Thanks to Instagram, a pink wall (i.e. the Pink Wall), unremarkable at first glance, became one of the most visited tourist attraction in Los Angeles last year. Tourists visiting the famous City of Angels are queuing to take a photo with this pink wall in the background, which they then share with their friends on Instagram.
What does this pink wall have to do with Romania? Our country has its own versions of the LA pink wall, incredible destinations that give you the perfect backdrop to capture that amazing photo to share with your friends on Instagram.
Our team did an analysis of Instagram data to capture the local destinations with the most Instagram tags, which are officially the most instagrammable places in the country. Then we ranked the tourist destinations in Romania with the most tags on Instagaram.
It should be noted that in our top we have excluded tags of big cities (i.e. #Brasov, #Sibiu, #Bucuresti), because the Instagram tags for them are used for a wide variety of Instagram posts, many of them not made by tourists and not directly related to our top.
And since we’re in the middle of the summer season, it’s the perfect opportunity to put these incredible places on your summer travel bucket list.
1. #Transfăgărășan Road and Lake Bâlea
Number of hashtags: 179,862
The Transfăgărășan is one of the most spectacular roads not only in our country, but in the whole world. This fascinating road stretches for around 90 kilometres and offers breathtaking scenery. During the journey, you will also have the opportunity to admire the mountain lake Bâlea, located at an impressive altitude of 2,034 meters.
This famous mountain road in Romania offers breathtaking views, with its dramatic winding roads, rock-cut tunnels and spectacular panoramas. Whether you’re photographing the curves on the side of the road, or stopping off at lookout points, you’re sure to find incredible shots for Instagram.
One of the most photographed points on the Transfăgărășan is the tunnel near Lake Bâlea. This tunnel, surrounded by rocky walls and covered with lush vegetation, creates a dramatic effect in the pictures. Trying to photograph the lights and shadows that creep through the tunnel can add a mysterious touch to your photos and generate increased interest in the Instagram community.
2. #Sighisoara
Number of hashtags: 155,587
Visiting Sighisoara is like taking a step back in time, like stepping straight into a fairytale full of colourful medieval houses.
Sighisoara’s UNESCO-listed historic centre is full of medieval architecture, the most charming streets and spectacular views. It is a must-see when visiting Transylvania.
Sighisoara is famous for its narrow streets and colourful houses. As you stroll through these picturesque streets, you’ll find the perfect backdrop for bohemian photos. Capturing architectural details, flower-decorated doors and windows and hidden courtyards will transport you to a medieval world, and your images will reflect the authenticity of the town.
3. Bran Castle
Number of hashtags: 86,201
Bran Castle is one of the country’s most important tourist attractions and hundreds of thousands of tourists come here every year. The castle stands on the hillside showing off its beauty. Without a doubt, it’s a sight that sends shivers down the spine of brave visitors who want to delve deeper into the history and legends that surround the place.
Photographs of the castle surrounded by mountains and forests will give you wonderful opportunities to capture the beauty of nature and the contrast with the castle’s architecture.
4. Transalpina Road
Number of hashtags: 68,027
The Transalpina, nicknamed the „Road between the mountains”, is not only the highest road in Romania, but also a fairytale route. The road is famous for its many hairpin bends and steep slopes, making it a popular destination for both driving enthusiasts and nature lovers.
It’s no small feat to cross four counties and almost „raze” past mountain ranges on a road that seems to take you to heaven. But this is the Transalpina road, thousands of years old and yet very new to many Romanian tourists who are just discovering it.
Tourists travelling along the Transalpina have the opportunity to have their photo taken at the highest point of the highest and most beautiful road in Romania, at an altitude of 2145 metres.
5. Calea Victoriei, Bucharest
Number of hashtags: 41,816
Calea Victoriei is one of the most important arteries in the centre of Bucharest, stretching from the United Nations Square to the Victoriei Square.
Known for its rich history, Calea Victoriei was a favourite promenade of the country’s elite in the past. Here, the aristocratic class gathered for balls held at the Cantacuzino Palace, and artists, writers, journalists, politicians and sportsmen met for coffee at the famous Capșa Restaurant.
Today, Calea Victoriei retains its cosmopolitan charm and is home to many tourist attractions. Here you will find a wide range of monuments and cultural sights, such as the National Art Museum of Romania, the Romanian Athenaeum, the CEC Palace and the Palace of Parliament. These imposing buildings are testaments to Bucharest’s remarkable history and architecture.
Calea Victoriei has become so popular also thanks to the „Streets Open” event, the most successful outdoor event of the Capital that takes place from April 29 to October 8. During the weekends the street becomes pedestrianised and hosts various shows, exhibitions, concerts, children’s workshops and sports competitions. Through this event, people are brought together and Bucharest becomes a friendlier and more accessible city.
6. Peleș Castle and #Sinaia
Number of hashtags: 44,015
Sinaia is a beautiful town with many exciting attractions and emanating an extraordinary positive energy! One of the most famous and representative local attractions is Peleș Castle.
Hidden in the heart of the Carpathians, Peles Castle is an architectural gem and one of the most impressive tourist destinations in Romania. With Gothic and Renaissance architecture, beautifully landscaped gardens and a royal atmosphere, this castle will take you on a journey back in time and delight you with plenty of opportunities to capture spectacular photos for Instagram.
7. Danube Delta
Number of hashtags: 65,702
The Danube Delta is the ideal place to reconnect with nature, get away from it all and restore your inner balance. Life is slow and peaceful, though you need to see it for yourself and experience all that the Danube Delta has to offer. From its rich biodiversity to its lively landscapes, the Danube Delta is an ideal place for nature and photography enthusiasts.
8. Turda Salt Mine
Number of hashtags: 24,547
Salina Turda is a unique destination in Romania, offering an impressive and unmissable experience in the depths of the earth. This former salt mine transformed into an underground leisure park captures the imagination of visitors with spectacular scenery and unique opportunities to capture breathtaking images for Instagram.
One of the key attractions is the underground lake. It offers a breathtaking view and photo opportunities with fascinating reflections.
9. #Viscri
Number of hashtags: 23,942
The village of Viscri, located in the heart of Transylvania, is a dream destination for those who want to discover the authenticity and rural beauty of Romania. With well-preserved traditional houses, idyllic rural landscapes with green fields, picturesque forests and hills and a peaceful atmosphere, Viscri offers plenty of opportunities to capture fairytale images and share them on Instagram.
The Fortified Church of Viscri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an architectural gem. With its tall tower and massive walls, the church provides an impressive setting for photographs. Capture images of this historic monument from different angles and at different times of the day for atmospheric pictures.
10. Corvin Castle
Number of hashtags: 21,372
Considered one of the most beautiful castles not only in Romania, but also in Europe, the Corvin Castle (or Huniazilor Castle) is certainly a must for anyone who travels around the country and for all those who want to feel the taste of history.
Corvin Castle is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture, with high towers, massive walls and inner courtyards. With numerous entrances and rooms to explore, visitors can easily spend hours wandering through its halls. Even though the castle is currently under renovation, we guarantee the place is fascinating.
Exploring the castle’s inner courtyard and courtyard of honour offers incredible photo opportunities. Capture images of the arches, paved courtyards and decorative features around them. These shots will highlight the medieval atmosphere of the castle and add depth to your images.
11. Mogoșoaia Palace
Number of hashtags: 20,824
Mogoșoaia Palace, located near Bucharest, is a true royal retreat that harmoniously combines the architecture of the Brancoveneque with the enchanting natural landscape. This architectural gem offers plenty of opportunities to capture spectacular images and impress your Instagram followers. The palace is in excellent condition, having been carefully renovated and cared for, as all monument buildings should be.
The palace is located just 15 kilometres from Bucharest and is easily accessible, even without a car.
12. Lake Colibița
Number of hashtags: 16,779
Colibița, located in the commune of Bistrița Bârgăului, Bistrița-Năsăud county, is a picturesque village in the Bistrița Valley. Its privileged location between the Bârgău Mountains and the Călimani Mountains, on the shores of Lake Colibița, also known as the „Mountain Sea”, has turned the locality into a popular tourist resort.
Colibița attracts tourists from all over the country and even from abroad because of its remarkable natural beauty and recreational opportunities on the lakeshore. Picturesque landscapes, water activities, hiking trails and a relaxed atmosphere make Colibița an ideal place to spend leisure time amidst the beauty of Transylvanian nature.
13. Cantacuzino Castle
Number of hashtags: 14,739
Cantacuzino Castle is an architectural jewel located in the resort of Bușteni, in Prahova county. This massive castle combines neo-Romanesque and neo-British styles, offering a fascinating experience for lovers of architecture and history. Cantacuzino Castle is enjoying a huge number of visitors with the launch of the Wednesday series.
Built in the interwar period by Prince Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino, the castle impresses with its refined and elegant architectural details. Its stately exterior, with ornate towers, arches and facades, draws the eye and offers great opportunities to capture spectacular images for Instagram.
Equally impressive are the castle’s interior and gardens. Entering the castle takes you through imposing halls and luxurious rooms with period decorations and furniture, reminiscent of the castle’s heyday.
14. Gura Humorului
Number of hashtags: 14,611
Gura Humorului, the symbol of Bucovina, is a town with a rich history, attested since the time of Stephen the Great and is considered a corner of paradise in Bucovina, offering a variety of sights to visit.
One of the main attractions of the town is the Humor Monastery, a wooden church, a historical monument and unique in Eastern Europe, with its famous frescoed exterior.
Another historical and religious monument is Voroneț Monastery, considered a pearl of Bucovina. It is situated in a beautiful natural setting, surrounded by peace and quiet and high, shady walls. Voroneț Monastery, also called the „Sistine Chapel of the East”, is famous for its frescoes of outstanding beauty and artistic value. Capture images of fresco details, religious scenes and ornamental motifs to add uniqueness and depth to your photos.
15. Bicaz Gorges (Cheile Bicazului)
Number of hashtags: 14,128
The Bicaz Gorge is an breathtaking destination for nature lovers. In the Cheile Bicazului National Park there are many landmarks, such as the Red Lake, Hășmașul Mare, Hășmașul Negru, Cheile Suagului and, of course, Cheile Bicazului.
The Bicaz Gorge offers a stunning landscape, formed by the passage of a river through limestone cliffs. High vertical cliffs, mountain streams, waterfalls and caves make up the attractions of the gorges, experiences that can only be had here. It is the perfect place for lovers of scenic landscapes and enthusiasts of hiking and nature excursions.
16. Rimetea
Number of hashtags: 13,657
Rimetea is a picturesque traditional village located in the Trascău Mountains, in Alba County. Known for its natural beauty and authenticity, Rimetea is considered one of the most beautiful villages in the country.
Set in an impressive mountain landscape, Rimetea is framed by limestone cliffs and overgrown hills. Traditional thatched houses with their white walls give the village a fairytale charm. You can capture spectacular images of the traditional architecture and surrounding mountain scenery, making Rimetea an ideal place for stunning Instagram photos.
17. Castelul de Lut Valea Zanelor
Number of hashtags: 13,353
Castelul de Lut Valea Zanelor, also known as the Castle of the Fairies Valley, is a unique and fascinating attraction located in the village of Porumbacu de Sus, Sibiu county. The castle was built entirely from natural materials such as clay, straw and wood, following the concept of eco-friendly and sustainable architecture.
Castelul de lut offers a special experience, bringing together elements of fairytale and nature in a harmonious way. In addition to its impressive exterior, the castle offers various activities and facilities for visitors.
18. Turda Gorges (Cheile Turzii)
Number of hashtags: 13,396
The Turda Gorges, a gorge carved by the Hașdatelor Valley into the beautiful landscape of the Trascău Mountains, stretch an impressive 1,350 metres, with high, steep cliffs rising up to 200 metres above you.
Once here, you’ll be amazed by the fairy-tale landscape, where you’ll encounter spectacular cliffs, mysterious caves, impressive archways and a variety of plants, butterflies and animals that find shelter in this natural oasis.
Across the valley of the Hașdatelor, you will discover four bridges that complete the beauty of the Turda Gorges: the Bridge of the Caves, the Middle of the Gorges, the Washed Burrow and the Gate of the Gorges. These structures will take you from one side of the gorge to the other, giving you the opportunity to admire all the captivating aspects of this remarkable place.
19. Postăvaru
Number of hashtags: 13,371
Postăvaru Peak offers one of the most beautiful views in the Carpathian Mountains, although it is not among the highest peaks (1799 m). With a 360° panoramic view, this peak reveals stunning landscapes towards Piatra Craiului, Piatra Mică, Făgăraș, Ciucaș, Piatra Mare, Grohotiș, Baiului and Bucegi Mountains.
The route to the summit is also suitable for beginners, offering an excellent opportunity for those who have not had experience of walking mountain trails and want to discover if this is an activity they enjoy. It is also suitable for all nature, mountain and mountain bike lovers who want to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
It captures the image of deep valleys, sprawling forests and mountain peaks that disappear into the distance. Choose a time of day when the light is perfect and capture the beauty of nature in a stunning setting.
20. Danube’s Depressions (Cazanele Dunării)
Number of hashtags: 13,322
Located in south-western Romania, near the town of Orșova, the Danube Gorges are a spectacular stretch of the Danube River, where it flows through the Danube Gorges and forms the natural border between Romania and Serbia.
When you arrive in this area, you will be amazed by the picturesque and impressive landscape. The high, steep cliffs, carved by the force of the water, create a spectacular and impressive backdrop. The Danube winds its way through narrow gorges, meandering and creating a mysterious atmosphere.
One of the most famous sights in the Danube Cauldrons is the statue of Decebal, a huge relief carved into the rock depicting the face of the great Dacian king.
If you are passionate about photography, the Danube Boilers will offer you unique opportunities to capture spectacular landscapes and capture the beauty of this special place.
This article is also available in Romanian.
