From the mist that lifts off the Carpathians at dawn to the salt-streaked air of the Danube Delta, Romania greets you with layered textures: wool coarse from shepherd’s hands, shiny glazes catching the light in pottery stalls, and the metallic clink of carved wooden spoons hanging in market stands.

Walk cobbled streets in Sibiu or the piața at Obor in Bucharest and you’ll smell smoked meats, acacia honey and hot chimney cakes, while the bright reds and whites of Mărțișoare and the intricate motifs of Bucovina-painted eggs catch your eye like small, portable histories.

Markets glow with handcrafted goods, Horezu ceramics, Corund pottery and hand-embroidered ie blouses, each piece carrying the clay, thread or wood of a specific valley.

The painted monasteries of Bucovina and the wooden gates of Maramureș inform patterns and palettes you’ll see again and again. Here’s what to buy in Romania to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Horezu Pottery

Why pick this up:
Horezu ceramics are UNESCO-acknowledged for their unique glazes and hand-painted motifs rooted in Vâlcea County’s village traditions. A single bowl or vase carries centuries of rural aesthetics and is both decorative and functional.

What to look for:
Seek the characteristic yellow-ochre backgrounds, stylized rosettes and the potter’s signature stamped on the base. Larger pieces show more detailed brushwork; smaller cups and plates are easier to pack.

Price bracket (2025):
lei 80–400

Where to find it:
Horezu pottery workshops, markets in Râmnicu Vâlcea, Sibiu artisans’ stalls and the Village Museum (Muzeul Satului) in Bucharest.

2. Traditional Ie (Embroidered Blouse)

Why pick this up:
The Romanian ie is a wearable work of folk art—delicate linen or cotton embroidered with regional stitches from Oaș to Oltenia. It’s a living tradition seen at festivals and in contemporary Romanian fashion.

What to look for:
Check the density and evenness of the embroidery, natural linen fabric and motifs tied to regions (geometric for Maramureș, floral for Moldavia). Handmade pieces have small irregularities; machine-made are overly uniform.

Price bracket (2025):
lei 200–1,000

Where to find it:
Craft markets in Sibiu and Cluj, shops in the Old Town of Sighișoara, and artisan stalls during Bucharest’s weekend bazaars.

3. Maramureș Handwoven Rugs and Blankets

Why pick this up:
Wool rugs from Maramureș carry the raw texture of highland shepherding—bold stripes and traditional motifs that withstand heavy use. They’re practical for chilly homes and evocative of wooden churches and mountain pastures.

What to look for:
Full-wool pile, natural dyes (look for even yet imperfect color), and tightly packed weaves. Ask about origin villages like Botiza or Ieud for authenticity.

Price bracket (2025):
lei 300–2,000

Where to find it:
Maramureș craft fairs, markets in Sighetu Marmației, artisan bazaars at ASTRA Museum in Sibiu.

4. Bucovina Painted Eggs (Ouă Încondeiate)

Why pick this up:
These wax-resist, hand-decorated eggs are tiny canvases of Orthodox iconography and peasant motifs—an ancient Easter craft from northern Moldova. They’re fragile souvenirs full of color and storytelling.

What to look for:
Fine wax lines, multicolored layers, and provenance from Bucovina villages such as Suceava or Gura Humorului. Real încondeiere eggs are often signed by the artist or come with a card.

Price bracket (2025):
lei 20–100

Where to find it:
Monastery gift shops in Bucovina (Voroneț, Moldovița), seasonal markets in Suceava and craft stalls at Sibiu’s festivals.

5. Hand-Carved Woodenware from Maramureș

Why pick this up:
Spoons, butter churns and bowls carved in Maramureș combine utility with bold, kinetic carvings inspired by rural life. The wood smells of smoke and resin—an immediate sensory memory of the mountains.

What to look for:
Solid hardwood (beech, oak), visible tool marks indicating hand carving, and regional motifs like the maramureșan spiral. Avoid perfectly smooth, machine-cut items.

Price bracket (2025):
lei 30–250

Where to find it:
Markets in Sighet, artisan stalls in Vișeu de Sus, and craft layers at the Open Air Village Museum in Bucharest.

6. Palincă (Țuică de Prune / Plum Brandy)

Why pick this up:
Palincă is a potent distilled spirit distilled in Transylvanian villages—an intimate taste of Romanian hospitality and orchard culture. Small-batch bottles reflect estate-grown plums and often home-distilling techniques.

What to look for:
Look for small producers from Alba, Sibiu or Maramureș, labeled strength (usually 40–60% ABV) and glass-sealed bottles. Duty-free at airports is handy for transport.

Price bracket (2025):
lei 60–250

Where to find it:
Local distilleries in Transylvania, farmers’ markets, specialty liquor shops in Cluj and duty-free at Henri Coandă Airport (OTP).

7. Transylvanian Acacia and Forest Honey

Why pick this up:
Romanian honey—especially from Transylvania and the Carpathian foothills—ranges from delicate acacia to robust forest and chestnut varieties, reflecting diverse floral landscapes. It makes a guaranteed, packable taste of the countryside.

What to look for:
Glass jars with beekeeper labels, single-origin or village names (e.g., Bran, Rucăr), and minimal processing. Crystallization is natural and often a sign of purity.

Price bracket (2025):
lei 20–80

Where to find it:
Piața Obor (Bucharest), Sibiu and Brașov farmers’ markets, rural guesthouses and monastery stalls.

8. Orthodox Icons and Religious Folk Art

Why pick this up:
Hand-painted icons and carved icon frames from Bucovina and Moldavia echo the vivid frescoes of Voroneț and Sucevița, offering a piece of Romania’s spiritual artistry. They’re both devotional and decorative.

What to look for:
Egg-tempera on wood panels, gold leaf background, and provenance from recognized monastery workshops. Avoid glossy, mass-produced prints—authentic icons feel textured and aged.

Price bracket (2025):
lei 100–1,000

Where to find it:
Monastery workshops in Bucovina, museum shops at the Painted Monasteries, and specialist galleries in Suceava and Iași.

9. Corund Ceramics and Szekler Glassware

Why pick this up:
Corund in Harghita County is famous for its Szekler pottery and hand-blown glass—distinctive painted patterns and delicate glasswork with traditional motifs. They show the multicultural heart of Transylvania.

What to look for:
Bright, contrasting colors, floral or geometric Szekler motifs and small imperfections from handblown glass. Look for village names like Corund or Odorheiu Secuiesc on labels.

Price bracket (2025):
lei 30–200

Where to find it:
Corund pottery workshops, craft fairs in Odorheiu Secuiesc, and artisan stalls at Cluj markets.

10. Mărțișor and Enamel/Silver Charms

Why pick this up:
Mărțișor (red-and-white spring talismans) are tiny tokens of renewal given in March and make portable cultural keepsakes. Modern versions range from traditional braided threads to finely made silver or enamel pins.

What to look for:
Hand-twisted red-and-white cord, small silver or enamel pendants and provenance from Bucharest’s Amzei Market or Timișoara artisans. Seasonal varieties appear in February and early March.

Price bracket (2025):
lei 5–50

Where to find it:
Street stalls in March (Bucharest, Cluj, Iași), museum shops, and craft bazaars.

Tip: Pack fragile ceramics and painted eggs with clothing layers and take any food or alcohol through customs in original, sealed packaging to avoid problems at the border 🎁

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Romanian shopping is rooted in village fairs and weekly markets: farmers bring honey, cheeses and cured meats to town squares, while artisans from nearby villages sell pottery, weavings and carved wood.

Famous markets include Bucharest’s Piața Obor for foodstuffs and everyday goods, Sibiu’s Piața Mare for seasonal fairs, and the Christmas markets (Târgul de Crăciun) in Sibiu and Brașov where traditional crafts shine.

Craft villages such as Horezu, Corund and Maramureș still host family workshops where techniques are passed down generations; bargaining is accepted in open markets but done politely, while museum and monastery shops usually have fixed prices reflecting the work’s cultural value.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Look for materials native to the region, Horezu clay, full-wool Maramureș rugs, bee-labeled Transylvanian honey and ask for origin details or the artisan’s name.

Handmade items show tool marks, slight asymmetry and natural dyes; perfect uniformity often signals mass production. For food and drink, prefer sealed jars or bottles with producer labels, and check for local certifications (e.g., protected designation or beekeeper info).

When buying icons or religious art, inquire whether pigments are traditional (egg-tempera) and if the wood panel is solid rather than composite.

Where to Shop in Romania

• Open-air markets: Piața Obor (Bucharest), Piața Mare (Sibiu), Piața Centrală (Cluj).
• Artisan bazaars: Sibiu Christmas Market, Cluj craft fairs, Bucharest’s weekend bazaars near Piața Amzei.
• Historic quarters & shopping streets: Old Town Brașov (Piața Sfatului), Sighișoara citadel shops.
• Museum shops: The Village Museum (Muzeul Satului) in Bucharest, ASTRA Open Air Museum in Sibiu.
• Airport gift shops: Henri Coandă (OTP) for packaged palincă, honey and souvenirs.
• Craft villages/weekend markets: Horezu (ceramics), Corund (Szekler pottery), Maramureș (woodwork).

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Romania expensive?
A: Prices vary—local markets and village workshops offer bargains, while museum and gallery pieces reflect artisan labor; expect to pay more for hand-embroidered ie and large wool rugs.

Q: Is bargaining common in Romania?
A: Yes at open-air markets and village stalls; bargain politely and start lower than the asking price. Fixed-price shops and monastery outlets are not for bargaining.

Q: How do I know if food or drink is allowed home?
A: Pack sealed, labeled jars and bottles and check your destination country’s customs rules. Alcohol over certain volumes may require declaration; cured meats and cheeses are often restricted.

Explore Romania’s markets and villages—their crafts, flavors and stories make every purchase a small piece of travel memory and a connection to the places you visited, what to buy in Romania.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!