Romania Beyond Dracula: 7 Places That Define the Country’s Character

Often, when people think of Romania, their minds wander toward Dracula. Unfortunately, they often do not even think of Dracula as the historically accurate persona, but rather, they think of the fictional character created by an Irish author who never set foot in Romania.

But Romania goes beyond vampires, bats, and medieval castles. The country, situated in Southeastern Europe, has a lot to offer to the curious traveler, and it is just as worth exploring as Italy, France, or any other European nation is.

Of course, to discover the heart and soul of this country, you need to leave your preconceived notions about Dracula and Transylvania, and discover the country for yourself.

Where should you visit if you land in Romania? As a Romanian, these are seven places I recommend you visit if you want to discover the real character of this country, far beyond the fairy tales about Dracula and medieval Transylvanian castles.

1. Bucharest—The Capital of the Nation

If there is one place to start your journey, it’s from the airport located right outside the capital city of Romania, Bucharest. A nation’s capital is the brain or the heart—depending on whom you ask—of the nation. So, I would begin my journey here.

In Bucharest, you can find an incredible mix of architectural styles one next to another. On the same street, you can find old Romanian houses next to communist apartment blocks. If in a busy intersection you can admire an old Orthodox church, be sure that next to it lies a building from the country’s communist past.

French, Greek, Russian, Romanian, and even American—these are just some of the architectural styles you can find in this city. You won’t find anything like it in Europe; this architectural mix reveals the flexible character of the city.

Of course, if there is one place you should visit in Bucharest, it must be the Palace of Parliament, which you can only enter on a guided visit, so it pays to book this ticket and guided tour ahead of time and bring your passport for the security check.

Started in 1984 by the dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and never actually finished, the building reveals the unrealistic ambitions of a dictator who was executed on Christmas Day, 1989. The building shows the strong character of the people who survived and overcame difficult times.

2. Maramureș

Far away from Bucharest, in the northwest part of the country, Maramureș is a must-go-to part of the country if you are interested in the rural lifestyle. Here, something authentic lies in the spirit and being of the people. In a sense, life stands still, showing the contemplative character of the people. Although very traditional, the people of Maramureș are some of the most diverse people in Romania, with many ethnic groups coexisting for centuries.

The churches here are small and made of wood, showing on the one side their closeness to God and on the other side, their modesty. Many of these churches are considered by UNESCO as being unique heritage that needs to be protected.

Besides the churches and the people, Maramureș is known by Romanians for its traditional alcoholic beverages. Palinka, a local brandy often claimed by the Hungarians living in that area as their own, can have up to 80% alcohol by volume. If you want to try a strong spirit, this is your chance to see how much alcohol your liver can process.

If there is one unique place that you should visit in Maramureș, that would be the Merry Cemetery. Located in Săpânța, a village in this part of the country, it shows you the relationship Romanians have with death. Here, you will read short, funny poems about how certain people died on their gravestones. Romanians have a fatalistic and joyful relationship with death; it’s in their character, and the Merry Cemetery highlights this best.

3. Bucovina—Heaven on Earth According to Many

From the northwest part of the country, we can now move to the northeast, in the region known as Bucovina. Conquered by the Habsburgs around three centuries ago, Bucovina is a staple of Romanian authenticity and spirituality.

Bucovinians pride themselves on being hospitable and welcoming people who will make you never want to leave. Here, nature is heavenly and makes you want to admire it all the time.

In Bucovina, you will have the opportunity to visit many Eastern Orthodox monasteries, with traditions dating back to the Middle Ages. The most iconic place to visit in Bucovina would be the Voroneț Monastery. Here, you will admire religious artwork with a specific hue of blue that can be found only in that monastery. How do they obtain this hue of blue? Only the monks know the secret. The Romanians from Voroneț put all their energy into making a hue of blue to use only in religious artwork. This shows the dedication that Romanians have for what matters in their lives. This shows their character.

4. The Danube Delta—Natural & People Diversity

Located in the far southeast of the country, where the Danube flows into the Black Sea, you can discover probably the most impressive natural wonder of Romania—the Danube Delta.

With thousands of species of birds, fish, reptiles, and insects, the Delta forms a natural environment that cannot be found anywhere in Europe. It serves as a sanctuary for over 5,500 species of flora and fauna spread across 23 distinct natural ecosystems.

The way that people travel around these parts makes the Delta unique. Here, in the villages inhabited by Romanians, Russians, and Ukrainians, people use small boats to get from one point to another. Where you might drive or bike across town, people here take the boat to visit friends and relatives or pick up groceries, and this private boat trip from Bucharest winds through those same narrow channels past tiny fishing villages, with a stop for a traditional fish lunch.

Certainly, a unique place in the Delta would be the cemetery located in Sulina, Romania’s easternmost city. In this cemetery, you can visit something unique in Europe: the graves of pirates.

The Delta reflects the unique character of Romania through its diverse and surprising nature.

5. Sibiu and the Saxon Villages—Another Transylvania

We couldn’t create a list of places to visit in Romania without mentioning Transylvania. However, the Transylvania that we propose you visit is a different Transylvania from what you thought about. Although mostly Romanian today, Sibiu and the surrounding villages have been home to the German Saxons since the 11th century. You can see the German heritage here in the old medieval homes and in the imposing Evangelical churches, as well as in the still-strong forts found in these medieval settlements.

The UNESCO-listed fortified villages include Biertan, Viscri, Prejmer, Saschiz, Câlnic, Dârjiu, and Valea Viilor.

If you want to see an ancient German culture in the heart of a Latin people, the Sibiu area is the place to visit.

The way that Romanians have maintained the German culture even after they took these communities over, demographically, tells us something about Romania’s character.

One interesting place that you may want to visit while you are in Sibiu is Sighișoara. A small medieval city, the city still has its old houses inhabited. What’s more important, Sighișoara is the birthplace of Vlad Țepeș, i.e., the real Count Dracula.

6. Transfăgărășan—the Carpathian Wonder

If you want to witness a truly remarkable landscape and experience an incredible ride through the Romanian mountains, then the Transfăgărășan is the place to be.

Another ambitious project by the dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, just like the Parliament’s Palace, the Transfăgărășan road is one of the most impressive roads you’ll drive on. The team from Top Gear has voted it the best road in Europe. If you are a car enthusiast, you should take a ride on this impressive road.

However, the road has become more impressive thanks to its surprising and cherished visitors: the brown bears of the area. You can drive on the Transfăgărășan for ten minutes and see, on the sides of the road, at least seven local brown bears. They often sit on the side of the road, begging the drivers for food.

While some criticize the bear situation, we can say that this is the Romanian way of bringing nature into harmony with what people have built. It is part of the character of this nation.

7. Târgu Jiu—Brâncuși’s Romania

The last destination that you should consider has nothing to do with Romania as you’ve known it or as you have perceived it from this article. It is Târgu Jiu, a city in Oltenia, the southwest region of the country.

This city has been the launching hub of one of the best sculptors—according to many, the best sculptor—of the previous century. Constantin Brâncuși, the sculptor, was born in the surrounding area. Although he had to flee the country when communists took over, he donated some of his most important works of art to his native land.

The Heroes’ Avenue monumental ensemble, created by Constantin Brâncuși, is now a UNESCO World Heritage property. Here, you will appreciate some of the sculptor’s best works of art, such as the Gate of the Kiss, the Endless Column, the Table of Silence, the Alley of Chairs, and many more.

Brâncuși’s art is a window into the Romanian soul looking toward our modern world, showing Romania’s character of adapting in every era without selling its soul.

You should visit this part of Romania to see the country as not many see it.

These are seven places that you should travel to if you ever visit Romania. They allow you to see the real country and its true character, beyond the fairy tales about Dracula and medieval castles.

These places show you what Romania truly is about and how this country constantly adapts to changing times.

For more, read Rila Monastery: A Day Trip Into Bulgaria’s Spiritual Heart.

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Author Bio: Dan has two passions in this world, to write and to travel, so he decided to write traveling articles for you to enjoy.

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