Castles & Legends of Transylvania - 4 days

Bucharest - Sinaia - Brasov. In the morning, your guide will collect you from your hotel in Bucharest. We begin with a scenic drive to Sinaia to visit Peles Castle, one of Romania’s most celebrated landmarks. Set against a mountain backdrop, this former summer residence of the Romanian Royal Family is often listed among the most beautiful castles in the world.

Please note: Peles Castle is closed on Mondays and certain Tuesdays. If your tour starts on one of these days, the itinerary will be adjusted accordingly.

From Sinaia we continue to Bran to explore the famous Bran Castle. Known worldwide as “Dracula’s Castle”, it owes its fame largely to Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. Built in the 13th century by the Saxons of Brasov on the site of an earlier Teutonic fort, the castle’s Gothic profile and medieval atmosphere have long been linked with the legend of Vlad the Impaler. Here, you will learn how the historical figure became associated with the fictional Count Dracula.

Following our visit, we take the old trade route through the Carpathians to Rasnov Fortress, a 14th-century citadel perched on a hill with commanding views of the surrounding valley. We end the day in Brasov, where we overnight. Time permitting, you may take an evening walk around the Council Square, the historic heart of the city.

Please note: We recommend you arrive in Bucharest the day before your tour starts.

Brasov - Sighisoara. After breakfast, we depart for Fagaras Citadel, an imposing fortress with a moat and formidable double walls, making it one of the few fortresses in Transylvania never to have been conquered.

We then drive through traditional villages en route to Rupea, home to one of Romania’s oldest archaeological sites. The citadel, restored in 2013, has evidence of human settlement from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. Legend has it that Decebalus, the last Dacian king, took his life here during Rome’s conquest of Dacia in 106 AD.

Our journey continues to Crit, a Saxon village known for its well-preserved architecture and traditional cuisine. Here, you will enjoy a hearty local meal before travelling to Sighisoara.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns, with cobbled streets, colourful houses, and fortified towers. You will explore its historic citadel, continuously inhabited since the 13th century. Highlights include Vlad Tepes’ birthplace, now housing a restaurant and a small weapons museum. After a walking tour, we check in for an overnight stay in Sighisoara.

Sighisoara - Sibiu. This morning we visit the village of Richis, home to a 500-year-old Gothic fortified church. We then continue to Biertan, which boasts the largest fortified church in Romania, encircled by three defensive walls, six towers and three bastions. Biertan has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.

Next, we drive to Alba Iulia, a city with more than two millennia of history. Once a Roman fort and later a medieval stronghold, it is best known for its 18th-century star-shaped Vauban fortress.

In the afternoon, we visit Corvin Castle, also known as Hunyad Castle. One of the most striking Gothic castles in Europe, it is adorned with stone-carved dragons and imposing towers. The castle is linked with John Hunyadi, a national hero who resisted Ottoman incursions.

After our visit, we continue to Sibiu, where we overnight.

Sibiu - Curtea de Arges - Bucharest. We begin the day with a walking tour of Sibiu, a city with a strong Saxon heritage. Its central square is lined with handsome historic buildings, and we cross the famous Bridge of Lies before reaching the old defensive walls.

From Sibiu we drive through the Carpathians, following the Olt River and enjoying the dramatic scenery along the way. Our final stop is at Curtea de Arges to visit its striking Orthodox cathedral, the burial place of Romania’s kings.

In the evening, we return to Bucharest, where our four-day medieval Romania tour concludes.