Best places to visit in Romania

In 2006, the tourism industry contributed roughly 4.8% to the nation’s GDP and half a million jobs or 5.8% of total workforce. The World Travel and Tourism Council reported Romania as the 4th fastest growing destination country in the world, an annual potential growth of 8% from 2007-2016. Number of visitors expanded from 4.8 million in 2002 to 6.6 million in 2004 while revenues grew from $400 million to $600 million during the same period.

During summer, the top destinations are Mangalia, Saturn, Neptun, Venus, Olimp, Mamaia, and Constanta. In winter, skiing resorts along the Valea Prahovei and Poiana Braşov are very popular particularly to foreign tourists. If you are looking for a more medieval atmosphere and want to see castles, Transylvania cities such as Braşov, Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca, Sighişoara, Targu Mures should be on your top list.

UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites in Romania includes the city of Saxon (fortified churches in Transylvania), the painted churches of northern Moldavia (feature excellent exterior and interior frescoes), the Monastery of Horezu (combines Gothic style with conventional timber construction), the fortress of Sighişoara, the Wooden Churches of Maramures, and the Dacian Fortresses of the Oraştie Mountains. The city Sibiu, known for its Brukenthal National Museum, was dubbed as the European Capital Culture in 2007 together with Luxembourg. Natural attractions that are also worth visiting include the Danube Delta, Iron Gates, Scarişoara Cave and other caves in the Apuseni Mountains.