Where to stay in Romania

There are plenty of ways to spend a holiday in Romania: beach, mountains, cities or a road trip. For this reason, deciding where to stay in Romania is very subjective: the choice depends on your final destination, your budget and your preferences.

First of all, hotels in Romania are generally very affordable. There are some large international chains, particularly in Bucharest, which are the exception, but overall you’ll spend little and still have access to excellent services. Alongside these, especially in recent years, there has been a growth in apartments and holiday rentals let directly by locals, as well as bed and breakfasts and more basic accommodation such as hostels and campsites.

Practically isolated from the world throughout the last century, from the early 2000s Romania began to open up to Western tourism, revealing itself to be a very affordable tourist destination. Especially after joining the European Union, infrastructure has improved considerably, leading to a massive increase in international tourism, particularly from neighbouring countries such as Hungary, Bulgaria and Moldova, but also from further afield, with roughly half a million visitors in steady growth.

Here are our tips for choosing where to stay in Romania and booking the perfect accommodation for your holiday.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a city that welcomes more tourists each year, attracted by its monuments, vibrant nightlife and entertainment, not to mention that it remains the gateway to the country for most visitors, and is therefore a “must-see” stop on any road trip. Romania’s capital is ideal for spending an unusual weekend, discovering distant traditions and cultures, perhaps taking advantage of the many budget flights that connect it to major European cities.

To stay in Bucharest, we recommend accommodation near the centre so you can get around on foot, perhaps a mid-range hotel, which costs as much as a budget hotel in Western Europe. If budget isn’t a concern, opt for luxury facilities: you’ll spend a fraction of what you’re used to, and the quality will be truly exceptional.

Transylvania

Transylvania is a name that conjures images of vampires and castles worthy of a horror film, but the reality is quite different. This region of central Romania is truly beautiful and worth exploring thoroughly, using one of the cities of Cluj-Napoca, Brasov or Sibiu as your base. You’ll discover fairy-tale villages, magnificent mountains framing them, lakes and rivers, and of course numerous castles, splendid and beautifully preserved, that rise along the mountainsides.

Here are the Transylvanian cities to choose as a base for exploring the region:

Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca is the largest city in Transylvania and offers several things to see, including the Tailors’ Bastion, the Synagogue, the Cathedral of the Transfiguration and the pedestrian area around Boulevard Eroilor.

It also has an international airport with some direct routes to and from major European cities, making it perfect as a base for accommodation, thanks to its wide choice of facilities. There are excellent hotels for those seeking all the comforts and services, but also simpler and more economical accommodation, chosen by those looking to optimise their budget.

Brasov

Brasov is the jewel of Transylvania, a beautifully preserved medieval city. Staying in Brasov gives you the chance to enjoy it at its best, after day-trippers have finished their visit and the city empties out.

Especially in recent years, Brasov has seen a boom in private accommodation and guesthouses, run directly by locals, which allow you to stay at very affordable prices in comfort. There are of course also some hotels in the mid-range and upmarket categories, particularly in the historic centre and immediate surroundings.

Sibiu

Sibiu is also a very interesting city to visit, one of Romania’s cultural centres, so much so that in 2007 it was named European Capital of Culture, and the following year Forbes ranked it eighth in its special list of Europe’s most idyllic places to live.

The historic centre of Sibiu is very picturesque and there are a few hotels here, but especially apartments and guesthouses. In the more modern part of town, to the south of the centre, there are some 3 and 4-star hotels from major international chains, if you want a safe bet.

Black Sea

Romania’s coast overlooks the Black Sea, and from south to north it stretches approximately 250 kilometres from the Bulgarian border to the Ukrainian border, corresponding with the Danube Delta. Along this coastline are several resort towns geared towards mass tourism, such as Mamaia or Mangalia, where you can stay in 3, 4 or 5-star hotels with pools, private beaches and all the amenities for a relaxing holiday.

Alternatively, you can stay in Constanța, Romania’s largest seaside city, where there are facilities to suit all tastes and a less polished atmosphere. Finally, it’s worth mentioning Vama Veche, at the far south of Romania’s coast, a place far removed from being exclusive or trendy, frequented mostly by hippies and alternative travellers: in this location you stay in simple, basic facilities, guesthouses or campsites, to be as close to nature as possible.