Romania is located in Southeastern Europe and is characterized by a temperate continental climate. This means there are four seasons here: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Because the temperature is just right, October is an ideal month when you can visit some of the best Romanian destinations.
You still get plenty of daylight and the sun rays will help you warm up when the days get more chilly.
Not to mention the fact that in Romania, you can find some of the most beautiful fall attractions, where nature follows its course and transforms the views into Instagram-worthy photos that need no filter.
Here are our top recommendations you can visit in Romania this October.
Top 10 Stunning Romanian Destinations to Visit This Fall
1. Transfagarasan
Top Gear, the popular British motoring magazine, rated Transfagarasan as the world’s most spectacular road. It stretches on more than 90 kilometers and it’s currently one of the most popular attractions in Romania.
The road closes at the end of October each year and it only opens again at the end of spring.
The highest point of the road reaches 2,042 in altitude, so it can get pretty chilly once you reach the top. The road is dotted with steep hairpin turns, long S-curves, and sharp descents, and we must warn you, you will want to take a picture every few minutes – that’s how impressive this itinerary it’s going to be.
The fall colors will make you not want to leave this place, especially when you’re going to reach the highest point, at Balea Lake, which is a glacial lake.
In the fall season, you may have a greater chance of experiencing a foggy day which will make the scenery even more special.
2. Vaser Valley
This is one of those Romanian destinations which will take you back to the 1930s. Why? Because in order to visit the Vaser Valley, you need to take the steam train, which is also known as Mocanita.
This fall destination is located in Maramures county, which is one of the most beautiful regions in Romania any nature lover will never want to leave.
The steam train will leave from the train station called Viseu de Sus and it will take you on a two-hour journey along the Vaser River right through the heart of Maramures.
When you arrive at your destination, you will be able to admire the wild nature of the valley from an observation platform and even make a picnic, while you’ll be surrounded by a picturesque fall landscape.
3. Rucar-Bran Pass
If you’ll be staying in Bucharest as a tourist, the good news is there are many places close to Romania’s capital which will help you get a taste of the fall season.
One of these destinations is the Rucar-Bran Pass, which is a mountain pass that has one of the most spectacular views in Romania, looking over the Bucegi Mountains of the Southern Carpathians.
It’s less than 200 km away from the city and the landscape is absolutely breathtaking. The scattered wooden houses which complete the idyllic view will make you feel as if you’ve entered a painting – that’s how remarkably the fall leaves its mark.
On your way to (or from) the Rucar-Bran Passage, you can even stop to visit a few popular attractions, such as Bran or Peles Castle.
4. Viscri
Viscri is a small remote village situated in Transylvania, which became well-known worldwide after Prince Charles bought a house here in 1996.
You can come here and stay for a few days in a traditional house, visit one of the oldest fortified churches of Transylvania (which is also a UNESCO site) and climb the church’s tower, walk around the village, enjoy the silence and sounds of nature and eat healthy, traditional food made by the locals.
The guesthouses where you can stay at have been reconditioned, while the authentic look and feel of the rooms have been carefully kept alive. This way, you will be able to enjoy a genuine, traditional countryside Romanian experience.
Viscri is the place to be during the fall season because it’s peaceful, it’s situated right in the middle of nature and you can experience the countryside to its fullest.
5. Sibiu
In 2007, Sibiu was the European Cultural Capital and for good reason. Now only it’s a stunning medieval city, among one of the most beautiful ones in Romania, but it also boomed when it comes to cultural events, so you could never get bored here while visiting.
Sibiu is characterized by medieval towers, old churches, cobblestone streets and alleys, passages, staircases, and cast-iron bridges. It’s an ideal city where you can do some street photography because of the warm light which characterizes fall days.
Sibiu is quite a popular city in Romania, but starting in October, the number of tourists begins to decrease, so it’s the perfect time to come and explore it fully.
Not to mention the fact the food is delicious here, the people are extremely nice and it’s a real pleasure to just roam the streets and find cute corners where you can take some cool pictures.
6. Tunnel of Love
The Tunnel of Love is located in Carasenbes, Banat county and it’s a hidden, romantic treasure you need to include on your travel list. Even if you’re not the most romantic person, you will still be impressed by it.
It’s an abandoned railway portion in a secluded forest which has a natural vegetation tunnel formed by the tree’s canopies that join together.
This natural wonder is popular not only among young married couples who come here for photo sessions but also for those of you who want to see something stunning yet unique in Romania.
The fall colors will definitely amaze anyone who decides to visit this beauty of nature.
7. Sighisoara
Sighisoara is among the most impressive UNESCO heritage sites and an important tourist attraction in Romania. The city was founded by the Germans during the 12th and 13th centuries and it’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful medieval citadels in Europe.
The cobblestone alleys and the medieval buildings make Sighisoara one of the top Romanian destinations to visit this October. There’s just something about the fall that simply makes the city more magical.
A must-see when visiting Sighisoara in the fall is the Clock Tower which represents the perfect spot from where you can enjoy an amazing panorama of the city.
Authentic, colorful, and welcoming – this is how Sighisoara would be best described. And it’s exactly what you need from a travel destination once the days start to get cooler and shorter.
8. Biertan
Biertan is a beautiful remote village founded in the 13th century and it’s located in Sibiu county, in a valley surrounded by hills and vineyards.
In the Middle Ages, Biertan became an important commercial and agricultural center.
Nowadays, the village no longer has the urban feel that it was characterized by in the old days. Despite this, you cannot help but fall in love with this region and the rural settlements.
Biertan’s 15th-century fortified church is one of the reasons why you need to visit Biertan. It’s situated on a hill right in the middle of the village, which means you’ll get to enjoy one of the most magnificent views once you get to the top.
If you decide to come here, you should also add to your list the old cooper’s workshop, the old communal mill dating from the 20th century, and the carpentry workshop.
9. The painted churches of Bucovina
Bucovina is a region situated in the North-East of Romania and it’s one of the greenest areas of the country.
Because it’s surrounded by hills and rivers, it’s an attractive destination this time of the year because the fall colors will take over. When visiting the area, it’s a must to include the painted monasteries on your itinerary because they truly are unique.
The exterior walls are painted with impressive 15th and 16th-century frescoes. The paintings represent portraits of saints, scenes from the life of Jesus, angels, demons, heaven, and hell.
Some of the most beautiful painted monasteries in Bucovina are Sucevita, Voronet, Arbore, Humor, Moldovita – they truly are one-of-a-kind architectural sites in Europe.
10. Corvin Castle
The most spectacular Gothic-style castle in Romania, namely Corvin Castle, can be found in Hunedoara county.
It was built around the 14th century. First, it served as a fortress, and later on, the castle became the residence of Transylvania’s voivode, Iancu de Hunedoara.
The Corvin Castle is incredibly well-preserved. The highlights of the castle are a sumptuous Knights’ Hall, an outstanding drawbridge, high buttresses, intimate inner courtyards, 100-ft. well dug into the stone, a chapel, and 50 rooms which feature medieval art.
Spectacular and impressive, Corvin Castle’s warm color will perfectly match and blend with the brown shades which define the fall season.
Get the Most out of Your Travel
Some people tend to avoid traveling during the fall season because the weather can get gloomy and rainy, which is something people want to avoid when discovering new places.
In Romania, the month of October is pretty much ideal for traveling because it doesn’t rain too much, the temperature is just right and there aren’t that many tourists either.
If you don’t have any travel plans this October, then consider these Romanian destinations. And don’t hesitate to contact us at +40 735 525 710 if you need help planning a trip or booking one of our tours.