Romania: A Kid-Friendly Travel Destination?

is romania a good place to travel with kids

Romania is a great place to travel with kids. The country is an array of experiences and activities for the whole family. From fairy-tale castles, Halloween frights, and horse-drawn carts to hiking, biking, and wildlife spotting, there's something for everyone.

Romania boasts nearly 200km of Black Sea coastline, offering distinctive seaside activities. There are lovely beaches at Sfantu Gheorghe and Mamaia, plus a chance to try marvellous mud bathing with health-giving goo at Eforie Nord. The country is also home to impressive castles, including the iconic Bran Castle, home to Bram Stoker's Count Dracula, and the Neo-Renaissance Peles Castle.

In addition, Romania has a rich medieval history, with many fortified churches and towers that survive to this day. Cities like Sighisoara, Sibiu, and Brasov are full of medieval architecture, with narrow streets, charming buildings, and gothic towers.

The countryside remains pretty untouched, offering a great place to explore with children. There are abundant wildlife and over 5,000 species of plants in the Danube Delta, perfect for birdwatching. The Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Brasov County is another great option to observe bears in their natural habitat.

Overall, Romania is a safe, affordable, and family-friendly destination with plenty of activities and sights to keep both children and adults entertained.

Characteristics Values
Country Romania
Affordability Affordable
Safety Safe
Child-friendliness Child-friendly
Attractions Castles, medieval towns, museums, water parks, boat tours, wildlife areas, traditional villages, ski resorts
Food Delicious, organic, home-grown, vegetarian options available
Transport Trains, buses, guided tours, rental cars
Accommodation Hotels, villas, B&Bs, apart-hotels

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Bucharest's child-friendly attractions

Bucharest is a great place for a family holiday, with lots of entertainment options for kids of all ages. Here are some of the child-friendly attractions in Bucharest:

The Museum of Senses

The Museum of Senses is an interactive museum with optical illusions, props, and trained animators to guide children through the exhibits. It's a fun and unique learning experience for kids, and they can take lots of hilarious pictures to remember the visit. The museum is open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm from Sunday to Thursday and from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. A family package (2 adults and 2 kids) costs 94 RON (20 euros).

Edenland Park

Edenland Park offers a range of outdoor activities for the whole family, including a children's playground, minigolf, and adventure park activities. Most of the attractions are closed during the cold season. Each activity has its own pricing, ranging from 20 to 100 lei (4 to 21 euros) per activity. Check their website for the schedule and pricing details.

Orășelul Copiilor (Kids Town)

Orășelul Copiilor is a theme park located within a green park. It features classical carousels, inflatable slides, a Ferris wheel, and VR experiences. The rides are paid for individually, with prices starting at 5 lei (1 euro) per ride.

Herăstrau Park

Herăstrau Park is the largest park in Bucharest and offers a range of activities for families. You can explore the large lake by renting a rowing boat, riding a small ship, or pedalling a water bicycle. There is also an adventure park with tracks and games for kids aged 4 and above, as well as a children's island with inflatable games and a pirate ship. The park has several dining options, including Berăria H, Trattoria Il Calcio, and Restaurant Diplomat.

The National History Museum "Grigore Antipa"

The National History Museum offers a year-long exhibition of natural behaviour scenes using stuffed animals and ancient animal skeletons, separated by geographical areas. They also host temporary exhibitions, such as live animal exhibits and presentations on Romanian scientists. The museum offers educational workshops on weekends for a fee, including "Having fun with science" and robot engineering projects. The museum is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. It is closed on Mondays.

Therme București

Therme București is a wellness centre located just outside Bucharest. It features three main areas: the Galaxy area with water slides and pools, the Palm area with indoor and outdoor pools and a restaurant, and Elysium with themed saunas and interior panoramic pools. Children under 16 are only allowed in the Galaxy area. A family pass for four people costs between 228 and 248 Ron (48-52 euros). The complex is open from Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, Fridays from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm, and weekends from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.

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The Danube Delta's wildlife

Romania is a great place to travel with kids, offering a wide range of activities and sights that will keep the entire family entertained. One of the most popular destinations is the Danube Delta, a vast natural biosphere located at the mouth of the Danube River where it meets the Black Sea. Here is a detailed look at the wildlife of the Danube Delta:

The Danube Delta Wildlife

The Danube Delta is a haven for wildlife, boasting an incredibly diverse array of plant and animal species. The delta is home to over 300 species of birds, including pelicans, cormorants, mute swans, and whiskered terns. It is also a crucial breeding ground for many of these species, with more than half of the bird species choosing to make the delta their home. The best time to observe this avian spectacle is during the spring and summer months when the birds arrive in large flocks to nest.

In addition to its rich avian diversity, the Danube Delta is also home to a variety of other animal species. It is estimated that there are over 3,450 animal species (including fish) and 1,700 plant species within the delta, making it the world's third-largest natural biosphere. This diverse ecosystem includes everything from insects such as dragonflies and bees to larger creatures such as tortoises, snakes, and even wild horses. The delta is also a critical habitat for the European wildcat and the endangered European mink.

One of the best ways to experience the wildlife of the Danube Delta is by boat. Boat tours allow visitors to glide through the lush canals and vast lakes of the delta, getting up close to the diverse array of birds and other wildlife. These tours can range from a few hours to multiple days, offering a more in-depth exploration of this natural paradise.

The Danube Delta also offers other activities for families travelling with children. Fishing is a popular pastime, with the delta's canals and lakes providing ample opportunities to cast a line. Additionally, a visit to one of the traditional fishing villages, such as Letea, offers a glimpse into a simpler way of life. The nearby Letea Forest is also worth exploring, with its unique landscape of trees growing out of the water.

The Danube Delta is a true natural wonder and a must-visit destination for families travelling to Romania. Its diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and cultural experiences make it an unforgettable part of any Romanian itinerary.

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Libearty Bear Sanctuary

The main purpose of the sanctuary is to educate visitors about the bears and provide them with a comfortable and safe environment. The sanctuary offers guided tours in English for foreign tourists, which last about an hour and take visitors along a forest path to see the bears. The guides are trained animal welfare experts, and visitors can get quite close to the bears. The cost of the tour is included in the sanctuary ticket price, which is 50 euros for adults and 25 euros for children aged 5-18. Children under 5 are not allowed for safety reasons.

The sanctuary also offers a VIP tour, which includes a visit to the first Teddy Bear Museum in Romania and a bunker from which the bears can be observed. This tour lasts about two and a half hours and costs 200 euros for the group, plus 50 euros per adult and 25 euros per child.

Overall, Libearty Bear Sanctuary is a great place to learn about and see brown bears up close in an ethical and safe environment. The bears have plenty of space to roam and are well cared for by the sanctuary staff.

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Bran Castle's legends

Bran Castle Legends

The Dracula Legend

Bran Castle is often marketed as 'Dracula's Castle', with the belief that it was the home of the titular vampire in Bram Stoker's novel. Stoker's description of the crumbling fictional castle, however, bears no resemblance to Bran Castle. Stoker drew inspiration from accounts of the atrocities committed by Vlad the Impaler (Vlad III of Wallachia), whose nickname and reputation as a bloodthirsty, cruel man inspired the character. Stoker also drew from the historical figure's connection to Transylvania, but there is no evidence that Stoker knew anything about Bran Castle specifically.

The association between Vlad the Impaler and Bran Castle is tenuous. While Vlad III may have briefly stayed at the castle to monitor his possessions, his historically accredited residence is located about 100km west of Bran, in the valley of the Arges River. Most historians agree that Vlad III never set foot in Bran Castle, which was neither a friendly place for him nor under his rule.

The Real-Life Scary Dude

If you're looking for a connection to a real-life scary figure, then look no further than Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler). While he may not have been the inspiration for Stoker's Dracula, Vlad Tepes was a real-life scary dude in his own right. He earned his nickname, "Vlad the Impaler", from his preference for impaling enemies. During his lifetime, a reputation for cruelty spread throughout Europe, particularly in the Holy Roman Empire.

Despite his brutal acts, Vlad III is still revered as a folk hero in Romania and other parts of Europe for protecting Romanian populations against the Turks and Austrians. This re-evaluation of the voivode is linked to the independence awakening of Romanian populations in 1804, when the figure of Dracula re-emerged in history, and the admiration for his warrior virtues and spirit of freedom took precedence over the horror of his atrocities.

The Museum

Today, Bran Castle houses a museum dedicated to the history of Transylvania and the collections of the royal family. Tourists can explore the interior on their own or via a guided tour. The castle has typical Gothic architecture features, with massive stone walls, towers, and truncated conical roofs with reddish tiles. Inside, narrow stairways, long corridors, and secret passages lead to the rooms of the Museum of Medieval Art. The structure is divided into four floors, with the first retaining a medieval aspect, the first intended for servants, the second occupied by Queen Marie of Saxony and her daughter, and the third for the royal consort, featuring luxurious furnishings and offering a panoramic view.

The History

The first documented mention of Bran Castle is in an act issued by Louis I of Hungary in 1377, granting the Saxons of Kronstadt (modern-day Brasov) the privilege to build a stone castle. The construction continued until 1388, when it was used as a bulwark against the Ottoman Empire. The castle later became a customs post on the mountain pass between Transylvania and Wallachia, playing a militarily strategic role until the mid-18th century.

With the Treaty of Trianon in 1920, Hungary lost Transylvania, and Bran Castle became a royal residence within the Kingdom of Romania. It was the favourite home and retreat of Marie of Romania, who ordered its extensive renovation. The castle was later inherited by her daughter, Princess Ileana, who ran a hospital there during World War II. In 1948, the castle was seized by the communist regime, and the royal family was expelled.

In 2005, the Romanian government passed a law allowing restitution claims on illegally expropriated properties, and in 2006, ownership of the castle was returned to the children of Princess Ileana. After several conflicts, the administration of the castle was transferred to Archduke Dominic and his sisters in 2009, and it was opened to the public as the country's first private museum.

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Dino Park's prehistoric fun

Dino Parks: Prehistoric Fun

Romania is a great destination for families, with a wide range of attractions and activities to keep everyone entertained. One such attraction is Dino Parc Râșnov, the biggest dinosaur theme park in Eastern Europe. Located near Râșnov Fortress, the park covers 4 hectares and features over 100 life-size dinosaurs, each with a scientific certificate based on the latest palaeontological findings.

The park offers a unique and educational experience for children and adults alike. In addition to the impressive dinosaur displays, there are children's playgrounds, tree houses with science exhibitions, an open-air cinema, adventure trails, a zip line, a laser maze, and other interactive areas.

One of the most notable attractions is the Seismosaurus, the largest dinosaur ever discovered, at 45 meters long. The park also features the Hatzegopteryx thambema, the largest flying animal in the world. Visitors can follow a chronological route with sounds, lights, and interactive panels providing interesting information about dinosaur life and behaviour.

Dino Parc Râșnov is more than just a theme park; it is an open-air museum that combines entertainment and education seamlessly. The park is easily accessible, and online ticket buyers even have a separate entrance, making it a convenient and enjoyable experience for families.

For families looking for a fun and educational experience, Dino Parc Râșnov is a great choice, offering a unique journey back in time to the world of dinosaurs.

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Frequently asked questions

Romania is a very family-friendly destination. The country is safe, affordable and offers a wide range of attractions and activities for children.

Kids will love getting stuck into Romania's rural lifestyle. They can try their hand at hay-cutting or milking cows, and travel around in horse-drawn carts or sleighs in winter. There are also plenty of castles, churches and fortresses to explore, as well as beautiful nature and wildlife.

Romanian food is quite simple, with grilled meats, cabbage and starches like potatoes or polenta. Pizza is also widely available.

Bucharest has plenty of attractions for kids, including Therme București (Europe's largest wellness and relaxation centre), the "Grigore Antipa" Natural History Museum, the Museum of Senses, and the Palace of Parliament.

Recommended places to visit in Romania with kids include:

- The Danube Delta

- Libearty Bear Sanctuary

- Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle)

- Dino Park in Rasnov

- Mocanita Steam Train in Maramures

- The Blue Lake in Baia-Sprie

- Turda Salt Mine near Cluj Napoca

- The Black Sea Coast

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