Tour overview

This 11-day trip starts in Belgrade, crosses into Romania at Timișoara and spends most of its time in Transylvania before finishing in Bucharest. All travel is by private vehicle, and groups are up to 12 travellers.

The route visits Sarmizegetusa Regia, the UNESCO-listed capital of ancient Dacia, then Sibiu and the ASTRA Village Museum, an open-air museum of Romanian folk life. The star-shaped citadel of Alba Iulia comes next, followed by a night in a Szekler mansion in the village of Colțești, in the Trascău Mountains, with a traditional dinner. You go 119 metres underground at the Turda Salt Mine and spend two nights in UNESCO-listed Sighișoara, with visits to the fortified church at Biertan and the Saxon village of Mălâncrav.

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The final stretch takes in the fortified church at Saschiz, Bran Castle and Peleș Castle, two nights in Brașov with a chimney cake tasting, and a winery lunch with sparkling wine in Azuga before the drive to Bucharest.

You stay in hotels for 10 nights, with 10 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners. Tips for hotels, activities and drivers are included. An airport transfer on arrival in Belgrade is included.

Trip highlights

  • Sarmizegetusa Regia

    a guided visit to the UNESCO-listed capital of ancient Dacia (Day 3)

  • Sibiu

    a guided walk through the old town and a visit to the ASTRA Village Museum (Days 3–4)

  • Alba Iulia

    a guided walk inside the star-shaped citadel (Day 5)

  • Colțești

    a night at a Szekler mansion in the Trascău Mountains, with a traditional dinner (Day 5)

  • Turda Salt Mine

    a vast underground space 119 metres below ground (Day 6)

  • Sighișoara and Biertan

    the UNESCO-listed old town and the hilltop fortified church (Days 6–7)

  • Bran and Peleș castles

    the castle linked to the Dracula legend and the late 19th-century royal palace (Days 8–9)

  • Azuga

    a winery tour with lunch and sparkling wine tasting in the Prahova Valley (Day 10)

Your route

13 stops from Belgrade to Bucharest

11-day route: Belgrade – Timișoara – Sibiu – Colțești – Sighișoara – Brașov – Bucharest
  1. Belgrade Day 1
  2. Timișoara Day 2
  3. Sarmizegetusa Regia Day 3
  4. Sibiu Days 3–4
  5. Alba Iulia Day 5
  6. Colțești Day 5
  7. Turda Day 6
  8. Sighișoara Days 6–7
  9. Biertan Day 7
  10. Bran Castle Day 8
  11. Brașov Days 8–9
  12. Peleș Castle Day 9
  13. Bucharest Day 10

Why choose this tour

This trip covers Transylvania in depth, from Dacian ruins and Saxon fortified churches to Bran and Peleș castles, with two nights in Sibiu, Sighișoara and Brașov. Travel is by private vehicle with a small group of up to 12, and it includes a night in a Szekler mansion and a winery lunch.

Best suited to

  • Travellers interested in medieval towns, castles and Saxon heritage
  • Travellers who prefer private transport to public buses and trains
  • Travellers who like small groups of up to 12
  • Solo travellers, with a single room available for all nights at extra cost
Colourful houses and the clock tower in Sighișoara, Romania

Day-by-day itinerary

11 days from Belgrade, Serbia to Bucharest, Romania

  1. Day 1 · Belgrade Arrive in Belgrade

    You are met at the airport and taken to your hotel. The welcome meeting is at 6 pm, followed by dinner with the group at a local restaurant. If you arrive early, you could visit the Nikola Tesla Museum or have a Turkish coffee in a traditional kafana.

    Hotel
    Mona Plaza Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Timișoara Into Romania: Timișoara

    Cross the border into Romania by private vehicle to Timișoara, where an uprising in 1989 sparked the Romanian Revolution. A guided walking tour takes in Victory, Liberty and Union squares and explains the city's history.

    Hotel
    Hotel Savoy or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Sarmizegetusa Regia, Sibiu Sarmizegetusa Regia and Sibiu

    On the way to Sibiu, a local guide shows you Sarmizegetusa Regia, the UNESCO-listed capital of the ancient Dacian kingdom until the Romans invaded in AD 102. In Sibiu, a guided walk follows the cobbled streets, squares and the remains of the medieval walls and towers.

    Hotel
    Craft Inn or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Sibiu ASTRA Village Museum

    Visit the ASTRA Village Museum on the edge of the city, an open-air museum of old houses, windmills and workshops around a lake that shows how rural Romanians lived. The afternoon is free. You could visit the Orthodox and Lutheran cathedrals or wander the old town with a covrigi, the local pretzel.

    Hotel
    Craft Inn or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Alba Iulia, Trascău Mountains, Colțești Alba Iulia and Colțești

    Drive to Alba Iulia, one of Romania's oldest cities, for a guided walk inside its 18th-century star-shaped citadel. Then continue into the Trascău Mountains to Colțești for a night at a Szekler mansion and a traditional dinner, which might include borsch or goulash, local cheeses and sarmale.

    Hotel
    Szekler Mansion (Conacul Secuiesc) or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Turda, Mediaș, Sighișoara Turda Salt Mine to Sighișoara

    Stop at the Turda Salt Mine, a huge underground space 119 metres below ground, so bring a warm layer. Then pass through Mediaș, with its leaning Trumpeter Tower, to Sighișoara, the UNESCO-listed birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, for a guided walk through the old town.

    Hotel
    Fronius Residence or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Biertan, Mălâncrav, Sighișoara Biertan and Mălâncrav

    Visit Biertan, a UNESCO-listed village with a 15th-century fortified church on a hill. Then drive to the Saxon village of Mălâncrav for lunch. Its 14th-century church has the oldest wall paintings in Transylvania. Return to Sighișoara for a free afternoon.

    Hotel
    Fronius Residence or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  8. Day 8 · Saschiz, Bran Castle, Brașov Saschiz and Bran Castle to Brașov

    Stop at Saschiz's 15th-century fortified church, known for its defensive walls and clock tower. Then visit Bran Castle, the 14th-century castle tied to the Dracula legend, though Vlad the Impaler never lived there. Continue to Brașov for dinner with the group. The driving takes about 3 hours.

    Hotel
    Hotel Capitol or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Peleș Castle, Brașov Peleș Castle and Brașov

    Visit Peleș Castle, a neo-Renaissance royal residence from the late 19th century, with an audio guide. Back in Brașov, your leader walks you past the medieval fortifications, the Black Church and Council Square, finishing with a taste of chimney cake.

    Hotel
    Hotel Capitol or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Brașov, Azuga, Bucharest Azuga winery to Bucharest

    A free morning in Brașov. You could find String Street, at its narrowest about 44 inches wide, or try papanași. Then drive to Azuga in the Prahova Valley for a winery tour, a tasting of its sparkling rosé and lunch. Continue to Bucharest, arriving in the late afternoon, about 4 hours of driving in total.

    Hotel
    Hotel Continental Forum or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  11. Day 11 · Bucharest Trip ends in Bucharest

    The trip ends after breakfast. For the airport, a short taxi ride to Gara de Nord connects with the direct train to Otopeni airport, about 30 minutes. Extra nights in Bucharest can be arranged when you book.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Peleș Castle among pine trees, Romania

Where you stay

  • Belgrade (1 night) Mona Plaza Hotel or similar
  • Timișoara (1 night) Hotel Savoy or similar
  • Sibiu (2 nights) Craft Inn or similar
  • Colțești (1 night) Szekler Mansion (Conacul Secuiesc) or similar
  • Sighișoara (2 nights) Fronius Residence or similar
  • Brașov (2 nights) Hotel Capitol or similar
  • Bucharest (1 night) Hotel Continental Forum or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 10 nights in hotels, including one night at a Szekler mansion in Colțești
  • Meals 10 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners, including a welcome dinner in Belgrade and a winery lunch in Azuga
  • Transport private vehicle throughout, and an airport transfer on arrival in Belgrade
  • Leader throughout, with guided walks in Timișoara, Sibiu, Sighișoara and Brașov
  • Entry Sarmizegetusa Regia, the ASTRA Village Museum, Alba Iulia Citadel, the Turda Salt Mine, Bran Castle and Peleș Castle
  • Tips for hotels, activities and drivers

Not included

  • Flights to Belgrade and home from Bucharest
  • Departure transfer in Bucharest
  • Meals and drinks not listed
  • Optional activities and entry fees, such as Belgrade's museums or the Black Church in Brașov
  • Tip for your leader
  • Single room supplement, travel insurance, visas and personal spending
The Great Square in Sibiu, Romania

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want long stays — most places get one or two nights
  • You need step-free access — many sites are on cobbles and uneven ground
  • You want every meal included — 10 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners are included
  • You expect hotel-standard rooms every night — facilities can occasionally be shared
Aerial view of Council Square in Brașov, Romania

Departures & prices

From £4,110 per person, twin share, tour only. 10 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

How long are the drives?

All travel is by private vehicle. The longest days are about 3 hours on the Bran Castle day and about 4 hours to Bucharest after the Azuga winery lunch.

Are tips included?

Tips for hotels, activities and transport are included. A tip for your leader is not, and is at your discretion.

Is an airport transfer included?

Yes, on arrival in Belgrade on Day 1, if you send your flight details at least 14 days before departure. The departure transfer in Bucharest is not included.

Which currencies do I need?

Serbian dinar in Serbia and Romanian leu in Romania.

Is Hunedoara Castle included?

No. Because of renovations, it has been replaced by a guided visit to Sarmizegetusa Regia, alongside the visits to Bran and Peleș castles.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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