What to see in Romania: 8 must-sees

Journey through the forests of Transylvania to this medieval 14th-century castle, perched on a rock in the Carpathians. Bram Stoker drew on its silhouette to create the legend of Dracula, though Vlad the Impaler only spent one night here. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it preserves rooms with period furniture, narrow corridors and secret staircases that you'll explore among white towers and pointed roofs, while local legends turn every corner into a scene from a Gothic novel.

Tour the monasteries of Bucovina, in Romanian Moldavia, where vibrant exterior frescoes cover the facades with biblical scenes painted centuries ago. These Orthodox churches, declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1993, display mural art that has withstood the passage of time in the open air. Approach the walls of Voroneț, Humor, or Moldovița to see up close the blues and ochres that have made this region of northern Romania famous.

Wander the old town among the cafés and bookshops that earned it the nickname "Little Paris of the Balkans", and step inside the Palace of the Parliament, with 250,000 m² of marble halls from the communist era. Then head along Calea Victoriei to the Romanian Athenaeum, where the concert season still fills the cultural districts of Wallachia's capital.

Take in the Carpathian forests and the castles that made Transylvania famous, such as Bran Castle, linked to the legend of Dracula. Walk through Saxon villages with fortified churches, such as Biertan or Viscri, with their cobbled streets and colorful houses. Follow hiking trails through the Piatra Craiului mountains and the Turda Gorge, where you'll spot wolves and bears in the wild. Explore cities such as Brașov and Sighișoara, birthplace of Vlad Țepeș, the historical figure who inspired Bram Stoker's count.

Camp beside the channels of the Danube Delta in Dobruja and explore its 5,165 km² by boat, in this delta declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Spot pelicans and herons among the reed beds, follow trails between dunes and lagoons, and watch how the river branches out before reaching the Black Sea. Here, fishing, Lipovan villages and the silence of the water set the rhythm of each day.

Pause in front of Peleș Castle in Sinaia, where German Neo-Renaissance architecture rises among the Carpathian forests. Tour its halls decorated with carved wood, stained glass and collectible weapons, and stroll through the terraced gardens with statues and fountains. From its viewpoints, admire the Prahova River valley and the Bucegi peaks. The summer residence of the kings of Romania preserves original furnishings and details that tell the story of the Wallachian monarchy.