Dreaming of a summer escapade filled with vibrant sights, rich history, and unforgettable experiences? Look no further than Romania’s capital, Bucharest, and its surrounding gems! From sun-kissed parks and buzzing streets to cultural landmarks and a thriving café scene, Bucharest is the perfect gateway to explore the very best Romania has to offer in the warmer months. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or just someone who loves a leisurely stroll, there’s something here for everyone. Pack your sunscreen and sense of adventure—this guide will take you through the top Romanian places you simply can’t miss this summer!

As much as we love Bucharest - it is our home after all - we'd be remiss if we didn't share some of our favourite summertime destinations from around the rest of Romania with you, as the country is full of incredible places to see and explore!

So get ready to jump in your car or whatever means of transportation will get your out of the city faster, and visit some good ol’ Romanian attractions. But where to? Worry not, for we have compiled a list of Top Romanian places you can't miss this summer.

Lake Sfanta Ana

Once here, you will be able to bathe in the only volcanic lake in Central Europe, located at an altitude of almost 1000 meters. A trip to Szeklerland is equivalent to a journey across the border. Read a book, have a picnic, or engage in inevitable discussions about "how beautiful our country is," but get to the shores of Lake St. Anne as soon as possible. You will find preserved nature, a lake surface that you can cross by boat or swimming, and a few kilometers away it is waiting for you to explore, for the measly  amount of 6 RON. If you pride yourself with being able to order from a Romanian restaurant, be prepared to feel powerless once again. In the end we are in Szeklerland and you may not even be able to understand the menus of the restaurants in its entirety.

7 Springs Waterfall (Cascada 7 Izvoare)

Hidden in the heart of the Bucegi Mountains, the 7 Springs waterfall is part of a spectacular route that you should not miss during the summer vacation. The 7 Springs waterfall is said to have the purest water in Romania and has never dried up, and a lot of people came here only to taste this water. 7 Springs waterfall is located at an altitude of 1,300 meters, has a flow rate of about 400 liters per second and is fed from an underground lake. The waterfall is part of the route route Zanoagei Keys-Scropoasa Lake-Seven Springs Waterfall, marked with a blue cross and which can be crossed in about two hours. A few steps from Cascada 7 Izvoare is Lake Scropoasa, an artificial dam lake surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

Moldova Nouă near the Danube

If you want to spend your summer vacation on the Danube, then we suggest you visit the city of Moldova Nouă. Located in the western part of the Danube Gorge, this town in Caraş-Severin dates back to the 18th century. In addition to the exceptional panoramas over the Danube, in Moldova Nouă you can explore the Roman camp, built near a much older Dacian fortress, the Outlaws Cave, in the Locva Mountains, a chain of waterfalls along the Moldovita River, which can reach 30 meters height, the village of Saint Helena, the oldest village still inhabited by Czechs in Banat or the Island of Decebal in the middle of the Danube. Moldova Nouă is also the perfect place to start hiking through Banat Montan or at the Iron Gates.

Wooden churches of Maramureș

The Wooden churches of Maramureș in the Maramureș region of northern Transylvania are a group of almost one hundred Orthodox churches, and occasionally Greek-Catholic ones, of different architectural solutions from different periods and areas. The Maramureș churches are high timber constructions with characteristic tall, slim bell towers at the western end of the building. They are a particular vernacular expression of the cultural landscape of this mountainous area of northern Romania.

Maramureș is one of the better-known regions of Romania, with autonomous traditions since the Middle Ages - but still not very much visited. Its well-preserved wooden villages and churches, its traditional lifestyle, and the local colourful dresses still in use make Maramureș as near to a living museum as can be found in Europe.

God's Bridge and Canyon 7 Stairs 

God's Bridge (Podul Natural de la Ponoarele) from Ponoarele is the only functional natural road passage in Romania, crossed by DJ 670 Baia de Aramă - Drobeta Turnu-Severin. It is the largest natural bridge in the country and the second-largest in Europe (30 m long, 13 m wide, 22 m high and 9 m thick), but the only one in the world open to road traffic (including heavy tonnage). The bridge is a massive layered limestone structure in banks of 1-2 meters.

Canyon 7 Stairs (Canionul 7 Scari)
Another wonder of Romania is the 7-stair canyon in the Piatra Mare Mountains. The canyon has a total length of 160 m and a difference between levels of 58 m. The first staircase of the waterfall has 8 steps, compared to the last one which has 35 steps. Up up, on either side, the road is guarded by old limestone. The name of the canyon comes from the 7 waterfalls that have formed over time along the valley.

And there you have it – a taste of Romania’s most unforgettable spots that promise to make your summer truly one for the books. From basking in the beauty of breathtaking landscapes to soaking up the rich history and culture, there's never a dull moment in this vibrant country. Bucharest, in particular, is the cherry on top of this Romanian cake – a city that knows how to charm you, whether it's winter, summer, or anything in between. Pack your bags, bring your curiosity, and, most importantly, don’t forget your appetite – because Romania’s adventures and culinary delights are not to be missed. Happy travels, or as the locals would say, Drum bun!

Looking for headpounding adventure? Check out our special in-depth features to two of Europe's most incredible drives - the famed, BBC Top Gear approved Transfagarasan Highway and the lesser known but equally impressive Transalpina Highway, which owns the notorious title of Romania's most dangerous road.