Transfagarasan Highway: Small Group Road Trip & Curtea de Arges

Summary

Romania’s winding roads, royal tombs and wild mountain air in a day

You’ll wind through Romania’s wildest mountains on Transfagarasan Highway, visit Curtea de Arges Monastery with its royal tombs, gaze up at Poenari Fortress and breathe crisp air by Bâlea Lake—all with a local guide and pickup included. Expect laughter, legends, unexpected weather and moments that stick with you long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it feels like to drive the Transfagarasan Highway for real, not just watch it on Top Gear? I did too—so when our little group (just seven of us) squeezed into the minivan that morning in Bucharest, I was half-awake and honestly a bit skeptical. Our guide, Andrei, handed out coffees and pronounced “Curtea de Argeș” with this soft Romanian “ș”—I tried to copy him but he just grinned. The monastery itself is almost too intricate to take in at first: stone so pale it glows against the sky, carvings curling around every window. Inside, it was hushed except for the shuffle of feet and the scent of old wax. The royal tombs felt heavy with history—someone whispered about Queen Marie’s heart being buried here but I’m still not sure if that’s true or just local legend.

We didn’t climb up to Poenari Fortress (Andrei said 1,400 steps is “for another lifetime”), but seeing it perched way above us on that jagged cliff gave me chills anyway. He told stories about Vlad the Impaler—somehow more human than monster when you hear it from someone who grew up nearby. The road started to wind after Vidraru Dam—gray concrete curving over green water—and suddenly we were climbing into clouds. There’s this moment where you look down and realize how far you’ve come; my ears popped and someone in the back started laughing because their phone lost signal. Up at Bâlea Lake, patches of snow lingered even though it was August. The air was sharp and clean, with that faint smell of wet stone and pine needles—honestly, I still think about that view sometimes.

On the way back we stopped at Capra Waterfall—the spray felt freezing against my face but nobody minded. There were sheep bells somewhere off in the grass and a couple selling boiled corn out of their car trunk (I bought one; it was chewy but sweet). It wasn’t perfect—traffic near Bucharest crawled for ages—but by then everyone was trading stories about their own home roads. If you’re after something polished or predictable, this isn’t really that kind of day trip from Bucharest. But if you want to feel Romania under your skin for a few hours…well, yeah.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit landmarks and scenic mountain route

• Visit Curtea de Argeș Monastery
• See Poenari Fortress exterior
• Admire Vidraru Dam and Lake
• Drive Transfăgărășan Highway
• Stop at Balea Lake viewpoint
• Visit Capra Waterfall

Top questions

How many people are in each group on this Transfagarasan Highway tour?

The tour is limited to a maximum of 7 passengers per group.

Does this day trip from Bucharest include hotel pickup?

The tour includes pickup from Piața 21 Decembrie 1989 in central Bucharest.

Do we go inside Poenari Fortress?

No, you will see Poenari Fortress from outside; entering requires climbing over 1,400 steps.

Is lunch included during the Transfagarasan Highway road trip?

No lunch is included; there are stops where you can buy snacks or food along the way.

Is Bâlea Lake accessible all year round?

Bâlea Lake is only accessible during summer and early autumn months due to weather conditions.

What language does the guide speak?

The professional guide speaks English during the tour.

Are children allowed on this small group tour?

Children under 7 years old cannot participate in shared group tours; private options are available upon request.

What makes this Transfagarasan Highway tour different from big bus tours?

This small-group tour stops at Curtea de Argeș Monastery and Poenari Fortress—places larger coaches skip—and offers more personal interaction with your guide.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Piața 21 Decembrie 1989 in central Bucharest, comfortable transport for up to seven people in an air-conditioned vehicle, plus all guidance from an English-speaking local expert as you explore Curtea de Argeș Monastery, admire Poenari Fortress from below, cross Vidraru Dam and Lake Vidraru, wind along Transfăgărășan Highway up to Bâlea Lake (in season), and pause for fresh air at Capra Waterfall before heading back together.