There’s more to Romania than Dracula. This increasingly popular tourist destination saw 14 million visitors in 2024 and it is crammed with treasures. Here’s our pros and cons:
Pros
Romania is cheap by European standards and your money will go a long way.
The Romanians are exceptionally friendly and helpful.
There’s a lot of history – it’s home to impressive castles, dazzling monasteries, unspoilt swathes of countryside, 152 miles of Black Sea coast and vibrant cities.
Romania has 11 UNESCO World Heritage sites – like beautifully preserved Transylvanian gem Sighisoara.
Bucharest should be on everyone’s European city list. It’s a buzzing, cool city. The architecture rivals Paris and ranges from ancient monasteries right through to vast Communist palaces.
It’s not yet too touristy. Take advantage now.
Cons
The roads aren’t the safest. Romania has a problem with speeding and drunk drivers.
Petty theft and pickpocketing do exist in busy tourist areas.
Watch your drinks as spiking can occur.
Smoking is still prevalent in many social places.
Use Uber or Bolt, if available, as local taxis sometimes overcharge.
You will need cash in some rural areas.
It’s a large country, but internal travel isn’t as easy as some of its neighbours.
There is public healthcare, but the standard can be variable.
In the cities, English is widely spoken to a very high standard. In more rural areas it can be more difficult to communicate.