Photo: Bran Castle · Dobre Cezar · CC BY-SA 3.0 ro
First-Timer Guide 🇷🇴Romania: What to Know Before You Go
Destination Intel / Romania
A typical first trip here runs about $675 to $900 per person for 7 days at a mid-range style, before flights. This is a rough estimate from PINYA regional pricing, not hand-reviewed yet, and not a live price. Real cost moves with your dates and exchange rates. Get a tailored number in the Budget Calculator, or have The Crown price your exact trip.
Culture, Food and Etiquette
- 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
Best Time to Visit
Romania has a temperate continental climate; spring and autumn are mild, summer is warm, and winter is cold with skiing in the Carpathians.
- Peak: June to August
- Shoulder: May, September to October
- Off season: November to April, with a ski season
Source: meteoromania.ro
Getting Around
- Trains and buses link the cities across the country.
- Bucharest has a metro plus trams and buses.
- A car helps for reaching the mountains and painted monasteries.
Source: travel.state.gov
What moves the cost: Romania is an affordable destination overall, and the summer and the ski season are the busiest.
Common Questions
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Romania?+
Source: travel.state.gov
Is Romania safe for first-time travelers?+
Source: travel.state.gov
Latest for Romania
Updates for Romania will appear here as they are published. Every update cites official sources, so you can plan on it.