Last year, I was invited to a friend’s wedding in Romania. It just so happened that the wedding was in a city that’s the same distance from several airports—and one of them was in my hometown!
This sparked the brilliant idea of a Romanian road trip. I didn’t set a strict itinerary; instead, I made a list of places I wanted to check out and decided to pick my next stops on the fly.
My friends were super helpful and got me a Romanian SIM card, so I had internet on the go. I’d book hotels through booking.com just a few hours before arriving somewhere, depending on how far I managed to drive.
One thing I learned pretty quickly is that Romanians treat speed limits and road signs more like casual suggestions. Driving there was… let’s call it “exciting.” The roads were chaotic, with rules that seemed to exist in theory only and random animals just hanging out in the middle of the road. It kept things interesting, to say the least.
The best part? The trip was full of surprises, like an unplanned three-day beach stop in Constanța. What started as a simple idea turned into a spontaneous 12-day adventure that I’ll never forget.
Here’s how it all went down:
Day 1-2 – Satu Mare
The beginning of our road trip to Romania kicked off with a wedding in Satu Mare—and an unexpected scramble to save our liquor-soaked wedding clothes! Between wedding prep, we took a walk to see glimpses of the city’s faded grandeur. Curious about the mishaps and the charm of a city off the beaten path? Click to read more.
Day 3 – Salina Turda
The second leg of our Romanian road trip brought us to the breathtaking Salina Turda, a 2,000-year-old salt mine turned underground wonderland. With attractions like a Ferris wheel, amusement park, and even boat rides on an underground lake, this unique destination is a must-see for travelers of all ages. Ready to explore one of the world’s most beautiful underground places? Click here to learn more.
Day 4 – Cluj-Napoca, Hunedoara, Calnic fortress
After exploring Turda, we made our way to Cluj-Napoca, a historic city founded by German colonists in the 12th century, now a lively cultural and university hub. Navigating the city’s construction-heavy streets and Romanian driving culture proved to be an adventure in itself! While the city didn’t leave a lasting impression, it was a cool place to stop for a moment.
Our journey continued to the magnificent Corvin Castle, a fairy-tale fortress in Hunedoara and one of Europe’s largest medieval castles. With its rich history, fascinating legends, and stunning architecture, the castle is a must-visit.
The Câlnic Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a medieval fortification built in 1270 to withstand Ottoman invasions. Once a nobleman’s stronghold, it became a village refuge in 1430, withstood fierce attacks in 1658, and remains remarkably preserved.
Day 4 – Sibiu, Axente Sever Fortified church, Biertan Fortress
For our second hotel stop, we stayed in Sibiu, a city rich in history and perfectly located for exploring Transylvania. Known as Hermannstadt in German, Sibiu boasts a fascinating past as a medieval trading hub, the largest of the “seven cities” in Siebenbürgen, and the former capital of Transylvania under the Habsburgs.
Just minutes from Sibiu, the ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization offers a fascinating glimpse into Romania’s diverse cultural heritage. This expansive open-air museum is like a miniature version of the country, featuring traditional houses and structures from various regions.
Day 5 – Sighisoara, Saschiz Fortified church, Viscri Fortified church, Fogarasz fortress, Transfagarashan
Sighisoara was the most charming city I visited during my stay in Romania and our next stop. It is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is the birthplace of Vlad Dracula – Vlad the Impaler!
After the night, we hopped into the car and continued the journey that led us to Viscri Fortified Church. It is one of the many fortified churches that are located in Transilvania. It is a Lutheran church that was built around 1100 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At the end of the day, we ended up on Transfagarasan, the world’s best road trip, according to Top Gear. Waiting out the fog, we were rewarded with breathtaking view. Transfagarasan is the second-highest mountain pass in Romania after the Transalpina.
Day 6 – Brasov, Bran Castle, Rasnov fortress, Peștera Valea cave
Brasov is another one of the seven citadels cities and our next sleep over. It is my second favorite city in Romania! It is a perfect base for a couple of days stay as it is close to many tourist attractions in the city as well as a little outside of it.
From Brasov, we made a couple of trips, and one of the places we went to was Bran Castle, also called Dracula Castle ( but the association with Dracula is nothing more than a myth.)
We also popped by Rasnov fortress, a fortress built against invading Tatars. It was built by Teutonic Knights and was first mentioned in 1331. It is a quite remarkable fortress and probably that is why it is one of the most visited medieval buildings in Romania.
Day 6 – Peles and Pelisor castle, Braila
Continuing on visiting castles, we headed towards Peles and Pelisor, two castles built next to each other. Peles is the one that is the most splendid of all the castles I have ever been to.
Day 7 – 11 – Mamaia
After all the driving around, we decided to chill at the seaside, and hence we landed in Mamaia – a strip of sand lying between the lake and the Black Sea. It is the most popular and expensive beach resort in Romania.
Day 12 – Transalpina
On our way back, we decided to drive on Transalpina. It is the highest road in Romania and one of the most spectacular mountain passes in the Carpathian Mountains.
