Romania: a Must-Visit Destination for Culture and Language Lovers

Romania has around 19 million inhabitants.

Romanian is the official language and belongs to the Romance family, making it linguistically closer to Italian, Spanish, and French than to its Slavic neighbors.

Recognized minority languages include Hungarian, Romani, German, Ukrainian, Serbian, Slovak, Bulgarian, Turkish, and Tatar.

English is widely spoken among younger generations.

🔥 Fact Flash 🔥

Romanian: A Latin Language in Eastern Europe

Romanian belongs to the Indo-European family, Romance branch, and is the official language of Romania, spoken by roughly 19–20 million people. It is experienced everywhere in the country in cities, towns, villages, schools, government institutions, media, and cultural events. Romanian serves as the main language of daily life, administration, literature, music, and festivals, and also acts as a bridge for interaction with minority communities, where it often coexists with Hungarian, German, Romani, Ukrainian, and other languages.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Romanian
• Speakers: ~19 million native speakers
• Status: Official, widely used

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Travel Romania’s cities and villages, to experience Romanian music, folk traditions, and local cuisine. Bring a phrasebook, grammar guide, and dictionary to support real-life communication, along with a map and travel guide to link language with places and customs while exploring Romania’s rich cultural heritage.

Hungarian: A Strong Transylvanian Presence

Hungarian in Romania is spoken primarily in Transylvania, especially in Harghita, Covasna, and parts of Mureș counties, where ethnic Hungarians (Székelys) form strong local majorities and Hungarian is widely used in daily life, education, media, and local administration. While Romanian is the sole official state language, Hungarian enjoys extensive minority-language rights, including Hungarian-language schools, universities, churches, signage, and cultural institutions.

For language-minded travelers, this makes eastern Transylvania a rare place where you can practice Hungarian outside Hungary itself while also experiencing a distinct regional identity shaped by Székely traditions, cuisine, and folklore. The Hungarian spoken here closely matches standard Hungarian, with some regional vocabulary and pronunciation, making it an excellent immersion destination for learners who want cultural depth alongside linguistic authenticity.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Hungarian
• Speakers: ~1.2 million
• Regions: Transylvania, Székely Land
• Status: Strong minority language

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Spend time in Székely towns and folk festivals where Hungarian is part of everyday community life. take flashcards and a pronunciation chart to build confidence, plus an app and audio course for practicing on the move while supporting local communities in keeping their language alive.

Romani: Oral Tradition and Music

Romani in Romania belongs to the Indo-European language family, within the Indo-Aryan branch, making it linguistically closer to languages of northern India than to European languages. Romania is home to an estimated 1.5–2 million Roma people, though only about 500,000–700,000 actively speak Romani, reflecting varying levels of language shift toward Romanian or Hungarian.

Romani is best found and experienced in nomadic or semi-nomadic contexts—historically among traveling artisan, metalworking, music, and trading groups—and today through mobile family networks, seasonal travel routes, markets, fairs, and music gatherings rather than fixed linguistic territories.

For travelers, Romani is most authentically encountered not in institutions but on the move: in informal roadside interactions, rural villages, itinerant festivals, and musical performances, where the language continues its traditional role as a flexible, oral means of communication adapted to mobility and cross-cultural contact.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Romani
• Speakers: Estimated 1–2 million
• Status: Multiple dialects, vulnerable

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Music gatherings, craft fairs, and community events offer natural encounters with Romani through song and storytelling. Bring books of short stories, folktales, idioms, proverbs, and slang to understand culture deeply, along with a notebook and coloring book for fun and lasting memory while helping preserve this linguistic heritage.

German: Saxon and Swabian Heritage

German in Romania belongs to the Indo-European language family, within the West Germanic branch, and has been spoken for centuries by historic communities such as the Transylvanian Saxons and Banat Swabians. Today, ethnic Germans number roughly 20,000–30,000, a sharp decline from pre-1990 figures, but German remains visible and actively used in Sibiu (Hermannstadt), Brașov (Kronstadt), Sighișoara (Schäßburg), Timișoara, and parts of Banat and Transylvania. Unlike nomadic languages, German in Romania is best found and experienced in settled, urban and village settings such as Lutheran churches, fortified Saxon villages, German-language schools, cultural centers, and festivals. It survives as a heritage and prestige language.

For travelers interested in linguistic layers, Romania offers a rare chance to experience German not as a dominant national language but as a deeply rooted historical one, shaped by centuries of coexistence with Romanian and Hungarian speakers and preserved through architecture, education, and living cultural memory.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: German
• Speakers: ~30,000
• Regions: Saxon areas of Transylvania
• Status: Declining but preserved

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Walk through fortified churches and historic Saxon towns to experience German in its heritage setting. Take a phrasebook and dialogue book for practical communication, paired with a map and travel guide to connect language with sites while enjoying a historical and architectural adventure.

Ukrainian: Hidden Voices of the North

Ukrainian in Romania belongs to the Indo-European family, East Slavic branch, spoken mainly in Maramureș, Bukovina, and northern Moldavia by roughly 50,000–60,000 people. It is experienced in villages, border towns, local schools, church services, and folk festivals, where the language continues to thrive alongside traditional music, dance, and cuisine.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Ukrainian
• Speakers: ~50,000
• Regions: Maramureș, Bukovina
• Status: Minority language

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Northern villages and seasonal festivals keep Ukrainian alive through music and local life. Carry flashcards and a visual dictionary for learning, plus a camera, making your trip a photography and learning-focused exploration.

Serbian: Borderlands and Shared Heritage

Serbian is part of the Indo-European family, South Slavic branch, with about 20,000–25,000 speakers, concentrated in the Banat region. It survives in villages, Orthodox churches, cultural associations, and regional festivals, maintaining strong ties to heritage and community life.

Pro tip for Serbian: Take a phrasebook for everyday conversations, and pair it with a travel guide to explore Serbian-speaking communities and local culture.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Serbian
• Speakers: ~18,000
• Regions: Banat
• Status: Minority language

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Serbian villages and monasteries reveal the language through faith, customs, and community life. Bring an app and audio course to practice on the go, alongside a phrasebook and grammar guide, creating an amazing  travel experience.

Slovak: Small Villages, Deep Roots

Slovak belongs to the Indo-European family, West Slavic branch, spoken by approximately 15,000–20,000 people, mainly in western Transylvania around Nădlac and Bihor County. Slovak is experienced through rural communities, churches, cultural clubs, and folk events, where traditional celebrations preserve the language and cultural identity.

Pro tip for Slovak: Use a dictionary to quickly understand new words, and combine it with flashcards while visiting Slovak-speaking villages and heritage sites.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Slovak
• Speakers: ~13,000
• Regions: Western Romania
• Status: Minority language

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Village festivals and church gatherings offer glimpses of Slovak still used socially; and bring books of short stories, idioms, and jokes to understand the culture, plus a notebook and coloring book, making your trip a fun and educational adventure.

Bulgarian: Along the Danube’s Flow

Bulgarian is part of the Indo-European family, South Slavic branch, spoken by roughly 7,000–10,000 people, mostly in northern Dobruja and around Tulcea County. It is experienced in villages, Orthodox churches, schools, and cultural events, where folklore, music, and cuisine reinforce cultural identity.

Pro tip for Bulgarian: Take a grammar guide to stay accurate, and complement it with an audio course or short stories to enjoy Bulgarian traditions along the coast.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Bulgarian
• Speakers: ~7,000
• Regions: Southern Romania, Dobruja
• Status: Minority language

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Border towns and folk celebrations bring Bulgarian to life through food, music, and everyday speech. Dive into culture with short stories, folktales, idioms, proverbs, and jokes, and complement your trip with a trivia book to enjoy tour journey.

Croatian: A Language Far from Home

Croatian in Romania belongs to the Indo-European family, South Slavic branch, spoken by about 5,000–10,000 people, mainly in western Banat villages near the Serbian and Hungarian borders. Croatian is maintained through community gatherings, Catholic churches, cultural associations, and local festivals, keeping heritage and traditions alive.

Pro tip for Croatian: Keep a visual dictionary handy for quick reference, and combine it with idiom or folk tale books to explore Slovak villages and cultural events.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Croatian
• Speakers: ~6,000
• Regions: Western Banat, Caraș-Severin
• Status: Minority language

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Visit Croatian villages and local festivals in western Romania, where traditional events and community life keep the language present in everyday travel moments. Complement your journey with a phrasebook, visual dictionary, and tense guide.

Greek: Echoes of the Aegean

Greek in Romania belongs to the Indo-European family, Hellenic branch, spoken by around 3,000–5,000 people, mainly in Constanța and other Black Sea coastal towns. The language is encountered in Greek Orthodox churches, cultural associations, seaside communities, and traditional festivals, preserving maritime and commercial heritage.

Pro tip for Greek: Bring a phrasebook, and pair it with short stories, dialogue books, or coloring books when exploring Greek communities and coastal traditions.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Greek
• Speakers: ~3,000
• Regions: Dobruja, near the Black Sea
• Status: Minority language

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Explore Greek communities and coastal towns, enjoy festivals, local cuisine, and cultural sites where the language is still spoken in daily life. Enhance your experience with a phrasebook, short stories, and dialogue book.

Czech: Hidden Corners of Banat

Czech in Romania belongs to the Indo-European family, West Slavic branch, spoken by around 4,000–5,000 people, mainly in Banat, Caraș-Severin, and Timiș counties. The language is encountered in small villages, cultural associations, churches, and local festivals, preserving a unique Central European heritage within Romania’s diverse cultural mosaic.

Pro tip for Czech: Bring a phrasebook, and pair it with short stories, folk tales, or language-learning apps when visiting Czech-speaking villages and exploring Banat’s historical traditions.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Czech
• Speakers: ~4,000
• Regions: Banat, western Romania
• Status: Minority language

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Visit Czech villages and cultural gatherings, where traditional events, festivals, and community life showcase the language in action; and practice on the go with an app and audio course

Turkish: Coastal Roots and Memory

Turkish in Romania belongs to the Turkic language family, spoken primarily by the Turkish minority in the Dobruja region, especially in Constanța County. There are roughly 60,000–70,000 speakers, and the language is experienced in coastal towns, villages, mosques, cultural associations, and local markets, where it is maintained through daily life, religious practices, and community events.

Pro tip: Take a phrasebook to practice real conversations, and pair it with short stories, idioms, or a dialogue book while exploring Turkish communities, mosques, and local markets.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Turkish
• Speakers: ~28,000
• Regions: Dobruja
• Status: Stable minority language

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Mosques, markets, and neighborhood life offer authentic encounters with Turkish language and culture. Unlock conversations with a phrasebook, short stories, and dialogue books

Tatar: Black Sea Voices

Tatar also belongs to the Turkic language family, spoken by the Crimean Tatar community in Dobruja, mainly in Tulcea and Constanța counties, with about 20,000–25,000 speakers. It survives in villages, mosques, cultural centers, and folk festivals, where traditional music, storytelling, and cuisine help preserve the language and cultural heritage.

Pro tip: Bring a dictionary and audio course for quick learning, and complement it with folk tales, proverbs, or a notebook while visiting Tatar villages and cultural events.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Tatar
• Speakers: ~20,000
• Regions: Dobruja
• Status: Vulnerable

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Cultural centers and festivals keep Tatar present through storytelling, cuisine, and tradition.

Russian: East Slavic Connections

Russian in Romania belongs to the Indo-European family, East Slavic branch, and is spoken by a small minority of around 30,000–35,000 people, primarily in Dobruja, the Danube Delta region, and some urban centers. Russian is experienced in schools, cultural associations, Orthodox churches, media, and community events, often maintained by families with historical ties to Russia or through cross-border connections.

For travelers, Russian offers insight into minority life in Romania, with opportunities to experience language through folk events, music, and local cultural gatherings, alongside Romanian and other regional languages.

Unlock Russian in Romania with phrasebooks, flashcards, and apps, dive into folk tales and jokes, and capture every moment in a notebook or coloring book.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Russian (Lipovan)
• Speakers: ~30,000
• Regions: Danube Delta, Dobruja
• Status: Stable within communities

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Visit Lipovan villages and river settlements where Russian remains part of daily tradition.

Yiddish: The Living Heritage of Romania’s Jewish Communities

Yiddish in Romania belongs to the Indo-European family, West Germanic branch, and was historically spoken by the Ashkenazi Jewish community. Before World War II, Romania had a large Yiddish-speaking population (hundreds of thousands) particularly in Moldavia, Transylvania, Bukovina, and Wallachia.

Today, numbers are much smaller, with a few thousand speakers, mostly elderly, concentrated in urban centers such as Bucharest, Iași, Cluj-Napoca, and some smaller towns. Yiddish survives in synagogues, cultural associations, Holocaust memorials, literature, and occasional theater or music events, preserving a rich cultural and linguistic heritage.

For travelers, it provides a glimpse into Romania’s Jewish history, traditions, and the legacy of Eastern European Jewish life.

Don’t forget to bring a phrasebook, app, and flashcards when exploring Jewish heritage sites. Workbooks, idiom books, or a coloring book add playful learning.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Yiddish
• Speakers: Small remaining community
• Status: Endangered

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Synagogues, museums, and heritage walks reflect Yiddish through history and memory.

Romanian Sign Language: the Vibrant World of Romania’s Deaf Culture

Romanian Sign Language (Limba Semnelor Române, LSR) is the primary sign language used by Romania’s Deaf population, estimated at around 15,000–20,000 users. LSR is experienced in Deaf associations, schools for the Deaf, cultural centers, educational institutions offering sign language courses, and public events with interpretation, where it is used for education, communication, theater, storytelling, and social life.

For travelers, engaging with LSR offers a unique opportunity to explore Romania through the lens of visual language and Deaf culture, attend performances, workshops, and community gatherings, and gain insight into an often-overlooked linguistic and cultural heritage.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Romanian Sign Language (LSR)
• Users: Deaf community nationwide
• Status: Recognized

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Cultural events and performances showcase LSR as a living, expressive language.

Romanian Braille: Exploring Romania Through Touch, Sound, and Braille

Blind and visually impaired people in Romania primarily use Romanian in its standard spoken alongside Braille (Romanian Braille system) for reading and writing. Romanian Braille is adapted from the international Braille system and is used in schools for the blind, libraries, universities, public institutions, and cultural centers, allowing full participation in education, literature, and daily life. In addition, some foreign languages—Hungarian, English, French, and German—are also available in Braille or audio formats, particularly in major cities like Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and Iași.

Travelers interested in inclusive experiences can visit libraries, cultural events, music schools, and exhibitions designed for the blind, or engage with organizations promoting accessibility and tactile learning. This provides a unique window into how language, culture, and accessibility intersect in Romania.

💡 Quick facts: 💡
• Language: Romanian Braille
• Users: Visually impaired readers
• Status: Standardized system

🌍 Travel experience: 🌍
Accessible libraries and cultural institutions reveal Romania through tactile reading and learning.

Immigration Languages: Romania Today

Romania hosts a growing number of immigrant communities, each bringing their native languages and cultures. Major groups include:

• Italians – mainly in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Timișoara, speaking Italian, often professionals or students. Travelers can engage with Italian in language schools, cultural events, cafés, international festivals, and tandem language exchanges.

• French speakers – from France, Belgium, and French-speaking Africa, concentrated in Bucharest and university cities, experienced in French cultural centers, art events, cafés, and workshops.

• Spanish speakers – from Spain and Latin America, found in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and coastal towns, encountered in cultural institutes, language schools, and tandem or group learning sessions.

• English speakers – from the UK, USA, Canada, India, and other countries, in tech hubs and universities, experienced in co-working spaces, social events, workshops, and language tandems.

• Arabic speakers – mostly from the Middle East and North Africa, located in Bucharest, Constanța, and western cities, met through community centers, mosques, cultural events, and language exchange meetups.

• Other smaller communities – including Germans, Chinese, Ukrainians, Indians, and Africans, speaking their native languages in urban neighborhoods, cultural festivals, universities, and tandem language programs.

Travelers interested in linguistic immersion can experience these immigrant languages not only in daily life but also through structured opportunities such as tandem exchanges, group workshops, conversation clubs, and cultural events, making Romania a dynamic place to explore both traditional and contemporary global languages.

For a smooth journey across Romania, start with essential travel gear and wear: a map, comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate jackets, sun protection, a reusable water bottle, and snacks for full-day excursions. Small cultural gifts like postcards or handicrafts can also help build connections with hosts or language partners.

Tech and digital tools are invaluable for navigating and documenting experiences. Bring a smartphone or tablet, supported by a portable charger, power bank, or solar charger, along with a camera or voice recorder for capturing festivals, performances, or interviews. Language apps, translation tools, and audio courses allow on-the-go learning, while portable speakers or headphones can enhance workshops, music events, or group sessions.

Bring digital or physical educational materials to engage with local languages: phrasebook, dictionary, travel guide, flashcard, pronunciation chart, grammar guide, tense book, and visual dictionary. These tools support communication, comprehension, and active participation in workshops, tandem sessions, or informal conversations with locals.

For fun and entertainment, include items that combine play with learning: word games, trivia games, coloring books, or language puzzles. These reinforce vocabulary and expressions while making cultural exploration enjoyable in Romanian, Hungarian, German, Romani, Ukrainian, Turkish, Tatar, Yiddish, and other minority or immigrant languages.

Finally, bring curiosity, patience, and an open mind. Participating in cultural events, folk festivals, and community activities transforms every encounter into an opportunity to connect, learn, and immerse fully in Romania’s vibrant tapestry of languages and traditions.

Travel Tips: Materials for Experiencing Romania’s Languages

Romania is a country where nature, history, and culture collide in the most captivating way. From the towering Carpathian Mountains to the winding Danube Delta, and from charming medieval towns like Sibiu, Brașov, and Sighișoara to quaint villages preserving centuries-old traditions, every corner tells a story. What makes Romania truly unique is its linguistic and cultural mosaic: alongside Romanian, visitors can hear Hungarian, German, Romani, Ukrainian, Serbian, Slovak, Bulgarian, Greek, Turkish, Tatar, Russian, and Yiddish, each alive in festivals, workshops, churches, and everyday life.

The country’s folk music, dance, cuisine, and architecture invite travelers to immerse themselves in living traditions, while locals’ warmth and hospitality make every encounter memorable. Whether exploring vibrant cities, hidden villages, or natural wonders, Romania offers a journey full of discovery, learning, and cultural adventure, making it a truly unforgettable destination for curious travelers.

Why Romania is so Special