Romania attractions

Danube Delta
The 5800 sq km (2238 sq mi) Danube Delta, just south of the Ukrainian border, has Europe's youngest dirt, and is a magnet for birds and birdwatchers. Amid this wetland of reeds and waterways, lily-covered lakes and sand dunes, the Danube River completes its journey from Germany's Black Forest.

A traditional wooden kayak or rowing boat is your best option for exploring the Delta's 57 fishing villages, also handy for wildlife watching in the smaller waterways. Local fisherman may let you tag along too. There are no shops, so take supplies with you, and do not forget the insect repellent!
 

Southern Bucovina
The painted monasteries of southern Bucovina are among the greatest artistic monuments of Europe. The outside walls were erected at a time when northern Moldavia was threatened by Turkish invaders. They sheltered large armies and kept them entertained with cartoon-style frescoes of bible stories.

If your time is limited, the Voronet and Moldovita monasteries are easily accessible and provide a representative example of what Bucovina has to offer. To do a complete circuit of all the monasteries on your own requires three days; it's best to hire a car

Bucarest
Romania's capital lies on the Wallachian plains, between the Carpathian foothills and the Danube River. In the 1930s it was known as 'the Paris of the East'. Since then, earthquakes, WWII bombing and Ceausescu have combined to destroy much of its prewar beauty.

The focal point of what locals dubbed 'Ceausima' is the enormous 12-storey Palace of Parliament, intended to be the largest building in the world (it comes second to the Pentagon). Central Bucharest has some classic beauty, a 16th-century Old Court Church that contains stunning preserved frescoes.


Brasov
Surrounded by verdant Transylvanian hills, Brasov is one of Romania's most visited places.

A medieval Saxon town, Brasov's main attraction is the Black Church, said to be the largest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul. Many people use Brasov as a base for visiting nearby attractions, most notably Bran Castle, commonly known as 'Dracula's Castle', 30km (18.6 mi) south of town.
 

Sighisoara
Sighisoara is effectively another Brasov, but is more beautiful and less hyped than its twin. It has more preserved medieval buildings in better nick and a Dracula connection that pulls in the tourists. You'll find the Dracula House in the medieval citadel, birthplace of Vlad 'the impaler' Tepes.

Other worthy sights inside the citadel walls are the clock tower, a history museum, and the Church of the Dominican Monastery, which became the Saxons' main Lutheran church in 1566. The 172 steps of the covered stairway to the Gothic Church on the Hill offer a good climb.