Romania eSIM

Transylvania is the heart of Romania — medieval towns like Sighişoara, Braşov and Sibiu are extraordinarily well preserved. Braşov sits at the foot of the Carpathians and is the best base for hiking. Bran Castle (supposedly Dracula's castle) is a tourist draw but Peleş Castle in Sinaia is architecturally far more impressive.

Bucharest is bigger and bolder than you expect. The Palace of Parliament is the second-largest administrative building in the world and is open for tours. The Floreasca district and Cismigiu Park show the elegant interwar Bucharest. Some call it the 'Paris of the East' — with good reason.

The Carpathians are extraordinarily beautiful and relatively untouched. Bucegi National Park and the Fagăraş Mountains have spectacular hiking routes with far fewer tourists than comparable areas in western Europe. For hiking, bring a good topographic map as signage can be inconsistent.

Romanian cuisine is hearty and delicious. Try mămăligă (polenta with sour cream and cheese), mici (grilled small meat rolls, traditionally eaten at lunch), ciorbă (sour soup) and sarmále (stuffed cabbage rolls). In restaurants in the interior you often pay less than €10 for a full dinner.

Romania has some of the world's most beautiful painted monasteries in Bucovina — Voroneţ, Suceviţa and Moldoviţa have exterior walls covered in vivid biblical frescoes. They are in the northeast of the country, best reached by rental car from Suceava.