Self-drive tour of Transylvania

Detailed tour information

Arrival day

This is the first day of your self-drive tour of Transylvania. You will pick up the rented car from the airport and drive to the hotel located in the heart of Bucharest.

Depending on the time of your arrival you can have dinner and relax or walk around the Old Town.

Overnight in Bucharest.

 

Day 2 - Discover the beauty of Bucharest

The first part of the day will be dedicated to exploring the older part of the city, a vibrant place with plenty of historical buildings and fascinating stories to learn. We recommend you to take part in one of the free guided tours available, but you can also choose to discover the Old Town on your own.

Next on your itinerary is the Palace of the Parliament, a monumental building which holds the record of being the heaviest and most expensive administrative building in the world. It will also be a good opportunity to learn about communism in Romania.

In the afternoon you can choose to visit one of the many interesting museums Bucharest has, admire the architecture of Calea Victoriei, Bucharest’s main boulevard or spend time in nature in Herastrau Park.

Overnight in Bucharest.

 

Day 3 - Enjoy scenic views and visit Sibiu

You will leave Bucharest behind and head towards Sibiu, a representative city of Transylvania.

On the way there you can stop at Curtea de Arges Monastery, one of the most impressive Romanian religious monuments. It was built in the early 16th century and resembles a very large and elaborate mausoleum. It is also the burial site of the Romanian royal family.

If doing this trip between July and October you can drive on the Transfagarasan Road, also known as “the path through the clouds” and have wonderful views of the Romanian mountains and forests.

After reaching Sibiu you can explore the Old Town. Elected European Capital of Culture in 2007, Sibiu is a medieval town built by German Saxons. You can admire the colorful buildings, wander through the narrow streets and cobbled squares or climb up to the Council Tower from where you will have a panoramic view of the town.

Overnight in Sibiu.

Drive time: 5h

 

Day 4 - Day trip to Alba Iulia and Corvin Castle

Following a morning visit to the open-air Village Museum in Sibiu, where you will learn about rural Romania’s traditions, customs and local architecture, you will head down towards Alba Iulia and Hunedoara.

Alba Iulia is an important city in the history of Romania, as it was here where in 1918 Transylvania united with the rest of the country to form the current territory. You can stroll along the cobbled streets of the Vauban-style fortress, visit the churches and museums inside and admire majestic baroque entrance gates.

Hunedoara is home to Corvin Castle, the most imposing Gothic building in all of Romania. It is a picture-perfect place with lots of fascinating tales and legends.

Overnight in Sibiu.

Drive time: 3h 30’

 

Day 5 - Visit Rasnov Fortress and Brasov’s Old Town

If interested, you can spend the first part of the day exploring Sibiu’s well-known museums. The History Museum and the Bruckenthal Museum of Art are worth a visit.

You will then continue your self-drive tour of Transylvania by travelling towards Brasov, stopping on the way at Rasnov Fortress, built by villagers in the 14th century. Walking on the narrow streets will make you feel as if you have stepped back in time.

In early afternoon there is a free guided walking tour of Brasov, which we suggest you attend in order to better understand the history of the city. Otherwise, you can explore the Old Town at your own pace, visit the Black Church and the old towers. You can also take the cable car and go up on the Tampa Mountain from where you will have a beautiful panorama of Brasov.

Overnight in Brasov.

Drive time: 3h

 

Day 6 - Explore the area around Brasov: bears and castles

In the morning you will visit the bear sanctuary from Zarnesti, a place where around 100 previously captive bears are now protected and enjoy a natural and safe habitat.

A highlight of your self-drive tour of Transylvania will be the visit to the famous castles Bran and Peles.

Bran Castlesis set in a wonderful location, surrounded by a deep green forest and built atop a cliff. You will explore its insides, see belongings of the Royal Family and also learn the truth about Dracula’s legend.

Peles Castle is one of Europe’s finest examples of Neo-Renaissance architecture. It is the former residence of the Romanian Royal family and it has splendid interior and outdoor decorations.

Overnight in Brasov.

Drive time: 3h

 

Day 7 - Learn about the German Saxon Heritage: Transylvania’s fortified churches

The Fortified Churches of Transylvania are the most important vestige left behind by the German Saxons. Also included on the list of Romania’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, they are representative of the lifestyle and traditions of this ethnicity.

You will visit two of the most important ones: the Fortified Church in Prejmer, the largest of its kind, and the one in Viscri, which has a very interesting museum inside.

Between these two visits you will stop at Rupea Fortress, also built by German Saxons and which impresses with its striking architecture.

Overnight in Viscri.

Drive time: 2h

 

Day 8 - Discover the traditions of Viscri village

Famous for being one of the most authentic villages in Transylvania, Viscri is the perfect place to learn about the old way of life and traditions.

In the morning you can wake up at dawn and see the cows going to pasture. You can then pay a visit to the blacksmith of the village, who still performs his craft as centuries ago. Seeing how traditional bread is made and tasting it right out of the oven will also be interesting.

In the afternoon you can have a walk in nature or bike around the village, followed by a trip by horse cart to a nearby sheepfold. Here you can learn about the life of shepherds, see them milking the sheep and taste the cheese they make.

Overnight in Viscri.

 

Day 9 - Visit Sighisoara Medieval Fortress and spend time in nature

You’ll continue your self-drive tour of Transylvania with a visit to the Medieval Fortress of Sighisoara. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of Europe’s best preserved citadels. You can walk around the twisting cobbled streets, go up to the top of the Clock Tower from where you will have a beautiful view of the whole fortress or explore the spooky Saxon cemetery.

The second part of the day will be spent around Rimetea village, a place of Hungarian heritage featuring white traditional houses and calming nature. You can either walk through the village and countryside, or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can hike to Coltesti Fortress. Set on a steep cliff, at the foot of the Apuseni Mountains, you can admire the splendid landscapes and get lost in the ruins of the old fortress.

Overnight in Coltesti.

Drive time: 3h 30’

 

Day 10 - Go down in a salt mine and discover Cluj-Napoca

In the morning you will visit Turda Salt mine, a huge underground place which impresses with its out-of-this-world structure and decorations. While spending a few hours exploring the mine you will have plenty of opportunities for entertainment: you can roam a boat, play soft sports or ride a Ferris wheel.  Best of all, the huge blocks of salt have various benefits for your health.

In the afternoon you will reach Cluj-Napoca, a modern and vibrant city with lots of places to visit. Once again, we recommend you to take part in the free guided walking tour to learn about the history, art and culture of Cluj. You will walk through the old center, visit Unirii Square and King Matthias Corvinus birth house.

Overnight in Cluj Napoca.

Drive time: 1h 30’

 

Departure day

This day marks the end of your self-drive tour of Transylvania.

You will drive to the airport and leave the rented car, after which you will take your flight back home.

Or, if you want to stay longer in Romania, you can extend your trip by including the northern regions of Maramures and Bucovina known for their UNESCO wooden churches and painted monasteries but also well preserved rural life.