Top-drawer Romania
€ 1919
per personEmbark on an unforgettable 10-day adventure through Romania, exploring its vibrant cities, medieval towns, painted monasteries and breathtaking landscapes. This immersive tour takes you from the bustling capital to the charming villages of Maramures and the historic sites of Transylvania, offering a unique blend of history, culture and natural beauty.
Explore Romania’s rich cultural heritage through UNESCO-listed monasteries, historic castles and charming villages from Bucharest to the Carpathian Mountains.
Immerse yourself in the artistic treasures of Oltenia and Transylvania, including the works of Constantin Brancusi, Gothic castles, and medieval towns like Sibiu and Sighisoara.
Beyond these highlights, discover Dracula’s legacy at Bran Castle, visit the royal Peles Castle and enjoy a scenic journey across the Carpathians, with free time for local experiences in Brasov and Bucharest.
Take a Romania cultural tour from Bucharest
Travel Details
Destination
Transylvania, Maramures, Bucovina, Oltenia & Apuseni Mountains
Start / End
Bucharest
Duration
10 days / 9 nights
Departure time
For private tours: For all the visits to be available as mentioned, the tour is recommanded to start from Saturday to Tuesday. If starting on a different day of the week, certain visits may not be possible or will have to be replaced. For shared tours: please check departure dates
Meeting point
Pick up available from your accommodation in Bucharest or any other spot in the city. At the time of booking, please give us the address at which we can meet you. We'll keep you informed about the pick up time.
Service
guided
Seasonality
all year long
Tour type
discover
Dress code
For monasteries visits: shoulders and knees should be covered for both men and women. Skirts and scarfs are sometimes offered at the entrance. For salt mine visit: non slippery-shoes & appropriate warm clothing recommended (the constant temperature inside the salt mine is 10-12° C).
Visits
two wooden churches in Maramures (UNESCO), Sapanta Merry Cemetery, three painted monasteries in Bucovina (UNESCO), Sighisoara fortress (UNESCO), Viscri fortified church (UNESCO), Peles, Bran and Hunedoara castles, Horezu (UNESCO) and Polovragi monasteries in Oltenia, Alba Iulia citadel, Rimetea village, Turda salt mine
Distance
about 2050 km / 1274 mi
Car transfer duration
see daily details in Tour Plan
Physical activity level
This tour involves daily moderate walking (2-3 hours). The terrain varies, from paved surfaces to uneven ground/potentially muddy ground/grassy surfaces, cobblestones and city/village hills. On certain days, be prepared to descend & climb stairs: there can be between 100 - 500 steps (most of them without a handrail). Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Periods of standing during city walks or sightseeing stops are also common. Full or partial sun exposure is likely. Large crowds can be expected for the castles visits in summertime. Travel days may have fluctuating paces with both longer and shorter durations. On certain days there will be changes in altitude or temperatures. If you are prone to motion sickness, please bring appropriate medication.
Notes
Accommodation locations & order of visits may suffer changes.
tour plan
Day 1 Welcome to Romania: discover Bucharest, the “Little Paris” of the East
Begin your Romania cultural tour with a warm greeting at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP). From here, you’ll be transferred to the heart of the city. Time to embark on a panoramic sightseeing tour, taking in Bucharest’s iconic landmarks and vibrant atmosphere. Later in the day, enjoy free time to explore this fascinating capital at your leisure.
Finally, relax in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Bucharest.
Car transfers: approx. 30min; ~20 km / 12 mi
(no meals included)
Day 2 A journey through Oltenia: from monasteries to Brancusi
After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Oltenia, nestled at the food of the Southern Carpathians. First, you will visit the spiritual and artistic treasures of Horezu Monastery (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Polovragi Monastery, admiring their unique Brancovenesc architecture and stunning Byzantine paintings. Then, explore the traditional potteru workshops in Horezu village, a renowned center of Romanian pottery.
Finally, after lunch, arrive in Targu Jiu and encounter the genius of Constantin Brancusi. Chance to witness his iconic sculptures—the Endless Column, Table of Silence, and Gate of the Kiss—powerful expressions of modernist art and profound cultural significance.
In the evening, enjoy dinner and overnight accommodation in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Oltenia.
Car transfers: approx. 4h30min; ~300 km / 186 mi)
(breakfast included, lunch & dinner not included)
Day 3 Transylvania highlights: Hunedoara’s Corvin Castle & medieval Sibiu
Following breakfast, a scenic drive from Oltenia will take you, across the mountains, into the heart of Transylvania. Once you arrive in the historic and ethnographic region of Hateg, visit the magnificent Corvin Castle (Hunyad Castle) in Hunedoara. Once home to the influential Hunyad family and King Matthias Corvinus, Corvin Castle is known to be Romania’s largest Gothic castle.
After lunch, continue to Sibiu, a captivating medieval city considered one of Transylvania’s gems. During the guided tour you will discover Sibiu’s impressive fortifications, picturesque streets and cultural treasures.
By the end of the day, enjoy some free time to explore Sibiu’s culinary scene and unwind in your comfortable 3-star hotel within this enchanting medieval setting.
Car transfers: approx. 4h; ~270 km / 168 mi
(breakfast included, lunch & dinner not included)
Day 4 Transylvania highlights: from Alba Iulia’s fortress to Cluj’s vibrant city via the Apuseni Mountains
Begin your day with breakfast and then journey to Alba Iulia, a historically significant city nestled at the foot of the Apuseni Mountains. Upon arrival, explore the impressive Alba Carolina Vauban Fortress, uncovering tales of Roman legions, Hungarian royalty and the pivotal union of Transylvania with Romania.
Next, venture into the Apuseni Mountains to visit Rimetea, a beautifully preserved Hungarian village renowned for its historic iron mining and skilled blacksmiths. Here you have a great opportunity to stroll through the village and to savour a traditional lunch at a charming local restaurant, thus experiencing a taste of rural Transylvanian life.
In the afternoon, descend into the breath-taking Turda Salt Mine, one of Europe’s most spectacular underground attractions. This fascinating site seamlessly blends historical significance with innovative modern design, creating a truly unforgettable experience.
*It is not recommended to visit the salt mine if you have heart, lungs, digestive and other health conditions. You can check them all here.
Continue to Cluj-Napoca, a vibrant university city pulsating with energy and culture. Upon arrival, discover its medieval charm on a guided city tour, followed by free time for shopping and exploration. Conclude your day with a delightful dinner and overnight stay in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Cluj.
Car transfers: approx. 3h30min; ~200 km / 124 mi
(breakfast included, lunch & dinner not included) Romania cultural tour from Bucharest
Day 5 Discover Maramures: wooden churches, living traditions & the Merry Cemetery
Following breakfast, embark on a journey to the enchanting region of Maramures, famed for its rich traditions, remarkable wooden architecture, and warm hospitality.
While on the way, stop to visit Surdesti wooden church, a UNESCO World Heritage site and marvel at its intricate craftsmanship.
Immerse yourself in the authentic rural lifestyle of Maramures with a stroll through a beautifully preserved traditional village: Breb. Arriving here, enjoy a delicious lunch with the locals, chance to savour the authentic regional flavours.
Later on in the day, explore Desesti wooden church, another UNESCO gem, celebrated for its stunning and remarkably well-preserved naive frescoes, considered among the finest in Maramures.
Next, visit the unique Merry Cemetery in Sapanta, a vibrant and unconventional burial site that reflects the locals’ distinctive perspective on life and death through its colourful crosses and light-hearted epitaphs.
Finally, time to conclude your day with a free evening out, to dine at a local restaurant and relax in your comfortable 3-star Maramures hotel.
Car transfers: approx. 4h30min; ~240 km / 149 mi
(breakfast & lunch included, dinner not included)
Day 6 From Maramures wooden splendour to Bucovina’s painted monasteries
After breakfast, visit to the renowned Barsana monastery, a showcase of exceptional wooden craftsmanship blending traditional and modern styles.
Then, enjoy a scenic journey across the Carpathian Mountains to Bucovina, a region celebrated for its UNESCO-listed painted monasteries and rich cultural traditions. At noon, savour a delicious lunch with breath-taking mountain views.
Once arrived in Bucovina, explore the magnificent Moldovita Monastery, famous for its stunning Siege of Constantinople fresco, a masterpiece of medieval art that brings history to life with vibrant colours and intricate detail.
Later, discover the unique Hutsul art of Easter egg decoration, a centuries-old tradition passed down through generations. Depending on availability, experience a live demonstration or admire a collection of these beautifully decorated eggs, symbolizing renewal and the enduring power of tradition.
In the evening, enjoy a free evening for dinner and a comfortable overnight stay in a 3-star hotel in Bucovina.
Car transfers: approx. 5h; ~300 km / 186 mi
(breakfast included, lunch & dinner not included)
Day 7 From Bucovina’s painted monasteries to Sighisoara’s medieval charm: a scenic Carpathian crossing
Upon completing breakfast, transfer to Voronet monastery. Here, the most famous of Bucovina’s eight UNESCO-listed painted monasteries. Known as the Sistine Chapel of the East, this masterpiece is celebrated for its vibrant blue frescoes and intricate depiction of the Last Judgment.
Finishing with the scheduled visits in Bucovina, embark on a scenic journey across the majestic Carpathian Mountains to Transylvania. On the way, stop enjoying a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.
Later in the day, arrive in the enchanting medieval citadel of Sighisoara in the afternoon, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Europe’s most captivating medieval towns. Wander through its colourful narrow streets, lined with centuries-old towers and cobblestone pathways. Moreover, explore the said-to-be birthplace of Vlad the Impaler—the historical figure who inspired the Dracula legend—and immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of this living medieval treasure.
Finally, enjoy a free evening for dinner and a restful overnight stay in a charming 3-star hotel in Sighisoara, nestled in the heart of this historic destination.
Car transfers: approx. 6h; ~320 km / 199 mi
(breakfast included, lunch & dinner not included)
Day 8 Transylvanian tapestry: medieval citadels, Saxon villages & Dracula’s Castle
After a delicious breakfast, begin your day with a guided exploration of Sighișoara, a UNESCO World Heritage gem. You’ll discover its well-preserved medieval architecture and learn about its connection to Vlad the Impaler, the historical inspiration for Dracula.
From here, journey to Viscri, a charming Saxon village offering a glimpse into traditional Transylvanian life. Visit the impressive 13th-century fortified church (UNESCO) and furthermore, enjoy a delicious farm-to-table lunch at a local guesthouse.
Next, continue to the iconic Bran Castle, famously known as Dracula’s Castle. Explore this historic fortress and uncover the captivating legends that surround it.
In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive through the Carpathian Mountains to Brasov, known as the Crown City. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to relax, explore, or shop for local souvenirs in this vibrant medieval city.
To conclude your adventures for the day, enjoy a relaxing overnight stay in a 3-star hotel in Brasov.
Car transfers: approx. 3h; ~180 km / 112 mi
(breakfast & lunch included, dinner not included)
Day 9 A Romanian journey: from medieval Brasov to Royal Sinaia & Bucharest’s urban energy
Start your day with breakfast and a guided exploration of Brasov, a city steeped in medieval history. Then, visit the imposing Black Church, a landmark of Gothic architecture and a testament to the city’s rich past.
Next, continue to Sinaia, a picturesque mountain resort nestled in the Carpathians. Here, you’ll discover the grandeur of Peles Castle, a stunning example of 19th-century royal architecture and a showcase of exquisite art and décor.
After lunch, travel to Bucharest, Romania’s dynamic capital. Explore the historic Old City, with its charming streets, historic buildings, and bustling atmosphere.
At the end of the day you will have free time to experience Bucharest’s vibrant nightlife and dine at a local restaurant before retiring to your comfortable 3-star hotel.
Car transfers: approx. 3h; ~200 km / 124 mi
(breakfast included, lunch & dinner not included)
Day 10 Bucharest: visit to the Palace of the Parliament & grand farewell
Begin your final day in Romania with breakfast and a visit to the monumental Palace of the Parliament, a powerful symbol of the country’s communist past. This iconic structure, the third-largest administrative building in the world, is sure to impress with its sheer scale and imposing presence.
After this memorable visit, you’ll be transferred to Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) for your departure.
Bid farewell to Romania, carrying with you unforgettable memories of its rich history, stunning landscapes and vibrant culture.
Car transfers: approx. 0h30min; ~20 km / 12 mi
(breakfast included, lunch & dinner not included)
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Included:
Not included:
PRIVATE TOUR
from 1919 EUR
SHARED TOUR
1951 EUR
Prices shown are standard rates for pre-designed tours.
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All prices are per person, based on 7 participants. For larger groups, please request a quote.
