- Explore Romania at your own pace by car
- Wander through medieval Sibiu, Sighișoara and Brașov
- Discover Bucovina’s UNESCO-listed painted monasteries
- Drive through the spectacular Bicaz Gorge
- Visit Transylvania’s castles, citadels and fortified churches
Romania Fly-Drive Holiday
Ideal for independent travellers who enjoy exploring at their own pace, this 10-day fly-drive reveals the remarkable variety of Romania, travelling from Bucharest through Transylvania to the painted monasteries of Bucovina. With your own hire car throughout, there’s freedom to stop in historic towns, Saxon villages and dramatic mountain landscapes along the way, while comfortable pre-booked hotels provide an easy base at the end of each day.
Discover elegant Sibiu, lively Cluj-Napoca and the medieval streets of Sighișoara and Brașov, visit magnificent castles and fortified churches, and drive through the spectacular Bicaz Gorge. In Bucovina, explore UNESCO-listed monasteries covered with centuries-old frescoes before returning south through the Carpathians. The itinerary is designed at a comfortable pace and can be adapted to suit your interests, preferred hotels and time available.
Please note that driving in Romania can be quite challenging due to road conditions and other road users i.e. horse and carts, fast cars etc. If you are a nervous driver then driving in Romania may not be for you!
Tour Itinerary
Arrive in Bucharest and collect your hire car at the airport before driving into the Romanian capital for an overnight stay. Once settled in, spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Depending on your arrival time, take a first wander through the atmospheric Old Town or along elegant Calea Victoriei, where grand architecture, historic buildings and lively cafés provide a good introduction to the city.
Spend some time exploring Bucharest this morning, perhaps seeing the monumental Palace of Parliament and elegant Romanian Athenaeum, before setting off for Transylvania. From June to October, subject to weather and road conditions, take the spectacular Transfăgărășan Highway across the Carpathians, with the option to stop at Curtea de Argeș Monastery along the way. At other times, travel through the scenic Olt Valley, where historic Cozia Monastery makes a worthwhile stop. Continue to Sibiu, one of Transylvania’s most attractive Saxon cities, for a two-night stay.
Spend today exploring Sibiu and the surrounding Transylvanian countryside at your own pace. Wander through the historic centre, where highlights include Piața Mare, Piața Mică, the Council Tower and Bridge of Lies, alongside the Germanic architecture inherited from the city’s Saxon settlers.
Alternatively, head further afield. Visit Biertan and its impressive UNESCO-listed fortified church, once the seat of Transylvania’s Lutheran bishops, or drive to Hunedoara to explore magnificent Corvin Castle, one of Romania’s finest medieval castles, with its dramatic towers, courtyards and drawbridge. Return to Sibiu for a second overnight stay. (B)
Leave Sibiu and drive north towards Cluj-Napoca, stopping in Alba Iulia to explore the impressive star-shaped Alba Carolina Citadel. Built by the Habsburgs in the 18th century, the fortress contains monumental Baroque gates, historic churches and reminders of the city’s important role in Romanian history.
Continue towards Cluj-Napoca, with the option to visit the remarkable Turda Salt Mine along the way. Descend into its vast underground chambers, where centuries of salt mining have created an extraordinary subterranean attraction complete with exhibitions, an underground lake and Ferris wheel. Continue to Cluj-Napoca for an overnight stay. (B)
Spend some time exploring Cluj-Napoca this morning, a lively university city with a rich mix of Romanian, Hungarian and Saxon influences. Stroll through the historic centre and see Gothic St Michael’s Church, which dominates the main square.
Leave Cluj and drive north-east towards Bucovina, stopping in Bistrița to explore its attractive historic centre and colourful medieval buildings. Continue through increasingly rural landscapes towards Gura Humorului, your base for the next two nights and ideally placed for discovering Bucovina’s remarkable painted monasteries. (B)
Spend today exploring Bucovina’s remarkable painted monasteries, whose richly decorated churches are among Romania’s greatest cultural treasures. Follow your own route between UNESCO-listed Voroneț, Humor, Moldovița and Sucevița, admiring the vivid biblical frescoes that cover both their interior and exterior walls.
Look out for the famous deep blue frescoes and Last Judgement scene at Voroneț, the warm red tones of Humor and the impressive fortified walls surrounding Sucevița. Take your time between visits to enjoy Bucovina’s peaceful countryside and traditional villages before returning to Gura Humorului for a second overnight stay. (B
Leave Bucovina and begin the journey south towards Transylvania, travelling through an increasingly mountainous landscape. Drive through the spectacular Bicaz Gorge, where the road winds between towering limestone cliffs, and stop at nearby Red Lake, formed naturally following a landslide in the 19th century.
Continue through the Eastern Carpathians and on towards Sighișoara, one of Europe’s best-preserved inhabited medieval citadels. After checking in, spend the evening wandering its cobbled lanes, colourful houses and atmospheric squares once the daytime visitors have departed. (B)
Spend some time exploring Sighișoara this morning, wandering through the cobbled lanes of its UNESCO-listed medieval citadel. Climb the landmark Clock Tower for views across the colourful rooftops and surrounding Transylvanian countryside before setting off towards Brașov.
Continue to Bran Castle, dramatically positioned on a rocky outcrop. Explore its atmospheric rooms, courtyards and narrow staircases while discovering its medieval history, connections with Queen Marie of Romania and later association with Bram Stoker’s fictional Count Dracula.
End in Brașov for an overnight stay. Spend the evening exploring the attractive Old Town around Piața Sfatului and the Black Church, or relax at one of the cafés lining the pedestrian streets. (B)
Leave Brașov and drive south through the scenic Prahova Valley towards Bucharest, stopping in Sinaia, known as the ‘Pearl of the Carpathians’. Visit magnificent Peleș Castle, built for King Carol I as a summer residence for the Romanian royal family. Set against the forested slopes of the Bucegi Mountains, the castle is as impressive inside as out, with richly decorated rooms featuring intricate woodwork, stained glass, artworks and furnishings from across Europe. Continue to Bucharest for your final overnight stay. (B)
Enjoy some time at leisure in Bucharest before driving to the airport. Return your hire car and check in for your flight back to the UK. (B)
Pricing Information
Price Includes
- Return international flights from the UK to Romania
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation in three/four-star hotels with breakfast
- Car Hire; Skoda Octavia, or similar, including CDW, theft protection, unlimited mileage and all taxes
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Entrance fees and sightseeing
- GPS system (available to hire)
- Parking charges
- Excess fee for CDW on car hire
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Price Notes
Guide price is based on two people sharing on selected departures between 1–30 June 2027 in our preferred three and four-star accommodation. This holiday can also be arranged on other dates throughout the season. Prices can vary according to your chosen departure date and availability.
- International flights from the UK are based on departures from London in economy class. Regional departures may also be available – please call us for details.
This is an example itinerary staying at our preferred three and four-star hotels and is accompanied by a guide price. Alternative hotels and room types are available, and the itinerary can be adapted to suit a higher or lower budget. Please call one of our travel specialists on 0207 666 1244 and we can tailor this holiday to suit your requirements.
Tour Route Map
- Romania, Bucharest
- Romania, Sibiu
- Romania, Cluj Napoca
- Romania, Gura Humoruliu
- Romania, Sighisoara
- Romania, Brasov
- Romania, Bucharest
Tour Accommodation
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