Whether you travel just for the ‘gram or not, getting great pictures on your vacation actually does change how you remember a trip. If you have beautiful pictures of you having fun on your travels, you actually remember those vacations as having been more enjoyable than they were. We are not trying to say you should trick yourself into having fun on vacation, but that you will remember your trip with more fondness if you have great photos. Enough on psychology though, if your plan is great pics to post online, we have you covered! Read this guide for the best spots to visit in Romania for some awesome Instagram posts!
1. Ciucas Peak
The highest point in the Ciucas Mountains, this peak is located in the southern region of the Carpathian Mountains. It is a total of 1954 meters high, and your views go as far as the horizons. The only way to make it up here is to hike, so just pack a good pair of hiking shoes and a light raincoat, depending on the season.
2. The Danube Delta
If you aren’t sure, a delta is “a triangular tract of sediment deposited at the mouth of a river, typically where it diverges into several outlets.” The delta that we are talking about is the Danube Delta, found in southern Romania, rolling into the Black Sea. The Danube is quite impressive – it has 23 natural ecosystems and from March through September it is visited by over 300 bird species! If you are into wildlife photography, there is plenty to be inspired from at the Danube Delta.
3. The Transfagarasan
According to Jeremy Clarkson, English broadcaster, journalist, and writer, this is the “world’s best driving road”. It is quite a site to see: the road is complete with tunnels, bridges and viaducts (which is similar to aqueducts if you are familiar with those). The road closes at the end of October though, so make sure that you plan to go before then. This winding road is absolutely beautiful and will create a great shot!
4. Corvin Castle
This is a huge castle that dates back to 1446. It is also known by its two other names, Hunyadi Castle or Hunedoara Castle. It is built in a Gothic-Renaissance style and is located in Hunedoara, Romania, which is in the central-western part of the country.
After the 17th century, the castle had been abandoned for many decades, and then a fire destroyed a great part of the castle, leaving it in ruins. What stands today is a restoration of the old castle, with modern architects interpreting how a great Gothic castle would have looked. Perhaps because of this creative interpretation, this castle looks straight out of a Game of Thrones episode!
5. Old Town Bucharest
Bucharest’s Old Town is one of the most beautiful spots in the entire city. You are surrounded by beautiful architecture, and there is plenty to do in Old Town. If you want a really good spot for sunset photos, we would recommend heading up to the Pura Vida Sky Bar. This is a small, unassuming hostel, but on the roof of the building they have a gorgeous bar that gives you an amazing view of the city. And the drinks are cheap too!
6. The Tunnel of Love
This tunnel is covered in beautiful green ivy (depending on the time of year). It was completed in 1908 and served as a secondary non-electrified railway. It was then abandoned, and that is what makes it so beautiful today. Nature took over the tunnel and you can barely see the original structure, now all you see is green. If you want to visit, it is located in the Obreja commune, about 10 kilometers from the closest town Caransebes in the Banat region of western Romania. The tunnel can be hard to find (but you can easily map it out on your phone) but searching for it is part of the thrill. The exact origin of the name is unknown, but it is likely called the Tunnel of Love because of the romantic way the light glistens through the trees and the vines into the tunnel. It also is not a well-known spot still, so you likely will have it all to yourselves should you visit!
7. The Eiffel Tower
You might have known that Romania’s capital, Bucharest, has a copy of the Arch de Triomphe from Paris. But did you also know that Romania has a copy of the Eiffel Tower too? That’s right, you can find the Eiffel Tower in Slobozia, a town in southeastern Romania. This copy is not life-size, but it is still impressive. Also, it is kind of in the middle of nowhere, which is great if you want some amazing pictures in front of the structure!
8. The Palace of Culture
The Palace of Culture is located in Targu Mures, in the central-northern part of Romania. The outside of the building is beautiful but rather unassuming. You will have to enter the building to be taken away by the photo-ops available! The building was constructed from 1911 to 1913 in Art Nouveau style. Today it is home to the State Philharmonic of Targu Mures, the Mures County Library, and the Mures County Museum, so this one building has quite a lot to explore, and you can walk into the library for free!
9. The Mud Volcanoes
The Berca Mud Volcanoes are located in the central-eastern area of Romania. These are active volcanoes that erupt like any other, but instead of spitting out lava, they spit out mud! What makes this so picturesque is that there is not any vegetation nearby, and the mud creates cracks and craters into the ground, making it almost look like you are walking on the moon. And if you go around sunset or sunrise, these volcanoes are absolutely spectacular!