Transylvania Slow Tour - 9 days
A tour focused on culture, authentic places and meaningful encounters
Highlights of the tour:
Regions
- Wallachia
- Transylvania
Cities
- Bucharest
- Sibiu
- Brasov
Major Sights
- Bucharest Farmers' Market
- Transfagarasan Highway
- The Black Church
- Zarnesti Gorge
- Peles Castle
- Bran Castle
UNESCO Attractions
- Sighisoara
- Biertan Fortified Church
- Viscri Fortified Church
- Prejmer Fortified Church
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 BY FOOT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (about 5h drive)
From your hotel, you’ll be taken to the Romanian Athenaeum — the pride of Bucharest and one of the most beautiful concert halls in Europe. Built in the late 19th century, the Athenaeum is a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture, crowned with a majestic dome and surrounded by Corinthian columns. Inside, its circular hall is adorned with a stunning fresco that tells the story of the Romanian people — from ancient Dacia to modern unification.
Next stop is the square that changed Romania’s destiny. In December 1989, tens of thousands of people gathered in Revolution Square to protest against Nicolae Ceaușescu’s dictatorship. From the balcony of the former Communist Party headquarters — the building you see behind the Memorial of Rebirth — Ceaușescu gave his last speech before fleeing by helicopter. The Revolution that started here ended 45 years of communist rule.
The walking tour continues along Calea Victoriei. It was once the main artery of aristocratic life — lined with palaces, cafés, and theatres. Walking down this boulevard feels like leafing through the pages of old Bucharest, often called “Little Paris.”
Then, you continue with the Old Town of Bucharest. Here, you’ll start with the small church of Stavropoleos. Built in 1724 by a Greek monk, it is one of Bucharest’s treasures. Its courtyard, shaded by vines and surrounded by carved stone columns, feels like stepping into another century.
Furthermore, you’ll enter the lively maze of the Old Town — a mix of history, nightlife, and stories. Here, every cobblestone has witnessed the evolution of Bucharest: from medieval market to cosmopolitan capital.
From the old town, you’ll discover the local public transportation network. It’s time to enjoy the largest farmers’ market in Eastern Europe. Here you’ll see how the locals buy fresh vegetables, dairy, and meat products. You’ll find out more about the local cuisine, and you can try the famous “mici”, the skinless sausages Romanians love so much.
The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.
Overnight in Bucharest: 4-star hotel
Day 3
BUCHAREST – CURTEA DE ARGES – 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 church walls 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 other members of the royal family (Kings Carol I and Ferdinand, and Queens Elisabeth and Mary).
You’ll pass by the fortress from Poenari built by Vlad the Impaler in the afternoon, and 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.
Overnight in Sibiu: 4-star hotel
Day 4
SIBIU – HUNEDOARA - ALBA IULIA - SIBIU (3h 30 min drive)
Today you’ll visit Alba Iulia, a great Vauban fortification. It was the capital of Transylvania between 1541 and 1690. In the first part of the 18th century, the Austrian Empire transformed Alba Iulia into one of the best-defended citadels of the region. Several of the gates have been very well preserved. The third gate, a real masterpiece, is one of them.
Then, you’ll be taken to Hunedoara, where you’ll visit the largest Gothic castle in Transylvania. Built in the 14th-15th centuries, the castle belonged to the ancestors of King Corvinus, the Hungarian king of the 15th century. It is here that Vlad the Impaler was imprisoned on his way to Budapest.
Further on, you’ll 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 by 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 that surrounds the Bridge of Lies. The tour of Sibiu ends with the Evangelical Cathedral and the former medieval towers.
Overnight in Sibiu: 4-star hotel
Day 5
SIBIU - BIERTAN - SIGHISOARA (2h drive)
In the morning, you’ll set off for Sighisoara. On the way, you’ll take a detour for the UNESCO site of Biertan. Located in a beautiful rural area of Transylvania, the castle-church of Biertan is perched on a hill surrounded by old Saxon houses which preserve the medieval atmosphere. You’ll enjoy a tour of the fortress and church, where you’ll learn the history of this place, and you’ll hear some funny stories.
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 Sighisoara: 4-star hotel
Day 6
SIGHISOARA - VISCRI - BRASOV (2h 30min drive)
It’s time to discover the forgotten world of the former Saxon villages. On the way to Brasov, we’ll make a detour to the remote village of Viscri, a great UNESCO site. There are just 2 or 3 dirt roads in Viscri, the main one being quite broad. This road is flanked on both sides by beautiful and traditional houses, built in the Saxon style. At the outskirts of the village, perched on a hill, there is the fortified church of Viscri, one of the oldest fortified churches in Transylvania. You will visit the church and the small museum located at the entrance.
In the afternoon, you’ll set off for Brasov, a city built by the German colonists 750 years ago; it boasts lovely medieval architecture. Surrounded by massive walls, towers, and gates, the city was also protected against different invasions by the steep hills of the mountains. Located on an important trade route, the city developed quickly. The residents built one of the most impressive Gothic churches between Vienna and Istanbul, today known as the Black Church.
Overnight in Brasov: 4-star hotel
Day 7
BRASOV - PREJMER - BRAN - BRASOV (1h 40min drive)
The Prejmer Fortress is the first visit of the day and the last fortified church of the tour. It is one of the most impressive fortified churches in Transylvania and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Teutonic Knights in the early 13th century and later expanded by the Saxon settlers, it boasts a Gothic style, modeled after churches from the Rhineland, with a powerful structure that reflects both religious and defensive purposes. Surrounding it are massive fortifications, with walls up to 12 meters high and 3–4 meters thick, making Prejmer one of the strongest medieval defensive constructions in Eastern Europe. Inside the walls, more than 270 rooms were built, stacked on several levels, serving as storage spaces and shelters for villagers during sieges. The fortress was attacked many times by Tatars, Ottomans, and other invaders, yet it was captured only once in its long history.
The tour of Romania continues with the Zarnesti Gorge, a dramatic limestone canyon carved by the Barsa River on the edge of the Piatra Craiului Mountains. Its towering white cliffs rise straight from the trail, narrowing into a wild corridor of rock and forest.
The day ends with the famous Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s castle. It was a safeguard castle for the trade route that connected Transylvania and Wallachia; the people of Brașov built it between 1377 and 1378. It represents for many tourists the dark residence of Prince Dracula, a fictional hero in the famous British novel by Bram Stoker. In reality, Bran Castle is connected to Queen Marie of Romania. Her story is equally attractive to that of Dracula, if not more interesting.
In the afternoon, you’ll be taken back to Brasov.
Overnight in Brasov: 4-star hotel
Day 8
BRASOV – SINAIA– BUCHAREST (3h 30min drive)
It’s time to leave Transylvania behind. You’ll cross the mountains back into Wallachia, and you’ll stop in Sinaia, also known as the Pearl of the Carpathian Mountains. You’ll visit the local monastery, the oldest building in the town. Further on, you’ll be literally overwhelmed by the splendor of Peles Castle. Built at the request of Carol I, the first king of Romania, Peles Castle is considered one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. The unique architecture and exquisite interiors are matched only by the beauty of the Carpathian Mountains.
In the afternoon, you’ll make it to Bucharest in time for a panoramic tour of the city. You’ll discover the best attractions of the city, the main boulevards, and the squares. You cannot leave the city without a stop in front of the largest Parliament in the world.
Overnight in Bucharest: 4-star hotel
Day 9
BUCHAREST – OTOPENI AIRPORT (40min drive)
You’ll be transferred to the airport according to your flight schedule.
End of the tour
Price
€2150/person
Book for 3 persons and get a discount of 5%
Book for 4 or more persons and get a discount of 10%
Single Supplement: €395
Included:
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Transport by modern car
- Accommodation for 8 nights in 4-star hotels and B&Bs
- Breakfast each morning
- One homemade dinner in Maramures
- Licensed English-speaking tour guide/driver
- Entrance fees to sites included in the program
Not Included:
- Flight ticket
- Hotel extras (telephone, mini bar, etc.)
- Drinks (other than water)
- Other meals except for breakfast
- Photographing or filming fees at the visited sites
- Tips
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
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