Pass The Passport

Places / Europe

Romania

Visited

At a glance

Region
Southeast Europe
Capital
Bucharest
Population
19 million (2025)
Area
238,391 km²
Languages
Romanian
Currency
Romanian leu (RON)
Drives on the
right
Calling code
+40
Visited: Romania

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Before you go

Overview

Romania is a country situated at the juncture of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Romania is the largest of the Balkan countries.

The country recorded a population of 19.41 million in 2019 and covers an area of 238,397 km2.

Bucharest is its capital and largest city. The city is sometimes referred to as little France due to the French influence on buildings. Its main landmark is the Palatul Parlamentului government building with 1,100rooms.

Other major cities include Cluj Napoca, Timisoara, Brasov and Sibiu.

Bucharest’s Parliamentary Palace, said to be the world’s third biggest building by volume was commissioned by former Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. (Above)

History

It got its independence from the Ottoman Empire between 1877 and 1878 as a result of siding with Russia in the Russo-Turkish War.

It also joined the First World War on the Allied side.

In 1941, it fought against Soviet Union siding with Germany but later changed side when the Soviet forces drew closer.

Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the European Union in 2007.

Romania is bordered on the south by Bulgaria, on the north by Ukraine, on the west by Hungary, on the southwest by Serbia and the east by Moldova. It also has a vent to the Black Sea.

Food & culture

The country’s culture is grounded in its geography and historical evolution.

The main crops grown in the country are cereals, vegetables, sunflower, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans and fruits.

The popular dishes trademark dishes, cabbage rolls, polenta, grilled minced meat rolls, beef tripe soup and honouring the pig.

Wildlife

The main wildlife animals living here include Eurasian lynx, golden jackal, grey wolf, brown bears, red fox and European wild cat.

Festivals & events

The main celebrated events are the Great Union Day on 1st December, Romanian’s Folk Art Festival, Maiden’s Fair, the Traditional Crafts Fair, Bucharest of Old and Dance of the Prisiop.

Things to see

There is the Carpathian Mountains that are located in Central and Eastern Europe stretching from the Czech Republic to Romania.

There is also the Bran Castle, located in Bran, which is the national monument and landmark of Romania.

Also, there is the Peles Castle, a neo-renaissance castle located at the Carpathian Mountains in Prahova County.

Other must-visit places are the 15th century Curtea Veche Palace, Eastern Orthodox Stavropoleos, Sculptor Constantin Brancusi, Place of Parliament, Corvin’s Castle and Romanian Athenaeum.

Interesting facts

Sapanta Peri Monastery is the tallest wooden church in Europe.

The Danube Delata is the best-preserved delta in Europe.

Majority of the population are Christians and the official language is Romanian.

City guides

Cities & towns I’ve visited

Run a marathon in Romania

Bucharest Marathon

Bucharest · usually October

Passes the enormous Palace of the Parliament, one of the biggest buildings in the world.

Dates move from year to year, so check the race website before you book.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Romania

0 of 11 visited. See every site I've been to.

My photos from Romania

From 3 trips, newest first, so you can see which places each set of photos came from.

November 2024 Bucharest

Bucharest, Balotești

Whole trip gallery
  • Staircase wall painted with a large swirling mural in the style of Van Gogh's Starry Night.
  • Wall covered with framed paintings in the style of Van Gogh, including a self-portrait.
  • Tall palm trees beneath a curved wooden and glass roof in a large indoor spa.
  • A round platter of cured meats, cheese, red peppers, olives, tomato and mustard.
  • Enormous white neoclassical government building behind a road and fencing under a blue sky.
  • Tree-lined pathway covered in fallen leaves with autumn foliage overhead.
  • A striped Byzantine-style church among trees in Bucharest.

November 2018 Romania & Moldova

Focşani, Bucharesti, Bucharest

Whole trip gallery
  • The side of a blue sleeper train carriage at night in Romania.
  • A blue sleeper train waiting at a platform in Bucharest.
  • Fountains along Unirii Boulevard in Bucharest with apartment blocks behind.

August 2012 Brasov

Brasov

Whole trip gallery
  • A grand civic building with red roof and gardens in Brașov.

Plan your trip to Romania

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Neighbours

Bucket List goals in Romania