7 Activities you can do in Romania
Romania is such a beautiful country that’s rich in culture and steeped in history. Due to its relatively obscure location, it’s still regarded by many as an off-the-beaten-path destination. If you choose to make a trip to Romania, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with folklore, history and exciting places that are bound to leave a lasting impression. It’s no surprise that Romania is regularly featured among Europe’s best travel destinations, after all, there is a wealth of experiences waiting to be discovered.
Visit Amazing Castles
Romania is home to many impressive castles, citadels, and fortresses. Each castle pertains to different eras, were built for different purposes and consist of different characteristics. Since each of the castles are different and unique in their own way, you’d want to visit them all. While Peleș Castle is one of the most charming castles in Europe, Bran Castle centers around the age-old tale of Dracula, and Corvin Castle sits atop a rocky bluff with stunning gothic culture.
Visit Corvin Castle, and you’ll be captivated by the rich gothic architecture of the castle. Built in the mid-15th century, the castle was the work of John Hunyadi – a Hungarian military leader – who built the structure over the remains of a keep built by Charles I. While the structure of the castle declined rapidly after Hunyadi’s death, restoration work of the castle began in the 17th century. There are also a number of legends that are associated with this castle, the most notable one being that Vlad the Impaler went mad after spending seven years in the dungeons of this castle.
Peleș Castle, on the other hand, was constructed in the 1860s after King Carol I of Romania became captivated by the scenic location in the small village of Sinaia. Even though the construction took ten years, it resulted in a glorious masterpiece for the Romanian royals as the castle was equipped with everything from a movie theatre to a concert hall.
Relish in the Delicious Cuisine
It’s an enigma as to why Romanian cuisine isn’t given enough worldwide recognition as the food is hearty, delicious and made with love. If you’ve never tried a chimney cake, Romania is an excellent place to start. Called Kürtőskalács, it is nicknamed the chimney cake for its cylindrical shape. Essentially, the thin and hollow cake has a sticky caramel coating that’s been dusted with cocoa powder, cinnamon, ground walnuts, and other toppings. While it’s texture is a bit like brioche, it’s less bready and a little chewy – a sweet ending to any meal.
While you’re in Romania, you may also want to try the sour soups called ciorbă. These soups have a sour, vinegary taste and can contain anything from chicken to meatballs. For the classic version, it’s made with tripe – stomach lining of a cow – and simmered for over three hours. Although it may sound unappetizing, this soup headlines many menus in Romania and is a well-known dish for curing a hangover.
Either than the above, there are so many other dishes that you can try from Papanasi (cottage cheese donuts) to Mici (grilled minced meat rolls), you’ll be kept satiated throughout your vacation.
Admire the Bigar Waterfall
Located in the Anima Mountains on the Mini River, this astounding waterfall is so exquisite that it has even been called ‘the miracle from the Minis Canyon’ by the locals. The waterfall is not only eight meters tall, but it also falls over a carpet of green moss and is unlike any other waterfall. This waterfall is also far gentler than other roaring waterfalls as the water flows over a rounded stone that diverts it into countless small streams below.
Trudge through the Berca Mud Volcanoes in Eastern Romania
Berca mud volcanoes are extremely rare in Europe. Hence, this location is popular among tourists and photographers alike. Head to see the volcanoes, and you’ll be intrigued by the conical volcano shapes made of gray, thick mud spewing out mud bubbles. Interestingly, the locals refer to these mud volcanoes as ‘The Gates of Hell,’ and it’s no surprise as the landscape is barren with a lack of vegetation.
If you’re thinking of visiting the mud volcanoes, arrange private transportation as the area is difficult to get to. Wear appropriate footwear to tackle the mud and hiking spots around the area. There’s also a visitor’s center if you want more information about the volcanoes along with the surrounding flora and fauna.
Sit on an Underground Ferris Wheel
If you’ve always dreamed of seeing an underground Ferris wheel within the largest salt mine museum in the world, now’s your chance. Located in Turda, Transylvania, the Ferris wheel is situated in a modern art theme park that’s nestled 120 meters below the surface of the earth within a salt mine with over 2,000 years of history.
It’s worth a visit as this salt mine is a monumental tourist attraction that’s even been ranked by Business Insider as the most beautiful underground place in the world. You’d be surprised to know that either than a Ferris wheel, the theme park also has an amphitheater, underground lake, spa treatment rooms, sports field, table tennis and more.
After visiting Salina Turda, you can even relive your memories by exploring this beautiful salt mine virtually with the Alta Obscura VR.
Marvel at Poenari Castle
Poenari Castle is a majestic, exciting fortress that was constructed in the 13th century with mortar. You’ll be blown away by the cliff-side view and would want to know more about its sordid story that’s connected to Vlad III the Impaler. Even though a landslide in 1888 brought down parts of the castle, it was slightly repaired, and the walls and towers are still standing today.
The castle is located on a cliff that’s near the Făgăraş Mountains. Just a fair bit of warning, to reach Poenari Castle, you’d have to climb 1,480 concrete stairs before being able to access this citadel.
Be Puzzled by the Mountain Sphinx
Head up to Bucegi Mountains to visit a rock formation that’s shrouded in mystery. You might think that you’d only be able to see something like this in Egypt, but here it is in Romania. This strange formation is over millions of years old and is known as the seven wonders of Romania.
There are numerous conspiracy theories associated with the Mountain Sphinx. From being called an energetic force field to a god that ancient civilizations used to worship. Visit the Mountain Sphinx to debunk these theories yourself. You can get to the Mountain Sphinx by taking hiking trails from the towns of Busteni and Sinia. Alternatively, you can also take the cable car up. Take note, however, that the cable car doesn’t operate in bad weather.
Conclusion
Either than the above, there are countless other things that you can do in Romania. With so many other castles, you can immerse yourself in the country’s unique architecture. You can also head to the outdoors and try one of the country’s many hiking trails and beautiful nature paths. Romania also has no less than eight UNESCO world heritage sights. Can you visit them all?