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The Rolling Hills of Transylvania Tour - 5 days

Tour of rural Romania and medieval towns of Transylvania

Info Tour

The Hills of Transylvania Tour gives you the chance to discover this famous area in just 5 days. You’ll get to know more about the real castle of Vlad The Impaler (Dracula) from Poenari; you'll admire the gorgeous medieval towns of Sibiu, Sighisoara, and Brasov, to visit the famous castle from Bran and the magnificent estate of Peles. To all these add a great scenery, superb food and accommodation to suit the tour.

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Type: shared, cultural

Distance: 820km / 510mi

Country: Romania

Accommodation: 4-star hotels and B&Bs

Departures

This tour is a private tour and can be scheduled based on your request. We kindly inform you that some of the sites included in the program might be closed so we suggest you contact us before booking your flights to Bucharest.

Price

Group of 2-3 persons – €1140/person

Group of 4-6 persons – €830/person

Single supplement: €165

Highlights of the tour:

Regions

Wallachia
Transylvania

Cities

Bucharest
Sibiu
Brasov

Major Sights

Curtea de Arges Monastery
Poenari Citadel
Transfagarasan Highway
Vlad Dracul House
Bran Castle
Peles Castle

UNESCO Attractions

Biertan fortified church
Sighisoara

Day 1
OTOPENI AIRPORT – BUCHAREST (40min drive)

Arrival in Bucharest. You’ll be transferred to your hotel where you’ll receive more details about your tour. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Bucharest: 4-star hotel

Day 2
BUCHAREST – CURTEA DE ARGES – POENARI – SIBIU (5h drive)

Departure to Curtea de Arges, the former capital of Walachia, and visit Curtea de Arges Monastery.

The Episcopal Church, known as the Church of the Curtea de Arges Monastery, was built by the Romanian ruler of Wallachia Neagoe Basarab in 1512-1517. A great legend is connected to this church. It is said Master Manole entombed his wife alive in the walls of the church so that they would never crumble. In 1875, the beautiful church was demolished and rebuilt by French architect Andre Lecomte du Nouy. The Episcopal Church of Curtea de Arges houses the tomb of its founder, Neagoe Basarab, and of other members of the royal family (Kings Carol I and Ferdinand, and Queens Elisabeth and Mary).

Further on, you’ll be taken to the fortress of Poenari*, located in the Transylvanian Alps. Perched on top of a mountain, be careful as there are 1480 steps to be climbed! The citadel was probably built in the 14th century by the first Wallachian princes. Later on, it was modified and extended by Vlad the Impaler, whom we also know as Dracula. In addition to all the stories and legends, the site offers great panoramic views of the mountain on both sides.

Then, you’ll take a drive along the famous Transfagarasan Highway. Built-in just 4 years, the highway passes the Carpathian Mountains. The landscape is stunning, and you’ll stop several times for pictures. Once on the top of the mountain, you’ll admire Balea Lake. (Between November 1st and June 30, Transfagarasan Highway will be replaced with the road along the Olt Valey).

Late in the afternoon, you’ll be in Sibiu, one of the most beautiful German towns.

* Because the fortress of Poenari is closed for renovation, this place will be seen from outside only.

Overnight in Sibiu: 4-star hotel centrally located

small group tours to Romania and Bulgaria

Day 3
SIBIU – BIERTAN – SIGHISOARA – BRASOV

In the first part of the day, you will enjoy a walking tour of Sibiu. Hermanstadt, to use its German name, was founded by the Saxon colonists about 800 years ago. In a short time, Sibiu became one of the most important cities of Transylvania. Sibiu boasts several medieval squares, including the Great Square (Piata Mare), which is the largest of this kind in Romania. It is surrounded by old houses, impressive palaces such as the Brukenthal Palace, and religious constructions, including the Catholic Cathedral. The tour of Sibiu continues with the other squares, the oldest cobblestone streets, and you’ll find out more about the legend which surrounds the Bridge of Lies. The tour of Sibiu ends with the Evangelical Cathedral and the former medieval towers.

In the afternoon, you’ll set off for Sighisoara. On the way, you’ll make a detour for the UNESCO site of Biertan. The village of Biertan (German: Birthalm), first mentioned in an official document in 1283, is home to one of the largest and most impressive medieval strongholds in Transylvania. Surrounded by quaint streets and vineyards, the 15th-century fortified church from Biertan is perched high on a hill in the middle of the village. Three tiers of 35-foot-high defensive walls, connected by towers and gates, encircled the complex, making the church impossible to conquer during medieval times. Featuring late-Gothic architecture with heavy doors and double exterior walls, the church boasts the largest Transylvanian polyptych wooden altar and a remarkable wooden door that once protected the treasures in the sacristy. Artisans from Vienna (Austria) and Nurenberg (Germany) built the altar between 1483 and 1513. The door, a true marvel of engineering, has an ingenious locking mechanism with 19 bolts. A key can simultaneously activate all 19 bolts.

Sighisoara, another UNESCO site in Transylvania, is the next stop on your trip. Built by the Germans about 800 years ago, the medieval citadel of Sighisoara looks like a perfect postcard. It is the best-preserved citadel in Romania, a stunning combination of cobblestone streets, medieval walls, massive watchtowers, and old architecture. Add to these the House of Vlad Dracul, allegedly the birthplace of Dracula. You’ll visit the Clock Tower, the symbol of Sighisoara, and the Church on the Hill, one of the oldest buildings of the citadel.

Overnight in Brasov: 4-star hotel

Day 4
BRASOV – BRAN – SINAIA – BUCHAREST

After breakfast, you will enjoy a short walking tour in the old town of Brasov. You’ll admire the beautiful buildings like the Black Church*, which is built in Gothic style. Also, you will see the narrowest street in Romania, Rope Street, Schei and Catherine’s Gates, St. Nicholas Church, and the old Schei neighborhood.

Then, you will visit the famous Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s castle. It was a safeguard castle for the trade route that connected Transylvania and Wallachia, and it was built by the people of Brasov between 1377 – 1378. It represents in the consciousness of any tourist the dark residence of Prince Dracula, a fictional hero in the famous British Bram Stoker’s novel. In reality, Bran Castle is connected to Queen Marie of Romania. Her story is equally interesting with the one of Dracula, if not more interesting.

After a scenic drive, you will leave Transylvania, and you will stop in Sinaia to visit the most beautiful castle in Romania – Peles Castle**.

The Peles Castle, built in two stages between 1875 and 1914. It was the summer residence of King Carol Ist and his wife, queen Elisabet. You’ll visit the ground floor where you’ll be astonished by the overwhelming interiors, amazing stain-glass windows, paintings, some of them made by famous artists such as Gustav Klimt.

In the evening you’ll reach Bucharest, in time for the last Romanian dinner during this trip.

* During the cold months, between November and April, the Black Church will be seen only from outside.
** Peles Castle is closed on Mondays. Rasnov fortress or the Cantacuzino Castle in Busteni may be used as alternatives.

Overnight in Bucharest: 4-star hotel

Day 5
BUCHAREST – OTOPENI AIRPORT (40min drive)

You’ll be transferred to the airport according to your flight schedule.

End of the tour