Alongside the Transalpina, it is one of the most beautiful mountain roads in Romania (Sibiu County), usually open from mid-June (including the current period) until October.

During the summer and the holiday season, especially on weekends, it can get quite crowded 😅, as it is a cool excursion destination at an altitude of over 2,000 meters when the valleys below are experiencing high temperatures.

https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de | https://welcome-to-romania.com

Many holidaymakers travel to Romania with their own car or rent one at the airport and... may feel a little overwhelmed by the parking situation in some cities. Therefore, here are some useful tips and information.

And first of all: don't be tempted to imitate the sometimes creative parking style of some locals. A car can be towed away very quickly (for example from fire lanes, in front of hospitals, at intersections, pedestrian crossings, etc.) and can only be recovered by paying a fee. The problem is that you first have to find out where your car has been taken... and that can become quite a challenge 🙈

# Relaxed parking in Brăila 🥰
Brăila is located in southeastern Romania and has around 150,000 inhabitants. There are almost always enough parking spaces, even in the city center, and all public parking in Brăila is free of charge.

# The neighboring city of Galați... not quite as relaxed 😅
Galați is also located in southeastern Romania and has around 300,000 inhabitants. In many parts of the city (the center as well as residential areas), parking is paid (Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM). Payment can be made at parking machines or via SMS (a Romanian phone number is required). IMPORTANT: If you do not pay, it usually takes only a short time before you find a nice yellow or orange wheel clamp 😅 on one of your front wheels. The removal fee is 200 or 300 lei (approximately €40 or €60), depending on the time of day.

# Brasov – allow plenty of time to find a parking space
In the center of Brasov and nearby areas, finding a parking space is difficult at almost any time of day. There are only a few parking spaces, and because of the many one-way streets, the search can take quite a while. Don't be in a hurry here! Parking is paid (Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM) and can be paid at parking machines, via SMS (one hour per SMS; multiple SMS messages can be combined, but a Romanian phone number is required), or through an app (including 24-hour parking). Paid parking is available throughout the city, so always pay attention to the signs.

# Timisoara, European Capital of Culture 2023... modern technology 😁
Parking in the city center is also paid here, but the search for parking offenders is handled in a very modern way. A specially equipped camera car regularly patrols the streets and parking areas. It automatically reads license plates and checks in real time whether parking has been paid. We do not know the exact process, but we assume that drivers without a valid parking ticket receive a fine very quickly.

# Bucharest... no words 🙈
Parking in Bucharest is easy: either at your hotel parking lot or about 20 km outside the city 😁. Anyone who has ever driven in Bucharest knows that you need plenty of time, patience, and a relaxed attitude, as the traffic often resembles that of large Italian cities. In many districts, the city center, and around shopping malls, traffic is usually very heavy (GPS: "Your destination is 800 meters away. Estimated travel time: 48 minutes."). Parking is paid and can usually be paid at parking machines, via SMS (Romanian phone number required), or through an app. Depending on the district (especially the Old Town), finding a parking space can be very difficult or extremely expensive (for example, 300 lei (€60) for 24 hours in a private parking lot). Our advice is clear: choose a hotel with free parking and then explore the city on foot or by taxi, Uber, bus, or metro. It is well worth it!

# In the countryside and in small towns
Things are usually much more relaxed here. You park and that's it 😊. However, always keep an eye on local signs, especially near tourist attractions, as paid parking may also apply there.

# Finally... the idea: simply don't pay the fine!!!
This almost never works because in most cities, in addition to the parking ticket, you will also receive a nice yellow (or orange) wheel clamp on the driver's front wheel. The removal fee varies depending on the time of day or night. Therefore, if parking fees apply, it is definitely in your own interest to pay them.

If you have experiences with parking in other Romanian cities, feel free to share them in the comments!

# One more thing: the Romanian vignette (Rovinieta)
To use Romania's motorways and national roads (mandatory for all cars), you need a vignette. The vignette (Rovinieta) can be purchased online up to one month in advance (including a German-language interface). The prices are reasonable: €3 for 7 days, €7 for 30 days, €13 for 90 days, and €28 for one year. Rental cars usually already include a valid vignette, but it is always worth asking. More information is available here:

https://www.roviniete.ro/de/

We continue to work on our new information section (sorted by regions in Romania) about camping, motorhome travel, and more.

https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de/en/uir/camping-in-romania-en/

Motorhomes and wild camping | Many things are possible, not everything is allowed, and some things can be quite dangerous. Romania's Carpathian Mountains are home to brown bears, there are many national parks and protected areas, and many activities are forbidden 😅 However, if you don't want to stay at an official campsite, please ask in the local area. There is usually a possibility to park on private property (with permission), in front of a guesthouse (with permission), or elsewhere. But please, always ask… local residents can also inform you about possible dangers (e.g., bears).

Our online list still lacks a lot of information, so we kindly ask for your help to complete this overview (in German, Romanian, and English).

You can submit new places for free directly on the site, and after a quick review, we will publish them online. Many thanks in advance to all the contributors 🥰

Please take note when driving to and in Romania. Since July 1, 2023, it is mandatory to use dipped headlights during the day, both in cities and outside of them (so, everywhere 😀).

Also, a vignette is required for almost all roads outside cities (highways and even national roads). The costs are low, and the vignette can be purchased at many gas stations or online (up to one month before your trip): https://www.roviniete.ro/de/

If you are traveling through Hungary on the highway, you will also need a vignette, which can be purchased online (same link as above). Additionally, the Austrian vignette can be purchased at https://asfinag.at or at gas stations in Germany / Hungary (and of course in Austria – but then it might be too late 😅). Always keep the receipt, as Austria may check both the vignette and proof of payment.

In Romania, the **blood alcohol limit for driving is 0.00‰** !!!

Speed limits in Romania:
- max. 50 km/h in cities
- max. 90 km/h on national roads (even if Google Maps suggests 100 km/h!!)
- max. 130 km/h on highways

A **fire extinguisher** (though sometimes overlooked for tourists) and **two warning triangles** are mandatory.

Even if other drivers (especially trucks!!!) exceed speed limits in towns, please follow them for your safety, your family's, and others on the road – and to avoid fines.

Pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way at crosswalks (unless there is a traffic light). You must usually stop if you see a potential pedestrian about to cross.

At unguarded railway crossings, **you must stop** and check both directions for approaching trains. This is required by law and, more importantly, ensures your safety. The road over the tracks is often bumpy – maintain distance from the car in front and never start crossing while another vehicle is still on the tracks!

Safe travels! | Drum bun!

Images and wonderful impressions that we received today from Ms. Traxl, from her (current) journey through Romania.

Coming from Hungary, the route led through Timisoara, the Bigar waterfall, and then to the Danube, along which the journey is currently continuing.

Thank you very much for the beautiful pictures and we wish you a continued safe journey and a lot of fun on your holiday in Romania 😊

Beautiful pictures from the past few days of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. It connects the Austrian federal states of Salzburg and Carinthia. The highest point of the road is at 2,504 meters (a little higher than the Transalpina / Transfagarasan), and it was completed and opened in 1935, four years before the Transalpina.

Our thanks go to Marian and his Donna (we don't know the name of the marmot in the fourth picture, but perhaps it's Phil), our tireless explorers of regions and new worlds in Romania and Europe 🥰

Many have been waiting for this for a long time and, as it currently looks, the Transfagarasan will open this coming Friday. We will stay on top of this and appreciate any up-to-date information (via PM or as a comment).

https://welcome-to-romania.com | https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de

We have just launched a poll in our channel (which you can access directly from our Facebook page under Communities > see picture) asking whether Romania is an affordable travel destination and what you consider a reasonable price for lunch or dinner, including a drink, per person.

If you'd like to participate, we appreciate every response and every vote. Thank you! 😊

P.S. Of course, we'll also share the results of the poll along with useful tips and information on the topic.

Current pictures (June 5, 2026) from the Transalpina, kindly sent to us by Mr. Iercosan Marian. Many thanks, Marian 🥰

The Transalpina (DN67C), reaching an altitude of 2,145 meters (Urdele Pass), is Romania’s highest road and mountain pass. This spectacular 148 km panoramic mountain road connects Novaci (Gorj County) with Sebeș (Alba County).

Vacation 2026 in Romania, self-drive or with a tour operator directly on site: DRS Reisen GmbH in Stuttgart, info@drs-reisen.de, Tel.: 0711 477 145 20

Contact: https://drs-reisen.de/

Over 100 different travel offers to Romania await you in the fields of: hiking tours, cycling tours, cultural tours, rental car tours, small group tours, wine tours, trips to the Danube Delta (offers also for campers), city breaks, and much more ... !

Vacation 2026 in Romania, Karpaten Outdoor Tours, Paul Buchfellner, Markt Erlbach and Romania, info@karpaten-offroad.de, Tel.: 0172 893 89 39 or +40 740 265 920

Contact: https://karpaten-offroad.de

Years of experience and a wide range of nature experiences, cultural trips, and adventures in and to Romania: riding holidays, MTB tours, hikes and hiking trips, premium wine tours, truffle hunting & wine tastings, cultural trips, kayaking, adventure enduro motorcycle tours, photo tours, and much more ... !

Tours, excursions, and more in the Danube Delta in Romania: Outnwild Calin Ene, Sulina in the Danube Delta, sulinafabuloasa@yahoo.com, +40 724 969 172 (English and Romanian)

Contact:
https://outnwild.ro/de/

Everything for the Danube Delta: tour guide, kayak tours, bicycle tours, camping, photo guide, “Live like a Local” experience, and much more! Let yourself be enchanted by the magic of the Danube Delta. Whether for one day, several days, or even weeks, it will never get boring and you will find unforgettable experiences.

And… Sulina is not only in the Danube Delta—it is also at the mouth of the Danube where it flows into the Black Sea. So relaxing hours on the beach are always part of the experience here 🥰

and please watch out for bears!!!

The Transalpina has been open for a few days now; work is still ongoing on the Transfagarasan (snow clearing), and it will take a bit longer. And for anyone going there to see bears, we recommend the bear protection project / the “bear park” in Zarnesti (Brasov County). It’s safer for both sides and still an amazing experience.

https://www.visitzarnesti.ro/en/libearty-bear-sanctuary

Video

The Sphinx (in Romanian Sfinxul) is a natural rock formation located in the Bucegi Mountains*, at an altitude of approximately 2,215 meters.

*The Bucegi Mountains are located south of the city of Brașov, on the eastern edge of the Southern Carpathians in Romania.

https://willkommen-in-rumänien.de | https://welcome-to-romania.com

June 1st, Ziua Copilului (Children’s Day), is a public holiday in Romania, just as it is in many other countries around the world.

We wish all children, whether small or big 😊, a wonderful, adventurous, and happy day... and may we adults never forget that not only today, but actually every day of the year should be a day for our children!

“Bunicii” for grandparents, and “bunica” for grandmother (Oma). In Romania, family has a much higher importance than in Germany, and grandmothers, who continue working alongside their families even into old age, have been and still are the backbone of many families.

A hard life, yet always there for everyone – this defines the daily reality of these women. And… they are and will remain the best cooks in the whole country, and we can confirm this from our own experience.

We thank photographer Sorin Onișor ( facebook.com/sorinonisor ) for the permission to use these wonderful images.

Visit Brukenthal Palace in Avrig, Sibiu County, with the whole family. In addition to the wonderful palace gardens and the restaurant with its outdoor terrace, there are also many attractions for the "little" guests.

https://www.facebook.com/Edenul.Transilvaniei

Or / and also Brambura Park nearby! There, too, many activities are offered for Children's Day >
https://www.facebook.com/BramburaPark

Beautiful pictures from the Transfagarasan taken on June 25, 2025, already making us look forward to June 2026 🥰

https://welcome-to-romania.com | https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de

Our heartfelt thanks for sending these pictures and for granting permission to use them.

Beautiful pictures from the Transfagarasan taken on June 25, 2025, already making us look forward to June 2026 🥰 Here together with more wonderful images (Balea Waterfall, the Transfagarasan, and the onward journey towards Curtea de Arges).

https://welcome-to-romania.com | https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de

Our heartfelt thanks for sending these pictures and for granting permission to use them.

In addition to German, English, Romanian, French, Spanish, Serbian and Chinese, our 64-page brochure "Vacation in Romania" 2026 is now also available in Polish.

https://welcome-to-romania.com

Feel free to browse it or share the link.

Every year, the Night of Museums takes place throughout Romania (here: Corvin Castle in Hunedoara County with pictures from previous years; announcement for Sibiu / Hermannstadt).

Almost all museums, many galleries, and more across the country are open until midnight and sometimes even longer. Admission is free, and many additional events and activities also take place. A wonderful experience you shouldn’t miss 🥰

We thank GO Hunedoara for permission to use these pictures.

“The Transfagarasan, one of Romania’s most spectacular mountain roads, will not be reopened to traffic on June 1, as many tourists and drivers had hoped. Representatives of DRDP Brașov state that traffic on the alpine section of DN7C will resume only in the second half of June.”

Link to the article (Romanian)
https://www.oradesibiu.ro/2026/05/20/transfagarasanul-nu-se-mai-deschide-pe-1-iunie-drdp-ia-in-calcul-o-alta-data-si-explica-de-ce/

Life in the countryside is very different from life in the cities. It is characterized by family, hospitality, traditions, hardships, and hard work well into old age.

And ... it is often a happier life than we imagine. Those who have little worry less, and the many daily news updates of the world, which we constantly receive on our phones (and don’t really need), reach these people less often or perhaps not at all.

We thank the photographer Sorin Onișor ( Sorin Onișor ) for the permission to use these atmospheric images.