Top 10 most interesting small towns in Romania

Knowing Romania from inside, but also through the avid eyes of foreign tourists I am working with, gives me the happy occasion to be able making such classification and rankings. I take the chance for the possible mistakes, I must repeat: this is my personal opinion, and I am waiting for yours, if you have one!

 First of all, let's set up the basics. A town is a settlement of no more than 100 000 inhabitants. And a nice time, worth to your visit, time and money is simply a nice town. You can recognize it as you enter and see it. Might be very well kept, with very friendly people or with something really special, e.g. historic buildings, picturesque position or fantastic neighborhood. Many of the Romanian small towns have been destroyed during the communist time due to the forced industrialization policy.

After all this long, but necessary introduction, here you are! Please find bellow my favs among the Romanian small towns.

1. Sighisoara is maybe the most historic and touristic Romanian town, with an amazing Medium Age fortress, which is really unique as still inhabited. The many medieval festivals, street parties and budgets or exquisite hotels make this town a perfect winning choice for any occasion.

From this Suceava fortress, Stefan cel Mare ruled over the all Moldavia

2.Suceava. Make the right difference please between downtown and the industrial area, please. Don't miss the railway station, it is one century old, big, interesting and totally functional at today standards. Don't miss the Medieval fortress, where the legendary Stephen The Great had his headquarter, and try to figure the life in the Royal court! Around, in the neighboring area, on a 50 km range you can find the fantastic painted monasteries, an UNESCO protected heritage.

Tulcea port is the town's main hub, as all the town day or night life turns around.

3.Tulcea. Or translated in English. the gate to the Danube Delta. Maybe the town is not so spectacular, despite intense night life on the docks, but has many hotels, and is the bast place for discovering the breathtaking Danube Delta, Europe's youngest land!

4.Alba Iulia. It means a lot from any point of vue. The new town is charming, but the fortress is overwhelming. Alba Iulia has been for decade the Capital of Transylvania. At 1784 three Romanian leaders of an liberating uprise have been drawn on wheel. Further, during a huge popular assembly of 1918 the Romanian representatives decided and sealed the Unification with Romania. This is nowadays our National day, and is celebrated yearly in Alba Iulia at 1. of December.

Drobeta Turnu Severin is nice, well kept and bears a Historic charge

5. Drobeta Turnu Severin. Drobeta is the ancient Roman name. Here, at 100 a.C the Romans build a bridge, crossed the river and fought with the local Dacians, which had no chance but fought heroic and desperately! The Dacian King Decebal commited suicide, rather than falling alive prisonner to the Romans. Through the interesting mixing of those 2 people emerged the Romanian people and language.

Satu Mare and one of its many interesting architecture monuments

6.Satu Mare. Charming town, very close to the Hungarian border, with many wonderful historical buildings and museums.

Piatra Neamt, viewed from the Mountain Pietricica

7.Piatra Neamt. Very picturesque town, at the hems of Mountain Pietricica. Even on the Mountain Pietricica you can stay on the terrace of restaurant Popasul Gospodinelor, and enjoy the fantastic view. Not far, a few significant monasteries (Agapia, Secu, Bistrita), many hiking trails or the amazing Bicaz gorges, near lacul Rosu.

The Big Romania Tour of former Capitals

I am fascinated by the Middle Age, I wonder about all the conveniences from a Royal Court. It must have been a hard time comparing with a modern club when the girls are wearing shirt skirt as an uniform. I wonder how was during Middle Age accosting, dating and loving a women wearing a very long dress with a crinoline. Hard times indeed.

We can only speculate about, I am sure we can discuss a lot more about this hot issue. Visiting the former Romanian Capitals and asking or answering the right questions would be an interesting thing, I am sure, that's why I am proposing you the Tour of Former Romanian Capitals. As you might remember, during Middle Age the history mentions three Romanian countries : Wallachia, Moldavia and Transilvania. In Wallachia, before Bucharest gains its overwhelming importance, the capital was closer to the mountains, much easier to defend, successively in the towns of Campulung, Curtea de Arges and Targoviste.

Alba Iulia at night, inside the citadell, the Orthodoxe Church

The Moldavia Capital has been long time in Suceava. Even the legendary Stefan cel mare/Stephen the Great was located in Suceava and had here its Capital and headquarter. Later, under the constant pressure of the Othoman Empire, Iasi became the Capital.

Transilvania was under a strong Hungarian-Austrian influence, but I am not going to send you away in Budapest or Vienna. Go better to the headquarters of the local Diet (Parliament) in Alba Iulia, Sibiu or Cluj Napoca.

Cluj Napoca is former Capital, and a nice city for sure!

A difficult task indeed for a Swiss, overwhelmed by the huge Romania! Romania is not so big, would only say is a medium sized country with its 237 000 sqkm and 20 000 000 inhabitants. According my researches and ideas, if you are on a time pressure we can manage to see all these cities within 3 days. Less means to pass some interesting places.

The trip shall start  from Bucharest in my opinion, but I am very flexible about that. During first day visit please the former Wallachian Capitals Targoviste, Campulung and Curtea de Arges, which might appear nowadays unsignificant province towns. Digging deeper, you can find some wonderful, really royal churches (all the court was orthodox and attended the church regularly) or museums, even fortifications necessary for the defensive purposes. If you are in the warm season and the wonderful road Transfagarasan is opened, cross the mountains on it, the landscape is really fantastic. Reach then Sibiu, and visit it in detail, it is a still a wonderful city. You have all the time in the world, we are going to spend the night here, in an excellent **** hotel, with wine tasting to the dinner. Don't miss the Bruckenthal museum, it is also worth to a long visit.

The Culture Palace from Iasi, which is even today a Romanian Culture Capital

Start your second day leaving Sibiu and visiting Alba Iulia and its very well kept citadell, and the city of Cluj Napoca/Koloszvar/Klausenburg, still being today an interesting mix of populations, who lives in a perfect harmony (my opinion, the Hungarian shall correct me if I'm wrong, koeszonem szepszi!). Unfortunately, we have not much time for Cluj-napoca, as we have to reach Suceava's  hotel Bucovina. Visit Suceava citadell next morning, and imagine the legendary Stefan cel Mare ruling the city and the country. He was rather small, violent and with a soft spot  on beautiful women, no one could resist him, or didn't dare to say no. Live for Iasi, the Moldavian capital up to 1859, which is still nowadays a very important cultural city. The last for 400 km up to Bucharest are only a play. Please keep in mind that the all trip comprises 2000 km, and give the good news about dedicating it longer than three days. Also, according your budget, I can find a good solution! The trip as described above, 3 days with complete pension and lodging in exquisite hotels, would cost 500 Euros.

Most important event in Romania: European  Youth Olympic Winter Festival EYOWF

If you would like to visit Romania, but always find a reason to postpone booking, hesitate or whatsoever, I can give you another serious reason to take the big decision.

Nowadays is taking place in Romania a major winter sports event of this year, namely The International Olympic Youth Festival. It is going to be a brilliant success, judging the flamboyant start from Saturday. As the event is very important, the president of International Olympic Commitee (IOC), Mr Jacques Rogge was present in person to the inauguration, and declared to have found an excellent developed infrastructure.

This is the picturesque Romanian city of Brasov, hosting the EYOWF Festival right now. You can still join the gang.

The Festival is taking place in Poiana Brasov and nearby, there is a lot of snow and the people are all very happy. An Olympic fire is permanently burning in Brasov. Mr Rogge would be delighted if Romania wins a medal, and meanwhile this thing has been already accomplished.

There have been rumors for decades in Romania in many circle to organize the Olympic Games. O,K, for the Summer Games Romania doesn't qualify, but for the Winter Olympic games is perfectly fit. This Olympic Festival is the perfect test and general repetition for the aspiration to organize The Winter Olympic games. At this moment all the hotels in Poiana Brasov are completely booked, and also on a 100 km radius. But if you still want to book and take part to this unique event, I can give some tip and help finding the best solution.

Poiana Brasov/Schulerau and its many slopes are hosting the most of the Festival. 

Once there, don't waste time, please. Besides the normal time on the slope for the sport freaks, you have so many things to do. Visit Brasov, Bucharest, or Sibiu, visit Dracula castle in Bran, or make a few of the recommended tours. Go shopping, go partying, there are so many things to do in Brasov. You are going to love the fantastic animation caused by the Festival, which you can observe in all bars and restaurants from Brasov. The city is once again charming and appealing and turned to a Babilon Tower. Unfortunately, a few restaurants ran out of wine, but will renew the strategic resources. The Festival has attracted many sportsmen and spectators showing to be a success. Prominent Romanian singer Inna sung in the first night of the event and everybody forgot the freezing temperature as any other trouble.

If you are a winter sport freak and fond of events, please join the tribe. If you are not in the mood for overcrowded places, wait two weeks, until the Festival is coming to an end, and the prices fall down.

Wonderful Spring traditions in Romania

What I really love in Romania most are the well kept traditions. They give me, and not only me,  the strength to keep on in this wonderful land.

The half of the Romanian population still lives in villages, still ruling a traditional way of life. Nowadays, after a harsh winter, the spring is calling its  coming finally. And is for sure a triumphant one! The people wish each other to have a wonderful spring, and they are all full of love an joy of life. At many of the local rural festival, the best farmer of the village is being asked to cut the first plough, thus causing another reason for celebration. The elder try to guess how rich will be the year, and they always report that the year is going to be a good one!

In some corners of my country the people are dancing with masks, in order to banish the bad spirits. Their suits are really fantastic, and 2000 years old. Almost all the people are orthodox (90 %) attending the church every Sunday. They also start the general spring cleaning inside the house and outside, in the garden. The lazy people are subject of jokes. Also on Sunday, after attending the church service, the people go traditionally in the local pub dancing the traditional round (hora), which is a good reason for the youngsters to fall, as the spring is really charming and irresistible. Young girls put under their pillow special plants with strong magical properties, helping them doing the right choice and the best approach. Near the well renowned Valentine's Day, there is a celebration dedicated to the local Dragobete. a legendary handsome young man, a sort of Cupid!

Very soon in Romania the winter shall leave, and there are many fantasctic traditions with this occasion

Some of the village seniors did not reach the spring, they are dead during the winter. The funerals in Romania  are also particular for any visitor observing it, and much more touching and human. Namely, the dead rests three days in an opened coffin, so that family and friends can tell the well deserved farewell. During nights the  closest relatives may not leave him alone. Only on burial the cofin is being sealed with the lid, and the family invites the guests to a ritual meal, and makes charity for the poor. The family must prey for 40 days, and only after this period the saw will finally leave the dead body. The wine plays an important role during the church service and during the meal. The people are not supposed to say cheers, but must drop some straws on the floor for the deceased to enjoy.

If you meet by chance in Romania a wedding ceremony, be sure to be invited becoming a part of it. It could be the event of your life.

Wedding in Romania are really interesting. If you meet one, be sure to be invited there. You are ought to eat and to drink, tough luck! Enjoy a Romanian wedding in one of the remote rural regions where the traditions are still alive, like Maramures, Bucovina, Sibiu e.g.

Best secret retreats nearby Bucharest

No matter how charming might be Bucharest, you need sometimes to move away. You are no more in the mood to socialize in a big city, you need to disconnect totally. Bucharest parks are a possibility, Bucharest churches another one.

But if you wanna go deeper in nature, you have excellent possibilities only 100 km away from Bucharest (excepting the rush hours on week ends, when the traffic jams are terribly frequent !). The all Prahova Valley, as the favorite  destinations of the Bucharest inhabitants, is sometimes overcrowded and overbooked, and also polluted. But you can still find some peace and quiet islands, in order to gain yourself and make peace with the inner you.

My suggestion for this noble goal would be a remote isolated cabin in these mountains. Reach first of all the little town of Predeal, only 20 km away from Brasov. You can reach it over Ploiesti and Sinaia, if is not week end and you hope on a fluent circulation, or over Cheia-Brasov, from the opposite side. Besides, you have the train option, which is pretty comfy and costs effective.

Belvedere Cabin offers fantastic view to all neighboring mountains.  It is also remoted and isolated, almost a romantic place, up to the big dormitories!

Once there in Predeal I can propose first the Diham Cabin, accessible after a two hours climbing. For that purpose, live the station and walk along the central boulevard Mihai Saulescu (Romanian poet, falled nearby in WWI). After observing a few shops, Post office and the Firemen, take care not to miss a panel to Hotel orizont, followed by another to the Cabin Trei Brazi (Three Firs). Start walking on the street leading to Trei Brazi, cut the road sinuosities as you are smart, and discover first Cabana Vanatorilor (The Hunters' Cabin), but don't  be happy, it is not your target! Notice here the two marking paths, one with a yellow band, and one with a blue cross. If you are not sure about them, enter the forrest. Inside  a small lighting the blue cross marking turns suddenly left. This is right, please follow it carefully, and start climbing The Mountain Fitifoiu for one or two hours (depending on your mood and shape). At a moment you will join a another path originating in Cabin Trei Brazi, carrying the same marking, a blue cross, whose finally destination is the same: Sipote lighting. At the end of the path, after 2-3 hours climbing you are going to reach your target, the Diham Cabin. Which is big and welcoming, with 70 places in rooms of 6-10 beds, hostel type. No chance of romance, unless you have practice and skills. I have some ideas, will reveal them soon. It is hot, you have running water, hot water and electricity. Limit yourself to the basics, and enjoy life, as the other also do. The cabin lies at an altitude of 1300 meters, you are away from the big city of Bucharest.

The Diham Cabin, not far from Predeal, is a good base for other sorter or longer  hiking trips  in Piatra Craiului Mountains.

If you think that this cabin is not easy enough reachable (which should make you seriously thinking about your way of life, shape and condition!), I can give you another option: The Belvedere Cabin. You can reach it by car, coming whether from Bucharest, or from Brasov, and living the highway to Piriul Rece- Rasnov. The street narrows, but is still o.k., and you can reach the cabin in the best condition. Don't expect a four stars hotel, is a simple cabin, organized as a hostel, but offers a fantastic view over of the nearby mountains.

There are many other options for cabins and almost secret retreats in the Piatra Craiului Mountains, by Predeal, but I wish limiting on these two, it's my choice and personal recommendation. You have wonderful possibilities for relaxing, outdooring and even socializing.

The most interesting things to know about Bucharest parks

It is really interesting to be in Bucharest on any occasion, in every season. Wonderful charming city, nice people, and an unbelievable feeling of safety, much more pregnant than in any European Capital! (if you don't agree and had bad experiences in Bucharest, please tell me about them! But I really doubt, this city is really safe, if you only respect the basic rules!)

Supposing you have been partying all night in the Bucharest clubs (located mainly in Downtown. Lipscani street) and after a short well deserved rest you are in the right mood to starting again from scratch. But better wait, and postpone it a few hours, I know what you need. You need walking, an maybe taking some special soups in the right places. About the best places for walking and resting, the Bucharest parks are exactly what you need and I really recommend.

The legendary flower battle from Herastrau has been  painted by the Romanian master Stefan Luchian.

Bucharest has many parks, despite the building rush from the last decades. The big city's most renowned park are the favorite dating place, and there name are Libertatii, Cismigiu or Herastrau. In every of these wonderful parks you will find a leading restaurant, offering you the saving sour tripe soup, and I strongly suggest the restaurants Monte Carlo from Park Cismigiu, and Pescarus in Park Herastrau.

The Cismigiu Park, or garden, is in the very heart of Bucharest, an island of joy, happiness and peace in the middle of an overcrowded city. It is very old, and fantastic well kept. It is really chic at night taking a walk in the Cismigiu, you will meat some glamorous ladies. The word has a strong Turkish resonance, but the garden has been redesigned by the beginning of the XXth century by a prominent Vienna architect. Forget any trouble caused by nausea, you can even take a boat and float on the middle lake. During winter (cold will really help, keeping you awake) you can skate.

From Cismigiu Park to the Herastrau Park you have more than 2 km to run. If you can still keep moving, so good to you. If not, use public transportation or taxi. Start the visit in Herastrau from the Restaurant Pescarus, would be just the thing you need. But please, don't drink alcohol again, stay to the tripe soup with vinegar, chilli and sour cream. Wtf, not even a glass of wine? No, sorry, keep yourself sober and wait a little more. Walking in this huge park, Bucharest's biggest, is a wonderful event. Observe ,please the Miorita fountain and if you are lucky enough you can catch an amazing traditions, namely the flower battle. It has a long tradition, it was first time organized for goodwill at 1890. It was the most amazing possible event in the jet set,and a good opportunity for dating or flirting or conquering. It used to take place on the Kisselef street, on the western side of the park. There are plans to resuscitate this rarely event, that's why I tell you about your unique chance of getting a flower battle .

After this refreshing walk in the Bucharest parks you may start again partying and drinking during the fantastic Bucharest nights.

Most spectacular mountain  lakes in Romania

Romania due to its continental mild climate experiences in summer long drought periods and consequently in wide parts of the country the lakes are appearing very rarely. It is no desert actually, but maybe similar in a way.

Some parts of the country, as Danube Delta or Black Sea coast enjoy the blessed presence of some wonderful lakes, like Razim-Sinoe, but I am going to report about them on a further occasion. I would like to concentrate right now to the Romanian mountains (The Romanian Carpathians) with there wonderful lakes , previously mentioned in Retezat Park e.g. I adore all these mountain lakes, and the fishermen also do. Most of these  lakes are glaciar ones; a few are natural dam lakes (e.g. Lacu Rosu/red lake) or anthropic dam lakes (Bicaz, Lotru, Portile de Fier, Valea Uzului).

The picturesque lake Sf. Ana/ Szent Ana To is really picturesque, and totally unique in Romania, due to its  volcanic origin

Only one lake in the wide area of Romanian mountains has a volcanic origin, and thus is really unique. Its name is Sf Ana, and not only its exotic origin make it really special, but also its breathtaking look and position. It lies in the Ciuc mountains, inside the Romanian Szekelyi County (or Szekelyfold), very close to natural dam lake, namely Bolatau, and an artificial dam lake, namely Poiana Uzului. These three spectacular lakes make from these county and mountains one of the most picturesque in the all Romania.

The dam lake Poiana Uzului matches perfectly with the landscape,  which is  rarely to a human made lake

The lake Sf Ana with a huge area around constitutes a huge protected natural reserve on more than 80 hectars (160 acres). It lies on the bottom of a former volcanic crater and has an almost perfectly circular form. Not very deep, only 7 meters, offers excellent conditions for swimming, despite its cold temperature in the middle of summer. The beautiful local szekelyi girls use to go swimming in this lake, totally naked. All around beech and fir forests. There is no any known sources on the surface, but most probably strong depth sources on the bottom. There is no river feeding or being feed from the lake, the water or snow falls are the only known sources. Very close to the  lake there is a motel, you can eat very well Hungarian like specialties, like goulasch. Fishing in the lake is permitted, but you can find only a small sort of trout, which has been populated 100 years ago. You can reach the beautiful lake by car, or walking a few hours whether from Bixad or from Tusnad.

The nearby Lake Poiana Uzului is totally different, but not less spectacular. It is human made, but picturesque and perfectly set in the natural landscape. The dam is huge, 80 meters high. You can reach the lake by car to the dam, when is a welcoming motel, or to the other end, where you can enjoy a much more genuine nature.

In my opinion these totally different contrasting lakes, lieing one next to the other, offer a perfect balance, and that is why I consider to be so spectacular!