That is why, through our extended partner network, we can cater to multicountry bespoke tours, if you’d like to also visit Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, or Croatia.

ITINERARIES