5-Day Complete Tour of Traditional Maramures & Bucovina

Florin With: Florin 48
The Northern regions of Maramures and Bukovina are the most representative for Romanian culture. People here live in a time bubble just like their ancestors did decades ago. If you want to experience - not just learn - the traditional values, customs and simple life the Romanian village is famous for - this trip is for you. Come with me on a magical journey back in time!


Moments to expect in the traditional Maramures & Bucovina trip

  • Day 1: Enter Maramures region

    Day 1: Enter Maramures region

    We leave Cluj in the morning and drive to Baia-Mare (2,5h), our gateway into Maramures. After a quick stop for snacks and drinks, we continue to Surdesti village to visit our first UNESCO Wooden Church. Built in 1721 with Byzantine and Gothic elements adapted to rural Romania, it's also the tallest wooden church in the world! Then we continue to the village of Breb, considered the most authentic and best preserved in the region. We settle in our guesthouse and go for a walk in the village to say 'hello' to locals I personally know. In the evening, you'll enjoy a typical Maramures welcome dinner with 3 courses.

  • Day 2: Famous sights of Maramures: Sapanta, Communist Memorial, Barsana and Budesti

    Day 2: Famous sights of Maramures: Sapanta, Communist Memorial, Barsana and Budesti

    Today you take a 'deep dive' into Romanian culture! We start by visiting Sapanta Merry Cemetery and find out why people preferred to leave a happy, colourful memory of their life - as opposed to the typical sombre grey cemeteries! We may also see the local craftsmen who makes the crosses in action. Then we visit the Communist Memorial in Sighetu Marmatiei, a brutal prison turned museum to see how people honourably sacrificed their lives for their values. Next, we visit Barsana Monastery, an important national religious site with many wooden structures typical for the region. Finally, on our way back to Breb we stop in Budesti to visit the UNESCO wooden church built in 1643 and considered a miracle for its time! Our hosts will be waiting for us with another delicious, well-deserved dinner!

  • Day 3: Hiking or Mocanita steam train? Tough choice...

    Day 3: Hiking or Mocanita steam train? Tough choice...

    This is the "slow travel" day. You can choose between a hike to Rooster Crest, a rock formation that looks like its name says reaching 1,200m and offering picturesque 360 views of the entire region. Or we can ride the Mocanita Steam Train [ticket not included] through picturesque valleys and enjoy nature at its finest. In the afternoon we travel through beautiful sceneries to enter Bucovina region and settle at our accommodation in Gura Humorului. Dinner at a family-owned restaurant nearby.

  • Day 4: Main sights of Bucovina

    Day 4: Main sights of Bucovina

    The first UNESCO Painted Church we'll visit is Humor, built in 1530. Then we head to Marginea, a small village famous for its black, beautifully decorated pottery. We'll see artisans in action and if you want an authentic Romanian souvenir - you'll find it here! Then we travel to the small town of Radauti for lunch. In the afternoon we'll visit Sucevita and Moldovita Monasteries, each beautiful and unique in its own way. We return in the late afternoon at our guesthouse in Gura Humorului and then go for dinner.

  • Day 5: Voronet Church, painted eggs and incredible sceneries!

    Day 5: Voronet Church, painted eggs and incredible sceneries!

    On our last day we visit Voronet Monastery, the most famous of the Painted Churches for its 500-year old untouched blue nuance used to depict Judgement Day in an impressive frescoe. Then we visit Vama Egg Museum to see a superb collection of painted eggs, which is the region's local craft - like woodcarving is for Maramures. Next, a beautiful trout farm for a traditional lunch before driving back to Cluj on Transrarau pas - a scenic route that will mesmerize you!

  • The best food you'll find in Romania

    The best food you'll find in Romania

    Both regions are famous for their delicious dishes made with homegrown vegetables and animal products. Locals are very proud of their garden, farming techniques, recipes and drinks. And their hospitality is famous all over Romania! So I picked guesthouses that will make you feel like home while rediscovering the natural taste of vegetables and fruits from the garden.

  • Folk costumes, local customs and village life

    Folk costumes, local customs and village life

    On most Sundays there's some sort of celebration going on. Locals dress up in their best folk costumes and go to church. Then there's usually a community gathering with traditional food, folk singers and dancing (hora). So if you can, book your tour in such a way so we catch a Sunday in the regions, so we can take part in this "living museum". It will be a unique occasion for you to see Romanian culture, traditional costumes and share the joy of locals!

  • Extend your trip with 1 day for slow travel

    Extend your trip with 1 day for slow travel

    For an extra 150 Euro/person this can become a 6-day tour. This will make the itinerary more relaxed and customise it according to your interests. We have plenty of things to do and locals to meet in both regions, and I will give you lots of options after you book. The best part? You'll enjoy Maramures and Bucovina in the way they're meant to: through slow, unrushed travel. Best investment you can make in our busy world :)

Tour price: 2 x 800 Euro
How to book
  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

Hard

Sends us or the guide an email 30 days 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: Cluj-Napoca
  • Nearest airport: Cluj-Napoca
  • Nearest train station: Cluj-Napoca
  • Landscape: Hills, countryside

Questions about the Maramures and Bucovina tour

We'll stay in traditional, family owned boutique guesthouses with 3/4* comfort level, en-suite WC and all the essentials provided. The hosts are friendly, the backyard beautiful and you'll get to live like locals do. Examples: Veronica Guest House in Breb and La Roata in Gura Humorului [subject to availability] or others similar.
Please mention this is your interest when booking and I will do my best to arrange some visits - but I can't guarantee this. These people work and are very busy, and usually don't take visits from tourists. But since I know several, I'll do my best to arrange something.

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