Reading for the Road: Books About Romania

At&nbsp;The Slow Road&nbsp;we answer to many names (wanderers,&nbsp;bon vivants, students of life) but first and foremost, we’re a group of dedicated travellers.That’s why we love compiling&nbsp;reading lists&nbsp;that include the books — from novels to memoirs, and everything in between — that have really opened up our favourite regions.In this post, we’ll round up a few of our favourite books about <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/europe/romania">Romania</a>, a country whose idyllic landscapes and charming villages cushion the buzzing Bucharest, often referred to as “the Paris of the East.”<h2>The Best Books About Romania</h2><h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312429940/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0312429940&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=butterfiel01d-20&amp;linkId=0c008628ecae46eb9f819de0ccbdecc7">The Land of Green Plums</a></h3>By Herta Müller&nbsp;A haunting work of fiction, The Land of Green Plums speaks to Ceaușescu’s reign of terror in Romania (Ceaușescu was leader of Romania from 1965 until he was overthrown and killed in a revolution in 1989). Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Müller captures the prevailing sense of madness enveloping the entire country.<h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/187342955X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=187342955X&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=butterfiel01d-20&amp;linkId=999b86f460eb065ef259851bb4a1158e">Romania</a></h3>By John Villiers&nbsp;From the colourful traditions of Transylvania to the sophistication of Bucharest, Romania comes to life in this book. The gorgeous painted churches of the unspoilt Carpathian mountain country, the unique wooden architecture of Maramures, the fascinating riches of a country on the edge of both the Ancient Roman and the Byzantine empires, are presented in detail, together with practical information for travellers.<h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521694132/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0521694132&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=butterfiel01d-20&amp;linkId=6486ba234c7005a8164238a7b532ed5c">A Concise History of Romania</a></h3>By Keith Hitchins&nbsp;Hitchins doesn’t mince words and this concise history certainly lives up to its promise by arranging Romania into four distinct periods: medieval, early modern, modern and the so-called return to Europe. Of interesting note is the author’s consideration of the struggle for a national identity in light of Romania’s unique status on the border between the eastern and western worlds.<h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312655371/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0312655371&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=butterfiel01d-20&amp;linkId=e8a6ad03331e3d08967b3494a70a3c27">The Appointment</a></h3>By Herta Müller &nbsp;Late in the reign of Nicolae Ceaușescu, the protagonist is summoned for interrogation. While riding the tram to the appointment she finds herself wading through her memories, none of which give her much hope. When awarded the Nobel Prize, Müller was described as an author “who, with the concentration of poetry and the frankness of prose, depicts the landscape of the dispossessed.”<h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Times-New-Romanian-Narrative-Romania/dp/178306451X/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.A4B605q5Ud755fC1pKU0e6L_eqb06tyF_U5h3xtJIV_GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.GBBartkcmTFiPCKlkAmW2Mn0Lg_JZH18HAp_YsvqsEI&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=Times+New+Romanian+Voices%2C+and+Narrative+from+Romania&amp;nsdOptOutParam=true&amp;qid=1778591646&amp;sr=8-1">Times New Romanian: Voices, and Narrative from Romania</a></h3>By Nigel Shakespear (No, we didn’t spell that wrong. And yes, that is his real name!)Each chapter is a new voice in this roaming first-person narrative that provides a portrait of Romania today. Compiled in the tradition of oral histories, Shakespear presents Romania as a riveting, challenging and unpredictable place that is underscored by the vitality of its people.&nbsp;Take the story from the page into real life on a B&amp;R trip to <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/europe/romania">Romania</a>. Experience Designers, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/meet-the-designers/mario-koch">Mario Koch</a> and <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/meet-the-designers/tibor-barna">Tibor Barna</a>, will create an inspired itinerary past villages, castles and misty Carpathian peaks. &nbsp;

Discover the best books about Romania—from Transylvanian history and literary fiction to travel writing and memoirs that illuminate the country’s culture, landscapes, and identity.

Best Books About Romania | Reading List for History, Culture & Travel

Romania

Welcome to a land where Gothic churches and craggy mountains dot every corner. Where the pace of life seems unchanged by industrial rumblings, as do its haunting castles and medieval villages. Tractors are rare, work in the fields is still done by the hands of villagers and scythes remain indispensable. Welcome to Romania, a place that does not fail to stir the senses.

Where myths, castles and untouched wilderness converge

Cycle Transylvania's trails and walk fortified Saxon villages on small group or private bespoke trips through Romania, with castle lodges and local access.

Romania Bike & Walking Tours | Butterfield & Robinson

Romania has witnessed the long march of history through the lens of many a ruler: from Greeks, Romans, Saxons, Turks up to the last vestiges of Communism. Here, you'll see astonishingly well-preserved rural villages that retain their old ways as still-standing castle strongholds and medieval towers bear witness to the ages. Bulgaria likewise has long been a crossroad of cultures—a fusion&nbsp;of Eastern Orthodox tradition, Byzantine art, Ottoman architecture and everpresent Pagan practices. This diversity is found in its landscape, too: a patchwork of farmland, alpine peaks, curious caves and rock formations that skirt the horizon.&nbsp;

Historic Sites

Breathtaking Landscapes

Local Connections

Transylvania isn’t just a place—it’s a portal. Ride or ramble through Saxon villages, castles and misty Carpathian peaks where myths still linger. Whether you’re travelling with friends, family or just your curiosity, Romania delivers medieval magic, deep forests and just enough mystery to keep things thrilling.&nbsp;

enchanting corners of eastern europe

One of Europe's best kept secrets

Bike and hike Romania's Carpathian villages on a custom itinerary. Medieval fortresses, painted monasteries and an Eastern Europe most travellers never see.

Romania Private Tours: Transylvania, Carpathian Villages & Medieval Forts

Discover this destination on the verge while it's still flying heavily off the beaten path. Venture through Romania and the unspoiled beauty of Transylvania, peppered with candy-coloured neighbourhoods and tranquil country roads. Step inside a Gothic fairytale as you explore Europe's best-preserved medieval citadel in Biertan and the colourful streets of Sighisoara. Steam train rides through the countryside, farm-hosted lunches, and fascinating rural traditions will make you feel like you've travelled back in time, while the rocky peaks of the Southern Carpathian Mountain create a haven for outdoor adventure.

Incredible Rides

Vibrant Culture

Romania is Europe’s best-kept secret—for now. Think Gothic fairytales, steam trains, and scenery that feels straight out of a storybook. Pedal through candy-coloured towns, dine on farms, and time-travel through medieval citadels. With tranquil roads, rustic traditions, and the Carpathians watching over it all, Transylvania’s charm is very real—and thankfully fang-free.

Curious beauty in the Carpathians

Feel the magic of candy-coloured Romania

The itinerary below is a sample and is subject to slight changes in routes, accommodations and activities. Please download the itinerary for your selected departure for precise details.

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Experience Designer

Spend 6 nights cycling Transylvania on this small group tour. Saxon walled towns, Carpathian mountain passes and Bran Castle — Dracula country on two wheels.