Today’s guest post was written by Marius Iliescu, the founder of Romanian Friend, a local initiative promoting handpicked tours that support responsible tourism. We visited Romania over 10 years ago, before we had kids, so we’re happy to share this guest post about family friendly things to do in Romania.
Things to do in Romania with Kids
Romania is a fascinating travel destination that is family friendly, relatively inexpensive and much less touristy when compared to other European nations. It’s filled with amazing natural beauty, fairy tale castles, medieval towns and delicious authentic food that will leave you wanting more.
Today’s article shares the best family friendly places in Romania. This list was created by locals, so we hope it will inspire you to make Romania your next family vacation.
Danube Delta: nature’s miracle garden
After passing through 10 countries, the second longest river in Europe ends its journey in Romania and into the Black Sea. Before doing so, it splits into three channels that formed what is known as the Danube Delta. This natural biosphere, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has unique beauty and is home to over 5,000 species of plants and animals.
One of the best things to do in the Delta is bird watching. It’s home to over 250 species of birds. Local guides offer boat rides and binoculars so your kids will are sure to enjoy the experience.
Libearty Bear Sanctuary
Forget the zoos and pay a visit to Libearty Bear Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is home to over 70 bears found abandoned in the wild, abused in circuses or other unfavorable conditions all over Europe.
The sanctuary is a private initiative that tries to create a habitat for bears as close to their natural one as possible. The bears are often seen resting and playing in the open meadows or by the fresh water pools.
As this is not a zoo, access and visits are possible only during certain hours and guided by staff from the sanctuary.
Get your $45 credit for AirBnB accommodations here.
Ride the Mocanita Steam Train
If there is one thing we know about kids – they love trains! The Mocanita Steam Train is located in the Northern region of Maramures, one of the most beautiful and representative regions for Romanian culture.
Travelling at slow speeds in the Vaser Valley, the Mocanita Steam Train was used for forestry exploitation before being abandoned and then converted into a tourist activity.
The locomotive pulling the open carts is called Mariuta (Little Marry) and is over 100 years old. Going on a slow train ride is one of the best things to do in Romania with your kids. There are four other routes to choose from, each passing through picturesque parts of Romania.
Bran Castle aka Dracula Castle
Even if you’re not interested in the Dracula myth, you can’t visit Romania without a trip to Bran Castle. Located in Transylvania, about 40 km from the city of Brasov, Bran Castle is an impressive medieval fortress perched on a hill.
Climb its towers and defense walls to admire the impressive landscapes that surround this picturesque area. Kids will enjoy learning about the vampire legend and exploring the tight windy staircases.
Adventure and Andrenaline? Yes, please!
Since you are already in the Brasov area, consider some outdoor and family fun activities and pay a visit to Aventura Park. The park has 15 routes with different difficulty levels, obstacles and challenges, four of which are suitable for children under 8 years.
The routes consist of various activities, from tree climbing to hiking. The park is also home to the 307 meter long zip line known as “The Great Zip Line over the Lake”. This zip line is sure to give you a pump of adrenaline!
Family fun on the Black Sea Coast
To enjoy some sun and beach, take a trip to one of the Romanian resorts on the Black Sea. The golden sands and crystal green waters attract families to affordable resorts such as Navodari, Eforie, Neptun, Venus or Olimp.
You will also find wild and secluded beaches and/or areas suitable for camping. The resorts of Mamaia or Vama Veche attract young people looking to party but also families looking for variety.
There are other interesting things to enjoy by the Black Sea, including The Museum of Natural Sciences, located in the city of Constanta and home to an Aquarium where they can see dolphins play.
Another fun thing to do with kids is to visit The Happiness Yard (Ograda Veseliei) Animal Farm where they can pet, feed and play with sheep, donkeys, geese and other friendly farm animals.
The Berca Mud Volcanoes
The Berca Mud Volcanoes, located in Buzau County, make for an out-of-this-world landscape because of the constant mud eruptions that make the area seem like a patch of land from the Moon.
The volcanoes form due to an underground combination of mud and water that is brought to the surface by oilfield-generated gases. The lack of vegetation around the volcanoes, caused by the salt-heavy soil, adds to the bizarre atmosphere.
Sighisoara Citadel
A small city located in the heart of Transylvania, Sighisoara is home to one of the best-preserved medieval citadels in Europe. It’s a popular tourist destination for its well-preserved walled old town, which is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The colorful townhouses within the citadel walls make it perfect for on-foot exploration. On guided tours, your kids will be entertained with stories over 300 years old about each house.
To enjoy the complete medieval experience in Sighisoara Citadel, the best time to visit is in July when the city hosts the Sighisoara Medieval Festival. Fearless knights, beautiful maids and medieval music, street shows, medieval crafts and traditional Romanian food on the citadel’s streets.
Sarmizegetusa Regia
A visit to Sarmizegetusa Regia will give your kids an exciting, out-of-the-classroom history lesson. The former capital of the Dacian Empire, the remnants of this fortress are filled with ancient history.
The historical site holds three distinct structures that were once fortifications, village areas and worship temples. Some of the artifacts discovered here, including golden bracelets, can be seen at the Romanian History Museum in Bucharest.
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Autor bio: Marius Iliescu is the founder of Romanian Friend, a local initiative promoting handpicked tours with the best local guides so travellers can discover the authentic beauty of Romania while supporting responsible tourism. Plan your trip with help from a Romanian Friend and follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
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