01Corvin Castle (Hunedoara)
One of the largest and best-preserved Gothic castles in Europe, with a drawbridge over a dry moat and a dungeon where Vlad Tepes was allegedly imprisoned. The courtyard alone is worth the trip.
Eastern Europe
Romania
Castles, dark history, and medieval cities that look exactly like they should.
Romania packs an extraordinary density of medieval castles, fortified churches, and centuries-old towns into a landscape that looks like it fell out of a fairy tale. Transylvania — yes, that Transylvania — is real, and it's significantly better than the myth. The history here predates Bram Stoker by several centuries, and the actual Vlad Dracul is far more interesting than the vampire.
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What to See in Romania
The places that make Romania worth the trip — and the stories behind them.
01
02Sighișoara
The birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, a medieval citadel that has been continuously inhabited for 800 years. The colored rooftops, clock tower, and cobbled lanes are exactly what a medieval city should look like.
03Peleș Castle
A 19th-century royal palace in the Carpathian Mountains with over 160 rooms and an interior so ornate it looks digitally enhanced. The exterior alone is worth the drive.
04Bran Castle
The castle most associated with Dracula, sitting on a cliff above Transylvania. Touristy but genuinely dramatic — the setting alone justifies it.
Slănic Prahova Salt Mine
A vast underground complex 208 meters below the surface, with 54-meter-high chambers carved from pure salt. There's a playground underground. It makes more sense once you're inside.
06Curtea Domnească, Târgoviște
Vlad Tepes held his infamous Easter feast here in 1459, invited the boyars who'd conspired against his family, and had them impaled on the spot. The ruins and Chindia Watchtower still stand.
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Hotels & Accommodation
Flights
Tours & Experiences
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Essential Info
Best Time to Visit
May–October for mild weather; late October if you want the full Halloween atmosphere
Currency
Romanian Leu (RON)
Language
Romanian
Further Reading
The books that make a destination make more sense before you arrive — history, culture, context.
📚Books About Romania
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My Experience Here
memoir
Read my firsthand account of Romania →
The full story, the mishaps included.
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