The Most Beautiful Small Cities in Romania You Shouldn’t Miss

Creating a list of the most beautiful small cities in Romania is not an easy task. Every place here has its own charm, and choosing just a few feels unfair.

At the same time, it wouldn’t help to throw every town on the list either. That’s why I’ve narrowed it down to those that truly fit two conditions: they are genuinely beautiful and worth a stop, AND they aren’t (yet, at least) on every tourist’s radar.

Yes, Romania has its well-known superstars: Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Brașov, Sibiu, Constanta, and even Sighisoara. But there’s a lot more to discover, and these smaller cities and towns have their charm and solid history. They can even surprise you more than larger ones do, especially since you generally get here with no expectations (but leave with lasting memories).

Now, let me take you through some of my favorite smaller cities in Romania – I have no less than 16 to share! Many are overlooked even by locals, while others you might have heard about but never thought to visit. Either way, I promise that each of them deserves a spot on your travel radar.

(Update notice: Major update today, removing 3 cities from the list – Oradea, Sighisoara, Gura Portitei – and adding 5 new ones. Also, I rewrote the article entirely.)

1. Suceava

Once the capital of Moldavia, Suceava still has that medieval flavor, despite constant growth over the centuries.

Inside the city you’ll find the Seat Fortress of Suceava, the Princely Court, and the ruins of the Scheia Fortress. The old center, though small, is extremely charming and easily explored on foot.

Suceava is also the perfect base for visiting the painted monasteries of Bucovina, UNESCO treasures like Voroneț, Moldovița, Humor, and Sucevița. (Read more about Romania’s amazing monasteries here).

2. Piatra Neamt

In my opinion, this is one of the most picturesque cities in Romania, but still a hidden gem. I’ve already included it on my list of the top cities to visit, but having it on just one list is not enough.

Nicknamed the “Pearl of Moldavia,” Piatra Neamț is a city embraced by hills and mountains. With tons of green spaces and parks and absolutely breathtaking views thanks to its geographical position, this is a city you must visit.

The Bistrița Monastery, cable car rides over the city, also add to the city’s appeal. A potential problem comes from the fact that it’s not really on any of the main train or car routes in Romania, but it’s truly worth the extra trouble of getting there.

3. Sinaia

Sinaia is mostly famous for Peleș Castle, but the town itself deserves attention too. It feels like a stylish Austrian resort with new, elegant buildings, cozy cafés, and year-round activities, despite its small size.

Winter is ski season here (and very crowded), but summer and autumn are just as enjoyable for hiking or simply relaxing in fresh mountain air. Being close to Bucharest and Brasov makes Sinaia one of the easiest weekend getaways on the list.

4. Busteni

This was, during my high school days, one of the most popular spots for spending your summer vacation: cheap and wild, it had a few buildings and a lot of nature.

Things have changed a bit over the years and Busteni (which basically translates as “tree logs”) grew up nicely, but it’s still known for its hiking trails and the massive Caraiman Cross perched high on the mountain.

The Urlătoarea Waterfall is a classic short hike, while cable cars take you up to the Bucegi Plateau, where bizarre rock formations like Babele and the Sphinx await to be discovered.

And, despite the fact that it’s up there on the Prahova Valley with the winter tourist destinations, Busteni (which is Sinaia’s smaller neighbor) remains a bit of a hidden gem, at least for foreign tourists. So definitely give it a try!

5. Curtea de Arges

Curtea de Arges is one of the oldest cities in Wallachia and was once its capital. The Curtea de Arges Monastery is considered one of the most beautiful in Romania, and its legends are still told today.

As a bonus, you can take a bus ride to the real Dracula’s Castle: the Poienari Citadel (check out this tour from Bucharest here), where Vlad the Impaler – the inspiration behind Dracula and vampires – actually ruled.

6. Targu Jiu

This city in Oltenia is forever linked to Constantin Brâncuși, one of Romania’s most important sculptors. His Endless Column, Table of Silence, and Gate of the Kiss can all be found here in a public park, making Targu Jiu an open-air art museum.

A really beautiful one, worth exploring beyond the aforementioned structures. I actually went a bit more in-depth with the city here – read the article to learn everything about it!

7. Turda

Just a stone’s throw away from Cluj, Turda is mostly known (now worldwide, thanks to a Mr. Beast video) for its impressive salt mine.

And although it’s true that there’s not a lot to do in the city apart from visiting the main attraction, I still consider it a charming, well preserved small town, with beautiful houses in the city center. It’s basically a miniature Cluj at half the price.

8. Medias

Another magical city in Romania – one that you probably haven’t heard of – Medias has one of the most beautiful historical centers in the country.

Basically, it’s Sighisoara, but with far fewer crowds. Its main attraction is the tower built in the 13th Century, but I believe that you’ll love getting “lost” on the small streets in the city center, exploring every nook and cranny, and always discovering something new and charming.

9. Gura Humorului

Just 40 kilometers away from Suceava, you can find this gem of a town, which is best known for the nearby Voronet Monastery, known as the Sistine Chapel of the East and one of the most beautiful monasteries in Romania.

But apart from that and despite its small size, Gura Humorului is a beautiful city. With freshly renovated buildings (at least in the central areas) and absolutely stunning views on all sides thanks to the nearby hills, it delivers real eye candy.

Plus, if you head to the outskirts, you get a true village life feeling, as you can see in the photo above.

10. Alba Iulia

This is where the 1918 unification of Romania was signed, making it one of the country’s most symbolic cities. And fortunately, it has developed tremendously over the past decade or so.

Its Alba Carolina Citadel was once crumbling, but now it’s a beautifully restored hub of history, culture, eye candy and even a few restaurants.

You can walk the citadel walls and explore the area (which is huge), admire the fountains and then continue down the city center which is again walkable and filled with small stores, cafes, and restaurants.

11. Targu Mures

Close to many of the smaller cities on this list, as well as other important cities in the country, Targu Mures is a city that I only recently discovered.

On the Mureș River, this city reflects both Romanian and Hungarian influences. It has Art Nouveau architecture, quiet streets, and a slower rhythm compared to more famous Transylvanian destinations. (And if you’re interested in those, check out my guide to Transylvania here.)

I also have an article about the top attractions in Targu Mures – make sure to check it out if you are planning a trip here.

12. Drobeta-Turnu Severin

Set on the Danube, right by the Iron Gates, Drobeta (called “Severin” by locals) is generally overlooked, but deserves more recognition.

Here you’ll find Roman ruins (including the remains of a bridge built under Emperor Trajan in the year 103), an archaeological museum, a medieval citadel, and a riverside promenade with great views of the Danube.

It’s also one of the best places to understand the power of the river – the Iron Gates Dam is nearby, along with small touristy towns like Orșova and Baile Herculane.

This is also my hometown, and I wrote about it here, as well as shared my favorite restaurants in the city.

13. Fagaras

Halfway between Brașov and Sibiu, Făgăraș is usually a blur from the car window for those rushing to their destination.

Stop, and you’ll discover a massive fortress surrounded by a moat, with the snowcapped Făgăraș Mountains as backdrop. It’s also the starting point for exploring the Transfăgărășan, Romania’s most famous (and beautiful) mountain road.

Apart from the citadel, I like exploring the city on foot – it has that classic Romanian small city feel, with apartment buildings, small shops, and a slow pace. It’s also the birth place of Romania’s current president, Nicusor Dan.

14. Resita

Reșița is an unusual addition, as it’s definitely not a very touristy city, but I think it deserves some recognition.

Known for its heavy industry during the communist period, the city has been reinventing itself as a green escape surrounded by hills. The old steel plants still stand, contrasting with new parks, outdoor spaces, modern restaurants, and nice river and mountain views.

Reșița might not be beautiful in a postcard way, but it’s fascinating and authentic. And I recently found this YouTube channel from an expat living here and sharing charming daily life videos – highly recommended, too.

15. Deva

I recently revisited Deva with my family and we really enjoyed how much the city grew since our last time here. The central area (basically a long, yet beautiful street ending in a large, equally impressive park) is beautiful and provides spectacular views to the Fortress that watches the city from a steep hill.

Climb up that hill (or take the funicular ride) to visit the Deva Fortress and also enjoy panoramic views of the entire region.

It’s also perfectly placed for a trip to Corvin Castle in Hunedoara, one of the most spectacular Gothic castles in Europe. For nature lovers, Hațeg Country and its dinosaur fossil sites are close by.

PS: If you enjoy the views (they’re truly spectacular), book the place we stayed in Deva – Cosy Nest. It can’t get any better, trust me!

16. Bistrita

Last but not least, we have Bistrita, located up in northern Transylvania, coming with a colorful old town centered around its Gothic church tower. It’s a quieter. more slow-paced place than Brașov or Sibiu, but has the same Saxon atmosphere.

The surrounding county offers the Rodna Mountains for hiking and Colibița Lake, nicknamed “the sea of the mountains,” perfect for a relaxing getaway.

Wrapping up

These smaller cities don’t make it on the list of places to see for most travelers, but if you spend enough time in the country and are in the area, they’re surely worth checking out.

They’re offering Rawmania (as I like to say now and then), they’re easier on the wallet, and are also surrounded by spectacular scenery. Plus, you don’t have to spend more than 1-2 days in each location to get most of what it has to offer.

If you know of other great but lesser-known cities and towns in Romania, don’t hesitate to share them below!