What to Expect When You Visit Romania

Romania has been an overlooked destination by many in recent years, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth exploring. With gorgeous countryside, rich history and hidden-away treasures, you won’t regret spending your time in Romania.

Keep reading to find out what you should see and do while you’re here!

The Language

Romanian is closely related to Italian and French, so if you speak either of those languages you’ll be able to understand some Romanian words (and vice versa). Learning a few phrases before arriving is a good idea. Here are some useful phrases : Hello— Bună ziua. Goodbye — Sărut mâna.

The Culture

Romanians are known for their love of gathering and eating. As a welcome treat, you may be brought homemade wine or fruit juice. If you are given a present, don’t open it immediately—it’s customary to wait until your host has left.

History

Prior to becoming a part of Romania, Transylvania was a part of Hungary. It wasn’t until 1940 that it became a part of Romania. The people in Transylvania speak many different languages but mainly Romanian, Hungarian and German are most commonly spoken. Transylvania is bordered by Serbia, Ukraine and Bulgaria and is home to over 14 million people.

Things to Do

In Transylvania, one of the most famous places in all of Romania, you can witness a variety of beautiful landmarks. Plan on walking for about four hours over two days and head to Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle), Poenari Fortress, Harman Fortified Church and other historic sites from both medieval and 19th century eras.

Tips for Getting Around

The biggest impediment to travel is getting from place to place. The public transportation in Bucharest and other major cities can be quite challenging, especially for foreigners. Taxis are cheap, but many drivers don’t speak English and it’s easy to get scammed. Public transit is a great option in Romania, as trains and buses go almost everywhere you might want to visit and they are generally inexpensive.

Where To Eat

One of my favorite dishes in Romania is mamaliga. It’s a very simple dish, made out of cornmeal, milk and butter, cooked like polenta. It is both sweet and savory at once, with a unique taste that you don’t get much elsewhere.