From the busy capital of Bucharest to the towering mountains of Transylvania, Romania is an Japanese European nation with loads of journey, tradition, and historical past simply ready to be uncovered.
Among the best methods to do that is by taking a highway journey round the entire nation. There are such a lot of epic viewpoints and tiny villages to cease off in Romania that having your personal set of wheels offers you the choice to have a very bespoke journey, precisely the way you prefer it.
The roads are usually in good situation, and the site visitors (exterior of Bucharest) is manageable – so what are you ready for? Whether or not you will have every week, let’s delve into this Romania highway journey itinerary and present you the locations you may uncover with your personal wheels whether or not you will have every week, 10 days, or 2 weeks!
Ideas for driving in Romania
Exploring Romania by automobile is a superb concept! The nation is related by rail and bus networks, however they could be a little unreliable, so many locals choose to fly as a substitute.
Nonetheless, when you do that you simply’ll miss out on numerous attractive little cities and epic viewpoints in your journey! So, we expect that highway tripping is the reply.
To assist along with your planning, listed here are some suggestions for driving in Romania:
- Romania drives on the right-hand aspect of the highway, like most of Europe, the USA, and Canada.
- Velocity limits are in kilometers per hour, with highways having a restrict of a quite speedy 130 kilometers per hour (keep in mind, you don’t have to go that quick!)
- In the event you’re touring with a baby beneath 12, they aren’t allowed to go within the passenger seat on the entrance of the automobile.
- There’s a zero-tolerance coverage relating to drink driving, so don’t drive even when you’ve simply had a small drink.
Automobile rental in Romania
A lot of automobile rental corporations, like Hertz and Europcar, function in Romania. You possibly can lease a automobile straight from Bucharest airport, or there are rental workplaces within the metropolis. In the event you’re spending a while exploring Bucharest initially, you most likely received’t want a automobile, so it’s a good suggestion to rent the automobile on the day that you simply go away the town!
Romania Highway Journey Itinerary
Able to uncover all of the stops you can’t miss on a correct Romanian highway journey? Right here’s an itinerary map of what this publish will cowl:
Bucharest: 1-3 Days
The capital metropolis of Romania, Bucharest is the place most highway journeys across the nation start and finish. That is for varied causes; it’s the place you’ll probably fly into, you’ll have the very best collection of automobile rental corporations, and a lot of the fundamental roads of Romania find yourself in Bucharest!
It’s possible you’ll in reality find yourself crossing by means of Bucharest a few instances in your journey, nevertheless it’s an awesome concept to spend a few days seeing all that the town has to supply earlier than renting a automobile and heading out in your journey.
Listed here are the primary points of interest of Bucharest:
- The Palace of the Parliament: That is the heaviest administrative constructing on the planet and the second largest after the Pentagon. Constructed by Communist dictator Ceaușescu however by no means truly utilized by him, you may take a tour right here to be taught concerning the oppressive Communist regime in Romania.
- The “new” outdated metropolis: Solely constructed within the early 2000s, this “outdated city” was established to encourage extra vacationers to post-Communist Bucharest. These days, it’s the guts of the town, with numerous cafes, bars, and eating places.
- Ceaușescu’s mansion: That is one other vital attraction to go to to know Communist Bucharest. Ceaușescu’s mansion is opulent and glamorous, and it stands as distinction to how the common Romanian lived in the course of the period.
- Romanian village museum: This can be a nice method to find out about rural Romania, which you’ll be visiting quickly in your highway journey! There are displays about totally different areas in Romania by means of the ages.
- The church buildings: Romania is a deeply spiritual nation, and the church buildings are fantastic locations to find out about their spirituality. Significantly, go to the Antim Monastery, which was one of many church buildings that was moved on railings throughout Ceaușescu’s rule.
- Cărturești Carusel: Climate not so variety once you’re in Bucharest? This bookshop is among the many most Instagrammable locations within the metropolis!
Do you solely have 2 days in Bucharest? Then examine our 48h in Bucharest information.
The place to remain in Bucharest
Capitol Lodge is a four-star property that’s positioned within the coronary heart of Bucharest, in one in all its historic buildings. You’ll discover well-furnished rooms with loads of deluxe choices, holding onto a number of the property’s authentic options in addition to having all of the mod-cons you’ll want!
Constanta: 1-2 Days
Constanta is round a two-hour drive from Bucharest and is without doubt one of the nation’s favourite beachside areas, because it’s on the Black Sea.
Within the summertime, it’s among the many hottest vacationer locations within the nation, with three seashores which are good for sunbathing and stress-free. You could possibly additionally go to Mamaia, a vigorous resort city that’s shut by!
Alternatively, Constanta has numerous city points of interest, together with an Artwork Deco on line casino, varied museums, and an enchanting planetarium.
The place to remain in Constanta
Lodge Megalos is a mere 500 meters from the Black Sea, so it’s best for a seaside break in Constanta! Get pleasure from conventional rooms with luxurious bedlinen and comfy mattresses right here.
Iași: 1-2 Days
Not many vacationers go to Iasi. Sitting on the border of Romania and Moldova, it’s most well-known for being a college vacation spot. Nonetheless, it’s a culturally wealthy metropolis – the second largest in Romania and it has been each the capital of Moldova (earlier than it grew to become a separate nation) and the capital of Romania. This fascinating historical past makes it properly value a stopover in your Romania itinerary!
First, go to the Palace of Tradition, which is a powerful constructing constructed within the early twentieth century and is residence to some museums, together with the Moldovian Historical past Museum – a must-visit to familiarize yourself with this space.
There are many monasteries to go to inside the metropolis and Europe’s second oldest synagogue. Plus, botanical gardens and plenty of lush parks and inexperienced areas make the town an exquisite place to amble round.
From Iasi, you may both drive again by means of Bucharest or take some mountainous roads to get to Brasov. The route that you simply take is determined by what time of 12 months it’s. In the event you’re visiting Romania in winter, I’d suggest avoiding mountain roads and taking the freeway (some roads could even be closed within the snow).
Nonetheless, if it’s {the summertime}, driving across the mountainous roads is an expertise in itself!
The place to remain in Iasi
The Lodge Moldova is in a main place proper within the heart of the town, with views over the Palace of Tradition. The rooms are fairly historic however have a sure attraction to them, and there’s a gymnasium and indoor swimming pool on website.
Brașov: 1-3 Days
An enthralling city sitting in the guts of Transylvania, Brasov is a must-visit in Romania. The cobblestone streets are lined by historic buildings, and your complete metropolis basks in a mountainous valley. Don’t miss mountaineering as much as the Brasov signal and taking within the attractive views over the entire city!
It’s an exquisite city to stroll round in and admire, nevertheless it’s additionally in a main location to see a few of Romania’s finest castles. These embrace:
Bran Fort: That is well-known as Dracula’s fortress, though it doesn’t even have a connection to the e-book or Vlad the Impaler, who the character Dracula relies on (aside from he could have been imprisoned there in some unspecified time in the future!). Nonetheless, it’s a medieval fortress steeped in historical past, and it actually seems to be as if Dracula might be hanging out right here…
Peles Fort: An actual fairytale fortress, this constructing was residence to the Romanian royal household. They ended up fleeing after World Struggle Two because of the rise of Communism and anti-royal motion, and by no means returned. You possibly can benefit from the exterior of the fortress and pay an additional price to see the opulent inside.
Poenari Fort: That is the precise Dracula’s fortress! Relationship again to the thirteenth century, it was the place Vlad the Impaler lived and it sits at 800m top, looming over the environment – you may solely attain it by climbing 1480 stone steps!
You could possibly additionally go to neighboring Rasnov. This can be a smaller city with a wonderful citadel, which is a fortress relationship again to the thirteenth century, from which you’ll be able to soak up unbelievable views of the city and surrounding space.
When you’ve got time, be certain that to cease in Sighisoara and Târgu Mureș earlier than reaching the subsequent cease, Cluj-Napoca.
The place to remain in Brasov
Lodge Bella Muzica is positioned proper within the coronary heart of city, in a Sixteenth-century constructing that’s been renovated completely to showcase conventional options but nonetheless present final luxurious. Reception is open 24 hours and there’s a bar and restaurant on-site.
Cluj-Napoca: 1-2 Days
Often called the capital of Transylvania, Cluj-Napoca is a vigorous metropolis the place there’s at all times one thing to do.
It facilities on Unirii Sq., which is a part of the outdated city (on this case, it’s an precise outdated city, not just like the one in Bucharest!).
St Michael’s Church imposes on the sq. with its Gothic structure, and you can too discover the Nationwide Artwork Museum right here.
Because it’s a pupil metropolis, there are tonnes of thrilling bars and an awesome cafe scene.
It’s additionally value getting out the town to see the Salina Turda (Turda salt mine) which has been a mine, a bomb shelter and extra recenly, a funfair. It’s a surreal attraction that’s positively value visiting once you’re within the space!
If you wish to get pleasure from a few of Transylvania’s finest nature, you can too go to Cheile Turzii nature reserve, which is ideal for mountaineering, or see the beautiful Lake Tarnița.
The place to remain in Cluj-Napoca
Lodge Belvedere is near the centre of Cluj-Napoca, and boasts properly kitted out rooms with snug beds, conventional options and an indoor swimming pool and spa. There’s additionally a restaurant on-site!
Sibiu: 1-2 Days
The lovable city of Sibiu is Romania’s best-kept secret. A Transylvanian gem, this city seems to be straight out of a fairy story, and it’s an exquisite place to pause, get pleasure from some genuine Romanian food and drinks and replicate in your highway journey to date!
Sibiu is the sort of metropolis that you might spend hours strolling round in, taking within the stunning coloured homes on both aspect of the road and ambling round winding streets. Nonetheless, points of interest embrace the Fifteenth-century Piata Mare, which is residence to the attractive Catholic Basilica. There’s additionally an Orthodox Cathedral which has unbelievable murals on the partitions!
The Bridge of Lies is one other fashionable vacationer spot; it’s a tiny multi-level bridge that spans between two buildings.
When driving south from Sibiu, you may wish to take the Transfagaran Freeway route.
That is the windy freeway that makes it onto numerous folks’s Romanian bucket lists! It seems to be intimidating, however it’s stored in good situation; simply watch out when driving across the bends.
The place to remain in Sibiu
MyContinental Sibiu is a contemporary lodge with nice views from the higher flooring. Situated in town’s fundamental boulevard, it’s simple to entry the entire metropolis’s finest points of interest from right here. Within the rooms, get pleasure from deluxe bedlinen and beautiful en-suite bogs.
Craiova: 1 Day
Romania’s seventh-largest metropolis is someplace that doesn’t make it onto everybody’s Romania highway journey itinerary. The town heart boasts attractive Belle Epoque structure, and it’s regarded amongst locals to be one of many prettiest cities in Romania. It additionally has a number of points of interest to supply vacationers, together with a pure historical past museum and some fairly Cathedrals.
However the primary motive to go to Craiova is for its spectacular festive market, which runs from late November by means of December yearly.
Whereas Romania is a really Christmassy nation, and there are tonnes of festive markets all through the nation, Craiova’s is arguably the very best. They use over one million LED mild bulbs to light up the market, which sells souvenirs made by native artists and scrumptious festive meals. There’s an ice rink right here too!
The place to remain in Craiova
Lodge Europeca is a cushty lodge with a number of totally different room varieties, together with an residence and commonplace rooms. Rooms have options like delicate gray carpet and comfy sofas, and breakfasts are included in your room charge.
As you may see, there’s a lot to get pleasure from in stunning Romania. Driving is the best method to discover this nation, as having your personal automobile will will let you go by your personal schedule and make as many stops as you want alongside the way in which! So seize your ticket to Bucharest, rent a automobile and begin exploring this excellent nation!
Claire is a world traveler who blogs about Europe in winter. She goals to assist different vacationers discover the continent within the cooler months by means of her informative weblog posts and journey journalism.
