Romania : Safety by City
If you’ve ever wanted to chase Dracula through misty mountains, Romania might just bite.
Tucked between Central and Eastern Europe, Romania is a country that wears its history like layers—Roman ruins, medieval castles, Communist relics, and Orthodox monasteries all stacked on one fascinating backdrop.
While Bram Stoker’s Dracula was inspired by Transylvania’s atmosphere and loosely by Vlad the Impaler, the real story is murkier and even more intriguing.
The forests are deep, the castles are real, and while no vampires roam Bran Castle, the mood might still give you goosebumps.
But Romania isn’t stuck in the shadows.
You’ve got the Carpathians for skiing and hiking, the Black Sea coast for beach days, and salt mines that feel like sci-fi movie sets.
You can step from a UNESCO-listed village into a buzzing modern city like Cluj-Napoca without losing the thread of its cultural continuity.
Each region feels different. Maramureș preserves old rural customs, Banat shows off its Austro-Hungarian influence, and Dobrogea has ancient Roman ruins and an almost Mediterranean vibe.
It’s a place where wild landscapes meet deep folklore and where even the train rides feel cinematic.
Come for the vampires, sure—but stay for the stories no one has told you yet.
Warnings & Dangers in Romania
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Romania is generally safe for travelers. Most visits are trouble-free, and violent crime is rare. Like anywhere, use common sense in crowded areas and late at night, but overall, it’s a low-risk destination with friendly locals and reliable infrastructure in cities and popular tourist areas.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Public transportation is widely used and safe, though older buses and trains can feel dated. Taxi scams occasionally happen, especially from airports or train stations—use apps like Bolt or request official cabs. Roads outside cities can be rough, and driving standards vary, so stay alert if renting a car. Treat this as a medium risk to keep your guard up.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Pickpocketing is the most common petty crime, especially in busy areas like train stations, markets, or tourist zones. This is a medium risk. Bucharest and larger cities see more incidents, but it’s rarely violent. Keep bags zipped and wallets in front pockets, and don’t flash cash or phones in crowded places.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
Romania sits in a seismically active zone, and earthquakes do happen, though they rarely cause major damage. Occasional floods in rural areas can disrupt travel in spring. Mountain weather changes quickly, so hikers should check forecasts and be prepared. Overall, the risk is low.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
This is a low risk. Muggings are uncommon in Romania, even in big cities. Most crimes are non-violent. In nightlife areas, watch your drink and stick with groups.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
There’s no significant threat of terrorism in Romania. The country hasn’t experienced attacks and isn’t a high-profile target. That said, global events can change risk levels, so it’s always wise to stay informed via government travel advisories. Routine security is present at airports and major public venues.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Tourist scams aren’t widespread but do exist. Watch for overcharging taxis, fake donation schemes, and street games like shell tricks. Occasionally, phony police may ask for documents or money—always ask for ID and don’t hand over your passport. Stick to reputable services, and you’ll likely avoid issues.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Romania is generally safe for solo female travelers. Catcalling can happen but is less aggressive than in some other countries. Dress norms are relaxed, and women travel freely without issue. Stick to the usual precautions—especially at night or in clubs—and you’ll likely feel comfortable and respected.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
Tap water is safe to drink in cities and towns, but some travelers still prefer bottled water due to the high mineral content that impacts the taste of old pipes in rural areas. In remote villages, stick to bottled water unless you’re sure of the source. For brushing your teeth or making coffee, it’s usually fine either way.
Safest Places to Visit in Romania
Romania’s official tourism site is romaniatourim.com.
That should be easy to remember.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the regions.
- Transylvania – Known for medieval towns, castles, and the Carpathian Mountains
- Wallachia (Țara Românească)– Includes Bucharest and the southern plains
- Moldavia (Moldova)– Northeastern region with painted monasteries and rolling hills
- Dobrogea– Southeastern region between the Danube and the Black Sea
- Banat– Western region with a mix of cultures and Habsburg-era architecture
- Crișana– Northwest area, often grouped with Banat or Transylvania
- Maramureș– Northern region famous for wooden churches and preserved traditions
- Bucovina– Northeastern sub-region of Moldavia, home to the painted monasteries
- Oltenia – Southwestern part of Wallachia, with spa towns and Roman ruins
Start with Transylvania.
Yes, it has the Dracula lore, but that’s not the whole story.
Towns like Sibiu, Brașov, and Sighișoara are steeped in medieval architecture, narrow cobbled streets, and surprisingly great food scenes.
The castles here—Bran gets the fame, but Corvin Castle is arguably more dramatic—sit like something out of a darker, grittier fairy tale.
Then there’s the Danube Delta, one of Europe’s best spots for birdwatching and a total change of pace.
It’s quiet, swampy, and packed with wildlife.
Think canoes instead of cars, pelicans instead of pigeons.
If hiking or crisp mountain air is more your thing, the Carpathians are your playground.
You can do multi-day treks or hop on scenic train rides.
Along the way, you’ll hit traditional villages that haven’t changed much in decades—wooden gates, haystacks, and locals selling homemade cheese from their porches.
On the cultural side, the Painted Monasteries in northern Romania are like open-air galleries, with vivid frescoes covering the outside walls.
They’re UNESCO-listed for a reason and unlike anything else in Europe.
The same goes for the fortified churches and Saxon villages sprinkled throughout the countryside.
You don’t need to be an architecture nerd to appreciate them.
If relaxation is your goal, Romania has a surprisingly robust spa culture.
Places like Băile Herculane or Sovata offer natural thermal waters and treatments.
Romania is also one of the more affordable spa destinations in Europe.
If you’re chasing the sun, the Black Sea coast has beach resorts—some with a Soviet-era feel, others more boutique.
Mamaia is the party spot, but if you’re after quieter sands, head south to Vama Veche or 2 Mai.
Places to Avoid in Romania
Romania doesn’t have regions or cities with high warning levels.
Beyond the basics, like not walking around a dark part of a city at night, the only real concern is the Ukraine border.
We recommend you read our article How Safe Is Ukraine for Travel?
It’s not advised to travel into Ukraine while Russia is still causing conflict.
Use higher levels of caution at transportation hubs and around demonstrations.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Romania
- In any emergency, dial 112—Romania’s universal emergency number connecting you to police, fire, or medical services. Operators typically speak Romanian, but in tourist areas, you might find English-speaking assistance. While there’s no dedicated tourism police, local law enforcement is accustomed to assisting visitors.
- Romania sends emergency alerts via the RO-ALERT system directly to mobile phones—no sign-up needed. Just keep your phone powered on and check if it’s compatible to automatically receive notifications about severe weather, natural disasters, or other urgent threats.
- If you’re renting a car, you need to have a driver’s license from your home country, an International Driving Permit (IDP) and be at least 21 years old. You should also have been licensed for at least a year before the trip. Don’t be surprised if additional insurance is required when you rent a car.
- Romanian is the official language, but many Romanians, particularly the younger generation and those in urban areas, have a good command of English. Still, it is worth taking some time to learn basic Romanian phrases.
- Air quality in Romania varies. Due to traffic and industrial emissions, urban areas like Bucharest and Iași often experience pollution levels exceeding EU standards. Therefore, it is recommended that you carry a few extra COVID-19 masks with you and check air quality daily.
- Understand how serious traffic laws are enforced in Romania. That means if you get pulled over, you will likely be subject to a breathalyzer and forced to pay the fine on the spot.
- If you need to get medicine while you’re in Romania, check the list on the website of the Romanian National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices. Also, be sure any medication you’re planning to bring with you is in its original packaging with a doctor’s note written in Romanian.
- Don’t bring illegal drugs into Romania. The punishment for possession can be up to three years in prison. If you aren’t sure what the local laws are, check before you travel. Ignorance of the law is never an excuse.
- A plainclothes police officer won’t stop and ask for your wallet or passport. If you get cornered by someone, insist that a uniformed police officer comes to assist.
- If traveling by rail, splurge for the highest class you can afford. The lower the class, the more likely pickpockets or petty thieves will be standing by waiting for you to fall asleep or stop paying attention to your stuff.
So... How Safe Is Romania Really?
The United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia list Romania as a safe country to visit.
On a four-tier advisory system, Romania falls at Level 1, which means exercising normal safety precautions.
Regional advisories are also not in place, aside from the advice not to travel to Ukraine from Romania (or any other country, for that matter).
I’ve found that Canada is very detailed when explaining risks in a country, and even that country’s advisory doesn’t go far past the basics. Common crimes include pickpockets, fraud, and cybercrimes.
Violent crime isn’t a common problem in Romania, but that type of information should never cause you to let your guard down.
I read a few articles about the record numbers of visitors to the Prahova Valley and Brasov County ski areas, which has also prompted safety concerns due to the overload of passengers and people.
What’s reassuring about that information is that employees were quick to shut down gondolas at peak times to avoid overcrowding.
It’s especially important to note that safety advisories can quickly change.
Always check your country’s advisory level for Romania before planning a trip.
How Does Romania Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Romania | 80 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Czech Republic | 88 |
| Latvia | 80 |
| Vietnam | 73 |
| Slovenia | 87 |
| Bulgaria | 80 |
| Ghana | 73 |
| Portugal | 57 |
Useful Information
Visas
Those staying less than 90 days won't need a visa. A passport must be valid for three months after your departure date, but we always recommend giving yourself a six-month buffer. If you're traveling with a British Citizen passport, please check entry requirements as it pertains to the Schengen Area. You can find that information on the FDCO website.
Currency
Romania uses the Romanian Leu (RON). Credit cards are commonly accepted, but it's always smart to carry some cash in rural areas. Check international transaction fees with your bank before your trip. Use ATMs inside banks for the most security.
Weather
Romania has pretty distinct seasons, making it easy to plan your visit. Summers (June-August) are comfortably warm—think mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit—great for outdoor exploring. Winters (December-February) get chilly, especially in the mountains, where snow is common. Spring and fall are mild and pleasant, perfect for sightseeing without big crowds.
Airports
Most travelers land at Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), just outside the capital. But you can also fly directly into other cities, like Cluj-Napoca (CLJ) for exploring Transylvania, Timișoara (TSR) if you're heading west, or Iași (IAS) for easy access to the northeast region.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory for U.S. visitors heading to Romania, but it's smart to have it. It’ll cover you for medical emergencies, trip interruptions, or losing your luggage—stuff you hope never happens, but it's nice knowing you're covered if it does. Medical care abroad can be pricey without it.
Romania Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 1 | 4 | 10 | 17 | 23 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 18 | 10 | 4 |
| Low °C | -5 | -3 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 8 | 2 | -2 |
| High °F | 34 | 39 | 50 | 63 | 73 | 81 | 84 | 84 | 77 | 64 | 50 | 39 |
| Low °F | 23 | 27 | 34 | 43 | 52 | 59 | 63 | 63 | 55 | 46 | 36 | 28 |
Romania - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Brasov | 80 |
| Bucharest | 72 |
| Cluj-Napoca | 90 |
| Iasi | 73 |
| Timisoara | 87 |
Friendly and Welcoming
Heard lots of horror stories before we arrived but all untrue. Nowhere did we feel unsafe and everyone was friendly and welcoming. The wild dogs we heard about were nowhere to be seen and all were friendly. Note that we didn’t travel to Bucharest and as with all big cities I can see that might be different. There are Bears so take advice if hiking into the mountains. A great country.
A truly unique experience
Hello!
I am glad you have a great opinion about our country, wild dogs are to be seen but not in big cities or cultural places, where I live are a lot of them but none are agressive towards you, some of them are only territorial, in some places i went dogs would gather around you barking very aggresively, not even 1 meter away from you, really scary but those places were very distant and unpopulated.
As in bigger cities, like Bucharest, I sometimes can’t believe i am saying this, but rely on the police, the worse parts are in nobody’s way so you wont stumble upon a bad neighbourhood.
But although police may very rarely get corrupt here they are doing their job, especially the germanders when called for an emergency, they serve well.
I hope you’ll visit us more ofthen, from Timișoara to Constanța, there’s a different world to be seen if you look in the right place! ☺
And all it takes is the normal ammount of precaution and you’ll have the perfect trip!
Great country
Exactly as you say it above,I travel often to Romania and I stay in Bucharest and Timisoara mostly…saying that ,in the public transports I use it I never had an issue,lucky me,I speak the language ,even at that my husband does not but ,I found many many people will make a real effort trying to speak English even as sign language! I know many Irish people (and not only!)that are retired and bought houses on the rural area and love living in Romania ….and I can talk about it for hours… beautiful country and there are some negative issues same like any other country in the world, highly recommend visiting Romania,just make sure you have some idea about culture,money, shopping and places to go and see ,not necessarily on the tourist trails plus trains have good connection to most parts of Romania …. Best wishes to all visiting Romania
Lovely feedback
As an romanian living in U.K., I’m happy to hear good feedback about Romania, very strong point about Romania.I miss my born place ❤️,hope that we come out from pandemic and travel again. Stay safe ☺️
I was born in Romania but my parents had moved to the USA when I was only 2 years old so I don’t remember much about it. I did go when I was 7 to visit family but it is like a blur to me. I am planning on going this year to see the place where I was born and visit with distant relatives.
Roots
My parents were both born in Romania. After the war, they moved to Israel where I was born. Like you, I visited my grandparents in Bucharest when I was 5. That was 50+ years ago so my recollection is vague and mostly remembered through photos. This year, I’m planning to visit the country of my roots!
Visited the Romanian capital city of Bucharest August of 2019 for a metal concert. We were skeptical due to the things we’ve heard about the state of the country due to poverty and other sad situations. We were so wrong. We stayed in Bucharest for 4 days, crossed on foot almost the whole city center(avoided the slums area of course) and we were mesmerized from the city vibes, day and night, as well the beautiful mixed architecture(art nouveau, soviet era, modern-current era). The only times we felt a bit unsafe was the on foot return from the concert(National Arena Stadium) to the centre due to low light and low traffic small roads. The other occasion was on some narrow roads in the center due to a teenager that was following us from a distance for some reason, we arrived in the Unirii boulevard and everything was good from this point on. Use Uber to avoid taxi scams, apply basic sense travel safety measures and you will be alright, trust me. I enjoyed so much the time in Bucharest that i can’t wait to travel there again. Planning to visit other Romanian cities as well.
best country ever
I grew up in Romania, and I’m scared of dogs because of being attacked 3 times, my first visit in Bucharest ended up with one guy having my phone number (god knows how) people asking money from me on the street,etc. I also used to see many strange people touching themselves in the bushes in parks, and I didn’t dare to run in the nature like I do here in Belgium, because a car could quickly stop and pull you in. I grew up seeing accidents and dead bodies on the road, etc.
So, I don’t know what to say, I didn’t feel safe there and that was my personal experience.
I guess each one has to conclude what safe for her/him is.
I guess if you travel, it’s safe, but if you grow up in a place and get to stay a longer time, it’s totally different.
Where the hell did you grow up in Romania and did you see dead people on the side of the street??? if someone had your phone number, it’s because you gave it to them, learn how technology works.
People who ask for money on the street are called beggars and they exist all over the world.
I don’t know what pills you’re on or what drugs you’re taking, but leave them, you’re in another world. Romania has enough problems, but it is much safer than most European countries. Crime in Bucharest and the big cities is very low compared to the big cities in Europe. It is enough to apply common sense rules as in any country you do not know and you will not have problems.
Use banks or ATMs for payments or exchanges. Do not keep a lot of cash on you. You can pay by card in most places.
Public transport is very cheap and even if it is not perfect it is recommended.
Check the prices of the places where you want to eat or drink and don’t start from the idea that it is cheap, you may have surprises. The Internet is very fast and accessible in many locations.
LYLA is from Hungary or Russia so don’t count on her words.
I live there and think it’s great.
I’m moving to Romania soon
It’s such a great country with so many great people and places and things to do. Definitely worth visiting and even moving there permanently as it’s amazing in every single way. Of course it does have some negative things as well but overall weighing the pros and cons I believe pros are well worth it.