Rich with history, brimming with ambiance, and unspoiled by mass tourism, Romania is beyond photogenic. It is simply beautiful. And often magical.
We were so impressed by the rugged charm we found in Romania and its people that we haven’t been able to stop writing about it. We already told you why you should visit Romania, but just in case you weren’t convinced we put together a brief photo essay to illustrate why this country won our hearts, and why it will win yours as well.
If it doesn’t, well, chances are you don’t have a heart. (You might want to get that checked out.)
From dark shadowy depths of its virgin forests to wildflower sown meadows, from the rolling misty foothills of the Carpathians to the wetlands of the Danube Delta, Romania’s landscape is inundated with vibrant color, charming character, and fascinating relics of a history steeped in human machination.
Romania is a country with an expansive and storied past, one that is etched symbiotically into its multifaceted countryside.
The remains of a time bygone are plentiful, nowhere more so than in Transylvania, where a multitude of walled cities, restored towns, fortified churches, and grand castles bring history to the present.
The entire Transylvanian region is a living breathing time capsule, where the lines between past and present are constantly being blurred.
Squint your eyes a little bit when looking out at the Transylvanian landscape and you can almost feel yourself being magically transported centuries back in time.
Historic Brasov, grandiose Sibiu, stately Alba Iulia, and tiny Sighișoara are filled to the brim with ambiance and charm. Colorful old buildings, tiny cobble-stoned side streets, and old churches adorn these lovely Transylvanian towns.
A snowy train ride in the heart of winter through the Romanian countryside might be enough to convince even the staunchest skeptic.
Maybe it’s not quite magic, but it’s as close as we’re going to ever get.
Once winter’s embrace has thawed, the Romanian countryside explodes in a hundred shades of green. Green is a common color in Romania, even in its cities.
Summer brings blue skies laced with puffy white clouds, glorious sunsets, and all sorts of opportunity to explore. The town squares are common a gathering place for socializing as the heat of the day fades away.
During Autumn fog is almost always present in the valleys, coating everything in tiny glistening water beads, and making for a wonderful view from above.
To get to the top of the hills you may have to navigate your way over private properties, but the locals are friendly, and they are used to zealous photographers trying to capture the magic.
The pristine mountains and virgin forests of Romania represent Europe’s last true wilderness. The Carpathians are home to 60% of Europe’s brown bear population, 40% of Europe’s wolves and 35% of its lynx, all roaming the unspoiled landscape, harking back to a time where man had not yet gentrified the wild, but lived symbiotically with it.
The Libearty Bear Sanctuary – 70 hectares of oak and hazel forest in the Carpathian Mountains above the Transylvanian town of Zarnesti, is home to 80 of these magnificent creatures. When you visit Romania make sure you stop by and visit the sanctuary, and help them continue to do their important conservatory work.
If you fancy medieval architecture, castles, towers, and walled cities then Romania should definitely be on your shortlist of places to visit.
The Citadel of Alba Iluia, presides over two thousand year of history (yes TWO thousand), dating back to the Roman Empire. This massive structure is home to a Roman Catholic cathedral, a Romanian orthodox church, a museum, a parade ground, and Roman ruins.
A fascinating amalgamation of very old and new, Romania is standing on the edge of a huge tourism boom.
Once known only to a few savvy travelers, the secret is getting out, and when it does the flood gates will open.
Thank you for taking this photo tour with us. We know that the internet is filled with superlatives, and that words like “magical” and “beautiful” are used far too often, and sometimes lose their meaning.
However, there is truly a unique sort of mystique, a graceful and historic weight, to Romania. We felt it quite often when exploring the country for three months this past summer, and are keen to return and explore some more. If you have not been to Romania we hope that you find out for yourself one day, sooner rather than later.
A huge thank you to the talented photographers that allowed us to use their images in this article.