If you want to travel to Romania, the first option in a day tour from Deva or Alba Iulia is to to discover Hunedoara County with its mysteries and picturesque natural settings. You can choose to visit 2 or 3 of the highlights of the region from the following options.

• Visit the medieval Corvin Castle

Built in the 15th century, the Corvin castle is one of Transylvania’s most important Gothic architectural monuments. You will cross the long entrance bridge entering the imposing building with defensive walls and high observation towers but you will also find out the interesting legends written among its walls.

 

• Marvel at the old stone Densus Church

Featuring an interesting mix of architecture, the Densus church is a controversial place keeping the mystery regarding its age. Some historians believe that it was built on the ruins of a Dacian temple, some that was a mausoleum of a Roman general, but what is surely known, is that it is the oldest church in Romania in which religious service is still officiated.

 

• See bison at the Bison Reserve from Hateg

In Romania the bison where extinct at the end of 18th century, but with the help of Podarec and Polonka, two bisons brought in 1985 from Poland, they appeared again for the first time on Romanian land at the Bison Reserve Silviut-Hateg. Over the years, more than 45 bison were born in the reserve but some of them were moved to other parts of the country where other reserves were established.

 

• Discover Sarmizegetusa Regia, the Dacian capital and the nearby fortresses from Orastie Mountains

The most important remains of the Dacians, the ancient inhabitants of Romania and known as “the bravest and the most honest of the Thracians” are the fortresses of the Orastie Mountains, built between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD.

The capital of the pre-Roman Dacia, Sarmizegetusa Regia is a complex of sanctuaries, the most remarkable being the Big Rounded Sanctuary and the Andesito Sun. The first one is a representation in stone of the Dacian calendar and known as the Dacian Stonehenge and the second one, a solar disc reflecting the solar character of the Dacian religion.

Costesti-Cetatuie and Costesti Blidaru are part of the 5 fortresses raised as a belt of fortification around the religious, political and economic center of Dacia, the capital Sarmizegetusa.

 

Other places of interest in Hunedoara county which you can explore in a day tour from Deva or Alba Iulia are Deva fortress, Prislop monastery, Orastie town, Sarmizegetusa Regia Ulpia Traiana (the newer capital of Dacia from Roman times), Retezat National Park, Bolii Cave, Grădiștea Muncelului-Cioclovina Natural Park, communist industrial sites in Hunedoara, Calan or Jiu Valley, Dinosaurs Geopark near Hateg.

Hunedoara county is also home to some well-preserved traditional villages set in beautiful natural settings.

One such area is called “Tinutul Padurenilor” or the “Land of the Forest Dwellers”. In this area people still practice traditional occupations like small scale farming, animal husbandry. They have their own traditional music and clothing which they wear on special occasions. This area is also rich in marble and there are villages where the roads, houses and even churches are built of marble. Being a mountainous region it is good for hiking and mountain biking.

Another wonderful place is Fundatura Ponorului, a remote village in Gradistea Muncelului-Cioclovina Natural park. It is probably one of the most picturesque villages in the whole of Romania and because it is very difficult to access (best is to hike or bike), it is almost untouched and stuck in time.   

For exploring the medieval town Sibiu and the beautiful surrounding countryside we suggest you to choose between the following options:

• Roam the streets of the Old Town of Sibiu

Elected European Capital of Culture in 2007, Sibiu is a charming medieval town and an important cultural center of the country thanks to many festivals and other cultural events that take place here throughout the year. You will walk though the Old Town, a place with beautiful historic buildings of German-Saxon heritage, eye-catching central squares and quiet cobbled streets.

 

• Go back in time at the Village Museum

At the Village Museum from Sibiu you can learn about the old traditions and rural occupations not only from the region but from all over Romania. You will explore the open-air museum walking on the winding alleys admiring the old traditional houses and their household items.

 

• Explore a German-Saxon village – Cristian or Calnic

In the South of Transylvania the German-Saxon heritage remains largely untouched by modern life, showing charming towns and villages with vividly colored houses and beautiful fortified churches.  In order to learn about this unique heritage you will visit Cristian village or Calnic village which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

 

• Meet some craftsmen that keep the tradition alive

In rural Romania the old traditions and occupations are still kept and many of them are still practiced the same way for centuries. To gain a wider perspective of the traditional heritage, you can start with a visit to a brick-maker so you can learn how the bricks are made of clay, water and sand. Then, depending on the time that you have left you can visit a hat-maker, a tanner or a blacksmith whose work are still on high demand in the area.

Another possible option for a day trip from Alba-Iulia or Deva is heading west to surprising Timisoara.

The mix of beautiful architecture, unique squares and rich history makes of Timisoara one of the most interesting Romanian cities regarding its culture, also being chosen European Capital of Culture in 2021. You will explore the Old Town, formerly an important fortress, admiring the Secession palaces and the vividly colored Baroque houses. You will also learn about the oppressive communist regime and how in Timisoara the 1989 anti-communist revolution started.

Cluj Napoca is a city filled with history, art and culture so you will have a walk through the center to get a glimpse of its charm. You will visit Unirii Square featuring 18th and 19th century buildings, King Matthias Corvinus birth house and St. Michael’s Church which is one of the most beautiful and important Gothic buildings in Romania. If you like plants, the Botanical Garden is where you can enjoy a nice walk admiring a large variety of flora from all over the world.

On your way to Cluj-Napoca city you can find beautiful and interesting places that are worth stopping by and visiting. Some of our suggestions are:

• Go down into the Turda salt mine

The impressive Turda Salt Mine is a huge place holding an amphitheater, a Ferris wheel and even a small lake. While you breathe the healthy air you can do different activities such as playing bowling, mini-golf, table-tennis, to row a boat or to enjoy the views from the Ferris wheel.

• Get in touch with Hungarian tradition in Rimetea Village

Rimetea is a beautiful Hungarian village, set in picturesque scenery at the base of the Apuseni Mountains. Walking on the unpaved streets you will be able to admire the traditional white houses with green windows and by visiting the little ethnographic museum you will learn about the rich and turbulent history of the place.

• Venture into the Turda gorges

If you enjoy spending time in nature you can venture crossing the Turda gorges. They were cut in limestone mountains by the action of Hasdate River and now display one of the richest and most spectacular karst landscapes in Romania. The roundtrip hike will take around 2 hours, depending on your physical condition.

 

For more things to do in a day trip from Alba Iulia or Deva read our article Top 11 attractions in Western Romania that you must not miss.