Transylvania Dracula Tour - 8 Day Trip Beyond the Legend

Breakfast: included on all days except the first day

On the first day of your Transylvania Dracula tour, our tour guide will pick you up at 09:00 AM from your place for a city tour of Bucharest. The Palace of the Parliament, the most notable structure in the city and a reminder of the communist era, is the first stop on your day trip across Bucharest. Alternatively referred to as the House of the People, this magnificent structure broke into the Guinness World Records as the world's second-largest building, right behind the Pentagon. Your guide will explain to you the dark details that made the creation of the enormous marble rooms possible.

Lunch: At your expense

A sightseeing visit to Bucharest's Old Town, which is home to several historical landmarks, architectural treasures, and notable structures, will round up your day in the city. You may tour Curtea Veche, also known as the Old Court, which was the first royal court in Bucharest and the home of Vlad Tepes. The bust of Vlad the Impaler stands in the centre of the ruins. 

Dinner: At your expense

You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you please.

Overnight in Bucharest

Breakfast: At the hotel

Journey deeper into the history of Dracula with a visit to Targoviste, a former Wallachian capital. Targoviste served as a Saxon colony throughout the 13th century, and due to its economic growth, it became a secondary residence for Wallachian princes during the 14th century.

After being relocated from Curtea de Arges to Târgu Giurgiu in 1431, the Royal Court underwent constant renovations. The princely court was quite tiny before Vlad the Impaler reorganised it to resist enemy attacks and later built the Tower of Chindia. Bayezid I assaulted and burned down the city in 1395, while Vlad the Impaler's Night Attack in 1462 was the only thing that prevented the Ottoman army from reaching the town. 

The Targoviste city tour serves as an introduction to Vlad Tepes's life and history, along with the Princely Church and Chindia Tower. 

Lunch: At your expense

*From November through July, Curtea de Arges Monastery tour and overnight stay in Sibiu will take the place of the excursion to Poenari Castle and Transfagarasan Highway. 

You will then proceed to the 13th-century Poenari Fortress.

Vlad the Impaler rebuilt it, making it one of his principal strongholds. nearly 1400 steps must be climbed to get to the citadel, which is nearly 800 metres above sea level. Known as Vlad Tepes's "Eagle's Nest," the fortress's location has made it a strategic point. 

*Poienari Fortress is shuttered and closed until 2024 due to renovations.

Travelling across the Carpathian Mountains at the end of the day allows you to take in some breathtaking scenery. The Transfagarasan Highway passes through the 2042-meter-tall Fagaras Mountains, which are Romania's highest mountains. From there, stunning scenery is seen, and since there are captivating landscapes around, some unique pictures can be captured.

When you get to your Sibiu accommodation, your day comes to an end. You can relax there and prepare for the next day of your Transylvania Dracula Tour. 

Dinner: At your expense 

You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish.

Overnight in Sibiu

Breakfast: At the hotel

Sibiu is one of the mediaeval cities where the history of Dracula first started spreading over 600 years ago among the merchants and aristocrats who inhabited the city. You will visit the Astra Museum, an outdoor museum with authentic Romanian monuments, in the meantime. There's also the option to travel in a classic wooden carriage. 

The museum, which is divided into five sizable parts, is home to thousands of vintage household items and over 300 historic buildings. 

Lunch: At your expense

The remainder of the day will be spent on a walking tour of Sibiu, where you will see how the city seamlessly integrates heritage, multiculturalism, and modernity. The tour begins in the town's Main Square and continues with visits to some of Sibiu's most notable landmarks: the Brukenthal Museum, the "Holy Trinity" Roman Catholic Cathedral, and Huet Square, which houses the Evangelical Church.  You will then spend a few hours exploring the city on your own to fully immerse yourself in this beautiful, historic city.  We've put up a list of activities to do in Sibiu during your leisure time. 

Dinner: At your expense

You are free to spend the rest of your evening as you desire.

Overnight in Sibiu

Breakfast: At the hotel

The fourth day of your Transylvania Dracula Tour will begin with a visit to one of Dracula's castles, Corvin Castle (or Hunyadi Castle). According to the legend, Vlad the Impaler was imprisoned here for seven years. Corvin Castle is among the largest mediaeval castles in Eastern Europe. It features remarkable Renaissance-Gothic architecture, an inner courtyard, and stunning soaring towers and bastions. Vlad the Impaler grew up with the future king of Hungary, Mathias Corvin, and Corvin Castle was their home while they received their military education. 

You will then travel to the Orastie Mountains to see the ruins of Sarmizegetusa Regia, a legendary Dacian citadel. Sarmizegetusa Regia was the Dacian Empire's primary military, religious, and political centre two thousand years ago. The fort included residential sections, workshops, and a holy zone. The sacred zone is one of Dacia's most significant sanctuaries, with a layout comparable to Stonehenge. Seven temples were uncovered at the site, including two circular temples, five rectangle temples, and an andesite altar. However, only the foundations of these structures have survived up to this point. 

Lunch: At your expense

The guided tour continues with a visit to Densus Village. Once there, you will see Densus Church, which is one of Romania's oldest churches. The church was reportedly built in the 7th century, and the murals inside date from the 15th century, depicting Jesus Christ in typical Romanian attire. 

According to one hypothesis, the Densus Church was a pagan temple since the altar is closer to the south than the east, the roof is fashioned like a dove, and the lion sculptures are connected by their tails. Another suggestion is that the cathedral was built as a mausoleum for Roman general Longinus Maximus.

Dinner: At the hotel at your expense

Overnight in Deva

Breakfast: At the hotel

Your day will begin with a guided tour of Alba Iulia, a city in the centre of Romania. Alba Carolina base, Romania's largest mediaeval stronghold, was built between 1715 and 1738. The site had formerly housed the other two fortifications: the Roman Castle of Legio XIII Gemina and the Bălgrad Mediaeval Citadel.

The mediaeval fortress was part of Prince Eugene of Savoy's fortification system, which was built to protect the Habsburg Empire's recently gained regions. Alba Carolina Citadel is one of Transylvania's most representative Vauban bastion fortifications. It was also a major stronghold for the Roman Empire in the region. 

Lunch: At your expense

Your following destination will be Turda, where you will see a salt mine that extends about 45 kilometres. Turda has been used for salt mining for hundreds of years and was first recorded in 1075. Turda Salt Mine is now a tourist destination, as it is one of the world's most fascinating underground destinations. The mine is an excellent destination for a fun family outing. Turda Mine offers mini-golf, ping pong, bowling, ferris wheel rides, and boat rides on the underground lake. 

Dinner: At your expense

You are free to spend the rest of your evening as you desire.

Overnight in Cluj Napoca

Breakfast: At the hotel

After leaving Cluj, you will travel to the nearby Saxon settlement of Biertan Fortified Church, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church is a magnificent example of mediaeval architecture, dating from the 13th century and with late-gothic design, all enclosed by three high defensive walls. 

The only inhabited mediaeval stronghold in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mediaeval citadel of Sighisoara, is the next stop on the guided tour. Stroll through the old buildings lining the fortress's winding cobblestone streets until you get to the city's emblem, the Clock Tower. The tower houses a torture room and a collection of well-preserved mediaeval weapons. The fortress was constructed in the twelfth century and reinforced once more in the fifteenth. 

Lunch: At your expense

For those curious about Dracula's origins, Vlad the Impaler is said to have been born in the mediaeval fortress of Sighisoara. Vlad Dracul spent the first few years of his life in the home of his father in this little Transylvanian village. Therefore, you will have time to visit the place where the ruthless Wallachian ruler lived the first years of his life.

Dinner: At your expense

You are free to spend the rest of your evening as you desire.

Overnight in Sighisoara

Breakfast: At the hotel

Brasov is the first stop on the itinerary for the day. After arriving, you will proceed on a city tour to explore some of Brasov's great sights. You will visit Council Square, stroll down Rope Street, one of the tiniest streets in all of Eastern Europe, and discover the mysteries of the Black Church, a gothic-style church. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Transylvania nowadays is Brasov, which was once one of the richest mediaeval cities in the region. 

The tour proceeds with a visit to the renowned Bran Castle, also known as Dracula's Castle. Often referred to as Dracula's residence, this mediaeval castle is among the spookiest in all of Europe. Constructed in the 13th century atop a 60-meter cliff, Bran Castle protected the main entrance to Transylvania. You will discover more about the Romanian royal family, their relationship to Queen Mary, and the castle's new-age legends here.

After leaving the Castle of Dracula, you will return to Wallachia, the ancient territory that was home to Vlad the Impaler.

On the route to the "Dracula castle," if time permits, we'll visit Rasnov fortress, which dates back to 1335 according to mediaeval records, which is another stronghold that commands the surrounding area. The location of the stronghold is marked with a Hollywood sign inviting tourists to take a tour of the castle.

Lunch: At your expense

The day ends with a visit to Snagov Monastery, which is said to be the burial place of Vlad the Impaler. Snagov Island is a small island. 

*There are a lot of rumours and traditions about Vlad's burial site, which is unknown. The tale holds that Vlad the Impaler was set free by his daughter and taken to Italy rather than being slain by the Ottomans.

The most commonly recognised legend is that rival aristocratic families prevented Vlad the Impaler from being buried in a Christian manner following his murder. Consequently, the monks of Snagov Monastery secretly took his body so they could bury him according to custom. 

Dinner: At your expense

You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish.

Overnight in Bucharest

Breakfast: At the hotel

Time to say goodbye to Bucharest and Transylvania. Your flight itinerary will determine when you should depart.

We sincerely hope you will have a fantastic stay and go home knowing even more about the captivating history of Dracula. 

Captivating Transylvania: Beyond Dracula's History

The charm of Transylvania is far more than this Dracula tour can deliver. Beneath the ghost legends and captivating history lies a stunning landscape, vibrant arts and culture, and hospitable citizens.

Ready to delve deeper into Romania's magic? Contact Rolandia to turn your Transylvanian dream into reality! Whether you crave adventure, cultural immersion, or a relaxing escape, Romania's diverse regions have something for every traveller. We can't wait to have you here and show you everything Romania has to offer!