- Transylvania is the highlight, and Brașov or Sibiu make the best bases
- Low-cost flights run from many UK airports to Bucharest, Cluj and other cities
- A car opens up the villages, monasteries and mountain roads
- Romania is in Schengen, so normal 90-in-180-day rules apply
- Airports
- Bucharest Henri Coandă (OTP), Cluj-Napoca (CLJ), Sibiu (SBZ), Iași (IAS), Timișoara (TSR), Târgu Mureș (TGM)
- Flight time
- about 3h from London to Bucharest or Cluj
- Best time to go
- May-June and September-October; December-March for skiing and Christmas markets
- Currency
- Romanian leu (RON)
Romania is one of Europe's most rewarding and underrated countries. Transylvania's medieval Saxon towns and fortified churches sit beneath the forested Carpathians, home to brown bears and wolves; Bran and Peleș castles look straight out of a fairytale; and further afield there are the painted monasteries of Bucovina, the wooden churches of Maramureș and the wildlife-rich Danube Delta. Bucharest adds grand boulevards, a buzzing old town and some of the best-value nightlife in the EU.
Romania is two hours ahead of the UK, cars drive on the right and plugs are the two-pin European type. Combine it with Moldova, Hungary or Bulgaria. This Europe guide covers where to go, when, and what it costs in 2026.
Entry requirements
Romania is in the EU and became a full member of the Schengen area in 2025. British passport holders can usually visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period across Schengen countries. Your passport should have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least three months after you leave. The EU's Entry/Exit System registers your fingerprints and photo on arrival, and the ETIAS travel authorisation is expected to be required in future. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Where to go in Romania
Brașov and Bran
Brașov has a handsome medieval square, the Black Church and a cable car up Mount Tâmpa, and is the base for nearby Bran Castle, sold as "Dracula's Castle", and the elaborate Peleș Castle in Sinaia. The fortress of Râșnov and the Bucegi mountains are close by.
Sibiu and the Saxon villages
Sibiu is one of Romania's most elegant cities, with pastel squares and rooftop "eyes" watching the streets. Medieval Sighișoara, birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, is a UNESCO-listed citadel town, and villages such as Viscri and Biertan have fortified churches and a slow rural pace. The Transfăgărășan mountain road, open roughly July to October, is one of Europe's great drives.
Bucharest
The capital mixes Belle Époque mansions, communist-era monuments and a lively old town. Tour the colossal Palace of the Parliament (book ahead and bring your passport), stroll through Herăstrău Park and visit the open-air Village Museum.
Cluj-Napoca and Maramureș
Cluj is a young university city with good restaurants, festivals and the nearby Turda Salt Mine. In the far north, Maramureș is known for its UNESCO wooden churches, traditional villages and the Merry Cemetery at Săpânța.
Bucovina and the Danube Delta
The painted monasteries of Bucovina, such as Voroneț and Sucevița, have vivid exterior frescoes. In the east, the Danube Delta is one of Europe's largest wetlands, best explored by boat from Tulcea for pelicans and hundreds of bird species. The Black Sea coast around Constanța and Mamaia is popular with Romanians in summer.
Best time to visit Romania
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (April-June) | Mild, green and great for touring; Danube Delta birdlife at its best in May |
| Summer (July-August) | Warm to hot, busy mountain resorts and Black Sea coast; Transfăgărășan open |
| Autumn (September-October) | Golden forests, harvest season, comfortable sightseeing |
| Winter (November-March) | Cold and snowy; Christmas markets in Sibiu and Brașov, skiing at Poiana Brașov |
Getting to Romania from the UK
Flights take about three hours. Bucharest Henri Coandă (OTP) has the most connections, including British Airways from Heathrow, TAROM, Wizz Air and Ryanair from London and regional airports. Cluj-Napoca (CLJ) is the best gateway for Transylvania and has many low-cost routes, and there are also flights to Sibiu, Iași, Timișoara, Târgu Mureș and other cities from various UK airports, some seasonal.
Getting around
Trains link most cities and are cheap, but can be slow; Bucharest to Brașov takes about two and a half to three hours. Buses and minibuses fill the gaps. Car hire is the best way to see the Saxon villages, Maramureș and the monasteries; you need a rovinietă road vignette for national roads, usually included with rental cars. Roads are improving, but rural driving can be slow, with horse-drawn carts and overtaking lorries. Bolt and Uber work in the big cities.
Money and costs
The Romanian leu (RON) is the currency; cards are accepted almost everywhere in towns, but carry cash in villages. Romania is good value: a meal with drinks in a mid-range restaurant costs roughly 80-150 lei (around £14-26), and a comfortable hotel about £50-100 a night. Budget around £60-100 per person per day for a mid-range trip.
Many Transylvanian villages have bears nearby; never leave food out and only join bear-watching trips with reputable operators using hides.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bran Castle really Dracula's castle?
Only loosely. Bram Stoker never visited Romania, and Vlad the Impaler has little proven connection with Bran, but the castle is atmospheric and makes an easy trip from Brașov.
Is Romania safe for tourists?
Romania is generally safe, and most visits are trouble-free. Watch for pickpockets in busy areas of Bucharest and use licensed taxis or ride-hailing apps.
How many days do you need in Romania?
A week covers Bucharest, Brașov, Bran, Sighișoara and Sibiu. Ten days to two weeks lets you add Maramureș, Bucovina or the Danube Delta.
Do they speak English in Romania?
Many younger Romanians and people working in tourism speak good English, especially in cities. A few words of Romanian are appreciated in the countryside.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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