The most notable being that the Romanian language hails from Latin, and so they write using the same alphabet that we do, while Bulgarians are Slavic and use the Cyrillic alphabet.

But the two nations both came under the thumb of Communism in the 20th century and, today, are flourishing cities of brutalist architecture that hides a bustling art scene, a wonderful food scene, and a fascinating history.

It’s easy to get from Sofia to Bucharest, and there are a few different ways to do it.

Let’s look at how to get from Sofia to Bucharest by bus, by train, and by plane: where to buy tickets, how long it takes, and how much it costs.

Sofia to Bucharest by bus

This is the cheapest way to get from Sofia to Bucharest, though it also takes the longest time.

While Bucharest is conveniently located to the south of Romania, fairly close to the border of Bulgaria, Sofia is located inconveniently further away, to the west of Bulgaria.

This means that getting from Sofia to Bucharest by bus can take quite a while.

Because of the sheer length of the journey, buses from Sofia to Bucharest typically only run through the night.

A popular company to travel with is Flixbus, whose buses leave Sofia’s bus station at around 10pm most nights, and will get passengers into Bucharest in the early hours of the morning.

Schedules predict that the journey takes a total of nine hours, but experience says that this can actually be as little as seven hours, which is actually less convenient.

Arriving early in the morning means being trapped.

The bus station you arrive at is far to the west of the city, and Bucharest is a very spread-out Romanian city.

You will then need a taxi to get you from the bus station and into the city centre.

While this is certainly inconvenient, it still makes for a relatively simple journey, as long as you’re prepared to call an Uber or a taxi upon arrival, and you may be doing so before the sun even rises.

Getting the night bus can be tough on your body; sleep doesn’t come easy and you may find yourself truly exhausted by the end.

However, getting on the bus is simple.

You can buy your ticket online via the Flixbus website, wander over to the bus station in Sofia after a day of exploring and relaxing, hop on the bus, try to sleep, and arrive in Bucharest by sunrise.

Tickets also cost around €12 per person, which is incredibly cheap for a 9-hour bus ride between two countries.

Sofia to Bucharest by train

Travelling from Sofia to Bucharest by train is, honestly, not a great option.

The train is not any faster than the bus, with the quickest route from Sofia to Bucharest by train still taking nine hours.

And, as mentioned, the bus is often quicker if the traffic is good and the roads are clear.

The other massive downside is that the train is far more expensive than the bus.

Bus tickets cost around €12 while train tickets cost around €70, which is a colossal difference for no good reason.

All of that said, there are a few perks to travelling from Sofia to Bucharest by train.

One is that you have more freedom when it comes to time.

If you can only travel at a certain time of day, or you would prefer to avoid travelling through the night, then you can hop on a train in the morning and get to Bucharest by nightfall.

This avoids the very frustrating and unfortunate danger of being exhausted and unable to sleep on the night bus.

The other perk to the train is that it’s safer, though this is minor.

Bus travel in Bulgaria and Romania is perfectly safe, but statistics are definitely on the side of trains in general when it comes to safety.

This is true everywhere, though, and not a good enough reason to take a train over a bus since buses are still perfectly safe.

Booking a ticket for the train can also be done online, and Rail Europe is a great option for finding the perfect ticket for you.

The train station in Bucharest is also far more central than the bus station, and you can take the metro from there to the city centre.

Sofia to Bucharest by flight

Travelling from Sofia to Bucharest by flight is absolutely the quickest way to do this journey, with the only downside being how unpredictable the price of flights tends to be.

In order to have the best chance of scoring a good deal, you’ll need to book your flight as far in advance as possible.

If you book your flight within the same month you plan on flying, expect to pay around $100.

Booking further in advance (or sometimes last minute, though that’s a big risk) can get you a flight for $30, which is very reasonable and cheaper than taking the train.

The flight itself from Sofia to Bucharest takes only one hour, which is delightfully short.

The only extra time is spent getting through security, being at the airport two hours ahead of time, and then passing through immigration and baggage claim.

Getting to and from the airport in Sofia and Bucharest will require getting a taxi or an Uber on either end, but that’s easily done since airport taxis are always around, 24 hours a day.

Going from Sofia to Bucharest by flight is the best option, provided you can get a cheap enough flight.

It is much faster than taking a bus or a train; you are up and back down before you’ve barely had chance to open a book.

This is a good option if you have a shorter itinerary and time spent in Romania.

Airport transport is quick and easy in both Bulgaria and Romania. And flights can be very cheap.

If you’re prepared to make your flight a few hours longer, though still often shorter than taking the bus or train, you can get a flight with a single stop (often in Budapest) that might extend the flight to five or six hours.

This will guarantee a cheaper ticket option, with these flights costing around $50 even if you book a week in advance.

But the best and most convenient way to fly is still to book far in advance, get the cheapest possible deal, and enjoy a one-hour flight from Sofia to Bucharest.

If you would rather have the freedom of travel and stopovers, then you could rent a car and take a Romanian road trip instead!

But warning, if you’re travelling in winter, just be careful as there can be heavy snowfall.

This will give you the ultimate flexibility for your trip and maybe you can tick off some bucket list things to do in Romania on the way, such as visiting the fine dining restaurant of La Hambar.

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The post How to Get from Sofia to Bucharest (3 Ways) appeared first on Travelling Balkans.

But safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina is more complicated than a simple yes or no answer.

With the Bosnian War still a part of the collective memory, it is understandable that many visitors have concerns about safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

But those who hope to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina need not stress about safety.

While there are a few common scams and safety precautions to consider, for the most part crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina is low and Bosnians are incredibly friendly.

Nevertheless, here are all the safety concerns to keep in mind when travelling to Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of my favourite Balkan countries to visit!

Political Tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina

This is incredibly complicated, especially without an in-depth history lesson.

What you mainly need to know to stay safe is that Bosnia has, what they call, two entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Republika Srpska (Serbian entity).

Although there is one government, there are representatives from both entities looking after their own interests.

It is often referred to locally as the most complicated political system in the world.

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For your own safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is unwise to share your political feelings, especially if it is in favour of the entity you are not in at the time.

While this is unlikely to cause any extreme safety concerns it won’t make you any friends and it just isn’t worth risking a fight!

Landmines in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Don’t worry, safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina really is not an issue.

However, for those hoping to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina and discover untouched regions might want to reconsider.

After the Bosnian War landmines covered the country, and many died as a result.

The government prioritised clearing residential areas first, then roads, popular tourist areas, hiking routes and other frequented places.

Sadly, the truly off the beaten path spots, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s wilderness, have never been completely cleared.

This does not mean that hiking is not safe in Bosnia and Herzegovina!

But those hoping to do so will need to stick to the marked paths.

Alternatively you can arrange to go with a guide.

Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina

There is very little crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina and even less violent crime.

However, tourists need to be careful and use common sense as with anywhere.

Most crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina that affects visitors is pickpocketing and petty theft in the major cities of Sarajevo, Mostar and Banja Luka.

While violent crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina is extremely rare, there have been several incidents of disputes being handled using hand grenades and rifles in the past two decades.

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Luckily these numbers decrease every year and the last recorded incidents were in 2017.

It is also rare for tourists to be involved in these violent confrontations.

These weapons are left over from the Bosnian War when they were handed out indiscriminately to the general population, including children.

Common Scams in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The main crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina is pickpocketing.

In any major city, tourists need to be vigilant and aware, as with any popular European city.

Although some pickpockets in Bosnia and Herzegovina work alone, many work together and employ scams to trick people.

A common scam to look out for is beggars trying to sell you something or asking for money while one of their associates robs you.

Another popular scam that has popped up in Europe is when you’re eating at a cafe or restaurant outside and someone will appear with a clipboard and place it in front of your phone or wallet on the table.

While they are talking and distracting with you they will slip their other hand under the clipboard and take your belongings.

Aside from keeping an eye on your possessions at all times, the best way to prevent this from happening is to avoid using large backpacks and standing out in a crowd whenever possible.

Tourists also need to be vigilant on trains and other public transport.

These are where they are most likely to be targeted.

Taxi scams are common in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Always get in taxis marked with a “TA” as these are official.

Non-official taxis will sometimes quote inflated prices, or use a rigged metre that jumps up faster than a normal metre.

Road Safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina suffers from poorly maintained roads which is only exacerbated by old vehicles and harsh weather.

In cities, pedestrians need to take extra care crossing the street.

Those hoping to drive in Bosnia and Herzegovina might be unprepared for the condition of roads in rural areas.

Many visitors to the country consider drivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina to be reckless.

To stay safe on the road, be on the lookout for people passing on blind curves and in no-passing zones.

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In rural areas, be careful of pedestrians walking on roads without sidewalks.

This is very common in a lot of the Balkan countries.

In the winter the roads can get exceptionally icy.

Coupled with early sunsets and poorly lit streets outside of the cities, road safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the winter can be difficult.

Natural Disasters in Bosnia and Herzegovina

When it comes to natural disasters, Bosnia and Herzegovina gets hit by everything.

Earthquakes, landslides, forest fires, floods, droughts and heavy snowfall are not unheard of.

Although these events aren’t common and are unlikely to be dangerous, it is best to avoid rural areas during harsh weather.

Herzegovina (the south of the country) is most likely to be affected by droughts and forest fires during summer heat waves.

If you visit during a heat wave, check local warnings before going hiking.

Pollution in Bosnia and Herzegovina

One safety concern in Bosnia and Herzegovina that often gets overlooked by visitors is pollution.

Although the country is relatively unpolluted most of the year, during the winter months the air fills up with PM 2.5 particles and can become toxic.

The main source of pollution is coal-power plants and industry.

However, this is exacerbated during the winters when people burn even more coal to stay warm (not all homes have electric heating).

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Many towns and cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina are nestled within valleys with low winds and the air gets trapped.

A brief visit to the country will not do any lasting damage to a healthy person.

However it can make for a miserable holiday for those with respiratory problems, chronic illnesses or other vulnerable groups.

If you decide to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the winter and fall into one of these groups, consider bringing a surgical mask designed to protect from PM 2.5.

So is Bosnia and Herzegovina Safe?

On the whole, yes – Bosnia and Herzegovina is completely safe!

Despite all these warnings and the small chance of crime, there is no real reason to worry about your safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnians are kind and welcoming and eager to share their culture with visitors.

Other than wandering unaccompanied into the wilderness, you really only need to take the same precautions you would anywhere and use common sense.

But do not let this deter you from travelling to Bosnia and Herzegovina because it is just as safe as anywhere else!

The post Is Bosnia safe? The lowdown on safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina appeared first on Travelling Balkans.

Over 1 million tourists visit every year, many of which come from within the Balkan region.

But visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Although the country benefits from year-round tourism, choosing the best time to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina is entirely dependent on what you want to do while there.

Like many places, it is busiest in the summer, but Bosnia in spring or autumn is the ideal time to visit for those looking to go hiking.

In the spring, head to one of the country’s national parks, take a dip in Kravice waterfall or cool off underground in Vjetrenica cave.

Whether you come for culture, hiking, history or delicious food, Bosnia and Herzegovina will not disappoint.

Here is a more in-depth look at what each season has to offer to help you decide the best time to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina in Spring

Outdoor activities are the order of the day during springtime in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As the cold recedes, the weather becomes most pleasant for hiking and bicycling.

If your accommodation is near one of Bosnia’s beautiful lakes, or close to Neum on the Adriatic Sea, there is also the option for swimming.

Swimming season officially begins in late May.

But for those who enjoy the rush of colder water you can go swimming as early as April.

If you happen to be city-based, like visiting Mostar or Sarajevo, then you can take advantage of the many walking tours available.

Bosnians will take to the streets with picnic blankets, music and outdoor barbecues to celebrate. Plus, there will be a lot of alcohol flowing!

Spring is also an excellent season to visit Mostar – the heart of Herzegovina.

Here you can enjoy, among other things, the Kravice Falls, the Dervish Monastery and Start Most – an Ottoman-style 16th century bridge that sits astride the Neretva river.

It’s safe to say that spring is one of the best times to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina for those wanting to get out and explore this beautiful country.

Bosnia and Herzegovina in Summer

If you’re looking to soak up some sun, then Bosnia has one of the best summer climates to take advantage of.

There are very few rainy days during this time, with long periods of relative drought between them, and temperatures can reach up to 35-40°C (95-104°F) or higher.

Naturally, these are the busiest times for tourism in the country, so you also need to take care of safety as there are more cars on the road and more chaos.

So make sure to book at least a couple of months in advance if you plan on visiting Bosnia for the summer heat, as accommodations book up fast!

As with spring, Bosnia in summer is all about exhilarating outdoor sports.

River kayaking and whitewater rafting now become available in addition to mountain climbing and hiking.

For those who love to grab their paddles and dive right in, Bosnia is home to the Tara River Canyon – the deepest river canyon in Europe.

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If you’re in the nation’s capital and you’re feeling cultured, there’s also the Sarajevo Film Festival in July/August.

It is considered by some to be the most honoured festival in all of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sarajevo is a UNESCO City of Film, and this event has been held annually for over 25 years. It’s the perfect place to mingle with local and international stars alike!

Bosnia and Herzegovina in Autumn

This is the best time to visit Bosnia if you want to stay dry and avoid the snow and rain.

That does come at a price, however.

Bosnia in autumn can get very warm during the day, followed by brutally cold nights.

Make sure you prepare a full range of possibilities for Bosnia weather.

That being said, fewer people tend to visit Bosnia in autumn.

So accommodation options will be more varied, accessible and cheaper than in the summer months.

With so much forestry and mountainous areas, the changing of the colours of leaves almost takes on a new meaning.

Bosnia in Autumn is a botanical cornucopia on display.

However, as the nights start drawing in, autumn in Bosnia also becomes the perfect time to visit the country’s wealth of museums.

Enjoy the Historical Museum, the Tunnel Museum, the National Gallery and more.

All of which provide a fully comprehensive view of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s historical background.

If you visit Bosnia in the month of November, you can experience the annual Sarajevo Jazz Festival.

Begun in 1997, this annual celebration of all things jazz has grown in popularity over the years, but it has managed to keep its grassroots vibe nonetheless.

During this week-long festival, both classic and innovative styles can be heard late into the night in many venues throughout the city.

Bosnia and Herzegovina in Winter

Fun fact: Bosnia in winter is really not that cold!

The country benefits from a milder climate than many of its other Slavic peers, with daytime highs of 8-10°C (46-50°F).

It is, of course, cooler in the mountains.

Here the snow and the allure of smooth slopes brings in one of Bosnia’s main tourist groups: skiers.

Skiing and snowboarding in the Olympic Mountains is on a par with skiing in the Alps.

So the majority of tourists leave the cities (which can have some difficulties with air pollution during winter, especially Sarajevo) for the peaks of Jahorina, Vlašić, and Bjelašnica.

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There are many delightful log cabins available to tourists, with inviting wood fires to keep you warm and cosy after a long day of sliding around.

Of course, as with many places, winter here means Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations. But in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are two of each!

The more globally celebrated dates of December 25th and January 1st are joined by the Orthodox Christmas Day and New Year on January 7th and January 14th respectively, so there are plenty of days of festivities.

The post When is the best time to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina? appeared first on Travelling Balkans.

Bosnia and Herzegovina isn’t often somewhere people consider when they’re looking for an outdoor-friendly holiday but it’s one of my favourite Balkan countries to visit.

But nature lovers will be blown away by the beauty of this relatively unknown Balkan gem.

In fact, few people realise that the country’s terrain is predominantly mountains and valleys; the mountains are even considered an undiscovered pearl in Eastern Europe.

The options for hiking in Bosnia and Herzegovina will have any avid hiker booking a ticket!

Best time for hiking in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Before you decide where to go hiking, you probably want to know when to visit.

It’s best to avoid the harsh winter months.

Spring and autumn can be great weather for hiking in Bosnia and Herzegovina; however some months are still quite chilly for the higher altitudes.

Alternatively, snowshoeing is quite popular in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is offered throughout the country during the winter months.

As are winter hiking tours if that’s your cup of tea.

Guided Hikes in Bosnia and Herzegovina

One of the most frequently asked questions about hiking in Bosnia and Herzegovina is whether or not a guided hike is needed.

Technically, no.

However, it is extremely important to note that there are still active landmines in some of the forested areas within the country.

If you plan on exploring off of the official hiking trails, or are prone to wandering off path, then you need to go on a guided hike in Bosnia and Herzegovina for your own safety.

This is not the place for discovering unknown spots by yourself.

But for the most part, hiking here is completely safe.

All the official hiking trails in the country have been cleared of landmines – or they never had any to begin with.

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So long as you plan on visiting the more popular hiking trails in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and you stick to the trails, you will be fine.

Hiking trails are well marked, and locals are always friendly if you’re a little turned around.

So ironically, if you’re more independent and adventurous, a guide is highly recommended to help you discover more hidden gems.

But also they likely will take care of bringing some yummy Bosnian cuisine on the hike so you don’t have to really prepare much.

One of the best tour companies for guided hikes in Bosnia is Green Visions.

They are a team of passionate and avid hikers, climbers, rafters, etc and they will work to ensure you have the best trip possible.

The Best Hiking Trails in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is an excellent choice for hikers.

There are 197 hiking trails in Bosnia and Herzegovina and over 60 mountain ranges that are 1,500 meters or higher.

Additionally, there are four national parks and eight nature parks considered protected land.

Whether you are looking for an easy 45-minute casual hike, or a more difficult multi-day trek, there is a hiking trail in Bosnia and Herzegovina for you.

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Sutjeska National Park

One of the most popular hiking spots is Sutjeska National Park, near the border with Montenegro.

Sutjeska National Park was established in 1962.

It is not only the oldest national park in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but home to the highest mountain peak in the country – Maglić Mountain.

Maglić Mountain, which stands at 2,388 meters, is perfect for hiking in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

There are several options for multi-day hikes up the mountain, which offers captivating views of Trnovačko Lake (in Montenegro) and Perućica.

Perućica is one of Europe’s last remaining primeval forests, and contains Skakavac, a 70 metre high waterfall.

It can only be explored in the company of park rangers, although this can normally be arranged as part of a guided tour.

Visiting Perućica is a truly unique experience, and worth including in any hiking itinerary of Bosnia and Herzegovina

While you’re in Sutjeska National Park make sure to visit the famous Tjentište Spomenik.

This WWII monument commemorates those that died during the Battle of Sutjeska in 1943.

Hiking Near Mostar

There are several popular hiking trails near the city of Mostar.

A hike that’s suitable for beginners is Mostarska Bijela.

This hidden canyon along the Bijela River is a real gem.

It has old abandoned villages and a beautiful waterfall where you can take a dip and cool off.

Outside of the city is Mount Velež. This peak overlooks Mostar and is a symbol of the city.

Mount Velež used to be a communications base for the Yugoslav National Army, but today boasts breathtaking views of Mostar, Buna River and Neretva River.

The mountain’s western side is the easiest way up, with other routes only suggested for more experienced climbers with proper climbing equipment.

In the other direction is Blidinje Nature Park and the Čvrsnica Mountain range.

The main attractions here are the Roman trails and the Hajdučka Vrata arch; a stunning natural monument that overlooks the valley.

Alternatively, Velika Vlajna on Čabulja Mountain stands at a modest altitude of 1,786 meters.

It is not an easy climb, but as you descend you might come across wild horses, which makes the hike worthwhile.

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Bosnian Himalayas

The Prenj mountain range (also known as the Bosnian Himalayas) is nestled in the Dinaric Alps, which stretch from Italy across the entire Balkan region.

They are also referred to as the Dinarides.

A great hiking trail to start with here is the Old Tobacco Road, a rugged path once used for illegal tobacco transportation.

This route is by no means easy, but it’s worth doing for the historical significance alone.

For this reason, it is best to go on a guided hike so they can regale you with the stories of smugglers travelling by cover of moonlight to transport illegal goods such as tobacco across the mountains.

Overall, hiking in Bosnia is fun and adventurous.

Just make sure you always keep safe and take some yummy Bosnian food with you so you don’t get stuck without it while on your hike!

The post Hiking in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Everything You Need! appeared first on Travelling Balkans.

Traditional Bosnian cuisine is full of flavour, fresh vegetables and lots of meat.

Bosnian dishes are often built around meat, but they also love fresh salads and cheese.

In fact, you’ll find lots of local cheeses wherever you go in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and also within most Balkan countries they visit.

A few of the most popular are Livanjski, Travnički and Bosnian smoked cheese.

It is difficult – though not impossible – to be a vegetarian in Bosnia.

Veganism, however, is much more difficult if you are interested in eating local foods.

However, there are more and more vegan shops opening up, some of which offer meat free versions of tradition Bosnian food.

There is a lot of crossover in the cuisine of the Balkans.

A lot of dishes found in Bosnia can be found in neighbouring countries, as well.

This is fantastic if you fall in love with a dish (or five!) and want to keep travelling around.

But if you’re only visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, or starting your Balkan travel here, you probably want to know what’s available.

There are also several traditional meals unique to the cuisine of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Here are all the best tradtional Bosnian food you’ll want to eat during your next trip.

Image by Alanyadk from Pixabay 

1. Pita

If you love bread stuffed with delicious filling then you’re in luck.

Pita (Bosnian for pie) is one of the most common Bosnian street foods, and can be found in any bakery throughout the country.

The most popular type of pita is Burek. a meat filled pastry that is rolled into a spiral and cut into servings like a pie.

In Bosnia, burek refers specifically to a meat filled pastry, but there are several other similar pastries that are collectively called pita with different fillings.

Variants include cheese (sirnica), potato (krumpiruša), pumpkin (tikvenjača) and spinach and cheese (zeljanica).

Both krumpiruša and tikvenjača are typically vegan, but it’s worth asking double checking with the bakery.

2. Somun

People say that the smell of somun is the smell of Ramadan.

These small, spongy breads are traditionally baked in wood fires, and for Ramadan are sprinkled with a special black seed (Habbatul barakah – “the blessed seed”) which both gives them their alluring scent and is believed to bring prosperity and luck.

3. Bosanski Lonac

As the name suggests, this one is specific to Bosnian cuisine!

Bosanski Lonac (or “Bosnian Pot”) is a rich Bosnian stew made by filling a large pot with alternating layers of meat and vegetables in water and cooking it for four hours.

The strength of this dish lies in its flexibility; the rich used to use many different fine meats whilst the poor made do with whatever they had.

So no matter what your tastes, you can’t go wrong!

This is definitely a seasonal dish so if you visit Bosnia in winter, this will be a popular dish to try.

Image by thoha from Pixabay

4. Ćevapi

Ćevapi is a staple of Bosnian cuisine, and a must try, unless you’re vegetarian.

It is made of grilled minced meat rolled into sausage shape.

Typically five to ten ćevapi are served in flatbreads (somun) with different relishes, most commonly onion, ajvar (a red pepper and olive oil condiment), sour cream and different Bosnian cheeses.

Bosnians normally eat this for lunch, dinner or snack, although dinner isn’t entirely out of the question.

5. Ćutfe

One of the most hearty dishes of Bosnian cuisine, Ćutfe are traditional meatballs served in a thick tomato-based sauce.

The sauce can be spiced according to taste, and the meatballs themselves are a simple combination of minced meat, eggs, garlic, onion and breadcrumbs.

Best served with mashed potatoes, some crunchy bread, or even on their own.

6. Klepe

This traditional Bosnian food is often compared to a dumpling or pierogi.

Klepe are made by stuffing dough with sharp cheese or minced meat (beef or lamb) and then steaming it.

Once ready, they are doused in pavlaka (a sour cream sauce) or garlic sauce.

Image by Alanyadk from Pixabay 

7. Sarma/Japrak/Dolma/Punjena paprika

This very filling Bosnian dish has its roots in the Ottoman Empire, though it has made its way through the Balkans and beyond.

Sarma are stuffed rolls, made by wrapping a filling of some kind (usually ground meat, rice and spices) with a leafy vegetable, most often cabbage, though there are variations all across the Balkans.

Dolma and japrak are similar, but use grape leaves.

Dolma is only filled with rice, while japrak has rice and minced rice.

There is also a traditional Bosnian food called Soğan dolması which is onions stuffed with rice and minced meat.

You’ll find this dish to try all over Mostar and other popular cities in Bosnia.

Lastly, punjena paprika is another similar traditional Bosnian food.

It is made by stuffing bell peppers with meat and rice in a bed of tomato sauce.

8. Suho meso (dried meat)

As previously mentioned, meat is an essential part of Bosnian cuisine.

Well, this one-ingredient dish goes a long way!

Suho meso literally means “dried meat”, and is prepared by curing smoked beef or pork in salt for several days before leaving it to dry under a fire for even longer, sometimes for weeks.

As with many dried meat dishes, it was originally intended to make sure the meat didn’t spoil over the winter months, and the correct process takes a lot of skill and expertise to perfect.

9. Begova Čorba (Bey’s stew)

Begova Čorba is one of the dishes specific to Bosnia and Herzegovina cuisine.

Although it has origins in the Ottoman Empire.

It is a hearty stew made of slow cooked chicken and vegetables, served in a clay bowl with sour cream garnish.

This dish is most popular during holidays and other festivities.

10. Tufahija

Originally a Persian dish that the Ottomans added to Bosnia and Herzegovina cuisine, these apples stewed in sugar water are then filled with walnuts and cream, then baked and, as with many Bosnian desserts, doused in sugar syrup.

Each portion is traditionally served chilled in its own large glass.

Image by Baklava7_de from Pixabay

11. Baklava

One for the sticky dessert lovers out there!

Baklava is a popular Bosnian dessert made from layers of filo pastry intertwined with chopped walnuts and agda – a cooked mixture of sugar and water.

These are then cut into diamond shapes for serving.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, baklava is considered a special occasion delicacy, and is often served at Christmas, Eid and other such holidays.

12. Tulumba

If you’ve ever eaten a churro, then you’ll be somewhat familiar with Tulumba.

Dough is deep fried and dipped in sugar syrup while still hot, then consumed once cooled.

Tulumba is often consumed at Iftar, the daily evening meal for Muslim families during Ramadan, though today it has become one of the most popular Bosnian street foods.

13. Krofne

These will be familiar, at least in principle, to many people around the world. Krofne are large, airy doughnuts that are filled with marmalade, chocolate, jam, jelly and all manner of other sweet substances.

They are similar to Berliner pastries from Central Europe, and for extra decadence can be finished with a dusting of icing sugar.

14. Smokvara

This Herzegovinian dish derives its name from “smokve”, the local term for figs.

There are no figs in Bosnia, so this dish is considered one of the most Herzegovinian of them all.

To make it, dough is combined with a fig-syrup and baked into little flat discs that are doused in a sherbet concoction.

Smokvara is very sweet, and is best accompanied by a cup of strong Bosnian coffee to take the edge off.

Image by Serdar Dinç from Pixabay 

15. Kahva

Coffee in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a big deal.

It is part of the country’s cultural identity!

This makes it an essential part of Bosnian cuisine.

Proper kahva (Bosnian coffee) should be made by first roasting coffee beans, then manually grinding them.

The powder is then put into a džezva – a long-handled metal pot, which is heated beforehand – and boiled water is added.

Your kahva should be served alongside a ceramic cup of hot water.

To drink it, first add the hot water to the džezva, then take a spoonful of the foam from the top and add the coffee to your cup, then place the spoonful of foam on top.

Each kahva should be served with a glass of water to sip from before tasting the coffee, which serves as a palate cleanser.

Sip first, then enjoy the rich notes of your coffee!

The post Bosnian Cuisine: The Most Delicious Dishes to Try! appeared first on Travelling Balkans.

What this means for budding travellers hoping to explore the country at their leisure is that the country bends itself to your time schedule.

Only have a week in Romania?

That’s time enough to explore all of Transylvania.

You’ve got two weeks in Romania?

Then you can see Bucharest as well, and even head to Timisoara.

Romania is huge, with a varying landscape of mountains and valleys that divide and separate its towns and cities, which means that you can see as much or as little of the country as you have time to.

However long you have, here is how to spend 7 days in Romania, 10 days in Romania, and 14 days in Romania.

7 Days in Romania Itinerary 

One week is the perfect amount of time for you to see all the best parts of the Transylvania province of Romania.

The country is divided into three provinces: Wallachia to the south, Transylvania in the centre and north, and Moldovia in the east.

Moldovia is mostly made up of small provincial towns, and Wallachia is home to the country’s capital of Bucharest.

Transylvania, however, is where you’ll find most of the country’s medieval history, as well as its most dynamic and beautiful towns.

With 7 days in Romania, you can see it all!

Brasov

You’ll want to make Brasov your hub during this week. You can afford a reasonably sized hotel here for a few days.

Brasov is a two-day city; everything can be seen, photographed, explored, and eaten in two days.

During your stay, make sure to visit the world-famous Black Church and the scorched painting of the Virgin Mary inside.

Also enjoy the local foods at the best restaurant in town: La Ceaun.

There, you can enjoy sarmale, mici, and papanasi. The Romanian hat trick.

Bran Castle

The most famous castle in all of Romania is a day trip from Brasov.

It takes an hour to get there by car, and there is enough to do to fill hours of exploring, learning, and photographing the castle.

Built in the 14th century, Bran Castle was the inspiration for Dracula’s castle in Bram Stoker’s novel.

It is also filled with gorgeous antiques collected by Romania’s most beloved monarch: Queen Marie.

Rasnov Fortress

This is another day trip from Brasov.

Also built in the 13th century, Rasnov Fortress is a monstrous hilltop citadel that has been almost untouched by time.

It’s an incredible stone ruin that overlooks the valley below, stretching the horizon all the way back to Brasov and beyond, to the snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Sighisoara

Leave Brasov behind and head north to Romania’s second-largest city: Cluj-Napoca.

On your way, stop for a single night in Sighisoara.

This is Romania’s most perfectly maintained medieval town.

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site for good reason.

Sighisoara is where the real Dracula was born, and you can still visit his home, which is now a lovely local restaurant.

Cluj-Napoca

The two days you have left are the perfect amount of time to explore the art and food scene of Cluj-napoca.

This is a city filled with good art and theatre.

The local restaurants are all high-end and so much of the town’s historic streets and buildings remain intact.

The people are kind and charming, and this is the perfect place to finish off your 7 days in Romania.

10 Days in Romania Itinerary

If you have an extra few days spare, taking your week in Romania up to 10 days in Romania, this gives you just enough time to follow the exact same Romania itinerary as above, but now you can also add Bucharest to the agenda.

The best way to do this is to begin in Bucharest and spend three nights there, before moving up to Brasov, where the 7 days in Romania itinerary begins.

Three days is the perfect amount of time to fully explore Bucharest and everything it has to offer.

Bucharest is an enormous city, and heavily congested with pretty intense traffic, but there is a cheap and reliable metro system and, if you base yourself within walking distance of the city centre, you can see and do everything on foot.

This is because the best parts of Bucharest can be found in the old town district which comprises the city centre.

In Bucharest old town, you’ll find Carturesti Carusel, one of the most splendid and beautiful bookstores in Europe.

On this bookstore’s top floor is a lovely bistro that serves excellent coffee.

On the same street is a slew of local restaurants and bars to relax at.

And on the other side of the old town is the world’s heaviest building: Romania’s Palace of Parliament.

An enormous structure that must be seen to be believed.

14 Days in Romania Itinerary

If you have 14 days in Romania, you can follow this exact same ten day itinerary, but with the luxury of being able to take your time with it.

The best way to spend this time is to rent a car.

The seven and ten day Romania itineraries can both be easily completed by using trains and buses to get across Transylvania, but 14 days in Romania makes for a perfect road trip.

If you rent a car make sure you have travel insurance. I highly recommend SafetyWing.

Begin by spending three days in Bucharest, then taking a train to Sinaia, a small town to the north.

There, you can rent a car and begin your journey north to Brasov and the rest of Transylvania.

With extra time to play with, you can visit the numerous saxon villages found a short drive from both Brasov and Cluj-Napoca.

Once you have finished your time in Cluj-Napoca, you will have enough time to drive south-west to Romania’s third-largest city:

Timișoara. This city has enough to see and explore in two days, before at last driving your rental car east and back to Bucharest, thus completing a perfect 2 weeks in Romania on an epic cross-country road trip.

Other articles you will love:

• Visiting Romania for the First Time
• Romania in the winter: is it worth it?
• 11 Incredible Things to Do in Timisoara, Romania

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The post 3 Romania Itinerary Ideas (7, 10, and 14 Days) appeared first on Travelling Balkans.

You’ll want to think about exactly how expensive travelling around Romania is, how safe the country is, the top places to visit in Romania, and even more besides.

Here’s everything you need to know before visiting Romania for the first time.

How to get to Romania

There is a surprising number of options to choose from when it comes to how to get to Romania.

The most obvious is to take a flight from wherever you are.

There are several airports in Romania, with the biggest and busiest being Henri Coanda International Airport, which is located in Otopeni, just on the northern edge of Bucharest.

If you fly into this Bucharest airport, you’ll then need to take a taxi, Uber, or bus into the city centre.

Uber is very affordable in Romania, and definitely your most quick and convenient option.

If you don’t want to fly into Bucharest, the cities of Cluj-napoca and Timisoara also have their own international airports, and they are the second and third largest cities of Romania, respectively.

They’re also pretty far from one another, giving you three separate options for getting into Romania at different starting points.

If you’d rather not fly, you can also get into Romania easily by train or by bus, given that Romania is bordered by five countries: Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Serbia, and Ukraine.

A great option is to fly into Bulgaria and spend a little time exploring the capital of Sofia before getting a night bus to Bucharest.

From one capital to the other, the journey takes around seven hours straight through the night.

If you’re looking to do a road trip across Europe, driving through Hungary and into Romania is a good option, and you can get to both Cluj-Napoca and Timisoara pretty quickly from the Hungarian border, depending on the direction you come from.

There are also trains which take you all the way from Budapest to Bucharest, but the journey is more than a day long.

Is Romania safe?

The short answer is: yes.

Admittedly, there is a lot of outdated information about the state of Bucharest and the safety of Romania overall.

A few years ago, the capital had a serious issue with pickpockets, and travel guides would often warn travellers about protecting their pockets and keeping their purses close, but pickpocketing is not an issue in Bucharest anymore.

It’s a very mellow and friendly city.

And the rest of the country is even more so.

The only danger in Romania – and it is a big one – is the driving.

But even that is mostly relegated to Bucharest.

You’ll find more info about driving in Romania below, but suffice to say that driving in Bucharest can be dangerous.

Drivers in the capital are hot-headed, overzealous, and aggressive.

Even being in the back of an Uber can be very intense at times.

Outside the capital, however, driving isn’t just safe: it’s an absolute pleasure.

As for other safety concerns like natural disasters, you needn’t worry there either.

Romania experiences a major earthquake once every few decades, and the snowfall can be very intense in the dead of winter, but there are no real concerns for your average traveller.

There is no extreme violence, gun crime, knife crime, or terrorism to worry about in Romania.

It is, overall, a very safe and kind place to travel.

The history of Romania

Romania is a country whose history many of us learn little about, but it is nonetheless a deeply fascinating one.

Across centuries and dynasties, Romania has been at the centre of wars, invasions, and dynatic tugs of war for power.

The Romans, Ottomans, Persians, and Hungarians have all passed through Romania and left their mark on the nation’s language, architecture, art, fashion, and cuisine.

The most famous person in Romania’s history is, undoubtedly, Vlad Tepes, the man who inspired the myth of Count Dracula.

Vlad’s father was Vlad Dracul of the Order of the Dragon, and Dracula simply means ‘son of the dragon’.

Tepes himself was the ruler of Wallachia for a portion of Romania’s medieval period, and the reason for his ties to the vampire myth is tied to his love for impaling people on spikes as a form of torture and execution.

The people of Transylvania took his bloodlust and turned it into propaganda, claiming he drank the blood of his enemies.

And so the vampire myth was born.

Romania’s modern history is defined by its decades under one of the worst communist dictatorships of the 20th century.

Nicolae Ceaușescu held Romania in his grasp for the second half of the 20th century, and only in recent years has the nation been able to restore its democracy and its economy, with the help of it gaining membership into the EU.

Romanian food

Romanian food will undoubtedly become one of the highlights of your trip, provided you dive right into it.

Romania is a nation that has been massively influenced by the cuisines to its west and east, from Greek and Hungarian meats to Persian spices.

This results in a culinary explosion of innovative and delicious foods.

Romanian food is also very reasonably priced and, given how good it all is, there is no reason to pick the more expensive foreign foods over the local cuisine.

The best example of this is scovergi, a very cheap pastry that makes for an ideal lunch item.

Scovergi are sold by hole-in-the-wall street vendors, and they’re a large wrap of fresh, soft, warm pastry bound around cheese, garlic, sour cream, and other little details like olives and dill.

They cost around $1 and fill you up for hours.

Three must-try Romanian food items are sarmale (the national dish), mici, and papanasi.

Sarmale are lumps of cabbage bound around pork meat and cooked with mouth-watering spices.

Mici are skinless sausages traditionally eaten with liberal amounts of mustard.

Papanasi are extravagant desserts made of doughnut batter, sour cream, and blueberry jam.

They are the most guilty of desserts, and perfect vacation food.

When to visit Romania

Romania has something to offer visitors all year round.

The best time to visit, however, is certainly the summer. Romania never gets unbearably hot, and it’s in summer when the flowers are in bloom, the roads are open and clear, and the skies are blue.

That said, if you can’t visit Romania in the summer, every season has something to offer, from the blossoming flowers of spring to the vibrant colours of autumn.

Winter is perhaps the worst time to be visiting Romania, mostly due to the fact that the skies are permanently grey, the snow leads to a lot of road closures and cancelled road trips, and the nights are long.

That said, visiting Bran Castle in the snow, or enjoying the Christmas markets and New Year celebrations in Brasov, is its own kind of special beauty.

Romania is also known for its fantastic ski resorts, which are of course only populated during the winter.

So, there are reasons to visit Romania during every season.

However, the countryside and the landscape are at their most beautiful and awe-inspiring during the summer months.

This is also the time when the roads are dry and clear, and so a road trip can easily be taken wherever you wish to go.

Summer in Romania offers the best opportunities for exploration and enjoying the great outdoors.

But, if you do visit Romania in the winter, especially around Christmas and New Year, you’ll still find cool things to see and do.

Prices in Romania

As mentioned when talking about food and taxis, prices in Romania are delightfully low.

Even though it is an EU nation, Romania is still one of the cheapest countries in Europe to visit and travel in.

In fact, houses in the quiet villages in Romania can be bought for as little as $10,000.

Romania is certainly an affordable vacation.

Uber and taxi prices are half of what you’d typically pay in the US or UK.

Hotels and hostels are very reasonably priced, and whatever kind of hotel you would typically be able to afford in your home country could be upgraded in Romania.

If you usually get hostels in the US, for example, you could have a private room for the same price in Romania.

Food, as previously mentioned, is very affordable in Romania, provided you mostly eat local food in local restaurants.

Things like Starbucks and pizza are still UK and US prices, but the local fare is fantastic and affordable.

Driving in Romania

As already mentioned, driving in Romania can be divided neatly into two areas: inside Bucharest and outside Bucharest.

The capital is renowned for being the most congested city in Europe.

As such, driving in Bucharest is not fun.

Traffic is a nightmare, especially in the early mornings during rush hour.

The result of this congestion is something even worse: aggression.

Drivers in Bucharest are intensely aggressive, impatient, and intimidating. It is not a fun, nor even a safe, city to drive in.

Getting an Uber or a taxi is the safer option because the drivers are experienced in Bucharest, but even then you may experience some moments of terror as it feels like your driver is taking your life into his hands.

There are some scary statistics when it comes to the sheer number of road traffic-related deaths in Romania, but the only really dangerous place to drive is Bucharest itself.

When you’re in Romania’s capital, rely on your own two legs, the public metro, and the occasional Uber to get you from A to B.

Outside the capital, it is a whole other world. Driving in Transylvania is an absolute pleasure.

While Bucharest is congested and aggressive, the open and quiet country roads of Transylvania are a dream to drive around.

The people are calm and polite drivers, the roads are wide open, and the scenery is blissful.

Driving outside of Bucharest isn’t only safe, it’s an absolute joy.

Fuel is reasonably priced, renting a car is cheap and easy, and the country is big enough for you to just drive and drive for days.

There’s nothing quite like a Romania road trip.

Top places to visit in Romania

When you visit Romania, there are a few places that you absolutely must visit.

While the country has so much to see and do, so many hidden gems, and so much beauty to discover on a long road trip, these are the top five places to visit in Romania.

Bucharest Old Town

Bucharest is Romania’s capital and largest city, so chances are high that you’ll be visiting and even basing yourself there.

But it’s the old town in Bucharest’s centre that you absolutely must explore.

This district is where you’ll find the crazy blend of architecture that makes Romania so unique.

On one street you’ll find a Parisian style building; turn the corner and you’ll find a traditional Russian cathedral.

The other exciting aspect to Bucharest’s old town district is its selection of restaurants and culinary experiences.

As already mentioned, Romania’s food is simply divine, and it’s in Bucharest old town that you’ll find the best variety of local dishes to try, as well as the best restaurants in the city, and therefore the country.

Brasov

Brasov is a historic town in the very heart of Romania, surrounded on all sides by snow-capped mountains.

It is the culinary heart of Transylvania, and from this fantastic little city you can easily get to both Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress in under an hour.

This city is full of kind, helpful people, some lovely shopping opportunities, history buildings, and some really great food.

Bran Castle

This is the castle that Bram Stoker describes in Dracula (even though it has little connection to Vlad Tepes himself).

Bran Castle is situated on a rock and overlooks the border between Wallachia and Transylvania.

Inside and out, this is a gothic masterpiece full of gorgeous antiques and surrounded by rocky landscape and a sweet little village.

Sighisoara

Birthplace of Vlad Tepes, Sighisoara is the most beautiful little town in Romania.

It’s a hilltop fortress town of cobbled streets, an old belltower, some excellent cafes and restaurants, and the house where Dracula himself was born.

As picturesque towns go, this is the very best one in all of Romania.

Rasnov Fortress

A dramatic hilltop fortress that dates all the way back to the 14th century.

Rasnov Fortress is only a short drive from Brasov, and has been left almost entirely untouched since it was built.

Views from the fortress span the entire valley where it sits, as well as the endless miles of mountain ranges and dense forest on either side.

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It’s a deceptively massive country with all of its villages, towns, and cities separated far apart from one another.

No two cities are anywhere near each other in Romania, and so the country is sending every visitor an open invitation to hop in a rental car and explore the landscape.

Speaking of the landscape, it’s a varied and rocky ocean of tall snow-capped mountain peaks, deep and flat valleys, and rolling green hills.

Romania offers some of the best views in all of Europe, and the best way to see them is from the window of your own rental car.

Getting around Romania by car is freeing and exhilarating.

Here is everything you need to know before driving around Romania, as well as a complete road trip itinerary for getting around Romania.

Driving in Romania

What is it actually like to drive around Romania for people who have never visited the country before?

Well, there are a few key things to know before planning your Transylvania road trip.

In Romania, they drive on the left side of the car and the right side of the road.

The traffic laws are similar to those in other EU nations.

Roads are often closed or inaccessible during the snowy winter months so it’s best to plan your road trip itinerary for the summer months, when the grass is greenest and the roads are clear.

The biggest obstacle to driving in Romania can be found in the capital of Bucharest.

Driving in most of the country is liberating and exciting, but driving in Bucharest is something of a nightmare.

The roads are hellish and congested; the local people drive with terrifying speed and aggression; it is not a fun place to drive at all.

Make sure you have travel insurance when you do hire a car! I highly recommend SafetyWing.

Driving outside Bucharest is a whole different story.

In other cities, and across the landscape between those cities, the roads are clear, quiet, wide, and open.

People drive with a lot more patience and consideration.

You won’t find any problems driving outside the capital.

The only other surprise you’ll find when driving around Romania is that, in the provincial towns and villages, travel by horse and cart is very common.

So, when driving your rental car through the more isolated areas of the country, be wary of the slower pace and the fact that you may have to overtake or wait patiently for a horse and cart to move out of your way.

If you are considering getting around Romania without a car, it is absolutely possible and quite cheap.

The trains between major cities, and buses out to smaller historic towns are reliable and quick.

Driving, however, is definitely the most fun and freeing way of getting around Romania.

Renting a car is also very cheap and affordable in Romania, more so than in most other European nations.

Romania Road Trip Itinerary

The best place to begin your Romania road trip is, of course, Bucharest.

It’s where you’ll fly into and it’s where most people will spend a few days before heading out to explore the rest of the city.

As already mentioned, however, Bucharest is not an ideal place to drive.

So, to avoid this, head to Gara de Nord train station in Bucharest and hop on a train to the nearby town of Sinaia.

The journey will take you no more than thirty minutes and, once there, you’ll be far enough out of Bucharest for driving to be fun.

In Sinaia, you can rent a car from any car rental chain, such as Sixt, and then head out on your journey around Romania.

In order to see everything that Romania has to offer, this is the best route to take from Bucharest and Sinaia:

• North to Brasov
• Stay for two nights in Brasov
• Day trips to Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress
• North to Sighisoara
• Stay the night in Sighisoara
• North to Cluj-Napoca
• Stay for two nights in Cluj-Napoca
• West to Timisoara
• Stay in Timisoara for two nights
• Return to Bucharest

The majority of this is a Transylvania road trip, and Transylvania is where you’ll find the most spellbinding and magical views.

The Transylvania landscape is hypnotic in its beauty and splendour.

As you drive further and further north – to Brasov, Sighisoara, and Cluj-Napoca – the landscape only becomes more dramatic and more sublime as you go.

The drive from Sinaia to Brasov will take around two hours.

Once there, stay for two nights and explore the city at your leisure.

With a car, you can easily take day trips to the nearby historic sites of Bran Castle (the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula) and Rasnov Fortress (an untouched hilltop citadel from the 14th century).

From Brasov, the drive north to Sighisoara will take approximately 90 minutes.

The drive is winding and takes you over a few mountains, but the roads are strong and you’re not likely to meet any danger along the way.

Sighisoara is small, but worth spending a night in so that you can fully enjoy the cafe and restaurant scene there, as well as visit sights such as the bell tower, the church on the hill, and the house where Vlad Dracula himself was born.

Onward to Cluj-Napoca, which should take another two hours of driving northwest.

Cluj-napoca is the second-largest city in Romania, after Bucharest, and is also home to some of the nations best museums, galleries, and art scene.

Cluj-Napoca has great food, a great music scene, and some of the friendliest people in the country.

There is enough to do for two days in Cluj-Napoca.

Your penultimate drive is a big one, south and west to Timisoara, Romania’s third-largest city.

This drive will take four hours, with some incredible scenery along the way.

But Timisoara is a bustling city of great restaurants and shopping opportunities that should not be missed.

The final leg of your journey is the longest: a six-hour drive east, back to where you began in the capital of Bucharest.

This road trip will take you through all of the best locations in Romania, and across the very best scenery imaginable.

The road trip of a lifetime.

Other articles you will love:

• 11 Incredible Things to Do in Timisoara, Romania
• Romania in the winter: is it worth it?
• How to get from Brasov to Bran Castle

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The post Planning Your Epic Romania Road Trip appeared first on Travelling Balkans.

But Timisoara is an incredible, colourful, and vibrant city that should not be overlooked.

The city of Timisoara lies on the western edge of Romania, in the region of Transylvania, and it is such a perfectly sized city for all that you would want to see and do.

While Bucharest can seem a little too vast and spread out for a lot of visitors to see all of its attractions, try all of its best food, and explore everywhere on foot, Timisoara is a perfectly sized city, large enough to be impressive but small enough to be manageable and easy to explore at your own pace.

Here are the best Timisoars attractions, as well as what to do in Timisoara and where to stay in Timisoara.

What to Do in Timisoara

Like every other city in Romania, Timisoara is packed full of historic and religious monuments and buildings that will take your breath away.

What sets it apart as a city, however, is how colourful and vibrant everything is.

These are eleven things to do for visitors wondering what to do in Timisoara.

Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral

Surrounded on all sides by a park dedicated entirely to itself, the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral is easily at the top of the must-visit religious historic buildings of Timisoara.

Built in a neo-Byzantine architectural style (one of the coolest things about Timisoara is its massive mix of different architectural styles), this cathedral’s most jaw-dropping detail is its series of boldly colourful towers that bring so much majesty to the area.

Union Square

Medieval Romanian towns are famous for their open squares, which were once used for everything from markets to public executions, with Brasov’s square being one of the most famous.

But Timisoara’s Union Square is easily the most beautiful, thanks to its colourful selection of gorgeous buildings that frame it on every side, as well as its Victorian style street lamps and the two cathedrals sitting on opposite sides of the square, each built in a different architectural style.

Roses Park

As already mentioned, Timisoara is a vibrant and colourful city.

In fact, it is known as the City of Flowers, and Roses Park is a key reason for that.

Events and festivals are hosted here all year round, but seeing it in the summer is when the park is at the height of its beauty.

St George’s Cathedral

St George might be the patron saint of England, but he is also beloved across Europe, especially in Romania.

Every catholic in Timisoara visits this cathedral often, since it is the anchor of the catholic community.

The cathedral’s bold yellow facade is topped only by the interior decor and the artefacts found inside.

Photo by Ray on Unsplash

Victory Square

While Union Square is the more famous of the two, Victory Square offers even more to do.

Victory Square is more a promenade than a square, with a long bed of flowers running down its middle and some of the city’s best cafes and restaurants lining it on either side.

When researching where to stay in Timisoara, basing yourself at or close to Victory Square is more than ideal.

Timisoara Art Museum

A celebration of Romanian artists from across history, all found inside an enormous and inspiringly beautiful baroque building.

Many of the paintings found here come from the Banat region of Romania, celebrating the local art of Timisoara.

Museum of the Communist Consumer

The most unique museum in the city is a time capsule that takes visitors back to how the average person in the communist era of Romania lived.

It resembles an apartment filled with original artefacts from that incredibly dark period of Romanian history.

It’s also free!

Image by Jenny Friedrichs from Pixabay 

Romanian Opera House

Almost 150 years old, and found on Victory Square, the Romanian Opera House is a daunting and massive building which plays host to some of the country’s best opera, ballet, and musical performances weekly.

Tickets are incredibly affordable.

Museum of the 1989 Revolution

In 1989 the Communist oligarchy of Romania was overthrown, with its leader Ceausescu executed by firing squad on Christmas day.

To learn all about this incredible year of public revolution in Romania, this museum will leave you in awe.

Banat Village Museum

This open air museum has stood for more than a hundred years and is a beautiful example of how people in the medieval Saxon villages of Romania used to live.

To visit this village museum is to take a trip back in time to a fascinating and enlightening period of Romanian history.

Romulus & Remus Column

While the original sculpture can be found in Rome and commemorates the legend of the founding of the city of Rome, Timisoara has its own replica, found in Victory Square.

It serves as a commemoration of Romania’s links to ancient Rome.

Image by stachelvieh from Pixabay 

How to Get to Timisoara

While it’s quick and easy to get a train from Bucharest north to Brasov, then a bus further north to the second city of Cluj-Napoca, it’s less simple to get to Timisoara.

If you’re travelling by land, you have two choices: get a train from Bucharest which takes you directly to Timisoara and is very affordable.

It leaves daily but it does take ten hours.

Getting a train from most other cities still involved getting a train to Bucharest first and then carrying on to Timisoara.

Your second land choice is by car.

You can rent a car anywhere in Romania and then enjoy the country’s quiet open roads at your leisure.

Renting a car in Bucharest, however, is not recommended.

The city is congested and driving is obscenely aggressive.

So head out to a smaller nearby town and rent a car from there.

Your other option is to fly.

Timisoara has its own airport, as to Cluj-Napoca and Bucharest, so you can easily fly between these three large cities.

Flights take minutes and are very cheap.

So, if you’re happy to get through the airport preamble, a flight is the quickest and simplest way to get to Timisoara.

Other articles you will love:

• Romania in the winter: is it worth it?
• A Handy Guide to Rasnov Fortress, Romania
• What to Do in Brasov, Romania

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Situated yourself in the centre of Transylvania and you’ll find yourself on a perfectly flat valley plain that spreads out for miles, but on every side of you on the horizon is a jagged and harsh mountain range.

Romania is like a fantasy world of dramatic and sublime rocky terrain, dense forests, and rolling green hills.

All of this changes dramatically in the winter months.

It gets freezing cold, snow falls heavy, and all the green hills are coated with a white blanket of snow.

The fir trees turn white and the mountains grow even fiercer.

Is it worth seeing Romania like this?

Is it worth exploring Romania in winter?

The short answer is: yes.

Thanks to how they celebrate Christmas in Romania, as well as the wealth of winter sports in Romania.

And that’s even before we get to how exploring Romania’s landscape in the winter is a wholly different experience to seeing the country in the summer.

So, let’s explore what to do in Romania in the winter, and how to celebrate Christmas in Romania.

Photo by Florinel Gorgan on Unsplash

Christmas in Romania

Romania today is a very traditional Christian nation, with a population of 80% orthodox Christians.

This means that Romania really goes all out in its celebration of Christmas, and experiencing Christmas in Romania is very much worth doing.

In the capital city of Bucharest, there is a huge Christmas market that can be found in the square in front of the Palace of Parliament in the city centre.

The Palace of Parliament is still a place of contention for most Romanians, since it was built by the former Communist government and is still occupied by the current government, even though more than a third of its rooms are unused.

All of that aside, its enormous stature does make for an incredible and impressive backdrop to the Bucharest Christmas market.

Best accommodation in bucharest

At the market itself, you’ll find mostly food stalls and mulled wine vendors.

Mulled wine is delightfully cheap in Romania compared to Germany or the UK, so make the most of it.

At the food vendors you’ll find a lot of Hungarian, Greek, and, of course, local Romanian foods with a real emphasis on meat and bread.

Hungarian, Greek, and Turkish cuisines have had an enormous impact on the culinary landscape of Romania and during Christmas in Romania you can really explore these cuisines to your heart’s content.

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The only negative to spending Christmas in Bucharest is that the city is already the most congested capital in Europe and, during the winter months, that congestion does lead to some days of heavy pollution.

That, mixed with the permanently dark days and overcast skies means the weather is not on your side.

However, the best way to tackle this is to head out of Bucharest and spend the majority of your Christmas in Transylvania once you’ve visited the Bucharest Christmas market.

Transylvania is the best place to spend Christmas in Romania.

The seemingly endless landscape of snow-capped mountains is majestic, and the towns of Romania celebrate Christmas perfectly.

The best place to stay in Romania over the Christmas period is Brasov in central Transylvania.

There, you’ll find a small Christmas market in the town’s Council Square.

The square is famous for its beautiful Council House, which now serves as a museum and has a tall clock tower.

At Christmas, the Council Square boasts an enormous Christmas tree that almost matches the height of the clock tower.

Surrounding the Christmas tree are miniature wooden cabins that make up the Christmas market, each one selling traditional Romanian food and mulled wine.

While it’s worth visiting a lot of the nearby landmarks of Romania, like the world famous Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress, in the summer when the hills are green and the sky is blue, there is also a wholly unique experience in seeing these gothic and medieval structures coated in snow.

Bran Castle dusted with fresh snow is one of the most beautiful and calming sights, and a great reason to spend Christmas and New Years in Romania.

New Years in Romania is a relatively typical affair, with parties and an awful lot of restaurants being booked out for families.

This is especially true in Bucharest, where you can find some great pubs and clubs to reign in the New Year.

If you’re looking for a more quiet and simple New Year in Romania, with a good meal and a quiet night, spending New Years in Brasov is a great option.

The restaurants don’t get booked out in the same way as in Bucharest.

In both cities, there are fireworks displays and because Brasov is smaller, you get a much better view of the fireworks.

Photo by Razvan Chisu on Unsplash

Winter Sports in Romania

Ice skating is very popular in Bucharest, and you’ll find an outdoor ice skating rink in almost every single park in Bucharest.

If you’re looking for something more extreme, however, like skiing or snowboarding, you’ll need to head to Sibiu. Close to this Romanian city is the country’s oldest ski resort: Paltinis.

The slopes here are perfect for every kind of skier, from beginner to pro, and it is a treasured place to enjoy winter sports in Romania.

Gentle slopes dotted with trees make for some incredible skiing experiences, and even though the resort is old, it has been completely modernised with snow canons and all the amenities you’d expect, including a complete range of rental options.

Paltinis is found in the Cindrel Mountains (sometimes referred to as the Szeben Alps).

This is a dizzyingly long and varied mountain range that reaches heights of 400 metres, and is the perfect place for a ski resort, given its range of slopes and how welcoming they are to both beginners and more experienced skiers.

If you’re looking to enjoy some winter sports in Romania, Paltinis is the ideal resort for you to spend a few days at.

Other articles you will love:

• A Handy Guide to Rasnov Fortress, Romania
• What to Do in Bucharest, Romania
• 15 Remarkable Things to do in Transylvania, Romania

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