TRANSYLVANIA IN DEPTH

TRANSYLVANIA IN DEPTH

Here's your 12-day immersive Transylvania tour, meticulously crafted to showcase both iconic landmarks and hidden gems, blending history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. This itinerary ensures a deep dive into Transylvania's soul, from medieval citadels to remote villages frozen in time.

Day 1: Bucharest → Olt Valley → Cozia Monastery → Sibiu

  • Scenic drive through the Olt Valley.

  • Cozia Monastery (14th-century, Byzantine frescoes).

  • Sibiu Old Town guided tour: Piața Mare, Liars’ Bridge, Evangelical Cathedral.

  • Home-hosted dinner in Sibiel village.

  • Overnight: Sibiu (3 hotel)*

Day 2: Sibiu → Day Trip Option

Choose one:

  1. Hunedoara & Alba Iulia:

    • Corvin Castle (Gothic-Renaissance masterpiece).

    • Alba Iulia Citadel (star-shaped Vauban fortress, Union Hall).

  2. Transfăgărășan Highway & Bâlea Lake (June–Oct):

    • Drive "above the clouds," visit Bâlea Lake (cable car optional).

  • Return via Sibiel (Glass Icons Museum).

  • Overnight: Sibiu

Day 3: Sibiu → Mediaș → Turda

  • Mediaș: St. Margaret’s Fortified Church.

  • Turda: Explore the medieval town.

  • Overnight: Turda (3 guesthouse)*

Day 4: Turda → Turda Gorges/Salt Mine → Cluj

  • Turda Gorges hike (dramatic limestone cliffs).

  • Turda Salt Mine (underground lake & amusement park).

  • Cluj-Napoca guided tour: Union Square, St. Michael’s Church, Matthias Corvinus statue.

  • Overnight: Cluj (3 hotel)*

Day 5: Cluj → Baia Mare → Săpânța → Vadu Izei

  • Baia Mare: Visit the "Miners’ City."

  • Săpânța: Merry Cemetery (colorful tombstones).

  • Surdești Village: Wooden church (UNESCO tentative list).

  • Picnic lunch in Maramureș countryside.

  • Overnight: Vadu Izei (rural guesthouse)

Day 6: Vadu Izei → Sighetu Marmatiei → Săpânța → Vadu Izei

  • Sighetu Marmatiei: Memorial of Communist Victims (former prison).

  • Săpânța: Meet local artisans.

  • Home-hosted dinner with Maramureș traditions.

  • Overnight: Vadu Izei

Day 7: Vadu Izei → Iza Valley → Bistrița → Târgu Mureș → Sighișoara

  • Iza Valley: Scenic drive, stop at wooden churches.

  • Bistrița: Evangelical Church (Dracula connection).

  • Târgu Mureș: Culture Palace (Secession-style).

  • Overnight: Sighișoara (3 guesthouse)*

Day 8: Sighișoara & Surroundings

  • Sighișoara Citadel: Clock Tower, Vlad Dracul’s House.

  • Biertan: UNESCO Fortified Church.

  • Brateiu/Homorod: Saxon villages, artisan visits.

  • Overnight: Sighișoara

Day 9: Sighișoara → Saschiz → Rupea → Brașov

  • Saschiz: UNESCO Fortified Church.

  • Rupea Fortress (hilltop citadel).

  • Homorod: Traditional crafts.

  • Overnight: Brașov (3 hotel)*

Day 10: Brașov → Bran → Râșnov → Poiana Brașov

  • Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle).

  • Râșnov Fortress (panoramic views).

  • Poiana Brașov: Mountain resort leisure time.

  • Overnight: Brașov

Day 11: Brașov → Prejmer → Intorsura Buzaului → Brașov

  • Prejmer Fortified Church (UNESCO).

  • Intorsura Buzăului: Carpathian landscapes.

  • Overnight: Brașov

Day 12: Brașov → Sinaia → Bucharest

  • Peleș Palace (Neo-Renaissance splendor).

  • Prahova Valley drive.

  • Drop-off in Bucharest.

Key Experiences:

✔ UNESCO Sites: Biertan, Sighișoara, Prejmer, wooden churches.
✔ Cultural Immersion: 2 home-hosted dinners, Maramureș artisans, Saxon villages.
✔ Scenic Drives: Olt Valley, Transfăgărășan, Iza Valley, Prahova Valley.
✔ Hidden Gems: Surdești, Rupea, Intorsura Buzăului.

Budget for Extras:

  • Admission fees: ~€120-150 pp (castles, museums, salt mine).

Packing Tips:

  • Layers (mountain weather in Maramureș/Bâlea).

  • Hiking shoes for Turda Gorges/Rupea Fortress.

  • Camera for Merry Cemetery’s vibrant tombstones!

This itinerary offers unparalleled depth—would you like to emphasize any aspect (e.g., more hiking, artisan workshops)? 😊


Tour availability: contact us

Tour duration: 12 days/11 nights

Tour itinerary:

  • Day 1: Bucharest - River Olt Valley - Cozia Monastery - Sibiu
  • Day 2: Sibiu - Day trip from Sibiu (either Hunedoara Castle & Alba Iulia Fortress or Transfagarasan Highway & Lake Balea) - Sibiel - Sibiu
  • Day 3: Sibiu - Medias - Turda
  • Day 4: Turda - Turda Gorges/Turda Salt Mine - Cluj
  • Day 5: Cluj - Baia Mare - Surdesti village - Vadu Izei
  • Day 6: Vadu Izei - Sighetu Marmatiei - Sapanta - Vadu Izei 
  • Day 7: Vadu Izei - River Iza Valley - Bistrita - Targu Mures - Sighisoara
  • Day 8: Sighisoara & surroundings (Biertan, Brateiu, etc)
  • Day 9: Sighisoara - Saschiz - Rupea - Homorod - Brasov
  • Day 10: Brasov - Bran - Rasnov - Poiana Brasov - Brasov
  • Day 11: Brasov - Prejmer - Intorsura Buzaului - Brasov
  • Day 12: Brasov - Sinaia - Bucharest

Tour start location: location of your choice, within Bucharest city limits

Tour inclusions: your own dedicated professional English speaking tour guide; one suitable vehicle with climate control; fuel, road & parking tax for the entire trip;  accommodation in centrally located hotels/guest houses; 11 breakfasts; two home hosted dinner; one picnic lunch; free collection and return to your hotel in Bucharest.

Tour exclusions: other meals than stated; admission tickets to museums and attractions; photo/video fees; personal expenses; gratuity.

Tour price: from € 1800/per person*

*According to your party size, tour duration & itinerary length, attractions & sites included, meals included
*At Tours in Romania, we don't do shared tours, we only do private tours of Bucharest, private tours of Romania and private short trips from Bucharest , so the price is influenced only by the size of your group. If you'd like a tour of Bucharest, a tour of Romania or a short trip from Bucharest together with a bunch of strangers, each one with his own agenda, pace and good or bad habits, there are plenty of other travel agents out there happy to accommodate you.
*At Tours in Romania, we don't do free tours, we only do private tours of Bucharest, private tours of Romania and private short trips from Bucharest at a fair price. With Tours in Romania you can enjoy the comfort of an air conditioned vehicle, while visiting many more attractions than during a "free" walking tour of Bucharest.
Anyway, a private tour of Bucharest, a private tour in Romania or a private short trip from Bucharest doesn't necessarily mean an expensive tour. Please take a moment to review our prices. You'll find private tours of Bucharest, private tours of Romania and private short trips from Bucharest at the price of a shared tour or cheaper!