A typical first trip here runs about $475 to $650 per person for 7 days at a mid-range style, before flights. Get your own number from the Budget Calculator.
- Mămăligă (polenta), a staple served with cheese, sour cream, and eggs
- Sarmale, cabbage rolls stuffed with minced meat and rice
- Mici (grilled minced meat rolls), eaten at every outdoor gathering
- Ciorba (sour soup), essential first course in Romanian meals
- Ţuică, potent plum brandy, the traditional hospitality drink
- Mărțișor (March 1), spring festival with red-and-white trinkets
- George Enescu Music Festival (Bucharest, September), world-class classical music
- Medieval Festival of Sighișoara, held in one of Europe's best-preserved citadels
- Painted Easter eggs (ouă încondeiate), intricate folk art tradition
- Halloween in Transylvania, Dracula's castle at Bran draws global tourists
Romanian is a Latin-based language, if you speak Spanish, Italian, or French, you'll recognize words. English is widely spoken in cities; French and German are also understood.
Romanians are warm and hospitable.
- Romanians are generous hosts, refuse food only after accepting some
- Bring wine or flowers when invited to someone's home
- Tipping 10% is standard and appreciated in restaurants
- Be sensitive about Communism-era history, it's complex and personal
Latest for Romania
Updates for Romania will appear here as they are published. Every update cites official sources, so you can plan on it.