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Romania Road Trip: One-Week Itinerary & Top Tips

Last updated on July 15th, 2024 at 10:05 am

Looking to plan the perfect Romania road trip? Then, look no further! Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy the most amazing road trip in Romania.

The first time we ever drove abroad was back in 2014 during a mini road trip across Tuscany, which we probably hadn’t planned so well, in retrospect. However, we managed to plan an amazing Romania road trip thanks to the lessons learnt from our past mistakes.

So, here’s our ultimate guide to help you plan and enjoy a fantastic road trip in Romania, one of Eastern Europe’s best-kept secrets.  

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How To Prepare For Your Romania Road Trip

• You need at least one full week to enjoy the following Romanian itinerary on a road trip.
• Rent your car from a website that allows car rental comparison. We always use Discover Cars and we’re more than happy with their customer service. You will find both local and international companies. Our best advice is always to pick a company with excellent reviews. Don’t hesitate to add full coverage while booking. It’s worth the extra cost.
• Read carefully the rental conditions before you book your rental car. Some of the things to consider are the pick-up location, fuel policy and the deposit amount. Keep in mind, usually, it’s required to have a credit card in the driver’s name. That’s something we’ve learned from our road trip in Malta.
• If more than one driver is travelling together, add everyone to your car rental contract. Most times, the additional driver is included in the contract. If not, the extra cost for each additional driver is totally worth it.
• Make sure your rental car comes with the vignette (road tax) required by the Romanian state, otherwise, you risk a fine.
• Keep in mind that during the high season (summer), it is unlikely to have different pick-up and drop-off locations. So, it should be wise to plan your Romania itinerary in a way that allows you to start and end your road trip in the same city, ideally following a circular route. Our one-week Romania itinerary begins from Otopeni Bucharest Airport and ends in Bucharest city centre.
• Book accommodation at different locations along your (circular) route rather than just having one or two destinations as a base. Avoiding multiple drives to and from a single location is a great way to save loads of valuable time and energy.
• Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to bring along your driver’s license and make sure that the latter is valid for driving in Europe.

Best Time For a Road Trip in Romania

In our opinion, the Transfagarasan Highway has to be included in your Romania itinerary and since it’s open from late June to early November, summer is the best time to visit Romania on a road trip.

Another reason to visit this part of Romania in summer is that it’s not that crowded and the weather is not that hot as in other European touristy areas. However, if you want to skip the Transfagarasan part of the trip, spring is also a great time to visit Romania.

What Is Driving in Romania Like?

We mainly drove within the Transylvania region during our Romania road trip. There are very few motorways in this area. Most of the time we drove on two-lane (or partially four-lane) national roads. Even if there are motorways (reportedly under construction by the way), it’s better to choose the laid-back national main roads to enjoy the beauty of the Romanian countryside.

However, from our experience, drivers in Romania are a little bit inattentive like in most Balkan countries. Incidents of exceeding the speed limits and overtaking by trucks were frustratingly frequent.

Moreover, heavy traffic is yet another problem to take into consideration while driving through Romania, especially during weekends and public holidays. Last but not least, the condition of some roads requires extra attention so as not to damage your car.

Our One-Week Romania Itinerary

While planning your Romania road trip itinerary, choose to fly to Bucharest and stay at a hotel near the airport to begin your road trip the following morning. At least, that’s what we did. There are plenty of direct flights to Bucharest from the most of European countries. In the peak season, there are also a few direct ones from the USA.

The hotel we stayed at offered us free shuttle transfers to and from the airport which was extremely convenient. Not to mention that we had an incredibly relaxing sleep in an impeccably clean and remarkably comfortable room.

Day 1: Bucharest – Targoviste – Peleş Castle – Brasov

Refreshed after a wonderful night’s sleep, it’s time to hit the road. Arrange to pick up your rental car from the Otopeni International Airport early in the morning to save yourselves the trouble of driving to Bucharest and wasting valuable time.

As you’re driving away from Bucharest, you feel like entering a totally different world. We couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw the first horse-drawn cart on the road. A few minutes and a couple of carts later, we realised that this is still a means of transport in rural Romania.

The first stop in your Romania road trip is Targoviste. One-and-a-half-hour drive from Bucharest, this small town in the Wallachia region would probably never make it into any Romania itinerary if there weren’t the events of one cold Christmas Day back in 1989.

When the people of Romania massively protested against dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, the latter and his wife fled Bucharest only to be captured near the city of Targoviste. There, they were held in the military barracks and, after a show trial, executed on Christmas Day.

I was only 10 years old when footage of the Ceausescus dead bodies was all over the news. Katerina was too young to remember anything but these images haunted me. How could a 10-year-old kid understand who these people were and why they had to die such a brutal death?

Therefore, standing in the same spot where those bodies had been lying lifeless for the entire world to see almost 30 years ago made us shiver. Apart from the actual execution spot, there are also other rooms on display which narrate in detail the events of 1989 which changed Romania’s history forever.

Our visit to the military barracks in Targoviste was an overwhelming experience that we can’t recommend enough. The building of the military barracks is rather unassuming without proper signage so it’s easy to miss. We had to ask for directions from a couple of locals to find it. However, it’s super easy to spot if you remember that it is very close to Targoviste’s train station.

Google Maps Location: Targoviste Military Barracks . The barracks are currently under restoration works. Check out if the small museum is closed before visiting.

Peles Castle

Situated one hour and a half from Targoviste by car, your next stop is the gorgeous Peles Castle. Leave your car in the parking space and from there, walk along the marvellous path that leads to the castle.

Peles Castle is fabulous in terms of architecture and interior decoration. Surrounded by lush greenery, the castle was built as a summer residence for King Charles I of Romania. Nowadays, Peles Castle is one of Romania’s must-sees and an essential stop for all road trippers. Before your visit, check out the opening hours and buy your ticket online to skip the lines.

The last stop of your first day is Brasov, a beautiful city one hour and a half from Peles Castle. Brasov is ideal for spending a couple of days and using the city as a base to explore the surrounding area. Book a room at one of the hotels in the Old Town to enjoy Brasov to the fullest.

Dotted with colourful historic buildings, the city itself is one of the most visited in Romania for a reason. Most of Brasov’s main attractions, such as the Black Church, are situated in the charming Old Town. The cable car at the edge of the city will take you at the top of the dominating Tampa Mountain which is the best place to enjoy a spectacular sunset over Brasov.

With so many fantastic things to do in Brasov , it’s worth adding as many days as you can to explore this fairytale-like city.

Day 2: Brasov – Bran Castle – Rasnov Fortress – Brasov

Bran castle.

A 30-minute drive from Brasov, your first stop on your second day is probably the most popular of all of Romania’s attractions. This is no other than the famous Bran Castle, the alleged Dracula’s castle. The truth is that Dracula was in no way connected to Bran Castle.

Bram Stoker, Dracula novel’s writer, was inspired from Bran Castle and created the book’s main character. However, the real Dracula, Vlad Tepes, had nothing to do with Bran Castle. On the contrary, the castle was the favourite residence of Queen Marie of Romania, the country’s last and most beloved queen.

This is evident to whoever visits Bran Castle as it is still decorated and arranged the way Marie herself wanted it to be. Dracula or not, Bran Castle is a fascinating place which is well worth a visit. For more information, read our detailed guide about what to see on a Bran Castle tour .

Rasnov Fortress

It would be such a great shame not to visit Rasnov Fortress on your way back to Brasov. A short drive from Bran Castle through amazing natural scenery, Rasnov Fortress is one fine example of how the people of Transylvania managed to turn a medieval fortress into a long-term place of residence.

It turns out that Rasnov was one of the most charming towns we saw during our Transylvania road trip. To get to Rasnov Fortress, which is built at the top of the hill, there is either an uphill path to walk or the Citadel Elevator. The fortress might be on restoration works, therefore, check out if it’s open before visiting.

A ride on the latter lasts two minutes and also offers beautiful views of Rasnov. After taking your time at the beautiful fortress, head back to Brasov for your second and last evening in its enchanting Old Town.

Day 3: Brasov – Rupea Fortress – Viscri – Sighisoara

The next day leave your hotel early in the morning. Travelling by car in Romania means you’ll see gorgeous rural areas along the way. On your way to Sighisoara, the unspoilt green scenery is interrupted only by the silhouette of the occasional fortified settlement perched on top of a hill in the distance.

Transylvania is famous for its large number of existing fortified churches which date back to medieval times. Back then, Transylvania suffered from constant Ottoman invasions. The concept of fortified churches grew out of the need of small villages to protect their populations from those frequent raids.

Only seven of Transylvania’s fortified churches are included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites but there are more than 150 of them scattered across the region. On this day, you’re going to visit one of them.

Rupea Fortress

After a one-hour drive from Brasov, your first stop for the day is Rupea Fortress, one of the best castles in Transylvania . When you reach the town of Rupea, start wandering around the charming uphill cobbled streets towards the Citadel. You might need to ask the locals for directions on how to get to the fortress itself.

If you don’t want to climb all the way to the top of Rupea Citadel, there is a ring road which leads right outside the gate of the fortress by car. So, after strolling around the small town for a while, jump in the car and about ten minutes later you will be at Rupea Fortress.

Rupea Fortress enjoys a beautiful view of the amazing green hills surrounding it. Once inside, you can’t get enough of the Citadel’s peacefulness and irresistible beauty. After exploring the castle, enchanted and smiling, set off for your next destination.

In order to get to Viscri from Rupea you have to exit the main road at some point. And that’s when the magic happens. The landscape from that point onwards was one of unsurpassable beauty.

Yet the road was terribly broken. Filled with crater-like puddles as it was, we needed to be extra careful not to lose a tyre or worse. At some point along the way, the asphalt was replaced by dirt road. Within about 30 minutes you’ll reach Viscri, an enchanting village listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside its fortified church.

Viscri is worth a visit not just for its amazing fortified church but, first and foremost, for its overall charm. From the moment you get out of the car, you will be hit by the uniqueness of a place trapped in the past. No wonder why the UK’s King Charles bought and restored a house in Viscri.

There are no paved roads and there are food and water troughs everywhere for the convenience of the various domestic animals which roam freely around the village. We felt as though Viscri actually belonged to them and we were intruders of sorts.

After visiting the fortified church and wandering around the utterly pretty and colourful village, this cute traditional restaurant with local food is a great place to have lunch before you hit the road again.

A 45-minute drive from Viscri, romantic Sighisoara is your last stop for the day. The small town with the iconic clock tower is ideal for spending the night within the walls of an inhabited fortified medieval town in Europe. We stayed at this boutique hotel with Dracula vibes in the heart of Sighisoara Citadel.

As Sighisoara is a popular destination for a day trip, you’ll have the opportunity to spend the evening exploring Vlad’s Dracula birthplace without the crowds. One of the best things to do in Sighisoara is to climb the Scholar’s Stairs, a wooden covered stairway that leads to the Church on the Hill.

Day 4: Sighisoara – Biertan – Medias – Sibiu

Start your day early in the morning to catch some shots of Sighisoara from the top of its iconic Clock Tower before your next stop. This is the perfect place to enjoy panoramic views of the medieval town.

A short drive from Sighisoara, Biertran is home to yet another impressive UNESCO fortified church. Wandering around the quaint village, you’ll come across colourful houses, running streams and the occasional duck or hen strolling around in the most carefree way.

On your way to Sibiu make a stop at Medias, the second largest city in Sibiu County and home to one of the best-preserved historical centres in Romania. Start your walk from the fortified church of St. Margaret. Unlike Viscri and Biertan, the fortified church at Medias has an aura of neglect and we didn’t really like it to be honest. The fact that there were cars parked within its walls didn’t help much either.

Keep walking towards the Old Town’s main square, Piaţa Regele Ferdinand I, before getting lost inside the colourful narrow streets surrounding it. In our case, we don’t know if either the bad weather or the fact that we had already seen some of Transylvania’s prettiest towns was to blame, but, overall, we weren’t impressed by Medias.

We didn’t hate it but we didn’t love it either. However, it’s perfect if you want to stretch your legs from driving and have a quick lunch.

A one-hour drive from Medias, Sibiu is your road trip base for the next couple of nights. One of Romania’s major cultural hubs Sibiu is a vibrant city that also attracts road trippers as it’s close to the Transfagarasan Road. Ideally, book a hotel in the historic centre to take in the unique ambience of Sibiu Old Town.

Spend the rest of the day walking around the Old Town and discovering some of Sibiu’s main attractions. The watchful rooftop eyes, the bridge of lies and the gorgeous Strada Nicolae Balcescu are only a few of the things to see in Sibiu .

Day 5: Sibiu – Corvin Castle – Sibiu

Corvin castle.

On day five, it’s time to explore yet another Transylvanian castle. The one-and-a-half-hour drive from Sibiu to Corvin Castle is dull compared to the routes of the previous days as it’s along a grey and boring motorway for the most part. Hunedoara, the industrial city where the castle is located, is equally colourless.

However, Corvin Castle itself is a sight for sore eyes. It is indeed the kind of medieval castle that could be used as a setting for a fairy tale or a Game Of Thrones episode. With its dramatic drawbridge and the massive inner courtyard, the 15th-century castle is considered one of the largest in Europe.

After exploring this magnificent castle, if you have more time to spend, make a stop at Alba Iulia before heading back to Sibiu. In our case, we decided to drive back and spend more time taking in the elegance and charm of Sibiu instead.

Day 6: Sibiu – Castelul de Lut Valea Zanelor – Transfagarasan Road

Castelul de lut valea zanelor.

So the big day has come. Transfagarasan Highway is the indisputable highlight of our Romania itinerary. Leave Sibiu very early in the morning and make a tiny detour to visit the somehow hobbit-like Castelul de Lut Valea Zanelor before hitting the most beautiful highway in Romania.

Contrary to what we thought, the Clay Castle, as it is called, is a brand new 10-room hotel and restaurant complex built exclusively from natural materials rather than an old restored one.

There is an entrance fee to enter and have a walk around the charming castle and the surrounding natural space. It’s a serene landscape which features tall trees and running streams. With the entrance fee, you get a consumption voucher that you can use in the onsite restaurant. For more information, visit the Clay Castle’s website .

Transfagarasan Road

After the quick stop at Clay Castle, get back in the car for the best part of your Romania road trip. The Transfagarasan Road was constructed during the Ceausescu Era.

It became famous when the British TV show Top Gear named it the best road in the world. The Transfagarasan is indeed one of the most scenic routes in the world as it literally winds its way through scenery of incredible beauty in the heart of the Fagaras Mountains.

Apart from the road itself, other sites not to be missed along the Transfagarasan route include Balea Lake, Vidraru Dam and many more. Keep in mind, you’re going to spend a full day on the road, so plan to spend the night in Corbeni, a small town near the southern end of Transfagarasan, rather than keep driving towards Bucharest.

We booked a room in the nearby Casa Lazaroiou in Bucsenesti and we can’t recommend it enough.

Day 7: Bucsenesti – Bucharest

After a long and relaxing sleep, it’s time to drive the last part of the Transfagarasan Highway. The latter isn’t even remotely as interesting as the part of the previous day though. The Transfagarasan ends in the town of Bascov. From then on, it is a rather two-and-a-half-hour dull drive to the city centre of Bucharest.

You might feel overwhelmed as you’ll suddenly find yourselves in the heart of a big city after having spent so many days in the stunning Romanian countryside. However, Bucharest is ideal for relaxing from driving before going back home. Add to your itinerary at least one extra day at the Romanian capital to visit some of the Bucharest attractions , such as the famous Parliament building.

Parking in Romania

Parking was never an issue during our Romanian road trip. We could always find free parking very easily. As a general rule, keep in mind that there are parking spaces with a small fee in the vast majority of the most popular Romanian tourist attractions.

As far as towns and larger cities are concerned, you can park for free on side streets. However, when you see lines drawn on the road look for a nearby parking metre to get your parking ticket. Alternatively, someone will approach you and you will pay the parking fee to them.

Parking in Romania is very affordable. In most towns, you are supposed to pay a small amount. In some of the smaller towns, such as Rasnov, Viscri and Targoviste, parking was entirely free of charge. Most castles and attractions we visited had paid parking lots. The most expensive was at Bran Castle but you probably won’t spend more than a couple of hours there anyway.

Regarding Bucharest, we can’t tell for sure, but it seems that parking as well as heavy traffic can be a nuisance. We would advise you against using a car in the Romanian capital. Bucharest boasts a very good public transport system and it’s a totally walkable city as well.

Final Thoughts About Our Romania Road Trip

We absolutely loved our Romania road trip and we can’t recommend it enough. Romania is a country of superb natural beauty waiting to be discovered. Although we visited during the high season (July) and there were loads of Romanian holiday-makers everywhere, foreign travellers were scarce.

We honestly believe that a trip to this beautiful country is absolutely worth adding to your bucket list. We leave you with a mini survival guide but you can always refer to our other Romania articles for more information. As always, we will be more than happy to respond to any inquiries you may have. So, see you in the comments below!

Travel Tips For Your Romanian Road Trip

CURRENCY: Leu (plural: lei)/RON

LANGUAGE: Romanian. Do not assume that everyone speaks English, especially in smaller towns.

FOOD: The traditional Romanian cuisine is meat-based. Vegetarians may have a hard time finding something different to eat every day. We, for one thing, got tired of fried cheese, no matter how much we loved it.

WEATHER: We visited in July and the weather went from super chilly up in the mountains to unbearably hot in Bucharest. So, even if you plan a Romania road trip during summer, make sure you pack a light, preferably waterproof, jacket.

WORDS & EDITING: Maria IMAGES: Katerina

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What to do in sighisoara, real-life dracula’s birthplace, top things to do in sibiu, romania’s city of eyes, how to get from brasov to bran castle in transylvania.

Your blog has become an indispensable resource for me. I’m always excited to see what new insights you have to offer. Thank you for consistently delivering top-notch content!

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We are moving to Bucharest with my husbands job soon and your inspiring road trip will definitely be something we plan to replicate soon. Thank you for sharing your honest, detailed itinerary.

Hey Sheridan, thanks so much for your kind words! We’re sure you’ll enjoy Romania!

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Romania Road Trip: The Best Itinerary, Map & Tips

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Romania is known for its magnificent castles, churches, monasteries, and historic towns dotted around the country. It also has unexpectedly beautiful landscapes and diverse wildlife just waiting to be explored.

Taking a Romanian road trip is the ultimate way to discover one of Europe’s most underrated and undiscovered countries. As you travel around Romania, you’ll find UNESCO World Heritage Sites, forested mountains and towns that have stepped back in time, as well as some of Europe’s most famous driving roads.

In this Romania trip planner we share travel tips, the best routes between towns and cities, things to do and see along the way, and hotel recommendations to help you plan your perfect Romania road trip.

Where is Romania?

Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, most famous for its vibrant capital city of Bucharest, the region of Transylvania which is circled by the Carpathian Mountains, the fictional Count Dracula, and Europe’s second-largest river, the mighty Danube.

Romania borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Moldova to the east, and the Black Sea to the southeast. 

The modern Romanian state was formed in 1859 when the Danubian Principalities of Moldovia and Wallachia united and then gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1877. 

Make sure you have travel insurance you can trust when visiting Romania. We recommend True Traveller for their 5-star TrustPilot reviews, variety of cover options, best activities cover as standard, great prices, and excellent service.

Getting to Romania

Whether you’re taking a road trip to Romania in a car, motorcycle, or campervan, self-driving is absolutely the best way to explore this spectacular European country.

You can stop whenever you want, try new activities, visit places you see along the route, and have the freedom to change plans at the last minute.

Fly into Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport Otopeni to start your roadtrip in Romania. With direct flights from Europe, the Middle East and the UK, we recommend booking through Skyscanner for live deals and the best prices.

Are you planning to rent a car in Romania? As one of the largest aggregator car rental companies in the world, we recommend Rentalcars.com because they have massive purchasing power which enables them to secure the best car hire prices, which benefits you when you’re planning a road trip through Romania.

For a real adventure, hire a motorhome or campervan in Romania. We recommend Motorhome Republic , an aggregate booking site who pull together all the best deals from a number of rental agencies, to offer you a wide choice of options alongside an excellent English speaking expert motorhome Concierge Team.

It is possible to follow this road trip itinerary using public transport. All the towns and destinations are connected by train or bus. Find routes and timetables on Autogari , book trains with CFC Călători , and check out the community-based travel network BlaBlaCar for carpool options. You will need to book a day trip for both the Transalpina and Transfăgărășan roads, which unsurprisingly have no public transport options.

We recommend this Transfăgărășan day trip from Bucharest and this Transaplina and Transfăgărășan multi-day tour if you’re traveling Romania by public transport.

Best Time for a Romanian Road Trip

Romania has a temperate-continental climate of a transitional type, specific to Central Europe. The average temperature in winter falls below -3°C / 27°F and in the summertime is 23°C / 73°F.

March to May

Spring is a fantastic time for a Transylvania road trip, with temperatures warming across the country from April onwards. Blooming wildflowers, vibrant greenery in the mountains, and cows heading out to pasture mean spring is a fantastic time to experience Romania by car. You’ll find the roads and cities less crowded, and most attractions will be open.

June to August

Summer is a great time to plan a trip to Romania, when the country enjoys beautiful weather, long days, and the prospect of outdoor adventures, with July being the warmest month. This is when locals take holidays, with school being out for all of July and August, meaning heavier crowds and more traffic.

September to November

Autumn is a fantastic time for a Romania roadtrip , but it is considered the rainy season, so pack a waterproof! In early fall, the grapes and crops are being harvested, food festivals celebrate the bounty of the land, and you might enjoy an Indian summer, with the fall colors of the vineyards aflame.

December to February

The winter months in Romania can be very harsh and it usually snows, but most people come to Romania during the months of December to March for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. It’s not the best time for a road trip, as the spectacular mountain passes will be closed and roads can be challenging to drive.

Road Trip Romania Map & Route

Our nine day Romanian itinerary starts in Bucharest and heads north through the heart of Transylvania, visiting some of the country’s most iconic cities and sights on the 843 mile circular route. If you’re looking for a one week Romania road trip itinerary, spend a morning in Braşov instead of a full day, and skip Sibiu.

• Get the Travel Guides
• The Rough Guide to Romania
• Romania Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
• Greater Than a Tourist – Brosov Romania: 50 Travel Tips from a Local
• Romania Road Trip Itinerary

Bucharest – Raşnov – Brasov – Sighişoara – Cluj-Napoca – Oradea – Timişoara – Hunedoara – Sibiu – Piteşti – Bucharest

• Distance 1357km
• Duration 7-10 days
• Drive Time 20 hours

How to use this map – Use your fingers (or computer mouse) to zoom in and out. Click or touch the icons to get more info about a place, and click the arrow in the box top left to open the index. To add to your own Google Maps account, click the star next to the title of the map.

Romania Itinerary

Day 1: bucharest.

Bucharest has much to offer visitors, from historical landmarks to trendy cafés and restaurants, so much so that it is worth spending a full day in the Romanian capital. 

Start your day by exploring Lipscani, the old town. The area has many cobblestone streets, historic buildings, sidewalk cafés, and independent shops selling traditional Romanian handicrafts like ceramics, lace, leatherwork and intricately painted eggs.

Stroll through the city to admire the charming architecture, including conventional Romanian buildings, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco designs, and marvel at the Stalinist Palace of the Parliament, the heaviest building in the world at 4.10 million tonnes!

It’s worth taking a free walking tour of Bucharest or this highly-rated guided city highlights tour to learn about the city’s history, communist past, and culture. 

Afterward, visit the stunning National Museum of Art of Romania and the Village Museum. The latter is an outdoor museum with exhibits showing traditional Romanian village life, with more than 300 buildings from all over the country. 

Enjoy lunch at the elegant Haute Pepper or the Stadio Restaurants Herastrau , which has lovely outdoor seating.

After lunch, take a relaxing walk through one of Bucharest’s beautiful parks, like Herastrau Park, Carol Park, or Tineretului Park. 

You can also take a day trip to the Danube Delta , a UNESCO-protected site that is the second-largest river delta in Europe and the best preserved in the world. There are fantastic bird-watching opportunities, with over 300 species of migratory birds visiting annually.

Enjoy dinner at Amethyst Sky Bar , 18 Lounge , or NOR – Sky Casual Restaurant for exceptional food and the city’s best views.

Follow it up with a night in the town, as Bucharest has many bars and clubs to enjoy. Throughout the year, it is common to find several outdoor festivals ongoing in various parts of the city.

• Where to Stay in Bucharest

Upmarket: Epoque Hotel by Relais & Chateaux – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: The Marmorosch Bucharest – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel Michelangelo – Booking.com | Agoda

Day 2: Bucharest to Raşnov

The second day offers visits to two castles, Peleş and Bran, and ends in Raşnov.

Peleş Castle

Peleș Castle is a stunning 19th century castle located about 87 miles / 140km from Bucharest. Since the drive is just under two hours, leave the capital early to make the most of your day.

Many consider Peleş Castle one of Europe’s most striking castles and a must-see attraction for visitors to Romania. It was built between 1873 and 1914 at the request of King Carol I of Romania, and it was used as a summer residence for the royal family. It is now open to tourists year-round and is a popular tourist destination.

Peleș Castle’s architecture combines different styles, including Gothic Revival, Renaissance, and Baroque. It features intricate wood carvings, stained glass windows, and ornate decorations. Inside, you can explore more than 160 rooms, including several royal apartments, a stunning concert hall, and a weapons room with medieval weapons and armor. 

Peleș Castle also boasts a magnificent art collection that includes works by Gustave Moreau and Franz von Stuck.

Bran Castle  

An hour away from Peleș is another must-see, Bran Castle . This medieval fortress is also known as Dracula’s Castle, based on its association with the character from Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, Dracula . 

Bran Castle was built in the 1300s by the Saxons of Brasov as a fortress to protect them against the Ottoman Empire. It was later used as a customs post and a royal residence. In the early 20th century, it was given to Queen Marie of Romania as a gift, and it became one of her favorite residences.

Bran Castle enjoys a backdrop of scenic landscapes with walking trails leading to the nearby village of Bran, known for its traditional architecture and crafts.

Go for a quick lunch at Bran Chalet Restaurant and see if you can get outdoor seating for the best views of the castle. 

Raşnov 

Just a stone’s throw away from Bran is Raşnov , a small medieval Saxon town known for its hilltop fortress and beautiful natural surroundings. 

Head to the impressive Raşnov Fortress, built in the 13th century to protect the town against invaders. It now serves as a museum where visitors can learn about its history. 

For a more relaxing oasis to unwind after a day of traveling, visit one of Raşnov’s many spa resorts where you can soak in the hot springs, get a massage, or try some traditional Romanian treatments.

Take a stroll in the town center, which has several cafés and restaurants where you can dine. Try La Promenada or Sub Cetate Sergiana .

• Where to Stay in Raşnov

Upmarket: Das Fort Boutique – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Radsor Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel Soimul Poiana Brasov – Booking.com | Agoda

Don’t forget your road trip essentials! Our free road trip checklists help you remember everything, including road trip snacks , podcasts , and road trip songs for the journey!

Day 3: Raşnov to Braşov

Less than half an hour away from Raşnov is the beautiful city of Braşov . It offers visitors enough to set aside an entire day.

Walk along the city’s fortified walls for incredible city views of Braşov and the surrounding landscapes. Take a cable car ride up to Mount Tampa for more scenic sights.

In the city center, visit the charming Council Square, Casa Sfatului, and the Black Church, one of the most iconic landmarks in Braşov. It is a Gothic-style church built in the 1500s and is one of the largest in Romania.

Nearby is also the oldest school in Romania , now serving as a museum about the country’s history of education.

Have lunch at La Ceaun – Piata Sfatului in the town square or Casa Hirscher if you enjoy Italian cuisine.

In the afternoon take a small group Brown Bear watching tour to see the bears in their natural habitat from a specially-designed observation hideaway, or head for the Seven Ladders Canyon , locally known as Canionul Sapte Scari , famous for its steep ladders that take you up the rock walls past a series of rushing waterfalls.

Treat yourself to a restaurant celebrating local cuisine, like Restaurant Mamaliguta Brasov or Ograda , who serve exceptional beef cheeks.

• Where to Stay in Braşov

Upmarket: Hotel Aro Palace – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Radisson Blu Aurum Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Mer Guest House B&B – Booking.com | Agoda

Day 4: Braşov to Sighişoara

Just under two hours north of Brasov is Sighişoara . En route, stop at Rupea Citadel or Cetatea Rupea . This magnificent hilltop fortress includes a courtyard and tower and offers visitors breathtaking panoramic views of the area. 

Once you reach Sighişoara, the first thing you should do is visit the birthplace of Vlad III, commonly known as Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Dracula, was Voivode or Prince of Wallachia three times between 1448 and his death in 1476 or 1477, and inspired the name of Bram Stoker’s literary vampire, Count Dracula.

Vlad III is often considered one of the most important rulers in Wallachian history and a national hero of Romania, and you can visit the house on Tin Street where he was allegedly born, which is now the Vlad Dracul House museum.

A good way to find out more about the history of Dracula and the legends and myths which surround the first vampire is to take this Sighişoara city walking tour and Dracula house visit . You’ll get to visit the Scholars Staircase, and take the Scara Acoperita covered stairway to the 14th century Church on the Hill with its impressive history and ancient frescoes, and wander through the medieval cobbled city streets lined with colorful houses with your guide.

Another landmark linked to the fictional vampire is The Dracula Investigation , a museum with tours and exhibitions about the history of Dracula, including art installations, light and shadow shows, and multimedia projections.

Enjoy lunch at The Bean Specialty Coffee or Sanmarco Sighişoara for casual pizzas or burgers.

Another notable landmark in Sighişoara is the Clock Tower. It contains a museum and offers visitors stunning city views. Finally, explore the Sighişoara Museum, showcasing the history of the town, and the  Guild House or Casa Breslelor .

Dine at Casa Georgius Krauss , Casa Joseph Haydn – Wine & Cuisine or Casa Ferdinand .

Check in advance of your travels for festivals in Sighişoara, like the Medieval Festival held in July and the Sighişoara Blues Festival held annually in March. 

• Where to Stay in Sighişoara

Upmarket: Casa Georgius Krauss Sighişoara – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Carolina House – Booking.com | Agoda

Want to plan your own road tri p? Get our step-by-step road trip planning guide to help you organize the perfect trip, or check out our Europe road trip ideas .

Day 5: Sighişoara to Cluj-Napoca

About 90 miles from Sighişoara is the vibrant city of Cluj-Napoca . On your way, stop at the following two places:

• Biertan: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and wonderfully preserved 15th century fortified church with three tiers of 35-foot high defensive walls connected by towers and gates which encircled the complex, meaning the church was impossible to conquer during medieval times. 
• Salina Turda: Nearly 1,000 years old, the Turda Salt Mine is a unique attraction in Romania and features underground lakes, a Ferris wheel, and a mini-golf course.

Cluj-Napoca is the second-largest city in the country and deserves a whole day to visit. Explore the old town’s charming streets, beautiful architecture, and quaint shops. 

See the beautiful Gothic-style St. Michael’s Church, a famous landmark built in the 1300s. Another must-see is the Matthias Corvinus House, an attractive Gothic-style house that is now a museum, once home to King Matthias Corvinus. 

Go to the trendy DOT District of Toast or Sra Foodhouse for lunch. Afterward, visit Cluj-Napoca’s botanical gardens, arguably the most beautiful in Romania, with over 10,000 plant species.

Two museums worth exploring are the National Museum of Transylvanian History and the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania . Both museums focus on showing the region’s history, culture, and traditions.

Cluj-Napoca is known for its delicious cuisine, which includes traditional dishes such as paprikash , a stew made with paprika and meat, and langos , a deep-fried dough with cheese and sour cream. Find these dishes at Roata or one of the two Dacilor restaurants .  

• Where to Stay in Cluj-Napoca

Upmarket: Hotel Platinia – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Radisson Blu Hotel Cluj – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Hotel Transilvania – Booking.com | Agoda

Other Nearby Road Trips

Transfagarasan: The Ultimate Guide to Romania’s Famous Road

Greece Road Trip: Incredible Routes for the Best Trip

Road Trip in Turkey: 20 Incredible Places to Visit

Albanian Road Trip: An Epic & Flexible 7-10 Day Itinerary

Transalpina: All You Need to Know About Romania’s Highest Road

Day 6: cluj-napoca to oradea.

Oradea is a beautiful city located three hours west of Cluj-Napoca, close to the Hungarian border. Give yourself a break at Coffee Break in Huedin to stretch your legs. The town is also worth exploring, with its colorful and slightly quirky architecture. 

Given the long journey, it is best to make Oradea your primary destination for the day. Upon arrival, explore the old town, full of beautiful buildings and architecture from the 19th and 20th centuries. 

Whilst in the old town, visit the Military Museum and the Tarii Crisurilor Museum , which offers impressive historic and science exhibitions. Afterward, go to Baraw if you want Indian food for lunch or Hanul cu Noroc , which has a lovely terrace area.

More notable places to visit include two palaces: the Black Eagle Palace, one of Oradea’s most beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, and the Bishop’s Palace, a stunning Baroque-style palace built in the 1700s and home to the Museum of Art.

If you are keen on further exploration, there is also the 17th century Oradea fortress in the city center and the unique Moon Church, known for its unusual shape and decorations. 

A more relaxing option is to visit one of Oradea’s many thermal baths, some of the best in Romania. The most famous one is the Felix Baths , located just outside the city.

Dine at Piata9 or Via29 before strolling along the Crisul Repede River. The river runs through the city center. It offers a picturesque setting for a leisurely walk, even at night when the lights of the city dance on the water.

• Where to Stay in Oradea

Upmarket: Ramada by Wyndham Oradea – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel Nevis Wellness & Spa – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Stokker Hotel – Booking.com | Agoda

Looking for the best SIM card deals in Europe for your trip? Check out our guide to the best data SIMs in Europe and get the best deal for your trip to Romania.

Day 7: Oradea to Timişoara

Just under three hours south of Oradea is Timişoara , a 2023 European Capital of Culture, along with Elefsina in Greece and Veszprém in Hungary.

On your way to Timişoara, stop at Arad. Take the opportunity to walk, get a refreshment, and visit the magnificent Holy Trinity Cathedral , with its beautifully adorned multi-colored interior. 

Given the long drive, it is best to make Timişoara your primary destination for the day. Explore the Piata Unirii , Timişoara’s Union Square, and one of the city’s most vibrant areas, with many cafés, shops, and street performers. 

The imposing Baroque-style Palace of Culture in the town center can also be seen. Afterward, head to lunch at Restaurant Sabres and eat al fresco in the courtyard or In Thyme . 

Stroll through the charming Rose Park or the Timişoara Botanical Park, or ride a bike along the Bega River before visiting the Timişoara Art Museum . This museum has a fantastic collection of contemporary and modern art, with works by Romanian and international artists.

Before dinner, see the Timişoara Orthodox Monastery, which has a fascinating history and is one of the oldest in Timişoara. It also has a beautiful chapel and garden.

Enjoy dinner at Vinto , Le Monelline , or Restaurant Merlot . Follow it up with a night on the town. Timişoara boasts plenty of bars and clubs with something to suit all tastes.

• Where to Stay in Timişoara

Upmarket: Hotel Tresor Le Palais – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Hotel Stein Collection – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: ApartHotel Iosefin Residence – Booking.com | Agoda

Transalpina or Transfăgărășan?

As you head east through Romania, there are two spectacular roads that will take you back toward Bucharest through dramatic mountains and incredible natural scenery… but which one to take?

The first option is the Transalpina , Romania’s highest paved road. The DN67C runs north to south for 92 miles / 148km from Sebeş in Alba County to Novaci in Gorj County through the beautiful Parâng Mountains, and tops out at 7,037ft / 2,145 meters above sea level at the Urdele Pass. Go in May to mid-October when the road is open. To really appreciate the natural surroundings and vibrant colors of the autumnal trees go in mid-to-late fall.

The second option is the more famous Transfăgărășan Highway which is open between June and October. The DN7C highway is the epic Romania road that stretches for 56 miles / 90 kilometers through the Carpathian Mountains between Cârțișoara and Bascov. The route boasts 80 hairpin curves, five tunnels, and over 500 small bridges, topping out at 6,699ft / 2,042 meters above sea level at the  Pasul Bâlea . Driving the Transfăgărășan Highway in Romania is popular with road trippers and motorcycling enthusiasts due to its stunning views and challenging twists and turns.

If we had to pick one it would be the Transfăgărășan due to its history and variety of landscapes and attractions. It is possible to do both of these incredible driving roads if you have an extra day in hand. Take the Transalpina first, then head north again to Sibiu on the E81 before taking the E68 to the crossroad with Transfăgărășan and head south to Piteşti.

Day 8: Timişoara to Sibiu

Roughly 104 miles east of Timişoara is Hunedoara . Once there, spend a few hours visiting Hunedoara’s iconic landmark of Corvin Castle , also known as Hunyadi Castle or Hunedoara Castle. This magnificent medieval fortress is one of Europe’s largest and most impressive castles.

Many regard Corvin’s Castle as one of the Seven Wonders of Romania, along with Peleș Castle, the Palace of the Parliament, the Rock Sculpture of King Decebalus in Dubova, Bran Castle, the Mausoleum of Romanian Heroes in Mărășești, and Salina Turda.

The 14th century Corvin Castle was built by John Hunyadi, one of Hungary’s most famous military commanders. It was then expanded and renovated over the centuries by other owners. Today, the castle is a popular tourist destination open to visitors year-round.

Highlights at Corvin Castle include walking over the drawbridge with pointed turrets above, the late-Gothic Knight’s Hall, 15th century Mace Tower, the grisly torture chambers, and the Castle museum, where you can learn more about the architecture and history of the castle.

Continue to Sibiu , a beautiful city 80 miles east of Hunedoara. But first, stop about an hour outside Hunedoara in the small town of Sebeş for lunch at Eden café on Aviator Olteanu Street.

The historical center of Sibiu is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, narrow streets, and colorful buildings. While there, visit the gorgeous Holy Trinity Cathedral and take photos at the famous cast iron Bridge of Lies.

The Bridge of Lies has many legends surrounding it, with the most popular being that the bridge will collapse when someone tells a lie while standing on it, closely followed by a story that the bridge was often crossed by merchants who were trying to fool their clients, and the ones who were caught were thrown off the bridge.

Check out the Natural History Museum and the Brukenthal National Museum , one of the oldest museums in Romania. It is home to an impressive collection of art and artifacts, including works by Rubens and Bruegel.

Climb the Council Tower for stunning city views and surrounding hills. Then walk along the Sibiu’s fortified walls, considered to be the best-preserved in Europe, for more panoramic city views.

If you travel through Sibiu in October, see if you can catch the Astra Film Festival , Romania’s longest-running film festival. 

Enjoy dinner at La Cuptor or Kombinat Gastro-Brewery for great drinks, music, and food. 

• Where to Stay in Sibiu

Upmarket: Noblesse Boutique Resort – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: Magister Seven – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Poet Pastior Residence – Booking.com | Agoda

Day 9: Sibiu to Piteşti

Upon arrival in Piteşti , explore the old town known for its historic buildings and charming cafés and shops. Visit the impressive Piteşti City Hall and the Holy Friday Church. Enjoy lunch at Bistro 27 afterward.  

Your activities after lunch will depend on your next destination. If you are heading back to Bucharest, start the 73 mile / 117km journey toward the capital to arrive before sunset. 

Otherwise, stay in Piteşti and explore the Pitesti Natural History Museum . You can also take a walk through the Parcul Trivale, located on the city’s outskirts, and then make your way to dine at Casa Sattler .

• Where to Stay in Piteşti

Upmarket: Hotel Victoria – Booking.com | Agoda

Mid-Range: La Strada Boutique Villa – Booking.com | Agoda

Budget: Casa Maria Arges – Booking.com | Agoda

Romania Road Trip Resources

Here are the websites and services we personally use and recommend for traveling in Romania.

• Search for affordable flights to Romania with Skyscanner
• Search for availability and book hotels and accommodation in Romania with Booking.com
• Find and book the best campsites in Romania with Eurocampings
• Book the cheapest and most reliable car rentals in Romania with Rentalcars.com
• Find and hire your perfect motorhome or campervan with Motorhome Republic
• Get highly rated, reliable, and trustworthy travel insurance with True Traveller
• Check if you need a visa and arrange your documents with Visagov

Tips for Driving in Romania

The roads in Romania can be a challenging drive due to their condition, which often includes potholes, roadside deterioration, and poor surfacing. Awareness of this is crucial to help you avoid damage to your vehicle, and can slow down progress at times.

Whether you’re driving through Romania in your own vehicle or flying in and renting a car, you need to follow these rules when you drive and travel in Romania;

• You must have at least three months remaining on your passport (issued in the past ten years) at your intended date of departure from Romania.
• You may need a visa to enter Romania, you can find out more on the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website .
• You must have at least 3rd party insurance for your vehicle when you road trip in Romania.
• Citizens of non-EU third countries may require an International Driving Permit (IDP). You can check here .
• Motorists are also legally required to carry the following items when driving in Romania: reflective jackets for drivers and passengers; a warning triangle, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid box.
• Romania uses an electronic road tax system to collect tolls. The tax or vignette is payable at border crossing points, post offices, and online. It’s easiest to buy your Romanian vignette in this way, and our recommended website is authorized by the Romanian Government. You don’t need a sticker or device, just select your vehicle and the amount of time you need and pay online with Roviniete.ro . If you’re hiring, check whether a vignette is included with your car rental company.
• In Romania, motorists drive on the right and overtake on the left. As a general rule, priority must be given to vehicles coming from the right unless indicated
• The alcohol limit for drivers of private vehicles is 0.00%. Penalties for drink driving can be severe.

RELATED POST: Driving in Europe – Everything You Need to Know

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10 Stops for the Perfect Romania Road Trip Itinerary

Note : This is a guest post by Rachelle Gordon of Adventure is Never Far Away

Nothing is better than hitting the open road with the promise of good times ahead: discovering new favorites and hidden gems along the road; creating new memories and cultivating friendships with your travel partners; laughing and smiling along the way as you ramble around country roads and speed down metropolitan highways.

If life is a highway, then a road trip is the pulse that pumps the heart of every adventure-seeker. Road tripping through Romania is an adventure guaranteed to be a memorable experience.

There are so many corners of Romania just waiting to be discovered and fallen in love with. If you are heading to Romania and want to embark on an epic road trip, here are 10 stops for the perfect Romania road trip itinerary (and don’t forget to pack appropriately for your road trip !)

10 Essential Places to Visit on a Romania Road Trip

“Dracula’s Castle” is one of the most iconic destinations in Romania, and no Romanian road trip would be complete without it. Bran Castle is widely believed to be the influence for Bram Stoker’s classic novel, “Dracula.”

Although Bram Stoker never stepped foot in the castle and Vlad the Impaler’s actual fortress is miles away, Bran Castle has an amazing history and worthy of a visit. The iconic red roof is unmistakably striking against the lush green mountains of Transylvania and Wallachia.

Bran was named for the Turkish word ‘gate’ and the castle has provided protection over Bran town and its surroundings for centuries. The first documented mention of Bran castle was recorded in 1377 and the fortress has been used in defense against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. As soon as you walk into the castle, you can feel the whispers of history from within the walls.

Insider tip: Arrive early to avoid the crowds. Spend some time wandering around the grounds just outside of the castle, soaking in the sheer grandeur of the location.

Perhaps one of the most recognizable castles in the world, Peleș Castle is nestled in the Carpathian Mountains near Sinaia.

Built in the late 1800s for Romania’s first king, King Carol I from Germany, Peleș originally served as a hunting lodge but is now considered a national monument and international treasure. Perched high in the mountains, the ascent into the courtyard is enough to set your excitement on overdrive. Your eyes are instantly arrested as you glimpse Peleș through the trees.

Touring Peleș Castle is a must-do during your Romania road trip. King Carol I approved building plans that included one-hundred and sixty rooms: from bedrooms to theaters, concert halls, weapons rooms, libraries, offices, card rooms, bathrooms, painting rooms, tea rooms, children’s playrooms, meeting rooms, breakfast rooms, and formal dining rooms.

But the best part is that each room, as well as the foyers and hallways, were originally decorated in differing styles, each drawing influences from the French, Moors, Florentines, Venetians, and Turks. Whenever you turn a corner, your eyes are assaulted with tapestries, a fantasyland-like architectural design of doors and staircases, and more crystal than anyone can imagine.

Insider tip: Arrive early for the tour. If the lines for the English-speaking are too long, hop into the shorter Romanian-speaking line. Even if you don’t speak Romanian, there are signs along the way in English in each room.

Have you ever seen the Hollywood sign in California? A stop in Brasov to check out the Romanian equivalent is a great addition to your Romania road trip itinerary.

High atop Tampa Mountain and visible from just about anywhere in the city, the gleaming white letters of BRASOV beckon visitors to this medieval city. If you need a break from your road trip, hike or take the cable car up to the sign for an unobstructed view of the city.

Spend your day roaming around the cobblestone streets, lined with lively cafes, busy shops, and street carts selling sweet-smelling kurtoskalacs.

Catch an organ recital or performance in the Biserica Neagra (Black Church), the center focal point of Brasov’s main square. Although the church itself isn’t black, it earned the title after a fire in 1689 darkened the walls from the smoke. On the exterior, see if you can find the grooves in the stone where residents used to sharpen their swords.

Insider tip: Brasov is known as the gateway to Transylvania and is a great place to make your home base!

Castelul de Lut

Tucked away in the Transylvanian countryside of Romania lies the Castelul de Lut Valea Zanelor, translated to “Clay Castle of the Valley of Fairies.”

This quirky, soon-to-be-open hotel is made entirely of clay, straw, and sand, with all 10 rooms having their own style. The structure was built by craftsmen from Maramures, a region in Transylvania known for beautiful wooden churches. If you want to experience something truly unique, a stop at Castelul de Lut should be on your Romania road trip itinerary.

As you make your way through the 10 unique rooms, marveling at the style and individuality of each one, you’re instantly transported to another time. Another reality. The building looks like something out of Alice in Wonderland or The Hobbit.

Insider tip: After soaking up as much of Castelul de Lut as you possibly can, head over to the other side of the property and sit under the shady trees at the banks of the babbling brook to experience a true Romanian countryside.

If you’re looking for one of the most picturesque cities in Romania, the historical town of Sighișoara (sig-ee-SHWAH-ra) is most definitely it! Sighișoara is like something straight out of a fairytale: a walled city center, colorful buildings, cobble-stoned streets.

Hundreds of years of history breathe out of the old town, transporting you back to the medieval times. The city center looks like a box of brightly-colored crayons exploded all over the buildings, making it fun and easy to find your way around. Head to the old town center, which also happens to be a UNESCO heritage site and immerse yourself in the colors, history, and personality of the town.

If you’re a fan of Dracula, Sighișoara is surely your mecca as Vlad III (Tepes) was said to be born in the old town. Tour his supposed birth home and learn more about his role in shaping Romania’s future. Spend time climbing to the top of the clock tower for a bird’s eye view of the city. Check out the defensive towers situated around the city, each one representing a craftsman guild: tinsmith, butcher, bootmaker, etc.

Insider tip: the early morning sun makes the colors of the city pop. Spend some time in the morning wandering around the cobblestoned streets and enjoying the stillness.

A visit to the city where the houses have eyes should be on your Romania road trip itinerary.

Sibiu was built in the 12th century by German Transylvanian Saxons and the houses in the old square have a particular unnerving feature on their roofs: eyes! The eye-shaped windows were added to houses to assist in cooling the attics, but they still give the impression that the houses are watching over the old town.

Sibiu is also home to the Bridge of Lies, an iconic landmark and full of legends. The legend of the Bridge of Lies says that the bridge itself has ears and unexplained mystical powers. The bridge listens to those who walk across it, and creaks when a lie is told. The bigger the lie, the more the bridge creaks. And if you tell the biggest lie of all, legend says the bridge will collapse. Although the legend is fanciful, locals are still known to avoid the Bridge of Lies.

Insider tip: Sibiu has many dilapidated doors that lead to beautiful courtyards. Peek through a few!

Corvin Castle

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, a stop at Corvin Castle in Hunedoara should definitely be on your Romania road trip itinerary: it looks like Hogwarts!

Originally built during the 14th century (exact date unknown) for Charles I, King of Hungary and Croatia until 1342, the fortress acted as a keep and strategic stronghold.

When it became the home to John Hunyadi, regent-governor during the mid-1400s, Corvin Castle underwent the first of many transformations. Over the next few centuries, wings, halls, rooms, and towers were constructed for reasons both aesthetically-pleasing and defensive.

Now known as one of the Seven Wonders of Romania, Corvin Castle is one of the largest castles in Europe and probably one of the least well-known outside of Eastern Europe.

And if you’re fond of historical legends, Corvin Castle has its fair share. One such legend states that Vlad the Impaler, Bram Stoker’s inspiration for his novel Dracula spent 7 years in the dungeons of Corvin Castle. While this isn’t true and has absolutely no physical evidence to support the theory, visitors are still told the tale.

Insider tip: Take time to explore every nook and cranny of the castle. Each view from the towers is different and breathtaking.

Transfagarasan Highway

Since you’re already on a Romania road trip, why not head over to the Transfagarasan Highway?

The Transfagarasan Highway is a strip of road that winds through the Carpathian mountain range, connecting Sibiu County with Arges County, about 150 miles northwest of Bucharest. The section of the Carpathian mountains the Transfagarasan Highway cuts through is sometimes called the “Transylvanian Alps.”

Put your vehicle’s top down and get ready to drive one of the best highways in the world, according to the guys from Top Gear. Hundreds of corners and hairpin turns along an impressive mountain range, leading up to Balea Lake and one of the most stunning views. Don’t drive the Transfagarasan Highway to make good time: drive it to have a good time. Here are some tips for driving it!

Insider tip: There aren’t any suitable rail guards as you drive up the highway, so take your time. Heed the speed limit and only drive if you’re comfortable.

No road trip to Romania would be complete without a stop in the country’s capital. Bucharest is one of the most underrated and surprising capital cities in Europe.

The country itself is still waking up to tourism, so the capital city still has that raw, yet-to-be-discovered feel. From hidden bars and passageways to lush city parks and green spaces to an Instagram-famous bookstore, Bucharest has a little bit of everything.

At first glance, you see communist-style buildings adorning some of the main plazas, run-down apartment complexes tucked into corners, derelict and vacant shells, all encompassed in an earth-toned color palette. But if you take the time to look a little bit deeper and understand a little more about this city, it just might surprise you how much you are drawn to it.

Take a free walking tour. Follow the #experiencebucharest Instagram posts to some of the most photogenic locations you didn’t expect to find in post-communist Romania. Rent a bike and see if you can understand the love Romanians have for green spaces.

Insider tip: Ask a local for restaurant recommendations. It’s always a great idea to go local!

As you arrive in the city of Rasnov, your eyes will immediately be drawn towards the heavens…where you’ll find the town name spelled out in white letters, similar to neighboring Brasov.

The fortress dates back over 700 years and has a strong history as a successful defensive point. The fortress was its own self-sufficient community, serving as a place of refuge and safety during attacks, rather than being a getaway for royals.

The fortress has been restored recently, making it one of the best-kept ruins of its kind throughout Romania. Get lost in the maze of streets within the fortress. Pop into some of the restored structures and imagine what it must have been like back in the medieval times. Climb up on one of the high ridges and take in the breathtaking views of the valley. Walk along the fortification walls and fully appreciate how difficult it would have been for invaders to penetrate the inner part of the stronghold.

Insider tip: Parking can be tricky, but if you follow the signage, you shouldn’t have any issues.

Romania is full of small villages that motorists will inevitably pass through along their journey, where shepherds still tend their livestock, little old ladies sit on their front benches to share the latest gossip, and haystacks far outnumber the local population.

Be sure to spend time exploring these small villages, because they won’t be around forever. Romania is swiftly developing now that it has been able to finally shed the old skin of its communist past. During your Romania road trip, visit the villages where you can still find fresh homemade bread and butter on the table every night, where a traffic jam involves horses and buggies hauling hay and firewood, and where life is simply beautiful.

About the Author

Rachelle Gordon is the writer behind the travel blog Adventure is Never Far Away. You can follow her on Facebook , Pinterest , Twitter , and Instagram .

Stephanie has been living in and traveling around the Balkans for the past three years. She’s written for National Geographic Online , appeared on CNN Arabic and in the New York Times , and ridden more Balkan buses than is good for a person.

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Romania Road Trip: Everything You Need To Know (2024)

• Last Updated: August 15, 2024
• Destinations , Europe , Romania

This post contains everything you need to know to plan an epic Romania road trip.

Here you’ll find recommendations for the best places to visit in Romania, a few different itineraries, advice on where to stay in each place, and plenty of other practical tips and advice to help you plan a perfect trip.

I spent 3 weeks exploring Romania by car and was blown away by its dramatic scenery, fascinating history, and welcoming people. It’s a great place to visit and a perfect destination for an adventurous road trip.

Discover the castles of Transylvania. Explore medieval Saxon villages. Hike in the Carpathian mountains. Tackle the best driving road in the world. Party all night on a Black Sea beach.

Trust me, Romania is amazing.

Table of Contents

Why Take A Road Trip In Romania?

Romania is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Overlooked by most travellers, this Balkan country is packed full of breathtaking scenery, atmospheric towns, historical sites, and cultural landmarks.

It’s a fairly big country and public transport is somewhat lacking in most areas, which makes it a perfect destination to discover with your own set of wheels.

By embarking on a road trip in Romania, you will have the freedom to explore at your own pace, take detours to discover hidden gems, and truly immerse yourself in the local culture.

Not only that, but the driving routes in Romania are some of the most scenic in Europe. From winding mountain roads to picturesque coastal drives, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views every step of the way.

** As of March 2024, Romania is now part of the Schengen Area.  Many nationalities can visit visa-free for up to 90 days.

If you require a visa, I recommend using  iVisa.com .   Their online visa processing service is quick, secure, and easy to use. **

Places To Visit In Romania

Romania is a big country, with lots to see and do.  Here are some of the best places to visit.

1. Timișoara

Timișoara is an attractive city in western Romania.  It’s the first place I ever visited in Romania – I initially came here to attend a friend’s wedding, and really liked the city.

Timișoara is located fairly close to the borders with Hungary and Serbia.  If you’re entering Romania overland from either of these countries, you will probably pass through.

However, there are plenty of other reasons to visit.

Despite being the third largest city in the country, the centre is fairly compact and easily walkable .

As well as having lots of beautiful architecture , Timișoara is a cultural centre , with many art galleries, and no shortage of music and theatre.

There’s a strong cafe culture and a thriving restaurant scene here.  Cafes, restaurants and bars spill out into the streets and line the edges of the pretty squares.

It is possible to take a day trip to Corvin Castle and Sibiu and back from Timișoara (more on these places below).  However, I’d only recommend this if you are really pressed for time…

See the below sections for suggested itineraries and a route planner to help you design your own perfect road trip.

2. Corvin Castle

Romania is known for its atmospheric fairytale castles.  Corvin Castle is one of the very best.

Built in the 14th and 15th centuries, this Gothic fortress is one of the best-preserved medieval structures in Romania.

Part luxury residence, part strategic stronghold, this stunning castle was home to the rulers of Transylvania for generations.

Complete with towers, turrets, buttresses, thick walls, crenelations, a drawbridge, and a range of other defences, it’s a perfect medieval castle – something straight out of a fairytale.

The Knights’ Hall is one of the most important areas inside the castle.  Its vaulted ceiling is intricately decorated with marble and adorned with medieval banners.

This impressive space served as a grand dining room, as well as a council room for noblemen.

There’s no end of myth, rumours, and legends surrounding Corvin castle.

As well as being supposedly haunted, Vlad the Impaler (AKA Count Dracula ) is said to have been imprisoned in the dungeons here for seven years.

(There’s little historical evidence to back this up, but it’s an incredibly atmospheric place to visit nonetheless.)

3. Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca (Cluj for short) is often referred to as the capital of Transylvania .

It’s a fairly lively, youthful city, with a large student population and loads of excellent (and excellent value) bars, restaurants and cafes.  Cluj also hosts several music festivals throughout the year.

Most of the main sights and activities are centred in and around the Old Town , which is easily walkable.

In the heart of the Old Town, Piața Unirii (Union Square) is a large medieval central plaza.

Here you will find several important landmarks, including St. Michael’s Church and the statue of the King of Hungary Matthias Corvinus.  (Prior to 1918, Cluj and much of western Romania was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.)

The square is a great place to sit and people watch.  It also hosts a regular farmers’ market.

There are several museums and galleries in Cluj.  Some of the best of these include the National Museum of Transylvanian History, IAGA Contemporary Art Gallery, and Bánffy Palace.

Being a student town, Cluj has some great nightlife .  Head to Strada Piezișă (Piezisa Street) where you’ll find loads of lively bars and clubs.  The steampunk-inspired Enigma Bar is particularly fun.

There are several attractive green spaces in the city to take a wander or relax with a picnic.

Central Park is almost 200 years old, has an attractive lake, and is a popular place to hang out with locals of all ages.

Citadel Park , perched on a hill across the Someșul Mic River, offers beautiful views over Cluj.  It’s a great spot to sit and watch the sunset.

Day trips from Cluj-Napoca

The area around Cluj also has some great day trips , including the Hoia Forest (if you’re feeling brave), the Turda Salt Mine, and Rimetea.

The Hoia Forest is often described as one of the most haunted places in Europe.  Here the trees grow in strange clusters, with branches that are bent and twisted.

Deep in the heart of the forest, there is a perfectly circular clearing (called The Clearing) where no trees grow.

Scientists are not able to explain any of these phenomena.  However, many locals claim to have seen spectres , ghosts , UFOs and a range of other supernatural figures roaming the forest.

Some refuse to go anywhere near it.

The Turda Salt Mine (Salina Turda) is a massive, ancient salt mine that’s been converted into a Museum of Contemporary Art, a theatre and a futuristic amusement park.

It’s totally unique, and an incredible place to see.

The original mine itself is almost 1,000 years old , and spreads over an area of 27 square miles (70 sq km), over 120 metres below the surface.

The main chasm is truly vast , with dark vertical walls, stalagmites, and an underground lake which you can explore by renting a little rowing boat.

Rimetea is a picturesque village located about an hour from Cluj.  As well as being a pleasant place to explore in its own right, the main reason to come here is the fantastic hiking in the surrounding mountains.

One excellent hike takes in the dramatic Piatra Seciului mountain (also called the Rock of the Szeklers).

Rising 480 metres over Rimetea, from the summit you can enjoy breathtaking views over the surrounding area.

The trail takes about an hour to reach the summit.  It’s fairly steep and rocky in places but should be doable for anybody with a moderate level of fitness.  It’s definitely worth it, the views are spectacular.

4. Sighișoara

Sighișoara is a beautiful medieval town located in the heart of Transylvania.  If you only visit one pretty old town in Romania, I’d really recommend it be Sighișoara.

Perched on a hill, with walls, towers and an ancient citadel, this place looks like something straight out of a fairytale.

Wandering through its UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre is like stepping back in time.

Built and fortified initially by the Saxons as a defensive citadel in the 12th century, Sighișoara later grew to become a popular trading post and centre for artisans.

At its height, the town was home to several craft guilds , whose members further added to the fortifications.

The walled Old Town is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets, bright pastel-coloured houses, and fortified towers.

Climb the  13th-century clock tower (Turnul cu Ceas) for amazing bird’s eye views out over the town and the surrounding mountains.

The tower contains a museum explaining the rich history of the town.  It’s also full of fascinating artefacts documenting the history of the town.

The real-world Count Dracula (Vlad III / Vlad the Impaler) was supposedly born in Sighișoara.

As well as the inevitable souvenir shops selling tacky Dracula knick-knacks, in the Old Town there is also a statue to the legendary ruler and Romanian national hero.

Be sure to climb the Scholar’s Staircase .  This enclosed wooden staircase was built in 1692 and connects the Old Town to the Church on the Hill (Biserica din Deal), one of the largest and most impressive Gothic churches in Transylvania.

From the churchyard, you also get great views out over the local area beyond the town.

Another 12th-century Saxon town in Transylvania, Sibiu is a friendly, relaxed place full of unique architecture and excellent food.

Most of Sibiu’s main sights are located within the cobblestoned Old Town , which is easily explorable on foot.

The most iconic feature of Sibiu is the large number of baroque-style houses that have eye-shaped windows built into their roofs.  In fact, these have caused Sibiu to be nicknamed “the City With Eyes ”.

Supposedly built to help with ventilation and cooling the upper floors, these “eyes” are quite unnerving.

Some locals claim that they were actually built to scare off enemies.  As you explore the streets of the Old Town, they really do seem to watch you!

Another famous landmark in Sibiu is the Bridge of Lies , which connects the Old Town to the New Town.  According to local folklore, this is a magical bridge that listens to people who cross it.

Apparently, whenever a lie is told, the bridge creaks and moans.  And if it hears a lie big enough, it will collapse.  (As you’ll probably gather, superstitious beliefs are pretty common in Romania!)

A town of two squares

The big main market square in Sibiu is intelligently named Large Square (Piata Mare).  It’s surrounded by a number of attractive buildings, including the Brukenthal Palace and the Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

In December, this square is also home to what is regularly referred to as one of the best Christmas markets in the world, with a giant decorated tree and dozens of stalls selling food, drinks, crafts, and toys.

Next to Large Square, you’ll find the (similarly well-named) Small Square ( Piata Mica ).  Here you’ll find a number of excellent restaurants spilling into the square, serving a range of different food from all over Europe.

This is a beautiful place to sit and enjoy a bite to eat or a drink, and watch the world go by.

The Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Mary is another highlight that you should visit in Sibiu.  You can climb to the top of the tower to a lookout deck which offers one of the best views in the city.

Food in Sibiu

Sibiu is often said to have some of the  best food in Romania .

One restaurant that I’d highly recommend is  Crama Sibiul Vechi , a traditional restaurant that specialises in authentic local dishes and has a fantastic atmosphere.

The portions are large, the waiters are friendly, and the atmosphere is fantastic.

Try the goulash and the  mici  sausages, or the peasant’s stew with polenta.  (The meat-free options are also decent here – not always a given in Romania.)

For a slightly cheaper (though equally delicious) gastronomic experience, check out  Cibin Market .  Here you’ll find vendors selling a range of tasty Romanian dishes.

6. Transfăgărășan Highway

No Romania road trip would be complete without tackling “ the best driving road in the world ” – the mighty Transfăgărășan .

Brought to fame by the TV show Top Gear, this road really is epic.

Winding its way up and over the Carpathian mountains (i.e. the Transylvanian Alps), the Transfăgărășan has hundreds of corners , steep hairpins , and some seriously incredible views .

At the top of the highest pass lies the glacial Balea Lake , where there is a little mountain resort surrounded by towering snowy peaks.  It’s a stunning place with world-class scenery.

If the weather conditions allow, there are some excellent hiking routes up into the mountains which start from here.

Also, check out the Balea Waterfall hike, which starts from a little further down the road.

Other highlights along the way that are worth stopping at include Poienari Castle and the Vidraru Dam .

The road itself isn’t actually too difficult to drive, and is well-paved throughout.  But make sure you keep your eyes on the road (it’s hard, the views are insane).

And don’t try to take the corners too fast… some of them are very sharp, with steep drops!

You could easily drive the whole 150km stretch in one day.  But, if you have the time, I’d highly recommend taking a couple of days to do it.

That way, you can really take your time, maybe do a short hike, and enjoy the spectacular views.

One important thing to bear in mind: the Transfăgărășan road is only open between June (or sometimes July) and October .

Outside of these months, due to the elevation, ice and snow make the higher stretches totally impassable.

You can check whether it’s open on  transfagarasan.travel .

7. Bran Castle (“Dracula’s Castle”)

Romania (and especially Transylvania) has no shortage of beautiful, atmospheric castles.  Perhaps the most iconic of these is Bran Castle .

Built between 1377 and 1382, and commonly referred to as “ Dracula’s Castle ”, this is often said to be the influence for the novel “Dracula” by Bram Stoker.

As it turns out, this probably actually isn’t true, as Stoker never visited the castle, and Count Vlad (the Impaler) probably never did either.

Some people claim that Vlad Dracula was also imprisoned here.  However, as with the legends surrounding Corvin Castle (above), most historians disagree.

Either way, the castle is stunning and definitely worth a visit.  Just make sure you arrive early in the day, to avoid the crowds.

Bran Castle’s natural setting is awesome, perched on the top of a rocky hill in the Carpathian mountains.

Its pointed tower and turrets, red-tiled roofs, lush gardens, and mountainous backdrop are sure to make this a highlight of any road trip in Romania.

Inside, the castle contains lots of beautiful medieval furniture and artwork .  On the top floor, there is also an exhibition on Dracula which explains many of the legends and myths.

(Yet) another beautiful medieval city, Brașov is full of atmospheric cobblestone streets, Saxon fortifications, gothic churches, and cosy old cafes and restaurants.

It’s bigger than both Sighișoara and Sibiu, so there are more things to see and do.

That said, Brașov is very popular with tourists (both local and foreign), so it’s also usually more crowded than the other places.

Brașov is one of the most important historical cities in Romania.  One of the best ways to learn about its fascinating history is to take a free walking tour .

Most walking tours start from the Council Square (Piața Sfatului), in the heart of the Old Town.

They cover most of the city’s main highlights, including the Biserica Neagra (Black Church, the largest medieval church in the Balkans), Catherine’s Gate , and the Strada Sforii (Rope Street, believed to be the narrowest in Europe).

The tours themselves are free, but the (excellent) guides rely on tips, which are gratefully received.

Day trips from Brașov

As well as exploring the town itself, Brașov is a great place to base yourself for a few days to visit some of the nearby castles (including Bran Castle – see above), and Peles Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in the world.

There’s also some fantastic hiking in the Carpathian Mountains , which rise dramatically over the city.

After several days of driving, this is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and blow away the cobwebs.

You can hike (or take a cable car) up Mount Tampa for a stunning birds-eye view over Brașov and its surroundings.

Mount Tampa is also the location for the large “Brașov” sign (which looks a lot like the “Hollywood” sign in the hills above Los Angeles).

The hike up to the summit of Mount Tampa takes about an hour and follows a well-marked trail.  The cable car operates from 9:30 am to 4 pm and costs 16 RON (about €3) for a return ticket.

If you’re looking for some more challenging hikes , the nearby Piatra Craiului Mountains are home to several excellent hiking trails, with something for all abilities.

Slightly closer to Brașov itself, the Seven Ladders Canyon has a hike which takes in several beautiful waterfalls.

At one point on this hike, you need to climb a metal ladder bolted to a cliff face (!), but otherwise the trail is fairly straightforward.

9. Vama Veche

Vama Veche is Romania’s most famous party town.  Located on the Black Sea, only a few kilometres from the Bulgarian border, this little place is  carefree , hippie-spirited , and lots of fun .

Between May and mid-September, the whole place effectively turns into one giant festival .  On most days you’ll find a range of live music, exhibitions, and all-night parties on the beach.

Every morning at sunrise , speakers on the beach play Ravel’s ‘Bolero‘ and people (most of whom have been up all night) gather to celebrate the start of a new day.  It’s surreal – and awesome!

As well as all the revelry and merrymaking, Vama Veche also has some great seafood restaurants and beautiful coastal walks .

You can hire a bike and explore more of the Black Sea coast, which has many secluded beaches where you can camp or just spend a day.  You can even cycle into Bulgaria if you so wish.

For a more detailed guide, check out this post on visiting Vama Veche .

10. Bucharest

In all likelihood, you will (either) start and/or finish your Romanian road trip in the capital city, Bucharest .

Many people pick up their car at the airport and head straight out of Bucharest to explore Transylvania and the rest of the country.  I think this is a mistake.

Bucharest might not be the most picturesque city in Europe, but it is full of amazing things to see and do.

Underneath the surface of its austere communist-era architecture and derelict apartment blocks lies a wealth of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.

The city has loads of quirky hidden bars, excellent restaurants, hipster coffee shops, trendy brunch spots, cultural attractions, beautifully landscaped parks, and stunning Orthodox churches.

Given its size and rich history, Bucharest is another city where it’s a great idea to take a (free) walking tour .  Most of these start in front of the Romanian Athenaeum building, a famous concert hall just north of the Old Town.

Palatul Parlamentului

The massive Palatul Parlamentului (Palace of Parliament) in the centre of the city is the political and administrative heart of Romania.

It’s not exactly beautiful, but this giant brutalist structure is certainly impressive.

Built by the former communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, the Palatul is over 80 metres tall, with 1,100 rooms, and a floor area of over 360,000 square metres (3,900,000 sq ft).

It’s also (apparently) the heaviest building in the world, weighing roughly 4 billion kilograms !

You can take a guided tour of the Palace.  I’ve not actually done this, but have read accounts saying that it’s worthwhile.  Call in advance (preferably a few days beforehand) to secure a place.

Alternatively, reserve online through GetYourGuide .

Other things to see and do in Bucharest

There are many Orthodox churches and monasteries in Bucharest.  The most famous and beautiful of these are the New St. George Church and the Stavropoleos Monastery .

Both are located in the heart of the Old Town, an easy 5-minute walk from each other, and also fairly close to the Palatul Parlamentului.

Other highlights in Bucharest include :

• Revolution Square:  a central plaza that has been the scene of many key events in Romania’s history, including the overthrow of the communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu.
• Cișmigiu Park:  a landscaped botanical garden with winding pathways, benches and a boating lake (which is transformed into a skating rink in the winter).
• Caru’ cu bere:  the oldest restaurant and brewery in Bucharest – with a stunning interior and delicious, reasonably priced food.
• Cărturești Carusel (Carousel of Light) bookshop:  one of the most beautiful and famous bookshops in the world.
• Obar Market:  the largest market in the city – so much amazing food here!

(Romania has strong cultural and economic ties to Italy .  In Bucharest, you’ll find a huge range of authentic Italian food, including some of the best pizza outside of Naples .)

Suggested Itineraries

The perfect itinerary for your Romania road trip depends on two main factors:

1.) How much time do you have?

2.) Where do you want to start (and finish)?

Where should you start?

If you’re flying into Romania , it makes sense to start your road trip in either Timișoara, Cluj-Napoca, or Bucharest.

These all have international airports serving a range of destinations throughout Europe and (in the case of Bucharest) further afield.

The best option for people on a tight budget might be to start and finish in Bucharest.

Flights to (and from) Bucharest tend to be cheaper than the other cities.

Bucharest airport also has the largest selection of car hire companies , which means that rentals tend to be cheaper here too.

And there’d be no “one-way” car hire fee (more on this below).

However, bear in mind that you would need to double back on yourself at the end of the trip in order to get back to Bucharest.

Romania is a fairly big country, so this might not be the best choice for people who are limited by time.

Click here to find the cheapest flights to Romania.

One-way rentals

An alternative (potentially better) option would be to hire a car in one city and return it in another.  This is sometimes referred to as a “one-way rental”.

If you’d like to visit all of the locations I’ve mentioned here, geographically it makes sense to fly into Bucharest and out of Timișoara (or vice versa).

That way, there’s no doubling back on yourself, which cuts back on the time you need to spend in the car.

The main disadvantage of this option is that it might end up costing a bit more .

Flights to/from Timișoara are often (though not always) pricier than Bucharest, and you would also need to pay a “one-way” car rental fee to drop off at a different location from where you started.

Still, unless the extra cost is prohibitive, I’d still recommend renting a car in one city and dropping it off in another .

This avoids you needing to backtrack, and will probably be a more effective use of the time you have for your trip.

Note: while I’ve listed Bucharest as the departure point for all of these itineraries, you could also them in reverse if the flights work out better that way around.

1-week Romania road trip itinerary

With only one week for your Romanian road trip, you won’t be able to visit all of the places mentioned in this post.

However, you’ll still be able to see a fair amount with 1 week in Romania, provided you are efficient with your time and don’t spend too long in each place.

My suggested one-week itinerary is as follows:

• FLY into Bucharest
• Days 1-2: Bucharest OR Vama Veche
• Days 3-4: Brașov (visit either Bran Castle or Peles Castle on the way)
• Days 5-6: Sibiu OR Sighișoara
• Day 7: Cluj-Napoca OR Timișoara
• FLY out of either Cluj-Napoca or Timișoara

10-day Romania road trip itinerary

If you have 10 days in Romania, the itinerary is similar to the above.  However, you can either spend a little longer in each place or visit both Sighișoara and Sibiu.

You’ll also probably have time to tackle the mighty Transfăgărășan. 🙂

Suggested itinerary:

• Day 5: Drive the Transfăgărășan Highway on the way from Brașov to Sibiu
• Days 5-6: Sibiu
• Days 7-8: Sighișoara
• Days 9-10: Cluj-Napoca OR Timișoara

2-week Romania road trip itinerary

With 2 weeks in Romania, you can see even more, and also take your time.

This will also give you the chance to EITHER see all of Bucharest, Vama Veche, Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara OR pick two or three and spend an extra night in each.

Suggested 2-week itinerary:

• Days 1-2: Bucharest
• Days 3-4: Vama Veche
• Days 5-6: Brașov (visit either Bran Castle or Peles Castle on the way)
• Day 7: Drive the Transfăgărășan Highway on the way from Brașov to Sibiu
• Days 7-8: Sibiu
• Days 9-10: Sighișoara
• Days 11-12: Cluj-Napoca
• Days 13-14: Timișoara (visit Corvin Castle on the way)
• FLY out of Timișoara

3-week Romania road trip itinerary

If you are not limited in time, three weeks would be optimal.  In this time, you’ll really get a good feel for the country.

I’d suggest a similar itinerary for three weeks as for two.  But spend an extra night in each place and don’t rush.  (I try to follow a three-night-minimum rule wherever I can.)

And if you spot something cool along the way, you can feel free to stop and explore a little. 🙂

Suggested 3-week itinerary:

• Days 1-3: Bucharest
• Days 4-6: Vama Veche
• Days 7-9: Brașov (visit both Bran Castle AND Peles Castle on the way – why not)
• Day 10: Drive the Transfăgărășan Highway on the way from Brașov to Sibiu
• Days 10-12: Sibiu
• Days 13-15: Sighișoara
• Days 16-18: Cluj-Napoca
• Days 19-21: Timișoara (visit Corvin Castle on the way)

Driving In Romania – Practical Information & Tips

Here’s some additional information and tips to help you plan your trip.

• Basic Romanian Phrases For Travel
• Is Transylvania A Real Place?

Is it safe to drive in Romania?

In general, Romania is a very safe country to travel in.

That said, you should always keep your wits about you when driving in Romania .  It’s not uncommon to see people walking, riding horses, or driving ox carts on the side of the road.

Just because you’re driving on a major highway/motorway doesn’t mean that people won’t try to cross it on foot!

Also, keep an eye out for bicycles, deer, cows, other random livestock, and animal herders crossing the road.

Road quality in Romania

Most main roads in Romania are well-paved and in excellent condition.

In  rural areas , the road quality tends to deteriorate.  Dirt tracks with giant potholes are common between villages outside of the main population centres.

However, all of the places mentioned in this guide are connected by good roads.  So don’t worry about that.

Romanian driving laws

In Romania, as in the rest of continental Europe, you drive on the right-hand side of the road.

As well as being obvious common sense, wearing a seatbelt at all times is required by law when driving through Romania.

Romania has a zero-tolerance policy towards drink driving.  Don’t do it.

Most drivers in Romania are fairly considerate.  However, not everybody likes to obey the speed limit, and you will probably encounter the odd aggressive driver following way too close behind you.  Just pull over and let them zoom past.

Speed limits are usually (though not always) displayed.

In general, the speed limit in Romania tends to be 50 km/h on urban roads and in villages, 90 km/h for main roads, and 130 km/h on highways.  But keep an eye out for any signs to the contrary.

The police sometimes do random speed checks on the side of the road.  They will give you an on-the-spot fine if they catch you speeding.

By law, you must not use your car horn between 10 pm and 6 am in Romania.  In some places (including Bucharest), it’s forbidden at all times.

The emergency number in Romania is 112.

Parking is not usually a problem in Romania, and it’s typically fairly easy to find a place to park.

However, bear in mind that you need to pay to park most places in the centre of towns and cities, and especially near popular tourist sights.

It’s usually very cheap though, typically less than 5 RON / hour (€1).  Be sure to carry some loose change , often it’s not possible to pay by card.

While not always enforced, theoretically you are only allowed to park facing in the direction of traffic (i.e. on the right side of the road).

Renting a car in Romania

Renting a car in Romania is usually quite straightforward, comparable to most other places in Europe.

Prices tend to be fairly affordable .  The cheapest rates tend to be found when picking up the car from a major airport (e.g. Bucharest airport).

I recommend using Rentalcars.com to find the best deals on car hire in Romania.

Most of the major international car hire companies operate in Romania (Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, etc.).  However, these tend to be pricier than local Romanian companies.

I tend to recommend going with a local company to save money when you rent a car in Romania.  However, be sure to check the reviews and ratings online before you book.  I’ve used Klass Wagen and would recommend them.

Requirements for renting a car in Romania

To rent a car in Romania, all drivers must be at least 21 years old and have held their licence for at least a year .  Any driver under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge.

There’s also often an additional fee for adding extra drivers.

The maximum age for hiring a car in Romania is 70 years old .  Unfortunately, I’m not sure if there’s any way around this.

As is the case almost everywhere, one-way rentals (i.e. picking up the car in place A and dropping it off in place B) tend to incur additional fees .

Also, check with the company whether they actually allow one-way rentals before you commit, if this is something you want to do.  (Most do, but check.)

Car hire companies typically also require you to provide a credit card (for the deposit) in the name of the lead driver.

Some online sources claim that you need an International Driving Licence (/ International Driving Permit / IDP) to hire a car in Romania.  This isn’t my experience – I’ve never been asked to show one.

That said, IDPs are typically very cheap (5 GBP in the UK ).  So it’s generally a good idea to have one anyway, especially if your driving licence is from a non-EU country.

Money & Budget

For getting to Romania, you can often find extremely cheap flights from other cities in Europe. 

Compared with most other countries in Europe , Romania is a fairly cheap country to travel in.

The currency in Romania is the leu (abbreviated, bizarrely, to RON ).  Currently 5 RON = €1.

Of course, car hire and accommodation will likely be your main costs.  Assuming you rent a smaller, budget-friendly car and stay in modest places, your Romanian road trip shouldn’t break the bank.

For a small car, rented at a major airport (e.g. Bucharest), you can expect to pay around €30 per day , including insurance, breakdown cover and unlimited mileage.

Petrol costs slightly less in Romania than in Western Europe (between €1.20 – €1.40 per litre).  Entrance tickets rarely cost more than a few euros.

If you stay in budget hotels, modest Airbnbs or guesthouses, and do a mixture of eating out and cooking your own food, you can probably get by on around €40-50 per day (excluding car costs).

FYI: here is a helpful article on how to earn airline miles (including Avios) when you use Airbnb .

If you have a larger budget, in Romania you can live in relative luxury for a fraction of what it would cost in, say, France or the UK.

With €100 per day, you could stay in smart hotels and eat out for most meals.

Best Time Of Year To Visit Romania

Romania has a classic continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters.

Summer (June-August) is the most popular time to visit Romania .  Temperatures are usually between 25-35°C, the weather is fairly predictable and the sun shines most days.

Prices are usually higher in the summer though, as most people consider this to be the best time to visit Romania.

The more popular tourist sights (Brașov, Bran Castle, Sibiu, Sighișoara) can become a bit crowded, and accommodation gets booked up in advance.

Note: if you want to drive the Transfăgărășan Highway, you need to come in the summer.  It’s closed for most of the rest of the year, due to heavy snow and ice.  Check whether it’s open first on  transfagarasan.travel .

Spring and Autumn (March-May and September-November) can also be good times to visit Romania.  Prices are often lower and there are fewer crowds.

However, the weather tends to be more unpredictable.

Winter (December-February) is a great time to go skiing in Romania.  But for a road trip, less so .

The mountains, medieval towns and fairytale castles might look impossibly beautiful covered in snow.  However, the roads can become quite treacherous in the snow and ice.

Most main highways are gritted and cleared.  But as soon as you turn onto the more minor roads, the driving can get pretty tricky (and dangerous).

Also, bear in mind that many tourist sights, guesthouses, and restaurants shut down over the winter.

That said, there are still plenty of amazing things to do in the winter in Romania .

Just be sure to check in advance to make sure everything’s open and accessible by road (especially in the more mountainous and out-of-the-way places).

Where To Stay

As already mentioned, Romania is a pretty affordable country to visit by European standards.

You’ll find a range of accommodation for every budget, from extremely cheap hostels to lavish hotels and spas.

Below I’ve listed a few suggested places to stay for each location.

• Re-Born Hostel (budget)
• Mercure Hotel (mid-upper range)

Cluj-Napoca

• This Airbnb (budget)
• Hotel Platinia (upper range, fantastic)
• Hotel Bulevard (mid-range)
• Fronius Residence (mid-upper range)
• Republique Hotel (mid-range)
• Studio Coresi (budget)
• Belfort Hotel (mid-range)
• Safrano Palace (upper range)
• Elga’s Punk Rock Hostel (see this article )
• Hilton Garden Inn (mid-range)
• The Marmorosch, Autograph Collection (luxury upper range)

I hope you’ve found this article helpful.  If you have any questions or comments, let me know below.

** Love road trips?  Me too.  Check out some of my other road trip-related posts, including:

• The Perfect Albania Road Trip
• Ethiopia : A Road Trip Like No Other
• Oman Road Trip : An Epic Arabian Adventure
• Driving From Dubai To Oman : Everything You Need To Know
• Best Places To Visit In Northern Turkey **

If you’d like some extra help planning a trip to Romania, why not hire me as your  Personal Travel Planner ?

I am a veteran trip planner with over 10 years’ experience planning trips to a wide range of exciting destinations, including Romania.  Click here for more information .

Essential Travel Resources

🛏️   Book cheap hotels

I always use Booking.com to find the best deals on hotels. Vrbo is great for short-term apartments.

🚗  Find cheap rental cars

Check both Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com to find cheap rental cars.

🌍  Book the best tours

Viator and GetYourGuide  have a huge selection of tours in virtually every destination worldwide.

✈️  Find cheap flights

I use a combination of Skyscanner and Google Flights to find cheap flights. 

Airalo is my favourite travel eSIM provider – I’ve used it in over 10 countries and really rate it. So much easier than buying physical SIM cards when you travel!

🚑   Do I need travel insurance?

YES! Never travel without adequate travel insurance. It’s just not worth the risk.

• SafetyWing – if you’re a digital nomad like me, SafetyWing is super flexible and affordable. You can sign up for as little or as long as you want, and activate and deactivate it whenever you need to. I’ve made several claims in the last few years and thoroughly recommend this company.
• World Nomads – for  adventurous travellers , covers 200+ activities that many other insurers won’t, such as  skydiving, heli-skiing,  rock climbing, rafting, scuba diving, cliff jumping, and kiteboarding (not available for residents of every country – check here ).

💻  Do I need a VPN?

YES! Always use a VPN whenever you use public WiFi (in airports, cafes, hotels, stations, etc.). This helps protect your personal information and also bypasses internet censorship and restrictions in certain countries. I use NordVPN and highly recommend it.

Alex Tiffany

I believe in transparency: Please note that some links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you purchase something through them, I might earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. (For example, a s an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through some of these links.)  However, I only link to products and companies that I trust and honestly recommend. See my  disclosures page for more information. The income goes towards keeping this site up and running. Thanks for your support.

I see you were brave enough to drive through Transylvania, Alex. Good for you. I was born and raised in Romania, so I know how poor its infrastructure is. Even so, it’s a really beautiful country and truly worth visiting. It holds so many undiscovered treasures! Next time you go, visit the regions of Bucovina and Maramures. Safe travels! Anda

Thank you for your kind words Anda 🙂 I loved Romania and can’t wait to explore more of the country. Will definitely check out Bucovina and Maramures as you suggest, thanks!

Hi Alex, I loved your guide, but there is something that it’s confusing me a lot: “Drive the Transfăgărășan on the way from Sibiu to Sighișoara”. I mean, isn’t the road somewhere else, like between Sibiu and Bucharest? Why mentioning Sighișoara if it’s in the north? Unless I am completely on the wrong track 😀

Hey Marco – glad you like the guide. Thanks so much for pointing this out – you’re totally correct, that was a mistake on my end. It should’ve been Brasov>Transfagarasan>Sibiu. I’ve updated it now! Hope you have an awesome trip!

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• I’m Alex Tiffany. Originally from the UK, I’ve been travelling on-and-off for 13+ years. I love offbeat travel and discovering lesser-known spots.
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The Perfect Romania Itinerary: 2 Week Road Trip!

Table of Contents

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Planning a Romania road trip? You’re going to have a blast. I can’t wait to share my Romania itinerary including all my tips and tricks from my 2 weeks in Romania.

However beautiful Romania looks in photos, it’s even more picturesque up close. Romania is about wild untouched wilderness and charming, cobbled cities dating back centuries. As I travelled through the countryside, watching people using horses and carts for agriculture, I realised how traditional Romania really is. It’s like stepping back in time!

ROMANIA ESSENTIALS Getting there: flight ( Skyscanner ) Car hire: Rentalcars.com Tours & activities: GetYourGuide / Viator Accomodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld.com Food activities: EatWith

Romania’s recent history is dominated by Communist rule, dictators and corrupt governments. Only in recent years has life started getting better for the locals and they’re happy to talk to you about it. Learning about the history and culture was a highlight of my 2 weeks in Romania! I believe a 2 week Romania road trip is optimum to get the most out of this beautiful nation. But if you don’t have that long, I’ll also be sharing a Romania itinerary for 1 week and another for 10 days. Overall, Romania is a safe, friendly and beautiful country to explore. What are you waiting for?

Read next: 18 Romania travel tips from a solo female traveller

Best time of year for a Romania road trip

The best time of the year to visit Romania is subjective depending whether you’re a sun-seeker or skier. I enjoyed my summer visit but you can visit year-round as long as you’re prepared. Spring (March-May) – the weather can be grey and unpredictable until May when temperatures rise to averages of 23°C. Summer (June-August) – average temperatures rest between 26 and 35°C. The sun is shining and Romania is busy with increased prices. You could consider squeezing the Black Sea beaches into your Romania itinerary. Autumn (September-November) – days get shorter and temperatures drop but it’s a good season to explore Romania with fewer crowds and cheaper prices. Winter (December-February) – temperatures hover around 0°C. It’s the perfect season for mulled wine, hearty Romanian food and skiing in mountain resorts. Romania looks straight out of a fairytale when dusted in snow.

Where to begin your Romanian road trip?

Bucharest: The most common way to arrive in Romania is by flying into Bucharest. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight prices. Cluj Napoca: Known as the ‘capital of Transylvania’, many travellers hire a car in Cluj and return it in Bucharest, stopping at destinations along the way. Timisoara: If you’ve been travelling in Central Europe previously, you might be coming overland from Hungary or Slovakia. In this case, you’ll likely arrive into Romania’s most western city, Timisoara by land. I arrived via the FlixBus (but there’s also an international airport).

Romania car hire requirements

• You must be at least 21 years of age
• There will be a surcharge if you’re under 25
• You must have held your licence for a minimum of 12 months
• An international drivers licence is required for non-EU citizens
• You must show proof of identity for example a valid passport
• The same documents are required for each additional driver
• The maximum age for renting a car is usually 70.

Romania car hire tips

• Use Rentalcars.com to find the best value car rentals. Prices start from €110 a week.
• Expect to pay an extra third to drop off at a different location (but it’s worth it for the convenience).
• Expect to pay extra per additional driver.
• Manual cars are the norm in Romania. You may be able to hire automatic cars for a surcharge.
• Make sure to book early in peak season to get the best prices.
• There are usually fees involved when it comes to crossing European borders.
• Make sure to get travel insurance. I use True Traveller  (for UK & European travellers).   Hey Mundo  is the best option for other nationalities, while Safety Wing  is great for digital nomads.
• Take photos of the car, mileage and petrol gauge before leaving the rental place
• Have your proof of insurance and ID close at hand when driving in Romania.

Romania driving tips

• Romanians drive on the right.
• The speed limit in cities is 30mph/50kph.
• The speed limit on highways is 74mph/120kph.
• The World Economic Forum ranked Romania 120 out of 137 for road quality – i.e not very good!
• Roads in urban areas are in good condition but those in rural areas aren’t so good.
• Snow removal is intermittent so drive with caution during the winter. Ensure you have winter tyres for icy roads.
• You can only park on the right, facing in the direction of traffic.
• Traffic laws are strict in Romania. Police can serve on-the-spot fines and confiscate a driver’s licence for up to 3 months.
• Children under 12 may not sit in the front seat.
• There’s plenty of parking in Romania. Expect to pay around €1 (5 RON) per hour.
• Read more Romania driving tips here .

Can you enjoy this Romania itinerary by public transport?

Yes! All the destinations listed in this blog are connected by train or bus. Book trains on the  CFC Calatori website and buses on the Autogari website. The only inaccessible location is the Transfagarasan Highway . But you can take a Transfagarasan highway day tour from Brasov or Bucharest. You can also use BlaBlaCar which is a carpool service, great for getting about cheaply in Romania. Romania public transport tip: be smart with your journeys. Romanian trains may be notoriously slow but most of the places in this Romania itinerary are close together. Travel early in the morning or during the evening to see a city the day you arrive.

How long to spend on a Romanian road trip?

Of course, I would recommend two weeks in Romania. This is how long I spent and there’s still loads I missed. But if time’s tight, you can spend one week in Romania and still catch the highlights. With this amount of time, I’d suggest taking a Transylvania road trip rather than going off the beaten track. 10 days in Romania is an even better amount of time.

1 week Romania road trip itinerary

Start in Bucharest or Cluj Napoca and tour Transylvania. Brasov is a must. For a 7 day Romania itinerary, I’d suggest picking Sibiu OR Sighisoara or visiting one as a day trip from the other.

• Day 1 – Bucharest
• Days 2-3 – Brasov (visit Peles Castle en route)
• Days 4-5 – Sibiu (or Sighisoara)
• Day 6-was7 – Cluj Napoca.

10 day Romania road trip itinerary

During a 10 day Romania itinerary, you’ll have time for both Sibiu and Sighisoara. You can relax and take your time.

• Days 1-2 – Bucharest
• Dasy 3-4 – Brasov (visit Peles Castle en route)
• Days 5-6 – Sibiu
• Days 7-8 – Sighosoara (drive Transfăgărășan Road en route from Sibiu)
• Days 9-10 – Cluj Napoca.

2 week Romania road trip itinerary

This is the Romania itinerary I followed. The main difference is that it includes Timisoara , a beautiful city in west Romania. Although it’s quite far from Transylvania, this was one of my favourite stops during my summer Europe trip. If you’re travelling from or onwards to Central Europe (like Hungary , Slovakia or Austria ), it’s a convenient stop. Since I’d just come from Budapest on the FlixBus , it was perfect for me. There’s an international airport in Timisoara, too. Also, this 2 week Romania itinerary allows you to stay overnight in Sinaia rather than visiting Peles Castle en route from Bucharest to Brasov.

• Days 3-4 – Sinaia
• Days 5-6 – Brasov
• Days 7-8 – Sibiu (drive Transfăgărășan Road en route from Brasov)
• Days 9-10 – Sighisoara
• Days 11-12 – Cluj Napoca
• Days 13-14 – Timisoara.

How this Romania itinerary works

I’ll share my full Romania road trip itinerary for 2 weeks. If you have less time, use the bullet-pointed itineraries above to plan your route. Use the information below for what to do in the destinations and travel tips for getting between them.

DAYS 1-2: BUCHAREST

I have to be honest: Bucharest isn’t my favourite city. In fact, it’s one of my least favourites . But, if you’re taking a Romanian road trip, you’ll likely wind up there at some stage. Bucharest boasts the ‘newest Old Town in the world’. I was initially intrigued by this, but soon discovered the problem with the Old Town is indeed its newness. Overpriced American burger joints and sleazy bars rule the roost. Saying this, Bucharest has a few worthwhile attractions so I’d still recommend spending at least a day here.

Day 1: Begin your day in Bucharest by taking a morning walking tour with Walkabout Free Tours . This is the perfect introduction to Romanian history and the events centred in Bucharest during the last few decades. You’ll see and learn plenty during this 3-hour tour.

In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Palace of the Parliament , the world’s second-largest administrative building. Commissioned by dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu in 1984, this 3,000-room building was left unfinished after he was executed by firing squad for crimes against humanity. A tour costs 40 RON (20 for students) and can either be booked by phoning them a day in advance or – the easier option – getting an online skip-the-line ticket from GetYourGuide .

Another must-visit place in Romania is Cărturești Carusel, voted the world’s prettiest bookshop!

Day 2: Take some time to explore the Bucharest hidden gems . These include abandoned mansions in the backstreets, orthodox cathedrals, the Armenian Quarter and Obar Market, the biggest local market in Bucharest where you can sample sweet cherries, beer and mici sausages (the most famous Romanian dish).

I visited all these hidden attractions on a Bucharest street food & neighourhoods tour . For street art and quirky places, try a Bucharest alternative walking tour .

Where to stay in Bucharest

Hostel: I was keen to stay at Podstel Bucharest but sadly it was booked up. This is known as the best hostel in Bucharest with comfy and clean dorm rooms, group meals and evening activities. Another option is First Hostel Bucharest , 5 minutes walk to Unirii Metro Station (Piata Unirii), 7 minutes walk to the Old Town and 10 minutes walk to our famous Palace of Parliament. Dorm beds starts from €8 . Also check out Sleep Inn Hostel in the middle of Bucharest with all attractions in easy walking distance. Dorm beds starts from €7 . Apartment: For a modern, central apartment with all your amenities, stay at Black & White Apartments for €35 a night. Hotel: For a luxurious old-school mansion feel, delicious breakfast and rave reviews, check out Grand Boutique Hotel (rooms from €50 a night).

DAYS 3-4: SINAIA  

Next, we really begin our road trip through Romania as we leave the big city behind! I’m taking you a million miles from the capital. Well actually it’s only 86 miles away but it certainly feels like another world. Distance from Bucharest: 148km, 2 hours by car. Public transport alternative: Catch a direct train from București Nord station taking 1.5 hours. Short road trip alternative: If you have just 1 week or 10 days in Romania, visit Sinaia as a day trip en route from Bucharest to Brasov. Park in Sinaia, tour Peles Castle then get back on the road for another 1.5 hours to reach Brasov.

Nestled in the mountains, the beauty of Sinaia  is undisputed. Not only will the craggy mountains leave you breathless, but the region is home to fairytale castles to set your imagination alight. Day 3: After arriving in Sinaia, explore Peles Castle built in 1873. Those who have been to Germany might recognise the German Renaissance style in the dark woods and rafters. There are 160 rooms and over 2,000 paintings. Oh, and it looks straight out of a fairytale! Day 3: In the summer, go hiking in the Bucegi mountains. There are plenty of well-marked hikes from Sinaia ranking from easy to difficult. In the winter, you can go skiing in Sinaia or admire the old 1,500m bobsleigh track . Where to stay in Sinaia: For excellent value in a homey B&B base, stay at V ila Floare de Colt .

DAYS 5-6: BRASOV

Distance from Sinaia: 48km, 1.5 hours by car. Distance from Bucharest: 184km, 3.5 hours by car. Public transport alternative: Catch a direct train or bus. Pretty Brasov was one of my favourite places during my road trip in Romania. It’s a little bigger and busier than the smaller towns of Transylvania (which we’ll get to next) which I liked. It’s also the best place from which to visit Dracula’s Castle, something I was very excited about (although turned out to be slightly anti-climatic). I was also awestruck by the Hollywood-style Brasov sign emblazoned on the hillside. This city certainly has character so I recommend at least 2 nights to explore it properly.

Read next: 20 best things to do in Brasov, Romania

Day 5: Take a free walking tour with Walkabout Free Tours in the morning or afternoon and explore the sights at your leisure during the rest of the day. The best things to do in Brasov include:

• Sightsee or eat ice cream in Council Square
• Visit Catherine’s Tower
• Squeeze down Rope Street (Romania’s smallest street) and learn about it at Rope Street Museum
• Tour Romania’s oldest school (beside Biserica Sfântul Nicolae church)
• Take a forest walk to the Black & White Towers
• Hike to the Braşov sign (or take the cable car).

Where to stay in Brasov: For hostel accommodation, you can’t beat JugendStube Hostel with clean, colourful dorm rooms and a hearty breakfast. For a spacious and stylish boutique hotel complete with sofas and flat-screen TV (as well as family suites), look no further than Nani Nani Boutique Hotel for €60 a night. Where to eat and drink in Brasov: Dine at La Ceaun for authentic Romanian fare and La Birou Bistro for tasty brunch and coffee. Brasov has a surprisingly good speciality coffee scene which you can explore on a coffee tour !

Day 6: Take a day trip to Bran Castle, stopping off at Rasnov Citadel on the way home. This iconic location is famed as Dracula’s Castle but I learnt this is a slight exaggeration. Although Bram Stoker based the character of Count Dracula on Vlad Tepes, the ancient Romanian ruler nicknamed ‘Vlad the Impaler’ due to the gruesome ways he killed his enemies, the author never actually visited Bran Castle. It was rumoured Vlad Tepes was imprisoned at Bran Castle but scholars argue this is untrue. Sorry to be a downer! Despite not really being Dracula’s Castle, it’s still well worth visiting Bran Castle from Brasov. My top tip is to arrive early to beat the crowds.

Read next: V isiting Dracula’s Castle from Brasov

Day 7: Transfăgărășan Road

Some would say that it’s not a road trip in Romania without a visit to the Transfăgărășan Road, famously featured on British TV show, Top Gear. Although it’s not directly en route between the typical Transylvania road trip stops, it’s worth going out of your way for. The building of Transfăgărășan was ordered by ex-Romanian dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu. It took four years, and 38 workers died in the process. Since it’s far from the most practical road, it’s unclear why he wanted it… But then, who can ever get inside the head of an evil dictator? This famous road is part of 7C Highway connecting small towns, Bascov and Cârțișoara. Here it joins the E68 connecting Brasov and Sibiu. For that reason, it makes sense to drive Transfăgărășan en route between these two places. If you’d rather do it as a day trip, it’s closest to Sibiu. Organised day tours run if you’re not confident about driving it. Seasonal note – you can drive the highway from June to October. It’s closed during the winter months as it would be too hazardous. Driving distances: It should take 3 hours to reach from Brasov and 2.5 hours from Sibiu. This Transfăgărășan guide has some useful details about driving from each city.

DAY 7-8: SIBIU

Distance from the Transfăgărășan Road: 2.5 hours by car. Public transport alternative: From Brasov to Sibiu, take a 2-hour bus from €8. The train takes 3 hours. Bored of pretty traditional towns yet? I hope not because Sibiu is as enchanting and old-school as they come. Saying that, it’s unique in one sense: the houses have eyes! Say what? Check this photo below if you don’t believe me. These eye-like slits were apparently invented to provide ventilation to attics but I often felt their real purpose was judging me for eating my 5th mici sausage of the day…

Day 9: Explore Sibiu during your first day. Things to do:

• Wander the Bridge of Lies and learn about its morbid history
• Admire Strada Cetăţii and its colourful houses
• Climb the Council Tower
• Walk from pretty pedestrian street, Strada Nicolae Bălcescu, to Piața Mare (Large Square)

Where to eat in Sibiu: Sample local dishes at Crama Sibiul Vechi . This is a traditional Romanian restaurant with huge banquet-style tables (slightly awkward dining for one!). To save money, eat at Cibin Market . I found a stand run by a friendly gentleman serving delicious mici sausages and fries. Day 10: Spend a second day exploring and eating in Sibiu or continue your Romania road trip to the surrounding region. If you didn’t already drive the scenic Transfăgărășan Road, do so today by car or guided day tour .

Where to stay: I went for B13 Hostel which is right in the centre of town with a large lounge, games area and kitchen. A basic but comfy base with rooms for €13 a night. Guesthouse option: you can’t beat Gasthof Clara inside a period property with spacious rooms, outdoor space and a generous buffet breakfast.

DAYS 9-10: SIGHISOARA

If you’re keen to add Transylvania to your Romania road trip itinerary, there’s nowhere more idyllic or picturesque than Sighisoara. It’s often described as the last inhabited medieval city in Europe. I confess I was getting slightly bored of quaint towns by the time I got to Sighisoara. It’s the smallest of the lot so don’t expect much by the way of evening activities.

Distance from Sibiu : 93km, 1 hour 40 minutes by car. Public transport alternative: Take a 2-hour train from Sibiu.

Day 7: Arrive in Sighisoara, get your bearings and tuck into hearty Romanian cuisine. After a week in bigger cities, it’s the perfect place to unwind. Day 8: Spend a leisurely day in Sighisoara. Things to add to your Romania itinerary include:

• Casa Vlad , the birthplace of Vlad Tepes (the character Dracula is based on). This is one of the few places Romania capitalise on vampire tourism and it’s as cheesy as it sounds! Give it a miss if that isn’t your scene.
• Climb the Clock Tower for surrounding views and visit the History Museum at the top
• Climb the Scholar’s Staircase and visit the Church on the Hill
• Visit the various guildsmen’s towers such as the Tinsmith’s Tower and the Roper’s Tower
• Wander the colourful backstreets.

Where to stay in Sighisoara: The only hostel is Burg Hostel where I stayed. It was passable, nothing amazing but definitely the cheapest place to stay and just a moment’s walk from the centre. Guesthouse option: The period double rooms at Casa Wagner look comfier if you have the money to spend (€30 a night including breakfast).

DAYS 11-12: CLUJ-NAPOCA

Romania’s second-largest city has the country’s biggest population of students which makes it a fun and lively addition to your Romania itinerary. Despite being in the heart of Transylvania, it’s somewhere to shake off the small-town vibe and appreciate the nightlife and arts scene. Distance from Sighisoara: 155km, 3 hours driving. Public transport alternative: Take a 3-hour bus or 3.5-hour train. Day 11: Arrive and start exploring the city. Things to do in Cluj include:

• Get panoramic views from Parcul Cetátuia
• Admire the fancy National Opera House
• Relax in the Botanical Garden
• Wander Central Park
• Go inside the Gothic St Michael’s Church
• Visit the National Museum of Transylvanian History and the Pharmacy Museum
• Check out art galleries including Bánffy Palace (traditional art) or IAGA Contemporary Art Gallery.

Day 12: Spend more time in Cluj or why not take a day trip? Journey to Turda Gorge and explore underground in these old salt mines. Where to stay in Cluj: Retro Youth is on a quiet street near the main square with dorms and private rooms from €22. For a sunny yellow apartment with your home comforts, check out House Apartment Minerilor.

DAYS 13-14: TIMISOARA

Beautiful Timisoara is a relaxed city with an open feel and friendly locals, the perfect end to your road trip in Romania. Things feel a little more modern than in sleepy Transylvania so I was thrilled to find an avocado brunch and hipster flat white. As you’re on the border with Serbia, you can even sample Serbian food in Timisoara. To summarise, it’s a diverse and pretty city that shouldn’t be missed from your Romania itinerary.

Distance from Cluj-Napoca: 314km, 4.5 hours driving. Public transport alternative: 6 hours by train. There’s a daily 3.39pm train that you could take on day 12 after a day of sightseeing or an early one departing just before 6am .

Day 13: Explore Timisoara starting with a free walking tour. Can you tell I love these by now? Options for the afternoon include:

• Explore Union Square’s different houses of worship, art gallery and quirky Casa Brück
• Go inside the enormous Orthodox Cathedral capable of holding 5,000 guests at one time
• Explore the other squares, Victory Square and Liberty Square
• Learn about days gone by at the Communist Consumer Museum
• Take photos on colourful umbrella street

Read next: 16 things to do in Timisoara, Romania’s most beautiful city

Where to stay in Timisoara: certainly at InVerve Hostel ! The modern, fully-equipped apartment inside a period property has dorm rooms with curtains and private sockets, plus each guest is given eye masks and earplugs by the friendly owners, Dan and Simone who personally showed me around the city! For a hotel option, the Mercure is easily the best in town. Day 14: It’s the end of your 2 weeks in Romania. Boo!

More Romania road trip destinations

This itinerary covers a lot but there’s always more in this beautiful country. Here are a few places for extra inspo if you have time or fancy swapping these into your Romania road trip itinerary:

• Take a trip on the Danube Delta home to fascinating wildlife. Book a slow boat tour from Bucharest .
• Fancy some beach chills? Romania may not be well known for its beaches but it should be. Visit Mamaia located on the Black Sea for plenty of sandy white beaches.
• Painted Monasteries – head to northeastern Romania and you’ll find these otherworldly buildings painted with scenes from 15th-century life.
• The Merry Cemetry of Sapanta – a bizarre place where colourful graves depict how the deceased passed away.

Budget for a Romanian road trip

How much did I spend during 2 weeks in Romania? Not a lot! My total spend from 2 weeks in Romania was €460, comprised of staying in hostels and eating a mix of restaurant and home-cooked meals. Here’s a rough breakdown of Romania travel costs:

• Accommodation – beds in hostel dorms start at €13 per night / modest guesthouses start at €25 per night
• Car hire – expect to pay around €200 per week (or less if you’re collecting and dropping off from the same location)
• 3-course meal and drink in a modest restaurant – €10
• 3-course meal and drink in a nicer/touristic restaurant – €18
• Meal at a market – €3
• Supermarket – litre of milk (€1), loaf of bread (€0.50), dry pasta (€0.50).
• Read more Romania food costs here.

Foodie visiting Romania? Eatwith is the world’s largest community for unique culinary experiences. With cooking classes and workshops, Eatwith connects guests with friendly, hand-selected hosts for unique, immersive experiences. Browse food activities in Romania .

Thanks for reading my Romania itinerary!

I had such a great time exploring the traditional, friendly and beautiful land of Romania. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below and I’ll get back to you.

Check out my other Romania blogs:

• A complete Timososara travel guide
• Things to do in Brasov for 2 days
• Brasov to Bran Castle – visiting Dracula’s Castle
• 15 Romania travel tips
• Hidden gems in Bucharest

Check out my other Europe blogs:

• How to spend 2 days in Sofia, Bulgaria
• Visiting Rila Lakes, Bulgaria
• Visiting Rila Monastery from Sofia, Bulgaria
• What to eat in Prague
• What to eat in Budapest
• Complete 3 day Budapest itinerary
• How to spend one day in Bratislava, Slovakia
• Things to do in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
• Guide to visiting Cesky Krumlov Castle
• Things to do in Belgrade, Serbia
• The top attractions in Pristina, Kosovo
• Albania itinerary
• Things to do in Tirana
• What to do in Skopje, North Macedonia
• Things to do in Sarajevo and Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Don’t miss my Croatia or Slovenia blogs!

For more travel content, follow me on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

See you next time for more adventures,

Ps. Liked this Romania road trip? Pin it for later!

TRUSTED RESOURCES FOR VISITING ROMANIA Getting around by air – I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. You can also use the ‘to anywhere’ feature if you’re flexible on where you’re going. Driving in Europe – use Rentalcars.com to compare car rentals in European countries (and all around the world). For trains , use CRF Calatori to search times and book tickets. For buses , book at Autogari . To catch buses in and out of Romania (from Bucharest and Sofia), use FlixBus . Find journeys between European countries from €1!  For hotels and self-catering apartments, I use Booking.com . You can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld.com . To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters , a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets. Browse tours and activities on GetYourGuide . Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and budget tips from my 10+ years on the road!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

4 thoughts on “ The Perfect Romania Itinerary: 2 Week Road Trip! ”

I’m planning on doing a road trip in Romania within the next year so this was perfect! Thank you so much for this comprehensive guide <3

I need to get to Romania. It’s on my ever-growing list! Great itinerary with fabulous tips.

This is a fantastic guide. I traveled Romania a couple years ago and was so impressed – I learned so much interesting history and the castles are just incredible! It’s definitely an underrated Euro destination.

I was in Romania a few years ago but would love to go back and explore more! The Cărturești Carusel looks like one of the prettiest bookstores ever!

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An EPIC Romania Road Trip: 2-Week Itinerary Thru Transylvania In 2024

Romania holds a special place in my heart. Out of all the places I’ve traveled to, it easily ranks as one of my absolute favorites. I’ve visited this country twice – once renting a car and doing a road trip, and the other time with just public transport.

And let me tell you, if you are planning a Romania itinerary, you should definitely consider doing a road trip. Its winding roads meandering through lush forests, majestic mountains, and rustic villages, provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable adventure.

Today, I’m here to share my personal 2-week Romania road trip itinerary, exploring everything from Transylvania’s Gothic castles to the charm of Bucharest’s vibrant city life.

This itinerary mostly focuses on Transylvania, the most beautiful region of Romania, and we also highlight some of the hidden gems in the region that can only be reached by car!

Renting A Car In Romania

If you are planning on doing a road trip in Romania, chances are, you will need to rent a car. Luckily, as part of the European Union, renting a car is easy , especially if you have a driver’s license from another country in the EU.

Surprisingly, the requirements for car rentals in Romania vary slightly by company. For example, some companies will allow you to rent a car when you are 18, but some only allow you to rent a car when you are 21.

Here are some of the most common requirements for car rentals in Romania:

• Most car rental companies in Romania require you to be at least 21 years old . Rarely, you will find a car rental that requires you to be at least 18 years old.
• The maximum age you can rent a car is 70 years old.
• You must have held your driver’s license for at least 1 year .
• A credit card to make the payment and hold a deposit (just in case something happens to the car).
• For US citizens, you must have an international driving permit (IDP) as well as a valid US drivers’ license to rent a car in Romania. However, I heard of car rental agencies that let you rent a car without an IDP. You can get an IDP from the official AAA site here .
• EU citizens do not need an IDP, just a driver’s license from their country to drive in Romania.

Looking for a reliable rental car company in Romania? Check out our recommended car rental company here!

Driving In Romania (Parking, Roads, Regulations & More)

Though Romania’s roads tend to get a bad rating , we found that the roads in Romania are generally pleasant to drive on , minus the few that are a little off-the-beaten-path.

Compared to the roads in New York City, Romanian roads are better maintained and less congested . (That is not really saying much I know.) In rural areas, you might share the road with livestock and horse-drawn wagons .

Driving in Romania is on the right-hand side of the road , so anyone from North America would have an easier time in Romania. At first, we were quite nervous about renting a car and driving in Romania, but then the beautiful scenery along the way and the easy-driving roads soothed our worries.

Most cars in Romania are in manual drive , just like the Dacia Logan sedan that we rented. Though there are automatic options, those tend to be a little bit more expensive.

If you intend to do a road trip in Romania in the winter , make sure you drive extra carefully, have snow tires, and preferably a 4WD vehicle.

Parking in Romania

One of the biggest concerns when renting a car in a foreign country is parking. Luckily, parking in Romania is generally effortless , though you might have to walk a bit to/from your accommodation.

Generally speaking, the bigger the city, the harder it is to find free parking. Cities such as Bucharest will give you a headache if you try to find free parking, especially in the historic center. (Good thing you don’t need a car to explore Bucharest!)

Free parking is abundant in most of the tourist attractions in Romania since most of them are located in the countryside of Romania. Just don’t park at the designated parking lot for the attraction (ex. Bran Castle parking lot) and you can save tons of money.

We didn’t have to pay a single dime for parking on our 2-week Romania road trip. 

Where Should You Start Your Romania Road Trip

The most common question I get about doing a road trip in Romania is where to start and end your trip . Most travelers opt to start their trip in Bucharest (the capital of Romania) for 2 reasons:

• Flights to Bucharest are cheaper
• Car rentals are also cheaper

While it is a nice option when traveling on a budget in Romania, Bucharest is not exactly an exciting city. Most of the attractions in Bucharest can be done in a day or two, and you are left with nothing but an overcrowded metropolitan city.

The other city to start your Romanian road trip is Cluj-Napoca , the capital city of the Transylvania region.

This is the perfect place to start your road trip because you can rent a car in Cluj-Napoca and drop it off in Bucharest and then get on your flight .

The con is that it would be a little pricier, as flights to Cluj can be more expensive and you will have to pay extra to drop the car off at a different location than the one you rented it from.

Whichever city you decide to start your road trip, I would recommend dropping your car off at a different location than where you rented it.

Road Trip To Romania Tourist Map

Featured above is our Romania road trip itinerary. As you can see, it starts in Cluj-Napoca and ends in Bucharest or vice-versa.

You will be basing yourself out of 4 locations: 

• Cluj-Napoca

You will use these four cities as a base to explore the nearby attractions, which are color-coded on the map.

Most of your road trip will be in the Transylvania region , which is definitely the most cultural part of Romania! Get ready for dramatic castles, fortified towns, vampire tales, and more! The other part will be in the old Wallachia region, still a really cool region in my opinion!

Road Trip In Romania: Step-By-Step Itinerary

Cluj-napoca, the capital of transylvania (2-3 days).

Cluj-Napoca, or commonly referred to as Cluj, is the unofficial capital of Transylvania, a region known for its medieval towns, impressive mountains, and stunning castle s. It is a region so special that even  Prince Charles has fallen in love and paid many visits .

As the second-most populous city in Romania, Cluj is famous for its prestigious universities, amazing student nightlife, exciting music festivals, and many historic buildings.

You will spend around 2 to 3 days in Cluj , exploring the best things to do in Cluj-Napoca. Most of the attractions are concentrated in the Old Town of Cluj Napoca, and accessing them on foot is easy and a great way to experience the city. 

Rent your car in Cluj when you are done seeing the city and want to explore the places inaccessible by foot such as the Hoia Forest, arguably one of the most haunted places on Earth, or the impressive Turda Salt Mines.

Things To Do In Cluj Napoca, Romania

While there are many things to do in Cluj-Napoca, here are some must-do activities.

1. FREE Walking Tour Cluj-Napoca

One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to take advantage of the free walking tours offered in each city. The majority of these tours are run by locals that have lived in the area for a long time and know the city like the back of their hand.

What is best about these free walking tours is that they are completely free, but a tip is appreciated at the end.

The tours usually include information about the city, its history, the best things to do there, and even personal recommendations on places to eat.

It is also a great place to meet other travelers if you are traveling solo in Romania or looking for road trip buddies!

You can find more about the Cluj-Napoca free walking tour  here . It is our favorite one in Cluj!

2. Unirii Square Cluj-Napoca

As the biggest square in Cluj-Napoca,  Unirii Square  is the perfect place to hang out and just observe the local life. Besides being a good spot to chill out, the Unirii square is home to two very important landmarks – the St. Michaels Church and the statue of the King of Hungary Matthias Corvinus .

Why is there a Hungarian statue of a king in Romania? Because Cluj-Napoca has actually been under the rule of Hungary for close to a thousand years.

St. Michaels Church is the church with the tallest watchtower and the second biggest Gothic-styled church in Romania, a stunning display of the grandeur at the time. If there is one landmark in Cluj-Napoca that is worth seeing, it is the St. Michaels Church.

3. Central Park, Citadel Park, or Botanical Garden

Anyone looking to enjoy some of the green spaces in Cluj-Napoca must not miss  Central Park ,  Citadel Park , or the  Botanical Garden . Though all these 3 places are similar, they are also different in many ways.

Central Park is located inside the Old Town, making it the perfect and convenient place to just relax after a long day. Grab a coffee and just stroll around the almost 200-year-old park. Make sure you don’t miss the serene lake that attracts many locals.

If you are looking for a panoramic view of Cluj-Napoca , the Citadel Park, or Cetățuia Park in Romanian, is the perfect place to go. Located on a hilltop across the Someșul Mic river, the Citadel Park is the perfect place to watch the sun set behind the gorgeous city of Cluj. 

The Botanical Garden is another great option for anyone looking for leisure activities in Cluj. During the summer, various species of plants are in blossom and it feels like nature’s paradise.

4. Piezisa Street (Strada Piezișă) for Nightlife

Anyone visiting Cluj-Napoca without experiencing some of its nightlife is missing out. Home of many universities , the nightlife in Cluj is perfect for anyone young or young at heart.

Many students gather on the popular  Piezisa Street , also nicknamed Cluj’s student street . With dozens of bars and clubs concentrated on Piezisa Street, visitors will unquestionably have a crazy night here!

Cluj is also the home of many quirky bars and clubs, such as the steampunk-designed  Enigma bar  or the  Fly Circus Pub , a bar with an in-house arthouse cinema.

5. Hoia Forest (Hoia Baciu)

Known as one of the most haunted places in the world , Hoia Baciu is a must for anyone that enjoys dark tourism or the supernatural. Inside the Hoia Forest are trees that grow in a zig-zag or spiral pattern, and scientists that have investigated the cause have come up with nothing.

Besides the numerous UFO sightings and shadowy figures that have been reported in the forest, a perfectly circular area named The Clearing is located deep inside the forest. Strangely, this circular area is the only place in Hoia Forest with no trees, and scientists again have failed to come up with a solution.

Many locals refuse to get near the Hoia Forest, and some tourists that have taken the taxi there are dropped off a 10-minute walk away from the entrance. However, there are some locals that use the Hoia Forest as a recreation area daily.

6. Turda Salt Mines

If the Hoia Forest is too spooky for you, visit the impressive Salina Turda salt mine instead. This amazing engineering feat has been named as one of the  25 hidden gems in the world worth visiting  and it is not surprising.

The first record of the  Salina Turda  dates back to the late 11th century, making this salt mine almost one thousand years old . What was one of the most active salt mines has now become a museum, an … amusement park, and a spa. Yes, I said amusement park.

Inside the Rudolf Hall of the Salina Turda is a ferris wheel, mini-golf court, billiards, ping pong, and even a bowling alley. But that is not all; down another lift is a boating lake 120 meters below ground where visitors can rent a boat for 20 lei and row it around.

If you don’t fancy all these extra activities, visitors can stroll around the various halls and learn about the salt mine.  Breathing in salty air is said to have positive properties  and if you want a professional halotherapy (salt therapy), guess what? They have a halotherapy spa at the Salina Turda!

Salina Turda is one of the most  insane   unique places to visit in Romania , and it is usually quite difficult to get to without a car, which is why it’s on this road trip itinerary!

An idyllic small village about an hour from Cluj-Napoca,  Rimetea  is one of the most popular day trips from Cluj. It is a village where a magical phenomenon happens, th e sun rises twice , once over the horizon and once over the Piatra Secuiului, or Rock of the Szeklers mountains.

Rimetea was once a popular mining town , but now there are only about 1,000 residents. Most residents in the town speak Hungarian, just like many people in the Transylvania Region, because this part has been under Hungarian rule for about 1000 years.

Strolling through the idyllic village should take no more than an hour or two, but there are several restaurants, bars, and museums to explore. However, the most popular thing to do in Rimetea is  hiking the Piatra Secuiului  Mountain.

At 480 meters above the village and the surrounding area, the picturesque views of the stunning Romanian countryside are all yours to enjoy when you set foot on the peak.

Because Rimetea is on the way to on next destination (Sibiu) , I highly recommend you to visit Rimetea on the day you are leaving for Sibiu.

Visit Rimetea in the afternoon and then check out the  Red Ravine . The sunset at Red Ravine will leave anyone and everyone in awe! Finally, head down to Sibiu!

Where To Stay In Cluj Napoca

Best Hostel In Cluj-Napoca –  Retro Hostel

If you are looking for a social atmosphere to meet more potential road trip partners, Retro Hostel is perfect for you. Featuring friendly vibes, clean and spacious beds, free coffee and tea, and a sauna, Retro hostel knows how to make  hostel life  enjoyable!

Best Hotel In Cluj-Napoca –  Modern Central

Modern Central is the perfect hotel in Cluj for anyone looking for a modern, spacious, and easy-to-access accommodation for an affordable price. This hotel (apartment) has the same luxury as some famous hotels in the city without a hefty price tag.

Its location in the Old Town of Cluj means you are within walking distance to pretty much everything you might want to see! 

Sibiu, The Most Idyllic City in Romania (3 to 4 Days)

Sibiu is that one city that no one has heard about before traveling to Romania and also the one that everyone talks about after being there.

It is the place that you plan on visiting for a few days but then end up staying there longer because you have fallen in love with the city … bought a house … and have three kids.

The charm of Sibiu isn’t unheard of. In fact,  Sibiu has been designated as the European Capital of Culture in 2007  because of its significance with the Transylvanian Saxons.

In 2008, Forbes has named Sibiu the 8th-most idyllic place to live. In 2019, Sibiu was named the European Region of Gastronomy. History, aesthetics, and great food, who wouldn’t love this place ?

Sibiu’s most iconic feature is the eyes that appear on its houses, earning it the nickname of “The City With Eyes” or “Seebiu” .

The “eyes “appeared on the houses as early as the 15th century and are part of Baroque architecture. The real purpose of the eyes is ventilation for houses’ attics, but some believe they were built to scare people.

The city is easily walkable, and most of the attractions are located inside the Old Town of Sibiu. Though the landmarks are stunning, the beauty of Sibiu lies within its everyday elements: the cobble-stoned roads, the beautiful houses, the relaxed vibes, the friendly people, and the delicious food.

Things To Do In Sibiu, Romania

Because there are so many  things to do in Sibiu , we have written a separate guide! But here are some of the attractions you cannot miss!

1. The Large Square & The Small Square (Piata Mare & Piata Mica of Sibiu)

Inside every medieval town is a massive square where trade is conducted, gatherings are held, and executions are taken place.  The Large Square  (A+ for creativity) is exactly that historical center.

Nowadays, you won’t find any executions, but you will find a number of historical buildings surrounding the massive square, such as the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, the Brukenthal Palace , and many more.

If you are lucky to visit during Christmas, you will get to enjoy the renowned Christmas market in the Large Square (also known as Piata Mare). Numerous stalls are lined up in this beautiful cobble-stone square selling local food as kurtoskalacs, handmade crafts, accessories, toys, and many more .

Along with the giant Christmas tree and the glamorous lights, it is no wonder why the Sibiu Christmas market has been considered the best Christmas market in the world in 2012 by El Mundo and the best in Europe in 2019 by About Times Magazine.

Adjacent to the Large Square (Piata Mare) of Sibiu is the  Small Square  (Piata Mica), known for its diverse dining establishments ranging from Mediterranean to Eastern European. It used to be a place where merchants sold their goods.

After you are done enjoying your meal at the Small Square, head over to the  Bridge of Lies  and learn about its legends. Though there are many variations to the legends, one thing for certain is that it connected the Old Town of Sibiu with the New Town.

2. Saint Mary Evangelical Cathedral (Sibiu Lutheran Cathedral)

Located in Huet Square, Saint Mary Evangelical Cathedral (Sibiu Lutheran Cathedral) is arguably the most recgonizable building in Sibiu at 73m tall.

The cathedral itself is gorgeous with its unique baroque-style organ and intricate details of the interior, but what we really came here for was the watchtower.

The lookout tower itself offers some of the best panoramic views of Sibiu(much better than the Council Tower, or Turnul Sfatului). Here you can see the spectacular roofs of the Sibiu houses and the mountains that surround the region in the distance.

3. Corvin Castle and The Citadel of Alba-Carolina (Day Trip From Sibiu)

Once you have finished exploring Sibiu, it is time to use that car and take some day trips from Sibiu.

Corvin Castle , or Castelul Corvinilor in Romanian, is one of the  Seven Wonders of Romania , and is a must-visit for anyone on a road trip in Transylvania. It is an amazing hiden gem and usually only people with their own car can visit.

As one of the biggest castles in Europe, visitors can spend hours here, wandering up and down the corridors and admiring the Gothic-Renaissance architecture.

🤯 Fun Fact: The Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest is a replica of the Corvin Castle, make you check it out when you visit Budapest !

The drive from Sibiu to Corvin Castle is about an hour and a half, and we recommend you to start early in the day and pair that with the meticulous  Alba-Carolina Citadel  in Alba Iulia, the biggest medieval citadel in Romania.

That way you will have enough time to explore the significance that has earned the castle’s title as one of the Seven Wonders of Romania, as well as take enough photos at one of the most beautiful places in Romania .

The star-shaped fortress of the Alba-Carolina Citadel was built in the early 18th century by Prince Eugene of Savoy to fortify the defenses of the newly conquered provinces of the Habsburg Empire. 

The Citadel Alba-Carolina is a huge fortress, and you can spend ages there. Though the citadel itself is free to enter, there are museums inside that require an entrance fee.

Visitors can also rent a bike to explore the citadel and its 12-km-long outer walls.

4. Sighisoara

Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site , is renowned for its well-preserved Old Town, one of Europe’s few inhabited fortified towns.

Built in the 12th century by Saxons, invited by the Hungarian King, it became an artisan hub and trading post, leading to the creation of 15 craft guilds.

Each guild built their own fortifications, some of which still stand today.

After World War I, Sighisoara was handed to Romania. A walk through its cobblestone streets is like stepping back in time, with colorful houses and guild towers lining the way.

The must-see landmark is the 13th-century Clock Tower (Turnul cu Ceas), the main fortification of the town. It has now become a museum and at 64-meter tall, it offers stunning views of the Mures County from its open-air balcony.

5. Transfagarasan Road (Transfăgărășan), The Best Driving Road In The World

If you have rented a car in Romania, chances are, you already know about the Transfagarasan Road or Transfagarasan Highway. Made famous by the TV show Top Gear, the  Transfagarasan Highway is considered the best driving road in the world !

This picturesque route, which crosses the southern Carpathian Mountains, is safe to drive despite some sharp turns (which makes it exhilarating)!

If you are coming from Sibiu, you want to arrive at Balea Lake  on the Transfagarasan Road (also known as DN7C). The glacial lake sits at the base of the surrounding alpine giants, offering views that belong on the front cover of a travel magazine .

Here you will also find many “street” vendors selling various local crafts and food (lots of cheese and cured meats), as well as restaurants and accommodations, including the famous  ice hotel .

Balea Lake also offers the best views of the Transfagaran Highway .

On the way to Balea Lake, you have the chance to stop by and hike to the  Balea Waterfall . At over 60 meters tall, the Balea Waterfall is the tallest stepping waterfall in Romania, and a short 45-minute hike away!

Because the Transfagarason Road is located between Sibiu and Brasov (our next destination), we recommend you to visit the Transfagarason on the day you are planning to depart for Brasov.

📝 Note: If you are visiting Romania in the winter, you’ll have to double check to see whether the highway is closed or not!

Where To Stay In Sibiu, Romania

Best Hostel in Sibiu –  B13 Hostel

If you are looking for an affordable hostel located in the historic center of Sibiu, B13 Hostel is the one for you. Featuring comfortable beds and clean spaces, B13 Hostel will give you the sleep you need after a long day on the road. They also feature a big common area, which would’ve been perfect for socializing had there been more people staying when we visited.

Best Hotel in Sibiu –  Rabbit Hole

Located in the Big Square of Sibiu, the location of the Rabbit Hole hotel just cannot get better. When you are not exploring the city, guests can enjoy views of the Big Square from their stylishly decorated rooms or grab some food at their on-site restaurant.

Though breakfast is not included in the price, guests can pay a little extra for one of the best breakfasts in town!

Brasov, One Of The Medieval Walled Citadels (4 to 5 Days)

Other than Bucharest, Brasov is probably the most well-known and popular place to visit in Romania. Featuring medieval Saxon fortifications, mysterious gothic-style churches, and nostalgic cobble-stone streets , Brasov is one of the most stunning places in Romania.

Similar to Sibiu, Brasov was one of the seven Saxon walled citadels to protect the Hungarian empire. As a result, you will find many similarities in the architecture and types of buildings.

However, the Carpathian Mountains loom over the southern parts of Brasov, and the historic streets now look so much more tasteful with the jagged mountains in the background.

We recommend you to spend 4 to 5 days in Brasov , exploring the city and learning about its history, hiking in the nearby region, and visiting some of the nearby castles such as the  Bran Castle that inspired Bram Stoker’s famous novel Dracula  and Peles Castle.

Things To Do In Brasov, Romania

There is a multitude of  attractions in Brasov , but here are the things you must do!

1. FREE Walking Tour Brasov

As a medieval city with centuries of history, uncovering the depths of the information is a difficult task without the help of a professional tour guide. Luckily for you, Brasov has many FREE walking tours that will help you learn about the gorgeous city and its significance.

I personally have taken the Brasov free walking tour with  Walkabout Free Tour . Their local guides gave us detailed information about the landmarks in Brasov such as the Black Church, Catherine’s Gate, and the Strada Sforii, the narrowest street in Europe.

2. Hike Or Take A Cable Car Up Mount Tampa

At close to 400 meters above the city , the summit of Mount Tampa offers panoramic views of Brasov from above. Here the vibrant orange hues of the buildings contrast with the monotonous mountains and trees, bringing the city to life.

Not only is the Tampa Mountain a great vantage point, but it is also the home of the giant sign that says “Brasov”.

There are two ways to reach the top of Mount Tampa, hiking or taking the cable car.

The cable car runs from 9:30 AM to 5 PM and costs 35 Romanian lei for a round trip. If you want to watch the sunset from the mountain, this option might be a little more difficult.

If you decide to hike up to Mount Tampa from Brasov, you are in for a treat. The well-marked trail takes about 1 hour to the top and passes through some lush landscapes. It is a great way to move your legs after sitting in a car for so long!

3. Day Trip To Bran Castle And Rasnov Fortress

Bran Castle, often associated with the legend of Dracula and Bram Stoker’s famous novel, is Romania’s most recognizable landmark.

Despite rumors, neither Stoker nor Vlad III, the ruler rumored to inspire Dracula, had any direct connection to the castle.

Today, Bran Castle serves as a museum showcasing Queen Marie’s art and furniture collection, and features very little information on Dracula, but it does have an exhibition on different scary myths and folklores of Romania.

It’s a 30-minute drive from Brasov and parking is readily available. I recommend parking in the village instead of the desginated parking spots to avoid paying for parking.

On the return trip, visit Rasnov Fortress, originally built for defense purposes of the nearby Transylvanian villages.

Its strategic location led to the construction of houses, a chapel, and a school within its walls. The remains, including a watchtower, are still visible today.

4. Hiking the Piatra Craiului Mountains or Seven Ladders Canyon

If you are a hiking enthusiast and the hike up Mount Tampa only got you warmed up, head over to the Piatra Craiului Mountains for more hiking trails! Though there are many routes to choose from, the one we did was an easy 4-hour Zarnesti Gorge hike.

The trail guides you through the bottom of the gorge and offers a serene and placid atmosphere, perfect for anyone traveling in Romania with kids or family.

If you want a more difficult hike, there are plenty to choose from the Piatra Craiului mountain range. Alternatively, you can visit the famous Seven Ladders Canyon hike , a hike that requires you to climb up a metal ladder.

In return, you can see 7 stunning waterfalls! Though it sounds difficult, the trail is quite easy and safe.

5. Peles Castle, The Most Beautiful Castle in Romania

Though Bran Castle is the most famous castle in Romania, it is by far not the most beautiful.

In the Sinaia region of Romania is a Neo-Renaissance castle called Peles Castle, and it is considered one of the most beautiful castles in the world!

Built by King Carol I, Peles Castle took a total of 10 years to construct. By the end, the palace had more than 170 ornate rooms, including a concert hall and a movie theater.

Architecturally, a blend of Neo-Renaissance, Gothic Revival, and Saxon influence can be seen. The interior decor is mostly Baroque influenced, featuring carved wood and eloquent fabrics.

Everything in the rooms is lavishly designed and furnished, and it is so meticulous that visitors have to put on plastic shoe covers to enter. The only way to enter the castle is with one of their daily guided tours.

When purchasing your ticket, you have to decide whether you are interested in seeing both floors of the palace or just the lower floor. A tour to only the lower floor costs 50 lei, while a tour to both costs 100 lei.

We did the tour of the lower floor and were impressed by the extravagant palace. It is no wonder why many people refer to the Peles Castle as a fairytale castle. The Peles Castle is a must on any Transylvania road trip itinerary!

Where To Stay In Brasov, Romania

Best Hostel In Brasov –  JugendStube Hostel

If you are looking for a no-frills hostel with a decent free breakfast, spacious rooms, comfortable beds, and a nice common area to socialize with other travelers, then JugendStube Hostel is perfect for you. The staff at the reception is friendly and will answer any questions you have about Brasov.

Best Hotel In Brasov –  Safrano Palace

Safrano Palace is a hotel in Brasov that offers luxury at an affordable price. The rooms are spacious, clean, and offer some of the most comfortable beds. The receptionist is always there to assist you with anything. The free breakfast is diverse and delicious, the perfect way to start your day in Brasov!

Bucharest, The Capital of Romania (2 Days)

Alas, you have arrived at your final destination – Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

The metropolitan city of Bucharest is the center of culture, education, and finance in Romania. Nicknamed “ Paris of the East ”, the elegant architecture of the historic center will certainly make you fall in love if the delicious Romanian cuisine hasn’t.

When you are not strolling down Bucharest historical streets or enjoying the charming parks, visit some of the city’s hidden historic churches . With its deeply Eastern Orthodox religion , many churches here are stunning architecturally with lavish interior designs. There are many  reasons to visit Bucharest .

Once you have arrived in Bucharest, there is really no need for a car . Most of the attractions in Bucharest are concentrated in the historic center. If not, then they are accessible by the convenient public transportation system.

In fact, we recommend you to get rid of the car as soon as possible after arriving in Bucharest, as traffic and the lack of parking can be a real issue.

Two days is the optimal amount of time in Bucharest. Outside of the historic center, there really isn’t much to do. Some visitors might even stay just  one day in Bucharest .

Things To Do in Bucharest, Romania

Here are our recommended things to do in Bucharest, Romania.

1. FREE Walking Tour Bucharest

Yes, this is the third time we have talked about the free walking tours in Romania and it will be the last time! These free walking tours are just so great when you are trying to discover a new city on your own, especially one as big and rich in history as Bucharest.

The free walking tour company we recommend is still Walkabout Free Tours . We’ve had nothing but delight with their professional and humorous tour guides!

2. Palace of Parliament

The Palace of Parliament, or Palatul Parlamentului in Romanian, is the most famous building in Romania . Weighing about 4 billion kilograms or 9 billion pounds , the Palace of Parliament is the heaviest building in the world .

Well, that is not surprising considering that this administrative building is 84 meters (276 ft) tall and has a floor area of 365,000 square meters (3,930,000 sq ft) in a total of more than 1100 rooms combined. It is the second biggest building in the world, after the Pentagon in the United States.

Built in the late 20th century by the communist leader  Nicolae Ceaușescu , the Palace of Parliament was a display of Romania’s grandeur at the time. However, behind the facade of splendor, many Romanians were suffering from hunger and malnourishment.

The street that leads up to the Palace of Parliament (Bulevardul Unirii) was filled with buildings with elegantly designed front facades . However, if you visit the back of such buildings, you will notice many of them are dilapidated .

Guided tours of the Palace of Parliament occur daily almost every hour. However, you must make a reservation by phone before. Because of its popularity, we recommend you book a few days before your desired date of the tour.

3. Visit the Orthodox Churches and Monasteries (such Stavropoleos Monastery)

Bucharest is the home of many Orthodox churches and monasteries, and none are as famous and gorgeous as the Stavropoleos Monastery and New St. George Church .

Stavropoleos Monastery is a small Eastern Orthodox monastery built in 1724 in the charming Old Town of Bucharest for nuns. Boasting an elegantly-designed exterior in  Brâncovenesc style , the monastery is one of the most beautiful buildings in Bucharest.

Though the space is tiny, the interior is visually stunning with tasteful paintings and enchanting ceilings, and visitors can spend a good amount of time here admiring the ornate features. The entrance is free for the Stavropoleos Monastery, but a donation is always appreciated.

Known for its amazing paintings and artworks inside, the New St. George Church is another one of Bucharest’s churches worth visiting. The outside of the church features a statue of Constantin Brancoveanu , the ruler who was executed by the Ottomans when he refused to renounce his faith.

He became a saint of this Eastern Orthodox church and his remains can be found on display inside this church, the biggest church built during his reign.

4. Dine at Caru’ cu bere, The Oldest Restaurant in Bucharest

Dining at Caru’ cu bere is a quintessential experience in Bucharest. Translating to the “Beer Wagon”, Caru’ cu bere is the oldest restaurant and brewery in Bucharest, and one of the best places for traditional Romanian cuisine.

Situated in an old historical building, stepping inside feels like you are stepping into a museum. With colorful ceilings, old wooden furniture, and stained glass windows, the atmosphere is warm and cheerful.

The food delicious, traditional, and reasonably priced, and the waiters are polite and ensure you have a good experience. If you ask any local Romanians for a restaurant recommendation, it is likely they will suggest Caru’ cu bere.

When dining at Caru’ cu bere, you cannot miss the signature roasted pork knuckle. Pair that with the traditional polenta soup, a dish made from boiled cornmeal! If you have an appetite, also try sarmale (traditional Romanian cabbage rolls) and Mititei (grilled ground meat rolls).

💪 Pro Tip: Caru’ Cu Bere is no longer a walk-in restaurant, so make your reservation in advance!

5. Visit the Cărturești Carusel (Carousel of Light) Bookstore

Inside the historical buildings of Old Town Bucharest is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, the Cărturești Carusel. Visiting bookstores is one of our favorite things to do when traveling because it just tells us so much about the country, and Cărturești Carusel is no exception.

The exterior of the bookstore isn’t exactly spectacular, but upon entering, you are transported to a cathedral for books. The elegant interior design, the geometrical layout, everything is just gorgeous. If you are looking for an Instagrammable spot in Bucharest, Cărturești Carusel is the place to go. 

Where To Stay in Bucharest, Romania

Best Hostel in Bucharest –  First Hostel

Hostels in Bucharest are abundant, and choosing the perfect one cannot be more difficult. We highly recommend First Hostel. As a hostel run by travelers, it is designed perfectly to meet the needs of travelers.

Featuring a clean kitchen and a small cozy common area, First Hostel is a social hostel perfect for meeting other travelers!

Best Hotel in Bucharest –  Concorde Old Bucharest Hotel

Featuring snazzy decor and comfortable rooms, the Concorde Old Bucharest Hotel is one of the best value-for-money hotels in Bucharest. Each big and spacious room comes with its own balcony, perfect for anyone that wants to bathe in the sun or just admire the views of Old Town Bucharest, where the hotel is conveniently located. The free breakfast buffet is a plus!

Other Places To Visit On Your Romanian Road Trip

If you have followed our Romania itinerary to the T, you will have yourself the perfect 2 weeks in Romania road trip. However, if you can allocate more time for your trip to Romania, there are plenty more amazing places to be discovered.

Below we will talk about some of our favorite places in Romania that you could add to your visit to Romania!

Constanta, The Romania Beach Town Next To The Black Sea

Constanta might be the only beautiful beach town in Romania, but it certainly does impress. Bordering the Black Sea, the beaches in Constanta are stunning. In the summer, you can expect locals and travelers from all over the world in this small city with over 2000 years of history.

If the weather permits, we would recommend visiting Constanta from Bucharest, potentially as a day trip or for a weekend.  The drive is a little more than two hours to get from Bucharest to Constanta. 

Timisoara, European Capital of Culture for 2021

Because of its location, Timisoara is one of the places in Romania that is not often visited by tourists. However, that will change in 2021, when Timisoara earns the title of the European Capital of Culture.

As the fourth-largest city in Romania, Timisoara has its own small-town lively vibe. The interesting history and the charming architecture of Timisoara make it an exciting place to visit for any type of traveler.

Timisoara is located in Western Romania, and it is a 3-hour drive from Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca.

Maramures County

Maramures county is considered the most traditional region in Romania. Home to many villages where century-old traditions are preserved, a visit to the Maramures county is like stepping back in time. Many women still wear their traditional dresses, live in their farmhouses, and go to wooden churches. 

The natural landscape in this region is incredible, as miles of greenery stretch beyond the horizon. I would highly recommend adding the Maramures region to your Romania trip!

Romania Road Trip FAQs

Is it safe to drive through romania, how good are the roads in romania, what’s the best time of year to go on a romania road trip.

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A road trip through Romania offers an unforgettable journey through a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.

Whether you’re traversing the scenic Transfăgărășan Highway, exploring medieval Saxon villages, or immersing yourself in the legends surrounding Bran Castle, there’s always something fascinating to discover.

We hope you enjoyed our Romania road trip itinerary blog post, have a good time in Romania! Any questions? Leave them in the comments!

Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. That means if you book or make a purchase through the links, we will earn a small commission at  no extra cost to you ! The money will help run this site! Thank you !

World Traveler, Travel Blogger, Photographer

LivingOutLau

Sean is the founder of the travel blog, LivingOutLau. He has been to over 30 countries in over 5 years of travel. Every day, he is traveling and sharing his discoveries of the world through exceptional travel guides on his blog!

2 thoughts on “An EPIC Romania Road Trip: 2-Week Itinerary Thru Transylvania In 2024”

Thank you for highlighting all these beautiful places in my native country. I will be visiting Romania after many years away so I will make sure I will be in some places that you have mentioned but that I have missed in previous visits.

It is my pleasure. Romania was very kind to me and I cannot wait to go back and explore the countryside more!

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The Perfect 10-Day Romania Road Trip Itinerary & Map: 7 Unmissable Stops

From the busy capital of Bucharest to the towering mountains of Transylvania, Romania is an Eastern European nation with plenty of adventure, culture, and history just waiting to be uncovered. 

One of the best ways to do this is by taking a road trip around the whole country. There are so many epic viewpoints and tiny villages to stop off in Romania that having your own set of wheels gives you the option to have a completely bespoke trip, exactly how you like it. 

The roads are generally in good condition, and the traffic (outside of Bucharest) is manageable – so what are you waiting for? Whether you have a week, let’s delve into this Romania road trip itinerary and show you the places you can discover with your own wheels whether you have a week, 10 days, or 2 weeks!

Tips for driving in Romania

Exploring Romania by car is a great idea! The country is connected by rail and bus networks, but they can be a little unreliable, so many locals opt to fly instead. 

However, if you do that you’ll miss out on lots of gorgeous little towns and epic viewpoints on your journey! So, we think that road tripping is the answer.

To help with your planning, here are some tips for driving in Romania: 

• Romania drives on the right-hand side of the road, like most of Europe, the USA, and Canada.
• Speed limits are in kilometers per hour, with highways having a limit of a rather speedy 130 kilometers per hour (remember, you don’t have to go that fast!)
• If you’re traveling with a child under 12, they aren’t allowed to go in the passenger seat at the front of the car. 
• There is a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drink driving, so don’t drive even if you’ve just had a small drink. 

Car rental in Romania

Lots of car rental companies, like Hertz and Europcar, operate in Romania. You can rent a car straight from Bucharest airport, or there are rental offices in the city. If you’re spending some time exploring Bucharest initially, you probably won’t need a car, so it’s a good idea to hire the car on the day that you leave the city! 

Romania Road Trip Itinerary

Ready to uncover all the stops you cannot miss on a proper Romanian road trip? Here’s an itinerary map of what this post will cover:

Bucharest: 1-3 Days

The capital city of Romania, Bucharest is where most road trips around the nation begin and end. This is for various reasons; it’s where you’ll likely fly into, you’ll have the best selection of car rental companies, and most of the main roads of Romania end up in Bucharest!

You may in fact end up crossing through Bucharest a couple of times on your trip, but it’s a great idea to spend a couple of days seeing all that the city has to offer before renting a car and heading out on your trip. 

Here are the main attractions of Bucharest: 

• The Palace of the Parliament: This is the heaviest administrative building in the world and the second largest after the Pentagon. Built by Communist dictator Ceaușescu but never actually used by him, you can take a tour here to learn about the oppressive Communist regime in Romania. 
• The “new” old city: Only built in the early 2000s, this “old town” was established to encourage more tourists to post-Communist Bucharest. Nowadays, it’s the heart of the city, with lots of cafes, bars, and restaurants. 

• Ceaușescu’s mansion: This is another important attraction to visit to understand Communist Bucharest. Ceaușescu’s mansion is opulent and glamorous, and it stands as contrast to how the average Romanian lived during the era. 
• Romanian village museum: This is a great way to learn about rural Romania, which you’ll be visiting soon on your road trip! There are exhibits about different regions in Romania through the ages. 
• The churches: Romania is a deeply religious country, and the churches are wonderful places to learn about their spirituality. Particularly, visit the Antim Monastery, which was one of the churches that was moved on railings during Ceaușescu’s rule. 
• Cărturești Carusel: Weather not so kind when you’re in Bucharest? This bookshop is among the most Instagrammable places in the city! 

Do you only have 2 days in Bucharest? Then check our 48h in Bucharest guide .

Where to stay in Bucharest

Capitol Hotel is a four-star property that’s located in the heart of Bucharest, in one of its historic buildings. You’ll find well-furnished rooms with plenty of deluxe offerings, holding onto some of the property’s original features as well as having all the mod-cons you’ll need! 

Constanta: 1-2 Days

Constanta is around a two-hour drive from Bucharest and is one of the country’s favorite beachside locations, as it’s on the Black Sea. 

In the summertime, it’s among the most popular tourist destinations in the country, with three beaches that are perfect for sunbathing and relaxing. You could also visit Mamaia, a lively resort town that’s close by! 

Alternatively, Constanta has lots of urban attractions, including an Art Deco casino, various museums, and a fascinating planetarium. 

Where to stay in Constanta

Hotel Megalos is a mere 500 meters from the Black Sea, so it’s ideal for a beach break in Constanta! Enjoy traditional rooms with luxury bedlinen and comfortable mattresses here. 

Iași: 1-2 Days

Not many tourists visit Iasi. Sitting on the border of Romania and Moldova, it’s most famous for being a university destination. However, it’s a culturally rich city – the second largest in Romania and it has been both the capital of Moldova (before it became a separate country) and the capital of Romania. This fascinating history makes it well worth a stopover on your Romania itinerary!

First, visit the Palace of Culture, which is a magnificent building constructed in the early 20th century and is home to a few museums, including the Moldovian History Museum – a must-visit to get to grips with this area. 

There are plenty of monasteries to visit within the city and Europe’s second oldest synagogue. Plus, botanical gardens and lots of lush parks and green spaces make the city a wonderful place to amble around. 

From Iasi, you can either drive back through Bucharest or take some mountainous roads to get to Brasov. The route that you take depends on what time of year it is. If you’re visiting Romania in winter , I’d recommend avoiding mountain roads and taking the highway (some roads may even be closed in the snow). 

However, if it’s the summertime, driving around the mountainous roads is an experience in itself! 

Where to stay in Iasi

The Hotel Moldova is in a prime position right in the center of the city, with views over the Palace of Culture. The rooms are quite historic but have a certain charm to them, and there is a gym and indoor swimming pool on site. 

Brașov: 1-3 Days

A charming town sitting in the heart of Transylvania , Brasov is a must-visit in Romania. The cobblestone streets are lined by historic buildings, and the entire city basks in a mountainous valley. Don’t miss hiking up to the Brasov sign and taking in the gorgeous views over the whole town! 

It’s a wonderful town to walk around in and admire, but it’s also in a prime location to see some of Romania’s best castles. These include: 

Bran Castle: This is well-known as Dracula’s castle, although it doesn’t actually have a connection to the book or Vlad the Impaler, who the character Dracula is based on (apart from he may have been imprisoned there at some point!). However, it’s a medieval castle steeped in history, and it certainly looks as if Dracula could be hanging out here… 

Peles Castle: A real fairytale castle, this building used to be home to the Romanian royal family. They ended up fleeing after World War Two due to the rise of Communism and anti-royal movement, and never returned. You can enjoy the exterior of the castle and pay an extra fee to see the opulent inside. 

Poenari Castle: This is the actual Dracula’s castle! Dating back to the 13th century, it was where Vlad the Impaler lived and it sits at 800m height, looming over the surroundings – you can only reach it by climbing 1480 stone steps! 

You could also visit neighboring Rasnov. This is a smaller town with a glorious citadel, which is a fortress dating back to the 13th century, from which you can take in incredible views of the town and surrounding area.

If you have time, make sure to stop in Sighisoara and Târgu Mureș before reaching the next stop, Cluj-Napoca.

Where to stay in Brasov

Hotel Bella Muzica is located right in the heart of town, in a 16th-century building that’s been renovated perfectly to showcase traditional features yet still provide ultimate luxury. Reception is open 24 hours and there is a bar and restaurant on-site. 

Cluj-Napoca: 1-2 Days

Known as the capital of Transylvania, Cluj-Napoca is a lively city where there’s always something to do. 

It centers on Unirii Square, which is part of the old town (in this case, it’s an actual old town, not like the one in Bucharest!). 

St Michael’s Church imposes on the square with its Gothic architecture, and you can also explore the National Art Museum here. 

As it’s a student city, there are tonnes of exciting bars and a great cafe scene. 

It’s also worth getting out the city to see the Salina Turda (Turda salt mine) which has been a mine, a bomb shelter and more recenly, a funfair. It’s a surreal attraction that’s definitely worth visiting when you’re in the area! 

If you want to enjoy some of Transylvania’s best nature, you can also visit Cheile Turzii nature reserve, which is perfect for hiking, or see the stunning Lake Tarnița. 

Where to stay in Cluj-Napoca

Hotel Belvedere is close to the centre of Cluj-Napoca, and boasts well kitted out rooms with comfortable beds, traditional features and an indoor swimming pool and spa. There’s also a restaurant on-site! 

Sibiu: 1-2 Days

The adorable town of Sibiu is Romania’s best-kept secret. A Transylvanian gem, this town looks straight out of a fairy tale, and it’s a wonderful place to pause, enjoy some authentic Romanian food and drink and reflect on your road trip so far! 

Sibiu is the kind of city that you could spend hours walking around in, taking in the beautiful colored houses on either side of the street and ambling around winding streets. However, attractions include the 15th-century ​​Piata Mare, which is home to the gorgeous Catholic Basilica. There’s also an Orthodox Cathedral which has incredible murals on the walls! 

The Bridge of Lies is another popular tourist spot; it’s a tiny multi-level bridge that spans between two buildings.

When driving south from Sibiu, you might want to take the Transfagaran Highway route.

This is the windy highway that makes it onto lots of people’s Romanian bucket lists! It looks intimidating, but it is kept in good condition; just be careful when driving around the bends. 

Where to stay in Sibiu

MyContinental Sibiu is a modern hotel with great views from the upper floors. Located on the town’s main boulevard, it’s easy to access all of the city’s best attractions from here. In the rooms, enjoy deluxe bedlinen and gorgeous en-suite bathrooms. 

Craiova: 1 Day

Romania’s seventh-largest city is somewhere that doesn’t make it onto everyone’s Romania road trip itinerary. The city center boasts gorgeous Belle Epoque architecture, and it’s regarded amongst locals to be one of the prettiest cities in Romania. It also has a few attractions to offer travelers, including a natural history museum and a few pretty Cathedrals. 

But the main reason to visit Craiova is for its impressive festive market, which runs from late November through December every year. 

While Romania is a very Christmassy country, and there are tonnes of festive markets throughout the nation, Craiova’s is arguably the best. They use over a million LED light bulbs to illuminate the market, which sells souvenirs made by local artists and delicious festive food. There’s an ice rink here too! 

Where to stay in Craiova

Hotel Europeca is a comfortable hotel with a few different room types, including an apartment and standard rooms. Rooms have features like soft grey carpet and comfortable sofas, and breakfasts are included in your room rate. 

As you can see, there’s so much to enjoy in beautiful Romania. Driving is the ideal way to explore this country, as having your own vehicle will allow you to go by your own schedule and make as many stops as you like along the way! So grab your ticket to Bucharest, hire a car and start exploring this wonderful nation!

Claire is a world traveler who blogs about Europe in winter . She aims to help other travelers explore the continent in the cooler months through her informative blog posts and travel journalism.

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Efficient Romania Road Trip Itinerary – 7 Days With Map

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This is the perfect road trip Romania itinerary if you only have 7 days but still want to explore the best of Romania: Travel beyond Transylvania and visit the Danube Delta, the Black Sea beaches, as well as the capital Bucharest.

Personally, we loved to road trip Romania beyond Transylvania.

Many Romania road trip itineraries in reality only are Transilvania itineraries. Transilvania is a beautiful part of the Romania but the country has a lot more to offer.

With efficient planning, you can visit a lot of places in just 1 week in Romania;

• The castles of Transilvania
• The Danube Delta
• The Romanian Black Sea beaches
• The capital Bucharest.

With our efficient 7 days in Romania itinerary, you don't have to move every night and you don't have to drive excessive hours each day. Like always, we aim to optimize the time spend and try to pack as many attractions into the drives as possible.

Day 1 – Transfăgărășean and Drive to Transilvania

Day 2 – exploring transylvania.

• Day 3 – Bran Castle, Rasnov Citadel, and Drive to Buzau

Day 4 – Berca Mud Volcanoes and Danube Delta

Day 5 – danube delta tour, day 6 – beaches in romania and drive to bucharest, day 7 – explore bucharest, 1 week itinerary romania.

Start your road trip to Romania by driving the scenic route. The Transfăgărășean is one of the best panoramic roads in the world and the best road in Romania - the views will blow your mind! Yes, you won't be as fast as on the main road but it's well worth it! Stop along the road to buy one of the traditional cheeses as the perfect road trip snack. On the way, you'll also come past Poenari Castle , the real Dracula castle. Contrary to the popular Bran castle, Vlad the Impaler or Dracula as you might know him, really stayed here. Additionally, the Argeș Lake makes for a scenic stop along the way.

Distance: 360km (224 mi)

Sleep: Sibiu is the perfect base to explore Transilvania. It's a cute town with lots of restaurants and bars to relax after a full day of sightseeing. We enjoyed the Delis Restaurant for some traditional Romanian food. The old town with its two town squares is charming and of course, it has a small citadel. Many hightlights of Transilvania are easy to reach from here.

The number one highlight you should not miss in this area is Hunedoara Castle . This Gothic-Renaissance castle is one of the largest castles in Europe and is hands down one of the prettiest we've ever seen.

If you are looking for a real hidden gem, explore one of the fortified churches of Transilvania. We loved Câlnic – and the best part is that they produce their own wine. Romanian wine is a total recommendation by the way.

Other noteworthy stops for you to explore if you have more time or stamina are the salt lake of Ocna Sibiului or the amusement park in an old salt mine Salina Turda .

Distance: Variable

Sleep: Sibiu

Day 3 –  Bran Castle, Rasnov Citadel, and Drive to Buzau

On your drive from Transilvania to Buzau, explore the eastern part of Transilvania. Here, you'll find the famous Bran Castle , which is overpriced and over-touristy if you ask us. But go ahead and see for yourself, maybe you'll have a better experience.

The lesser known alternative is the Râșnov Citadel . It is heavily fortified. Walls have shielded it from invasion and two courtyards provided space for a well and with living areas on the inside. It's beautiful, there are tons of areas to explore and the view is breathtaking – and did I mention that they have a Hollywood type sign?

Distance: 320km (200 mi)

Sleep: Buzau is a good place to interrupt the long journey towards the Danube Delta and get a nights rest.

Buzau is a great stop in Romania because you are very close to the Berca mud volcanoes . They are small volcano-shaped structures typically a few metres high caused by the eruption of mud and natural gases. And they are nothing like we've ever seen.

Travel Guides

Berca Mud Volcanoes Romania Quick Travel Guide

Berca Mud Volcanoes in Romania are a hidden gem hat make you feel like you’re on another planet!

Distance: 240km (150 mi)

Sleep : Tulcea . Here, you can explore the town or the Danube by kayak. Make sure to get enough rest before your full day of exploring the Danube Delta.

Today your car gets a rest day! If you've been following us for a while you've probably heard us rave about the beauty of the Danube Delta . Definitely take at least one full day to explore the area in depth. We recommend you to take a fast boat, which will take you to the charming settlement of Mila 23 and Letea Forest , the oldest natural reservation in Romania, where you'll have the chance to see wild horses. On the way, you'll have plenty of opportunities to spot the local wildlife, especially the birds. Don't miss the chance to taste the local fish.

Romania Danube Delta Tour – Our Review

What to expect on a Danube Delta trip from Tulcea Romania to Mila 23 and Letea. Here’s our experience.

Distance: /

Sleep : Tulcea

On your way to Bucharest make sure to check out some of the Black Sea beaches. Vadu and Corbu are two beautiful natural beaches.

If you are looking for a bit more infrastructure and beach bars, check out Constanta. Constanta also has a nice city centre. Make sure to explore the casino and the archaeological park with Roman-Byzantine relics.

Distance: 350km (220 mi)

Sleep : Bucharest. In the centre of Bucharest, you’ll find the most bar and restaurant options but not as many parking spots. In case you park and sleep a bit away from the centre, the city features decent and cheap public transport.

To make the most of your time in Bucharest, do a free walking tour. This will give you an overview of the history and the most important sights in a short time. Next to the charming old town itself, our must-see recommendations are the Parliament Palace , the largest parliament building in the world, the Revolution Square, the Macca Villacrosse Passage, and the Patriarchal Cathedral . Make sure to leave enough time to relax in one of the many restaurants. We thoroughly enjoyed the traditional restaurant Caru' cu Bere , which translates to the beer wagon.

Enjoy your evening out in Bucharest and hit the amazing bars!

Check out the other parts of our Balkans series:

Wild camping in Albania - 14 days Albania itinerary (2023)

Two week Albania itinerary with map for your holidays in Albania! It's written with Albania camping in mind but of course, you can also use it for your Albania road trip! You wonder where to go in Albania? We show you Albania’s hikes, castles, and beaches, as well as the best campsites Albania has to offer.

1 week North Macedonia itinerary - travelling Macedonia by bus (2023)

This 7 day North Macedonia itinerary brings you to the best cities and beaches in Macedonia. Exploring Macedonia by public transport is easy: The best places to visit are the capital Skopje, Matka Canyon, the towns Prilep and Bitola, and Lake Ohrid.

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This western Bulgaria travel guide offers detailed instructions on how to reach every place by public transport – be it bus, train or the occasional taxi. Our Bulgaria itinerary includes everything from the best cities in Bulgaria Sofia and Plovdiv to the best hikes in Rila and Bansko.

Road trip Slovenia – 7 day Slovenia itinerary

Slovenia in 7 days: Lake Bled and the Vrsic Pass, Bovec and the Soca Valley, Piran and Strunjan, the Postojna Caves, as well as Maribor. Spend one week in Slovenia hitting the best beaches and doing the best hikes.

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Athens is one of the best romantic getaways in Europe. Our Athens itinerary (3 days) helps you to plan a perfect trip - with all the major attractions and time to explore on your own terms.

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Travel Tips

The ultimate romania road trip guide.

A Romania road trip is one full of twists and turns, both literally and figuratively. The country has some absolutely stunning scenery, while much of it is unspoiled by tourism. It is a country full of contrasts, with classic European old world cities, villages where man still uses horse & cart and, of course, some of the most road trip worthy roads in the world.

Romania is located in southeastern Europe and is probably best known for the forested region of Transylvania and the macabre stories of Dracula, however there is so much more to this country than the sum of its most well known parts. Romania has well-preserved medieval towns, fortified churches and castles, biodiversity reserves and so much more.

The following Romania road trip guide will provide both story narrative as well as tips and recommendations when visiting this up-and-coming destination.

This nearly 3-week long road trip of Romania was done with the help and participation of Romanian native and fellow travel blogger, Mihaela Popa of World Travel Bug , with support from Marian Oancia of Zig Zag prin Romania .

Romania Road Trip Vehicle – Mercedes-Benz B-Class

This road trip of Romania was driven in the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class . The B-Class got great fuel millage without compromising on performance. Mixed fuel consumption: 4,9 – 5.5 l/100km. CO2 emissions (g/km): 128-145].

It has wonderful acceleration, great handling and is very comfortable and fun to drive. It’s also loaded with technology, including many Intelligent Drive systems. Key elements of the B-Class are the dynamics, comfort and safety.

While the B-Class is a fantastic general-purpose vehicle, for the road trip outlined below, we would recommend a higher clearance SUV as many of the roads in Romania are not paved and can be challenging for lower-profile cars. Click the following link to read my full review of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class 200d .

Romania Road Trip Map as detailed below

Romania Road Trip Interactive Map Coming Soon

Road Trip Romania Started in Bucharest (Day 1,2,3)

  As the capital of Romania, you will likely fly into Bucharest (Henri Coandă International Airport). It’s absolutely worth spending a few days in the capital city, but for a truly unique experience, follow the guide below for a Romania road trip adventure of a lifetime.

I flew into Bucharest from Frankfurt on Tarom, the Romania national airline, where I met up with Michaela of World Travel Bug who would be my guide and co-pilot for the next few weeks.

We began our trip with a stay at the Epoque Hotel , which is one of the best hotels in Bucharest and is the only Relais & Châteaux property in the country. The location is in a quiet alcove of Bucharest near the beautiful Cismigiu park and walking distance to the old city center, where you’ll find a wide variety of restaurants, shops, museums and plenty of ways to entertain yourself.

The exterior of Epoque hotel is iconic looking with representative details of old-world Romanian architecture, called “Brancoveanean style”. The rooms have an air of sophistication, and some feature mini terraces. The spa, with its beautiful mosaic pieces of artwork, is not to be missed.

On a nice day, breakfast on the outdoor patio is a great way to start the day. The bar and lounge have a classic contemporary style with a mini grand piano and a candelabra on display. The lighting throughout the property is designed to enhance the setting. The artwork in the lounge represents some of Romania’s most prolific creators…from artists, musicians, poets to a politician.

48 hours in Bucharest, don’t miss…

• Unirii Square water fountains (Don’t miss the evening light show May-Oct on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings).
• Old Town – the very happening heart of the city, full of historic buildings, restaurants and clubs.
• Dining at Pâine și Vin – Great little wine bar.
• Herăstrău Park – a huge park surrounding the biggest lake in Bucharest. There you can find lots of outdoor dining options, lounge bars and even night clubs. This is more high end area and it feels a world away from the city. Travel blog Two Scots Abroad have a great post on more things to do in Bucharest .

Romania Road Trip day 4- Bucharest to the Danube Delta (Tulcea County)

Distance: 280km/174miles (3.5 hours without stops)

Smack dab in the middle of the Danube Delta, we spent an afternoon exploring marshlands with paths carved though a sea of lily pads and floating forests. The wildlife thrives in this area and bird watching is particularly entertaining.

Ionut Calin is one of the best guides in the Delta with over 26 years’ experience—he knows every channel, waterway and bird species. As a matter of fact, when he shows you a bird, he can even tell you what page the bird is featured-on in any of his three books of birds. We were very fortunate to have Ionut as our own private guide for a few hours.

As the sun was setting, we entered a channel shaded by trees on both banks. Birds of all types would frequently leave their perches and fly over our heads, silhouetting themselves against the waning sun, flying gracefully through the sky.

We approached an embankment with a small clearing to get an unobstructed look of the setting sun. In the foreground we saw irises in full bloom, while lush fauna ensconced us. The harmonic sounds of birds, frogs and other wildlife filled the air with a symphony of sounds.

The sunset gave way to darkness, but our journey had not yet concluded. The boat engine revved up to increase speed as we made our way to our accommodations for the night. We arrived at a small inn owned by the sister of our guide (Ionut). It was a modest inn with seven rooms and a common area for dinner and breakfast.

It was after 10pm when we arrived. We were shown to our room where we placed our luggage and headed into the dining hall. We sat at a table with five other people who clearly knew each other, all speaking Romanian. Because of the rural nature of the area I wasn’t expecting any of them to speak English, but to my delight, they all did.

We actually had wonderful conversations full of laughter. It was well past 11pm before we got back to our room.

The morning light came early, but exhaustion enable a couple more restless hours before having breakfast and heading back out on the Danube, eventually arriving to the spot where we had parked our car.  

Where to Stay in this Part of the Delta

•   While navigating the waterways we noticed there are a number of stationary houseboats that seem to be a popular choice for tourists. Apparently you can sign up for guided tours and they provide transportation to/from your car.
• We also floated past the Pensiunea Casa Dintre Salcii Delta Dunarii, which looks like it might be worth checking out.

Romania Road Trip days 4 and 5 Danube Delta – Tulcea to Mahmudia

Distance: 32km/20miles about 40 minutes

Our homebase for staying in this part of the Delta was the Hotel Mon Jardin , which has a fleet of boats and guides that can take you deep into the Delta (a different part from our first day). They also have a large cruise vessel that can fit up to 90 people for corporate events.

Hotel Mon Jardin makes a great home-based for exploring the Delta. The hotel is located on the banks of the Saint George branch, a major arm of the Danube River.

The accommodations are quite nice and they have a lovely restaurant with a large patio right on the river serving many fresh fish dishes. Their Delta guides are quite knowledgeable with the ability to accommodate a variety of needs and interests.

On one of our tours we explored Litcov, the largest channel in the Delta at over 100 km, as well as Gorgova, one of the largest lakes in the Delta. Gorgova is usually a great place to see flocks of swans and pelicans. Mon Jardin is well positioned as the entrance to the channel and the lakes are not far from the hotel.

Some of the channels in this area of the Delta are well canopied with weeping willows, other trees and tall grasses. Birds often flew right in front of us while soaring through the open channels. The area feels a bit like the Amazon, but with completely different vegetation.

Frogs sing in unison while leaping from lily pad to lily pad. The sun occasional bursts through the canopy of trees creating a surreal or dream-like effect, similar to one you’d see in the scene of a romantic movie.

It’s impossible to be stressed in the Delta. The warm sun on your skin, the breeze on your face. The songs of nature emanating through the grasses and other foliage…it lulls you into a stupor of relaxation.

A road trip through this area of Romania reveals many small villages with sheep and goat herder‘s, silver steeple churches, rolling hills and roaming horses. In late spring when we did this trip, the roads were lined with wildflowers; many were red poppies that popped against the green grass.

Driving through some of the villages we found locals selling a variety of fruits and other homemade goods being offered from makeshift stands right from the front of their yards/houses. We bought half a kilo of cherries and half a kilo of strawberries for 12 Lei (about $3) for a road trip snack.

Road Trip Romania Day 7 – Delta to Ferma Dacilor (Dealu Mare wine region)

Distance: 321km or 200 miles about 6 hours without stops

After three days in the Delta it was time to head to our next destination. While leaving the region we had to board a small vehicle ferry (Trecere Bac Braila) for about a 5-minute crossing across the Danube river. This would be one of our longest days of driving.

Our first stop of the day was to a place called Vulcanii Noroioși Pâclele Mari, which is a fascinating geological area where small mud volcanoes erupt every few seconds, oozing warm goo down a hill that has been formed by the eruptive activity. Over time, large crevasses have been created as the muddy area expands. The landscape is quite remarkable, especially with the aerial views we had from the drone.

We then headed to Dealu Mare, which is the largest wine producing region in the country, just 1.5-2 hours from Bucharest (great for just a day trip).

While in the area we stayed at Ferma Dacilor , which was such an amazing experience. It is a bit difficult to describe Ferma Dacilor—it’s sort of a boutique farm lodge (looks a bit like a hunting lodge), set within an incredible setting of rolling hills of farmland. There are rooms in the main farmhouse, or for more privacy, you can stay in the raised tree houses like we did. In the near future guests will have the option to stay in individual structures that look like yurts, but are permanent rock wall structures with thatched roofs. These new structures are inspired by the ancient population call Daci (which is also where the name of the Romanian car Dacia is coming from).

The facility has a very large common area with a series of smaller areas for dining, as well as meetings. Rough cut lumber makes up the benches for dining, tongue-and-groove wood makes up the ceilings. There is wonderful outdoor space for dinning/congregating around the occasional bonfire. The food is very traditional Romanian, much of which is grown, harvested and produced on-site. Animals on site include deer, rabbits, pheasants and many others. All the cheese, cured meats and organic vegetables are all grown and harvested at the farm. The aesthetics of the interior construction, as well as the music, reflect traditional Romanian roots.

There are some really cute dogs that roam the property, one of whom walked us to our accommodations that evening and was more than eager to join us inside, but when we refused him, he stayed at the front door all night, as if guarding us. We checked on him several times, each time expecting he would have left, but yet, there he laid. Occasionally, we would open the door just to give him some lovin’.

We found out from the owner that only 30% of the farm has been completed from the overall plans for the long term vision.

In hindsight, we really wish we would have stayed more than a single night a Ferma Dacilor, it’s a fantastic location to use as a home base to explore the region. As I mentioned, this is an extensive wine region…one winery you can’t miss for a tasting and tour is Lacerta .

Road Trip Romania Day 8 and 9 – Dealu Mare to Brasov (Brasov County)

Distance: 140km or 87 miles – about 3 hours of driving with no stops

On our way to Brasov we stopped by the Peles Castle and did a tour. The grounds are simply amazing, but you do have to go with a group tour to see inside. Personally, I don’t care for these large group tours, but I have to say, this was definitely worth it as the interior is pretty spectacular. If you don’t have much experience visiting castles, I would definitely recommend you this one.

We arrived into Brasov where we called the Hotel Safrano home for a couple of nights. The location of the hotel could not be better, literally right across the street from the old square and walking distance to everything you’ll want to see in Brasov. There is however no parking near the hotel, so you have to drop off your luggage and then find nearby parking and walk back. We were pretty lucky and found free parking rather close.

The accommodations at Hotel Safrano are what you might expect from a 3-star historic hotel. Our room was quite spacious with fantastic views of the old square.

Brasov is a fantastic place to visit and also makes for a great hub to explore other nearby sites and activities, such as the Bran Castle, aka home of Dracula.

Things not to miss in Brasov:

• The Black Church  – the most impressive monument in the city, right in the old town square.
• Old town square
• Climb up to one of the two towers (Black tower or White tower) to see amazing views of the city.
• Tampa Cable Car – This cable car experience will take you to the top of Tampa mountain where you can hike, picnic or just take in the sweeping views of Brasov and beyond.
• Strada Sforii – One of the narrowest streets in all of Europe.

Places to eat in Brasov:

• Bella Muzica Restaurant – Located in an old wine cellar. The atmosphere is amazing; the food however is pretty average.
• La Ceaun is a nice place with a great outdoor patio and some really nice traditional Romanian dishes.
• Terroirs Boutique du Vin – Fantastic wine bar with some pretty decent food.

Click the following link for more information on Brasov :

Romania Road Trip Day 10 – Brasov to Transfagarasan (Transylvania)

Distance: 195km or 113 miles – about 4 hours of driving without stops

As we left Brasov, our next stop was to the most popular and well known attraction in all of Romania, the Bran Castle (aka Dracula’s Castle). While some say this castle is the home of the title character of the Bram Stoker’s Dracula, others claim this is only a myth. Whatever the truth, the Bran Castle has become famous the world over.

Personally, I would not recommend visiting Bran Castle. In this trip I found out that there are so many other more impressive castles and things to see in Romania. It’s also not fun having to contend with the hoards of tourists in such small corridors to tour the castle. On the positive side, you can tour the castle without a guide, so you can go at your own pace, which is really nice.

Transfagarasan is one of the most scenic roads in the world , it’s windy, twisty, and very scenic…nirvana for road trippers. It became even more famous after the show Top Gear did an episode on the region by bringing three ultra high-performance vehicles to the area to race to the top. Transfagarasan has dramatic rock formations, waterfalls that trickle down the mountainside, lakeside views of Vidraru Lake (One of the deepest lakes in Romania), and stretches of road that take the driver through a canopied forest. There’s also a series of tunnels carved out of the mountain to make the trip even more dramatic.

Notes : It was raining on the day we arrived and the grey cloudy sky did not provide us with much opportunity to take photos or even test out the handling of our Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

The dam that holds back the lake is a great stopping point and is also the largest hydroelectric facility in the country.

The full length of Transfagarasan (90km) is only open a 2-3 months out of the year. A small portion of 23km is closed the rest of the year due to snow. In late May when we did this road trip of Romania, we got stopped by a barricade well before reaching the top. We were however greeted by a massive 500-foot waterfall, snowcapped peaks and a glimpse of the famous curvy road ahead.

We ended up staying the night at a run-down hotel (Cabana Cumpana) about 20km downhill from where we met the baracade. We had to travel on a very rugged muddy dirt road about 7km from Transfagarasan. As we made our way at a snail pace, we finally reach Cabana Cumpana. We actually saw the hotel form the other side of the small lake we had to travel around to get to the hotel. Through the trees we both remarked that we hoped that was our hotel.

Our wish was granted, but our enthusiasm soon diminished as we entered the stately structure. At first it seemed like a hotel similar to the one portrayed in the 1970s horror movie, The Shinning with Jack Nicolas. It was really run down and it looked like we were the only guests staying there. Ended up, there were perhaps a dozen people staying at this 1-star hotel. Funny enough, we ended up getting an outstanding night’s rest.

The bathroom was so gross that neither of us even showered the next morning, we only took a change of underwear with us and got the hell out of the hotel as soon as we could the next day.

The following day was quite pleasant, while there were many clouds in the sky, the rain had passed and we really enjoyed our time driving down the mountain, stopping frequently to take in the scenery.

As we were leaving Transfagarasan we stopped by Hotelul Possada-Vidraru for lunch.  This is a nice looking hotel and one that we would recommend over the place we stayed. We initially thought it would be better to stay higher up the mountain, but found that staying at the base and traveling up during a day trip would have been perfectly suitable.

Click the following link to continue reading this Ulitimate Road Trip Romania Guide .

Mike Shubic

Tags: B-Class , B-Class Merceds-Benz , Experience Romania , Mercedez Benz B Class , Road Trip Guide of Romania , Road Trip Guide to Romania , Road Trip Romania , Road Trip Romania Guide , Romania , Romania Road Trip , Romania Road Trip Guide , Visit Romania

23 Comments

A Romania road trip made to happy travel so many enjoy. thanks

Thanks so much for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed reading about this epic road trip to Romania, such a wonderful country. Cheers, Mike

Romania road trip very beautiful ,the people to very enjoful. Thanks for sharing information

My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.

What a fantastic guide to Romania. I had no idea the country had so much to offer. Thanks for sharing.

Oh, I’m so glad you enjoyed it Jane. Thanks for stopping by.

Such great information! Romania sounds like a great place to visit. Enjoyed watching the video too.

Hey Pat, thanks so much for stopping by!

What a great article, sounds like a fantastic place to visit. Love the photos and video too. Keep up the inspiring work.

Thanks so much for the kudos!

What a wonderful article and video. This sounds like an epic trip. Love the B-Class Mercedes too, looks like a fun car.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

This looks and sounds like an incredible adventure. Loved the video too and the car wasn’t bad either as a secondary role. 😉

Thanks so much!

This sounds like such an incredible country and adventure. Your video and information is wonderful.

What a fantastic guide to Romania. Really enjoyed the video too.

Really enjoyed reading and watching your adventure in Romania…very cool.

Great write-up. Helpful stuff and we enjoyed watching your video as well.

Thank you. Appreciate ya stopping by.

This is an epic post. Thank you so much for the great info and wonderful video.

My pleasure, thanks for stopping by.

Comments are closed.

Novel: Lines, Signs & Forks

Featured road trips, roadside attractions, travel experiences, most road tripped man in the world, latest posts.

Epic Romania Road Trip Guide – Off the Beaten Path Itinerary

This Romania road trip guide describes an itinerary that loops through some of Romania’s most beautiful regions, 8 road trip stops in total. With the focus on smaller towns and nature, rather than larger, cities I will cover lots of off-the-beaten-path adventures through Romania’s unique landscapes and picturesque villages.

Three times I had tried visiting Romania before but something came in between every single time. The first time the weather seemed really bad so while on our way there we decided to do a Balkan road trip starting from Montenegro. The second time the travels stayed in planning fase and because of a worldwide pandemic that seemed pretty severe in Romania I decided to go to Slovakia instead. Third time’s a charm so in August of 2021 I finally made it to the beautiful country of Romania.

When I did this Romanian road trip I drove all the way from Belgium with my own car. It’s also perfectly possible to follow this route with a rented car starting in Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca. Also feel free to change the order or adjust this road trip loop according to your needs.

Find below my route on a Google map:

For each stop on this road trip I will suggest how many days you need but obviously you can adjust according to your own needs and wishes.

Table of Contents

General Romania knowledge

• Capital:  Bucharest
• Currency:  Romanian Lei (RON)
• Population:  19,3 million (2020)
• Language:  Romanian (English is quite widely spoken except for in the non-touristy small villages)

How is driving in Romania?

Around bigger cities the traffic can get quite hectic. When driving from Bucharest to Brasov for example I was in a traffic jam for about 2 hours. On the way to the Danube Delta there where huge traffic jams to get on the ferry as well. I noticed construction works of a new bridge were going on so soon this problem might be solved.

In Romania it is quite common to see farmers with horse carriages on small and larger roads. When entering a highway there’s a ‘no horse carriages allowed’ sign.

My experience traveling in Romania

In Romania people are genuinely friendly and not just because they want your tourist money, they actually care about helping you in the best way they can.

During my road trip throug Romania I especially loved the regions that are less touristy like the Maramures or Bucovina regions close to the border with Ukraine. When visiting Brasov for example there was a completely different atmosphere that I didn’t enjoy as much as other places. Especially Bran castle, which is the alleged Dracula castle, was a huge tourist trap in my opinion.

When it comes to cities I would say Sibiu was my favorite. I enjoyed the vibe of the city, also the colorful houses added to a nice city trip experience.

Enough with the introduction, let’s get to the actual Romania road trip itinerary now!

Romania road trip itinerary 1st stop is Breb: 3 hours driving from Cluj-Napoca 3 nights stay

The Maramures region together with the Danube Delta had always been pretty much on the top of my list when I was planning my Romania road trip. The more research I did, the more excited I got about it! Whenever I travel I’m looking for authentic experiences and in the Maramures there are plenty.

When looking for a nice hub to travel around from I marked Breb as my main place of interest. Because, as usual, I book accomodation pretty late. Everything that was a bit affordable seemed to be sold out in Breb. I decided to look around in one of the other towns around and noticed that Ocna Sugatag seemed a good alternative at only 10 minutes driving from Breb.

Also check out my Youtube video about the Maramures: Breb – Magical village in Maramures Romania

Places to stay around Breb

I stayed at Casa Alberta in Ocna Sugatag for about 120 Lei per night (24 EUR). Even though officially the price didn’t include breakfast, Ulrica, the owner prepared me a delicious breakfast. She wouldn’t accept me to pay for it. This happens often with Romanians. They are beyond friendly! While I was there they were busy building an indoor and outdoor pool. Hot tubs for winter time were available as well. It looked all very promising! Prices might go up I assume once all this new infrastructure is finished.

If you prefer to stay in Breb, some people told me about a great camping/hostel called Babou owned by Dutch people.

If you’re with a large group you could rent this Airbnb called Breb 148 . It accomodates up to 6 people. I haven’t stayed there but I met the owners and they are wonderful people! They also have a restaurant so if you happen to be in Breb I would 100% recommend to grab something to eat at their place Breb 148 local food and garden . I tried the Sarmale and it was delicious! Click here to find the exact location.

In total I spend 3 nights or 2 full days in the area of Breb and Ocna Sugatag and this is what I did:

1. Wander around Breb village

Immediately when driving towards the village of Breb you are greeted with a unique landscape. The hay stacked in Maramures style with in the background the church from Breb sure make for a beautiful view.

When arriving in the village the asphalted road stops and turns into gravel roads. It’s like this in the whole village. Don’t worry a 4×4 car is not necessary. The amount of potholes are fairly limited.

When I started exploring the village I met a German couple that recommended me to take the stairs inside the church tower to get a nice view over Breb. After entering through a side access door I arrived at the first floor of the church. The rest of the stairs looked pretty sketchy and it was full of pigeon poop so I decided to go back. However, just so you know it is possible to get up there!

While roaming through the village it was hard not to notice the wooden churches. These are quite typical for the Maramures region. To my surprise they were even building a new one. In Belgium churches are being demolished or sold off to private owners and in Romania I saw a few new churches being built. It really shows how much religion is still alive there. Apart from the impressive churches it’s just super relaxing to walk around and see how people are going by their daily lives. I really enjoyed the tranquility!

2. Visit Mara waterfall

After spending most of the day in Breb I decided to drive to Mara. I knew there was a waterfall there but didn’t really know what to expect.

Upon my arrival in Mara I was slightly dissapointed because of the amount of people that were there. It seemed that because of the waterfall, which is right next to the main street, lots of other tourist attractions were build.

The waterfall is the main attraction from Mara village. There’s a huge restaurant build around it. The restaurant stretches far beyond the waterfall. There are even tables higher up in the mountain. All I could think of, while having some delicious food, was how hard it must be for the waiters to cover so much distance when waiting the tables up there. A local friend recommended me to try the fish dish as that’s their specialty. Me, being not the biggest fish lover, I chose chicken instead. It was pretty good. Also the beer was approved!

Opposed to the Mara waterfall there are some bars. While walking up towards the first bar, which has a pool, I noticed there was another complex being built. Out of curiosity I walked past is and saw it was a huge bar with infinity pool. In the summer of 2021 it wasn’t ready yet but my guess would be by Spring or Summer 2022 it will be finished. So if you’re an infinity-pool-babe (or dude), you know what to do!

3. Hike to Creasta Cocosolui

A scenic 21 kilometer hike with an elevation gain of about 1000 meters that starts in the cosy little village of Breb in the Maramures region of Romania.

Basically you start in the center of Breb and follow the well marked red crosses until you reach the Creasta Cocosolui. The hike from Breb to Creasta Cocosolui and back to Breb took me about 7 hours in total.

The first kilometers are mostly through the forest. After a few hours you reach the meadows that lay at the foot of Creasta Cocosolui. The last hour towards the peak of about 1450 meter is the hardest but sure is worth it!

In this article I describe the complete hike in detail: Hike to Creasta Cocosolui from Breb in the Maramures in Romania.

2. Borsa and Rodna National Park

Romania road trip itinerary 2nd stop is Borsa: 2 hours driving from Breb 2 nights stay

Also in the Maramures region you find Borsa. This town is often described as the entrance to the Rodna National Park, is a true hiking paradise. If I would’ve had more time I would definitely plan some more hikes there. This national park alone is already a good reason to visit Romania again!

Places to stay in Borsa

Borsa is a city of about 28 000 inhabitants and has lots of accommodation options. If you’re planning to visit the waterfall I would recommend to stay in the same area as me. It’s basically at the foot of the chairlift to Cascada Cailor. There are lots of hotels around and there’s a restaurant called Pizzeria Rustika that serves great food. And despite the name they don’t only serve pizza!

Where I stayed:

• Pensiunea Timis ( link to Booking.com )
• Price was about 100 lei OR 20 EUR / night
• Click here to get the exact address

As it was possible to park my car on the parking of the guesthouse I didn’t have to bother looking for a parking to visit Cascada Cailor. I could walk straight to the chairlifts to get there.

There were basically 2 reasons that I visited Borsa and both involved waterfalls. One of the most famous waterfalls in Romania and one of the most hidden ones. Guess for which one I was the most excited?

1. Cascada Cheilor

While doing tons of research I found out about this ‘hidden’ waterfall in Romania. Apparently it’s not even sure what the name is of this masterpiece. According to Google it’s Cascada Cheilor, other sources call it Cascada Plaiul Scàri.

I had to search a bit and it was raining really hard that day but despite all that it was completely worth it. This waterfall was absolutely stunning and I had it all for myself! I made a Youtube video about the whole experience as well: Hunting hidden waterfalls in Borsa, Romania

This is my tracked route on Wikiloc:

Alternatively you can check out my route on Strava.

Download the GPX file right here:  Hike-to-waterfall-Cheilor-Borsa-Maramures-Romania.gpx

The good thing is it’s only about 30 minutes walking from Manastirea Pietroasa where you can park your car. There are also other hikes that start here.

For example the hike to the glacier lake Lacul Iezer that is protected by UNESCO. And if you’re really courageous you could continue hiking to the peak of Pietrosul Rodnei (2303 m). This article from the blog Here I hike describes in detail how to reach the top of Pietrosul Rodnei.

2. Cascada Cailor

Cascada Cailor is a 100 meter high waterfall that drops in three stages. It’s the highest waterfall in Romania so I really wanted to see this with my own eyes!

To get an idea of how the waterfall looks check out my youtube video.

The best way to get to Cascada Cailor is with the chairlifts. In Romanian this is called Telescaun. Official website of Telescaun Borsa Cascada Cailor.

Address: Strada Brădet 22, Borșa 435200, Romania

• 20 lei for adults
• 10 lei for kids younger than 12 years old
• 30 lei for adults
• 15 lei for kids younger than 12 years old

I decided to walk back so I bought a one-way ticket.

Reaching the waterfall:

The chairlifts are 2-seaters and as I was alone I got one all for myself. The journey to get up took about 20 minutes. When getting off from there’s a bar / restaurant where you could grab something to drink or eat. Also there are public toilets available. Now let’s get started on the walk to Cascada Cailor.

It is about a 45 minute walk to the waterfall and it’s mostly flat or descending. This is pretty effortless if you have basic fitness level. However I saw lots of people struggling to get back from the waterfall to the chairlift station. Glad I took another way back down!

Walking back:

When I saw the waterfall in the distance it looked pretty impressive. When I came closer however I noticed there wasn’t much water flowing down and there were lots of people. Of course it’s the highest waterfall in Romania so obviously this is a big tourist attraction. I climb up next to the waterfall to get a better angle on it. I spend about 20 minutes there and then slowly made my way back down. Just a few hundred meters away from the waterfall there are some benches next tot the river. I had a nice lunch break there while looking on my maps.me application how I could get back down. Info at the waterfall regarding hikes back down was non existent. Basically you follow the trail next to the river and in about 1h30 minutes you arrive on a road that leads you back to civilization.

In my Strava upload I started tracking just after I took the chairlift up until I made it back down to the village.

Upon my arrival I had a well deserved delicious Sarmale at Pizzeria Rustika. I know from the name you would think they only serve pizza but they actual had great local dishes as well!

3. Via Transilvanica – Bucovina

Romania road trip itinerary 3rd stop is Sadova: 2 hours driving from Borsa 4 nights stay

The Via Transilvanica is a hiking trail that is about 1200 kilometers long and starts in Putna in the North of Romania close to the Ukrainian border and ends in Drobeta Turnu-Severin at the Serbian Border. It is divided into sections of usually around 20 kilometer with each time a village at the start/end where you can book accomodation and eat something.

When I explain what the Via Transilvanica is to strangers I always tell them it’s the Santiago de Compostela from Romania.

If you want to follow the same route as me, I wrote an article that describes everything in detail here: Hiking The Via Transilvanica In Bucovina – Romania

4. Danube Delta

Romania road trip itinerary 4th stop is Tulcea: 8 hours driving from Sadova 4 nights stay

Originating in the Black Forest in Germany the Danube flows for about 2850 kilometer through 10 countries. The Danube Delta is the river delta created by the Danube right before it ends up in the Black Sea. The delta is shared between Romania and Ukraine with the largest portion being in Romania. 3,446 km 2  from the total area of 4,152 km 2  .

When reaching the delta the Danube branches out into the Chilia branch, the Sulina branch and the Sfantu Gheorghe Branch (Saint George). The Sulina and Sfantu Gheorghe branches are the most visited ones by tourists. In this article I will focus on the Sulina branch as that’s the one I visited.

For a full travel guide about Mila 23 which is in the heart of the Danube Delta check out this article: Travel Guide – Danube Delta on the Sulina Branch

5. Bucharest

Romania road trip itinerary 5th stop is Bucharest: 4 hours driving from Tulcea 2 nights stay

Places to stay in Bucharest

As Bucharest is the capital of Romania there are lots of options when it comes to accomodation in all price ranges. There’s a metro system and taking Uber is possible as well.

Usually when I stay in a rather large city I try to find something within walking distance from most interesting areas. In Bucharest I stayed in an apartment so I could do some laundry and have a proper table/desk to get some work done. I found an apartment in an interesting neighborhood and on top off that it had a beautiful view from the 13th floor over the Parliament building.

Panorama the Parliament Palace ( link to Booking.com ) Price was about 250 lei OR 50 EUR / night Click here to get the exact address

More info about Bucharest

My main reason to go to Bucharest was to visit some friends, do my laundry and catch up on some work so I didn’t do much exploring. I found a great article online that can help you to find some cool spots in the capital of Romania:

Guide to the best things to do in Bucharest, Capital of Romania

Romania road trip itinerary 6th stop is Brasov: 3 hours driving from Bucharest 2 nights stay

Places to stay in Brasov

Brasov is one of the larger cities in Romania and very popular amongst tourists because of the beautiful old town and Bran castle that isn’t too far away. Because of the touristy scene there is lots of accomodation available in all price categories. Also because I knew it would be quite touristy here I decided to only stay 2 nights. To properly explore this region you would probably need a few days more.

Similar to Bucharest I booked an apartment that was affordable and not too far away from the center. La Rossa, where I stayed, was about 10 minutes walking and very spacious. You could stay here with 4 people so by myself I had plenty of space! If you would like to see a room tour and some of my other adventures around Brasov and Bran Castle have a look at my video: Brasov – Tourist trap or Tourist Paradise?

• La Rossa ( link to Booking.com )
• Price was about 200 lei OR 40 EUR / night

Below some recommendations of what to do in and around Brasov.

1. Discovering the old town

One of the things I usually do in a city like Brasov is wandering around the city without really knowning where to go on the search for some cool spots. There was an abundance of bars and restaurants with lots of delicious food. I wandered around during golden hour which made for some great photos and videos. As it was a late summer night there were plenty of people out and about.

In all honesty I should’ve had at least one day more to explore Brasov properly. Especially the telecabina that leads up to the Hollywood inspired Brasov sign. The view from up there must be spectacular!

Some good tips for places to check out in Brasov from fellow Belgian Blogger wonderfulwanderings.com

2. Visiting Bran Castle

Bran castle or commonly known as Dracula’s castle in fact doesn’t have anything to do with Dracula, the fictional story written by Bram Stoker. Dracula in fact was a real person and was the ruler of Wallachia a historical region that bordered with Transylvania in Romania. Dracula’s real name was actually Vlad III Dracula or Vlad the Impaler. Historians agree that the real Dracula never set foot in Bran Castle. The Romanian government decided to market Bran Castle as Dracula’s castle just because it looked scary. Let me tell you, the marketing worked! A bit to my dissapointment because this castle really gets overrun by tourists. Before entering the castle there is a huge market where you can find a wide range of food and souvenirs. Despite it being a bit of a tourist trap I did enjoy the interior of the castle.

As this article mostly covers details about a Romania road trip I assume you’re traveling with the car. Bran Castle lies about 30 minutes driving from Brasov with the car. There are also tour companies based in Brasov that organize tours to the castle.

3. Try Bean soup in bread

Although I’m not a huge foodie I still wanted to try the bean soup served in bread, locally known as Ciorba de Fasole in Paine. It was the first time I saw a soup served in bread and as it looked pretty cool I had to try it. The first word that comes mind to desribe this soup is hearty. With a single serving of this soup you will be satisfied for the rest of the day, not only because of the bread but also because of the beans. Give it a try, it’s definitely worth it.

4. Hike in Bucegi National Park

Bucegi national park is located South of Brasov and can be reached through the East side via the small mountain town Busteni. There is a cable car that costs 140 RON or 28 EUR for a return ticket. To know the exact operation times of the Busteni Telecabina visit the official website teleferic.ro

With more than 15 peaks over 2000 meters and the unique sculptures crafted by nature, like Sfinxul and Babele, the Bucegi National Park is a very popular destination amongst tourists.

When I visited in September 2021 I was overwhelmed with the length of the queue to get in the cable car. I started waiting to buy tickets but soon some people approached me to sell me a ride in a van towards a parking that isn’t too far from where the cable car would take me and this for the same price. I decided to take the chance to win some time. Looking back I could have driven with my own car to that parking actually.

If you’re reading this article you’re most likely traveling with a car so I would recommend to drive up to that parking yourself, the road was quite good. Do keep in mind that you need to pay an entrance fee to the national park and this needs to be paid in advance at the tourism office in Busteni. If you drive there yourself you also aren’t limited to the time schedule of the cable car.

Once you reach the plain where the cable car arrives (20 minute walk from above mentioned the parking) you will see the incredible rock formations such as the Sfinxul. A rock carved out because of wind erosion and rain, it looks quite impressive actually!

My plan was to hike to the Varful Omu peak (2514 m) and then make a loop to arrive back at the cable car. As I started of quite late I had to return earlier than expected to be able to catch the last cable car back down. This is my tracked route on Strava , if you would continue upwards you would reach Omu peak.

Download the GPX file right here:  Bucegi-National-Park.gpx

I found this great article from Packing Up The Pieces that describes a multi-day trek in the Bucegi National Park from Sinaia to Bran.

7. Hike to Mt. Moldoveanu (2544 m)

Romania road trip itinerary 7th stop is Balea Lake: 2 hours and 30 minutes driving from Brasov 2 nights stay

Mount Moldoveanu (2544m) is the highest mountain of Romania and I decided to climb it during my road trip through Romania. It was one of the greatest challenges of my life but I would do it again immediately! If you’re up for a challenge I would highly recommend to climb this majestic mountain in the Făgăraș mountains of Romania!

To read the full article explaining the route to Moldoveanu starting from Balea Lac read this article: Hike to Moldoveanu, the highest mountain in Romania

Romania road trip itinerary 8th stop is Sibiu: 2 hours driving from Balea Lake 3 nights stay

Places to stay in Sibiu

When I look back on my Romania road trip Sibiu was my favorite city, I’m still not sure why but I think it was not only about the nice vibe around the city and the pretty colorful houses. Most likely it had something to do with the mood I was in as well. I had just climbed the highest mountain in Romania which released quite some endorphines in my body!

Similar to Brasov Sibiu is very touristy so lots of accomodation available in all price ranges.

Because I was spending my last nights in Romania I decided to treat myself to something a bit different. I’ve always been a huge fan of tiny houses, especially when these tiny cabins are surrounded by nature. On Instagram I had run in to some posts of @porumbacutreehouses and this was exactly what I needed for a few nights of ultimate relaxation.

Porumbacu Treehouses ( link to their website ) Price was about 130 EUR / night Click here to get the exact address

I do want to mention that I got 2 nights for free in return for some photos and a feature on my Youtube video but in all honesty I was ready to pay for the accomodation as it was a concept I really liked!

How expensive is Romania?

In total spread over 22 days I have spent about 1350 EUR and this is gasoline/rental car not included. That’s an average of about 60 EUR / day. This only covers the costs in Romania so not including costs made in other countries. Also consider that most hotel/guesthouse prices were for me alone. So if you’re going with multiple people the price might be a bit lower. I didn’t go to luxury resorts but not to the cheapest hotels either.

In total for accomodation I spent 650 EUR. Food and drinks were approximately 400 EUR. The rest of the budget went to entrances to activities, souvenirs, etc.

A comfy, non luxurious hotel costs on an average 20 – 50 EUR a night. A decent meal with drinks ranges from 5 – 20 EUR.

I hope this blog post helps you to plan your own trip to Romania. If you have more questions or suggestions send me a DM on my socials @timtense or an email to [email protected]

Enjoy your travels!

Another road trip guide that you might be interested in: Epic Albania Road Trip Guide – Car insurance? Budget? Is it SAFE?

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The Ultimate Romania Road Trip – Everything You Need to Know!

Romania, a country that is filled with the most stunning nature, idyllic cities and fairytale like castles, and what better way to explore it then by going on a road trip? A road trip through Romania will not just take you from destination to destination, it will allow you to enjoy the full journey. Awe at the beautiful landscapes, visit castles that are hard to reach by public transport and of course, drive one of the most beautiful highways in the world. But going on a road trip in a foreign country can be quite daunting from time to time, especially when it comes to renting a car, driving in a foreign country and deciding where to go. So, to make it a bit easier for you we have created the ultimate Romania road trip guide that will help you plan the perfect road trip. From how much it costs to rent a car in Romania, to tips on driving in Romania and so much more, this guide has it all. So without further ado, keep on reading to find out everything you need to know on how to plan the perfect Romania road trip…

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that purchasing a product or service via these links may earn us a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).

Renting a Car in Romania

One of the most important things for a road trip is renting a car. However, renting a car in a foreign country can differ slightly from the process of renting a car in your home country. So, to make it a bit easier for you we have written down all the essential information that you need to know for renting a car in Romania, so that once you get to the rental company you can enjoy your travels in Romania worry free.

Requirements for Renting a Car in Romania

Renting a car is quite easy, as long as you meet the requirements of the rental company of course. And while the rental requirements often differ slightly from company to company and are definitely not limited to the requirements below, we found these general requirements at many of the car rental companies in Romania:

• You must be 21 years or older. If you are between 21 and 25 years old you can often expect to pay a young driver charge  on top of the rental fee.
• Your drivers license needs to be held for at least 12 months and it must be currently valid . We saw this requirement stated in the terms of almost every rental company in Romania.
• An international drivers license is required for non-EU citizens at all international rental companies. If you are planning on renting a car with a company like Avis, Hertz or Sixt you will need to have an international drivers license if your drivers license was issued in a non-EU country.
• Not all local rental companies hold this requirement though. If you forgot to bring your international drivers license you will still find smaller local companies willing to rent you a car, it might just be a bit harder and require a bit more research. This is what we ended up doing as Rob’s international drivers license had expired, which took us a lot of extra time and research so be sure your documents are up to date.
• You will need an international drivers license if your drivers license is in a non-roman alphabet such as Greek, Farsi, Arabic, Japanese and so on. This rule applies at both international and local companies.
• You will need a credit card in the driver’s name.  Prepaid credit cards and debit cards are almost never accepted at car rental companies in Romania.
• You must have a valid ID such as a passport. Copies are not accepted, so be sure to have your documents ready.
• Want an additional driver? Expect to pay more but also to have the same documents ready for the additional driver. Valid drivers license, valid ID and a valid international drivers license if applicable, are all needed if you are planning on having an additional driver during your road trip.

If you have rented a car before then these requirements are probably fairly straightforward for you as these same rules apply almost everywhere nowadays. However, you will see that many car rental companies will still have additional rules and requirements. So while this provides a base of documents to get ready don’t forget to check the requirements of the car rental company you are planning to use before you are leaving your home country to avoid any issues upon arrival in Romania.

Cost of Renting a Car in Romania

So now that you have checked that you meet all the general requirements for renting a car in Romania you might be wondering how much this is going to cost you. In general smaller cars are widely available at car rental companies which is the most budget friendly option. We rented a 2019 Opel Corsa in September 2019 at a local car rental company and paid €30 per day. The €30 per day included the following:

• Unlimited mileage.
• 24/7 Road assistance.
• Theft and accident insurance (TP and CDW) with a deductible of €300.
• Delivery and pickup of the vehicle to our apartment in the city centre of Bucharest.

If you are planning on doing a road trip in Romania be sure to check the cost of any additional services your car rental company might charge you. Not only will you be able to factor it into your travel budget, but you will also avoid unnecessary cost. Expect to pay extra for the following:

• Pickup outside of the regular opening hours of the company, which sometimes even includes Sundays.
• GPS, child seats and snow chains.
• Additional driver.
• Roadside Assistance, as this is not always included in the price.
• Reducing your deductible. Deductibles can be as high as €1200 (if not more) in Romania, however many car rental companies offer the option to pay an extra daily fee so you will have a lower or even a €0 deductible instead.

You will find many car rental comparison websites online where cars are priced as low as €5 a day, some even stating that it includes insurance for this price. However, if it seems to good to be true, it really is. The insurance the website offers is often not valid in Romania. This means that upon arrival you are often expected to pay another €20, if not more, a day to include the insurance that is required by Romanian law.

Car Rental Tips

Last, but definitely not least we wanted to share some tips for renting a car in Romania. If you have rented cars abroad before then this might seem obvious to you, but in case you have never rented a car abroad then these tips might help to make sure you don’t get overcharged for your rental:

• Take photos of the car.  Before leaving the rental company and signing the rental company inspect the car thoroughly, both inside and out. Look for scratches on the car, check the tires and the rims, and be sure to check the windscreen of the car for any chips or scratches as well. Any damages, even if they are very small, should be marked on the rental agreement as rental companies check the car a lot more thorough when you return the car.
• Get a copy of the rental agreement and the receipt.   Before leaving make sure you get a signed copy of the rental agreement that includes the points mentioned above, don’t lose this document, you might need it again later.
• Take a photo of the mileage and fuel gauge before leaving. Car rental companies often require you to return the tank full, however, if it was given to you only with half a tank then this isn’t a fair deal. Take a photo of your dashboard before leaving the rental company so you won’t be charged extra later.
• Return the car washed and with a full tank , or well with how much gas in it as the car was given to you. This is almost always required, and if you do not return the car washed and fuelled up you can expect to receive a bill that is three times as high as you would have paid for doing these services yourself.
• Don’t be late . This might be a given but either picking up the car late, or return it late can cause you not either trouble but it might also cost you a whole day extra if your car is returned late.
• When returning the car make sure you get another signed (end of) rental agreement. Upon returning the car your car will be checked again. Be sure to ask for an end of rental agreement where on a document will be stated exactly which damages occurred (or not occurred) during your rental period. This will protect you from suddenly having money charged to your credit card later for damages that were not made by you. If any damages occurred during the rental period take photos of the damages as well, just to be on the safe side for later.

Those are some of our tips that we stick to every single time when renting a car abroad, not just in Romania. Do you have any other tips or tricks that you stick to when renting a car? Tell us in the comment section down below!

Road Quality and Safety in Romania

So now that you know everything about renting a car, you might be wondering what it is like to actually drive in Romania. Driving in a foreign country can differ largely from driving in your home country, we experienced this not only in Romania, but also in Vietnam, Indonesia and New Zealand. To help you prepare for what it is like driving in Romania, so you can enjoy your travels worry free, we have shared all our tips, tricks and observations below on what road quality and safety in Romania is like!

Road Quality in Romania

We had read absolute horror stories about the road quality in Romania: potholes, dirt roads, not being able to drive over 60 km/h… But honestly, we were pleasantly surprised about the road quality in Romania. While you cannot expect roads like the German Autobahn in Romania, highways in general were of decent quality.  The highways often allowed us to easily drive over 100 km/h at many sections where the highways were in excellent condition. You can find a map of the road quality in Romania here as well to get a better idea of what road quality on your planned itinerary will be like.

Besides the beautiful highways that take you along mountains and endless fields of green there were also many roads that were filled with massive potholes, especially when leaving the main roads between and within the cities, so you will still have to be extremely careful when driving in Romania. However, we only found dirt roads in smaller villages or when we stayed further outside of the city closer to the mountains. One thing that was an issue though was that on many county roads there was a lack of road marking and speed signs.

Driving in Romania

Now that you now how to rent a car in Romania and what you can expect of the roads in Romania you might be wondering what driving in Romania is like. Driving abroad can be a complete different experience from driving in your home country: different rules and regulations, but also different driving styles and norms. To give you a better idea of what driving in Romania is like check out some of the most important rules, regulations and extra tips on what to expect when driving in Romania below:

• In Romania they drive on the right side of the road.
• Don’t drink and drive, Romania has a zero tolerance policy.
• You will have to wear your seatbelt at all times.
• The driving style in Romania can be quite aggressive, especially on the highways. You will find many people trying to overtake you and not sticking to the speed limit. We have seen people easily driving over 150 km/h on the highways, so be careful when driving in Romania.
• You will often find traffic police in villages but also on highways doing speed checks, so be sure to stick to the speed limits.
• The emergency number in Romania is 112.
• You are not allowed to use your car horn between 10pm and 6am in Romania, instead you will have to use your lights instead. In some cities and towns (including Bucharest) use of horns are forbidden at all times.
• Expect to find many congestions on national and county roads, so schedule some extra time in your itinerary.

If you are looking for more info and tips on driving in Romania check out this website here that we found during our road trip research. This is one of the few resources on the rules and regulations of driving in Romania that was available in English, so while not an official website of Romania it might give you an idea of what rules and regulations you can expect.

Parking in Romania – While parking spots are not hard to find in Romania, expect to pay almost everywhere for parking, especially near city centres and near popular sights and castles. Parking is often less then 1$ an hour, however, it does often have to be paid in cash so be sure to keep some small cash at hand.

Sharing the Road & Wildlife in Romania

Another slight point of road safety in Romania we wanted discuss was sharing the road, and we don’t just mean sharing the road with other drivers. One of the things that surprised us the most was the amount of people we saw walking on highways and national roads, roads where cars drive over 100 km/h from time to time. People were not just simply walking on the side of the road but we sometimes even saw people crossing highways. Besides this also keep your eye out for horse drawn carriages, which are quite common in Romania, people on bicycles and for sheep herders with life stock. Basically we just wanted to tell you to stay alert and keep your eyes open when driving in Romania to avoid any accidents.

Besides people be careful of wildlife in Romania crossing the road unexpectedly as well. There have been many blogs that we read that people came across brown bears on the road, and while we didn’t see any brown bears we did see many deer in Romania along the side of the roads. So keep your eyes open, not only to see this beautiful wild life, but also to stay safe on the road while driving.

Planning a Road Trip Through Romania

Now that you know everything about renting a car and are fully prepared to drive in Romania you might still have a couple of questions left when it comes down to the actual planning of your road trip through Romania. Don’t worry, we got you covered. Keep on reading to find some practical information such as when to go on your road trip, how much will it cost, and how many days should I rent my car for?

Best time to go on a Road Trip in Romania

Summer (June to mid September) – High season is one of the seasons we try to avoid everywhere we travel. However, sometimes it doesn’t always work out. We traveled Romania during the high season and can honestly admit that we could not recommend this if you have the option of going at a different time. Expect warm weather (we had highs of 38 degrees), busy cities and long waiting lines at castles. Besides this expect higher prices at accommodation and sights, not the best option for budget travellers.

Spring & Fall (April/May & Mid-September/October) – Mid September the children go back to school, meaning that the long lines will disappear and that during week days you will find that cities are emptier and the long waiting lines for sights disappear. On top of that during fall you will be greeted with the most beautiful fall foliage and in spring with the trees blossoming, if we would do another road trip then these months would be our preferred choice.

Winter (November to March) – Winter in Romania sounds like a fairytale, especially with some of the most beautiful colourful cities covered in a layer of snow. However, driving in the snow can be quite difficult, especially when going through the mountains. As winter is low season many sights have very limited opening hours so be sure to take that into consideration.

How many days do you need for a Romania Road Trip?

We rented our car for a total of 9 days, which was plenty to see all the main sights and have some break days (or for us work days) in between. After driving our route we established that for people that don’t work on the road, 7 days would have been more then enough for that route, but it will include sightseeing every single day, and driving every single day. If you like to take it a bit slower, plan for 10 days, and if you have limited time we would say that 5 days, although short, is enough to see the major highlights of Transylvania. Be sure to plan in some extra time before and after your trip to explore Bucharest as well.

Money & Budget for a Romania Road Trip

Going on a road trip in Romania is a lot more affordable then many destinations in Western Europe, however, costs add up quickly. From fuel, parking, groceries, accommodation to sights, it all costs money. To give you a bit of a better idea of how much we spent during our 9 day road trip in Romania check out the table below:

As you can see the largest part of our budget went to car, food & drinks, and accommodation. However, as we are traveling on a budget we still tried to keep our costs as low as possible, so your cost might end up a lot higher (or a lot lower) then our given expenses. To keep our costs low we stayed at budget Airbnbs and pensions that had a kitchen so we could cook our own food. Moreover, we were selective of the sights and castles we wanted to see to keep our budget slightly down as well. So if you are planning on seeing all the castles, visit museums and ride the cable cars then be sure to plan for a higher budget for activities and sights.

Supermarkets in Romania –  If you are on a budget then you might want to stick to cooking your own food as eating out can add costs up quickly. Near the bigger cities you will find plenty of supermarkets that have a large variety of breads (including pizza snacks, croissants), fruits and veggies, meats, dairy and so much more. If you are not sure where to look use Google Maps to see if any Carrefour, Kaufland, Lidl or Mega Image is in your vicinity, these are the four most common supermarkets you will find near and in the cities.

Romania Road Trip Route & Map

Now that we have discussed all the logistics, let’s talk about the actual route and itinerary for your road trip! Romania is a large country, and there is so much to see: from the Danube Delta to black sea, there is something for everyone’s liking here. We opted to go for the more classic road trip: the castles and fairytale-like cities of Transylvania. Our route took us through the most gorgeous fields of green, mountains, medieval castles, beautiful cities and the most beautiful highway we had ever seen, a combination that makes this one of the most beautiful road trips in the Balkans .

Our least favourite part of highway must have been on our way to Hunedoara, where the views of lush mountains slowly started to disappear and were replaced with empty fields and factories, but in the end the destination was 100% worth it, but more on that below. If you are looking for ideas for your own route or itinerary, check out our map below with the exact road we took during our Romania road trip, or keep on scrolling to read more about our favourite destinations in Romania!

Best Places to Visit in Romania

A visit to Transylvania would not be complete without visiting the beautiful city of Brasov. Streets filled with an endless amount of colourful houses, the most stunning viewpoints, and close to one of the most popular sights of Romania: Bran Castle , a.k.a. Dracula’s Castle. Brasov must be one of our favourite destinations in Romania, and we honestly wished we would have stayed longer to explore more of what this beautiful city has to offer. We personally recommend spending 2 days in and around Brasov to see some of the nearby highlights as well, not sure what to do? Read our full 2 day Brasov itinerary here .

Visiting Sighisoara felt almost like we just stepped into a fairytale filled with the most bright and colourful houses. Narrow cobblestoned streets that we could have wandered for hours as you would discover something new everything you walk through them. We wrote about all our favourite things to do in Sighisoara here , from the most beautiful view over the city to learning more about Sighisoara’s history, you can easily visit all the sights within an afternoon as the city itself is rather small. However, before you head to your next destination consider stopping by one of the many lovely smaller cities in the vicinity, such as Biertan, which is home to an absolute massive fortified church.

Corvin Castle

While Hunedoara itself is a city that doesn’t have much to offer, there is one sight in particular that made the drive here all worth it: Corvin Castle. This castle was the sole reason I was inspired to do a road trip through Romania, and it honestly was even more impressive in real life. Corvin Castle made me feel like I had stepped right into a Harry Potter movie where I had received my invitation letter to Hogwarts! Visiting Corvin Castle was one of the highlights of our Romania road trip, and in our opinion an absolute must see when visiting Romania. Intrigued? You can read all our tips and tricks on visiting Corvin Castle here !

Many people fly into the city of Bucharest and have the tendency of just renting a car and hitting the road, which is a shame as Bucharest itself is a city worth exploring! We loved our time in Bucharest can cannot wait to go back in the future to see what else this city has to offer. Wander around one of the newest old towns you will find in Europe (it is only a couple of years old), visit the Palace of the Parliament which is the heaviest building in the world, or simply relax in the beautiful parks of Bucharest. We recommend booking an extra two to three days before or after your road trip to explore this beautiful city before heading home, or to your next destination.

The last city in Romania that deserves a spot on your road trip itinerary is the city of Sibiu. While we did not find Sibiu as beautiful or exciting as Sighisoara and Brasov we would still highly recommend seeing it if you have the time in your schedule. Wander around Sibiu’s beautiful market square, walk through the idyllic little cobblestoned streets or find the most beautiful viewpoint over the city of one of the towers. We Would personally recommend spending one day in Sibiu, before heading to the last destination of this road trip…

Transfăgărășan Highway

Last, but definitely not least, of the best places to visit Romania on your road trip is the Transfăgărășan Highway, also known as one of the most beautiful highways in the world. This beautiful road swirls through the Carpathian mountains and was built in the 1970’s as a strategic route, connecting Transylvania with Wallachia. It took over four years to construct this road filled with hairpin turns that slowly take you up to the highest point of the highway: Balea Lake from where you can admire the beautiful view over the highway. Driving the Transfăgărășan Highway through beautiful scenery, along creeks, waterfalls and sheep herders was the absolute highlight of our trip. However, the road is only open for several months out of the year (more info on that here ), so be sure to check if you can drive it before planning your Romania road trip!

And there you have it, everything you need to know to plan the perfect Romania road trip! While we only had enough time to go on a 9-day road trip, we absolutely fell in love with the cities and nature of Romania, and we undoubtedly will be back in the future to see what else Romania has to offer. Do you have any questions? Or any recommendations for us and our readers? Be sure to tell us in the comment section down below!

 Not going home yet after your road trip? Be sure to check out some of our other posts on nearby destinations!

• The Train from Chisinau to Bucharest: Everything You Need to Know
• 13 Unique Things to do in Chisinau
• 10 Unique Things to do in Tiraspol, Transnistria

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22 Comments

Romania is so high on my list and this just makes me want to go even more. Great tips on the car rental. Having a car makes it so much easier to get around and see more of the country than just one city

Hi Emma! After having done our road trip I honestly didn’t want to use any public transport any more. Having a car just makes it so much easier to stop on the side of the road and admire the beautiful views, plus, no need to carry your luggage around. I hope you get to visit Romania some day soon!

Amazing post! Romania is one of my favourite countries in Europe, and your post makes me miss it so much! Thank you for all the practical tips. I travelled the country by train when I visited in Romania, but I would love to go back and do a road trip.

Thank you so much Erica! Romania is such a beautiful country, the nature, the beautiful cities, I would go back in a heartbeat!

Your photos are so amazing! Can’t believe I’m living in Hungary but still haven’t made it to Romania.. Gotta change that soon! So I saved your post for later, thank you for sharing it! 🙂

Thank you so much! Oh I really hope you get to visit it some day soon, it is only a short ride away from Hungary!

I did it last year (solo) and wrote about it too but I didn’t drive. So this is totally useful if one wants to DIY, which is the recommended way really. As a solo tourist, it’s a bit of a begging cotravelers to join, or pile on a group trip, which rarely run off season. I just about managed.😏 Stunning pictures!!

Thank you so much! And that is so true, as a solo traveller it can definitely a bit expensive if you have to rent a car by yourself! Glad you liked the pictures and the post!

This was SO helpful! Romania is on the top of my list these days, but I never considered a road trip until now. It looks and sounds incredible! And your photos look great, what camera + lens are you using for these photos?

Thank you so much Tina! I just love doing road trips, they are such a good way of exploring a country, I just feel like you get to see a lot more. I use a Canon 5D Mark 3 with a Canon 16-35mm (F4) Lens!

Oh this is making me want to travel to Romania again! Awesome photos and very helpful information 🙂

Thank you so much! It is such a beautiful country, I really hope to go back in the near future and explore it more!

I am drooling over that highway! Look so incredibly stunning and I want to fly my drone there hehe

Isn’t it just stunning, it was such an incredible sight to see in real life!

I’m actually from Bucharest and had no idea about not being aloud to use your car horn. I just know that I’ve taken my license at 19 and have started actually driving 9 years later because I was terrified about the traffic and crazy people driving on our roads. Thus, good job for adventuring on this road trip. I think this is one of the most beautiful areas in Romania.

Thanks Ingrid! And I can imagine, the traffic could sure be a bit crazy within the city of Bucharest!

Thank you for this detailed and fantastic article! I always put Eastern Europe for last, but I’ve heard fantastic things about Romania, especially the castles and nature. So, you managed to complete your road trip marked on a map within 9 days total?

Thanks Lena! And I know what you mean, I grew up in the Netherlands and have spent the last 3 years exploring mainly outside my own continent. This summer I finally decided to spent 4 months in Europe and it just reminded me of how much beauty can be found so close to home. We did it in 9 days total with a bit of work in between, and a lot of driving, but I do think it is doable in 7 days if you don’t mind being on the road a lot!

Romania is on my bucket list and your post is sooooo helpful – it is not always easy to find such detailed and helpful information on blogs and your post is definitely saved for when finally I visit Romania. Thanks so much!

Thank you so much Paulu! I hope you get to visit Romania some day soon!

Your photos are absolutely beautiful! You totally sold me on doing a Romania road trip. 🙂

Thank you so much Taylor! It was a trip of a lifetime!

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A 5-day Itinerary – ultimate Romanian Road Trip Holiday

The ideal 5-day itinerary for visiting Romania: discover Bucharest and the southern part of Transylvania , a land full of history and fairy tales, castles and medieval cities. This ultimate itinerary for a trip to Romania includes all the must-see places, both on and off the beaten track! So, grab your luggage and get ready for some serious sightseeing!

Day 1: Arrival in Bucharest & city tour

Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, is bursting with life, offering diversity and contrasts: glorious Belle Époque buildings, communist giants like the Palace of Parliament, the 18th century architecture of the Old Town or glass towers topped by sky bars.

Bucharest is the European capital with the largest number (per square mile) of clubs, bars and lounges . The Old City in particular teems with life from early in the afternoon until sunrise. In the last years, this area was fully restored and it once again looks and feels like it did between the World Wars when Bucharest had earned a new nickname – “The Paris of the East”.

You can either explore the city with the hop on/hop off sightseeing bus or you can opt for a private city tour. Time Travel Tourism is our specialty, that’s why we’ve designed our day tours based on certain historical themes. You can choose the Ashes of Communism Tour (visit the Palace of Parliament, learn about the last European dictator, see massive structures and unhealed scars) or the Charm of the Belle Époque Tour (Golden age, 19 th century, beautiful architecture & palaces). If time allows it, you can delve into Bucharest’s traditions and enjoy a visit at the Village Museum and a wine tasting session .

Day 2: Bucharest – Peles Palace – Bran Castle – Brasov

The 2 nd day is about castles and medieval cities. Take a ride to Sinaia and visit the gorgeous Peles Palace , former private retreat of Romania’s royal family and currently one of the greatest art collections in Eastern Europe.

Next, go to Bran Castle and discover a stone giant guarding the passageway to Transylvania. While exploring the mighty castle, learn about the myth of Dracula, the stories of Vlad the Impaler and the iconic figure of Queen Mary. After having lunch, go to Brasov , a medieval gem resting at the feet of Mount Tampa and founded by the Teutonic knights in the 12 th century. In Brasov, visit the Old Town with its charming streets and feasts your eyes with a breathtaking view over the entire city from atop of the White Tower.

Day 3: Brasov – Rasnov Citadel – Viscri – Sighisoara

This day is more relaxing (less driving) but with beautiful attractions nevertheless. First, stop at Rasnov Citadel , a superb medieval fortification placed on top of a hill.

Next, go to Viscri’s Fortified Church (UNESCO monument). Discover a village where traditions are still intact, where you can feel like you’re travelling back in time. Continue on the path of discovering local traditions and stop in Saschiz (UNESCO) to have a traditional Romanian lunch in a beautifully decorated guesthouse. The last stop of the day is Sighisoara (UNESCO), one of the best preserved medieval citadels in Europe. There are a few hotels & guesthouses right within the citadel, among the colorful streets, old workshops, fortifications, gatehouses or Boehme cafes. In a few words, Sighisoara is a medieval fairy tale.

Day 4: Sighisoara – Biertan – Sibiu

The first stop of the day is at  Biertan (UNESCO) and its Fortified Church. Biertan is probably one of the most beautiful Saxon villages in Transylvania. Next, head to Sibiu – another medieval marvel of Transylvania and the European capital of culture in 2007. Founded over 800 years ago by German settlers, the old city is surrounded by well-preserved 15th century fortifications. With a mix of Gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture, the pedestrian free Old Town looks like medieval Vienna and was ranked as Europe’s 8th most idyllic place to live by Forbes.

Day 5: Sibiu – Transfagarasan – Bucharest

This day is about incredible scenery. On your way to Bucharest, cross the Carpathians on the Transfagarasan,  “the best road in the world” (by Top Gear). From the highest point, near the shore of a glacier lake, you can see the entire Transylvanian Plateau (if sunny). Please keep in mind that the Transfagarasan road is open between June and October. If you’re planning your trip during November and May, you can always return to Bucharest by passing through Olt’s Valley – another amazing road that crosses the southern Carpathian Mountains.

Let us know of your travel plans by filling in our Request Form and one of our travel consultants will help you make the best decision!

Itinerary details & map

Overall itinerary: Bucharest – Brasov – Sighisoara – Sibiu – Bucharest

Number of days: 5

Distance covered: approx. 800 km

Suggested type of transportation: car

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An amazing one week Romania road trip itinerary

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When you think of Transylvania, what comes to mind? Before our Romania road trip, I would have said two things: Dracula and castles.

After spending a week road tripping through the Transylvanian countryside, I can now add a lot more to this list:

Gently rolling green hills and snow capped mountains that remind me of Switzerland.

Picture perfect old saxon villages.

Colourful streetscapes.

Hearty food.

And of course, lots of Dracula references and gorgeous castles.

One week was the perfect amount of time for a Romania road trip through the Transylvanian region. A week allowed us to take in most of the major sites without feeling too rushed.

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Where to start your Romania road trip

There are many options to choose where you start a road trip through Romania. We chose to start and end in the capital of Transylvania, Cluj Napoca. Being a discount airline hub, there are often great flight deals via Wizz Air or Ryanair. We considered ending in Bucharest, so we could also visit the Romanian capital. However, there was a hefty one-way rental car fee, and the flights out of Bucharest to London were considerably more expensive too. We decided to save the €250 this would have added. We concentrated our travels on a loop of Transylvania which was the perfect combination of value and sights.

Romanian car hire

Car hire in Romania ended up being simple and straightforward. We always use Skyscanner Car Rentals as our booking site of choice. They have a large number of operators and clear and transparent pricing (no one likes a nasty one-way fee after the fact!).

Romania has local operators as well as a limited number of international companies. We’d read prior to booking that we should consider an international company, however prices with these were significantly higher (up to 3x higher in fact!). We booked with Klass Wagen, which was very highly rated. We found their service to be friendly and efficient. Their office is about a 2 minute drive from the airport, and they offer a convenient pick up and drop off service. We booked full insurance for added peace of mind. When you see how some Romanians drive, you’ll want full insurance too. That’s not a point to scare you, but they do make any Romania road trip a constantly exciting activity.

Our Romania road trip itinerary

When planning our road trips, we like to avoid packing up our bags every morning and moving to a new hotel. Here’s how we split up the week long trip:

2 nights in Cluj Napoca (although our flight landed very late on the first night): Hotel Platinia

1 night in Sibiu: Republique hotel

3 nights in Brasov: Belfort Hotel

1 night in Sighisoara (we had a late flight out of Cluj Napoca the next day): Hotel Bulevard

Here’s a breakdown with our recommendations on top things to do and where to stay for a fantastic road trip through Romania.

Day 1-2: Cluj Napoca

Cluj Napoca (or Cluj for short) is the capital of the Transylvania. It will be the European Capital of Culture for 2021. Cluj is a university town, having the highest student population in all of Romania. For this reason, there is a young, hip vibe. Cafes, bars and trendy restaurants abound, and all at very reasonable prices.

The old town of Cluj is the place to base your trip. It’s a fairly small old town by European standards, with all the of the key sights within about a 30 minute walk. Start at Union Square (Piata Unirii), which is the largest and main square of the city. Within the square lies St Michaels Church, which dominates the skyline with its gothic architecture. From there, you can visit the impressive Opera House, and in another direction, the aptly named “small square”. It’s a square. And it’s small.

Regular readers of our blog will know that we love taking free walking tours in new cities we visit. Cluj Napoca is a perfect place for a free walking tour. You’ll learn all about the history of the city and Transylvania in general. We recommend the free tour by Cluj Guided Tours which departed at 6pm from Union Square (check their Facebook page for updated times).

When it comes to eating, you won’t be starved of options (pun intended!). We had a lovely dinner at Rhedey Café , which is located right on Union Square. It served a wide range of traditional and western dishes. They also don’t skimp on the portions.

Our walking guide also recommended Varzarie . It’s apparently the best place for traditional, home-style Romanian cooking. This restaurant is a nostalgic favourite. Dating back to the communist era, the food is much the same as it was then. It’s located on the main road leading down to the Opera House from Union Square.

Where to stay in Cluj Napoca

There’s a wide range of accommodation options in Cluj to suit all budgets. We stayed at Hotel Platinia, which is a fairly new 5 star hotel. We had a gigantic suite, filled with plush furnishings that were super comfortable. This made it hard to leave the hotel when it was pouring rain outside!

Our flight arrived in very late, which is why we opted for a hotel with a 24 hour front desk. Also, this hotel was only slightly more expensive than other 3 and 4 star hotels in Cluj. It was a little further to the Old Town than other hotels, but it was still an easy 15 minute flat walk.

BOOK NOW: Hotel Platinia, Cluj Napoca || From €90

Day 3: Turda, overnight in Sibiu

Now is the time you really hit the road and start exploring the Transylvanian countryside. Make your first stop the Turda Mines, located about 30 minutes from Cluj Napoca.

Turda Mines

I don’t like to use clichés often, but the Turda Salt Mine really does need to be seen to be believed.

Turda Salt Mine is an underground attraction, which Business Insider boast as one of the most unbelievable travel destinations you didn’t know existed . There are 2 sides to exploring the mine. Firstly, you can learn all about the history of the mine. Secondly, there’s an underground amusement park you can enjoy too.

There are some areas with information detailing the purposes of the salt mine, which dates back a few hundred years. The oldest chamber in the mine is the Teresa mine which dates back to 1690. After mining ceased, an underground lake formed. You can now walk out onto a salt island and enjoy a boat ride. All this occurring of course some 100 metres+ underground!

A level up from the lake is the Rudolph Mine, which is the perfect place to hang out if you’re travelling with kids (or are a big kid yourself). This area offers up table tennis, mini golf and even a Ferris Wheel. Yes, an underground Ferris Wheel! It is possibly one of the most eclectic tourist attractions you’ll find anywhere in the world.

Tickets at entry: Turda Salt Mine || 1-2 hours || 40 lei

Once you’ve finished at the Turda Mines, we’d recommend a quick lunch at the restaurant opposite, Sarea-n Bucate . This place serves up authentic Romanian food. There is no such thing as a ‘light lunch’ here. Our best advice would be to avoid over-ordering!

From the Turda Salt Mine, make your way to Sibiu. It should take ~2.5 hours.

Sibiu is a gorgeous old Saxon village that dates back to the 12 th century. It was our favourite stop on our Romania road trip. We only added this to our itinerary at the last minute, and I am so glad we did.

There’s so much to love about Sibiu, but if there is one thing that really stood out, were the homes with eyes. Yes, that’s right, so many homes in the old town have eyes! It sounds like an M Night Shyamalan movie! In reality they are just windows in the attics of the homes, but they do look very unique.

Aim to arrive early enough in the day to spend a few hours exploring. The old town is quite compact but there are many things to see. The town is split into the upper and lower town, and you really do need to explore both. You’ll find large and small squares surrounded by coloured homes. There are medieval walls, old towers and stunning cathedrals to view both inside and out.

For a more in depth look at what you can do in this beautiful town, check out our dedicated one day in Sibiu article .

Where to stay in Sibiu

In Sibiu we stayed at the Republique hotel, and it was perfect. Located an easy 10 minute flat work to the old town. They offer comfortable rooms at a really affordable price. In fact, for the quality of the hotel, we are convinced this might be the best value hotel we’ve stayed in during our year long travels. There was ample free parking right out of the front of the hotel. The staff were all so friendly and helpful, and a free breakfast topped off an enjoyable stay.

BOOK NOW: Republique Hotel, Sibiu || From €48

Day 4: Drive to Brasov, overnight in Brasov

Today I recommend waking up early to spend your morning exploring more of Sibiu. How early you leave Sibiu today depends on one thing: whether you drive the Transfagarasan or not.

The Transfagarasan Road

The Transfagarasan Road has been touted as one of the best roads in the world. Don’t take our word for it, the Top Gear guys made an episode about this road . It runs through the mountains in Transylvania, offering sensational views and sharp hairpin turns. However, due to the elevation of the road and icy conditions, it’s only open a few months of the year. We visited in May and the road was still closed for the winter season, so unfortunately it didn’t make our Romania road trip itinerary. However, from photos we’ve seen online, it looks absolutely incredible. if you’re travelling to Romania in the summer, consider adding this to your itinerary.

If like us, you can’t drive the Transfagarasan, stay in Sibiu until after lunch time. Grab a few covrigi for the road. For the uninitiated, covrigi are like a German pretzel with sesame seeds. Every second shop in Sibiu is a bakery (I may be slightly exaggerating), so there are plenty of places to pick one (or three) up for your travels.

Sibiu to Brasov

The drive from Sibiu to Brasov is a simple yet breathtaking drive through the Transylvanian countryside. The drive is packed with those rolling green hills and snow capped mountains I mentioned earlier. At times it feels like you’re in Switzerland, Austria or Germany such is the scenic landscape.

It should take just over 2 hours direct, but I recommend a quick stop off at the Castel de Lut, Valea Zanelor. By taking a slight detour off the E68, you’ll come across this old style castle where the walls are made out of clay and straw. It reminded us of the gingerbread house from Hansel and Gretel. There’s a small entry fee and you can enjoy a drink by the river.

Tickets at entry: Castel de Lut, Valea Zanelor || 30 minutes || 5 lei

Overnight in Brasov

Driving into Brasov you’ll notice a few things. Firstly, you’re back in a big city. Secondly, you know you’re in Brasov because you’ll see the gigantic Hollywoodesque sign sitting up in the mountain behind the city. You can’t miss it.

Brasov is another delightful Romanian city that is extremely popular on the tourist trail. It’s a great base for exploring the nearby castles and countryside, and for this reason we recommend basing yourself here for a few nights.

Where to stay in Brasov

We stayed at the Belfort Hotel which was a 10 minute walk to the main attractions in town. It came with free parking and offered an extensive free breakfast. Rooms are large and the staff ever helpful.

BOOK NOW: Belfort Hotel, Brasov || From €70

Day 5: A day of castles

Today I recommend another early start, to explore the most beautiful castles in the Romania.

Peles Castle

Peles Castle is located in the Carpathian Mountains, about a one hour drive from Brasov. Whilst lying just outside the border of Transylvania, you’re close enough to make it a must visit.

Built between 1873 and 1914, Peles Castle is a neo-Renaissance castle, and reminded us so much of the popular castles you’ll see in Germany. It was a royal castle, commissioned by King Carol I of Romania.

The beauty of the outside is matched by the stunning interiors. There are rooms upon rooms that are decorated in so many different styles. Ornate furnishings, stained glass windows and impressive halls dominated the scenery.

The entry fee is for the downstairs rooms, and in my view, worth paying. However, there is an additional 35 lei charge for photography, which is strictly enforced. We opted out of the photography charge and just enjoyed the experience.

Tickets at entry: Peles Castle || 1-2 hours || From 30 lei

Bran Castle

Head back towards Brasov, stopping off at Bran Castle.

Bran Castle is often called “Dracula’s Castle”. It’s a romanticised notion which draws plenty of tourists, us included, to this picturesque spot in the countryside. However, does this castle have anything to do with Bram Stoker’s legendary novel? Likely not.

Regardless of the connection with Dracula, the castle is still an interesting historical site. It was built between 1377 and 1382. Being a medieval castle, it’s filled with narrow staircases and fairly plain rooms. If you’re looking for another decorated castle, you’ll be disappointed. Our favourite spot was the inner courtyard, where you’ll get a great view of the covered walkways and the striking orange roof.

Be sure to spend some time wandering around the grounds for great views of the castle too.

Skip the line and book now: Bran Castle || 1 hour || €22

Rasnov Fortress

Heading back towards Brasov, you should spot Rasnov Fortress. It sits impressively upon a hill with its own Hollywood style sign. What is it with Transylvania and the Hollywood signs? This seems to be a popular way of marking a place in Romania!

For 5 lei per person, a tractor will take you up to the top of the hill where the fortress sits. The castle itself has seen better days. And on that basis is not in the same league as Peles or even Bran Castle. But it does have views that neither of those two can match. Extensive views out over the valley below as well as out to the snow-capped Carpathian mountains.

Before you leave Rasnov, take some time to walk the main streets with the colourful homes.

Tickets at entry: Rasnov Castle || 1 hour || 12 lei plus 5 lei per person for a return tractor trip to and from the car park

Arrive back in Brasov in time for dinner. After a big day, we recommend a hearty traditional Romanian meal. Restaurant Sergiana was recommended to us by one of our helpful front desk staff. “I go here when I want to eat a meal like my Mum makes” . If that’s not a testament to authentic Romanian cuisine, I don’t know what is!

There’s no shortage of options on the menu, but if you don’t like meat, you may struggle and have to stick to a side salad. The Romanians love their meat and just about every part of the animal, so there is a good variety.

I enjoyed the Transylvanian stew. Jeff had the traditional sarmale, which is minced meat wrapped in cabbage. We’d highly recommend both.

Note: The castles are not open every day . Peles Castle is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (in peak times, the downstairs rooms may be open on Tuesdays). Bran Castle is not open on Monday mornings. Double check the official websites for opening times to ensure you don’t miss out.

Day 6: Explore Brasov

Brasov is an impressive medieval town and is worth some more time to explore. You can start the day by taking the cable car up the top of the Tampa mountain, to get a view of Brasov down below.

Back down in the city, walk along the Tampa Promenade for views of the fortified medieval complex.

Visit the Black Church, which is the largest medieval church in south Eastern Europe. A great fire swept through Braşov in 1689, which ultimately burnt the church too. The blackening of the church walls it is said, is where the name the Black church comes from. The oldest relic inside the church is the baptismal font from 1472.

Tickets at entry: Black Church || 20 minutes || 10 lei || Photography not permitted

Spend some time in the large Council Square. It was our favourite place to people-watch. Don’t leave without grabbing a crepe nearby too. It seems they are almost more popular here than anywhere else in Europe!

Grab some dinner at one of the many restaurants in the Old Town. We ate at Festival 39 , which offers up a mix of decent traditional and western food. The interior of Festival 39 was the most impressive part of our visit. Vintage decorations and low lighting transport you to the 1930s.

Day 7: Sighisoara

Say farewell to Brasov today and make you way to the beautiful little town of Sighisoara. Also, consider a detour to visit a small saxon village, Viscri.

Viscri is a super small Saxon village which is now known for three main things:

It’s a UNESCO heritage protected village.

There’s an impressive fortified church.

Prince Charles owns a house in Viscri.

I’ll make a guess and assume it’s the third point that gets most visitors to this town. If I’m honest, it’s what piqued my interest in stopping by here.

So, is the detour worth it? Well, the town is super small – pretty much all the main sights are down two roads, including Prince Charles’ house. The church is very unique and we loved to see & experience a rural village. However, it takes about 2 hours out of your schedule, with the detour and time for sightseeing. I’d only visit here if you leave early from Brasov.

If you do make it here, it’s prohibited to drive up the main street. You’ll spot a large sign directing you to a parking lot on the edge of town. There’s a walking path which will (hopefully) lead you to the main street. When we visited, the path was still in construction phase. We walked about 5 minutes to end up in a local’s backyard. There were chickens everywhere and we had to find our own way out through their shed!

The drawcard for Sighisoara is the beautiful UNESCO protected old town. Standing impressively up on a hill, it’s claimed to be the oldest inhabited citadel in Europe. It’s certainly one of the most beautiful we’ve ever seen.

Take a few hours to walk within the old medieval walls. Stroll down the small cobbled stone streets with the colourful homes dotted along the sides. Take in the views of the numerous different watchtowers.

The Clock Tower with its tiled roof is the most impressive tower, which will greet you as you enter the city limits. It dates back to the 14 th century. You can even climb this tower for views out across the city.

Walk up the Scholar’s Stairway, which was has been around since 1692. There’s 174 steps in total, which will take you up to the church. When we visited, there was a busker up the top of the stairs playing “A stairway to heaven” on his guitar. It was a fitting song and a great way to distract us from the monotonous stairs ahead of us.

At the top of the hill is the Biserica din deal (or Church on the Hill). It dates back to the 14 th century and is the 3 rd largest Gothic church in Transvylvania. One of the prized possessions of the church is the St Martin’s altar, which dates back to 1520.

Tickets at entry: Biserica din deal || 15 minutes || 8 lei

Where to stay in Sighisoara

We stayed at the Hotel Bulevard. It was conveniently located at the base of the citadel. Whilst they don’t have a private parking bay, we found cheap parking in the nearby public carpark (which the hotel reimbursed us for). Whilst this hotel was the most basic of all our hotel stays in Romania, it was good value for a one night stay.

BOOK NOW: Hotel Bulevard, Sighisoara || From €57

Day 8: Drive via Targu Mures, fly out of Cluj Napoca

You’ve made it to the last day of your one week Romania road trip through Transylvania. Today, you’ll need to make the ~2.5 hour drive from Sighisoara to Cluj Napoca. Depending on the time of your flight, consider a stop in Targu Mures.

Targu Mures is another town of Transvylvania. We’d read in Lonely Planet that it is considered “Transylvania’s most underrated town”. As we had an evening flight that day, we made the slight detour by the city. However, the weather gods weren’t playing nicely with us. We experienced torrential rain whilst in the city and we circled all the parking lots for a good 45 minutes with no luck. From what we saw out the car window, the city had some beautiful buildings.

If you do decide to detour via this city, I’d arrive early in the hopes of securing parking. Another alternative would be to stay overnight in the city (instead of Sighisoara) and get accommodation with parking included.

Enjoy your final few hours driving through the Transylvanian countryside before dropping off your rental car in Cluj Napoca.

Other tips and thoughts

Given the small size of the old town of Cluj, you really only need a half a day to one day maximum in the city. Our flight arrived very late in the evening, which is why we spent two nights here. However, if your flight arrives early, consider just staying one night and spending more time somewhere else (I’d recommend Sibiu). 

We didn’t book the car until it was time to leave Cluj Napoca . You don’t need a car whilst you’re in Cluj, and our hotel charged extra for parking. It was cheaper for us to hire a taxi from the airport to our hotel, and then back to Klass Wagen when we commenced our road trip. The airport is also conveniently located on the outskirts of Cluj, so you won’t need to navigate the city traffic!

If you have an early flight on departure from Cluj Napoca, consider staying in Cluj the night before . Make your way direct from Brasov, and spend a half day in Sighisoara.

That’s the end of your one week Romania road trip itinerary through Transylvania. We hope you have an amazing journey.

We’d love to get your thoughts on the itinerary. Is there anything you’d change to our road trip itinerary?

Where to from here? Wizz Air have direct flights from Cluj Napoca to many cities in Europe, including Venice , London and Bari airport in Puglia .

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4 Responses

I know very little about Romania but have been fascinated with it since Nadia Commenici. (Not sure if I spelt that correctly.. but the gymnast that scored perfect tens, way back when…) So thanks for this visit and over view.

I remember her well! I’m not going to try and spell her name either though 🙂 It really is an excellent place to visit, great scenery and easy on the wallet. Highly recommended!

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A 5-Day Romania Road Trip: Castles, 2000-Year-Old Ruins and Natural Wonders

Are you planning a road trip through Romania? Here’s a 5-day Romania road trip itinerary and all you need to know (Banat and Transylvania).

Are you planning a road trip through Romania ? You’ve come to the right blog.

Check out this Romania page, with all my travel resources and tips about Romania.

I want to help you make the best out of your Romanian experience, and make sure you return to your home country, telling others about how great your Romanian road trip was.

As a Romanian, I understand that there is a culture and an occasional language barrier between international tourists and locals.

Although most locals understand English, or at least there will be some younger people around willing to help, Romania has many things that are tied to its culture and are hard to understand when you’re a foreigner.

That’s why I started writing more about my home country, explaining in great detail each mountain hike and road trip I take through my beautiful Romania.

You can find this itinerary saved on Google Maps here:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1mQ105skvVKfuHS9l_tuem-BPyY1Ns54s&usp=sharing

Driving and Car Renting in Romania

If you want to plan a road trip through Romania , your best bet is to rent a car .

While driving in Bucharest can be overwhelming for some, most Romanian cities are less busy and should be no issue for an experienced driver.

If you have an EU driver’s licence, then you can use that to drive in Romania.

If you have a driver’s licence issued by a country outside of the EU, then you need an international driver’s licence to be able to drive (and rent a car; I used RentalCars and it was ok ) in Romania.

Roads in Romania

Romania is a beautiful country (nature-wise), but it can take a while to get from one point to another.

Roads in Romania are mostly national and European roads, with only one lane in each direction. That’s why it’s heavy traffic towards and away from Bucharest, especially during the summer and on the weekends.

The main reason for the state of the roads in Romania is the lack of highways and the high number of cars.

That’s why I strongly advise you to plan your road trip through Romania during the week. That way, you will save more time on the road, and your destination will be less crowded.

5-day Romania Road Trip Itinerary (Banat and Transylvania)

Romania is a big country. Roads in Romania aren’t the greatest. That’s why you’ll need more than one road trip through Romania to discover it ALL.

That’s why you’ll need far more than a few days to see it ALL. So forget about planning one Romania road trip to see it all, and think about what you want to see the most and start from there.

Think of Romania as a bundle of ancient ruins, medieval castles and churches, breathtaking nature and cute villages .

I want to share with you my most recent 5-day road trip through Romania that started from Bucharest and got us all the way near Cluj .

Of course, this is a suggestion for your Romania road trip, and you can skip some of these places and add others in between.

I will also suggest some stops which you can add to your road trip through Romania.

Romania road trip Day 1: Bucharest – Cheile Nerei (Beușnița National Park)

The first day of one of the longest, as you will need to drive all the way from Bucharest to the Banat area.

After waking up at 4 am wake, I drove all the way to Cazanele Dunarii (Danube Gorges) . 

1 pm: Cazanele Dunarii (Danube Gorges) 

This is the place the Danube creates a natural border between Romania and Serbia.

The nature here is breathtaking. 

I wrote all about this first day, all the things you can do at the Danube Gorges and around, and what else to see on the way in Bucharest to Danube Valley road trip itinerary .

On the way there you can stop and visit Craiova and Drobeta Turnu-Severin.

After you go on a speed boat tour on the Danube , you can hike on Ciucaru mountain for a better view. If you want to take it easy, you can find accommodation nearby in Eşelniţa and spend the rest of the day in the area.

I didn’t have the time to spend the night there, and most places were already booked. 

I advise you to book accommodation near Cazanele Dunarii before you get there. In this way, you can sure you find what accommodation you want. There are some gorgeous villas ( Riviera 990 , Danube Village Resort , Complex Egreta ). All have lovely pools that oversee the Danube. Often but they’re fully occupied. So book in advance.

7 pm: UNESCO water mills in Eftimie Murgu

I decided to drive a little more after visiting the Danube Gorges. I ended up in a small and cosy mountain village called Eftimie Murgu.

I later discovered this village is famous for its UNESCO-recognised water mills. I’m planning to go back, that’s for sure! 

What else to visit on the way to Cazanele Dunarii (Danube Gorges) coming from Bucharest?

• Craiova: Church of Cosuna Monastery, The Art Museum, Madona Dudu Church and Oltenia Museum
• Drobeta – Turnu Severin : Severin Fortress,Castrul Roman Drobeta, Cultural Palace Theodor Costescu, Iron Gates Museum and the Water Tower.

Romania road trip Day 2: Cheile Nerei (Beușnița National Park) – Hunedoara

The second day of the 5-day trip around Romania was sprinkled with natural waterfalls, a spectacular train ride and some 2000-year-old Roman ruins.

That sounds like a lot to do in a day. Here’s the itinerary for the second day of this 5-day Romania road trip.

9 30 am: Bigar waterfall, called the most beautiful waterfall in the world

We woke up early to make it among the first to see the spectacular Bigar waterfall. It was featured as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

I’m not sure if Bigar waterfall from Romania is indeed the most beautiful there is, but it’s well worth a visit.

There is a parking lot not far away from it. You have to walk, from the parking place, alongside the road back to the waterfall. 

Although Bigar waterfall is visible from the road, you will enjoy it even more if you go down the stairs.

10 45 am: Oravita Train Station

Arrive at Oravita train station by 11 am at the latest, so you can jump on the green train (the only one in the train station) and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery.

The train goes through 14 tunnels and 10 viaducts over the course of 17 km. 

The ride takes two hours each way. And it has a 1.5-hour stop in Anina. 

From there, you will have to take the train back (and admire the same beautiful landscape once more). Or you can get a taxi (that will ask for at least 20 Eur) to get you back to Oravita.

Check out the Oravita to Anina train ride for all the details (and awesome photos).

If you decided to take the same road trip as I did (All described in the Oravita to Anina train ride blog post), then you will arrive back in your car in Oravita at 4.40 pm. 

If the theatre in Oravita is open for visitors, go and check it out (It’s one of the oldest theatres in this part of Europe).

6.30 pm: Sarmizegetusa, the Roman Capital of Dacia

After Oravita, I suggest driving a bit north towards Hunedoara. 

On the way there, you will pass through Sarmisegetusa, a village set on an old Roman establishment.

Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa was the Roman capital of Dacia, built in 106 .

Pay it a visit to discover how great the Roman empire was.

By the time you end your ancient visit, it will be evening. 

You can either stay in Sarmizegetusa (the village has a few nice budget spots) or drive all the way to Hateg (another village full of accommodation options) .

Because I wanted to get up early the next day and visit Hunedoara castle, I drove a bit more and found a nice budget accommodation in Hunedoara .

I stayed at Relax Haus , and it was all good for the budget price I paid.

What else to see around Oravita:

• Cascada Beușnița, Valea si Ochiul Beiului, Cascada La Văioaga, Cetatea Ilidiei, Sasca Română village, Cascada Şuşara in Cheile Nerei National Park .
• Steam Engine Museum in Resita
• The Ethnographic and Border Regiment Museum in Caransebes

Romania road trip Day 3: Hunedoara – Sebes

The third day of this beautiful road trip through Romania started early morning in Hunedoara.

9 am: Hunedoara Castle (Corvin Castle or Castelul Corvinilor)

One of the most famous and beautiful medieval castles in Europe is located in Hunedoara, Romania.

As with any tourist place, get there as soon as they open to avoid the crowds and have more time (and space) to take cute photos. 

You’ll also get to park in the parking lot next to the castle, hassle-free, for a 10 lei fee.

I suggest you schedule at least 2 hours to visit Corvin Castle . Also, save some time by visiting the museums located in the yard, in front of the castle.

By the time you finish your visit, it will be lunchtime. 

Right next to Corvin Castle, you’ll see a cute (and yummy) restaurant, which I sincerely recommend. It’s called Werk restaurant , and it has great food and friendly staff, and the interior is just stunning.

2 pm: Deva Fortress

After lunch, I drive to Deva, which is only 17 km away from Hunedoara. The drive shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes.

If you decide to have lunch in Deva, I recommend Grizzly Restaurant.

After lunch, I drove to Deva Fortress. The mighty stone structure is visible from the city centre.

Although it is located on a steep hill, you can drive up to its gate.

There are arrows to guide you on the narrow, uphill streets, and Google Maps will also help you. Still, I don’t recommend this uphill drive to unskilled drivers . It gave me chills as I was going up.

I recommend parking next to Parc Cetate and then walking on the road all the way to the fortress. It’s not a long way from there.

There is also a cable car, which you will pass by once you begin your ascend on foot, on the paved road of the fortress. Unfortunately, the cable car was not functioning when I was there. 

The cable car was supposed to get you from the city centre all the way to the fortress. Some local friends said that most of the days it’s not working and that you can’t rely on it.

If you visit in summer, make sure to bring a cap and water and comfortable walking shoes, as there is no shade and the sun is burning on most summer days. There is a soda machine next to the fortress, but there is little shade to hide from the sun.

A rustic accommodation for the night (with pony)

After visiting the Deva Fortress and admiring the land of Transylvania from higher ground, it’s time to drive to the next stop or to find accommodation in Deva .

I drove all the way to Sebes, taking the famous Transylvania High Way.

On the way there, you will pass by Râpa Roșie , a naturally eroded red rock. 

If you decide to visit Râpa Roșie , you’ll need to exit the highway to Daia Română and then follow the road. The best view of the rocks is from the top of them, so bring some sports shoes for the short hike.

On the 3rd day of this road trip, I was looking for countryside accommodation. I was looking for something far away from any city, preferably a nice house with a yard in which to have a cup of wine before bed.

I found it in Sasciori, at Vila Maria Sasciori . The owner is extra friendly (he greeted us with free wine and brandy and upgraded our room for free). And they have a pony!!!

If you have more time to spend around here, do visit the ruins of Căpâlna Dacian fortress (yes, the entire area is full of Roman and Dacian ruins).

While this location might not be the best if you want to head to Cluj for the next day of your Romania road trip, it might be great if you want to turn around and head towards Transalpina, the highest road in Romania.

Another option would be to find accommodation in Alba Iulia .

You’ll miss the nice views of country-house accommodation, but you’ll get to wake up in the first capital of Romania.

If you have more time to spend in Deva or around, I recommend visiting these places:

• Simeria Arboretum (over 2000 plants and trees from all over the globe)
• I Giardini di Zoe , Banpotoc.
• Arsenal Park , Orastie
• The ethnographic museum , the Lutheran and Reformed Churches in Orastie
• Germisara Roman ruins
• The Roman Baths, Clocota waterfall and Grota Haiducilor , Geoagiu-Băi
• Aurel Vlaicu Museum , Geoagiu
• Capela Romanică – Capela “Rotonda”/ Biserica reformată calvină rotunda, Geoagiu (the oldest rotonda medieval church in Romania)
• Cheile Madei , a natural river valley, you can walk through for 1.3km

Romania road trip Day 4: Sebes – Tg Mures

After a lovely self-made breakfast in the garden of Vila Maria Săsciori (and a last session of petting the pony), I got in the car and started driving towards Turda to visit Salina Turda (Turda Salt Mine).

That’s a 100km drive, and it shouldn’t take longer than 2 hours on a normal day.

10 am: Alba Iulia

On the way, you will pass through Alba Iulia , the original capital of Romania . I strongly advise you to take a break and visit the cobble-stoned citadel, if only for one hour.

Every day, at noon (12 pm), there is a change of the guards in front of the Obelisk. The guards dress up and delight visitors with a full show. They use horses and real cannons. Check out all the details on the official website of Alba Iulia .

If you wake up early, you can reach Alba Iulia by 9 or 10 am. If you spent the previous night in Alba Iulia , then you can spend the entire morning visiting Alba Iulia.

12 pm: Turda Salt Mine

Turda Salt Mine is the best salt mine you’ll find in Romania.

There are two entries for the mine, so make sure to park in front of the new entrance (Aleea Durgăului 7, Turda). There is a bigger parking area.

The ticket to enter the salt mine costs only 40 lei (~8.3 Eur). There’s no time limit for how long you can stay, but please consider the opening hours (9 am – 7 pm during the summer). 

There are no guided tours, and you can enter the mine by yourself. Bring a sweater and sneakers to wear inside the mine. The average temperature of the mine is around 10 degrees Celsius.

Inside the mine, you will find different-sized rooms, which display the way salt was extracted.

The biggest chamber and the most spectacular is Mina Rudolf. 

It has a lake (they rent boats!!), a Ferris wheel, an amphitheatre, bowling, mini-golf, a baseball court and a playground for kids.

The elevators are always busy, so I recommend taking the stairs both ways. 

Where to eat in Turda?

There is no food store inside the mine. When we left, at around 4 pm, we were starving.

Luckily, we found fast food in Turda. We got some to-go falafel wraps and chips (ORIENT KEBAB TURDA is the place, in case you are on a tiny budget).

Otherwise, I’m pretty sure that Potaissa Hotel and restaurant will please any fancy taste. I’m under the impression that this hotel has the same management as the salt mine.

4.30 pm: Mormantul lui Mihai Viteazul (the grave of Michael the Brave)

As I was driving out of Turda, I saw the sign for Mormantul lui Mihai Viteazul (The grave of Michael the Brave – the first leader of Romania in 1600).

He played a major role in Romanian history, and he is recognized as a national symbol of Romania . But Mihai the Brave isn’t something you’ve heard about if you are not Romanian.

On his tomb is a 1601 cm tall obelisk, which marks the year of his death. Next to the tombstone is a beautiful church, Biserica Mihai Vodă (Mihai Voda Church). Don’t be shy and go inside the church to admire its beautiful paintings.

The road isn’t the best, and it seems like it’s going nowhere. You’ll have to trust the GPS. Not a lot of people visit this place, so you might find it empty.

6 pm: Lavender Land (Tărâmul Lavandei, Mădăraș)

So off I drove towards Targu Mures, another great city with a citadel.

The drive from Turda to Targu Mures is about one hour and a half. However, If you find yourself on this Romania road trip itinerary in June or early July, then I have a suggestion for another stop.

If you are making this road trip in June, then stop at Tărâmul Lavandei (Lavender Land).

This purple field is located in a tiny village. You will have to make a small detour to get there, but it’s worth your time.

Lavender Land is actually a family business located on a hill next to some corn crops. The last few hundred meters, before you reach the house and the actual parking lot, which is on a field in the dirt.

From the place you parked the car, you will need to walk up the hill, on a dirt road, for another 200 m or so.

I mentioned all of these details because you might want to skip them if it’s raining.

I would say that the best moment of the day to visit this lavender field is at sunset, which is around 9 – 9 30 pm in June. That’s when you’ll get the best light and when most people are already gone, so you’ll have more lavender to yourself.

Just so you know, they do ask for a 10 lei donation to enter the field, and they gift you a small lavender bouquet.

8 pm: Targu Mures

Finally, reaching Targu Mures. What is there to see in Targu Mures?

• Târgu Mureș Citadel
• Rákóczi staircase
• The Ethnographic Museum
• Apollo Palace, the most representative building of the baroque Târgu Mureș.

Because it was already late, after all the driving and the sightseeing, I decided to find a budget accommodation in Targu Mures to spend the night.

My evening consisted of a well-deserved wrapped falafel from Pelit Istambul Kebab and spending the rest of the evening in a nice room at Pensiunea Muresul .

Romania road trip Day 5: Tg Mures – Bucharest

After a good night’s sleep, I got up ready to drive all the way to Bucharest. That’s a 350 km drive from Targu Mures to Bucharest.

On a normal day, with normal traffic, it should take up to 5 hours. However, it was a Sunday when I did this and it took way longer than that (somewhere around 10 hours). What is the moral of the story?

Do not, under any circumstance, drive on the route Brasov – Bucharest on a Sunday. Trust me! Especially during the summer!

On the way to Bucharest, you can add a few stops:

• Sighișoara , the only medieval citadel in Europe that is still inhabited
• Cetatea Rupea (Rupea fortress)
• Racoș , where you will see the Basalt columns and the extinct volcano
• Cetatea Feldioara (Feldioara fortress)
• Brasov . Check the old centre where the city hall is (Piața Sfatului), Promenada Warthe, and Promenada de sub Tâmpa

I hope this 5-day Romania road trip itinerary will inspire you to plan your next visit to Romania.

Let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything I can help you with!

Don’t forget to book your accommodation in advance if you are on a tight schedule and rent the car you want for the most comfortable road trip through Romania!

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Iulia Vasile

Iulia is a travel expert, blogger, engineer, freelance copywriter, and a curiosity-driven personality. She sees travel as the ultimate tool for self-improvement and personal growth, and that's the main topic of her blog, Juliasomething.com.

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Wow thank you for this amazing blog full of incredible photos and useful information! I had no idea that Romania has its own Provence style lavender fields. So beautiful! I hope to do some or all of this itinerary some day soon!

Romania is yet to be discovered, by me and by most of us. So many villages and traditions that still go on and we have no idea about.

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Home > Romania Road Trip: Land Of Myths And Legends

Romania Road Trip: Land Of Myths And Legends

Written by our local expert Guru

Written by a local specialist we know and trust to bring you the most up-to-date travel information.

Travel Romania in 7 days with this Romania road trip itinerary, designed and traveled by locals.

We are Koen and Veerle, and in 2022, we moved to Romania. We have lived in the country for almost two years, making Bucharest our home, and in the process, we fell in love with it.

In our first year, we traveled extensively throughout the country. This road trip, in particular, was one of our favorites. It took a little over a week and made us fall in love with the beauty of Romania.

For this road trip, we rented a Dacia Logan (a Romanian brand) for about 20 euros a day. This was very cheap, as unlimited kilometers and insurance were all included in the price.  

This itinerary is for seven days. However, there is so much to see that you could easily extend it to however many days you like.

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

7 Day Road Trip Itinerary In Romania

Day 1 & 2: bucharest.

Our road trip starts in the capital of Romania , Bucharest. Bucharest has been our home for quite some time now, and we have gotten to know it well.

Bucharest lies in the southeast of the country and is the largest city in the country. Bucharest has over 3 million inhabitants (unofficially but accordingly), and this is definitely noticeable as the city consists of endless concrete flats, some of which are in very poor condition. 

However, Bucharest has an upside. The city has a cozy center with lots of excellent restaurants and old buildings. It also has multiple great shopping malls that make for a great day trip . Our favorite is Parklake shopping mall, where the most popular one is Afi.

If you are done with the city’s hustle and bustle, you should definitely visit Therme Bucharest Spa, which lies on the edge of the town. This incredible spa, the largest in Europe, can easily keep you entertained for hours.

• Is Bucharest Worth Visiting?

For day one in Bucharest, we recommend taking a two-hour walking tour that guides you through all the highlights of the city.

• Palace of Parliament:  The walking tour starts at the Palace of Parliament, which is open to visitors and is the second-heaviest building in the world.
• Stravopoleos Covent:  The city walk takes you across Union Square to Manuc’s Inn, and then you will walk through Lipscani Street to the Stravopoleos Covent.
• National Military Circle:  The next landmark on your walk will be the National Military Circle.
• Romanian Athenaeum: From there, you will cross Revolution Square and come across the Romanian Athenaeum.
• Cismigiu Gardens:  You will pass Calea Victoriei and you will end the walking tour at Cismigiu Gardens.

You can find this route with more information on the app ‘’GPS My City’’. We have done it multiple times with friends and family visiting us from abroad. It is a great walk. Alongside this walk, you will come across many excellent restaurants and shops, and you will get a great taste of the old town of Bucharest.

• Best Things To Do In Bucharest

Bucharest Day 2 – Spa Day, Shopping & Museums

For the second day, we recommend visiting either Therme Bucharest Spa or one of the many shopping centers.

For museum lovers, there is an excellent variety of beautiful museums throughout Bucharest. When the weather is nice, we recommend the open air ‘’Muzeul Naţional al Satului “Dimitrie Gusti’’. This is an excellent stop if you want to learn more about Romania’s traditional homes and culture. There is also a wonderful museum of natural history.

Bucharest Traffic Tips

Bucharest traffic is challenging if you are not used to it. Many drivers don’t follow the rules, and there are too many cars in the city for the number of roads. However, if you pay attention and are not in a rush, you should be just fine.

Take into account that almost all GPS directions will send you right through the city center to get anywhere because there isn’t really a good highway around the city.

If you want to leave the city, as we did when we started our road trip, we recommend simply taking the road around the city. It will take you longer to get out of the city because it is a two-lane highway, but it is much easier to drive.

• Our Two-Day Itinerary Guide To Bucharest
• Where To Stay In Bucharest

Day 3: Salina Slanic Prahova & Sinaia

Salina Slanic Prahova Tour

Once out of the city, the first stop is the salt mines of Slanic, Salina Slanic Prahova. The drive here is about 2 hours.

This mine opened in 1938 and has 14 chambers. For a long time, prisoners exploited it. Nowadays, it is mainly used as a tourist attraction.

You buy a ticket at the parking lot, and a small bus will drive you into the mine. This was quite a daunting experience because you drive down the mines for over 15 minutes, and you feel in your body that you are deep into the earth.

The mine was incredible and, by far, one of the most intriguing experiences I have ever had. The sheer size of the mine is astonishing.

The mine itself is really bizarre, as the locals don’t seem sure how to arrange it for tourists. For example, there is a mini-golf course, a bouncy house, a basketball court, and a playground in the mines. It seems a bit out of place, but it was still a great experience, and we definitely recommend visiting.

Overnight In Sinaia

From here, we drove to Sinaia. This one-hour and forty-minute drive is definitely one of our favorite drives. The landscape is breathtaking.

Sinaia is one of our favorite towns in the Carpathian mountains. The road to Sinaia is simply breathtaking, and the town itself has excellent restaurants and many hotels.

We spent the night at a great hotel with a swimming pool and spa.

• Peaceful Places To Visit In Romania

Sinaia is actually one of the oldest locations in Romania for winter sports . The area has ten ski slopes and many resorts. There is a ski lift on the mountain, and during the winter, it is still very popular with winter sports fanatics.

Day 4: Castle Pelles, Castle Bran & Brasov

Pelles Castle Tour

The next day, we visited Castle Pelles. This is my favorite place in Sinaia. Mountains and forests surround it and offer excellent views.

Pelles was built between 1875 and 1883. For many years, it was the summer home of the royal family.

Former king Michael first moved back into the castle in 2008 and lived there until his death in 2017. He often walked around the premises and collided with tourists, as the castle was still open to the public.  

We toured the castle and definitely recommend it. This castle is incredible because it is still fully furnished and all the information is also available in English. Each room tells a story, and overall, it is just a beautiful place.

Bran Castle Tour

After Sinaia we drove to another castle, Romania’s most famous castle. This drive is about 55 minutes.

Castle Bran was believed once to be the home of Count Vlad III Dracula. The castle dates back all the way to 1377 and has had many owners. The most famous one (according to the myths) would undoubtedly be Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler.

Count Dracula is, of course, known for his bad reputation, and many speculate that he was a vampire. Although this is just a myth, this castle fully embraces all the myths and legends about this ruler. Recently, though, it has been concluded that Vlad Dracula never lived in the castle – the connection between Dracula and Castle Bran solely came from the famous novel ‘’Dracula’’.

The castle itself lies on a hill and is very touristy. However, it is a beautiful castle with many rooms to explore, and outside, there is a nice restaurant.

• Enchanting Castles In Romania
• Traveling From Brasov To Bran Castle

Overnight In Brasov

From Bran, we drove to Brasov, where we spent the night. This drive is about 30 minutes.

Brasov is a bigger city in the mountains. It has it all—mountains, cozy squares, shopping malls, zoos, and dense forests. We absolutely loved Brasov.

In the afternoon we visited the black church and the very nice zoo.

In the evening, we dined at Dei Frati restaurant. This is a very popular restaurant, and we definitely recommend making a reservation. The food was delicious, and the staff was terrific. The restaurant is minor, in the middle of the city center, and an excellent foodie gem!

If you are interested in dining a little further from the center, we recommend Chef’s Boutique. We have had dinner here before, and everything was great.

We stayed at an Airbnb near the center and left the next day to visit the bear park.

• Where To Stay In Brasov
• Things To Do in Brasov

Day 5: Bear Sanctuary Zarnesti & Sibiu

Bear Sanctuary

The drive from Brasov to Zarnesti is 40 minutes.

The Bear Park is a sanctuary in Zarnesti that houses many bears and other native Romanian wildlife that need rescuing. The park can only be visited with a tour. It is very big, but you should be able to spot many bears.

Romania is home to many wild bears, mostly in the Carpathian mountains. Not long ago, however, it was still legal to keep bears as pets. They would often live in very small cages and be there for entertainment. The bears in the sanctuary were freed from their cages and now live in the forest of the sanctuary, where they are protected.

• Check Out Bears’ Cave Romania

Overnight In Sibiu

From the sanctuary, we drove to Sibiu. This is quite a long drive, taking over two hours. However, the road to Sibiu is incredible. It is surrounded by high mountains and ancient forests.

Sibiu has a very old city center. Its cozy streets make you feel like you’re going back in time. 

In Sibiu, we had dinner at a local restaurant, spent the night, and left the following day to go to our following location, the mines of Salina Turda.

Local Tip: We had also been to Sibiu around Christmastime and visited the Christmas market. We definitely recommend this, as it was amazing.

• Where To Stay In Sibiu

Day 6: Salina Turda & Cluj- Napoca

Salina Turda Mines

The drive from Sibiu to Salina Turda is 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Salina Turda is a salt mine like the one in Slanic. These mines are a lot more touristy, and you can walk down to the mine, which we did.

Like the other mine we visited, these mines are strangely arranged. This one has a working Ferris wheel inside. It also has a table tennis court and a small lake on which you can row a small boat.

We personally liked the mines in Slanic better, but this is a personal preference.

Overnight In Cluj-Napoca

After the mines, we drove to Cluj. This is a 40-minute drive.

Cluj, or Cluj Napoca , is the second largest city in Romania. It has many universities and is also very popular among the locals.

When we moved to Romania, we often asked people in Bucharest what their favorite city in the country was, and most answered Cluj. And we get it! The city is fantastic, with many art studios, museums, and a beautiful church.

A great stop while here would be Grădina Botanică “Alexandru Borza,” the botanical gardens of Cluj. There is also an excellent museum on Jewish history that is worth a visit.

We enjoyed the terraces and the kind people. This city is home to a lot of younger people, which means that more people speak English , which was great for us. We had a lovely walk around the city and spent the night at an Airbnb.

Local Tip: If you decide to stay an extra night, you can take the most beautiful hikes from Cluj. Cheili Turzi offers a beautiful hike up to the valley with great views.

Day 7: Cluj- Napoca To Bucharest

The next day, we started driving back to Bucharest, which was a long drive of about 6 to 7 hours. The roads are good, though, and the drive back is lovely.

Trip Summary

This trip takes you over 1086 kilometers of beautiful roads. In total, the drive took over 15 hours and spread out over seven days. During this trip, you will visit Bucharest, Slanic Salina Prahova, Sinaia, Bran, Brașov, Sibiu, Salina Turda, and Cluj Napoca.

Now, this road trip has only covered a few highlights of Romania . There is so much more to see and do, but we hope this road trip story convinces you to come to Romania and explore this underrated country in all of its beauty.

• Romanian Food
• What To See When You Visit Romania
• Bucharest Tours
• Souvenirs To Bring Home From Romania
• Weekend Itinerary In Oradea
• Traveling As A Vegan In Romania
• Best Time To Visit Romania
• How To Travel From Brasov To Bucharest

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Romania Road Trip Itinerary

Mark Stewart May 12, 2019 Destinations 6 Comments

Romania is the perfect country for a road trip. Long, winding roads cut through deep green valleys, across wide plains, and over monolithic mountains. It’s not uncommon to begin your day sipping coffee at a chic cafe in some sprawling city. Then find yourself enjoying lunch on the edge of a glacial lake, in the towering Carpathians, just a few hours later. Throw in a castle or two along the way, and you’ve got yourself a fairly standard day from a Romanian road trip itinerary.

The ability to reach remote, peaceful little farming villages, is an experience difficult to do without your own wheels. Being able to drive one of the worlds most exciting roads — the legendary Transfagarasan highway — is reason alone to take a road trip in Romania. On top of it all, rental prices are considerably cheaper than most of Europe, making driving in Romania a great option.

So get your car snacks packed and prepare to have one arm tanned more than the other. It’s time to road trip Romania!

Road Tripping in Romania!

This itinerary follows almost exactly the journey we took on our second road trip through Romania. The first was in the far north, in the spectacular region of Maramures. And while visiting that area is highly recommended, it doesn’t offer many of the sights people actually come to Romania to see. Our itinerary will take you through the centre of Romania, to the castles and mountains of Transylvania.

Bucharest is a fantastic city, it reminds me of Belgrade or Budapest. It’s got a gritty feel to it, without a dangerous vibe. Before beginning your road trip proper, I’d highly suggest spending a few days exploring the sights of Bucharest.

The reason I said before, is that while car rentals are relatively cheap in Romania, everything costs more in Bucharest. So to save a ton of cash, and the headache of driving through the congested city, you’ll be starting the road trip itself in Sibiu.

The Absurdly Massive Romanian Parliament in Bucharest

Take either the train or a bus from Bucharest to Sibiu. Both options are fairly similar in cost and duration of the journey. Personally, I prefer train travel, as you often see a lot of scenery in areas you otherwise wouldn’t. Flying is an option as well, if you’re fancy like that.

Before picking up your car, spend a couple of nights in Sibiu, it’s a wonderful city. Wander the streets, eat some fantastic food (Crama Sibiul Vechi is a great option!), and snap a few photos of the iconic “squinting eye” windows.

Alright, it’s time to get this Romanian road trip started.

Road Trip: Romania!

Car rental in sibiu.

We rented from multiple companies during our time in Romania, and without a doubt, Klasswagen is our top pick. Their prices are unbeatable and the office has a great location on the side of town you’ll be leaving from. (We are in no way affiliated with Klasswagen, they were just really good!)

Take either a taxi or bus (#11) from the centre of Sibiu to the Airport. It’s only 10-15 minutes away, but away from the traffic of the city. If taking the bus, purchase a ticket from one of the machines at the bus stop. It should be 1.50 lei. The Klasswagen office is a few minutes walk back towards the city centre from the Airport. It’s on the north side of the road in an industrial area.

Whatever time you pick up the car, be sure to set the drop-off time for later in the afternoon. This is important for the final day of the trip.

Sibiu to Hunedoara

Once you’ve picked up your sweet ride, it’s time to get started. Head west from Sibiu to the town of Hunedoara, a couple of hours away.

Hunedoara itself is a fairly standard Romanian city, it doesn’t have a whole lot to offer in the centre. However, just on the outskirts of town, is one of the most incredible castles in the entire country.

Corvin Castle is straight out of a fantasy movie. With its sharp spires, capping ancient stone towers, and long wooden bridge over the stream below. It’s truly an epic sight — and I don’t throw that word around lightly.

If you make it to Hunedoara in time, head to the castle late in the afternoon for some great photos. The grounds close at 5 pm, so arrive a little before this for the best lighting and lack of crowds. The following morning, head back to the castle and head inside, you can spend hours exploring the different rooms.

• Cost: Adult, 30 lei
• Hours: Mon. – 12 – 5, Tues. to Sun. – 9 – 5

Corvin Castle. How Awesome is this!?

Hunedoara to Baile Olaneşti – A long drive day.

The following morning, head south from Hunedoara towards Petroşani. Note the unusual houses on the outskirts of Hunedoara, brightly coloured with ornate silvery towers. These are owned by wealthy Roma people, commonly (and derogatorily) known as gypsy’s. You’ll find houses like this throughout Romania, though this was one of the largest concentrations we came across.

Stop to check out Peştera Bolii, a massive cave tunnelling beneath the earth. To reach the other side, you must cross several bridges over the river flowing within. It’s an impressive sight and not far from the highway.

Make your way south from Petroşani, through the majestic Defileul Jiului National Park and stop at the Lainici Monastery for some wonderful photos. Continue toward Targu Jiu and turn east, following highway 67 until you pass the Garden of Paradise. This painted forest contains nearly 600 trees, coloured to protest deforestation. It’s stumbling upon peculiar sights like this that make road trips so awesome.

Passing through the town of Horezu, you’ll notice a lot of ceramics. It’s their specialty in these parts, and if you’re looking to pick this sort of thing up, this is the place to do so. Also, there’s a great restaurant as you enter the town called Restaurant 2 Cocosi, right on the side of the highway. They have an extensive menu with huge portions of classic Romanian dishes at really great prices.

After lunch, if you feel like checking out another beautiful monastery head north on 669 and stop in at Horezu Monastery. I think it’s the nicest of all the monasteries in the area.

To reach Baile Olaneşti, continue heading east on highway 67. To take the scenic route, turn left towards Stoenesti on 651 and follow the winding road past tiny villages and horse-drawn wagons. For the less-scenic drive, continue all the way to Ramnicu Valcea and turn northwest from here. Once you arrive at the end of the highway in Baile Olaneşti, settle in and wander the quiet streets for the evening. In the morning, treat yourself to some time at the TISA Spa Resort (and splurge on one of their incredible massages!) before getting back on the road.

Bran Castle, one of the most Iconic Sights in Romania

Bran to Brasov

When you’re done exploring the castle grounds and snacking at the carts near the entrance, it’s time to move on. This time only an hour up the road to Brasov.

Explore the city centre and walk one of the smallest roads in Europe . Hike (or take the gondola) up the mountain to the famous Brasov sign for some stunning views. Recharge at one of the many cafes lining the main square or eat some more great Romanian cuisine at Restaurant Transylvania or Draculas Cave. Don’t let the tourist-trap names fool you, both have delicious food!

Brasov to Sighisoara

From Brasov , you’ll drive north towards Sighisoara. Along the way, stop at Rupea and marvel at the old, crumbling fortress, towering above the town below (10 lei entrance fee). From Rupea, take a slight detour from the main highway and visit the tiny village of Viscri. This well-preserved town is a wonderful glimpse into what life has been like here for centuries.

Spend the night in Sighisoara and rise early to catch the first light of morning warm the colourful buildings. Wander the winding streets and climb to the top of the city. Explore the oddly-beautiful cemetery behind the cathedral here.

Final Day, or do you want more?

If time permits, consider spending an extra few days travelling further north. Take in some more fantastic architecture in Targu Mures or Cluj-Napoca, t he capital city of Transylvania. Stop in the salt mines of Turda or the majestic gorge of the same name.

For those on a tighter schedule, once you’re done in Sighisoara, it’s time for the final day. On the drive back to Sibiu, be sure to check out the fortified church of Biertan; an impressive sight that many skip over.

• Cost: 10 lei
• Hours: Tues. to Fri. & Sun. 10 – 7 (closed from 1-2), Sat. 10 – 5

Stunning Sighisoara at Sunrise

Exploring the streets of Sibiu

Now, remember at the beginning when I mentioned organizing the car return for late in the afternoon? When you arrive back in Sibiu, spend the afternoon visiting the ASTRA National Museum Complex. This outstanding outdoor museum showcases traditional Romanian culture throughout the centuries.

It is possible to visit by bus or taxi, but since you’ve already got the ride, you might as well use it!

• Cost: Mon. & Tues. 12 lei, Rest of Week 17 lei
• Hours: Winter: 9 – 5, Summer: 10 – 8

Once back at Klasswagen, organize a ride back into Sibiu. The company should offer you a ride, if not, just ask. Kick back in the centre of town as the sun sets, sip on a cold beer or glass of wine and celebrate the completion of your Romanian road trip.

Plan your Trip to Romania

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Lovely pictures. This is a great way to see more of this country if you have a few days on your hands

Yes, if you can swing a week this is the perfect list of places to see. How much time do you have?

Rimania is indeed one of the most pictoresc country in Europe. I believe the capital of Transilvania is Alba Iulia, not Cluj Napoca, which the visitor should have not avoid while driving from Sibiu to Hunedoara.

I love that region of Romania so much! Though as far as I can find, Cluj is the capital of Transylvania.

That said, I looked up Alba Iulia and it looks wonderful. When we return to Romania, we’ll definitely give it a visit and hopefully add it to our road trip itinerary!

This was SOOOO helpful for the impromptu trip we’re planning. This saved me so many hours of research. Thank you!

Awesome! We have tonnes of Romania information!! Let us know if you need anymore help for your trip, we LOVE Romania and would love to help you plan!

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9 Days in Transylvania: Romania Road Trip Highlights & Guide

From medieval cities to scenic mountain drives, here’s everything you need to know..

Last updated Jun 4, 2023

Our nine-day visit to the Transylvania area (including an epic Romania Road Trip) is something that will definitely stand out in our travels. From wandering the quaint, medieval streets of Brasov and Sighisoara to driving the twisty-turny Transfagarasan Highway – and so many moments in between.

It’s difficult to narrow down our Romania highlights, since we just loved this country so much, but we’ll give it a try.

Table of Contents

1. Wandering Brasov

The first major stop of our trip was the beautiful town of Brasov. We arrived on a Saturday via train from Bucharest, expecting it to be crowded as most European cities often are on the weekends. But, it was calm, quiet and a relaxing place to wander.

We were instantly in love with the medieval architecture, delicious (and inexpensive!) food options, and happy people. It really set the tone for a great trip. The iconic Council Square was our favorite spot!

Side Note: Truth be told, we may have very much loved Bucharest as well, but we didn’t see any of it. By the time we got to our hotel after our flight in from Athens , it was getting dark and we were exhausted. We didn’t even leave the hotel for food since we found a Pizza Hut and ordered some very lack-luster food online. But, that’s the extent of our experiences there!

Getting Around & Where We Stayed

Since we didn't have our car rental at the start of our Romania trip, we just train hopped to our first couple of destinations – including Brasov where we needed to use public transport to go into town.

Funny enough, we had read some blogs and reviews that it wasn’t a safe area – we’d be pickpocketed or things would be stolen from the table at dinner, we had to have our guard up at all times. NO!!!! Not this at all. These must have been old blog posts, because the only time we felt unsafe in this city was when our Uber driver decided to prioritize talking to us over driving. [FACEPALM] Of course, don’t be irresponsible, but there’s no need to be afraid.

However, I’ll note that we did stick to Uber over taxis because of the TripAdvisor notes about them trying to trick you out of more money and we just didn’t want to deal with it. May not be true, but we went the easy route just to be safe. Plus, we like using Uber as to not exchange cash.

We also stayed out of the main part of the city to be closer to the train station we used to get into and out of Brasov. Plus, it saved us some money and we got to stay at the fairly new and very nice Victoria Boulevard Hotel with a great breakfast included for US$78. Since the Ubers were so inexpensive, we thought this was well worth it.

Cost: About US$2 each way for Ubers to and from the hotel (since we stayed out of town), and US$8 each for meals.

2. Going Up Tampa Mountain in Brasov

One of the must-do activities in Brasov that we kept reading about was taking the cable car up the nearby Tampa Mountain to the iconic Brasov sign . It turned out to be one of the highlights of our visit to this beautiful city.

It's quite easy to get to the cable car from town as well. However, there's also a trail for those wanting a little more exercise on the way up and/or down the mountain. But regardless, at the top of the mountain, be sure to spend some time walking around to the various viewpoints. It's lovely on a sunny day!

Cost : To take the cable car round trip, it is 17 lei (about US$4) . But for a free option, you could hike both ways! It's only about an hour to hike up … just a steep climb!

3. Venturing into Salina Turda

We are total suckers for anything unique. So, when we saw we could go to an apocalyptic-looking amusement park deep underground in a salt mine, we couldn’t be stopped from going to Salina Turda.

This otherworldly place has a Ferris Wheel, mini-golf, bowling, ping-pong, and even some boats to paddle around on the underground lake. It's a wild place that we highly recommend visiting. You can read more about our visit to Salina Turda , but trust us – it's a hidden gem!

Cost: Entry for  Salina Turda  is 40 lei per adult (about US$10), plus 5 lei for parking. Then  each activity  is more as well.

4. Turda Gorge (aka Cheile Turzii)

Late summer and early fall is the perfect time for a hike into nature. The cliff-side hike into Turda Gorge was just what we needed to stretch out our legs before a full day of driving.

It's a GORGEous place with a fun trail that takes you over bridges and along rocky trails. You can also easily do this and a visit to Salina Turda in one day! See more from our visit at the end of the blog .

Cost: A few lei at a kiosk early on in the hike, but it appears it isn't always working. So, sometimes it may be free!

5. Driving the Transfagarasan Highway

If you do one thing while in Romania, rent a car and drive this road. It's a must if you love a good adventure or nature or beautiful views. The 130+ km drive twists and turns up into the mountains, over a stunning dam, and through lush forests. You may even see a bear, like we did!

To really extend the adventure, plan to stay at the lodge at Balea Lake (about US$60) at the top of the highway where you can take in the serene views until the stars come out. You could also plan to camp or just leave extra early to have plenty of time to enjoy this unforgettable area – and maybe even make a sheepdog friend. Oh – and in winter, there's a cable car up to the lake and an ice hotel! YESSSS, please!?!?!

Read more about the beautiful Transfagarasan Highway here .

Cost: Just the cost of fuel (and lodging, if you want to stay overnight – which you totally should).

6. Exploring Rupea Fortress

We initially planned to see all the castles in the Transylvania area of Romania. Well … apparently, early September is still quite busy and the ones we were looking forward to seeing most were absolute madhouses when we got there. Parking was a nightmare (if even possible) and it just didn’t seem enjoyable with so many other people crammed into the same narrow hallways.

We’re a bit bummed to not have gone into Bran Castle or Peles Castle, but will definitely plan for it next time (because there WILL be a next time). And will likely just take a tour to avoid the crazy parking and traffic nonsense. Luckily, we found better weather and better success elsewhere.

We did get to go up to Rupea Fortress with no issues at all. It was in a wonderful location up on a hill in the small town of Rupea. And it was an interesting place – one of the oldest archeological sites in Romania – with great views. Best of all, it was easy to get to and we had it almost all to ourselves.

Cost: Entry fee was 10 lei (less than US$2.50) per adult at the time of our visit. There was no fee to park. Note, both Peles and Bran Castles had a parking fee and much higher entry fees!

7. Eating at Viscri 32: White Barn & Blue House

Nestled in the old-timey Saxon village of Viscri (a UNESCO World Heritage site) is an amazing foodie find. After parking around the corner in a designated lot, we walked down a trail past farm animals, until we found the back entrance to an adorable little historic farmhouse – Viscri 32: White Barn & Blue House . We had been told about this must-try place by another nomadic couple we met on a train, so I added it to our list!

This is the type of place I dream of finding in every little town we stumble upon. Delicious, local dishes, served in a lovely atmosphere with kind staff who seem to really enjoy their work. They even have an AirBnB on-site for those wanting to explore this unique little village more – or for those wanting to eat multiple meals at Viscri 32!

For our meal, we went for the four-course tasting menu option and split it. This included a starter plate of traditional cheeses, soup (went with the veggie one with pickled tarragon and potato), a main (Buddy had to try the traditional dish of potatoes and local sheep's cheese with sausage), and a dessert of lush chocolate cake. Such a delicious and special meal.

Cost: We spent 110 lei (about US$25) for a four-course meal that we split. And it was so worth it for the experience and delicious, fresh food. It was definitely split-able as well. We were both stuffed.

8. Wandering Around Sighisoara

This city!!! I really wish we had planned more time to just take in this amazing medieval city. There were all these narrow paths leading to surprising new views of the countryside or surrounding city. And, of course, the architecture was absolutely stunning.

For you history lovers, it is one of seven fortified citadels that the Transylvanian Saxons built in the 12th century. It's also where Vlad the Impaler was born (the actual man who is said to be the inspiration for the fictional Dracula character).

While there for our one night, we stayed at the classy and conveniently located Hotel Central Park Sighisoara (US$83 per night) which had great views of the city and free parking in an actual parking lot rather than the street. Hallelujah!

Cost: Free to wander! Food was also reasonable at about US$10 each for a meal with a beer.

9. Exploring the Best Bars & Restaurants in Cluj

While not as architecturally beautiful as places like Brasov and Sighisoara, Cluj-Napoca was a foodie dream and so much fun! It was actually voted as the European Youth Capital Winner in 2015, which makes so much sense.

We could definitely hang out there for a longer period with its awesome youthful vibe and so many great food options from around the world.

A few food & drink highlights in Cluj for us were:

• Tortelli : The best pasta – obviously homemade and delicious. It took all of our strength not to eat here for every meal. So good!
• Eggcetera : This place had a fantastic breakfast that even came with a small bite to enjoy while we waited for our main course. I had avotoast because duh and Buddy had an amazing fruity french toast. Great fresh juice, too!

• Blend : We stopped for beers after some yummy Indian food next door. We loved how helpful and chatty the bartender was. When we told him we were from Colorado, he was psyched to talk beer and travel. Our fave was the Sencha Japanese Tea Pale Ale from Hop Hooligans.
• The Soviet : This bar basically mocks communism and makes damn good cocktails. Themed drinks, silly propaganda, and lots of red. It's a popular spot!

It's also worth noting that while we found most Romanians to be nice, the younger people in this town especially were very friendly and happy to speak to us in English. Definitely a bonus!

Cost: Since it's a bit more hipster, food was slighlty more expensive. But, we could still easily eat for around US$10 each at most places and get some cheap beers.

Logistics for a Visit to Transylvania, Romania

We began our trip by flying into Bucharest from Athens (fairly easy!), then did some train hopping from Brasov to Sibiu to Cluj-Napoca, then rented a car round-trip to go see some beautiful natural places and small villages we couldn't get to by train. And it was absolutely lovely!

Getting Around Romania

A quick search into transportation in Romania is quite concerning. The comments on the trains, buses, and taxis are not very positive. And while traveling Romania by car is easy for the most part – renting one and managing not to damage it while there is a whole nother story.

But we did it! We traveled through the Transylvania area by train and bus and Uber and even spent five days road tripping. And it is one of those trips that will be top of our list for a long time to come.

Tips for Romania Train-Hopping

• They can get busy, so it's best to order online beforehand ( we used this site ).
• We found spending a little extra for fist class was usually worth it for more room for us and our bags. But each train is different.
• Sometimes it is necessary to pick up your tickets in advance (have a form of an ID, if needed).
• It's often not clear where your seat assignment is, so just try to read the signs and nicely ask for help.

• There usually isn't a dining cart. So, bring food and water – especially if on a long journey.
• Don't expect anything fancy or fast. The trains are very basic and very, very slow compared to others in Europe. But not as bad as some reviews made it sound.
• Also, if going from Romania into another country via train, they will stop the train to stamp passports and will likely take your passport for a few minutes then return it. Nerve-wracking, but apparently normal.

Romania Car Rental & Planning a Road Trip

• Rent with a reputable company and read all the paperwork. Seriously. There are all sorts of extra fees and rules. We had a good experience with Avis – they even gave us some helpful tips. But, that's mainly because Buddy read about all the sneaky small print for days!

• Be very clear on the insurance you need and what you have if using a credit card with it included (what we did). They are notorious for charging crazy amounts for something like a small scratch, so its best to be fully covered. Apparently, hub caps falling off is a common issue, so maybe check they are on well!
• Plan to get the roadside assistance, just in case. It's not that much more and worth the peace of mind.
• The WAZE App is really helpful for avoiding potholes and construction, since you'll get warnings.

• Take photos and videos when picking up and returning the car. And get a paper receipt, don't have it emailed to you so your wife has to panic for an hour that they are going to claim you never brought the car or something. Or wait until it's in your inbox before you leave.
• Look out for donkeys, women walking with cows, farmers, donkeys, stray dogs, and people aggressively trying to hitchhike.
• Have fun and don't be afraid to explore some places you didn't initially plan to. That's the best part of a road trip.

Finding Great Places to Stay

We had really great luck using Booking.com to find hotels and apartments to rent during our visit to Romania. The only time we didn't use this site was when we went to Lake Balea and just paid cash at the counter.

Here's a rundown of everywhere we stayed (we've starred our faves):

• Bucharest : The Embassy Nord – US$49. Near the train station since we were just in town to sleep, nothing fancy, but wouldn't recommend if trying to explore more.
• * Brasov : Victoria Bulevard Hotel – US$78. Near the train station again to make life easier, but no issues at all Ubering into town. Very nice with good breakfast included.
• * Sibiu : Villa Bohemia – US$43. Close to great dining options and walking distance to town with the iconic Bridge of Lies. Nice room and LOVELY people! We had to leave early, so the owner made us egg sandwiches to take with us. So sweet!
• Turda : Hunter Prince Castle & Dracula Hotel – US$51. Aside from the quirky theme, this wasn't anything very special. Basic room, good breakfast, and parking included.

• * Lake Balea : Cabana Balea Lac – US$60. A fantastic value for the views and location! Very basic room, but a good breakfast was included.
• Busteni : Complex Cochet – US$83. We stayed at this nice hotel with the best breakfast spread we have yet to see in order to be close to Peles Castle. However, we didn't realize it would be such a busy and expensive place, so after driving into the madness, we turned around and headed north.
• * Sighisoara : Hotel Central Park Sighisoara – US$82. I loved this conveniently located, beautiful hotel. It had breakfast and secure parking included as well – a must on a road trip.
• Cluj-Napoca : Central Park Apartments – US$38. This apartment had everything we needed for a comfortable visit – even a laundry machine! YES!!! However, we've since decided not to stay anywhere without a self-check-in or 24-hour reception because meeting someone to get a key is a hassle.

Final Tips for Visiting Transylvania, Romania

• Talk to the locals! We found them all very nice and excited to share about their homeland.
• Expect slow trains with minimal amenities, but they're cheap!
• Be careful about budget car rentals. There are tons of up charges and we read they will really get you for minor damage.
• Uber is often easier and faster than taxis and buses.
• Visiting Bran & Peles Castles can be crazy in the busy season, so if we were to go again, we'd likely just book a tour to avoid the hassles of parking and driving in traffic. Or get there before opening time!
• Download the WAZE app for tips on where there is construction, potholes, etc. This was a life-saver for our road trip.

Did we just add Romania to your must-visit list, or did you already know how magical this wonderful country is? Let us know in the comments!

About the Author: Brooke Baum

Brooke is a freelance writer, editor, and content manager for various blog sites. After five years of full-time travel with her husband Buddy, they made the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii, their permanent home base. However, they still travel regularly and are always planning their next trip.

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7 days in Romania: Discover 4 unique itineraries

• August 30, 2024

If you only have 7 days in Romania , that’s enough time to cover the essentials you must see at least once in a lifetime. Romania is a unique and spectacular country, thanks to its various environment that allows people to have a good time regardless of the season. This means that this place can adapt to your preferences which is good news for avid travellers who want to explore every bit of it.

Are you a fan of heavy snow and magical-looking cabins? Romania’s got the Carpathians to host you over winter. And what about a lovely summer on the Black Sea Coast? You can already see yourself sipping cocktails on the sunny beach. Regardless of your season choice, you’ll find everything that means relaxation and a good time here.

Plus, you’ll absolutely love the unique mixture of secular traditions, remote villages, vibrant cities, magical castles, spectacular scenery and sunny beaches.

Below you will find 4 spectacular Romania itineraries crafted to your preferences. Read on, find all the details you need and choose a plan that truly fits your travel style.

One week is more than enough to see the best parts of Romania and increase the desire to explore more. That’s just another reason to come back and discover more of this country’s untamed nature, historical cities, and epic villages.

Whether you want to spend seven days at the beach or driving thru scenic roads, we covered all sorts of trips in the following paragraphs. Thus, if you are considering booking your next holiday in Romania, look at these 4 itineraries to try and start planning your trip.

Itinerary 1: Scenic roads in Romania

For those who love the mountain landscapes and belvedere point, this itinerary is the perfect choice.

Day 1: Welcome to Bucharest Day 2: Peles Castle & Sinaia Day 3: Bran Castle & Rucar-Bran pass Day 4: Poenari fortress & Transfagarasan road Day 5: Sibiu /Driving to Paltinis Day 6: Transalpina, the highest road in Romania Day 7: Back to Bucharest

Your epic seven days road trip starts in the glamorous Bucharest and its delightful parks. You will have an entire day of exploring its legendary landmarks like the House of Parliament, Antipa Museum and other significant attractions.

The scenic road trip starts with the medieval route that links Transylvania and Wallachia. Right there, your first main attraction awaits, the majestic Peles Castle. Peles was built in the Neo-Renaissance style, and it was, for a long time, the mountain residency of the Romanian royal family.

Not far from Peles Castle, you’ll have the opportunity to admire the natural beauty of Sinaia. This is one of the finest holiday resorts located in the Carpathian Mountains. The area has a lot of stunning forests, impressive wildlife, and many paths to follow.

The journey continues with another natural wonder which is the Rucar-Bran pass, that’s has a lot of legends attached to it. It is said that this was the passage of knights, craftsmen, and nobles that left incredible traces through this natural pass.

The next stop includes a beloved landmark by Romanian people and foreigners alike, the Bran Castle. This medieval castle enjoys worldwide fame, mostly thanks to Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula.

Before heading to one of the most beautiful roads in Romania, Transfagarasan, you’ll have a stop at Poenari fortress. Even though everyone thinks that Bran Castle was Vlad the Impaler’s home, the truth is that he actually lived in Poenari.

Moving forward in mystical Transylvania, you’ll drive to the next destination, Sibiu. This is a medieval town full of history and peculiar-looking houses. Because you’re in for a scenic road trip, you’ll drive around the curvy roads of Paltinis, which will offer a view worthy of a magazine.

Of course, the best part is always the last one. The final destination is the highest road in Romania, Transalpina. On this route, you will also get to see the natural beauty of Lake Oasa and Oltet Gorges and experience peace at Polovragi Monastery.

Itinerary 2: One week beach holiday in Romania & Bulgaria

If you visit Romania in summer, why not try a mix of beautiful beaches and cultural landmarks on this tour ?

Day 1: Bucharest to Constanta transfer & Constanta guided tour Day 2: Beach day – Mamaia resort & Corbu beach Day 3: Vama Veche resort – Balcik Castle – Sunny beach Day 4: Sunny beach resort & Nessebar Day 5: Burgas & afternoon at the beach Day 6: Sozopol guided tour & the Black Sea wonders Day 7: Madara rider & transfer to Bucharest

Did someone just say sunny days on the beach? If summer is your favourite season, make sure you choose this fantastic itinerary. Not only you have a great time on Romanian beaches, but you will also have the chance to see a few Bulgarian destinations.

Like any other epic itinerary, your adventure starts in Bucharest and then Constanta. Constanta is Romania’s most important port city, with a beautiful landmark recognised worldwide, the Constanta Casino. This masterpiece of the art nouveau style faces the beautiful waves of the Black Sea.

A fun time at the seaside must have a few hours of sunbathing. That’s why you’ll have a few hours for that in Mamaia resort and Corbu beach. While Mamaia is famous for its active nightlife, Corbu is still one of those remote beaches with wild areas and silence.

The last Romanian beach you’ll get to explore is the nonconformist Vama Veche. This beach is considered the land of freedom of thought, artistic creativity, and free spirits. So the best place to behave as you wish.

As you cross the border with Bulgaria, the first stop will be the stunning Balchik Castle. The place was built in 1925, and it includes an exceptional Botanical Garden. The Palace is the former summer residence of the Romanian Queen Maria, so expect a glamorous tour.

Bulgarian beaches are just as entertaining as Romanian ones. That’s why you’ll have plenty of time to explore Sunny beach resort and Nessebar. Burgas is another place worth your attention as you’ll get to see the famous pink lake Atanasovsko, walk around the most beautiful park Sea Garden, discover the old city, and of course, have some rest at the beach.

From there, you’ll get to Sozopol, perhaps the oldest city on the Bulgarian coast. You’ll benefit from a guided tour and the chance to see the Black Sea wonders.

The last trip happens on Madara, which is ultimately famous as the location of the global symbol of the nation and the country – the Madara Horseman. This is a bas-relief carved in the face of a rock 23 meters above ground level. From Madara, you’ll be relocated to Bucharest to finish the trip.

Itinerary 3: Best of Romania in 7 days

This trip will show you the best known attractions in Romania.

Day 1: Welcome to Bucharest, the capital of Romania Day 2: Bucharest (Old town, Parliament Palace and Village Museum) Day 3: Peles Castle, Bran Castle & Brasov Day 4: Viscri fortified church and Sighisoara Day 5: Targu Mures and Turda salt mine Day 6: Corvin castle and Alba Iulia Day 7: Sibiu and back to Bucharest

As we already said, seven days are more than enough to see the best of Romania. This itinerary starts with Bucharest and its beautiful old town, impressive Parliament Palace, and the Village Museum, which will help you immerse in the remote Romanian villages.

The next part of your adventure focuses on marvellous Castles like Peles and Bran, both famous for stunning architecture and all sorts of legends. You’ll also discover Brasov, one of the most important medieval towns.

Because Romania still values the old country life, you’ll have the proper time to explore Viscri fortified church and meet the lovely people.

Sighisoara, your next stop, will leave you in awe with its colourful buildings and the tremendous Clock tower. This is a place to take pictures worthy of a postcard.

A walk through Targu Mures will teach you a valuable lesson about harmony since the architecture is a mixture of Romanian and Hungarian styles. Also, you’ll get to see the old citadel that still guards the town.

Moving deeper into Transylvania, you’ll stop at Turda Salt mine, the ultimate underground park. You’ll have plenty of activities to do here and also improve your health in the meantime.

Romania has plenty of castles to discover, and Corvin Castle is one of them. This is the largest medieval castle in Transylvania and represents the XVth century’s military architecture.

The stunning white citadel of Alba Iulia awaits to be discovered. The main reason you should visit this city is its unique architecture. Many architectural styles can be admired here, including Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque.

On your way back to Bucharest, you’ll stop in the charming medieval city of Sibiu.  Its towers, stairs, and narrow passages in the medieval centre, combined with colourful houses, fortified churches, and centuries-old buildings, give visitors the sense of going back in time while still enjoying all the advantages of the present.

Itinerary 4: Road trip in Transylvania

Ready to drive on Transylvania? Try this amazing route throughout medieval cities and traditional villages.

Day 1: Arrival and Bucharest tour Day 2: Road trip in Transylvania – Sibiu Day 3: A white citadel in Romania and Corvin castle Day 4: Biertan fortified church & Sighisoara citadel Day 5: Fagaras citadel and Brasov Day 6: Bran Castle and Rasnov citadel Day 7: Back to Bucharest

Transylvania is perhaps the main attraction of Romania since it’s a land full of myths and legends. Also, it is a place full of charm, medieval towns, castles and fortresses, scenic old villages, traditions, crafts, incredible landscapes of the Carpathian mountains, green rolling hills, and majestic forest. No wonder everyone wants a tour here.

The itinerary starts in Bucharest, where you’ll stroll around the old town and see remarkable buildings. Soon after, you’ll admire the scenic roads to the first medieval town, Sibiu.

Your journey will feel like a walk into the past after discovering the white citadel of Alba Iulia and the narrow corridors of Corvin Castle.

You’ll then discover Biertan Fortified church, famous for its legends and local beauty.

Nothing beats the walk through colourful Sighisoara and its remarkable crafts towers. Also, this is the place with an iconic school passage.

Before getting to Brasov and its Tampa mountain, you’ll see the old Fagaras citadel, one of the best-preserved feudal castle complexes in the country.

Not long after you see Brasov, you’ll also wander around the corridors of Bran Castel, another epic landmark of Romania.

Before heading to Bucharest, the last stop will be Rasnov citadel. This fortress is a Romanian historical monument used as a defence system for the Transylvania villages exposed to Tatar and Ottoman invasions.

How can I book these itineraries?

If you like one of the itineraries above and you want to enjoy it, it is enough to contact us. All 4 tours can be planned as self-driving trips or tours with guide. Once we know your preferences regarding the accommodation and type of tour, we will send you the best offer.

The itineraries can also be adapted if you want to include attractions that are not mentioned or you want to extended them.

Closing thoughts

Are you in for a fabulous holiday? Book your itinerary today, and let’s discover the natural wonders of Romania together. We are professionals willing to craft the best tour for you and your loved ones. Rest assured that we will take care of everything while you just sit back and enjoy the ride. And if you want to know more about Romania, check our travel blog .

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