Road trip to Poenari Castle & Transfagarasan Highway

Hidden in a valley between 2.200m high mountains lies the 'best road in the world' according to Top Gear: the Transfagarasan Road! Let's go on a driving experience you will never forget! From the top at Balea Lake you will admire breathtaking views of Transylvania and Fagaras Mts! Bring your camera and good spirits - this tour will be memorable!

What you need to know about the Transfagarasan Road tour:

  • This is a private guided day trip starting from Bucharest. Duration aprox. 12 hours
  • Included: transport (approx 500 km), guidance, entrance fees, soft drinks and snacks. Not included: lunch
  • On our way to Transfagarasan Road we will make multiple stops: Curtea de Arges Monastery (also visit its inside), Poienari Fortress and Vidraru Dam
  • If the trip takes places during June - October, we will also do a scenic ride on the Transfagarasan Road
  • You will also admire Balea Lake, the highest glacial lake in Romania. During winter time, an ice hotel opens here and you can enjoy a hot (or cold!) drink
  • Plenty of photo opportunities along the way and we will stop in spots with great views of the surrounding landscapes

Additional information

Due to weather restrictions, Transfagarasan Highway is open for driving only during June - October. During the rest of the year we can only admire it from the top.

Driving time one way: 3-4 hours.

Bring comfortable clothing but be advised that in the mountains it might get cold with variable weather conditions.


Moments to expect during the Transfagarasan Highway tour:

  • Curtea de Arges Monastery

    The construction of this splendid Byzantine monastery with Moorish (Arab) influences began in 1514 on the site of a church built by the Wallachian ruler Vlad Dracul (father of Vlad the Impaler) destroyed by a strong earthquake 50 years before. Its construction faced many challenges giving birth to many legends, including a very famous one which became a Romanian saying - about Manole's wife. I'll tell you all about it :)

    Curtea de Arges Monastery
  • Vidraru Lake and Dam

    Continuing our route towards Transfagarasan Highway, we stop at Vidraru Dam to admire splendid views of Romanian nature!

    Vidraru Lake and Dam
  • Transfagarasan Highway

    This magnificent road between the mountains has a story of its own: it was built during the communist regime for a special purpose using dynamite and many other resources. While you admire the splendid views I will tell you its history

    Transfagarasan Highway
  • Poenari Castle

    This is the 'real' Dracula Castle because Vlad Dracula actually lived here and used this castle to defend against Ottoman invasion. Sadly, the castle is in ruins but still worth visiting to hear about the REAL stories and legends of this famous character from Romanian history. So if you're a Dracula fan or medieval history buff, this sight will impress you. See below how it used to look:

    Poenari Castle
2 x 160 Euro
How to book this tour?
  1. Choose how many people and when
  2. Request a booking and fill in your details
  3. Flexible payment and cancelation
  4. Guide answers in 24h
  5. Children prices

Cancelation & refund policy

Easy

Sends us or the guide an email 24h before the tour informing us you can't make it and you'll get a full refund of your payment, no questions asked.

Location details

  • Starting point: Bucharest
  • Nearest airport: Bucharest Henri Coanda International
  • Nearest train station: Bucharest North Train Station
  • Landscape: Mountains & countryside

Reviews from travellers

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