If you have a family with young kids, you know that it can be hard to travel with everyone. Just getting ready for vacation is a huge task, from making sure everyone has all that they need for your week away, to getting through airport security and then customs – props to you if you are taking your kids all the way to Romania! Once you get to your vacation destination, you need to make sure your kids aren’t bored – take them to places that the entire family will enjoy for a truly memorable and fun vacation! Below we have the top family destinations that everyone will be sure to love!
Superland in Brasov
Superland is a year-round treat for families with kids! It is a large amusement park with a Pirate Island, a climbing wall and a ball pit. If you have very little kids, there is a dedicated space for toddlers from 1-4 years old.
The Berca Mud Volcanoes
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!
The Living Fires in Buzau County
What kind of kid doesn’t like to play with fire? Although you shouldn’t touch these fires, they are amazing to look at, like a natural magic trick! Located just 55 kilometers from the city of Buzau are the Living Fires. The Living Fires is a natural phenomenon where endless fires come up from the ground. The fires to occasionally go out, but they are formed from natural gas that rises from the cracks on the earth. When the fires do go out, locals simply light them back up. The flames can rise as high as 100 centimeters, which is over 3 feet high!
The Seven Ladders Canyon
If your kids are slightly older and your family is an active bunch, then head here! Located just south of Brasov, the Seven Ladders Canyon is a mountainous canyon formed by the Sapte Scari Brook. It is called the Seven Ladders because it has seven waterfalls, with the tallest one being 35 meters (115 feet) high! You can zipline your way to the canyon, or take an easy 1-hour hike. If you are heading up to Brasov by car, this is an easy stop you can take on the way!
The Bicaz Gorge
The Bicaz Gorge is also known in Romania as the Cheile Bicazului. Located in the north-central part of the country, this is one of the most beautiful gorges in Romania. Just driving through the gorge is so picturesque. It was carved out by the Bicaz River and allows you to pass from Moldova to Transylvania. The roads are narrow, the cliffs are high, and the views are stunning. This is an easy one for the family, as you can see the entire gorge just driving through!
The Transfagarasan
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!
Dracula’s Castle
This is number one on many a tourist’s list. And actually, there are two castles that are considered “Dracula’s” Castle: Bran Castle and Poenari Castle. Bran Castle is significantly more popular, and subjectively more beautiful. This is the one that is most similar to the castle described in Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula.
Although Stoker had never been to Romania himself, Bran Castle in Transylvania pretty much perfectly fits the bill for Dracula’s castle. It is perched at the top of an ominous hill, it is large and majestic, and it dates all the way back to the 1300s. Some people believe that the character Dracula is based off the real-life Romanian Ruler, Vlad the Impaler. Vlad did visit this castle during his lifetime, but he did not actually live here.
Because of its age and perch overlooking the valleys, this is the ideal beautiful yet isolated and weathered castle to visit.
Corvin Castle
While you don’t want to bore your kids by walking through a million castles, you should fit at least one into your trip to Romania! Corvin Castle 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!
Salina Turda
This is a giant salt mine located in Turda, which is northwest Romania. More than just a salt mine, this is now an amusement park too, complete with a Ferris wheel, a bowling alley, rowboats and a mini golf course. This place is fun for the kids, but good for everyone because you breathe in all that healthy salt!
The Therme Bucharest
Here you can take a dip in the thermal waters of Bucharest. This place is an oasis of 91 degree Fahrenheit thermal water from deep underground. There are 10 pools, 6 saunas, 4 wet saunas and 16 water slides, and you could literally spend hours here, it is so relaxing, and your kids are bound to have fun!