Tour of Transylvania from Budapest or Belgrade

Start this tour of Transylvania from Budapest or Belgrade and roam the country in search of the places that made Transylvania the best region to travel in 2016 according to Lonely Planet.

You will open the gates of imposing castles and explore medieval towns with their eye-catching buildings. Additionally, discover true Romania in quaint villages and enjoy breathtaking views from the top of the Carpathian Mountains.

This Transylvania tour can also begin in Timisoara, Arad, Oradea or other cities in Hungary or Serbia, if it better fits your travel itinerary.

Day 1  Travel from Budapest or Belgrade and visit Timisoara

Day 3  Discover Brasov, the famous Bran castle and drive on Transfagarasan road

Day 4  See bears in a sanctuary, visit Peles castle and spend the afternoon in nature

Day 5  Explore the charming village of Viscri

Day 6  Discover the medieval town of Sighisoara and go down in a salt mine

Day 7  Return to Budapest of Belgrade

You will meet your guide in Budapest or Belgrade and travel towards Romania, making a stop on the way to explore a little bit more of Hungary or Serbia.

If departing from Budapest, you will visit Szeged, a city in South-Eastern Hungary, known as the “city of sunshine” and featuring beautiful Art Nouveau historic buildings.

On the other hand, on the way from Belgrade to Timisoara you can discover Novi Sad, a city built on the banks of the Danube and boasting a charming 18th-century architecture.

You will end the day with a guided tour of one of Romania’s most beautiful cities, Timisoara, chosen European Capital of Culture for 2021. Timisoara is known as the town from where the Romanian anti-communism revolution started. On the other hand, it is also known for its multiculturalism, here living for centuries important communities of Germans, Jews, Hungarians and Serbs. You will enjoy walking through the old town, admiring the rich Secession Architecture.

Overnight in Timisoara.

On the second day of your Tour of Transylvania from Budapest or Belgrade you will head towards Hunedoara. Here you will visit the imposing Corvin castle, built in the 15th century with a predominant Gothic architecture. Then, pass through the huge entrance bridge with encircling river and find out the legends written among its walls.

Next on your itinerary is Alba Iulia, a significant town in the history of Romania, as it was here that in 1918 the former regions of the country united. You will get a complete lesson on the origins of the Romanian people as you tour the Vauban-style citadel. That is because the first relics of the place date from Roman times.

Sibiu is surely a charming medieval town located in the heart of the country. You will have a guided walking tour through the center and discover its historic squares, fortification walls and towers.

Overnight in Sibiu.

In the first part of the day you travel from Sibiu to Brasov, a medieval town located in a valley between mountains. You will visit the old defensive walls, the citadel and the main square so you can learn about the rich history of the place. You will also have the chance to do some hiking as you can go up on Tampa Mountain and enjoy a beautiful panoramic view over the town. If the hiking is not for you there is a cable car that you can go with.

Later in the day you will visit the famous Bran castle. Usually associated with Dracula for the resemblance it bears with the castle from Bram Stoker’s novel. Moreover, the 15th century former residence is actually a charming castle tastefully decorated by our queen Mary in the early ‘20.

If you are traveling between July and the end of September, you can add to this tour a drive on the scenic Trasfagarasan road. Called “the best road in the world” by Jeremy Clarkson – Top Gear –  Transfagarasan crosses the highest Romanian mountains. From the top you will surely have a breathtaking view of the mountains and the road’s sharp turns.

Overnight in Bran.

Today you will visit the Libearty Bear Sanctuary, where more than 80 bears have now a natural and safe habitat to live in. You will find out their interesting stories as they were rescued from places where they were kept in improper conditions. That is to say they, used to live in small cages, with poor diet and in some of the cases no veterinary care.

Up next is Peles Castle, placed in a fairy-tale like setting, at the edge of the forest. Peles Castle will introduce you to the royal atmosphere of the 19th century. You will visit unique rooms decorated in Florentine, Turkish, Moorish, French, and Imperial styles, fine art collections and fine furniture.

You have various options for things to do in the afternoon.

You can take the Cable Car and go up in the Bucegi Mountains, at more than 2000 m altitude from where you will indeed have an amazing view of the surrounding valleys. Besides, there you will also see some interesting rock formations, carved by the nature in thousands of years. They are called Babele due to the resemblance that they have with some old bent ladies.

Next, you can visit Rasnov fortress which was built by the local villagers to defend themselves from Turkish and Tartars invaders. That is because it was the first fortress encountered by armies invading Transylvania through Bran Pass.

Overnight in Bran.

You will spend the day in Viscri, definitely one of the most charming villages of German Saxon heritage in Transylvania. Here you will find one of the oldest fortified churches in Transylvania and beautiful restored houses with the same shade of blue as they had centuries ago. HRM King Charles  actually owns a house here and comes every year in the village. The church sits on a hill, surrounded by walls and forest and displays traditional objects of Saxon heritage in a little museum.

Viscri is also known as a place where the traditional way of life still goes on. Therefore, you will be able to visit a blacksmith, or see how bread is made the old way. On today’s list is also a visit to a sheepfold, which you will reach by horse cart. It will prove to be one of the most interesting experiences of this tour of Transylvania from Budapest or Belgrade, as you will learn about shepherds, how they take care of sheep and how they make cheese.

Overnight in Viscri.

In the morning you will travel to Sighisoara, a beautiful citadel founded by Transylvanian Saxons in the 12th century. You will feel like stepping back in medieval times indeed. Because you will be walking on the narrow cobbled streets and admiring the colorful historic buildings.

Then you will go down in the spectacular Turda Salt Mine. While you breathe the healthy air you can enjoy taking a trip on the Ferris wheel, playing soft sports such as mini golf, table tennis and bowling or even rowing a boat on the underground lake.

You will end the day with a walk in Rimetea or Coltesti, two villages set at the foot of Trascaului Mountain. Finally, you will enjoy roaming the streets of these Hungarian heritage villages, admiring the white traditional houses and the beautiful nature that surrounds them.

Overnight in Coltesti or the Apuseni Mountains.

This is the last day of your tour of Transylvania from Budapest or Belgrade. You will return to your departing point, with an optional stop on the way in Cluj Napoca or Oradea (if going to Hungary).