Barlad Travel Guide, Romania

Barlad, Travel Guide – Location

Barlad is the capital city of the county with the same name and is strategically located in eastern Romania on the banks of Barlad River. Barlad Travel Guide presents an overview of the main aspects connected to this city.

Barlad, Travel Guide – Topography and Climate

Set in a picturesque valley area, surrounded by medium sized hills, Barld has an average elevation of 69m. The surrounding hilly area is part of the wider Moldavian Plateau, picturesque area inviting to hiking trips and rafting on the local rivers.

Climate in this area is temperate continental with strong eastern influences which bring low temperatures in winter with lots of frost and low humidity in summer. The annual average temperature here doesn’t rise above 9, 8ºC, the best time of the year to visit Barlad being in May and June.

Barlad River has a crucial role for the locals, determinant for its setting even since 1174 when the city was mentioned for the first time in an official document. Underground waters are also abundant here representing the main source of fresh water in the city.

Barlad, Travel Guide – Flora and Fauna

The original flora found in the city and its surroundings is characteristic for the steppe and forest steppe areas with different types of grasses while the river valley houses numerous hydrophilic species well adapted to the moist soils. As we leave behind the valley and head to higher grounds oaks make their presence felt through small groups of such species. Cultivated species are also present on small areas at the city’s periphery and within parks and gardens like poplars, pine trees and black locusts.

Fauna is also well represented especially by terrestrial species like rodents, hares, pheasants, deer and aquatic ones, especially carp, gold fish and pickerel.

Barlad, Travel Guide – Population

Barlad houses about 65.000 people among which more than half are women. Romanians dominate and live in good understanding with other six ethnic groups like Jews, Turks, Hungarians, Germans and more. The main religions in the city are the Christian Orthodox followed by Roman Catholic, Greek Catholics, Reformed and more.

Barlad, Travel Guide – Transport

Barlad has a great location at the meeting point of old commercial routes, location still assuring a good communication with other Romanian cities. The city is crossed by several nationally important roads and railroads which connect the city with Bucharest and other major Romanian cities. The city does not have its own airport and the nearest one is located 133 km away in Iasi, the Iasi International Airport. Another airport, not so far away, is found in Constanta.

Within the city the public transportation company offers several regular bus routes, but tourists can also choose to rent a car or to take a taxi.

Barlad, Travel Guide – Festivals

The most important festivals in Barlad are the Summer Festival, Autumn Festival, the Mountain Bike and a couple of music festivals.

The Summer Festival is held every July between 23 and 26 and offers great concerts and shows appreciated especially by young people. The artists invited here are among the most popular in Romania and entertainment is at its most. The Autumn Festival is held in October and has a more traditional meaning, organizers offering traditional food like stuffed cabbage and local wine. The event is much appreciated by all age categories who will gather in the city’s main square to eat and drink with friends and sometimes listen to traditional music and dancing shows.

A different kind of festival here is the Mountain Bike Festival held in every October and gathering people with ages between 8 and 75. Participants must have certain equipment and are given a different track fit for their age between 1500m and 19000m long on diverse land.

We must not overlook the music festivals which are not few and which are much appreciated by everyone. Two of such events are the Shubidua Festival and the “Silver Snowdrop” Festival which takes place in March.