We invite you for a journey to discover the many facets of Romania. Whether for a one day trip, a long weekend or a tour across the country, you will have the opportunity to explore and understand the country and its culture.
Besides the main attractions in Bucharest and around the country, such as the Black Sea, with 45 miles of beautiful fine sand beaches, the Danube Delta - the largest and best preserved of Europe’s river deltas, the castles (Bran, Peles, Corvinilor), the painted monasteries in Bucovina or Maramures county – extraordinary for traditions and folklore, here are some other landmarks definitely worth visiting.
Shall we begin?
Turda Salt Mine “the coolest underground place in the world”, according to Business Insider
A unique and real museum of salt mining in Transylvania, Turda salt mine is located 30 km from Cluj-Napoca. It has existed for over 13 million years and it first became available for tourists in 1952. The salt mine features: health activities, such as medicinal bath salt for rehabilitation therapies in internal diseases and in prevention and sanogenesis; recreation aria with swimming pool, spa and wellness centre, playground for kids, mini-golf, bowling, boating on the underground lake, big wheel, sport field, etc.
Comana Natural Park
Only 30 km away from Bucharest, Comana Natural Park is considered to be the second Delta in our country. The park accommodates numerous species of birds, fish, reptiles, plants or mammals. It is the perfect one day trip to relax, whether to walk in the forest, to go boating or maybe try moto-paragliding. Aventura Park will tempt you as well with climbing, for both children and parents. You can also spend the night there, with villas providing great accommodation and meals.
Fabrica de Pensule (Paintbrush Factory)
Near the industrial area of Cluj-Napoca operates an independent space for contemporary art. Paintbrush Factory is a unconventional place, named due to its location in the former industrial facility, extends on 2,000 sqm, encompassing approximately 30 contemporary art spaces: artists’ workshops, galleries and cultural organizations active in the fields of visual arts, contemporary dance, music and theatre (the program is available on the internet in Romanian, Hungarian and English). The neighborhood of the contemporary art space is mostly industrial.
Vulcanii Noroiosi (Mud Volcanoes)
A rare phenomenon can be seen in Romania, in Buzau county. The mud volcanoes are formed due to natural gas coming out of the ground at a depth of 3,000 m. The gases cross a clay soil and push the water out. A cold mud comes to the surface forming cones, thus appearing similar to volcanoes.
Pestera Ursilor (Bears’ Cave)
Bears’ Cave is located in the Western Apuseni Mountains and it received its name after 140 bear skeletons were discovered on the site in 1983. With a length of 1.5 km, this cave lighted by candles has beautiful natural sculptures which invite the visitor to an imaginative spectacle. The biggest cave in Romania is of length of 47 km and it is called Pestera Vantului (Wind Cave).
Cimitirul Vesel (The Merry Cemetery)
The Merry Cemetery is one of the most unusual places to visit in Romania. Located in Sapinta (Maramures County), the place has become famous for its colorful painted tombstones, illustrating in a poetic, sometimes satirical manner, the people buried and scenes from their lives. Ethnologists say Sapinta’s merry cemetery is likely a reflection of attitudes that come from the time of the Dacians, early inhabitants of Romania, and have been passed down through folklore ever since. The historian Herodotus noted the Dacians were fearless in battle and went to their graves laughing, since believing they would meet Zalmoxis, their supreme god.
The Retezat National Park
The largest old-growth forests in Romania are present in the Retezat Mountains. The park contains a sparsely populated area teaming with wildlife such as Carpathian brown bears, wild boars, European wildcats, to name a few. The Park also includes some of the most remarkable glacial lakes in the country and offers numerous opportunities for paragliding, zip lining, hiking and trekking.
Hoia-Baciu Forest
Situated in Cluj-Napoca county, this allegedly paranormal forest has been the subject of many studies. Witnesses say they have observed lights, shapes and colors, strange shadows, voices and human faces appearing and disappearing. Shapes and even UFOs have been occasionally caught on camera. Some researchers these phenomena can be caused by magnetic anomalies, fluctuations of electromagnetic field, emissions infrasound. Among the most shocking events people report foot tracks that occur on land, snow or grass directly under the eyes of viewers, without explanation.
