Have you been wondering about the most beautiful cities in Romania? I’ve got you covered! When travelling in Europe with kids, I always love to visit hidden gems as well as well-known major cities.
From the bustling cosmopolitan Bucharest to the magnificent metropolises of Transylvania and picturesque coastal cities along the Black Sea, the top cities in Romania offer unique charms guaranteed to delight travellers.
To make the most of your visit, spend as much time discovering the most beautiful cities in Romania and get a glimpse of some of its hidden gems.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information.
How Many Cities in Romania?
Romania has over 300 cities and towns, with Bucharest being the largest and most populated city.
As the capital of Romania, Bucharest is home to over one million residents. The other cities in Romania have a population between 100,000 and 300,000 inhabitants. You can read our guide to visiting Bucharest with kids here.
You’ll most likely arrive in Bucharest, as it’s home to Romania’s busiest international airport. The airport connects Romania to the major cities of Europe and the United States.
While Bucharest offers the perfect setting for a family holiday, home to many family-friendly attractions, you’ll find many other exciting things to enjoy in the other beautiful cities of Romania.
Best Cities in Romania to Visit
1. Bucharest
Bucharest 2023 Population: 1,776,000
Bucharest is one of the most charming capital cities in Europe. It’s renowned for its beautiful architecture, gorgeous parks, and fascinating museums. With plenty of activities and attractions for adults and kids, Bucharest is ideal for family vacations.
Despite being a modern city, Bucharest still exudes an old-world charm, with many remnants from its communist past. A holiday to Bucharest with kids is perfect for those who love architecture and history. Don’t leave without tasting delectable traditional Romanian cuisine at the city’s top restaurants.
Best Things to Do: Visit the open-air village museum along the shores of Lake Herăstrău to get a glimpse into the history of Romania’s rural architecture.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and early autumn are the best times to visit Bucharest. Avoid summers as it can get excruciatingly hot, and exploring the outdoors can be uncomfortable.
Best Family Friendly Hotel: Stay in Park Inn by Radisson Bucharest Hotel & Residence, which offers spacious apartments with a relaxation area and a kitchenette, ideal for families with kids.
2. Iași
Iași 2023 Population: 317,000
Iasi is one of the best cities in Romania for those who love history. Every museum, park, and monastery in this gorgeous city is a testament to Romania’s colorful past.
It’s the former capital of Moldavia, offering visitors valuable history lessons and fascinating landscapes at every turn.
Aside from playing a significant role in Romania’s history, it is also the birthplace of some of Romania’s most remarkable writers, such as the renowned novelist and lawyer Ionel Teodoreanu.
As the leading center of Romania’s social, artistic, and academic life, Iasi is one of the hidden gems in Europe and among the best cities to see in Romania.
Best Things to Do: Check out the Palace of Culture, a Neo-Gothic building from 1906, which now houses four museums.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Iasi is late spring and early summer, when the flowers are still in full bloom, and the intense heat of mid-summer has not arrived.
Best Family Friendly Hotel: Offering spacious family rooms, Hampton by Hilton Iasi is the best place for families with kids.
3. Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca 2023 Population: 308,000
Also known as “Cluj,” Cluj-Napoca is one of the nicest cities in Romania, an ancient metropolis in the middle of Transylvania.
Boasting a rich history, Cluj is home to the best castles in Europe, incredible museums, fortified churches, and impressive Baroque and Neoclassical architecture. On top of that, Cluj is overflowing with fantastic restaurants, cozy cafes, and cutting-edge festivals.
Families should include the Botanical Gardens on their list of places to visit in Cluj-Napoca. It has many beautiful flowers and shaded paths for kids to run around.
Best Things to Do: Stroll through the city’s main square, where you’ll find the statue of the King of Hungary in the 15th century who was born in Cluj.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Cluj-Napoca is between May and September, when it enjoys a fairly pleasant climate, averaging between 25ºC and 28ºC.
Best Family-Friendly Hotel: Check out the Wonderland Cluj Resort, a lavish accommodation offering fun activities like horseback riding, making it one of the top hotels to stay in Romania with kids.
4. Timișoara
Timișoara 2023 Population: 307,000
Nestled along the borders of Hungary and Serbia, Timisoara is a charming city with a long history of cosmopolitan multiculturalism.
It’s where the 1989 Romanian Revolution was born, which ended the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu. Thus, it plays a significant role in Romanian history.
You’ll spend your days exploring a wealth of historical attractions, from Union Square to St George’s Church and the Timișoara Orthodox Cathedral.
Since Timisoara is a green and walkable city with paved walking streets, it’s the best place for families who are avid walkers.
Another great thing about Timisoara is everything is reasonably priced, making it one of the cheapest cities in Europe to visit.
Best Things to Do: Wander around Victory Square, Timisoara’s historic centre, which gets festive at night with the occasional night markets and live band performances.
Best Time to Visit: Timisoara enjoys good weather from April to October. On average, the warmest months are July and August. When visiting in May or June, expect occasional rain showers.
Best Family-Friendly Hotel: Stay at Hotel Tresor Le Palais, a lavish hotel with a lovely garden and outdoor pool, giving you plenty of space to relax and spend time with kids.
5. Constanta
Constanta 2023 Population: 303,399
Established some 2,500 years ago, Constanta is the oldest of all cities in Romania.
Originally called Tomis, it is now a bustling city home to a massive port along the Black Sea coast. In addition, Constanta has many beautiful sandy beaches, making it one of the famous cities in Romania for summer holidays.
Families visiting Constanta will find plenty of things to do and see. The ancient town is worth exploring mainly for its historic sites and ancient ruins. There are also alluring museums and all sorts of restaurants and bars.
Best Things to Do: Walk around the old town area, starting from the City Hall and towards the sea near the Tomis Touristic Port.
Best Time to Visit: The best time of the year to visit Constanta is between July and August when the weather is pleasant.
Best Family-Friendly Hotel: Continental Forum Constanta is the best family-friendly hotel in Constanta, offering spacious family rooms and child-friendly amenities. The hotel also allows pets, so bring your furry friends!
6. Brasov
Brasov 2023 Population: 283,901
Brasov is one of the most charming Transylvania cities in Romania. It’s nestled right at the heart of Transylvania, surrounded by the majestic Carpathian Mountains, only a few hours from the capital Bucharest.
The picturesque city is full of beautiful sights and attractions that are a delight to explore with the kids.
Home to excellent ski resorts, Brasov is one of the most popular cities in Romania for a winter holiday. Refer to our Europe winter packing list to help you plan your winter trip to Brasov.
Aside from skiing, you can rent a snowmobile or take a sleigh ride to explore the snowy mountains.
Best Things to Do: Stroll around the Council Square and marvel at the city’s enchanting medieval buildings.
Best Time to Visit: While Brasov is an excellent destination all year round, the best months to visit are May to September.
Best Family-Friendly Hotel: Kronwell Hotel is an excellent family-friendly accommodation in Romania with a Kid’s Playground called the Happy Shark, the most interactive playground in Brasov.
7. Ploiești
Ploiesti 2023 Population: 232,452
Ploiești is one of the smallest cities in Romania by population. But despite being small, it has plenty to offer for families, especially those who love nature.
It’s an ideal base for exploring Bucegi Natural Park, one of the most beautiful national parks in Europe.
Ploiesti has direct access to Prahova Valley, renowned for its stunning landscapes, abundance of vegetation, and scenic vineyards. Before heading to the national parks, it’s worth spending a day in the city to discover its impressive attractions.
Best Things to Do: Take the kids to TRQZ Lake, an artificial lake with a beach offering numerous water sports, such as kayaking.
Best Time to Visit: Since you’ll likely spend most of your time outdoors, the best time to visit Ploieşti is from early June to mid-September when the weather is favorable for outdoor activities.
Best Family-Friendly Hotel: For a fun family holiday in Ploiești, stay at Resort Casa Timiș. Occupying an area of 140 hectares, it has a spacious playing area for kids, complete with slides, swings, and climbing rope.
Most Beautiful Cities in Romania Map
To help you plan your family holiday, refer to this map of Romania with cities.
You’ll likely start your adventure in Bucharest.
From here, you can travel to the rest of the country by bus or minibus, which offers long-distance services.
Driving is also a fantastic option for families, allowing you to stop whenever you please.
Cities in Romania List
- Bucharest
- Iași
- Cluj-Napoca
- Timișoara
- Craiova
- Constanta
- Galati
- Brasov
- Ploiești
- Oradea
- Bacau
- Arad
- Pitesti
- Sibiu
List of States in Romania
- Alba
- Arad
- Argeș
- Bacău
- Bihor
- Bistrița-Năsăud
- Botoșani
- Brașov
- Brăila
- Bucharest
- Buzău
- Caraș-Severin
- Călărași
- Cluj
- Constanța
- Covasna
- Dâmbovița
- Dolj
- Galați
- Giurgiu
- Gorj
- Harghita
- Hunedoara
- Ialomița
- Iași
- Ilfov
- Maramureș
- Mehedinți
- Mureș
- Neamț
- Olt
- Prahova
- Satu Mare
- Sălaj
- Sibiu
- Suceava
- Teleorman
- Timiș
- Tulcea
- Vaslui
- Vâlcea
- Vrancea
Final Words: Cities in Romania
While the cities of Romania may not always come up on the list of the most famous destinations in Europe, they offer many incredible activities and attractions for adults and kids.
In fact, according to a list by FatherMag.com, Romania is one of the top destinations for families in Europe, and it’s easy to see why.
Aside from offering a wealth of historical attractions, the locals are warm and welcoming to tourists, the countryside is stunning and diverse, and many hotels have child-friendly amenities.
So, if you’re looking for an exciting place for your next family adventure, take the kids to one of the most impressive cities in Romania.
FAQs About Cities in Romania
What are the largest cities in Romania?
The three largest cities of Romania are Bucharest, Iași, and Cluj-Napoca.
What is the most beautiful city in Romania?
Dubbed “Little Paris,” Bucharest is the most beautiful city in Romania. The eclectic capital boasts impressive architecture, gorgeous gardens and parks, modern art galleries, and fantastic museums.
What is typical Romanian food?
The typical Romanian food consists of vegetables, fruits, honey, milk, dairy products, and meat. While pork is the main meat in most Romanian dishes, beef, and a good lamb or fish are also consumed.
What is Romania best known for?
Romania is renowned for its well-preserved medieval buildings, with the Bran Castle in Transylvania the most popular. The castle is associated with the fictional vampire, Vlad Dracula, as described in Bram Stoker’s novel.
What is the oldest Romanian city?
Now called Constanţa, Tomis is Romania’s oldest continuously inhabited city, established around 600 BC.
What currency is used in Romania?
Romania uses the Romanian leu as its currency.
Which city to go in Romania?
Bucharest offers everything you need for a family holiday in Romania, making it one of the best cities in Romania.
Related Posts
European Cities that Start with J
Carolyn Boston is a digital nomad who has been travelling the world for over six years. In 2017, she quit her 9 to 5 job to discover more of the world without worrying about limited vacation leaves! Her love for discovering incredible places and learning about new cultures has taken her to Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond! Carolyn loves to offer advice and insights about the places she visited and dreams of someday writing a book about her world adventures.