Romania packs medieval Transylvania, the wild Carpathian Mountains, a lively capital and one of Europe’s largest wetlands into a single, affordable trip, and there is something to do in every season.
This guide explains where to go, when to travel and which tours are worth booking across the country.
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A classic castle day, a mountain road and a UNESCO citadel: three very different sides of Romania.
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Dracula’s Castle, Peleș Castle and Brașov: Private Day Trip from Bucharest
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Top Gear Road: Transfăgărășan Small-Group Tour (Max 7) with Pick-up
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Small-Group Tour of Sighișoara, Viscri and Rupea from Brașov
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A selection of our favourite tours, region by region. Each guide has the full list for its theme.
Wild bears near Brașov, the UNESCO citadel of Sighișoara and a two-day loop through the region.
Viator A small-group experience focused on ethical, safe brown bear watching in their natural habitat in the Carpathian forests, departing directly from Brașov.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator A small-group day trip from Brașov to the medieval citadel of Sighișoara, the Saxon village of Viscri and Rupea Fortress: UNESCO heritage in one day.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator A 2-day trip from Bucharest through Transylvania: the old town of Brașov, Bran Castle (“Dracula’s Castle”) and the medieval citadel of Sighișoara.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Hiking in Piatra Craiului, the Transfăgărășan road and winter skiing at Poiana Brașov.
Viator A guided hike in Piatra Craiului National Park, one of the most spectacular limestone ridges of the Carpathians, departing from Brașov.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator A specialist tour of the famous Transfăgărășan road in a small group (max. 7 passengers), with pick-up included.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator Ski or snowboard lessons with an instructor at Poiana Brașov, Romania’s best-known ski resort, just above Brașov: a great winter plan.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Bran, Peleș and Cantacuzino castles, easy to reach on a day trip from Bucharest.
Viator A private full-day trip from Bucharest to Bran Castle (“Dracula’s Castle”), the royal Peleș Castle in Sinaia and the old town of Brașov.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator A day trip from Bucharest to the mountain resort of Sinaia, home of Peleș Castle, and the medieval old town of Brașov.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator A private cultural day trip from Bucharest to Peleș Castle and Cantacuzino Castle in the Prahova Valley, with a gourmet wine experience.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
The capital’s food scene, a vintage Dacia ride through its history and the Romanian Athenaeum.
Viator A small-group food walking tour of Bucharest with a local guide: traditional markets, tastings and hidden corners of the old mahalale neighbourhoods.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator Explore Bucharest on a private tour in a vintage Romanian Dacia, with stories of the communist era and the city’s landmarks along the way.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator A private guided visit to the Romanian Athenaeum, Bucharest’s most iconic concert hall.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Boat trips and birdwatching in the Danube Delta, and Constanța on the Black Sea coast.
Viator A private day trip from Bucharest to the Danube Delta with a boat ride through its channels and a traditional lunch.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator A private guided outing to watch birds in the Danube Delta, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, departing from Tulcea.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator A private day trip from Bucharest to Constanța, the great historic port city on Romania’s Black Sea coast.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
The Turda salt mine from Cluj-Napoca, the historic centre of Timișoara and a day trip to Moldova from Iași.
Viator A day trip from Cluj-Napoca to the spectacular Turda Salt Mine (Salina Turda) and the dramatic limestone canyon of Turda Gorge.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator A guided walk through Timișoara’s historic centre: Victory Square, the Orthodox Cathedral and the squares of the “Little Vienna” of Romania.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator A private full-day tour from Iași to Chișinău, Moldova’s capital, and the famous underground cellars of Cricova. Bring your passport: the tour crosses the border.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Most first trips combine Bucharest with Transylvania; with more time, add the Danube Delta or the north.
The heart of most itineraries: Brașov, Sibiu and Sighișoara, Bran and Corvin castles, Saxon villages with fortified churches and the Carpathian forests where brown bears live.
Romania’s capital mixes belle-époque boulevards, communist-era monuments and excellent museums. It is also the starting point for day trips to Peleș Castle, Snagov Monastery and the Danube Delta.
Hiking, wildlife and spectacular roads such as the Transfăgărășan, which climbs to Bâlea Lake. Mountain roads at high altitude are usually open only in summer and early autumn.
A UNESCO biosphere reserve of channels, reed beds and lakes, famous for pelicans and birdlife. It is best explored by boat from Tulcea, ideally with at least one overnight stay.
In the north, Bucovina’s painted monasteries and Maramureș’s wooden churches are UNESCO-listed and among the most authentic corners of rural Europe.
Late spring and early autumn are ideal for combining cities, castles and nature, with mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is the season for high mountain roads and the Danube Delta. Winter brings snow-covered castles, Christmas markets in Brașov and Sibiu, skiing near Brașov and wildlife tracking in the snow. Castles, museums and city tours run all year.
Bucharest to Brașov is about 170 km, roughly three hours by road or train. Brașov makes an excellent base for bear watching, Bran Castle and Râșnov Fortress. Distances grow quickly further north and east, so guided day trips and multi-day tours are often the most relaxed way to see several regions without driving.
Four to five days are enough for Bucharest plus Brașov and its surroundings. With seven to ten days you can add Sibiu, Sighișoara and either the Danube Delta or the painted monasteries of Bucovina.
Romania is generally a safe destination. Take the usual precautions with valuables in busy places and, in mountain areas, follow local advice about bears and never feed wildlife.
The Romanian leu (RON). Cards are widely accepted in cities, but it is useful to carry some cash for villages, markets and small entrance fees.
No. Trains and buses connect the main cities, and guided tours cover the castles, villages and nature areas that are harder to reach by public transport.
For Transylvania and its castles (including Bran, linked to the Dracula legend), the wild Carpathian Mountains with Europe’s largest brown bear population, medieval Saxon towns, the Danube Delta and the painted monasteries of Bucovina.
By car or train to Brașov (about 3 hours), the gateway to Transylvania. Guided day trips from Bucharest are the easiest way to see Bran and Peleș without driving.
Compare the best bear-watching tours in Romania: evening hides near Brașov, private photo sessions and wildlife hikes. Prices and practical tips.
How to visit Transylvania’s most famous castles (Bran, Peleș, Corvin, Râșnov and the fortified churches) plus the best castle tours and day trips.
The best day trips from Bucharest: Peleș and Bran castles, Brașov, Snagov Monastery and the Danube Delta, with travel times and practical tips.
Walking tours in Bucharest and Brașov, the Palace of Parliament, UNESCO citadels and the painted monasteries of Bucovina: Romania’s best cultural tours.
