Timișoara is a fascinating city offering countless attractions and cultural events to anyone who decides to visit. If you want to broaden your horizons and step beyond the well-known stories and popular routes, on România Atractivă you’ll find 4 perfect escape ideas, all less than an hour’s drive away. Whether you live in Timișoara or you’re just passing through, it’s worth seeing what you can discover in its surroundings, following the România Atractivă routes!

In the village of Margina, Timiș County, you’ll learn to be more of a traveler and less of a tourist. At the table with your hosts, with every bite, you’ll discover the cultural diversity hidden in the dishes laid out before you. The Swabians, Hungarians, Serbs, Russians, Bulgarians, Ruthenians, and Roma have all left behind influences that can be tasted in the rich flavors of tarragon-spiced soups, zacuscă, paprikaș, traditional cabbage rolls, pleskavica, and many other delicious dishes that locals serve regularly.

The well-organized tours in the area help you discover not just the food, but also the local nature and culture. Join the guided tours and stop along the way for meals served in villagers’ homes. You’ll learn not only about the clean, tasty products they cook, but also about their generous spirit—they say they “gain weight just watching you eat.” More details here.

Along the Timiș River, north of Caransebeș, in a place called Cetate or Peste Ziduri, you’ll find the ruins of ancient Tibiscum, one of the most important cities in the Roman province of Dacia. Tibiscum was elevated to the status of municipium in the 3rd century AD. According to an inscription, in 214 AD, Emperor Caracalla either passed through or planned to pass through Tibiscum, underlining its strategic, military, and economic significance.

Today, the most representative monument in the archaeological complex is the large stone castrum, built as a defensive fortress on the western border of Roman Dacia. The ruins at Jupa invite you to meet the past. The praetorian gate, the principia, the schola, and the soldiers’ barracks will gradually reveal interesting insights into the construction and organization of a Roman fort. If you’re passionate about history, Tibiscum offers a gateway into a remarkable ancient civilization! Full story here.

The commune of Bogda, located in the northern part of Timiș County, reveals its beauty and history through its picturesque villages—Charlottenburg, Altringen, Buzad, Comeat, and Sintar. Surrounded by idyllic natural landscapes and located just 40 km from Timișoara, Bogda is a perfect getaway for those seeking peace and authenticity. Charlottenburg, initially populated by German families brought by Charlotte, the wife of the Banat governor, went through various transformations over time.

From depopulation during the Ottoman occupation to recolonization by German settlers and successive ownership changes after 1780, the village’s history is a rich tapestry of events and eras that have shaped today’s community. The entire area, with its symmetrical architecture and rich history, is a window into Banat’s diverse cultural past and a testament to the resilience of its people. Visiting this village offers a unique experience of Romanian heritage. More info here.

We return to Timișoara, right in the city center. Huniade Castle stands as a symbol of the city’s historical and cultural identity, and is likely one of the oldest functioning buildings in the Banat region. It was built on the ruins of a 14th-century medieval castle raised by Charles Robert of Anjou, King of Hungary. Another iconic figure in the castle’s history is John Hunyadi, who reinforced and used it as a residence while serving as Count of Timiș. The castle remained in the family until the death of King Matthias Corvinus. It was visited by Hungarian kings, serving as a stop on their journeys through the region.

The castle was destroyed during the Ottoman siege in 1552, and the structure we see today was built later. After the liberation from Ottoman rule, an artillery barracks was built here around 1727. The walls of the old medieval residence now lie buried beneath the castle’s inner courtyard and rooms. Today, the castle houses the archaeology, history, and natural sciences departments of the National Museum of Banat. Definitely worth a visit—details, here.