Tour of Transylvania from Timisoara
Tour of Transylvania from Budapest or Belgrade
Discover old world’s charm
7 Days
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, explore medieval towns with their eye-catching buildings, 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.

 

Suggested Itinerary

This is a private guided tour. It will be organized for you only, so you will not be part of a larger group.

Day 1  Travel from Budapest or Belgrade and visit Timisoara
Day 2  Visit Hunedoara, Alba Iulia and Sibiu
Day 3  Discover Brasov, the famous Bran castle and drive on Transfagarasan road
Day 4  See bears in the wild, 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
Why travel with us

Day 1
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 but 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.

Timisoara

Overnight in Timisoara.

 

Day 2
On the second day of your Tour of Transylvania from Budapest or Belgrade you will head towards Hunedoara, where you will visit the imposing Corvin castle, built in the 15th century with a predominant Gothic architecture. Pass through the huge entrance bridge with encircling river and find out the legends written among its walls.

Corvin Castle

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, since the first relics of the place date from Roman times.

Sibiu is 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.

 

Day 3
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.

Medieval town of Brasov

Later in the day you will visit the famous Bran castle. Usually associated with Dracula for the resemblance it bears with the castle described in Bram Stoker’s novel, 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 have a breathtaking view of the mountains and the road’s sharp turns.

Panoramic view of Transfagarasan

Overnight in Bran.

 

Day 4
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 in small cages, with poor diet and in some of the cases no veterinary care.

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.

Peles Castle in autumn

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 have an amazing view of the surrounding valleys. 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.

You can visit Rasnov fortress which was built by the local villagers to defend themselves from Turkish and Tartars invaders as it was the first fortress encountered by armies invading Transylvania through Bran Pass.

Lastly, you can go to a bear observatory and see bears in the wild, as Romanian has the largest population of such carnivores in the European Union.

A cub bear and his mom

Overnight in Bran.

 

Day 5
You will spend the day in Viscri, 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. HRH Prince Charles of Wales 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 Village

Viscri is also known as a place where the traditional way of life can be observed. Therefore, you will be able to visit a craftsman, such as a brick-maker or 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 horsecart. 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.

 

Day 6
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, walking on the narrow cobbled streets and admiring the colorful historic buildings.

Best things to do in Transylvania - Sighisoara

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. You will enjoy roaming the streets of these Hungarian heritage villages, admiring the white traditional houses and the beautiful nature that surrounds them.

Rimetea

Overnight in Coltesti or the Apuseni Mountains.

 

Day 7
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).

 

Suggested Itinerary Viewed On Map
Suggested Accommodation

Conacul Bratescu 4* – Bran

Bratescu is a charming boutique hotel located in Bran, very close to Bran castle, but in a quiet area. The building resembles an old traditional Romanian mansion while each of the 7 beautifully decorated rooms has its own story and design. The home-cooked meals and carefully chosen local wines from the restaurant will also contribute to a wonderful experience in a modern Romanian style.

Timpuri Vechi – Sibiu

Initially an old house, Timpuri Vechi is now a boutique hotel in an elegant 19th century style with 9 unique rooms that combine the comfort of our days with the charm of the old times. The excellent location of this family-run business, in the very center of the Old Town of Sibiu, will make your stay even more enjoyable as you will be close to the main attractions and the best restaurants and shops.

Conacul Secuiesc 4* – Coltesti

Located at the foot of Piatra Secuiului hill, in a wonderful landscape, surrounded by greenery, Conacul Secuiesc is a modern hotel built in a Hungarian traditional style specific to Coltesti and Rimetea villages in Transylvania. The 23 rooms are comfortable, decorated with beautiful hand-painted furniture and traditional rural decorations. The rural experience will be completed by enjoying local home-cooked meals in the restaurant accompanied by local wines and the local palinca (strong fruit brandy).

Casa del Sole 4* – Timisoara

Situated close to the center, Casa del Sole was opened on the initiative of a family willing to offer excellence and high quality accommodation to Timisoara’s visitors. The 26 rooms are clean and comfortable each one having a beautiful Italian style which is predominant in the hotel. The two restaurants have a large variety of international food but focus more on the Italian cuisine, the first one displaying an elegant and romantic style and the second one being more traditional. On sunny days you can relax and enjoy a drink on the charming terrace or have a swim in the outdoor pool.

Viscri 125 – Viscri

The 11 rooms of this rural guesthouse are located in traditional German Saxon buildings specific to this area and older than 100 years. The rooms are charming, comfortable and lack TV and internet access so you are encouraged to disconnect from the outside world. They offer set menus cooked from local ingredients and mostly by following traditional recipes. Walking out through the front gate you’ll feel like stepping back in time while exploring the village. Through the back door you will get to the hammocks area where you can relax or walk through the wildflower fields in the summer months.
Tour of Transylvania from Budapest or Belgrade: Included Services
  • Trip planning and assistance before, during and after the tour
  • Accommodation for 6 nights in standard double or twin room, breakfast included
  • Certified English speaking tour guide (accommodation, relocation and meals are included)
  • Private transfer on the above itinerary by car (Dacia Logan or similar for a group of 1-4 persons, Renault Traffic or similar for a group of 5-8 persons; fuel, taxes and parking fees are included)
  • 2 dinners: 1 in Rimetea and 1 in Viscri (set menus, home cooked traditional food)

 

  • SERVICES which are not included in the price of the Tour of Transylvania from Budapest or Belgrade:

 

  • Entrance tickets to tourist sites
  • Meals except the ones included above
  • Single room supplement – 200 EUR
Peles Castle Romania
Prices
The prices are calculated for a private guided tour for groups of the sizes mentioned below. If you are interested in a self-drive tour, please let us know.
Group Size
Price per person – EUR
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
850 EUR
900 EUR
950 EUR
990 EUR

1050 EUR

1200 EUR
1400 EUR
2100 EUR
Traveler’s Reviews
Kirk from Canada
“Both Caitlin, my daughter and I tell people that our trip was one of the best we’ve ever experienced! Every time we get together it seems we reminisce about some aspect of the trip. Thank you again and I hope we can arrange another trip with you sometime…”
Francis from UK
“It was an exceptionally interesting and rewarding tour of Transylvania. This is partly because Transylvania is fascinating and beautiful; and partly because our guide gave us a most imaginative programme which mixed important historic sites with experiences of rural life. He was known to many of the people running places we stayed in or visited and we were welcomed as friends. He was well informed on the history and was excellent company. We did some unusual things, for example visiting a bustling and colorful livestock market and enjoyed the whole experience enormously.”
Are you looking for something else? Check our other suggested tours focused on culture, history and traditions.