A Romanian Welcome | Timeless beauty meets soulful discoveries

Romania is a place where legend and landscape meet. Stretching from the Black Sea to the Carpathian Mountains, this Eastern European gem remains one of the continent’s most authentic travel experiences. 

Rich in history, folklore, and unspoiled nature, Romania invites travellers to look beyond the obvious and immerse themselves in its diverse heritage and heartfelt hospitality.

Photo by Dragos Gontariu

Begin your journey in Bucharest, a city of contrasts where Belle Époque mansions stand alongside communist-era blocks and modern art galleries. Wander through the Old Town's cobblestone streets, visit the imposing Palace of the Parliament, and stop for coffee in a stylish garden café. From here, Romania unfolds in every direction – toward medieval fortresses, wild forests, and vibrant villages.

No trip is complete without a visit to Transylvania, home to fairytale towns like Brașov, Sibiu, and Sighișoara, where time seems to pause. The region’s fortified churches, Saxon architecture, and rolling green hills are steeped in mystery and tradition. While the Dracula myth draws many here, it’s the region’s authentic culture and pastoral charm that leave a lasting impression.

For nature lovers, the Carpathian Mountains offer pristine hiking, bear watching, and moments of deep stillness. The Apuseni Mountains are particularly welcoming for beginner hikers, filled with limestone caves, wooden villages, and slow-travel experiences. To the northeast, Maramureș is a living museum of ancestral customs, wooden churches, and folk art. Horse-drawn carts and carved gates still define daily life here.

Photo by Fermoar.ro

Romanian Cuisine & Culture | A Hearty Embrace

Food in Romania is generous and rooted in tradition. You’ll find flavours influenced by Slavic, Ottoman, Hungarian, and Balkan cultures. Try sarmale (cabbage rolls filled with spiced meat and rice), ciorbă de burtă (sour tripe soup), mămăligă (polenta), and homemade sausages. Most meals end with something sweet like cozonac (sweet bread) or papanasi, a delicious fried doughnut topped with sour cream and berry jam.

Romania’s wine scene is also flourishing. From the sun-drenched vineyards of Dealu Mare to the crisp whites of Transylvania, the country’s wineries welcome visitors for tastings and countryside lunches. The country is also one of Europe’s leading producers of wild honey and medicinal herbs, which are often infused into liqueurs and traditional remedies.

Romania’s street markets are vibrant hubs of local life, offering a window into the country’s traditions, tastes, and craftsmanship. From bustling city markets like Obor in Bucharest, one of the largest and oldest in the country, to charming weekly village fairs, these open-air gatherings are filled with colour and character. Stalls overflow with seasonal produce – plump tomatoes, wild mushrooms, sweet cherries, and fragrant herbs – often sold directly by farmers. Traditional cheeses like telemea, handwoven textiles, homemade preserves, and rustic ceramics can also be found, making them perfect spots to pick up authentic souvenirs. Visiting a street market is more than shopping – it’s a sensory experience and a chance to connect with Romania’s welcoming locals.

Photo by Valea Verde Retreat

Where Nature Heals

Romania’s wellness heritage runs deep, drawing on centuries of natural healing traditions. With over 130 spa towns and a wealth of natural resources – thermal waters, salt lakes, mud baths, and clean mountain air – Romania is one of Europe’s top destinations for restorative travel, though it remains under the radar for many.

Start with the famous Baile Herculane, one of Europe’s oldest spa resorts, dating back to Roman times. Nestled in the Cerna Valley and surrounded by dramatic cliffs, it offers thermal springs with curative properties, perfect for treating muscular and joint issues. Another standout is Sovata, known for its heliothermal salt lakes, especially the unique Lake Ursu, whose high salt and sapropelic mud content promote skin and respiratory health.

Modern wellness seekers will find tranquillity in resorts like Balvanyos, Covasna, and Geoagiu Băi, which blend traditional spa treatments with modern wellness offerings – massage therapy, halotherapy, forest bathing, and more. At Praid Salt Mine, visitors descend into an underground world of salt-air chambers used for halotherapy, popular with those seeking respiratory relief and meditation in an otherworldly environment.

Increasingly, wellness in Romania means connection to nature. Mountain retreats and eco-lodges in regions like Țara Hațegului and Țara Dornelor offer digital detox, yoga with forest views, and plant-based meals sourced from local gardens. Whether soaking in a mineral bath or practising mindfulness in the woods, Romania’s wellness experiences are immersive and deeply tied to place.