Romania is blessed with a diversity of natural landscapes that can rival any international destination: dramatic mountains, glacial and volcanic lakes, dense forests, wild gorges, alpine meadows, remote villages, and crystal-clear rivers. In summer, all of these reveal their most beautiful colors and shapes—offering the perfect setting for hiking, camping, outdoor sports, or simply peace and quiet.

Whether you're passionate about challenging mountain trails, photographic journeys, wildlife watching, cycling, or you just want to sit with a book by a stream, there's a place for you in natural Romania. You don’t need a plane ticket—just a few days off, a backpack, and the desire to feel the earth beneath your feet again.

In this article, we've selected the best destinations in Romania for a summer nature getaway—places that are less commercial but full of charm, and that will stay in your heart for a long time. You'll find here both classic recommendations and lesser-known suggestions, ideal for relaxation, adventure, or rediscovery.

So, if you're dreaming of the coolness of a dense forest, the calm of a mountain lake, breathtaking views, days without signal or notifications—follow us on a virtual journey that will convince you to plan your next escape... into the heart of nature.

The Danube Delta– a unique wild paradise in Europe

If you're looking for a different kind of summer, far from the urban hustle and traditional tourist trails, the Danube Delta is one of the most fascinating choices you can make. Here, time flows differently—at the pace of the waters and untouched nature—and every morning begins with the song of birds and a view that feels like it's straight out of a BBC Earth documentary.

(source: WWF Romania) 

Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Danube Delta is Europe's youngest land, formed by over 3,000 canals, lakes, sandbanks, forests, and reed beds, home to spectacular biodiversity. With over 300 species of birds and 45 species of fish, it's the perfect place for birdwatching enthusiasts, nature photography, fishing, or boat and kayak trips.

You can choose to stay in traditional villages such as Mila 23, Crișan, Sfântu Gheorghe, or Jurilovca, from where daily guided boat excursions depart. In these places, you'll feel like you've returned to the essence of life: simple living, in harmony with the water, the vegetation, and the deep tranquility of the Delta

The Taste of the Delta – Fresh and Authentic Local Cuisine

Besides its natural beauty, the Danube Delta also offers one of the most authentic culinary experiences in Romania. Here, everything revolves around fresh fish—caught the same day and cooked according to recipes passed down through generations, in Lipovan, Ukrainian, or Dobrogean style.

Recommendations for food lovers:

• Lipovan fish soup – made with three types of fish, lovage, and hot pepper, traditionally served with garlic sauce and polenta.

• Carp plachia – slowly cooked in a tomato sauce with caramelized onions and local herbs.

• Fish brine (saramură), smoked herring, fresh fish roe, and even simple desserts like sour cherry jam crepes or fluffy doughnuts, served with a smile by the locals.

If you're lucky, you might enjoy a waterside dinner under the open sky at a family-run guesthouse, where everything is slowly cooked with local ingredients and plenty of love.

 

Lake Sfânta Ana – Volcanic Tranquility and Fresh Air at Altitude

Located in the heart of the Székely Land, in the Harghita Mountains, Lake Sfânta Ana is the only volcanic lake in Romania and one of the most spectacular destinations for those seeking cool temperatures, peace, and unspoiled nature. With crystal-clear water fed exclusively by precipitation, the lake is surrounded by dense forests and feels like a corner of the world where time retreats in serenity.

(source: Habarics Zsolt)  

Formed in a volcanic crater at an altitude of over 940 meters, Lake Sfânta Ana invites you to stroll along forested shores, relax on meadows filled with pure air, enjoy family picnics, and embrace moments of complete tranquility, surrounded by nature. In summer, the temperatures are ideal, and the landscape—with its green and blue reflections—looks like something out of a painting.

Balvanyos – The Resort Amid Forests and Mineral Springs

Just a few kilometers away lies the Balvanyos resort, an oasis of fresh air, mineral springs, and legends. Known for its mofettas (natural carbon dioxide emissions with therapeutic effects), mud baths, and sparkling mineral springs, the area is ideal for those who want to combine relaxation in nature with physical and mental rejuvenation.

Balvanyos is also famous for the Pucioasa Cave, where the natural concentration of gases has beneficial effects on the respiratory system, as well as for traditional Székely baths, now transformed into modern wellness centers. The trails surrounding the resort offer easy access to scenic viewpoints, steep cliffs, coniferous forests, and a variety of rare plants.

Red Lake – The Legendary Calm of the Hășmaș Mountains

Situated at over 980 meters altitude in the heart of the Eastern Carpathians, Red Lake (Lacul Roșu) is one of Romania’s most spectacular and mysterious natural destinations. Nestled between the dense forests of the Hășmaș Mountains and the steep cliffs framing the Bicaz Gorges, the lake resembles an impressionist painting more than a real place: its still waters, pierced by the petrified trunks of submerged trees, reflect the shades of the forest and sky, while the surrounding silence adds a unique atmosphere—melancholic, profound, and almost magical.

(source: Libertatea)   

The lake was formed in 1837 as a result of a landslide that blocked the course of the Bicaz River. The trunks of the drowned trees remained upright in the water, creating a unique image that has become the visual signature of this place. Local legends, which tell of a beautiful girl turned into a lake by sorrow and a curse, only deepen the feeling that Red Lake is more than just a tourist attraction — it is a place of stories, reflection, and reconnection with nature.

In summer, Red Lake becomes a true oasis of coolness and relaxation. The clean mountain air, combined with the deep silence of the forest, offers visitors the perfect setting to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. You can rent a boat or a pedal boat and glide silently across the water’s surface, weaving between the exposed tree trunks, or take an easy hike to one of the nearby viewpoints. The landscapes are spectacular, and if you arrive early in the morning or late in the evening, you’ll witness rare beauty in the reflections and play of light.

The area also offers numerous accommodation options, from rustic cabins to comfortable guesthouses, many located right near the lake. You can also explore the surroundings: just minutes away are the Bicaz Gorges, a true geological monument formed of towering vertical rock walls — perfect for stunning photography or via ferrata routes for adventure enthusiasts.

(source: Comuna Bicazu Ardelean) 

Red Lake is accessible via DN12C, between Gheorgheni and Bicaz, and the journey itself is an experience — winding mountain roads, dense forests, and breathtaking panoramic viewpoints. It is recommended to avoid crowded weekends and choose a weekday visit to fully enjoy the tranquility and authentic atmosphere. Even in summer, evenings are cool, so don’t forget to bring a warmer jacket and, of course, your camera.

A trip to Red Lake is not just an escape into nature, but an encounter with a soulful place where legend, history, and geography blend harmoniously. It’s the kind of place where you stop without hurry, sit on a log by the water’s edge, and listen to the silence. Here, nature doesn’t need fireworks — it speaks simply and deeply, giving you the rare chance to truly listen.

Nera Gorges – Pure Wilderness in the Heart of Banat

If you’re looking for a different kind of summer, far from the classic tourist trails and close to untouched nature, the Nera Gorges are one of Romania’s most impressive and underrated natural destinations. Located in the southwest of the country, within the Nera – Beușnița National Park, this karst complex offers a truly unique experience: dramatic landscapes, trails through shady forests, spectacular waterfalls, and turquoise waters that look like they belong in the tropics.

(source: Outdooractive) 

The area is considered one of the wildest in Romania — accessible, yet remote enough to give you the feeling that you are in a world that humans have, fortunately, left almost untouched. Here, you won’t find souvenir shops or luxury restaurants. Instead, you will discover carpets of moss, caves, steep cliffs, hanging bridges, and lakes with unbelievably clear water.

The hiking trails in the Nera Gorges range from easy to moderate and can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day. Among the most spectacular sights are Ochiul Beiului Lake, a perfectly blue mirror with rare clarity, and Beușnița Waterfall, one of Romania’s most beautiful tiered waterfalls. Don’t miss the Șușara Tunnels, carved by human hands into the rock, or the actual Nera Gorges trail — a dramatic path with wild sections and limestone formations that will challenge your fitness but reward every step.

Another highlight is Devil’s Lake (Lacul Dracului), the largest karst lake in Romania, with an intense green color and an air of legend. Hidden between rock walls and forest, it is the perfect place for those seeking moments of absolute silence.

(source: Republica) 

In the Nera Gorges, you don’t come just for the scenery — you come for the peace, for reconnection, for that rare feeling of being small in front of nature, and to truly enjoy it. Many choose to camp in the area, in tents or caravans, at the edge of the trails, where the night is dominated by stars and forest sounds, and the morning begins with mist over the water and the scent of pine.

Summer in Romania means nature, peace, and freedom

Romania is a country of natural contrasts, wild landscapes, and healing tranquility. From silent mountains and deep forests to glacial lakes, spectacular gorges, and villages that keep their connection to the earth, summer offers the perfect chance to escape. And not just any escape — but an authentic, slow one, close to the essentials.

Whether you choose to be overwhelmed by the quiet of Lake Sfânta Ana, venture on the spectacular trails of the Nera Gorges, glide by boat on Lake Roșu, or explore the incredible biodiversity of the Danube Delta, all these places have something in common: they reconnect you with nature and with yourself.

In an increasingly hurried world, escapes into nature are no longer a luxury but a necessity. And Romania offers them not only to those seeking adventure but also to those craving peace, inspiration, healing, and a touch of unfiltered magic.

So this summer, put your phone on silent, grab your backpack, and hit the road. Nature is waiting for you — and it’s not far away.