#1 Places to visit in Romania

1. Retezat National Park

It is impressive through the unique landscapes you meet, seeing this corner of heaven. Here you have the opportunity to take a few routes and enjoy the beauty, tranquility, wilderness and uniqueness that exist there.

The Retezat National Park hosts 55 mammalian species (22 of which are protected by law) and provides good conditions for the survival of Europe's largest carnivores (wolves and races). Black goats and deer are also well protected from the mountain. The limestone part of the massif is still used by bears as a shelter during the winter.

Wild cats are also part of the fauna richness of the area to which the marmots have recently been added (20 Alpine marmots from the Austrian Alps were introduced into the Park after an action of the Romanian Academy in the Lake Gemenele area. Now, marmots can be found in all the valleys and the massive glaciers of the massif). The total number of species of animals living in Retezat National Park is of the order of thousands.

With approximately 80 lakes, of which 58 permanent, the Retezat Massif holds almost 40% of the glacial lakes in Romania. The lakes, fed by the melted snow of the ridges, offer a dreamlike view.

2. Bran Castle

Bran Castle has a history of over six centuries, but everyone knows it as Dracula's Castle. Over time, legends have been stronger than history, and hundreds of thousands of foreigners come to Bran to look for Dracula.

Although it is privately owned, Bran Castle is still open to the public. Here curious people can admire objects from the personal collection of the Habsburg family, including the crown, the scepter and a silver dagger that belonged to King Ferdinand.

In the courtyard of the castle there is a small museum of the village where tourists can admire the traditions and way of life of peasants in the region. Another unique tourist attraction is the Bram Stoker room, where visitors can learn more about the famous novel of the Irish writer, who has famed Bran Castle with Dracula's legend.

Although this superb building has been restored several times, Bran Castle still retains its medieval air, so as you walk through the inner courtyards, the tall rooms and the dark hallways, you feel like you step back in time. The fortress was built on a high cliff in the Bran-Rucar pass, so visitors are rewarded with stunning panoramas across the region.

3. Maramures

Maramures has such a rich tourist offer that the only thing that is not available within its limits is the sea. The rest of the region covers everything from mountain excursions and extreme sports to cultural and religious tourism.

If you are a nature lover, you will surely love the mountain and valley landscapes that leave you breathless. More than 30 protected natural areas, grassy meadows, full of grass during summer and snow in winter, mountains covered with evergreen forests, all mirrored in clear, crystal clear waters stretched across the region.

Regardless of the seasons you visit, these places have their magic and their special charm, and you will find yourself in the middle of pure nature and dreams.
The generous nature offers great opportunities for peace and recreation. Those who like to explore, a long range of excursions can be made both on the valleys of the water and on the mountains. Excursionists will be delighted to learn that Maramureş has a complex network of marked forest and marked paths that offer wonderful views of villages and incredible landscapes: small lakes, waterfalls, caves, nature reserves, rare fauna.

But Maramures does not only offer a lesson of geography; culture and history are two of the main features that define this territory. There are many historical places, museums and memorials in this area. The fame of the region is mainly due to the traditional architectural monuments, over 200, perfectly preserved to date. All of this is for the inhabitants of everyday life: charming traditional houses, wonderful wooden gates, known all over the world, beautiful wooden churches with towers that seem to touch the sky.