If you’re looking for up to date info on Romania's Covid-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements due to the pandemic - this article is for you. Find out about entry rules for tourists, vaccination, quarantine and test requirements, public safety measures and all things Covid-related to help you plan your visit in 2022.
Also - should you visit Romania during Covid-19? YES! What's are the best things to do or visit in these conditions? Read on! Important: in 2021 we had a VERY busy season during June - Sept when everyone decided to travel and infection numbers were low. Since all our tours are private and we received a lot of requests many short-notice bookings got declined due to guides and their colleagues being unavailable.
- we know travel during Covid-19 can be unpredictable but if you're planning to visit Romania in 2022 please consider booking your tours at least 7-10 days in advance or more to secure our guides' availability and give them time to prepare. If you need to cancel for 90% of our tours we only need 1-3 days advance notice to get a full refund
After the huge wave of Covid infections with the Omicron variant in Jan-Feb all over Europe, it seems the Coronavirus has become endemic and no longer as serious since everyone is either vaccinated or has developed immunity. Many countries all over Europe have lifted restrictions and no longer have travel requirements or checks in place.
The same is true for Romania: since 8.03 the state of alert has been lifted which means there are NO RESTRICTIONS that apply to foreign travellers wanting to visit Romania no matter where they come from. In fact, since 21.01 the colour-coded list of countries and travel restrictions that apply have been discontinued.
So travel and tourism in Romania is once again normal - hurray! Nevertheless, all our tours run with safety measures in place (cars are disinfected, guides weak masks in the car, etc.) as we want to protect everyone's health and continue welcoming tourists the safest conditions for everyone.
The pandemic hasn’t changed the beauty of our country. On the contrary, spending time outdoors going hiking, seeing the beautiful countryside of Transylvania and generally having an active holiday is the best – and safest – thing to do for our body and mind after so much time spent indoors!
Since 2017 when Romanian Friend was created our intention has always been to support small businesses and communities through responsible tourism. The past 2 years have been very challenging for everyone in the industry, with lots of people going out of business. So please consider booking tours with locals if you want to give back to the local economy, people and places you'll visit in Romania. We make sure all our tours use local products and services!
- Last update: 11.04.2022 - we’re going to keep this article updated so please check it regularly. And if you have any questions contact us – we’re happy to help!
1. Entry rules for foreign citizens into Romania
As of 8 March 2022 ALL foreign citizens are allowed to enter Romania for tourism and general purposes as the state of alert was lifted. No restrictions or checks apply.
Providing proof of vaccination, a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 or negative test results is no longer necessary, and travellers are not subject to quarantine anymore. No need to fill in a passenger locator form.
Put simply - Romania is open for tourism - so come visit!
2. Covid-19 public safety measures
Most restrictions have been lifted and all safety measures have now a "recommended" status
- wearing a mask is NOT mandatory anymore (indoors or outdoors) but is recommended, especially indoors
- all businesses and public institutions can set their own rules regarding wearing masks - so check for those
- pubs, cafes and restaurants can work normally at maximum capacity
- Covid checks are NOT required to access public facilities
- tourist attractions such as castles and museums are open normally
Getting tested for Covid-19 in Romania is easy and simple. In every city there are private laboratories who do PCR tests (throat and/or nose swabs) and quick antigen tests (and issue a document for travel purposes). In most cases no appointment is required to get tested, you can just walk in. You can get the results over email or in a SMS in Romanian and/or English.
To find a Covid-19 test center use Google when in Romania (search for 'test Covid [city name]') or ask someone who speaks Romanian for help with finding the nearest testing centre. Call in advance to make sure they can take you and give you results within the time limit you need. You'll get results within as little as 12h and costs range from 20 - 50 Euro depending on how fast you need them.
4. What to visit in Romania during Covid-19?
Outdoor tours and trips are the best choices for tours and trips in Romania during Covid-19 since it's easier to maintain social distancing and there's a low risk of getting the virus. After spending a few months in lockdown, nothing feels more liberating than reconnecting with nature and exploring the great outdoors once again. Thankfully, Romania has some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in all of Europe, so there are lots of options to choose from.
You can go on nature and wildlife tours (Romania has the highest biodiversity in Europe), go hiking, or explore the Romanian countryside, with its peaceful traditional villages, most of which have had no confirmed Coronavirus cases. Check our Romania hiking guide for more info.
Since the Carpathian Mountains cover one-third of the country, tours and trip in nature are the easiest to go for. No matter if you start your adventure from the capital Bucharest or other major cities, you'll find lots of natural attractions around them, and dreamy landscapes are never more than a short drive away.
Ready to get started? Depending on where you land, here are our top picks:
- from Bucharest
The capital is always nice to visit and there are plenty of indoor (Palace of Parliament, Ceausescu’s Home, etc.) and outdoor (Village Museum, Cismigiu Garden, etc.) tourist attractions to choose from. Check our Bucharest city guide for more info.
From Bucharest, you can take head East to visit the Black Sea and the famous Danube Delta - the second-largest river delta in Europe and a UNESCO-protected biosphere. This natural gem is a birdwatcher's paradise (it's home to more than 300 species) and we recommend you spend at least 2-3 days in the area so you can go on special tours. Apart from the lakes, swamps, canals, and backwaters, you can also see sand dunes and forests with ancient oak trees.
If you're looking for more other tours and day trips from Bucharest we recommend hiking to the Bucegi Mountains, Cozia National Park, or the Iezer-Papusa Mountains. Visiting the famous Bran and Peles Castles is also possible.
- from Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca is Romania's largest city after Bucharest and one of the most important cultural centers. Once you've explored its medieval landmarks and architectural points of interest, you can enjoy the nearby natural attractions. Cluj is conveniently located to two of the best:
Apuseni Natural Park is just 100 km West from Cluj, and you can get there in about 2 ½ hours by car. Some of the unmissable attractions in Apuseni Natural Park include Bride Veil's Waterfall, Scarita Belioara natural reserve, and Cetățile Ponorului. There are more than 1800 caves here (Bear's Cave and Scarisoara Ice Cave are the two most popular ones) and if you're an adventurous soul, you can also try extreme activities like water rafting on Crisul Pietros or hiking in Poiana Ponor.
From Cluj, you can also head North to *Maramures*, whom many consider the most culturally representative Romanian region. Apart from having breathtaking natural landscapes (70% of Maramures is made of forests), this region also has unique traditional churches, 8 of which have been acknowledged by UNESCO. Maramures is one of Romania's more traditional regions, and once you come here, you'll be charmed by the simple way of life and the hospitality of the locals. True to its name, Coronavirus hasn't affected Maramures at all!
- from Sibiu
In June, the European Best Destinations Organization (EBD) included Sibiu on the list of safest places in Europe to visit after COVID-19. Founded in the 12th century, Sibiu has been under German influence for much of the medieval period, and you can see this in the architecture. Some of the most important attractions in Sibiu include Big Square (Piata Mare), the Brukenthal National Museum, the Bridge of Lies, and the ASTRA National Museum Complex.
After exploring Sibiu, you can go on a day trip to discover the traditional Transylvanian villages scattered around it. You'll see small wooden houses built on stone bases, hand-painted ceramics and icons painted on glass, and sample homemade culinary specialties. Or go visit the superb Corvin Castle!
From Sibiu, you can also get to the Transfagarasan Highway, a spectacular road that connects the South of Romanian with Transylvania, spans for 90km, and reaches an altitude of over 2,000 meters. The views are fantastic up here, and along it you can see other famous attractions such as Vidraru Lake and Balea Lake.
- from Brasov
The medieval town of Brasov is a gateway to Transylvania and one of the best starting points for day trips and wildlife tours. There are lots of options for outdoor activities available.
You can go on hiking tours in Piatra Craiului or Bucegi Mountains, visit Râşnov Fortress or Bran Castle or go on wildlife watching tours to look for bears and other animals.
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All our tour guides in strict compliance with the latest Covid-19 safety regulations. The cars they use are disinfected regularly and wearing a mask in the car is mandatory. Not mandatory when out in the mountains :)
If you're interested in organising a private trip or want more information please contact us -- we're happy to help!
