7-Day Private Romania Tour: Castles, Villages & History

Summary

Private Guided Romania Itinerary: Castles, Monasteries & Villages

If you want real Romanian history—castles with creaky floors, medieval towns still alive today, mountain monasteries echoing with chants—this private tour packs it all in without rushing you along. You’ll get local tips from your guide and plenty of time for spontaneous stops (or extra coffee breaks). Perfect if you want more than just postcard sights.

What’s the experience like?

We kicked off our week in Romania with the royal halls of Peles Castle—honestly, it’s hard not to feel a bit regal yourself wandering those ornate rooms. The air up in Sinaia is crisp even in summer; I remember the faint scent of pine as we strolled to the monastery nearby. Our guide, Andrei, pointed out tiny details in the frescoes that most folks would miss. Later that day in Brasov’s old town, the cobblestones echoed under our shoes while locals chatted over coffee at Café de Paris near Piata Sfatului. We spent the night here—if you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs; church bells ring early.

The next morning was all about legends at Bran Castle. There’s a buzz outside with vendors selling homemade cheese and little bottles of pálinka (that stuff packs a punch). Inside, it’s easy to see why people link this place to Dracula—even if Bram Stoker never set foot here. Afterward, we wandered Sighisoara’s citadel—pastel houses and steep lanes where you can almost hear medieval footsteps. Climbing the Clock Tower is worth it for the view alone; just watch your head on those low beams. In Viscri village later on, geese wander freely and you’ll spot hand-painted signs for homemade jam.

Sibiu greeted us with its wide Great Square and lively market stalls—don’t skip the pretzels from a street vendor near Piata Mare. The Orthodox Cathedral surprised me; it feels grand but somehow cozy inside. We also checked out the Evangelical Cathedral—climb its tower if you’re not afraid of heights! Biertan Church was another highlight: fortified walls and a peaceful vibe that made me linger longer than planned.

Day four brought us west to Densus Temple—a patchwork of ancient stones and faded frescoes that tell their own story if you look close enough. Corvin’s Castle loomed ahead like something straight out of a fantasy film; our guide suggested snapping photos from the defense towers for the best angle (he was right). At Bigar Waterfall, I could hear nothing but rushing water and birds—no phone signal here, which felt oddly freeing.

The Iron Gates region along the Danube was next—a wild stretch where river currents swirl like boiling soup on cold mornings. We cruised past Decebalus’ massive rock-carved face; it’s even more impressive up close than in photos. Roman ruins dot this area too—crumbled stones half-hidden by grass—and our guide shared stories about ancient bridges built by emperors.

In Targu Jiu, Brancusi’s sculptures line up along Heroes’ Way; I didn’t expect to be so moved by simple shapes like The Table of Silence or The Gate of the Kiss. Horezu Monastery came after—a quiet spot with painted walls and shelves full of local ceramics (I picked up a small bowl as a souvenir). Polovragi Cave was chilly inside; bring a jacket even if it’s hot outside.

The final day meant climbing 1,480 steps to Poenari Fortress—my legs were jelly at the top but wow, what a view! Vidraru Dam looked massive against the mountainside; we stopped for photos before heading to Curtea de Arges Monastery. The limestone glows pale in late afternoon sun—it’s peaceful here despite being so close to town. By evening we rolled back into Bucharest tired but full of stories (and way too many photos).

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Peles Castle & Brasov Old Town

• Visit Peles Castle
• Visit Sinaia Monastery
• Explore Old Town Brasov

Day 2 — Bran Castle & Sighisoara Tour

• Visit Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle)
• Tour Sighisoara Citadel
• Visit Clock Tower in Sighisoara
• Visit Viscri Village

Day 3 — Sibiu City & Biertan Church

• Explore Sibiu Large Square
• Visit Sibiu Orthodox Cathedral
• Visit Sibiu Evangelical Cathedral
• Visit Biertan Fortified Church

Day 4 — Densus Temple & Corvin's Castle

• Visit Densus Temple
• Visit Corvin's Castle
• Visit Bigar Waterfall

Day 5 — Iron Gate Cruise & Roman Ruins

• Iron Gate River Cruise
• See Rock-Carved Statue of Decebal
• Visit Roman Ruins

Day 6 — Brancusi Ensemble & Horezu Monastery

• Visit Constantin Brancusi Sculptural Ensemble
• Explore Brancusi Sculptural Exhibit
• See Brancusi Sculptures
• Visit Horezu Monastery
• Explore Polovragi Cave

Day 7 — Poienari Fortress & Curtea de Arges

• Climb Poienari Fortress
• Visit Vidraru Dam
• Visit Curtea de Arges Monastery

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families or older travelers?

Yes—it’s flexible and can be adjusted for all fitness levels. There are some stairs at castles like Poenari but we can take things slow or skip certain climbs if needed.

Are meals included? What kind of food will we try?

Your guide covers their own meals; for guests, food isn’t included so you’re free to choose where and what you eat each day—from rustic village dishes to city cafés.

Can I customize parts of this itinerary?

Absolutely! The route is flexible—even after starting out—and your guide will help adjust stops based on your interests or pace.

Will there be Wi-Fi during drives?

Yes—the car has complimentary wireless internet access so you can stay connected between stops or share photos as you go.

What’s included

You’ll have private transport just for your group (car or minibus), an English-speaking licensed guide/driver throughout the journey, Wi-Fi in the vehicle, plus all car expenses covered—including gas and parking fees. Your guide’s accommodation and entrance fees are also taken care of so there are no surprises along the way.