Romania or Bulgaria?
The practical differences, drawn from our own write-ups rather than from a brochure. We are not going to tell you which is better - they are different trips. What follows is what actually changes between them.
Places written up here 20 20
UNESCO listings among them 7 6
Cost level Budget Budget
Busiest month in our write-ups July June
Currency Romanian leu (RON) Euro (EUR)
Plugs and voltage C, F - 230 V C, F - 230 V
Everyday languages Romanian Bulgarian
Driving side right hand side right hand side
Region Southeast Europe Southeast Europe
Capital Bucharest Sofia
Romania
Old-world hospitality is genuine; rural life continues in ways western Europe has forgotten.
What we have written up
- Bran Castle castle
- Brasov old town
- Cluj-Napoca old town
- Corvin Castle castle
- Horezu Pottery tradition
- Peles Castle castle
Worth knowing before you go
- The leu is the currency; cards work in cities, carry cash in villages
- Tipping is about 10%
- Petrol station coffee is inexplicably good - a national quirk
Bulgaria
Nodding means no and shaking means yes - the famous reversal is real, if fading.
What we have written up
- Bansko mountain
- Belogradchik Rocks viewpoint
- Boyana Church church
- Bulgarian Cuisine dish
- Bulgarian Yogurt dish
- Koprivshtitsa old town
Worth knowing before you go
- Tipping is around 10%
- Bulgaria adopted the euro in January 2026 - old lev prices may still appear alongside
- Sofia's free walking tours are a good orientation day one
Counts describe this site, not the countries: "places written up here" means how many pages we have finished, and it keeps growing. Currency, plugs and languages are practical facts and change rarely; check anything visa-related with the relevant official source before you book.