Transylvania castles tour

If you arrive on DAY 1 of the tour we can pick you up from Bucharest Airport.

Drive along the scenic Prahova valley, over the Carpathian Mountains to Transylvania

Visit Peles Castle the Royal palace in Sinaia. One of the most beautiful castles in Europe, Peles Castle is a masterpiece of new-Renaissance architecture.

Overnight in a 3*** Lodge in Bran in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains

Visit Bran Castle (1377), the castle in the Carpathian Mountains where Bram Stoker based Count Dracula in his novel. Legend has it that after being kidnapped by the Hungarians in 1462, Dracula was imprisoned in this fortress. Nonetheless, Bran Castle was a strategic site at the period, and Dracula may have walked through the fortress several times, but it was never his castle. Regardless of the controversy, Bran Castle is one of the most beautiful destinations in Romania.

Experience the awe-inspiring Rasnov Fortress, a majestic fortification in Transylvania built by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century. Conde Nast Traveler named this magnificent fortification one of the top ten snow castles in the world.

Rasnov villagers extended the castle, making it into a fortified settlement that provided protection against attackers. To protect their survival through weeks or even months-long sieges, the villagers undertook the mammoth task of digging a 480-foot-deep well, which took 17 years of backbreaking labor under exceedingly difficult conditions.

Our upcoming destination is the medieval town of Brasov, where the young Prince Dracula sought refuge for several years. It was the unwavering support of the people of Brasov that played a vital role in helping him regain the throne of the neighboring country, Wallachia. (During that time, Wallachia and Transylvania were distinct countries.)

Brasov tour will include the impressive Gothic Black Church, one of the narrowest streets in the world known as "Rope Street," the magnificent Council Square, and the fairytale-like Ecaterina Gate. We will also make our way outside the city walls to the Black Tower, which provides a stunning panoramic view of old Brasov.

After our exploration of Brasov, we will return to our lodge in Bran

Explore Viscri – the place where time stood still. This tiny village is disconnected from the rest of the world, and life continues here just like a century ago. The prominent landmark in the town is the fortress-church (UNESCO site) where 400 years ago the villagers took refuge from the invaders. Transylvania has around 160 fortress-churches, 7 of which are UNESCO sites, and we will visit 2 of them. Viscri is so special that Charles, Prince of Whales, loved it so much that he bought a tiny old house in the village

In the afternoon we arrive in Sighisoara a magnificent living medieval fortress, UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is where Vlad Dracul (the father) lived in exile when his son Vlad Dracula was born.

Dinner at Dracula’s House The very house where the prince was born still exists, and we will have the chance to dine there

We spend the night in the old citadel of Sighisoara in a 400 years old hotel, across the street from Dracula’s birth house.

Sighisoara city tour. Sighisoara (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe, and most amazingly still inhabited to this day. Check out the Clock Tower, the iconic landmark of Sighisoara, with its sophisticated clock mechanism. The top platform of the tower offers a bird’s eye view over the magnificent citadel
On the highest part of the fortress, we get to the Hill Church. This Lutheran church was stripped of its original catholic paintings during the reformation, but now thanks to the recent restoration, some of the old paintings have come back to life.

Visit The fortified Church of Biertan – a UNESCO World Heritage site. Biertan was the Evangelic Episcopal See for 300 years (1572 – 1867). The church holds an impressive door of the vestry, built in 1515, and awarded in 1900 at the Paris World Exhibition.

In the evening we arrive in Hunedoara. Check out the superb Corvin Castle for a fantastic night view, (check out the tour photos ;))

Overnight in Hunedoara 3*** Hotel

Visit the Corvin Hunyad Castle – Among the most accomplished Gothic castles in Europe. The impressive size and architectural beauty set it among Romania’s most precious monuments of medieval art.

Arrive in Sibiu – probably the most vibrant city in Transylvania – the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2007.

Sibiu City tour – Walk around the historical center of Sibiu to discover the superb “Large Square” surrounded by quaint pedestrian cobbled streets and centuries-old houses. The Liars Bridge – where traitors (liars) used to be hanged from and. According to the legend, the bridge should collapse if you lie while you are on the bridge

Spend the night in Sibiu 3*** Hotel

Traverse the Carpathian mountains on the Transfagarasan Highway – the most spectacular road in Romania, The breathtaking road was built in the 80s by the communists, using over 4000 tons of dynamite in 4 years. Thousands of tourists come every year to drive through this magnificent landscape.

Arrive in Bucharest in the late afternoon.

Drop off at your hotel or airport.

* Please note that the road is only open from July 1 to October 31. If the Transfagarasan highway is closed we will take the Olt Valey alternative