10 photos that will make you want to visit Romania

Every year, on the weekend before or after my birthday, Justin and I takea little trip away somewhere in Europe. Unsurprisingly this has become one of my favourite traditions! This year we decided to visit a new country, and after seeing where we could visit on a cheap flight, we ended up booking a long weekend in Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect of the city; would it have beautiful buildings like those I visited in Ljubljana, Slovenia, or would there be more of a cold-war, ‘grey’ feel similar to Kaunas’s new town, in Lithuania?In reality I felt like Bucharest had aspects of both, as the city has done its best to rebuild and restore the architecture that saw it named ‘Little Paris’ between the two world wars, but many of these buildings still stand in the shadow of concrete flats built during the era of Ceausescu.

Falling in love with Romania

This mishmash of eras does make the city a joy to explore however, but it’s when you leave Bucharest and head out into the countryside that Romania truly comes into its own. Sadly I only had the chance to venture out into southern Translyvania, but getting the chance to drive through the Carpathian Mountains, visit historic castles and the region’s beautiful old towns was enough to make me totally fall in love.

I took hundreds of photos during my four-day stay, and here are my ten favourite shots.

I hope these will make you want to visit Romania!

The Romanian Athaeneum epitomises the time when Bucharest was known for its beauty and often called Little Paris.

Once the old Budapest library, this building was badly burnt during the Romanian revolution, but has been lovingly rebuilt.

Transylvania is ringed by the Carpathian Mountains. I could not get enough of their beauty!

Outside the gorgeous Peles Castle, Transylvania.

Inside Peles Castle every room is unique, but all have amazingly detailed features and opulent furniture. I adored this wooden bear that was part of a stair case in the War Room. I presume he was supposed to be scary and a show of power, but I personally think he looks like he’s smiling!

The entrance to the beautiful Sinaia Monastery, founded in 1695.

The Old Town Hall is found in the centre of the cobbled streets of Brasov, in the heart of Transylvania.

The fortress that is Bran Castle. Be prepared for a steep climb!

Looking out from the top of Bran Castle – also known as Dracula’s castle, even though there’s no proof Vlad the Impaler ever visited!

Have you ever visited Romania? Did you connect with it in a similar way to me? I’d love to hear what you liked or disliked about the country…