1. Transfăgărășan
Romania's most spectacular mountain road, open in summer (usually July-October). From Bâlea Lake to Curtea de Argeș, it runs for 90 km of hairpins through the Făgăraș Mountains. Leave in the morning: afternoon fog can close visibility.
2. Bran Castle
Dracula's castle, 30 km from Brașov. It is crowded at weekends; go on Tuesday or Wednesday for a tour without queues. The DN73 road from Brașov is accessible for any car.
3. Sibiu
The medieval centre in Piața Mare, houses with eye-shaped roof windows and ASTRA Park. Two nights here comfortably cover the city plus a trip to Sibiel or Cisnădioara.
4. Danube Delta
Tulcea is the end of the road by car; from there you go in by boat. Leave the car in the guarded port car park (10-20 RON per day) and take a 1-3 day tour through the channels. There are no roads into the delta.
5. Peleș Castle, Sinaia
A neo-Renaissance jewel of Romania's kings. Direct road on DN1 from Bucharest, 130 km. Combine the visit with a mountain stay in Sinaia, Bușteni or Predeal.
6. Sighișoara
A lived-in medieval citadel, among the few in Europe where people still live inside the old walls. The Clock Tower, Vlad Țepeș's house and 14th-century paved lanes.
7. Voroneț Monastery
Voroneț blue: a pigment unique in the world, with exterior frescoes preserved for 500 years. Bucovina deserves at least 2 days for the monastery route (Sucevița, Moldovița, Humor, Voroneț).
8. Alba Iulia
Alba Carolina Citadel, the changing of the guard in summer and the Reunification Cathedral. Combine it with a trip to Râmeț Gorge or Turda Salt Mine, 90 km north.
9. Prahova Valley
Sinaia, Bușteni, Predeal, Azuga: four resorts over 30 km. Winter for skiing, summer for hikes (Babele, the Sphinx, Omu Peak). DN1 is the road, and weekends are busy.
10. Mamaia
The Romanian seaside in its Vegas version. For a quieter stay, go further south: Vama Veche, 2 Mai or Costinești. The A2 motorway from Bucharest gets you to the sea in 2.5 hours.
The right car for long drives
For Transfăgărășan and mountain passes: something with Automatic transmission and low fuel consumption. For the Delta or Maramureș: an SUV with higher ground clearance. For a mountain weekend: almost any car is fine.
All cars come with Unlimited mileage within Romania. You drive as much as you need and pay the same rate.