Private 8-Day Romania Tour: Castles, Monasteries & Villages

Summary

Romania Multi-Day Private Tour: Castles, Culture & Countryside

You’ll travel across Romania with a private guide who knows every shortcut—and every story behind each castle or monastery you visit. Expect medieval towns full of character, painted churches that glow in afternoon sun, winding mountain roads (with plenty of snack stops), plus honest local food at every turn. If you want real Romanian culture—not just postcard views—this tour delivers.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll never forget the first morning—fog curling around Curtea de Argeș Monastery, the air sharp and cool even in late spring. Our guide, Andrei, pointed out the royal tombs tucked inside, sharing stories that made the place feel alive. The old Wallachian court ruins nearby looked almost forgotten by time. We wandered slowly, letting the quiet settle in before heading up to Poenari Fortress. The climb’s no joke—over 1,400 steps—but you get these wild views over the Argeș River and Carpathians. Andrei told us about Vlad the Impaler’s escape route; I could almost picture him slipping away through those forests.

The drive along the Transfagarasan Highway was something else—twists and turns with sheep wandering onto the road now and then. At Balea Lake, we stopped for hot tea (it gets chilly up there even in July) and just watched clouds drift past at eye level. By evening we rolled into Sibiu, where pastel houses line cobbled streets and you can hear church bells echoing off the Făgăraș Mountains. Dinner was hearty—cabbage rolls and polenta at a spot locals love near Piata Mare.

The next day brought us deep underground at Turda Salt Mine—honestly, it smells faintly sweet down there and feels oddly peaceful. The old mining equipment looks like something out of a Jules Verne novel. In Cluj Napoca’s old center, we squeezed into a busy café for strong coffee before heading north to Maramureș. Surdești’s wooden church is so tall you have to crane your neck just to see the spire disappear into the sky.

Maramureș mornings start with roosters crowing and market stalls bursting with cheese and wild honey. In Săpânța’s Merry Cemetery, I found myself grinning at poems on blue-painted crosses—some cheeky, some bittersweet. The Sighet Memorial Museum hit hard; walking those cold halls makes history real in a way books never do.

Barsana Monastery felt almost otherworldly—woodwork so intricate you want to run your hands over it (though you probably shouldn’t). Driving through Borgo Pass is pure storybook stuff: misty forests, winding roads, maybe a truck or two slowing things down but nobody seems to mind much here. Ciocănești village pops with color—painted houses everywhere—and it’s easy to see why Lonely Planet raves about it.

Bukovina’s painted monasteries are like nothing else: Voroneț blue is as vivid as everyone says, especially when sunlight hits just right in late afternoon. Sucevița and Moldovița are quieter but just as moving; our guide explained details in the frescoes I’d have missed on my own. Lucia Condrea’s Egg Museum was a surprise highlight—thousands of delicate eggshells painted by hand.

Driving through Bicaz Gorge is a bit nerve-wracking but worth every hairpin turn—the cliffs seem close enough to touch from your window. We stopped for fresh trout at a roadside cabin near Red Lake (locals call it Lacul Roșu), where tree trunks poke through still water from an old landslide.

Sighisoara feels like stepping back centuries: towers, narrow lanes, even Dracula’s birthplace if you’re into legends. Viscri village is all slow pace and friendly faces; Prince Charles has visited more than once apparently! Brasov’s Council Square buzzes with life—street musicians playing while kids chase pigeons around fountains.

The last day packs in Bran Castle (yes, there are Dracula souvenirs everywhere), Peles Castle with its fairytale turrets (the woodwork inside is unreal), and Sinaia Monastery—a peaceful end before rolling back into Bucharest traffic. Along the way we tried homemade cheeses from roadside stands and sipped plum brandy that’ll warm you right up on a cool mountain morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Curtea de Arges & Sibiu Tour

• Visit Curtea de Arges Monastery
• Explore Poenari Castle ruins
• Drive Transfagarasan Highway
• Sibiu City Tour including Great Square

Day 2 — Turda Salt Mine & Cluj Napoca

• Tour Turda Salt Mine
• Cluj Napoca City Tour
• Visit Surdesti Wooden Church

Day 3 — Maramures Culture & History

• Visit Merry Cemetery in Sapanta
• Tour Sighet Memorial Museum
• Visit Sapanta Peri Monastery

Day 4 — Barsana & Borgo Pass Road

• Visit Barsana Monastery
• Drive Borgo Pass Road
• Explore Ciocanesti Village

Day 5 — Bukovina Painted Monasteries

• Visit Voronet Monastery
• Tour Humor Monastery
• Visit Sucevita Monastery
• Explore Moldovita Monastery
• Visit Egg Painted Museum

Day 6 — Bicaz Gorge & Museums

• Drive through Bicaz Gorge
• Visit Nicolae Popa Museum
• Explore Red Lake

Day 7 — Sighisoara & Brasov Tour

• Sighisoara City Tour including Clock Tower
• Visit Viscri Village
• Brasov City Tour including Council Square

Day 8 — Castles & Monastery near Bucharest

• Tour Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle)
• Visit Peles Castle
• Explore Sinaia Monastery

Top questions

How much walking or climbing is involved?

There are some climbs (like Poenari Fortress) and cobbled streets in old towns; most days mix driving with walking tours at your own pace.

Is this tour suitable for families or older travelers?

Yes! The itinerary can be adjusted for comfort levels; your private guide will help tailor activities as needed for all ages.

Are meals included?

No set meals included except for your guide's expenses—but you'll get great recommendations for local spots in each town or village.

Can I change parts of the itinerary during the trip?

Absolutely! Your guide is flexible—you can swap stops or adjust timing even after starting your journey.

What should I pack for this trip?

Packing layers helps—a light jacket even in summer (mountains get chilly), comfy shoes for walking/climbing, and maybe an umbrella just in case.

What’s included

Your own private car (tourism vehicle or minibus) just for your group; licensed English-speaking driver-guide throughout; hotel recommendations based on your budget; free Wi-Fi onboard; all car expenses covered (fuel, parking, tolls); flexibility to tweak plans as you go; entrance fees/accommodation/meals covered for your guide too; service animals welcome; suitable for all fitness levels!