Romania transports travelers back into the past where ancient cities and old-fashioned villages, historic castles and religious monasteries, and pristine mountains and primordial nature await. In many parts of the country time has stood still and in these untouched lands one can find the true soul of Romanian culture. A nice way to explore this hidden gem of Europe is to book one of the best tours in Romania with tour guide Florin.
He runs Romania Guided Tours and Sibiu Tour Guide. Both companies offer epic adventures, no matter what type of experience you are after. Since Romania is such an unknown quantity to tourists, it’s a great idea to link up with a knowledgeable local like Florin as he can help you discover this country on a deeper level. You can read blogs and follow social media influencers but having the insight of a local makes all the difference.
Florin grew up in Wallachia. He moved to Sibiu 18 years ago for his studies. Slowly but surely Florin saw every inch of Transylvania and immersed himself in its rich traditions. Eight years ago, he decided to turn his passion into a profession by becoming a tour guide. It began in the summers when he would spend his weekends organizing tours for foreigners in and around Sibiu. From this, Florin had the confidence to start his companies.
Below we go into detail about the best tours in Romania that Florin offers through his ventures, Romania Guided Tours and Sibiu Tour Guide. Some are short two or four day trips which showcase a particular region of the country while others cover a wide variety of destinations across a two week journey. Each tour is fully customizable, so if you like the sound of more than one you can always combine a few and let your imagination run wild!
10 Best Tours in Romania
1. Sibiu City & Surroundings Tour (8 Hours)
Sibiu boasts magnificent architecture, a thriving arts and music scene, and some of the best cafes and restaurants in Romania. Upon arriving at this jewel of Transylvania, be sure to get in touch with Florin and book the Sibiu City & Surroundings Tour – one of the best tours for those who want to experience the top things to do in Sibiu and its nearby areas. After getting to know Sibiu, you will have the inspiration to further discover this city.
Highlights include a walking tour, the ASTRA museum and villages. The walk provides info about the city’s history and takes you to a market where you feel immersed in local life. ASTRA represents the second part. This is the largest open-air museum in Europe and it’s full of interesting stories. To finish, Florin takes you to Romanian and Saxon villages in the countryside. Learning about the traditional life of farmers is always fun!
2. Bucharest, Brasov & Sibiu Round Trip (2 Days)
Three of Romania’s top places to visit all wrapped up into a two day trip, does it get any more exciting than that?! This tour is suited for travelers short on time who want to get a small taste of what this incredible country has to offer. Starting in the capital, the tour takes you through Transylvania to two of its crown jewels: Brasov and Sibiu. Along the way many historical sites will be visited such as Peles Castle and the ASTRA museum.
Brasov is a medieval city with glorious watchtowers, charming streets and a big Hollywood sign on Mt Tampa. It’s a captivating place to wander around and with Florin you get the chance to go sightseeing in Brasov at the end of day one. The following day sees you head toward the Carpathians en route to Sibiu. Here guests can explore the Old Town before heading back to Bucharest on either the Olt Valley Road or Transfagarasan Highway.
3. Over the Carpathians: Transfagarasan & Transalpina (2 Days)
If you love the open road and want to experience the most enthralling drives in Romania then this option is for you. The Transfagarasan Highway is quite the sight from above – whether it be from the perspective of a lookout or drone photo – but driving is the only way to experience its thrill and beauty. Jeremy Clarkson from BBC’s Top Gear called this highway the best road in the world and it’s hard to argue with an expert like that!
Some folks think the Transalpina beats the Transfagarasan for sheer driving pleasure but we will leave that for you to decide. This tour begins in Sibiu and drives to Wallachia using the Transalpina. Once in Wallachia, guests visit orthodox monasteries like Hurezi and check out some caves. Then it’s off to more monasteries and castles before entering the Transfagarasan for 90 kilometers of pure exhilaration. The tour ends in Sibiu.
4. Danube Delta & Dobrogea Tour from Bucharest (4 Days)
Dobrogea is home to the Danube Delta – a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve. But that isn’t the only wonder found in this area – expect to discover everything from rugged mountains to unspoiled beaches. This trip with Florin and Romania Guided Tours leads you on a journey where nature, hiking and culture are found in abundance. It reveals a unique side to the country that not many tourists get the opportunity to see.
There are endless activities to enjoy on this tour including a walking tour of Constanta (a port city by the Black Sea), visiting the ancient ruins of Istria, tasting wines at a vineyard, birdwatching on the Danube Delta, crossing the Danube by ferry to check out Braila, hiking in the mountains and more. Travelers need to be reasonably fit for this itinerary as it involves a bit of walking and hiking – an average of five kilometers per day.
5. Private Tour of Transylvania from Bucharest (4 Days)
With Bucharest as your start and end, this tour allows travelers to see the very best of Transylvania if they are flying in and out of the capital on a tight time schedule. Located in the center of Romania, Transylvania is the cultural heart of the country where you can find countless examples of medieval architecture, traditional ways of life, authentic food and picturesque landscapes. This is easily one of the best tours in Romania!
Since it’s a private tour, only your friends and family will travel alongside you – plus the guide taking you from place to place in a comfortable minibus. Day one kicks off with a bang as you visit Peles Castle, Bran Castle and Brasov. The next day is all about UNESCO sites in Transylvania such as the Historic Center of Sighisoara, and the fortified churches of Viscri and Prejmer. Other attractions include Alba Iulia and the Transfagarasan.
6. Hiking Tour of Transylvania (7 Days)
Romania isn’t just a country of castles and churches, it’s also home to breathtaking landscapes. And there is no better way to experience the great outdoors than on a hiking tour with Florin and Romania Guided Tours! You will need to be a fit and adventurous person to book this tour as it entails lots of walking and trekking from one day to the next. The main mountains that will be tackled are the Southern Carpathians.
The trails on this tour are considered to be medium difficulty but by no means should they be underestimated. Around 15 kilometers of hiking is required per day with between 500 – 1,000 meters of elevation gain. For every two days of trekking is a third of “rest” where you can sight-see. A guide accompanies you through the Bucegi, Fagaras and Piatra Craiului mountains – all spectacular parts of the Southern Carpathians.
7. Food & Wine Tour of Romania (7 Days)
From street food to family-run restaurants to fine dining establishments, this seven day culinary tour of Romania has it all! Foodies will be in heaven as they try one delicious dish after another, all while learning about the culture that makes this country unique. Each region of Romania has its own gastronomy including influences from various minority groups. This tour offers a tapestry of flavor and fun that only leaves you wanting more.
In Bucharest you stop by an old bier house that has music and dance shows paired with great cuisine, in Brasov you can meet an award-winning chef who is an advocate of “slow food”, and at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains a Hungarian village awaits and is home to a chic mansion that serves up hearty food originating from Hungary. During this week of travel your taste buds will be thoroughly delighted and satisfied.
8. Classic Guided Tour of Romania (11 Days)
To experience all that Romania has to offer – it’s top tourist attractions and hidden gems – consider booking this classic guided tour. In most cases, the trip begins in Bucharest but like all tours with Florin it’s customizable to suit your needs down to every detail. For those who want to see the charms of the countryside, visits to as many traditional villages as you would like can be arranged. This can also include sharing meals with local families.
Accommodation is another variable that is entirely changeable. You could choose luxury boutique hotels or cozy family-run guesthouses – whatever floats your boat. The typical itinerary is Bucharest, Sibiu via the Transfagarasan, the Turda Salt Mine, Cluj-Napoca, the Maramures region, UNESCO churches, the painted monasteries of Bucovina, Sighisoara, Brasov and a variety of castles. But again, this can be tweaked to suit your wishes.
9. Romania Walking & Hiking Tour (14 Days)
The walking and hiking tour is suited for summer or spring when the temperatures are warm and the weather is sunny. Your days will be jam-packed full of adventures like climbing mountains, strolling in the countryside, meeting locals and tasting regional food. This itinerary can be extended or reduced depending on your availability. It starts in Bucharest and ends in Cluj-Napoca but these are only suggestions.
Who would like this tour? Well, anyone who enjoys hiking and moderately challenging activities. Nothing is strenuous so you don’t have to worry about pushing yourself to unattainable levels. A maximum of 10 kilometers per day of walking is needed – every traveler is capable unless they are suffering an injury or condition. The Carpathians and Transylvanian plateau will be hiked as well as walking tours in Bucharest, Brasov and Sibiu.
10. Romania Photo Tour (15 Days)
Our last but not least recommendation for the best tours in Romania is the photo tour with Florin. Everyone from professional photographers to iPhone Instagrammers will revel in this 15-day journey as it sets you up to come home with the most beautiful images possible – capturing the heart and soul of Romania. Only the most picturesque spots have been chosen, so everyday is a new opportunity to capture something totally unique.
Imagine capturing the traditional villages of Maramures, shooting the colorful crosses at the Merry Cemetery, taking photos of the painted monasteries in Bucovina or flying your drone (legally) above Corvin Castle. These are just a handful of the experiences that you can pick on this tour. As mentioned, Romania is a country where time has stood still and for this reason it offers shutterbugs the ultimate canvas to create their images.