Romania holidays

Between the capital and the countryside, holidays to Romania can be as laidback or as lively as you’d like.

Cool capital

Let’s be honest, if we asked you to name five holiday destinations, it’s unlikely Romania would make an appearance. Don’t be fooled into thinking this place shouldn’t be on your shortlist, though. Romania’s stepped up its getaway game in recent years – mainly thanks to its capital, Bucharest. It’s had a bit of a glow-up over the past decade, with visitors comparing it with some of Europe’s coolest capitals.

Traditional towns

Romania’s capital might be flaunting a fresh look, but step beyond Bucharest and you’ll see it’s a different story. Life in the villages that spread out across the countryside looks no different than it did decades ago. The region of Maramures is a great example, where everything from houses to churches are still made out of wood. Locals make a living by crafting carvings out of wood, too – that’s souvenirs sorted.

Storybook settings

North of Bucharest, the region of Transylvania’s proper fairy-tale territory. No, seriously – Bran Castle inspired the story of Dracula, and the nearby town of Brasov’s wrapped in legends of vampires and other Medieval stories. Don’t sweat the three-hour journey from Bucharest – TUI experiences have got you covered, with regular tours taking off from the capital to Transylvania. Top tip – don’t go it alone. It’s well worth heading here with a guide to get the scoop on the secrets of the region’s dark past.