vlad the impaler tour

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Vlad the Impaler versus Dracula Tour

History Tour

• Booking conditions

Take an original Dracula Tour for an authentic discovery of the legendary Vlad the Impaler. His real story inspired the mythical Dracula you know so well from movies, books, and pop culture.

Our tour follows the medieval legacy of Vlad the Impaler with an added twist of history versus fiction, what’s true and what’s not in the legend of Dracula. This is not another Dracula tour with invented vampires, but an itinerary of great landmarks, medieval battles, and revenge. 

The medieval prince (Vlad Tepes in Romanian) is the main protagonist of our tour. He remains one of the greatest heroes in the history of Romania. Praised for his resistance against the Ottoman Empire, Vlad the Impaler was the prince of Southern Romania in a complicated time. He often used extreme violence like impaling to secure his throne against traitors. While the practice was widely used at the time, a defaming campaign led by his enemies created a distorted reputation that later inspired the Dracula myth.

The itinerary of the Dracula Tour includes the landmarks he built or used during his short reign. The ruins of the princely courts from Bucharest and Targoviste , medieval fortresses, and Sighisoara are the highlights of the tour.

The tour is available in English and Italian. 

Tour also suited for families and seniors. 

This tour can be modified according to your time and points of interest.

Day 1: Arrival to Bucharest

Transfer from Otopeni International Airport.

Accommodation: hotel in downtown Bucharest

Day 2: Vlad the Impaler in Bucharest

Vlad the Impaler built a small princely palace in Bucharest more than half a millennium ago. Known today as the Old Court, these ruins are the only remaining medieval attraction in Romania's capital. Their location in the heart of the Old Town easily allows us to discover on foot the oldest part of Bucharest.

The Old Court is also part of our Half-Day Bucharest Tour .

Optional afternoon visit to the Monastery of Comana, founded by the prince in 1461.

Highlights: the Old Court, the Old Town, the Monastery of Comana

Driving time: around 1-2 hours   Accommodation: hotel in downtown Bucharest

Day 3: The truth behind the myth

We leave Bucharest early morning and head to  Targoviste to visit the ruins of Princely Court. This small town was the medieval capital of Southern Romania, and its court was fortified by Vlad the Impaler and many of the princes who fought the Ottoman Empire.

We continue to  Poenari Fortress , the iconic site the prince used when he needed to escape. Enjoying a strategic location, on a mountain route to Transylvania, the fortress lies at an altitude of 850 meters.  Today, we can reach it with a bit of exercise, going up the 1,480 steps through the dense beech forest. Your effort will be fully rewarded once you get to explore the narrow corridors of the fortress and see the panoramic surroundings.

If the weather allows it, we drive to Sibiu on the high-altitude Transfagarasan . Built during the communist regime, this 90 km road offers a breathtaking drive across the Carpathians.

Optional visit to one of the most beautiful churches in Romania,  Curtea de Arges .

Highlights: Targoviste and Poenari Fortresses

Driving time: around 6 hours   Accommodation: guest house in Sibiu

Day 4: Sighisoara, the birth place

Optional tour of Sibiu or morning for yourselves, followed by the drive to Sighisoara .

This small town is the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler who spent here the first four years of his life. Sighisoara is also a UNESCO Heritage Site and has one of the best-preserved medieval landscapes in Europe. We enjoy a walking tour, discovering the Upper Town, the Clock Tower, the Evangelical Church, and the Monastery Church. Like Brasov and Sibiu, Sighisoara too was founded by the German colonists who started coming to Transylvania in the 12th century.

What makes Sighisoara special is the fact that many of its medieval towers and enclosure walls are still standing.

Sighisoara is also part of our UNESCO Heritage Day Trip .

Highlights: Sibiu, Sighisoara

Driving time: around 2 hours   Accommodation: guest house in Sighisoara

Day 5: The myth

We leave Sighisoara early morning and drive to the medieval  Bran Castle , falsely associated with the legend of Dracula. On our way, we stop to visit Rupea Fortress , one of the largest in the region.

Afternoon for yourselves in Brasov.

Highlights: Rupea Fortress, Bran Castle

Driving time: around 3 hours   Accommodation: guest house in Brasov

Day 6: Back to Bucharest

We head back to Bucharest on the popular Prahova Valley.

Optional stop to visit  Peles Castle , one of the most beautiful in Europe. Once the summer residence of Romania’s royal family, Peles is now the most visited museum in the country. While this castle is not at all related to the Dracula myth, it's more than worth a visit before you leave Romania.

We also stop to visit the medieval Church of Snagov where Vlad the Impaler was supposedly buried after being assassinated. The actual burial place remains unknown until today.

Highlights: Snagov Church

Driving time: around 4 hours   

Easy: Easy short walks on flat terrain.

Moderate: Up to 5 km walking per day or/and optional cycling routes and easy hikes.

Intense: Up to 10 km walking per day with some inclines or/and optional cycling routes and more demanding hikes

Challenge: Hiking on uneven trails at altitudes above 1,000 meters. Longer optional cycling routes. Requires good health and physical condition.

Ultimate: Full day of hikes and/or demanding cycling tours. Requires excellent health and physical condition.

Basic: Limited interaction.

Moderate: At least two or three cultural sights included in the tour.

High: Cultural visits everyday of the tour.

Total: All about culture.

Moderate: At least two or three historical sights included in the tour.

High: Visits at historical monuments everyday of the tour.

Total: All about history.

Moderate: At least two hours per day spent in nature.

High: Most activities take place in nature.

Total: All about nature.

These terms and conditions apply to any travel products and/or services you have booked with or purchased with us and guide the contractual relationship between you, the clients, and us, the tour operator Uncover Romania Tours.

Uncover Romania Tours is managed by SC Uncover the World SRL, CUI 33506269, License Number 40 from 24/10/2018.

The travel products and/or services presented on  www.uncover-romania-tours.com  or presented by our agents via email are sold by Uncover Romania Tours.

Uncover Romania Tours reserves the right to decline any booking, at its sole discretion.

1. Contract

1.1. To book a tour, you must fill out and sign the contract received from Uncover Romania Tours and pay a deposit.

By booking one of our travel products or services you acknowledge that:

a) You are over 18 years old;

b) You have read, understood, and accepted the contractual terms and conditions;

c) You express your acceptance of these terms and conditions on behalf of all clients named in the booking in case you include more clients besides yourself in the booking;

d) You are authorized by the other clients named in the booking to represent them;

e) You will provide full and accurate information needed for the booking both for You and the other clients named in the booking.

2. Personal information

2.1. In order for us to confirm your travel arrangements you must provide the following details: full name as in the passport, date of birth (for multi-day tours), passport number, passport expiry date, contact address, email, and phone number. Your booking cannot be confirmed without these details needed for contractual purposes.

2.2. By booking one of our tours you agree to provide us with this personal information. We will not disclose under any circumstances your personal information to third parties except when asked by state authorities. We will only use the information you provide for contractual purposes.

Check our Privacy Policy for more details.

2.3. You agree to let us use images of yourself taken during the trip for advertising and promotional purposes in any medium we choose as long as these images do not offend your dignity. You grant us a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable license to use such images for publicity and promotional purposes. You are entitled to deny the use of these images for this purpose based on the stipulations of the Romanian Law 677/2001.

3. Payments

3.1. A booking is confirmed once we have received a deposit from you. The value of the deposit (30% to 50%) depends on the total cost of the booking, the size of the group, and the time left until the beginning of the tour. If a tour is booked less than 30 days before the date of the tour, the payment will be done in full.

3.2. Uncover Romania Tours will send you at least 7 days before the departure date an invoice for the amount constituting the final payment for the travel products or/and services booked. In case the full payment is not received 3 days at the latest before the departure date, Uncover Romania Tours may change the rate payable for the travel product and/or services booked, or may treat the booking as canceled and shall retain the deposit paid on booking as a cancellation fee.

3.3. You can pay for your booking either by:

• bank transfer to one of our accounts, opened on the name SC Uncover the World SRL at Banca Transilvania, for EUR: RO51BTRLEURCRT0V27712601; for GBP: RO19BTRLGBPCRT0V27712601; for USD: RO91BTRLUSDCRT0V27712601;
• credit card  (+1% commission fee for multi-day tours);
• PayPal  (+4.5% commission fee);
• cash , in RON, based on the exchange rate announced in the previous day by the National Bank of Romania ( www.cursbnr.ro ) for deposits/final payments of City Tours and One Day Tours.

3.4. The commission fees associated with the above payment methods, except cash and credit card payments for City Tours and One Day Tours, are not included in the price of the tours listed on www.uncover-romania-tours.com . You are responsible for paying the commission fees associated with the preferred payment method.

3.5. Except for cash payments in RON, a 1% currency conversion fee will be added to the final price of multi-day tours.

4.1. At any time before a booking is confirmed, we reserve the right to increase or decrease the prices of any of our travel products or/and services.

4.2.The price of a tour can be modified by us after signing the contract only in the case of important changes like alterations in the cost of transportation caused by an increase in the fuel price, significant changes in the exchange rate of the currency in which the tour is paid or unforeseen increases in local taxes at the destination. The price cannot increase by more than 8% and cannot be modified under any circumstances in the 30 days before the start of the tour.

4.3. You have the right to ask and receive a price discount if important changes, mentioned at point 5.2., lead to a significant cut of the travel products or/and services costs.

5. Refunds and cancellations

5.1.   If you decide to cancel the tour with prior notice of at least 30 days, you will be refunded the deposit, minus the transfer fees and the costs that could not be recovered from third parties, for instance, accommodation and other local services already booked. You will not be reimbursed if you cancel the tour less than 30 days before its start except in cases of major force.

5.2. In the case of unforeseen events that could determine us to cancel the tour before its execution, you will be fully reimbursed in 14 days after the notification of this event. The clients are not entitled to any additional compensations in this case.

6. Clients' Rights and Obligations

6.1. You have the right to cancel this contract partly or entirely at any time. If the reason for canceling is attributable to you, you have the obligation to compensate Uncover Romania Tours for the prejudice caused if the cancellation takes place less than 30 days before the start of the tour. The values of the compensation cannot be more than the value of the deposit paid until that date. If the cancellation takes place more than 30 days before the start of the tour, the stipulations of point 5.1. apply.

6.2. You have the right to transfer the tour package to other parties who wish to participate in your place. In this case, the other party assumes the entire contractual rights and obligations, including a price increase if extra services are needed. The transfer cannot take place less than 7 days before the execution of the tour package.

6.3. You acknowledge that the type of travel products and/or services booked requires a certain flexibility and acknowledge that they will permit reasonable alterations to their booking. You also acknowledge that the routes, itineraries, accommodation, types of transportation, or schedules may be modified without prior notice due to various circumstances or events, such as sickness or mechanical breakdown, extreme natural phenomena in the location where the tour takes place, flight cancellations, strikes and other unpredictable or unforeseeable circumstances which are beyond the control of Uncover Romania Tours.

6.4. You have the rights to ask and receive a price discount if any changes in the execution of the tour have affected the services included in the contract except if the cause of these changes is provoked by your own actions if it's a consequence of unforeseen events and/or of the actions of a third party unrelated to the travel services included in the contract. The price discount cannot be greater than the costs of the services affected by the changes in the execution of the tour.

6.5. You are the only responsible party if you do not follow the tour program, if you lose your official ID documents and belongings or if your actions disrupt the execution of the tour.

6.6. You are responsible for securing travel and health insurance as well as applying and obtaining entrance visas to Romania if necessary. 

Citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area, or the United States of America do not need a visa to stay in Romania for a period of maximum of 90 days. Citizens with simple passports from other 58 countries are exempted from the Romanian visa requirement. Check the 58 countries  here .

The list of countries whose citizens require a Romanian visa is available  here .

The procedures for obtaining the visa are available  here .

6.7. You acknowledge that the decisions of the tour guide are final on all aspects likely to affect the safety or well-being of any person participating in the tour. If you fail to comply with a decision made by the tour guide or affect the well-being or mobility of the group, you may be asked to leave the trip immediately, with no right to refund. You must comply with the laws and customs of Romania.

6.8. You acknowledge all tours involve a certain amount of personal risk and that it is also your responsibility to acquaint yourselves with all relevant travel information and the nature of their itinerary.

6.9. You must notify us in writing if the present contract was not fulfilled properly a maximum of 10 days after the end of the tour.

7. Uncover Romania Tours' Rights and Obligations

7.1. Uncover Romania Tours is responsible for the proper execution of the travel products/services sold to the clients as detailed in the contract.

7.2. Uncover Romania Tours must provide the clients, in a reasonable time before the start of the tour, all the necessary documents regarding the execution of the tour: invoices, detailed travel itinerary including accommodation and transportation reservations, the contact information of local guides, and relevant service providers.

7.3. If during or before the tour, Uncover Romania Tours acknowledges it is not possible to completely respect the tour itinerary because of major changes that could not be anticipated, it is obligated to inform the clients as soon as possible. If Uncover Romania Tours cannot fix the situation that created the major changes, it has to offer the clients alternative or financial compensations if any fees already paid by them were part of the services not offered. This compensation cannot be greater than the costs of the services affected by the changes.

7.4. Uncover Romania Tours is not obligated to pay any compensation claims for damages, expenses, losses, or changes to the execution of the tour which is attributable to the actions of the clients, the unforeseeable or unavoidable act, or omission of a third party unconnected with the provision of any travel products and/or services or a force major event.

7.5. Uncover Romania Tours will offer immediate assistance if you are affected by unforeseen circumstances during the execution of the tour. We will provide information regarding health services, local authorities, or embassy services if needed, and will assist you in identifying the best services needed. If you are responsible for the circumstances that created the difficulties, Uncover Romania Tours has the right to charge a reasonable commission that cannot be greater than the actual cost of these assistance services.

7.6. Uncover Romania Tours is not responsible for any damages, expenses, losses, or claims which are attributable to the fault of the clients, the unforeseeable or unavoidable act, or omission of a third party unconnected with the provision of any travel products and/or services or a force major event.

7.7. Uncover Romania Tours must respond in 10 days to any notification sent by you regarding the improper execution of the tour package, mentioning the compensations that apply, if the case, and identifying the responsible parties.

7.8. Uncover Romania Tours reserves the right to unilaterally modify this contract after it was signed and agreed by both parties in the event of unforeseen changes that affect the execution of the tour package. The CLIENTS will be informed immediately in this respect.

8. Insurance against bankruptcy

8.1. The clients are insured against the risk of bankruptcy of the Uncover Romania Tours by the Insurance Policy number 29315 from 10/10/2018 issued by OMNIASIG VIENNA INSURANCE GROUP SA. Address: 51 Aleea Alexandru, Bucharest, Romania. Phone: +40214057420. Email: [email protected] .

9. Major force

9.1. In the case of major force, both parties are exempted from any responsibility. This refers to any unpredictable events that may occur after the signing of this contract that escape the control of any of the two parties and that make it impossible for any of them to fulfill partially or totally any of their responsibilities. Major force events refer to natural disasters, riots, protests, schedule change of public or private transportation schedule, government decisions that may affect the tourism activity. The party or parties affected by major force are exempted from any responsibility linked to this contract. Both parties agree to limit as much as possible any damages caused. The party invoking major force is obligated to notify in writing the other party at the beginning (maximum 5 days) and end of a situation of force majeure. In the absence of this written notification, the situation of major force cannot be invocated. If this situation lasts for more than 15 days, the contract is canceled.

10. Governing law

10.1. The laws of Romania govern the booking conditions and contracts to the fullest extent allowable. Any disputes in connection with it must be initiated in the courts of Romania if the parties haven’t reached an amicable solution.

11. Updating of terms and conditions

11.1. Uncover Romania Tours reserves the right to update and/or alter these terms and conditions at any time, and it is the clients' responsibility to be familiar with them. The latest terms and conditions can always be found on  www.uncover-romania-tours.com  and will supersede any previous versions.

Poenari Fortress

Bran Castle

Chindiei Tower, Targoviste Fortress

Medieval tower in Sighisoara

Targoviste Fortress

Snagov Monastery

The Princely Church, Targoviste Fortress

View from Poenari Fortress

Transfagarasan Road

5% discount for bookings done at least three months in advance

Vlad the impaler tour.

The price below is per person and is based on two persons sharing a double room.

Discount rates for children.

Group of 2 persons:  €1,365  per person

Group of 3 persons:  €1,065  per person

Group of 4 persons:  €908  per person

Group of 5 persons:  €835  per person

Group of 6 persons:  € 720  per person

The price includes:

• tour guide services and planning costs
• accommodation plus breakfast every day
• transportation costs (driver, car, gas costs, parking fees) 

The price does not include:

airfare, travel insurance

meals except for breakfast

entrance fees

other activities/tours booked by the clients

currency conversion fee (1%)

payment-related fees (1% for credit card, 4.5% for PayPal, variable for bank transfers)

Payment methods

Credit card, bank transfer, PayPal, cash (only for certain tours). The fees related to the payment methods are not included in the price.

Contact us if you’d like to get a price quotation for larger or smaller groups or a shorter/longer version of this tour.

Bucharest (or other city)

Breakfast every day

Local guest houses or boutique hotels

Around 1,100

Car or minivan

Cities: Bucharest, Sighisoara, Brasov, Sibiu

Landmarks : the medieval fortresses of Targoviste, Poenari and Rupea; Bran and Peles Castles; the churches of Snagov and Comana

Discount rates for children

A great city to explore. So much history but history that is so recent. You'd only understand this if you have experienced it yourself. Diane was great. Value for money was great. Truly life changing.

Diana Condera is the real deal. There are not enough positive superlatives in the English language to describe her. Diana has found that balance between being informative with just the right amount of data delivered at a pace that provides and opport...

A visit to the scenic Poenari Fortress is a great chance to explore some intense medieval history but also a good way to exercise.

Uncover one of the most important medieval monuments in Romania, linked to great princes like Vlad the Impaler and Constantin Brancoveanu.

Dracula’s Trail

• Accommodation
• Attractions
• Dracula tour
• Exclusive Tour
• Holiday in Transylvania
• Holiday to Romania
• Meals included
• Medieval Castles
• Medieval Cities
• Private Tour
• Saxon Villages
• Tours in Romania
• Tours in Transylvania
• Traditional Villages
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites

LEGENDS AND FICTION, HISTORY AND REALITY. THE TOUR ON VLAD THE IMPALER FOOT STEPS

Embark on an 8-day voyage into the heart of Romania, tracing the myth and reality of the infamous Vlad the Impaler, more widely known as Dracula. “Dracula’s Trail” is designed not just as a travel itinerary but as a journey into the storied past of Transylvania and Wallachia, blending historical intrigue with cultural immersion. From the halls of Bucharest’s grand Parliament Palace to the mysterious ruins of Poenari Citadel and the legendary Bran Castle, each day unveils new facets of the Dracula legend and Romania’s rich history. Discover medieval citadels, encounter unique traditions, and indulge in the local culinary delights. This tour combines visits to iconic sites with hidden gems, such as the eerie Hoia Baciu Forest and intimate encounters with Romania’s diverse cultural tapestry, including a special visit to a Gypsy home. Expertly guided from start to finish, “Dracula’s Trail” invites you to unravel the layers of myth and history in a land steeped in legend and beauty. Join us for an unparalleled exploration of Romania, where every corner tells a story, and the legacy of Dracula looms as both a shadow and a spectacle.

The tour can be personalised according to your time and points of interest.

Itinerary : Arrival in Bucharest – Bucharest City Tour including the Parliament Palace and Ceausescu’s former residence; visit to an 80s communist apartment; exploration of Old Town and Old Princely Court – Royal Court of Targoviste – Poenari Citadel – Cozia Monastery – Sibiu Walking Tour – Corvin Castle – Turda Salt Mine – Hoia Baciu Forest – Walking tour of Cluj-Napoca – organic smoked bacon tasting with lunch – Bistrita and the Jonathan Harker story –  dinner at Golden Crown Restaurant – Visit Targu Mures Citadel – exclusive Gypsy home visit –  walking tour of Sighisoara – dinner in Dracula’s Restaurant – Saschiz Fortified Church – Bran Castle – walking tour of Brasov – Peles Castle – Snagov Monastery – departure from Bucharest

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS AND UNIQUE CULTURAL CONNECTIONS

• Royal Court of Targoviste: Explore the seat of Vlad the Impaler’s power and climb the iconic Chindia Tower for panoramic views. • Poenari Citadel: Venture to the real Dracula’s castle, perched high on a mountain peak for a taste of the legendary. • Dracula Tourist Complex: A comprehensive experience with museum exhibitions and castle replicas that bring the 15th century to life. • Cozia Monastery: Admire the ancient frescoes and learn about the monastery’s historical significance in Romanian ecclesiastical history. • Corvin Castle: Explore one of Europe’s largest castles and delve into the tales of nobility and intrigue. • Turda Salt Mine: Descend into an underground world that blends history with modern leisure facilities. • Bistrita and Jonathan Harker Story: Walk in the footsteps of Bram Stoker’s characters in the town mentioned in “Dracula”. • Exclusive Gypsy Home Visit: Engage directly with the Romani culture in an authentic and respectful exchange. • Sighisoara Medieval Town: Birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, offering beautifully preserved streets and vibrant history. • Bran Castle and Snagov Monastery: Iconic Dracula-related sites that blend myth and history, providing a deep dive into the legend.

Day 1: Bucharest Arrival

Day 2: bucharest city tour with parliament palace and ceausescu residence & 80s communist apartment – royal court, day 3: targoviste royal court – poenari citadel – olt river gorges – cozia monastery – sibiu walking tour.

Today unfolds with a deep dive into Romania’s historical legacy, starting at the Royal Court of Targoviste, a pivotal site in the life of Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula. Here, explore the remnants of the court where Vlad ruled and enforced his iron-fisted policies. The complex includes several preserved structures and a tower that offers a panoramic view of the former princely compound and the town beyond. After soaking in the history of Targoviste, your journey continues to the Dracula Tourist Complex, an engaging attraction designed to immerse you in the era of Vlad the Impaler. Experience the authenticity of the 15th century through meticulously crafted decorations and architecture featuring stone and painted brick by local artisans. Inside the museum, discover a rich collection of objects that depict life during Vlad’s reign. The Throne Room, a highlight of the tour, features life-sized figures of Vlad and his nobles, set against the backdrop of elaborate medieval decor. The complex also offers educational projections, including one tailored for children, which detail significant aspects of the ruler’s life. From the ramparts, use a telescope to gaze out at the majestic Poenari Citadel and the surrounding mountainous landscape, or engage with the interactive displays including a ball-firing cannon guarded by life-sized soldier figures. Next on your itinerary is a visit to the formidable Poenari Citadel, perched high on a mountaintop and accessible by a vigorous climb. This real fortress of Vlad the Impaler offers breathtaking views and a haunting glimpse into the defensive strategies of the past. The day concludes with a serene drive towards Sibiu, culminating in a relaxing walking tour of this enchanting medieval town. Sibiu, known for its Germanic architecture, was once one of the most important fortified cities in Transylvania. Wander through its large and small squares, admire the Brukenthal Palace, and cross the famous Liars’ Bridge as your guide shares tales of the city’s rich history and cultural significance. This day’s journey through time not only reveals the stark contrasts between the legends and realities of Vlad the Impaler’s rule but also showcases the artistic and cultural heritage that Romania preserves and celebrates today.

***Summer Variation: The Transfagarasan Highway Adventure During the summer months (July to November), your journey to Sibiu takes an adventurous turn with a drive on the spectacular Transfagarasan Highway. Hailed as “the best road in the world” by Top Gear, this route offers an unforgettable experience with its stunning mountain vistas and serpentine paths. As you ascend to Balea Lake, situated at 2,034 meters, the breathtaking landscapes of Romania unfold before you. A stop at the Poenari Citadel, the real stronghold of Vlad the Impaler, adds a historical dimension to your journey. Perched high on a cliff, the citadel’s ruins offer not only a glimpse into the past but also panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Day 4: Corvin Castle – Turda Salt Mine – Hoia Baciu Forest

Day 5: cluj-napoca walking tour – organic smoked bacon tasting with home-made lunch – bistrita and the jonathan harker story – golden crown restaurant dinner, day 6: targu mures citadel – exclusive gypsy home visit – sighisoara walking tour – dinner in dracula’s restaurant, day 7: sighisoara – saxon village of saschiz with the fortified church – bran castle – brasov walking tour, day 8: peles castle – snagov monastery – bucharest departure.

Traditional Romanian welcome dinner with Folklore Show

In the evening, you can opt to serve a traditional dinner at a local restaurant with an idyllic view, situated on the lakeshore in Bucharest’s most famous park, the Herastrau or Michael I Park. Here, you will enjoy a three-course meal dinner with wine included, and you will get a chance to discover the traditional Romanian folklore costumes while enjoying the dances of the local performers. The entire show displays authentic Romanian traditions and customs, from the sewn details on the white outfits of the dancers to the delighting music played by the local artists.

Two day Black Sea & Danube Delta Extension with Danube Delta Private Cruise accompanied by certified skipper

Extra day 1: bucharest – constanta walking tour – histria fortress – tulcea, extra day 2: danube delta private cruise with lunch – bucharest airport.

Tour Reviews

I booked through here because I wanted to see as much and learn as much about Dracula/Vlad the Impaler! I really enjoyed the tour and tour guide was very good and knowledgeable! I would book a tour through them again!

My wife was hesitant on this tour due to the name. We have traveled to several countries and have seen some great country and history but this tour really delivers on beauty of the Transylvania countryside and History. Our guide, Dan, not only looked after us but was very knowledgeable of all the areas we visited. The Castles and fortresses were magnificent. I know people have different tastes in what they like to see but in all of our travels this rates as the best vacation travel package we have ever taken. The memories will stay with us the rest of our lives. Dan became like a family member on this tour and and it was emotional and sad to have to say goodbye to him at the end. I highly recommend this tour to those who want to see the beauty of Romania’s Transylvania area and discover the legends behind Dracula.

My sister & I knew not what to expect, & were not only pleased, but thrilled by the informational scope & interest of the tour. Our tour was a long one, encompassing Bran Castle, Targoviste Royal Court, & Snagov Monastery. Though it was around 11 hours altogether, the sites were full of historical interest & beautiful art & architecture, & our guide, Dan, was phenomenal. He was full of energy & information, & he filled us in on many interesting tidbits. History, anecdotes, facts, & cultural practices were all topics of discussion, & he was so knowledgable that we were unable to stump him with our questions! If touring in Romania, this is the service to use!

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our time on the Dracula’s Trail tour created by Holiday to Romania. It was a perfect blend of history (both of Dracula and his inspiration Vlad the Impaler), beautiful mountain scenery, breathtaking sights like the Turda salt mines and culture. We would highly recommend a guided visit as so much would be missed otherwise.

This tour was an amazing blend of history from decades to centuries ago. We explored several sights related to Dracula and his inspiration, Vlad the Impaler. We saw breathtaking views, beautiful churches and amazing castles. I would highly recommend touring Romania with a guide and using Holiday to Romania as much would be missed otherwise.

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Some historians believe Vlad the Impaler may have slept here.

Inside the Fortress Known as 'Dracula's Castle'

Bram Stoker never traveled to Transylvania, much less Bran Castle.

Dracula slept here. Or maybe not.

Bran Castle perches dramatically on a hill in Transylvania, its burnt-orange-tiled turrets and steeples rising above a crown of trees in Romania ’s Carpathian Mountains. Depending on what account you read, Vlad Tepes—aka Vlad the Impaler —may have spent a night or two in this 14th-century fortress as a prisoner, or he may have attacked it once.

Suits of armor guard the walls of Bran Castle.

Irish novelist Bram Stoker loosely based his fictional toothy vampire on this historical 15th-century prince, whose fondness for skewering enemies on stakes as a public warning earned him his nickname. Now visitors from all over the world descend on rural Transylvania for a chance to experience some of the eerie thrill of Stoker’s novel. Tour companies often book Bran Castle for Halloween parties, complete with “bloody” vodka shots and a DJ.

Yet, Stoker never visited Transylvania, much less Bran Castle. So how did it come to be known as Dracula’s?

“In the 1960s, when Romania was ruled by a communist government, its tourism czars decided it could be advantageous to market a place associated with Vlad Tepes," says local historian Nicolae Pepene. “They looked around at all of the available castles and decided that this castle at Bran, which guarded the one mountain pass running between Transylvania and Walachia, looked sufficiently Gothic.” (Bonus point: Poiana Brașov , a popular ski resort, is only eight miles away.)

RELATED: 25 Castles You Can Sleep In

On a moonless fall night, the imposing castle may look like a lair for the Prince of Darkness, but in the daylight the place actually seems more fit for a queen. Which it once was. Queen Marie of Romania called the 57-room chateâu home from 1920 to 1938. Behind thick defensive walls, the castle reveals a maze of cozy rooms, nooks, and crannies; a balconied inner courtyard with a well; and even a secret stairway to a wood-paneled library.

“Its solitude appealed to me,” the eccentric royal—a granddaughter of England’s Queen Victoria—said.

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Honestly, the scariest thing here are the kitschy Vlad souvenirs on sale at the foot of the castle: fanged beer steins, gory T-shirts, and bottles of Dracula’s Blood wine.

“It doesn’t really matter that visitors to the castle have their minds full of the myth of Dracula or of tales of Queen Marie of Romania,” Pepene says. “In the end, they’ve traveled here to experience a fragment of those old times.”

For Hungry Minds

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• Transylvania
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2024 Dracula tour

Itinerary Summary Tour map Price table How to book

Dracula is so famous that almost every place in Transylvania is promoted as related to him. Of course, this is not the truth, and we, at Romanian Guided Tours , will not fall into the trap of promoting fake touristic attractions. So, our signature Dracula tour is focusing on 2 components.

The first element is focusing on the character of Vlad Dracula , or Vlad the Impaler, the real historical personage from the 15th century who inspired Bram Stoker to built the Vampire character around him. We will learn his real story from history books and visit the places related to him in Romania.

The second element is Dracula from Bram Stoker’s book . And during this part of the tour, we will visit all the important places in Transylvania mentioned in the book.

We created this itinerary starting and ending in Bucharest, but depending on your flights, we can start or end the tour in Sibiu, Cluj or Targu Mures.

The price starts from 495 EUR/person . This price is valid for a group of 8 persons and for an average price of accommodation of a maximum of 70 EUR/night for a double room, including breakfast. Please see below the price per person, depending on the group size. The hotels or guesthouses where we will stay will be chosen together; we will give you a few options and you will have the final word regarding the accommodation. Depending on the hotels you choose and the final itinerary, the price can change, so, for a custom offer please contact us.

Tour itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Bucharest, city tour

We will meet you at the Bucharest airport, and after the transfer to your hotel, we will start exploring Bucharest . We will visit one of the landmarks of the Romanian capital, the Parliament Palace , the second-largest building in the world.

Then we will have a walking tour in the historical district, where we will get learn our first story about Vlad the Impaler. Did you know that the first document speaking about Bucharest was issued by him? We will see the ruins of the princely court and, of course, we will not miss any important touristic attractions of the Old Town. Overnight in Bucharest. Driving distance: 40 km; driving time: 2 hours.

Day 2: Targoviste, Poenari and Balea Lake

Today we will visit more of the historical character Dracula. We will leave Bucharest and head to Targoviste , the former capital of Walachia, the country led by Vlad the Impaler. We will visit the Princely Palace and Chindia tower, part of it dating back to Vlad the Impaler’s time. Then, we will head to Transfagarasan , where, before starting driving on the famous mountain road, we will stop at Poenari, to visit the fortress perched on top of a rock. We will climb the 1480 steps to the fortress and we will learn the stories relating Vlad the Impaler to this mountain-top stronghold . Then we will start to cross the Carpathian Mountains to Transylvania on Transfagarasan road. After a few hours drive through the winding road, we will stop at Balea Lake . In his book, the writer is saying that Dracula the Vampire attended the sorcery school at Lake Hermannstad, deep in the Carpathian mountains. There is no lake Hermanstadt in Transylvania, but Hermannstadt is the German name of Sibiu, the biggest closest city to Balea Lake. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Sibiu, where we will spend the night. Driving distance: 300 km; driving time: 4.5 hours.

Day 3: Sibiu, Medias and Cluj

In the morning we will have a walking tour of the charming city of Sibiu. We will stroll around the historic squares, learn the stories of the Bridge of Lies and we will visit the Lutheran Catedral, to see the tombstone of Vlad the Impaler son . Then we will venture deeper into Transylvania, in the search of the places mentioned in the book by Bram Stoker .

Our first stop we will be at Medias. The city is not mentioned in the book, but its wine is. On his route to Dracula Castle , the lawyer Jonathan Harker drank the “Golden Mediash” wine a so we will do. First, we will visit the medieval Saxon town and then we will have a wine tasting of the local wine.

Then, we will head to Cluj . The city, the largest in Transylvania was mentioned in the book, as being one of the places Jonathan Harker passed, before meeting Count Dracula. Overnight in Cluj. Optional visit: Turda Salt Mine. Driving distance: 200 km; driving time: 3.5 hours.

Day 4: Cluj, Bistrita, Borgo Pass

Our Dracula tour will continue with a walking tour in Cluj. Then, we will head to Bistrita, another destination mentioned in the book. Is this city where Jonathan Harker spent his first night in Transylvania. We will have a walk in the Old Town, and after lunch, we will continue our journey to Borgo Pass. After a few hours drive, we will reach the Borgo Pass. Is there where Bram Stoker positioned Dracula Castle. In reality, there is no castle there ( Bran Castle is in another part of Transylvania). But the mountain landscape is as it was described in the book: astonishing. At the Borgo Pass, we can visit a nearby monastery, and climb to an observation point to enjoy a 360 degrees view of the mountain scenery. We can have a short hike in the area or we can have a sheepfold picnic straight on the mountain pasture. Overnight at Borgo Pass or Colibita Lake. Driving distance: 180 km; driving time: 3 hours. Optional day Trip : Bucovina and the Painted monasteries. If you like, we can add an extra day to our trip, to visit Bucovina and the painted monasteries.

Day 5: Targu Mures and Sighisoara

Our Dracula tour is getting closer to the main Dracula attractions in Transylvania. We will leave Borgo Pass and head to Sighisoara. Before reaching Sighisoara, we will stop in Targu Mures, a beautiful city in the heart of Transylvania, with a mixed Romanian and Hungarian population. We will have a short walk in the town to admire the elegant Secession-style buildings, including the beautiful Culture Palace. In the afternoon, we will reach Sighisoara, the lovely medieval citadel, where the historical character Vlad Dracula was born. We will take some time to explore the citadel, we will climb the iconic Clock Tower, and we can dine at the restaurant at Dracula birthplace. Overnight in Sighisoara Driving distance: 200 km; driving time: 3.5 hours.

Day 6: Brasov and Dracula’s Castle

We will leave Sighisoara and head to Brasov . This former Saxon city was a place where Vlad the Impaler lived for a few years. Also, he sieged the city, when he had some fiscal issues with the Saxons of Brasov. In Brasov, we will have a walking tour of the city, and we will see the house where apparently Vlad’s mistress lived.

Then, we will reach the highlight of our Dracula tour: Bran Castle or Dracula’s Castle. We will leave Brasov and after less than one hour we will arrive in Bran. We will explore Dracula’s Castle and we will discover its long history.

Apparently, Vlad the Impaler never lived there, but this castle is best matching the description of the castle in the book. We will spend the night in Bran, and if available, we will choose hotel offering rooms with a Castle view. Driving distance:150 km; driving time: 2.5 hours.

Bran Castle

Day 7: Peles Castle, Snagov monastery and Bucharest

In our last day of Dracula tour, we will visit Peles Castle . The Castle, the first residence of the Romanian Royal family, doesn’t have any connections with Dracula, but as you are in Romania, is worth visiting. After Peles, we will drive to Snagov , near Bucharest. There, we will visit the monastery raised in the 14th-century on an island in the middle of the lake. There are voices saying Vlad the Impaler was buried there, but so far, no evidence was found. After the Snagov Monastery, we will head to Bucharest, for the end of our trip. Driving distance: 200 km; driving time: 2 hours.

Price table

*for groups larger than 8 persons, please ask for a customised offer

• Departure Bucharest
• Included Transportation with modern, AC minivan Licensed tour guide services 6 nights accommodation with breakfast, at a 3 or 4 stars hotel or equivalent guesthouse
• Not Included Meals, other than breakfast Entrance fees Travel insurance

Florin is a wonderful guide – he is extremely knowledgeable about the area and the history, and we learnt a great deal from him. We booked a tour because we didn’t have a lot of time in Transylvania, and it was one of the best decisions we made on the trip. We highly recommend a tour with Florin!

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On the footsteps of the real Dracula – places to visit in Romania

Vlad III, also called Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Tepes) is one of the most famous figures in Romanian history. It’s a fact that most tourists who visit Romania know about Vlad the Impaler, or Vlad Dracula.  It’s also a well-known fact that Bram Stoker based his Dracula character from the same-titled novel on this Romanian voivode. But who was this mysterious ruler after all? Was he really blood-thirsty and cruel? Let’s start by following his steps through some of the most interesting places in Romania.

Dracula: Vlad the Impaler’s background

Vlad the Impaler was born in 1431 in the city of Sighisoara. He was a member of the House of Draculesti, and the name “Dracul” was used because his father, Vlad II was a member of the Order of the Dragon, an order founded by Emperor Sigismund in 1408, in Transylvania to protect Christianity in Eastern Europe.

The cognomen “the Impaler” was given to him because Vlad used to impale his enemies, especially Ottomans who tried to conquer Romanian and Bulgarian territories during that period. Interestingly enough, this cognomen was used only after his death, approximately 100 years later, although Ottomans used to call him Impaler Lord.

Vlad’s father was the son of Mircea the Elder. His mother is unknown, but historians believe that it probably was Princess Cneajna, daughter of Moldavian Prince Alexander “the Good”. Vlad had two half-brothers and a younger brother, Radu.

Vlad and Radu spent their early years in Targoviste, the capital of the Wallachia region at the time. Both of them were educated by Romanian or Greek scholars, and it’s believed that during that period in his life, Vlad learned combat skills, science, geography, mathematics, philosophy, classical arts and several languages.

At the age of 13, the Ottoman Turks took Vlad and his brother as hostages. During the years spent at the sultan’s court, the boys were trained in warfare, horsemanship, Turkish language and works of literature. Vlad began to envy his younger brother, nicknamed “the beautiful”, because Radu was well-behaved and gained the friendship of Sultan Murad’s son. Furthermore, Radu converted to Islam and entered Ottoman service, which Vlad saw as a betrayal. His time as a hostage was just one of the reasons why Vlad became so focused to prevent Ottomans from invading Wallachia during his period as ruler.

Tracing Vlad the Impaler’s footprints

Those who continue to be fascinated about this enigmatic character, have the opportunity to visit some of the places connected to his life and his place in Romanian history. No “Dracula tour” would be complete without visiting these real touristic hot spots for all those passionate about finding out who Dracula really was.

Targoviste is one of the places were Vlad Dracul spent his first years, especially when he received his education. One of the most interesting places to visit is the Chindia Watchtower.

Another important stop is Curtea de Arges , former capital of Wallachia, the region where Vlad was actually voivode (not Transylvania, like many people seem to believe). In Curtea de Arges , tourists are able to visit the 14 th century Princely Court. The Princely Church has one of the oldest Romanian frescoes interiors, as they portray some of the first examples of Romanian paintings.

The ruins of the Poenari Fortress still stay strong high on a cliff, overlooking the Arges River, just at the foothills of the Carpathians Mountains, in a truly fairytale location. The first Wallachian rulers built the fortress at the beginning of the 13th century. The fortress was left in ruins, but Vlad recognized its potential and he ordered that the structure be consolidated and repaired, turning it into his main fortress during his reign. The fortress has no less than 1.462 steps that you need to climb in order to reach it. The fortress was completely abandoned in the 16 th century and a portion of it crashed into the river because of a landslide.

Sighisoara , a medieval city located in Transylvania is the place where Vlad was born (according to most sources). Founded by Saxons during 12 th century, this city is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, and UNESCO designated it as a World Heritage Site. The cobbled streets, towers, burgher houses and ornate churches are perfectly intact since the 16 th century. Vlad Dracul’s house, were he was born and lived with his father for a short period of time is located in the Citadel Square, next to the Clock Tower. The house still stands and serves as restaurant on the ground floor and Museum of Weapons on the first floor.

Bran Castle is what inspired Dracula’s Castle in Bram Stoker’s book. Although the castle was owned at some point by Vlad, as well as other Wallachian rulers, it was not his main residence. However, the castle’s architecture and location, dating from the 14 th century, make it seem like the perfect castle surrounded by mystery.

The Snagov Monastery is considered to by Vlad the Impaler’s final resting place, as his grave can be found there. The monastery was built in 1364 and it’s believed that monks were those who found Vlad’s remains in nearby forests, after he was assassinated by his enemies.

Considering all the above, it’s safe to say that while Vlad the Impaler’s reign was short and very agitated, he left behind a great historical legacy, where truth and myths combined in order to create the image of Vlad Dracul, a ruthless Wallachian ruler.

The Real Dracula Tour   explores the places where the real Vlad the Impaler lived during his time, but also places that inspired Bram Stoker’s novel, such as the Borgo Pass or the city of Bistrita.

Asides from The real Dracula Tour, we recommend you other Romanian tours, including active tours, detailed Bucharest tours or other unforgettable experiences while visiting Romanian sights. For a truly unique experience, we suggest you private tours in Romania, complete with guides and transportation.

We hope you enjoyed this article about the real Dracula, historical person in Romania. We can easily plan a tour for you to visit all the places we talked about in this article. Do not hesitate to contact us.

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Privacy Overview

Vlad the Impaler Royal Court & Dracula's Fortress - Private Tour from Bucharest

• Private car (Tourism or Minibus) only for you and your friends/family
• Great flexibility regarding changes to the daily itinerary even after the start of the tour
• A private, licensed English speaking guide/driver, available throughout the tour
• All car expenses, such as gasoline, parking and road tolls
• Entrance fees as per the itinerary
• Entry/Admission - Princely Court
• Entry/Admission - Chindiei Tower (Sunset Tower)
• Entry/Admission - Curtea de Arges Monastery
• Entry/Admission - Poienari Castle
• Food and Drinks
• Hotels, vacation rentals, points of interest. Just let us know from where we should pick you up!
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Chindiei Tower (Sunset Tower)
• Princely Court
• Poienari Castle

Similar experiences

• You'll get picked up See departure details
• 1 Princely Court Stop: 2 hours - Admission included See details
• 2 Chindiei Tower (Sunset Tower) Stop: 30 minutes - Admission included See details
• 3 Curtea de Arges Monastery Stop: 45 minutes - Admission included See details
• 4 Poienari Castle Stop: 2 hours - Admission included See details
• 5 Vidraru Dam Stop: 3 hours See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• J7078FU_ 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles BUCHAREST AT ITS BEST! We had an amazing tour all over the city by our amazing guide Dan! A very polite gentleman who made us fall in live with the city immediately!Services highly appreciated and recommended!Thank you Dan! Read more Written May 3, 2024
• cpholt 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best service! Amazing place!! Not over crowded. were lucky to use the amazing Nicolas for the second time during our stay in Bucharest a great private tour guide, made our trips such fun and learnt so much Read more Written January 13, 2024
• alexandrucZ2374WH 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Perfect Bucharest tour We had a 4-hours Bucharest tour with Razvan and we really enjoyed the Village Museum, Romanian Atheneum and, of course, the Parliament Palace. Romania has a great history and it was really well presented by Razvan. Thanks! Read more Written November 15, 2023
• vaduvai2016 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun tour with Nico I just did a tour of Bucharest with Nicolas! It was the best decision for the week. He is verry knoledgeble and dis the tour in a fun and particular way! Read more Written November 14, 2023
• lorenm714 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Forget about it. I'm writing this as I have left the city. If you like being greeted by an obnoxious tour guide that lies about your whereabouts, this is for you,. What did I learn on the tour? Bucharest does not suffer from earthquakes do to soil composition, what about 1977 which was devastating? The Orient Express has increased since reducing prices to the general public. I never thought that Euro 12,000 per person was a reasonable price. I could go on but thought I would share some thoughts. The tour was fabulous but the lack of knowledge was underwhelming Read more Written October 19, 2023
• elenaalexandram2019 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Everything was perfect. I decided to take this tour with some friends because we booked before some tours at this company and we were very satisfied with the services provider. It was a great tour, we had a lot of fun and the guid was a very well prepared and punctual man. We were fascineted by the landscapes and I think Romania is a great country with wonderful people, delicious food and amazing history. Thise 13 days were not enough for me and my friends although we visited a lot and the guid gave us all the information, we want to return because all was great. I was fascineted by Rm. Vâlcea a small town in Romania with a lot of monestaries, we passed through it when we went to Sibiu, Nicolas was very nice and explained us the great history of this city I think Ostrov Monestery is the most wonderful monestary form the world. I also liked very much Sibiu, Sighisoara and Brașov. It was a great tour and we recomand you this company. An amazing tour😍 Read more Written September 21, 2023
• IANJamestownSa 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Trip Around Bucharest Great tour highly recommend guide was knowledgeable and gave us a great experience. We learned so much about the old town and religion as well as the history of Romania Read more Written August 20, 2023
• lawriep2022 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Long day but worth it This was a really good trip. Our driver and guide, Alex, was fantastic. He arrived to pick us up exactly on time and the car was clean, comfortable and air conditioned. Alex spoke very good English and was happy to chat about life in Romania as well as giving us a history lesson. The bears sanctuary was a very good trip and I would recommend it, the cost of your ticket goes towards the rescue and upkeep of these beautiful animals. There are also some amazing views of the mountains from the road up to the sanctuary. We went to Bran castle because we wanted to see the building that Bram Stoker had based Dracula's castle on, and we were glad that we did that but be prepared there is a long queue to get in and once you are inside it's like being on the London Underground in rush hour. There is a market outside selling Chinese made plastic Dracula tat. Worth avoiding. Brasov City is lovely, especially after Bran, it's worth having a walk around, we also visited the Black Church which was interesting. Our whole day was made more interesting by our guide Alex who was very knowledgable about all of the sites that we visited, he also knew the area that we were travelling through so we were able to see much more of the scenery and avoid the busiest roads. During the trip Alex was asking us what we had seen in Bucharest and on the way back extended our trip to show us some of the things that we had missed. I would recommend this trip and you will be very lucky if you get Alex as your guide. Read more Written August 17, 2023
• Inder S 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great service We had a group of 5 with multiple suticases. I ordered this private van the night prior to our arrival in Bucharest. Our driver arrived promptly and waiting for us with a electronic sign. The van was new and clean. Driver was very friendly and informative. It was a 30 minute drive to our hotel from the airport. Overall pleasant and efficient experience. Read more Written July 29, 2023
• shb20190 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Bucharest in Half a Day Our guide Dan Mica was excellent. He paced the tour to our needs and provided the detailed historical and cultural background. He is also a safe driver and an excellent communicator. His encyclopedic knowledge of Romania is very helpful in getting a deeper insight of the country . Read more Written July 15, 2023
• Departure22147997017 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Discovering Bucharest July 2023. My brother and I planned a trip to Romania to visit the country from where our grandparents came. Due to a flight delay, I missed the morning portion of the tour. Nicolas started the tour with my brother and was kind enough to reorganize the tour route to pick me up from the airport to continue the afternoon portion of our tour. Nicolas was truly a pleasure as our host and guide as he shared his endless knowledge and love for Romania with us. He also recommended a great restaurant for dinner where we dined on and watched traditional Romanian food and dancing. I hope to return to explore more of Romania again. I would not hesitate to recommend booking with Nicolas Experience Tours. Thank you Nicolas for a memorable experience. Gina C Read more Written July 6, 2023
• elenaalexandram2019 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Endless apreciation for the best guide A great tour, we saw the Endless Column and I was fascineted. Our guid explained us and I learnt a lot of new things, a very smart guide. I have to recognize that I always dream to visit this woderful city and to see the Brâncuși objects of art and this tour was amazing. Nicolas made us a surprise and we also visit Tismana Church and the BNR treasure.I will book another tour with them, they are the best. Read more Written June 6, 2023
• elenaalexandram2019 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A great company It was a great tour! I visited recently Bucharest with my friends and we wanted to walk and learn more about this city. The driver and the guide came and took us from the hotel which was in the center of Bucharest, they asked us what we want to see and spoke us about the history of this city. I learnt a lot about this city from them. They were vey nice and gave us some adivices where we can ate and what we can see. It was a great idea to book this tour! Read more Written May 25, 2023
• amymE9564YB 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommend! Great service! Would book again and recommend to friends and family. Super professional and friendly. Read more Written May 24, 2023
• G2474TY 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Private airport transfer. Very professional and friendly. Offered to do a tourist drive on way to hotel to show some of the sights along the way at no extra cost. Definitely recommend. Read more Written May 21, 2023

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Vlad the Impaler Royal Court & Dracula's Fortress - Private Tour from Bucharest provided by Romania Driver and Guide

How to Visit Dracula’s Castle in Romania – Bran Castle Transylvania (2024)!

By: Author Sophie Pearce

Posted on Last updated: January 1, 2024

Categories ROMANIA

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

Have you ever wondered where the real Dracula’s Castle is in Transylvania? The one that inspired Bram Stoker’s home of Count Dracula?

It’s called Bran Castle and it is located in Romania, tucked away in the Carpathian Mountains near the city of Brasov. 

It’s the most famous medieval castle in the entire country that sees over 800,000 visitors each year and is a must-visit attraction.

On your guided tour you can learn about Romanian royalty, Transylvanian legends, and the literary connections to the famous bloodthirsty vampire of Count Dracula.  I’m obsessed with vampire stories so visiting here was an absolute dream.

Here is a complete guide on how to visit Dracula’s Castle in Romania or Bran Castle in Transylvania! 

Bran Castle history

There has been a fortress on this site since 1212 when the Teutonic Knights built a wooden lookout tower to keep an eye on trade routes in the area that were often under threat.

The wooden castle was destroyed by the Mongols in 1242 but was later rebuilt in stone in the 14th century. The first documented records mention Castle Bran in 1377.

King Louis I of Hungary gave permission for Saxon settlers to build this castle with their own funds as a defense against the Ottoman Empire. 

It later became a prominent strategic fortress and customs post on the mountain pass between Transylvania and Wallachia.

This was around the time that Vlad Tepes was a Prince of Wallachia and many believe that he had a connection with Bran Castle. 

Vlad the Impaler aka the ‘real’ Dracula!

Vlad Tepes or Vlad III of Dracul, better known as Vlad the Impaler, was a ruler of Wallachia from 1448 to 1478. 

His region and trade routes were often under threat from Ottoman and Hungarian forces and he was merciless while defending his territory. 

Vlad had a tremendous appetite for brutality and is famous for committing unspeakable acts of torture against his enemies! 

It is estimated that Vlad Tepes is responsible for the deaths of over 80,000 people. His favourite form of torture was impaling his enemies on spikes hence the nickname ‘Vlad the Impaler’. He was also rumoured to drink the blood of his enemies

It was these gruesome stories that inspired Bram Stoker to create his legendary vampire and why Vlad Tepes is known as the ‘real’ Count Dracula. 

Although he is largely associated with Bran Castle, it is generally agreed that Vlad Tepes never set foot in this fortress. He may have fought in battles nearby but he didn’t live here or even visit.

The Bran Castle Bram Stoker connection 

Bran Castle is one of the most famous medieval castles in the country and it owes a lot of its fame to Bram Stoker and his novel Dracula s et in both England and Transylvania. 

But, it may surprise you to know that Bram Stoker never visited Bran Castle or even Romania before writing his 1897 novel.

He did use descriptions of Transylvania, the legends of Strigoi’s, and the bloody stories of Vlad the Impaler to paint a spooky picture for his tale.

The funny thing is, although the medieval prince Vlad Tepes fought battles in Translyvania, there are no records of him visiting Bran Castle at all. 

In fact, he wasn’t from Transylvania. His residence was Poenari Castle in Wallachia. But, some say he visited Bran Gorge to fight.

In the novel, Dracula’s Castle is described as “…on the very edge of a terrific precipice…with occasionally a deep rift where there is a chasm and silver threads where the rivers wind in deep gorges through the forests.”. 

This is very similar to Bran Castle! But, there are a great many medieval castles in Transylvania that match this description too. 

So, I guess we’ll never know if this fortress really was the inspiration for Dracula’s Castle. But, why let the truth get in the way of a good story (and making some serious money)!

Related post – Fang-Tastic Dracula Attractions in Whitby, England !

Queen Marie & Dracula’s Castle today 

Another reason why Bran Castle is so famous is due to the fact that Queen Marie of Romania made significant improvements to the castle in the 19th-century and made it a royal residence. She lived here until her death in 1938.

Her daughter, Princess Ileana, took up residence here afterward and established a hospital at Castle Bran during World War II.

After the Russians took over Romania, the country fell to the Red Army and converted to Communism. Once Michael I of Romania abdicated the throne, Princess Ileana and the Romanian royal family were exiled from the country in 1948. Bran Castle then became a museum.

Princess Illeana only returned to Romania in 1990. The family finally was able to take back their legacy in 2005. In 2009, the castle is now owned by Archduke Dominic of Austria-Tuscany.

Today, Bran Castle sees almost a million visitors every year who want to see the home of Count Dracula for themselves.

How to visit Dracula’s Castle in Romania

So, if you wanted to see the home of Count Dracula for yourself, you must make a stop at Bran Castle in Transylvania. As one of the most popular castles in the country, it’s very easy to do. 

There are many ways that you can visit Bran Castle in Romania. It all depends on how much time you have and where you choose to stay during your visit!

The most popular options are visiting Bran from Brasov or the capital city of Bucharest:

Bran Castle from Brasov 

Most travellers who visit Transylvania base themselves in Brasov to visit Bran Castle.

This is a popular ski resort/hiking town in the Carpathian Mountains and has lots to offer in terms of attractions, hotels, and restaurants. 

It’s only a 30-minute journey to Bran Castle from Brasov by road and so it’s the perfect place to stay if you wanted to visit Dracula’s Castle in Romania.

• Driving to Bran Castle: If you have your own transport, it will be a nice and easy journey from Brasov on the DN73/E574 road. Parking is 4 Lei an hour. 
• Brasov to Bran Castle by bus: regular buses run to Bran from Auto Gara 2 bus station in Brasov. You will need to make your way to Auto Gara 2 by Uber or bus. Then, look out for a Bran – Rasnov bus service at the station. A bus ticket to Bran costs 8 Lei (£1.35/$1.86) one way. The journey will take around 50 minutes to an hour. You’ll be dropped off in Bran village and it’s a short walk to the castle from there.
• Brasov to Bran Castle by taxi: There is the option to take a taxi which is around £20/$30 USD one way. Uber works there but I don’t know if they would run all the way to Bran unless there’s someone wanting to be picked up. Doesn’t hurt to try though!

Read more – the very best things to do in Brasov in Transylvania

Bran Castle from Bucharest

If you were stuck on time and can’t stay in Brasov, it’s really easy to travel from Bucharest to Bran Castle on a day trip!

There are regular train services that run from Bucharest to Brasov daily and the journey takes around 2.5 hours. From here, you can take a bus/taxi to Dracula’s Castle (as above).

I made the train journey to Brasov on a day trip from the capital and found booking train tickets really simple to do online. 

It’s the perfect option if you wanted more freedom to explore the region rather than a guided tour. 

Click here to book train tickets on the official Romanian railway website

Bran Castle tour 

If you were stuck for time and wanted to see a couple of castles and places in one day, there is the option to book a castle tour.

As it was snowing on my visit, I personally took a castle tour from Bucharest and we visited Peles Castle, Bran Castle, and Brasov in one day! It seemed safer and quicker to me as I didn’t want to be exploring by myself in the heavy snow. 

It was a long day trip and tiring but totally worth it in the end. It’s more economically friendly to your wallet, the environment, and time on your holiday. 

You can also take a guided tour from Brasov but this stops at Rasnov Fortress instead of Brasov. Each tour has ‘skip the line’ options to avoid some of the longer queues.

Book a Romania Castles tour:

• From Bucharest – Dracula’s Castle, Peles Castle, and Brasov
• From Brasov – Rasnov Fortress, Dracula’s Castle, and Peles Castle

Bran Castle opening times and ticket prices

Bran Castle’s opening times in winter are typically Mondays from 12-4 pm and Tuesday – Sunday from 9 am – 4 pm. The last entry is 4 pm.

In summer, the opening times change to Mondays from 12-6 pm and Tuesday – Sunday from 9 am – 6 pm. The last entry is 6 pm. 

Bran Castle ticket prices are:

• Adults – 45 Lei (£7.60/$10 USD)
• Seniors – 35 Lei (£6/$7.70 USD)
• Students – 25 Lei (£4.20/$5.50 USD)
• Children – 10 Lei (£1.70/$2.20 USD)

As well as the standard Bran Castle tour, you can pay extra to visit some of the bonus exhibits at Bran Castle. These are:

• Bran Castle Medieval Torture Instruments – 10 Lei (£1.70/$2.20 USD)
• Bran Castle Time Tunnel – 20 Lei (£3.30 / $4.40 USD)

Top tips for visiting Bran Castle

• As one of the most famous castles in Romania, you can expect this site to be busy all year around. In the summer months, you will wait in massive lines. To avoid long queues, I would get here as early as possible.
• If you book through a tour company like GetYourGuide, you will have a ‘skip the line’ ticket option. 
• There is an option to pre-book tickets for Bran Castle online . But this comes at a slight premium to on-the-day tickets due to transaction fees. 
• If you’re booking castle tickets on the day it’s easier to pay in cash as the mountain region often means card payments are tricky. 
• There is a really steep hill to access the castle and lots of steps which may be hard for some as you explore the fortress. There is a ‘lift experience’ you can buy as an extra if you are unable to climb.
• The castle has some really tight spaces and winding staircases, like the secret tunnel, which may be uncomfortable for those with claustrophobia.

Things to do at Bran Castle

So, once you arrive at Bran Castle what is there to actually do here?! Well, you may be surprised that there is quite a lot.

As well as touring the castle, you’ll learn the legends of Transylvania, who lived here and all about the Dracula legend too. 

Here are the best things to do in Dracula’s Castle Romania.

1. Explore the Bran Castle grounds

When you enter Bran Castle, there are large grounds at the base of the castle that is open for you to explore before you make your way up to the medieval fortress itself.

This small green area has lots of walkways and actually provides some of the best photo opportunities of Dracula’s Castle from below.

As the castle is so high up, you’ll find that the closer you get the harder it is to take photos of it. So, I would definitely spend some time admiring it from the lower grounds.

Did you know? Before her death in 1938, Queen Marie asked that her heart be interred in a chapel in the town of Balchik near the Black Sea. However, it was later moved here to Bran Castle. You can see her heart grave on the west side of the base of the fortress!

2. Explore the medieval rooms

There are 57 rooms at Bran Castle and your guided tour will allow you to see many of the most important ones on your visit.

They are quite spartan rooms and are mostly recreations of how the castle would have originally been furnished when it was built.

You’ll walk through sitting rooms, dining rooms, studies, bedrooms plus many exhibition rooms with medieval costumes of what the Teutonic Knights or Vlad Tepes used to wear! 

3. Climb the secret tunnel 

Some of Bran Castle really lives up to its spooky name and many of the stairways you climb through are really creepy!

Did you know that there is a secret tunnel in Bran Castle? In the 1920s, Queen Marie asked for some castle renovations to be made.

During the excavations, the workers discovered a secret tunnel that connected the first floor with the third. It had been there for generations and wasn’t on any map of the castle beforehand.

It was a cleverly concealed escape route behind a fireplace so that the monarch living there could break out of the castle if it was under attack!

You’ll climb through this tunnel on your visit and it can be quite uncomfortable to say the least. 

4. Take a picture-perfect photo of the Donjon

Once you’ve seen some of the many rooms, you’ll have the opportunity to take some incredible photos of the medieval round tower and The Donjon! 

This was by far my favourite part of the tour and there are balcony windows and barracks that give you plenty of opportunities to take some brilliant photos.

It can be quite busy in Bran Castle, so you may have to be patient while the crowds make their way through but it’s totally worth the wait. 

My top tips for photography would be to get here as early as possible or visit at the last entry time and wait for the tourists to start shuffling out. You’ll most likely have it to yourself near the end. 

5. Admire the magnificent views of Bran & the Carpathian Mountains

Dracula’s Castle is built on a mountain top which was the perfect vantage point to scout out encroaching Ottoman enemies in medieval Transylvania. 

But, one of the great benefits of being so high up in this fortress today is that you can see breathtaking panoramic views of the Carpathian Mountains.

On your tour, you’ll make your way up to the very top floors of the castle and stand on the rooftop looking down on the village below.

Make sure to have your camera ready as these are photo opportunities you won’t want to miss! 

6. Learn about the legend of Dracula

Dracula is Bram Stoker’s invention but the inspiration did come from Vlad the Impaler. Some say the inspiration for Count Dracula’s home came from this very castle!

So, you can expect there to be lots of Dracula-themed exhibits and references on your visit. Even the walk up to the castle had signs that said ‘Private Tours with “Count Dracula”, try to avoid walking alone at night’.

Since the novel, there have been hundreds of movie & TV adaptations and so you’ll find a great exhibit called ‘Dracula and the Movie Industry’ where you can see a collection of clips. One of my favourite Dracula movies is Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) starring Keanu Reaves and Gary Oldman. 

As part of this exhibit, they also have some props, costumes, and photo stills from the movies to learn more.

7. Be amazed by Transylvanian myths, storytelling & legends

Something that I found absolutely fascinating about Transylvania was how many of our modern horror stories, myths & legends originate from this region of Romania. 

I guess you could compare Bram Stoker’s Dracula to the Strigoi that are troubled spirits said to rise from the grave at night. Just like Vampires, they gain vitality from the blood of their victims and hate garlic. 

The Iele are mythical creatures like faeries or nymphs that have magic and a powerful seduction of men. They dance by moonlight and perform rituals in forest glades.

The Vârcolac or ‘wolf-person’ could be compared to a shapeshifting werewolf who has the ability to shift on a full moon. 

Also, Transylvanian dragons are a thing. Vlad the Impaler’s father took their name from the Order of the Dragon. Also, he had the nickname of the son of Dragul (the son of the Dragon).

You can learn all about these legends in their fabulous interactive exhibit. It’s amazing how many of these ancient legends still appear in modern horror stories today!

8. Pay extra to see the Torture Chamber & Dungeon

Vlad the Impaler gained his moniker of ‘Impaler’ and the real ‘Dracula’ from his bloodthirsty and brutal torture habits.

So, it stands to reason that his fortresses would have lots of torture implements and a dungeon to keep his tormented prisoners in. 

Although this is not his castle, for an extra fee you can visit a torture chamber to see some of the devices that he would have used to inflict pain during that time.

Tickets cost 10 Lei per person and can pay for your ticket at the ticket counter before you go inside.

9. Exit through the Dracula gift shop

Would it be a tourist attraction if there wasn’t a gift shop at the end? Of course, before you leave you to have to check out the souvenirs available in the Bran Castle gift shop.

There is plenty of Dracula-themed merchandise to stick your teeth into including pens, postcards, magnets, and keyrings. There are even vampire socks and t-shirts of Count Dracula to buy!

You’ll even find some local spirits which look like potion bottles and some spooky chocolates which make great gifts.

Like any tourist attraction, souvenirs can be pricey here. So, if you’re on a budget I’d wait for the markets just outside the castle grounds on your exit. 

10. Shop in the Bran Castle markets 

Before and after you visit Dracula’s Castle, you’ll walk through a cute little market stall area that is worth exploring while you’re in Bran.

It sells all sorts of tourist souvenirs, clothing, and food like local cheeses and wines that have been made in Transylvania. 

There is no café or restaurant at Bran Castle itself, but there are some hot food stalls and a café down here if you’re feeling peckish.

They also have a cheesy house of horrors that you can experience if you’re visiting for all the Dracula tourism.

I didn’t personally go inside but I have to admit I love a bit of cheese – when in Transylvania, no?

Can you stay in Bran Castle Romania? 

Although not a regular accommodation option, the castle does often have competitions where you can win the chance to spend the night there for Halloween.

They held one with Air BnB a few years ago and you were escorted to the castle by carriage, had a banquet and they even had comfy coffins to sleep in It actually sounds like my kind of dream.

They may have competitions like this again so it’s always worth checking their website for updates.

Where to stay near Bran Castle?

Although you can’t stay in Bran Castle, there are places to stay in Bran. Some of them even have views of Bran Castle from your window. 

Personally, I would opt to stay in Brasov over Bran and travel to Bran Castle from there. Brasov has a lot more infrastructure like hotels, restaurants, attractions, and transport links.

Click here to look up and book accommodation in Brasov

Dracula’s Castle Romania FAQs

• Is Transylvania real? YES, Translyvania is very much a real place and it’s located in Romania! It was one of three ancient territories (Wallachia, Transylvania, and Moldavia) before the country united as one. Transylvania is the most famous region by far and has its very own flag!
• Where in Romania is Dracula’s castle? Dracula’s Castle is located in Transylvania Romania in a little village called Bran in the Carpathian Mountain region. This is near Brasov. 
• Is there a real Dracula’s castle? YES! Bran Castle is often seen as the ‘real’ Dracula’s Castle as Vlad the Impaler got the nickname from brutal torture escapades. It was Bram Stoker who used these stories to create his classic novel and bloodthirsty character! 
• Why is Bran Castle so famous? There are many reasons. 1. This was a region visited by Vlad the Impaler or the real Dracula. 2. Bram Stoker used him and this castle to inspire his story D racula (1897) and 3. Queen Marie used this as her favourite royal residence until her death in 1938. 
• Did Dracula live in Bran Castle? No. Although Vlad Tepes was the inspiration for Dracula in Bram Stoker’s novels he never visited Bran Castle. He lived in Poenari Castle in Wallachia.
• Does anyone live in Bran Castle? Not now. It used to be home to the royal family but it is only a museum for tourists today. Bran Castle is owned by the Archduke Dominic of Austria-Tuscany.

Read more of my Romania travel guides

The best things to do in Brasov 

How to visit the Brasov Hollywood Sign

A complete guide for Rope Street 

Is Caturesti Carusel the prettiest bookshop in Romania?

How to visit Peles Castle from A Christmas Prince

Save how to visit Dracula’s Castle Romania for later!

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Dracula tour in Romania – 8 days

Price on request

Spend 8 days in Romania and explore the mysterious land of Transylvania. Transylvania is known to be the land of Dracula, but do you know how the legend of the famous vampire came alive and who really was he (because he was a real person that inspired the story)?

Did you feel chills and goosebumps when reading Bram Stocker’s novel? Are you curious to visit the places mentioned in the book and the castles that hosted the major life events of Vlad the Impaler, the cruel ruler known to be Dracula?

Then this is the perfect tour for you! Enjoy this 8-day itinerary in Romania for an adventure that will offer you mysterious places, breath-taking landscapes and a little bit of history.

This 8-day Dracula tour in Romania includes the places mentioned in the book connected with Dracula or with the journey of Johnathan Harker in Romania. But this is also an amazing opportunity to find out everything you want about Vlad the Impaler. On the way you will also explore the places where the major events in his life took place. (his birthplace, his castles etc)

The legends about vampires in Transylvania, ghost stories and creepy rituals interwine with the real history. And at the end you will have a full picture of this mysterious region called Transylvania.

Check here other long trips in Transylvania .

Do you want to book this tour?

Just click on the button below, fill the form, and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

• Description
• Day 1: Welcome to Bucharest
• Day 2: Bran Castle
• Day 3: Visit Sighisoara – the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler
• Day 4: Borgo pass
• Day 5: Discover Cluj Napoca
• Day 6: Corvin Castle
• Day 7: Poenari fortress (the real castle of Vlad the Impaler)

Details of the tour:

Start and endpoint.

at your hotel or another chosen location in Bucharest

Dracula tour in Romania 8 days is a private tour, so the schedule can be customized according to your needs.

Welcome to Bucharest

Our guide will welcome you to the airport and transfer you to your hotel. You will also have a private tour of Bucharest and a short introduction to the legend of Dracula. Find out who was Vlad the Impaler and what connection did he have with the most important city in Romania, Bucharest. In the evening you can enjoy the animated pubs and restaurants in the old town.

Accommodation in Bucharest

Visit Dracula’s castle in Transylvania

Day 2 will take you to the Royal court of Vlad the Impaler in Targoviste. Visit the buildings left from centuries ago and discover why he is such a beloved figure in Romania. The Chindiei tower in Targoviste, used as a prison during the Vlad the Impaler, contains an interesting museum ablout the life of this great ruler.

After a beautiful road in the mountains, step into Transylvania and visit Bran castle, the one known as Dracula’s castle. A Dracula tour in Romania would be incomplete without this stop. The Bran castle is a medieval fortress built on a steep rock and it is considered to be the inspiration for the castle in the novel.

End your day with a tour on the narrow streets of medieval Brasov.

And don’t forget! “We are in Transylvania, and Transylvania is not England…and there shall be to you, many strange things.” – Bram Stoker,  Dracula

Accommodation in Brasov

Interested to explore other medieval places? Try the 3-day itinerary in Transylvania

Visit Sighisoara – the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler

It is said the his son was born here. After a short tour of the city, you will have the opportunity to get lost on the colourful streets of the citadel and enjoy its romantic look.

See where Bram Stoker’s Dracula castle really is

Spend the night in Bistrita. You can choose to stay at Golden Krone Hotel 5*, a hotel inspired by Bram Stocker’s novel, but built many years later. (it is mentioned that Johnathan Harker spent the night here before meeting the vampire )

“Count Dracula had directed me to go to the Golden Krone Hotel, which I found to my great delight, to be thoroughly old-fashioned, for, of course, I wanted to see all I could of the ways of the country.” – Bram Stoker, Dracula

Discover Cluj Napoca

Now the city looks completely different, but you can still admire the old buildings and pebbled streets while tasting a “paprika hendl” (an old traditional recipe tasted also by Harker when he came to Cluj Napoca) in one of the many restaurants in town.

The Corvin Castle

The real castle of Vlad the Impaler in Romania

Good-bye, Romania!

Say goodbye, Romania!, Good-bye, Dracula! and review all the great things you saw these days and the beautiful memories you made. Our guide will take you to the airport just in time to catch your plane back home.

Or you can try the Escorted tour to Transylvania .

Please contact us to send you the best offer

• A friendly, English-speaking guide for all 8 days
• Assistance during the entire tour
• Transport by car or minivan
• 7-night accommodation in a double room at 3*/4* locations as mentioned (breakfast included)
• Airport transfer
• Entrance fees for Targoviste Royal court, Bran and Corvinilor castles and Poenari fortress

Not included

• Other entrance fees
• Photo/video fees

Optional (Available upon request)

•  Single room supplement

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Transylvania Dracula Tour - 8 Day Trip Beyond the Legend

• KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

The Real Story Behind - Legendary Transylvania Dracula Tour

Trip activities, ancient ruins.

Explore the Dacian Fortresses in the Orastei Mountains

beautiful roads

Drive on Transfagarasan Highway, known as 'The Road to the Sky'

Explore the fairytale castles in Transylvania

count Dracula

Follow the footsteps of Dracula by visiting his birthplace, his fortress, the castle where he was imprisoned, and much more

Immerse yourself into Romania's rich history

In Search of Dracula - discover Bucharest

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

Following the Footsteps of Vlad Tepes (Dracula)

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. 

*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

Explore a Medieval Gem: Sibiu City Tour

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. 

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. 

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

Dracula's Imprisonment & Dacian Secrets: Corvin Castle and Sarmizegetusa Regia

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. 

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

From Deva to Alba Iulia's Fortifications and Turda's Salt Mine Wonders

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. 

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. 

Overnight in Cluj Napoca

Discover the history of Dracula in Cluj-Napoca – Biertan church – Sighisoara

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. 

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.

Overnight in Sighisoara

Transylvania Dracula tour in Brasov – Bran Castle – Snagov Monastery

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.

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. 

The Transylvania Dracula tour is close to the end

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!

What's included

What's not included

Concorde Hotel is located on the Franceză Street, one of the oldest streets in Bucharest. Coffee shops, parks, restaurants, shopping and business centers, public transport stations - everything within walking distance. A perfect start for your explorations!

With a design specific to the boutique hotel concept, Art Hotel Sibiu is a "journey" among new and old textures and materials, preserved for hundreds of years, which now breathe at the same pace. Art Hotel is the newest 4-star hotel in the heart of Sibiu, situated on Centumvirilor Street, 200m from the Great Square, bordered by the fortification walls of medieval Sibiu.

The hotel is perfectly suited for both business and leisure accommodations and will inspire you with it's sumptuous interiors and modern facilities designed to suit all your business trip needs, while being close to the must-see corners of the city center.

Three generations united by the same red thread. We build for each other. We involuntarily seek the hidden beauty. We follow the simple rule of life: be present! Always in the front line, always assumed! And when progress meets the colors and textures of past generations, life sits nice, simple, and good. We are three generations who have worked continuously for life.

Built in the early 16th century, the house hosts today the Pension **** Georgius Krauss. Here, the famous notary Georgius Krauss lived and wrote the history of Sighisoara and Transylvania.

Good to know

Special notes.

During the tour: If any attraction cannot be visited for reasons beyond our control, the attraction will be replaced on-site.

Cobblestone streets are frequent, so please pack some comfortable shoes.

The traffic jams and staying in line are often frequent in some regions.

Single supplement is mandatory for solo travelers. 

Accomodation

Centrally located 4* hotels, with the possibility to upgrade to 5* hotels in some cities.

For each city, we chose the best available option in terms of quality.

You will be picked up at 09:00 AM. Flexible departure dates are available. As a tour operator, we can offer you support to find out the best flight tickets

We recommend

• Optimal Time

Total price is calculated based on the number of persons

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2-Day Tour On the Footsteps of Vlad the Impaler, Historical Dracula

• Princely Court of Targoviste , early capital city of Wallachia where Vlad Dracula held residence before he settled to Bucharest; the vestiges of the Princely Court of Targoviste are more impressive and better preserved than those in Bucharest. • Poenari Citadel , the secluded stronghold of Prince Dracula the Impaler. Enlarged and strengthened by Vlad The Impaler himself, Poenari was a fortified stronghold in the mountains, at the northern border of Wallachia. Poenari Citadel was the last refuge of Vlad The Impaler before he fled to Transylvania. • Bran Castle , famous due to the links with Dracula’s story, but outstanding for what it truly is, a genuine feudal castle evocative of the local history • The Transylvanian medieval burg of Brasov where Dracula undertook punitive raids against the Saxons • Snagov Monastery , alleged burial site of Vlad Dracula -valuable monument of medieval sacred art with outstanding frescoes

Tour Information DURATION 2 days/1 night PRICE 590 EUR/tour/1-3 people ACTIVITY LEVEL moderately heavy physical demands – please be aware that visit of Poenari Citadel and Bran Castle require climbing quite many stairs (1480 steps at Poenari Citadel – a 45 minutes climb) WHAT IS INCLUDED – Hotel pick-up and drop-off – Transportation by private car, a good 2017 Volkswagen Golf, air conditioned – All parking fees and fuel – Tour guide & driver fee WHAT’S EXTRA – Traveler accommodation for 1 night at hotel/guesthouse in Bran – Meals & drinks of your choice. Consider around 16 EUR/person the cost of two-course meal to a local restaurant. – The admission fees to attractions. Consider a total of 75 Lei/person, equivalent of 16 EUR/person. – The optional photo fees at Princely Museum in Targoviste (15 Lei/camera), Peles Castle (35 Lei/camera), Snagov Monastery (15 Lei) are not included. PICK-UP, DROP-OFF at your hotel or other pre-agreed location in Bucharest

Program Day 1 Bucharest – Targoviste – Poenari – Bran (total driving distance 350 km)

We set off heading the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, where the first rulers of the medieval Principality of Wallachia established residence. First stop in the town of Targoviste , where Vlad Dracula held court before moving it to Bucharest. Visit the museum complex, explore the vestiges of the Princely Court and learn about life and deeds of Vlad Dracula. We resume our tour to Poenari. Lunch break to a local restaurant in the town of Curtea de Argesand time permitting, short visit of one of the most iconic monasteries in Romania, the monastery of Curtea de Arges . Continue through the rural area of Arges River Valley, arrival at the foot of the mountains where the ruins of  Poenari Citadel stand high overlooking the area. The 1480 steps may be a challenge, but once there, you will be rewarded by the stunning scenery. Explore all the nook and cranies and learn the stories of Poenari. In the afternoon we continue to Bran, on a drive across the mountains, following the scenic  Rucar-Bran Pass . Overnight in Bran rural area.  

Day 2 Bran – Brasov – Snagov Monastery – Bucharest  (total driving distance 210 km)

In the morning, set out to visit Bran Castle , a 14th century citadel. Explore the twisting passages and corridors and learn more about Count Dracula. Later, transfer to Brasov  where we take our time to enjoy a walk around the medieval Old Town. After lunch to one of the local restaurants, return toward Bucharest, following this time the road on Prahova Valley. The last stop of the tour is the secluded Snagov Monastery , located on an island on Snagov lake, north of Bucharest. The monastery was fortified by Voivode Vlad Dracula as part of his defensive system, in his daring attempt to confront the encroaching Ottoman power. Allegedly, the tomb of  Vlad Dracula is right inside the church, facing the altar. Back to Bucharest.

To request a guided tour or get more information, please use the form below, and I will answer asap, normally within a day. Thank you! .

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CRISTINA IOSIF 0040 729 141 764 [email protected]

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Poenari Fortress: The Eagles’ Nest of Vlad the Impaler

Home » Attractions » History & Culture » Landmarks » Poenari Fortress: The Eagles’ Nest of Vlad the Impaler

• Attractions in Southern Romania
• medieval fortresses in Romania
• Southern Romania

Diana Condrea

Poenari Fortress is included in our One Day Medieval Tour  and Vlad the Impaler versus Dracula Tour .

A visit to the medieval Poenari Fortress is a great chance to dig in some centuries-old history but also a good way to exercise as you have to go up 1,480 stairs. But don’t worry too much. The fortress is more than worth the effort, and you can always reward yourself with some of the many traditional sweets sold at the foothills.

Poenari Fortress

The fortress of a legendary prince

Surrounded by legends and forests, overlooking the abys from its high-altitude location, the fortress of Poenari is part of the legacy of the mythical Vlad the Impaler. This medieval prince, praised for his victories against the Turks and his ultimate sense of justice, was also dreaded for his extreme punishments against traitors.

Vlad the Impaler who ruled Walachia three times (1448, 1456-1462, 1476) enlarged the fortress of Poenari. He built a 60 meters long and 10-15 meters wide rock curtain around the original three levels tower. Curious enough, the legends of the time mention the prince forcing traitor boyards to build the fortress by themselves as punishment for their conspiracies.

Towers and inner passage

The strategic importance of the fortress was obvious. Placed on top of the Cetatuia Mountain, north from the main political centers of Targoviste and later Bucharest , the fortress was difficult to conquer while offering a panoramic perspective over potential attacks and an escape route to Transylvania.

Well-prepared for longer stays, the fortress had an impermeable water room and even a dungeon for prisoners while the only entry was equipped with a drawbridge. In the coming centuries after the death of Vlad the Impaler, the fortress belonged to the Hungarian kings and gradually entered a process of degradation until final ruin.

Impaling re-enacting

Better conserved than many other medieval fortresses from Southern Romania, the fortress of Poenari is the authentic legacy of Vlad the Impaler, a prince many Romanian people admire for his courage against the Ottomans. Unfairly associated with the myth of Dracula, Vlad the Impaler most likely never set foot in Bran Castle .

Don’t go there to find out more about this legendary prince, choose instead the fortress of Poenari that he actually built and used during his battles.

Where to stay

Book a room with a view from  Hotel Posada Vidraru , right on the shore of Vidraru Lake, only a few scenic kilometers away from the fortress. Guest houses like Casa Eden  from Arefu or  Pensiunea Panoramic  from Capataneni-Ungureni are also great options close to this historical monument.

Travel tips

Poenari Fortress can be visited daily, until 7 pm during summer days. It’s also very close to a major dam, Vidraru, as well as the high-altitude mountain road Transfagarasan .

On your way to Poenari, you can stop in Curtea de Arges to visit one of the most beautiful churches in Romania.

Poenari Fortress is included in our One Day Medieval Tour  and Vlad the Impaler versus Dracula Tour . 

TAKE ME THERE

Vlad the impaler versus dracula tour.

Medieval One Day Tour from Bucharest

Related posts

The Romanian Atheneum: The Iconic Image of Bucharest’s Past Glory

Bran Castle: The Real Story of a World Famous Attraction

Neamt Fortress: Medieval Wars and Legendary Princes

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Location: Arefu, Arges County

Closest city: Curtea de Arges

Nearby attractions: Curtea de Arges Monastery, Lake Vidraru, Transfagarasan

Access: A1 Highway Bucharest-Pitesti and DN7C Pitesti-Arefu

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Awarded Tours in Transylvania

Trip Type: All Airplane tour Awarded Dracula Tours Dracula Tour 3 Days Dracula Tour 7 Days Dracula Tours Halloween 1 Day Halloween 2 Days Halloween 3 Days Halloween 7 Days Halloween Private Tour Halloween Tours Private Tour School trips to Romania Departures Find your perfect tour Tours Halloween 10 Days Halloween Tours Ireland Halloween Tours in Ireland – 3 Days Halloween Tours in Ireland – 8 Days Halloween in Transylvania Small group tour coach tour Couples holidays Romania cultural holidays Europe Budapest departure Romania private tours Brasov Departure Romania short break Transylvania short break Halloween short break Escorted tours – Bucharest Departure – Dublin Departure – Cluj Departure Brasov – Bran Departures -Sighisoara Departure -Sibiu Departure -Brasov-Bran departure Halloween 8 Days

Location: All Bucharest Bran Sighisoara Cluj Brasov Sibiu Romania Budapest Turda Bistrita Alba-Iulia Ireland    Dublin    Belfast    Londonderry Hunedoara

Romania Dracula tour – Awarded Dracula Tour, 7 days from Bucharest

• Trip Type - Bucharest Departure , Awarded Dracula Tours , coach tour , Couples holidays Romania , Dracula Tour 7 Days , Dracula Tours , Escorted tours , Small group tour
• Activities Dracula’s Wedding show , Ritual Killing of a Living Dead , Traditional dinner , Traditional party , Vampire dinner
• Group Size 1 Min - 12 Max
• Reviews 2 Reviews
• Locations Bran , Brasov , Bucharest , Cluj , Hunedoara , Sibiu , Sighisoara , Turda
• Trip Duration 7 Day(s) 6 Night(s)
• Trip Outline
• Trip Includes
• Trip Excludes

Book an amazing Romania Dracula tour now! Choose the complete 7-days vampire itinerary and discover the best places related to Vlad the Impaler. This tour runs weekly between May and October. Besides the unforgettable landscapes and the impressive highlights, you will also attend special events such as our Ritual of Killing of the Living Dead*, performed as seen on Travel Channel.

*The Ritual of Killing of The Living Dead takes place for groups of at least 4 travelers.

In addition to the regular edition of this Romania Dracula tour, we recommend our 8-Days Halloween Tour including 3 amazing parties!

Attend our 7-days Romania Dracula tour and visit highlights such as Dracula's old fortress, Poienari*, or the popular Bran Castle, Transylvania's symbol. Discover Vlad the Impaler's birthplace, Sighisoara Citadel and, to go full circle, explore Snagov Monastery, the ruler's alleged burial place.

*Please have in mind that Poienari citadel will be closed until the end of 2023 due to some infrastructure works

Romania Dracula Tour - Highlights

• Snagov Monastery – where, according to the legend, Vlad was buried after his assassination
• Welcome dinner
• Poienari Fortress* – Vlad’s old and faithful citadel perched high on a cliff, more than 1000 stairs to climb.
• Medieval Saxon City of Sibiu, European Cultural Capital for 2007
• Corvinestilor Castle – the greatest Gothic style castle in Romania, Corvinesti. The edifice was built in the 14th Century on the site of a former Roman camp.
• Ritual Killing of the Living Dead* – Help a haunted spirit to gain his peace – attend the ritual of killing a strigoi – learn more .
• Vampire Treats: indulge yourself with a Vampire dinner to find out why it’s worth killing for a meal!

*The Ritual of Killing of The Living Dead takes place for groups of at least 4 travelers. 

• Turda Salt Mine  a womb deep in the earth  transformed into a modern architectural wonder -complete with amusement park, recreational facilities, concert hall, and underground salt lake you can sail on
• Sighisoara Medieval Citadel – the best preserved and still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe with a UNESCO World Heritage status, Vlad the Impaler’s birth place.
• Bran Castle – also known as Dracula’s Castle, a legendary Transylvanian fortress dating back to 1377.
• the Saxon city of Brasov with its Black Church
•  visit Vlad Tepes old royal court  from Targoviste

This tour requires a minimum of 2 people to depart.

Dracula Tours in Romania from Bucharest – Brief itinerary

Our experienced guide collects you from the reception desk of Moxa Boutique Hotel in Bucharest. From here, travel the the impressive Snagov Monastery, built on an island in the middle of Snagov Lake.

Find out if Dracula is actually buried here and then return to Bucharest for a delicious dinner.

The best Dracula tours in Romania continue with Dracula's old mountain fortress, Poienari*. Climb over 1400 stairs to the top and then admire the breathtaking views. From here, travel to the Medieval Saxon City of Sibiu. Enjoy a city tour and accommodate in a cozy hotel.

The next destination included in your Romania Dracula tour is Hunedoara. Visit Corvinesti Castle, an impressive Gothic edifice. The most famous inhabitant of this castle was ruler Iancu de Hunedoara.

Travel to Turda. Accommodate in a 4* Dracula themed hotel and then enjoy a special Vampire Dinner . Furthermore, attend the Ritual of Killing of the Living Dead*, performed by our team as seen on Travel Channel.

In the morning, visit the spectacular Turda Salt Mine. Explore the old galleries and then travel to Cluj-Napoca for a city tour. Today you'll enjoy a stunning scenery, following the steps of Jonathan Harker (Bram Stoker 's character from Dracula novel) to Bistrita close to Borgo Pass. Accommodate in 4* hotel - Golden Crown

On the fifth day of your tour, travel to Dracula's birthplace, Sighisoara Citadel. Discover the Clock Tower history museum, the Medieval Weapons Collection and the Torture Room.

Dracula Tours in Romania – Bran Castle, the symbol of Transylvania

Today, you will visit Transylvania's symbol, Bran Castle . Although the real Vlad the Impaler had little to do with this castle, it became famous after Bram Stoker used its appearance to describe Dracula's Castle in his novel.

Your next destination is the Medieval Saxon City of Brasov. Accommodate in a 3* hotel. Attend Dracula’s Wedding* , a non-verbal show, performed by a professional band.

*This event takes place for groups of at least 5 travelers

On the last day of your Dracula tours in Romania, travel to Sinaia and visit Peles Castle, one of the most beautiful royal resideces in Europe.

After that, drive to Targoviste and visit Vlad Tepes’ old royal court .

Arrive in Bucharest in the evening. Your guide will drop you off at the airport or at your booked hotel.

This is an overview of your tour. For more information, please scroll up and then use the menu below the photos to navigate this tour’s details.

Book your tour now and discover Transylvania! Follow in Vlad the Impaler’s footsteps and then uncover his dark legend during this unforgettable Romania Dracula tour.

We accept  MasterCard  and  Visa  on our on-line secure internet payment form.

• MasterCard and Visa via fax and phone.
• We also accept payments via  PayPal and bank transfer.

• At the moment of booking we require an advance deposit in the amount of Euro 145/person . Once the advance deposit is registered with our accounts we issue a Confirmation Letter .
•  The final payment is due 60 days prior to tour departure. Should the booking be made within 60 days prior to tour departure, entire tour cost is requested at the time of booking.

Departures:

Romania dracula tour - map.

Available for free if:

• You don’t have a reflection in the mirror,
• You decompose when sunlight strikes you,
• You’re over 200 years old,
• Can use your wings to fly to Transylvania,

Well, this holiday is free for you! Come join your fellow vampires in Transylvania:-) Blood treats not included!

Other mentions

• Once you realize the price of good beer and wine you will probably not want to return to your country.
• People speak plenty of English in Romania and you will find the locals and the other tourists are friendly and open.
• No visa is required and you can get green card extension insurance from your insurer to cover Romania.

Media Mentions

• We’re pleased to say that Transylvania Live has recently garnered the attention of several publications and broadcasts more details here

Halloween tours in Transylvania on the national news

Please activate Caption button to see the news with English subtitles.

7-Days Vampire Tour Transylvania Romania - Highlights:

Advice for US citizens traveling in Romania

U.S.-Romania relations

The United States established diplomatic relations with Romania in 1880, following Romania’s independence. The two countries severed diplomatic ties after Romania declared war on the United States in 1941; and re-established them in 1947. Relations remained strained during the Cold War era while Romania was under communist leadership. After the 1989 revolution ended communist rule, however, Romania’s policies became unequivocally pro-Western.

Romania joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004 and has established itself as a steadfast ally of both the United States and NATO.

U.S. Assistance to Romania

U.S. security assistance supports Romania in completing its military modernization, improving its interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces, and increasing its expeditionary deployment capabilities in support of NATO’s collective defense and coalition operations with the United States. Other programs include U.S. Department of Justice assistance to strengthen the rule of law, including combatting corruption and human trafficking, and strengthening intellectual property rights and cyber-security. The United States also assists in preserving Romania’s unique cultural heritage. For example, in 2019, Romania received the largest Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation grant in the world, $500,000, for the restoration of a 14th Century fortified Saxon church in the village of Alma Vii.

Entry and visa information. 

• You must have a U.S. passport that is valid for  at least three months beyond your departure date from Romania.
• U.S. citizens may enter and remain in Romania without a visa for up to 90 days total in any 180-day period. Departing Romania and attempting to re-enter Romania does not “restart the clock”. U.S. citizens who depart Romania and return after spending less than 90 days in the 180-day period prior to their return will be admitted for the remainder of the 90 days. U.S. citizens attempting to re-enter Romania after having already spent 90 days in Romania in the 180-day period prior to return may be denied re-entry to Romania.
• U.S. citizens who wish to stay longer than 90 days must obtain an extension from  Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs .
• U.S.-Romanian dual nationals should consult the Romanian Border Police website for information on exit requirements.
• If you have a temporary or permanent Romanian residence permit, be ready to present it upon request from local competent authorities.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Romania.

Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting attacks in Europe. All European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules [with regards to best practices and safety inspections] are regularly enforced, though some tourism-related activities (such as rock climbing and extreme sports) are less regulated than in the U.S. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available in near major cities. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. Medical treatment in Romania is not up to western standards. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.

Reported types of crime include:

• Robbery, pick pocketing, internet scams, and credit card fraud are the most commonly reported crimes.
• Organized groups of criminals, sometimes including minors, operate in train stations, trains, subways, and busses.
• Money exchange schemes often involve individuals posing as plainclothes policemen who approach you, flash a badge, and ask for your passport and wallet. Insist on the presence of a uniformed police officer and request that any issues be resolved at the police station.
• If traveling on an overnight train, travel with a companion and in the highest class available.
• Do  not  leave your personal belongings unattended; stow them securely out of sight.
• Use ATMs located inside banks. You should check ATM machines for any evidence of tampering before use.
• Be extra cautious of your surroundings if using an internet café.
• Use cash wherever possible in lieu of credit cards.

Victims of Crime: 

U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should first contact the U.S. Embassy. Report crimes to the local police at 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy at (40) 21 200-3300.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

U.S. Embassy can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends (with your written consent)
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and help you arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules are regularly enforced, though some tourism-related activities (such as rock climbing and extreme sports) are less regulated than in the United States.  Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available in major cities. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. Medical treatment in Romania does not meet U.S. standards. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.

Special Circumstances:

• Romania is situated in a seismically active region and has a history of devastating earthquakes, with the greatest risk occurring in Bucharest.
• Mountainous areas of the country can be subject to torrential rains and flash floods, especially in the spring and summer months.
• Streets and sidewalks are often icy and hazardous during winter.
• Avoid contact with stray dogs.
• Travelers’ checks are of limited use, but ATMs (“bancomats” in Romanian) are widely available.

LGBT Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Romania. However, the annual gay pride parades in Bucharest have been the scene of violent protests in past years.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:  Romanian laws and regulations require public places, the outdoor environment, transportation, and housing to be accessible for persons with mobility issues. Although there has been progress, accessibility varies greatly. While large cultural institutions and supermarkets are generally properly equipped for persons with mobility issues, accessibility on sidewalks, hotels, and public transportation remains problematic.

• Sidewalks and streets are uneven, even in major cities.
• Small hotels and tourist sites often do not have elevators or ramps.
• Access to public transportation is not adequately marked for people with visual impairments and other disabilities.
• Platforms at subway stations may be narrow, steep and slippery.

US Embassy  do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that  U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our web page for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Romania and with the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the medication is legal in Romania. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

• Basic medical supplies are limited in Romania, especially outside of major cities.
• Hospitals often lack nursing care and assistance for the elderly.
• Most prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications are available in Romania but are often sold under different names.
• Response times for emergency services vary widely depending on the region of the country and nature of emergency.

US Embassy strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Before you begin your travels

Write down contact details for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to carry with you in case of emergency while traveling.

US Embassy in Romania 4-6, Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd. District 1, Bucharest 015118 Romania Telephone: (+40) 21 200-3300 https://ro.usembassy.gov/

Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel, and check exchange rates. Some banks are blocking your credit card payment when a transaction occurs from abroad.

Safeguard Your Documents!

Make two copies of all your travel documents in case of emergency. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative at home and carry the other separately from your original documents. To help prevent theft, do not carry your passport in your back pocket, and keep it separate from your money.

For more information https://travel.state.gov/

Please check your itinerary below:

Itineraries

Saturday, bucharest.

Welcome to Romania ! Our English speaking guide connects with you at Moxa Boutique Hotel. Accommodate into a 3* hotel, centrally located and then prepare to immerge into the legend. Drive to Snagov to visit Snagov Monastery where, according to the legend, Vlad was buried after his assassination. The monastic establishment is located on a small island of Snagov Lake. The architectural style of the monastery follows the architectural pattern that is characteristic to the monasteries on the Holy Mount Athos in Greece . Your first day in Romania ends with a welcome dinner.

Sunday, Bucharest – Poienari – Sibiu (309 km, 5h 20 min driving)

Morning drive to Poienari*. Enjoy a morning visit of Poienari to see the ruins of Vlad's old and faithful fortress. The fortress located close to Fagaras Mountains , on a canyon formed by Arges Rives is perched high on a cliff, in fact a steep precipice. To visit the impressive fortress and admire the unique and breathless view from the top you’ll need to climb over 1400 stairs. Late afternoon arrival in Sibiu. Evening in Sibiu, the European Cultural Capital for 2007. The fortified town of Sibiu has been the centre of Romania 's German minority since medieval times and it is one of Romania's most beautiful cities. The city contains the largest concentrations of tourist attractions in Romania . Accommodate in a 4* hotel.

Monday, Sibiu – Hunedoara – Alba Iulia - TURDA (272 km, 3h 27 min driving)

We leave the impressive medieval town of Sibiu and head next to Hunedoara. Visit the greatest Gothic style castle in Romania, Corvinesti. The ediffice was built in the 14th Century, on the site of a former Roman camp. It served as a fortress until the mid 1400's, when it became the residence of Transylvania's ruler, Iancu de Hunedoara. Iancu upgraded the fortress and it soon became the most beautiful castle in Transylvania. From Hunedoara drive to Turda, a small town with an intimate medieval atmosphere, home to one of the oldest Salt Mine in Romania. Accommodate in a 4* hotel, often referred to as a medieval fantasy with beds . Delight yourself with a vampire menu for dinner , a delicious reason to travel to Transylvania ! Still, an evening to fear, you’ll attend the killing of a vampire; you’ll be part of the crowd seeking to take the bloody creature to a special place where the ritual can begin!

Tuesday, Turda - Cluj-Napoca - Bistrita (191 km, 3h driving)

Prepare to descent to the heart of one of the biggest saline in Romania, the Salt Mines of Turda, with impressive halls named after kings and queens.

Drive next to the city of Cluj Napoca to enjoy a city tour revealing beautiful medieval buildings such as Saint Andrews Cathedral. Today you'll enjoy a stunning scenery, following the steps of Jonathan Harker (Bram Stoker 's character from Dracula novel) to Bistrita close to Borgo Pass. Accommodate in 4* hotel - Golden Crown.

Wednesday, Bistrita - Sighisoara (198 km, 3h 29 min driving)

Time to leave this wonderful area and head next to the medieval citadel of Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded by Saxons during the 12th century, Sighisoara still stands as one of Europe ’s most beautiful and still inhabited fortified cities. Sighisoara is also the place where Vlad the Impaler, known as Dracula, was born. Submerge yourself in the medieval atmosphere by visiting Sighisoara’s main attractions: The Clock Tower – built in 1360 and standing 60 meters tall on top of the citadel's hill, it hosts a museum and offers a great view over the citadel. The Torture Room –this small but interesting museum is housed at the foot of the Clock Tower in the same room where prisoners were tortured and confessions were extorted during the Middle Ages. Some of the amazing torture instruments and methods are on display. The Medieval Weapon Collection – very small but it contains an interesting selection of medieval weapons (swords, arrows, etc.). Church of the Dominican Monastery, known for its Transylvanian renaissance carved altarpiece, baroque pulpit, Oriental carpets and 17th century organ.

Thursday, Sighisoara - Bran - Brasov (171 km, 2h 48 min driving)

Explore Transylvania's symbol, Bran Castle . The edifice owns its fame both to its unique charm and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. Documentary evidence of the castle dates back as far as 1377. Your next stop is the Medieval Saxon City of Brasov. The most famous landmark of Brasov is the Black Church, the largest gothic edifice in South-Eastern Europe . Accommodate in Brasov, 3* hotel, centrally located.

Friday, Brasov - Sinaia - Targoviste - Bucharest (192 km, 3h 44 min driving)

Morning drive to Sinaia, the pearl of mountain resorts in Romania . Explore the main point of attraction, the royal Peles Castle . The edifice was built in 1873 and is an architectural mixture of the German School and neo-renaissance style. The castle has 160 rooms, all of them opulently decorated in leather and wood from the most valuable tree species. Peles Castle is one of the best preserved and the most beautiful royal residences in Europe. Continue your journey with Targoviste, former capital of Walachia County situated on the right bank of Ialomita River , to visit the ruins of Vlad Tepes old court . Late arrival in Bucharest , past 7:00 pm (based on normal traffic conditions). Should you wish to, we can complete your staying with an add-on program in Bucharest.

Tour leader

English speaking guide services.

Accommodation

3 nights in 4* hotels, 3 nights in 3* hotels, centrally located.

Transportation

All transfers inside the tour by coach, minibus or car - air conditioned, depending on the number of travelers.

Pick up: Moxa Boutique Hotel, 129 Calea Victoriei, crossroads 4 Mihail Moxa Street, Sect. 1, Bucharest, on the first day of the tour at 10:00 am local time.

Drop off at Moxa Boutique Hotel  included on the last day of the tour around 7:00 pm .

6 breakfasts, 2 dinners (Welcome Dinner in Bucharest and Special Dinner: Dinner with Vampire menu in Hunter Prince Restaurant in Turda).

Entry fees to

Snagov Monastery, Tirgoviste Citadel, Peles Palace, Bran Castle,  Salt Mines in Turda, Poienari Citadel, Corvinestilor Castle in Hunedoara.

Special Events

The Ritual of Killing of a Living Dead in Turda*, Dracula’s Wedding** in Brasov

*The Ritual of Killing of The Living Dead takes place for groups of at least 4 travelers. **Dracula's Wedding takes place for groups of at least 5 travelers.

*    The Halloween edition of the tour, includes the Halloween Party in the Medieval Citadel of Sighisoara, Dracula’s birth place – Buffet Dinner, Open Bar from 20.00 – 01.00, dessert – Sweets Bar.  Also includes Halloween Party on the grounds of Bran Castle.

• Plane ticket
• Airport fees
• Photo & video tax
• Accommodation in the last day of the tour
• Other not mentioned.
• Vintage biplane flight in Bucharest
• Flying lesson with a vintage biplane in Bucharest
• Champagne Flight – Helicopter flight for two
• Experience with a rally car in Bucharest
• Vintage Sidecar – Dracula tour from Bucharest
• Spa Day in Bucharest
• Evening at the casino for 2

Leonard Trim – January 18, 2019 :

We booked this tour online. The response from the company was excellent, they answered all of our questions before we ever got there and made it very easy. Our guide spoke great English and answered all of our many questions. The hotels we stayed at each night were unique and immersed us into the Romanian culture as did the food. Can’t say enough about the traditional dinners we ate. We learned so much history and enjoyed the fact that Bram Stoker chose that area for his Dracula story. Don’t hesitate to book this great tour.

Christopher Bryant – January 21, 2019 :

Joined their week long tour the last week of October, culminating with a visit to Bran Castle / Ritual Killing of Living Dead. Good group size – 17 average age of early 40’s. No children. The tour was a good pace – changing hotels nightly. That being said, we did manage to hit the highlights of the relatively large area of Transylvania. Hotels were 3 and 4 star. Departure times in the mornings were reasonable (nothing before 830-900). Guide was knowledgeable and approachable. Company followed up a few days after the tour looking for feedback. Whenever I had a question, the company was quick to respond and helpful.

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Are reservations necessary?

Reservations are required. We recommend booking early as tours are often sold out well in advance. You can make a reservations on-line. In case of making reservations by phone please call toll-free: 808 101 6781 (UK); 866 376 6183 (US). You can also make reservations by fax - download and complete the booking form and send it by fax to: 0040-364-405641 or by e-mail!

What is required to reserve our spots?

We require an advance deposit in the amount of Euro 145/person. When you make the reservation online you will be required to pay the deposit. You will receive an automatic response with your Holiday Booking Reference. Once the advance deposit is registered with our accounts we proceed with the reservation for the requested services and issue the Confirmation Letter + Paid Invoice (once the amount is registered with our accounts).

When is my balance due?

The final payment is due 60 days prior departure. ( After the final payment is made we will issue Travel Voucher). Should the booking be made within 60 days prior to tour departure, entire tour cost is requested at the time of booking. To read Transylvania Live’s Terms and Conditions please visit us on line at: https://dracula-tour.com/terms.html .

My work is unpredictable and I might be force to cancel my trip at some point. Can you briefly state your Cancelation Policy?

The client is at all time entitled to cancel the Travel Contract, but must pay Transylvania Live - Expert in Transylvania a cancellation charge as stipulated below: 89 days or more prior to departure 90 EURO per person / per tour cancellation fee; 88–61 days, loss of deposit. 60–31 days will be subject to 50% of tour price; 30 days or less will be subject to 100% of tour price.

I am travelling alone. Do you arrange shared rooms for individual travellers?

Please check with the airline company. Anyway is good to pack light, some of the hotels – historical buildings do not have elevators.

Do you provide an English-speaking guide for the tour?

Our tours include the services of English-speaking guides. German, French, Hungarian and Hebrew-speaking guide are also available.

Can you arrange a private tour for our family?

We can design an itinerary at a time that suits you, to your own comfort levels and within your own budget. Please send your request by e-mail or by fax.

Do you operate tours even if there is only one participant?

Yes, most of our tours operate even if there’s only one person. Due to socialization reasons our special tours for couples require a minimum of five couples.

Could I please have some information on average age of group? How large (or small) the group is?

The tour has a general audience as it targets people interested in history, culture, customs and beliefs. Group size can be between 4-26 people. Transylvania Live is member of the responsible travel network and we are committed to operating a travel policy that is supportive of local economies, cultures and the environment. We operate our tours with small groups in order to minimise the negative impact on the environment and allow our guests to interact more easily with the locals, facilitate the communication with the guide. The average age of group is, most of the time, between 35-45.

Can you provide individual tickets for rail, air or ferry?

We do not provide individual tickets for rail, air, boat or ferry.

What is your Child Policy?

A minimum age of 10 years is required on non-family programs, unless otherwise indicated on the individual tour page. A client under 18 years of age and travelling alone during the tour period shall provide Transylvania Live with written consent of his/her guardian. Clients under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. On “for couples” tours a minimum age of 20 years is required.

What credit cards do you accept for the on line payment?

We only accept VISA and MASTERCARD. Please select only these two types of credit cards for the online payment.

What currency do you accept?

If you pay on-line using our secure internet booking form your credit card can hold any type of currency, the amount of money to be taken will be exchanged in EURO by your bank, at their rate. We accept USD and EURO for offline credit card payment and wire transfer.

Do you offer discounts for senior citizens, members of certain associations?

Yes, we do offer discounts provided they travel as a group; Contact us

Do you offer group discounts?

Yes, depending on the number of your group. Contact us

What about the local costs in Romania?

On-line bookings and payments are processed by Romcard, authorized agent for Mastercard and Visa in Romania and secured by Rapid SSL , the leading secure sockets layer (SSL) Certificate Authority enabling secure e-commerce and communications for Web sites. As a tour operator we are governed by the consumer and financial regulations of Romania and of the European Union. Romania’s legislation compels tour operators to protect tourists in case of insolvency.

What commissions do I have to pay besides your announced prices?

Our prices include the online secure payment commissions. However depending on your bank some commissions may occur for international money transfer. Please check with your bank!

Can the accommodations or the itinerary suffer any changes?

In case we’ll have a full house situation at one of the hotels, an accommodation of an equal classification or better will be booked for you. In case of closed roads due to bad weather, working situations or dangerous weather conditions the itinerary could suffer changes.

How do I get to Transylvania Live meeting point?

If you follow our recommendation on How to arrive (heading found for any of our holidays at the Special notes and info section at the end of the tour page. Our guide will expect you with a Transylvania Live sign. In the unfortunate case of a flight being lost or delayed and prevent you in this way from getting to your meting point in good time, please call 0040 723 565 255.

What is “Single Supplement”?

Our tour fares are based on two in one hotel room. For occupancy by one person, the "single supplement" cost specified in each itinerary will be required.

If you travel alone you have to book the tour with a single supplement; if you wish to book a double room which you want to share with another traveller, we’ll do our best to make all arrangements, but in case this is not possible, you’ll have to pay the single supplement; however it is our strongest recommendation to book the tour with a single supplement when travelling alone.

What is a “traditional Maramuresean country-inn” or “a typical Hungarian–Sekler country-inn”?

A welcoming country house, not necessarily decorated in a peasant like style; you’ll stay under the same roof with your Romanian host! In most cases dinner and breakfast are included, and rates are based on two guests per room. They offer one bathroom for two rooms; the bathroom can be situated on the hallway. Staying at a “traditional Maramuresean country-inn” or “a typical Hungarian-Sekler country-inn” will prove to be an unique experience.

Can you provide vegetarian food?

Yes, also gluten-free, vegan. When you make the reservation of your tour please do not forget to fill in this information at Dietary Restrictions section.

Since I am coming from the U.S. would I need a passport with me while in Romania?

American citizens do not require a visa for Romania (Romania is a member of the European Union so it shares the same legal legislation – a passport is all you need)

What countries require a visa?

To check the list of the countries that require a visa please see the web site page of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at www.mae.ro.

What is the local currency in Romania?

Romanian currency is Lei (written symbol Ron). All the places in Romania trade lei (pronunciation: lay). You can bring some of the local currency from USA or you can change here the amount of money you need (advisable due to the lower exchange rate). Credit cards are accepted in large hotels, restaurants and malls. ATM machines are available at banks, airports and shopping centers all over the country. (except in remote areas or villages). Foreign currencies may be exchanged at banks or authorized exchange offices. International airports and larger hotels also offer currency exchange services. The tour guide is also responsible for helping clients with money exchange; recommend the exchange offices which charge the lowest commission.

Local Costs in a 3* restaurant: Soft Drink: $1.3; Beer: $1.7; Bottle of Wine: $8.7 - $18, 3 course dinner: $13.28 - $18.11. In shops these products can be 50% cheaper.

Are ATMs available?

ATMs are available in all the cities; near by hotels, our guide will come with good advice and recommendations. MasterCard ATM Locater– Search by address and by airport https://www.mastercard.com/atmlocator/index.jsp atm locator Visa ATM Locator– Search by airport, city and country https://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/jsp/SearchPage.jsp

What is the voltage of the electric power system in Romania?

In Romania electric power in use is of 220 voltages, AC, usually 2 pronged.

What’s the climate like in Romania, what clothes should I wear?

Romania enjoys warm summers and cold winters. In summer, cool cottons are best and in the winter a warm jacket or alike is recommended. Autumn is dry and cool, with fields and trees producing beautifully colored foliage. The weather in October-November is very unpredictable, with daytime temperatures between 6°-17° Celsius (42.80 - 62.60 Fahrenheit), and night time temperatures between 3° - 10°Celsius (37.40 - 50 Fahrenheit); but it is very much possible that you will see some snowfall especially in the mountain areas.

What is the time zone for Romania?

Romanian time is EET (Eastern European Time, two hours ahead of GMT, seven hours ahead of New York and ten hours ahead of Los Angeles. Check right now what time is in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania: https://time.is/Bucharest

What clothes should we pack? Will we be OK with jeans for the tour? How should we plan to dress for dinner? What is the dress code? Could we shop for clothes?

The dress code in Romania is the same as all over Europe (think France, Germany, UK or Italy). Wearing jeans, t-shirts/sweatshirts and athletic shoes is standard casual in Romanian. Plenty of designers’ shops are to be found in major cities: Bucharest, Cluj, Brasov, Sibiu, where people are a bit too pretentious when it comes to their outfits. Dorobanti Boulevard in Bucharest can easily be compared to Chaps Elysees in Paris when it comes to “fashionists” (costs are similar too). The malls are well supplied with designers’ clothes and with respect to the prices, a great deal of our clients found the Romanian costs to be more acceptable then the ones in US. With regards to the restaurants’ dress code, something casual is sufficient. You can wear whatever you would wear at home. To satisfy dress codes for churches and monasteries, men and women are requested to cover their arms and legs (no shorts above the knees or sleeveless garments).

Related Trips

Bran Castle After-Hours private visit, 1 Day from Bran

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Best of Romania tour – Vampire in Transylvania, Bucharest Departure, 7-Days tour

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• Free line: 0-808-101-6781
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• Small group tours
• Halloween 1 Day
• Halloween 2 Days
• Halloween 3 Days
• Halloween 7 Days
• Halloween 8 Days
• Halloween 10 Days
• Dracula Tour 3 Days
• Dracula Tour 7 Days
• Private Tours
• Family Holidays
• New Year Eve Breaks
• All Departures
• Bran Castle Halloween Party
• Sighisoara Halloween Party
• Untold Festival
• Electric Castle
• Other festivals
• Holiday Rentals
• Country Inns
• Scenic airplane flight in Cluj-Napoca
• Fly over Dracula’s Castle with guests
• Scenic airplane flight in Brasov, 1 seat
• Scenic airplane flight with guests in Brasov
• Scenic airplane flight in Bucharest, 1 seat
• Scenic airplane flight in Bucharest, 3 seats
• Vintage Biplane flight in Bucharest
• Scenic airplane flight in Sibiu
• Maneuvering flight in Bucharest
• Thermal flight in Bucharest
• Balloon Flight in Bucharest
• Balloon Flight in Bucharest for 2
• Scenic helicopter flight with guests in Bucharest
• Chasing the Sunset – Helicopter Flight 3 seats
• Heli Dining in Bucharest
• Champagne Flight VIP – Helicopter flight for 2
• Heli biking and Heli wine tasting for 3
• Heli tour for couples from Bucharest to Bran and Peles Castles
• Heli tour to Bran and Peles castles from Bucharest for 5 people
• Skydiving for 2 in Bucharest
• Motorcycle tours
• Motorcycle Rentals in Transylvania
• Cocktail making and tasting in Bucharest for 2
• Wine tasting for 2
• Royal lunch at Dracula’s Castle and limousine
• Romantic Dinner in Turda
• Initiation in Survival Techniques course
• Climbing for 2 in Brasov
• Cave exploring in Transylvania
• Cave exploring in Timisoara for 2
• Initiation in Kayaking in Bucharest for 2
• Kayaking for couples on Neajlov River
• Romantic Sailing Cruise
• Whitewater rafting on Jiu river for 2
• Whitewater Rafting in Oradea for 2
• Spa Day in Bucharest
• Make-up lesson at your home in Bucharest
• Ayurvedic Massage in Bucharest
• Cartoon made by Stefan Popa Popa’s
• Famous people from Transylvania
• Practical information
• Unique in Transylvania
• History of Transylvania
• Weddings in Transylvania
• Incentive tours in Transylvania
• School trips to Transylvania
• Transylvania tour guides
• Press about Dracula and Halloween tours
• Visit Transylvania Blog
• Terms and Conditions
• Transylvania Live’s Responsible Travel Policy
• Contact Transylvania Live

Awarded Tours in Transylvania

Trip Type: All Airplane tour Awarded Dracula Tours Dracula Tour 3 Days Dracula Tour 7 Days Dracula Tours Halloween 1 Day Halloween 2 Days Halloween 3 Days Halloween 7 Days Halloween Private Tour Halloween Tours Private Tour School trips to Romania Departures Find your perfect tour Tours Halloween 10 Days Halloween Tours Ireland Halloween Tours in Ireland – 3 Days Halloween Tours in Ireland – 8 Days Halloween in Transylvania coach tour Couples holidays Romania cultural holidays Europe Budapest departure Romania private tours Romania short break Transylvania short break Halloween short break Escorted tours – Bucharest Departure – Bran Departure – Cluj Departure -Sighisoara Departure -Sibiu Departure -Brasov departure Small group tours Family Holidays Short Breaks New Year Eve Breaks Events Holiday Rentals Flight Experience    Airplane flights experiences    Helicopters    Hot air balloon Motorcycle tours Gourmet Mountaineering Water Activities Pamper/Indulge Creative Gifts Motorcycle Rentals in Transylvania Halloween 8 Days

Location: All Bucharest Bran Sighisoara Cluj Brasov Sibiu Romania Budapest Turda Bistrita Alba-Iulia Ireland    Dublin    Belfast    Londonderry Hunedoara Constanta Apuseni Mountains Giurgiu Oradea Romania and Moldova

Dracula the bloody truth tour- Private Dracula Tour, 4 days from Bucharest

• Trip Type - Bucharest Departure , Dracula Tours , Private Tour , Romania short break , Short Breaks , Tours , Transylvania short break
• Activities Dracula Experience
• Group Size No size limit - No size limit
• Reviews 3 Reviews
• Locations Bran , Brasov , Bucharest , Sighisoara
• Trip Duration 4 Day(s) 3 Night(s)
• Trip Outline
• Trip Includes
• Trip Excludes

Choose an amazing private trip to Romania. Discover the dark legends surrounding Dracula and have fun exploring our country.

Advantages of a Private Trip to Romania

Unlike the regular itineraries, each private trip to Romania offers two important advantages: the ability to depart on a date which suits you best and to travel with friends or family only.

We depart every Thursday, on customer request, with groups of minimum 4 people.

Private Trip to Romania - Highlights

Bran Castle – also known as Dracula’s Castle, a legendary Transylvanian fortress dating back to 1377.

Sighisoara Medieval Citadel – the best preserved and still inhabited medieval citadel in Europe, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Vlad the Impaler’s birth place.

Rasnov Medieval Citadel – the best preserved rural fortification in Transylvania and the largest one in Eastern Europe.

Snagov Monastery – where, according to the legend, Vlad was buried after his assassination.

The Medieval City of Brasov – a city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere which has played a vital role in Romania’s history, both old and new.

Private Trip to Romania – Your experience in short

Day 1  The best private trip to Romania begins in Bucharest. Our guide collects you from the airport and then you will drive to Snagov Monastery, where Vlad the Impaler was allegedly buried. Visit the monastery and then return to Bucharest and accommodate at a 3* hotel, centrally located.

Day 2 Next morning, leave Bucharest and get ready to visit two amazing castles. First, stop in the pearl of mountain resorts in Romania, Sinaia. Admire the amazing view of the mountains and then visit Peles Castle, one of the most beautiful royal residences in Europe.

After that, drive to Bran and visit Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle thanks to Bram Stoker’s novel.

Continue this amazing private trip to Romania with a visit at Rasnov Citadel and then accommodate in a 4* hotel in Poiana Brasov.

Your Private trip to Romania  continues in the Medieval Saxon City of Brasov. Visit landmarks such as the Black Church.

Head to Sighisoara Citadel, Vlad the Impaler’s birthplace. Check out Casa Vlad Dracul restaurant, built where Dracula’s house used to stand and then visit the Clock Tower, the Torture Room and the Medieval Collection. After that, accommodate in a 3* medieval hotel, located in the heart of the Citadel.

Morning transfer to Bucharest Airport. Please let us know the exact timing of your flight and your flight number. This way, we can track potential delays and keep you up to speed.

This is an overview of your tour. For more information, including the complete itinerary, please scroll up and then use the product’s menu to navigate.

Book your private trip to Romania now!

This is a private tour, therefore it departs on request, for a group of minimum 2 people. Book now and then join us on an adventure you won’t forget! Discover Transylvania and follow into Dracula’s footsteps!

We accept  MasterCard  and  Visa  on our on-line secure internet payment form.

• MasterCard and Visa via fax and phone.
• We also accept payments via  PayPal and bank transfer.

• At the moment of booking we require an advance deposit in the amount of Euro 145/person . Once the advance deposit is registered with our accounts we issue a Confirmation Letter .
•  The final payment is due 60 days prior to tour departure. Should the booking be made within 60 days prior to tour departure, entire tour cost is requested at the time of booking.

Why to choose a private escorted tour

• It is more comfortable
• T ime saving
• You can decide the pace of the tour
• Having a tour guide helps you to have a more genuine experience

Available for free if

• You don’t have a reflection in the mirror,
• You decompose when sunlight strikes you,
• You’re over 200 years old,
• Can use your wings to fly to Transylvania,

Well, this holiday is free for you! Come join your fellow vampires in Transylvania:-) Blood treats not included!

Other mentions

• Once you realize the price of good beer and wine you will probably not want to return to your country.
• People speak plenty of English in Romania and you will find the locals and the other tourists are friendly and open.
• No visa is required and you can get green card extension insurance from your insurer to cover Romania.

Map of the 4 days private Dracula tour from  Bucharest

Media Mentions

We’re pleased to say that Transylvania Live has recently garnered the attention of several publications and broadcasts more details here

Halloween tours in Transylvania on the national news

Please activate Caption button to see the news with English subtitles.

Highlights:

Airlines with direct flights from UK to Bucharest

London  Bucharest Blue Air (Luton) Wizz Air (Luton) Easyjet (Gatwick) British Airways (Heathrow) Air Tarom (Heathrow) Ryan Air (Stanstead)

Birmingham Bucharest  Blue Air Wizz Air

Bristol Bucharest  Ryanair

Doncaster Bucharest  Wizz Air

Advice for British citizens traveling to Romania

According to British government most visits to Romania are trouble-free.

There were no cases of terrorism attacks in Romania but as the country is part of European Union terrorist attacks in Romania can’t be ruled out.

If you need to contact the emergency services in Romania call 112.

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British embassy from Bucharest 24 Jules Michelet,  010463  Bucharest, Romania General enquiries +40 (21) 201 7200 Consular enquiries +40 (21) 201 7351 British Embasy Bucharest website

Urgent assistance If you’re in Romania and you need urgent help (for example, you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died), call +40 (21) 201 7200. If you’re in the UK and worried about a British national in Romania, call 020 7008 1500.

Get an emergency travel document You can apply for an emergency travel document if you’re abroad and your passport has been lost or stolen, damaged or expired, and you can’t get a new or replacement passport in time to travel. You can apply online for an emergency travel document. If the person needing the emergency travel document is under 16, a parent or guardian should apply on their behalf.

Safety and security Crime Maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK. There is a risk of petty theft in large towns, especially Bucharest. Pickpockets and bag snatchers operate in crowded areas, particularly near exchange shops and hotels, on public transport (especially to the airport), in the main railway stations and inside airport terminals. Organised attacks by groups can occur. The most common method by distracting victims while several people, often children, attempt to snatch watches and jewellery from pockets or from around the neck and wrist. Valuables including passports have been stolen from hotel rooms. Use the hotel safe and carry a photocopy of the information pages of your passport as ID. There have been reports of credit or debit cards being ‘copied’ when used for payment in some bars and restaurants.

Road travel Licences and documents If driving in Romania, make sure you have with you all documentation, including your full, valid driving licence, proof of insurance/green card (third party or above), proof of ID (passport) and proof of ownership (V5C Certificate). If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020. If there’s no deal, you will need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) to be able to drive in some European countries as a visitor after the UK has left. Check this guidance page for full information. You should also check guidance on driving in the EU after Brexit for information on other additional documents you may need to carry. If you’re living in Romania, check the Living in Guide for information on requirements for residents.

Driving regulations You’ll need to pay a road toll ‘Rovinieta’ to use the national roads. You can buy the vignette (sticker) at border points and at most petrol stations. The minimum cost is 3 euros for 7 days. Failure to display the sticker may lead to a heavy fine. You can find out more about prices by using the website Roviniete.ro. Observe the speed limit at all times. Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy. It’s illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol. The drink drive limit is zero. Carry the following equipment: first aid kit, fire extinguisher, red warning triangles and a fluorescent jacket. If your vehicle is damaged before you arrive in Romania, ask a Romanian customs officer or police officer to write a report on the damage so that you have no problems when leaving. If any damage occurs inside the country, a report must be obtained at the scene of the accident.

Road safety In 2018 there were 1,867 road deaths in Romania (source: Department for Transport). This equates to 9.6 road deaths per 100,000 of population, (witch is similar with USA) and compares to the UK average of 2.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2018. Road conditions are variable and secondary roads can be in a bad state of repair. Driving standards can be poor. Look out for double parked cars, people suddenly braking to avoid a pothole, horse-drawn carts, livestock and stray dogs, particularly in rural areas, running in front of the vehicle. Equip your car for extreme conditions in winter.

Local laws and customs It is illegal to change money on the streets. You should change money only in recognised exchange shops, banks and hotels.

The Romanian authorities treat all drug-related and sex offences very seriously. The age of consent is 18. If you are convicted, you can expect a prison sentence.

Homosexuality has been legal in Romania since 1996. The country has made significant progress in LGBT rights legislation since 2000 including wide–ranging anti-discriminatory laws, equalising the age of consent and laws against homophobic hate crimes. Bucharest’s annual Pride, usually accompanied by a LGBT film and art festival, has grown in recent years and is gaining the support of more public figures. Since 2017, a Pride event has also been held in the city of Cluj. The country remains generally socially conservative resulting in the majority of LGBT people not being openly gay and there being very few gay bars or clubs in Bucharest or the other main cities. You can find local information on LGBT issues in Romania on the website of ACCEPT. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel.

Most airports and military bases will have signs prohibiting photography. Ask permission before photographing anything potentially sensitive (eg official buildings, police cars).

Passport validity Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.

Visas If you hold a British Citizen passport, you don’t need a visa to enter Romania.

Parental consent when travelling with minors Some British nationals travelling with minors who hold Romanian citizenship (irrespective of whether they hold citizenship of other countries) are prevented from leaving the country without notarised parental consent from the minor’s non-travelling parent/s. While enforcement of this may vary at borders, British nationals travelling with minors who hold Romanian citizenship should obtain notarised parental consent before departure from Romania. A list of the public notaries can be found on the website of the National Union of Public Notaries from Romania.

Healthcare You should still get a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC entitles you to state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Romanian nationals. If you don’t have your EHIC with you or you’ve lost it, you can call the Department of Health Overseas Healthcare Team (+44 191 218 1999) to get a Provisional Replacement Certificate. The UK government has or is seeking agreements with countries on healthcare arrangements for UK nationals after the UK leaves the EU. The NHS website and this travel advice will be updated with further information on travelling to Romania as the circumstances change. If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately.

Money Romania is increasingly a card economy. While a growing number of businesses do accept credit cards, it may be safer to use cash due to the risk of credit card fraud. There is now a large network of ATMs that accept standard international credit and debit cards. Check with your card provider whether you will be able to use these machines. US dollars and sterling are not always easy to exchange for local currency, especially outside Bucharest. You may have difficulties using travellers’ cheques. Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes may not be accepted in banks and bureaux de change.

Before you travel abroad • tell family and friends where you’re going and leave them your contact details, insurance policy details and itinerary. Store them securely online • ensure you have access to funds to cover emergencies and unexpected delays. Take more than one means of payment with you (cash, debit card, credit card) • find out if travellers cheques are appropriate for your destination and keep a separate record of their numbers • invest in a good travel guide to help you plan your trip and consider using online travel forums for more detail about your destination • check with your service provider to make sure your phone works abroad. Consider leaving your phone’s IMEI number with a friend or family member, to help block or locate the phone if there’s a problem • if you’re going to be driving abroad, make sure your licence is current and valid and be aware of the driving laws in the country you are visiting • if you’re travelling with children who are unaccompanied by one or both parents, check our guidance on permissions that you might need to get and check the policy of your airline or transport provider

When you’re abroad • think about what you are doing at all times and trust your instincts. Don’t take risks that you wouldn’t in the UK • don’t openly display valuables such as mobile phones or digital cameras and consider using a padlock on suitcases or backpacks • find out how to minimise your risk from terrorism and what to do if there’s a terrorist attack • find out about local customs and dress, behave accordingly and obey local laws. There may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial at home • be careful when taking photographs, videos or using binoculars. These activities may be misunderstood by local authorities, especially near military installations. • store useful numbers on your phone such as the local police and the nearest British embassy or consulate • whether you’re living abroad or visiting, be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, just as you would in the UK; the ‘Be Alarmed’ campaign gives practical advice on how to stay safe and lists the symptoms to look out for • if you intend to take part in any adventure sports or water sports during your trip, only use properly licensed and insured operators. Before taking part, make sure you fully understand the operating instructions and satisfy yourself that adequate safety precautions are in place • check import regulations for food and plants before you attempt to bring them back to the UK

Learn more on Foreign travel Advice

Please check your itinerary below:

Itineraries

Thursday, bucharest.

Welcome to the Romania! Our English speaking guide welcomes you at Bucharest Airport. Accommodation is in a 3* hotel, central location. Drive to Snagov to visit Snagov Monastery where, according to the legend, Vlad was buried after his assassination. The monastic establishment is located on a small island of Snagov Lake. The architectural style of the monastery follows that of the Holy Mount of Athos in Greece. For dinner we recommend one of Bucharest’s top traditional restaurants.

Friday, Bucharest – Sinaia – Bran - Rasnov - Poiana Brasov (202 km, 3h 30 min driving)

Morning transfer to Sinaia, the pearl of mountain resorts in Romania. The main point of attraction is Peleş Castle, one of the best preserved and beautiful royal residences in Europe. Built in 1873, Peleş is an architectural mixture of the German School and neo-renaissance style. Continue your journey with Bran Castle, Transylvania’s legendary symbol, dating back to 1377. Bran owes its fame both to its unique charm and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. Close to the castle there is a shrine that is set in the wall of a mountain which once sheltered the heart of Queen Maria, the niece of Queen Victoria of Great Britain. Cheese tasting is strongly recommended in Bran as the village is renowned for the delicious home made traditional cheese assortments produced there. Visit next Rasnov Medieval Citadel. Standing on top of a hill and overlooking an incredible Transylvanian landscape, Rasnov is the best preserved rural fortification in Transylvania and the largest one in Eastern Europe, first documented in 13 century. Accommodation is in a medieval 4* hotel in Poiana Brasov. Dinner could be enjoyed in the medieval restaurant of the hotel.

Saturday, Poiana Brasov – Brasov – Sighisoara (131 km, 2h 5 min driving)

Explore in the morning the medieval Saxon city of Brasov, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. Visit the Black Church, the largest Gothic edifice in Southern Europe dating back to 14th century. Initially called St. Virgin Mary the church was renamed after the great fire in 1689 that blackened its walls. Transfer next to the medieval Citadel of Sighisoara. Founded by Saxons during the 12th century, Sighisoara still stands as one of Europe’s most beautiful and inhabited fortified cities, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sighisoara is also the place where Vlad the Impaler, known as Dracula, was born. Visit the main attractions: the Clock Tower, the Torture Room and the Medieval Weapon Collection. Accommodation is in a medieval 3 * hotel located in the very heart of the medieval citadel. For dinner we recommend Casa Vlad Dracul Restaurant, the very place where Vlad Dracul was borne, turned into a cosy restaurant.

Sunday, Sighisoara – Bucharest (289 km, 4h 39 min driving)

Morning transfer to Bucharest Airport for the return flight.

Price includes

Tour leader

The services of a professional trained English speaking guide/driver, experienced in escorting Dracula Tours

Accommodation

2 nights in 3* hotels and 1 night in a 4* hotel, breakfasts included

Transportation

All land transfers by standard European car, admittance fee for Sighisoara Citadel

Entry fees to the following tourist attractions

Snagov Monastery, Peles Castle, Bran Castle, Rasnov Peasant Citadel, Black Church, Clock Tower – Medieval Weapon Collection – Torture Room.

• Plane ticket
• Airport fees
• Photo & video tax
• Other not mentioned.
• Vintage biplane flight in Bucharest
• Flying lesson with a vintage biplane in Bucharest
• Champagne Flight – Helicopter flight for two
• Experience with a rally car in Bucharest
• Vintage Sidecar – Dracula tour from Bucharest
• Evening at the casino for 2

Prithi Narasimhan – January 18, 2019 :

It was a super and memorable trip! Everything was really well organized and the flexibility was great. I had been hesitant to go on a guided tour since I usually am worried if it’ll be a strict agenda but that was not at all the case! The booking process was so professional and smooth with quick responses and service. It was impressive and was the main reason I decided to do the trip. The guide Alin was awesome. Always smiling, always polite, always happy and always flexible ❤️! The Sighisoara experience was the best… despite my leaving my passport behind! Thanks for finding it!!! The hotel Casa Wagner was lovely and comfy and the party on the first evening at Sighisoara was super. The staff was also very cool and fun! If you do the Dracula Ball next time be sure to let me know! I told a friend about it and we might both join (again) next year! The restaurant where we ate lunch the first day ( Dracula restaurant) was super. The Turda salt mines rocked! After the first party from Sighisoara citadel the second from Bran Castle was completely different and a nice experience but nothing could beat the first party so well done!;)

Timothy Tilley – January 21, 2019 :

Thank you for the photos , what a party great time’s:-) It was a great pleasure meeting you, dancing and talking to you as well:-) Thank you to you and your staff for the best tour of your country anyone could wish for. Christian is the best, enjoyed having him as my group’s guide. I’ll be highly recommending your company to anyone who wishes to travel to Romania ?

Philip Brown – June 23, 2020 :

Took the tour and enjoyed it very much. The guide was super knowledgeable and interesting to listen to. This was a great trip from head to toe. Highly recommend

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Are reservations necessary?

Reservations are required. We recommend booking early as tours are often sold out well in advance. You can make a reservations on-line. In case of making reservations by phone please call toll-free: 808 101 6781 (UK); 866 376 6183 (US). You can also make reservations by fax - download and complete the booking form and send it by fax to: 0040-364-405641 or by e-mail!

What is required to reserve our spots?

We require an advance deposit in the amount of Euro 145/person. When you make the reservation online you will be required to pay the deposit. You will receive an automatic response with your Holiday Booking Reference. Once the advance deposit is registered with our accounts we proceed with the reservation for the requested services and issue the Confirmation Letter + Paid Invoice.

When is my balance due?

The final payment is due 60 days prior departure. ( After the final payment is made we will issue Travel Voucher). Should the booking be made within 60 days prior to tour departure, entire tour cost is requested at the time of booking. To read Transylvania Live’s Terms and Conditions, please visit us on line at: https://www.visit-transylvania.co.uk/terms.html .

My work is unpredictable and I might be force to cancel my trip at some point. Can you briefly state your Cancelation Policy?

The client is at all time entitled to cancel the Travel Contract, but must pay Transylvania Live - Expert in Transylvania a cancellation charge as stipulated below: 89 days or more prior to departure 90 EURO per person / per tour cancellation fee; 88–61 days, loss of deposit. 60–31 days will be subject to 50% of tour price; 30 days or less will be subject to 100% of tour price.

What are the baggage requirements/ limitations?

Please check with the airline company for limitations. Anyway is good to pack light, some of the hotels – historical buildings do not have elevators.

Do you provide an English-speaking guide for the tour?

Our tours include the services of English-speaking guides. Other languages speaking guides are also available.

Can you arrange a private tour for our family?

We can design an itinerary at a time that suits you, to your own comfort levels and within your own budget. Please send your request by e-mail.

Do you operate tours even if there is only one participant?

Most of our tours operate with minimum 2 persons, especially private tours. Please check the information for every listed tour on our website for the minimum required number of persons.

Could I please have some information on average age of group? How large (or small) the group is?

The tour has a general audience as it targets people interested in history, culture, customs and beliefs. Group size can be between 4-26 people. Transylvania Live is member of the responsible travel network and we are committed to operating a travel policy that is supportive of local economies, cultures and the environment. We operate our tours with small groups in order to minimise the negative impact on the environment and allow our guests to interact more easily with the locals, facilitate the communication with the guide. The average age of group is, most of the time, between 35-45.

Can you provide individual tickets for rail, air or ferry?

We do not provide individual tickets for rail, air, boat or ferry.

What is your Child Policy?

A minimum age of 8 years is required on non-family programs, unless otherwise indicated on the individual tour page. A client under 18 years of age and travelling alone during the tour period shall provide Transylvania Live with written consent of his/her guardian. Clients under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

What currency do you accept?

If you pay on-line using our secure internet booking form your credit card can hold any type of currency, the amount of money to be taken will be exchanged in EURO by your bank, at their rates. We accept USD and EURO for offline credit card payment and wire transfer.

What credit cards do you accept for the on line payment?

We only accept VISA and MasterCard. Please select only these two types of credit cards for the online payment.

Do you offer group discounts?

Yes, depending on the number of your group. Contact us

Is my money safe?

On-line bookings and payments are processed by Romcard, authorized agent for Mastercard and Visa in Romania and secured by Rapid SSL , the leading secure sockets layer (SSL) Certificate Authority enabling secure e-commerce and communications for Web sites. As a tour operator we are governed by the consumer and financial regulations of Romania and of the European Union. Romania’s legislation compels tour operators to protect tourists in case of insolvency.

If you pay on-line using our secure internet booking form your credit card can hold any type of currency, the amount of money to be taken will be exchanged in EURO by your bank at their rate. We accept USD and EURO for offline credit card payment and wire transfer.

Do you offer discounts for senior citizens, members of certain associations?

Yes, we do offer discounts provided they travel as a group. Contact us!

How do I get to Transylvania Live meeting point?

If you follow our recommendation on How to arrive (heading found for any of our holidays at the Special notes and info section at the end of the tour page. Our guide will expect you with a Transylvania Live sign. In the unfortunate case of a flight being lost or delayed and prevent you in this way from getting to your meting point in good time, please call 0040 723 565 255.

Is my money safe when I pay online on Transylvania Live's payment server?

What is a “traditional maramuresean country-inn” or “a typical hungarian–sekler country-inn”.

A welcoming country house, not necessarily decorated in a peasant like style; you’ll stay under the same roof with your Romanian host! In most cases dinner and breakfast are included, and rates are based on two guests per room. They offer one bathroom for two rooms; the bathroom can be situated on the hallway. Staying at a “traditional Maramuresean country-inn” or “a typical Hungarian-Sekler country-inn” will prove to be an unique experience.

What commissions do I have to pay besides your announced prices?

Our prices include the online secure payment commissions. However depending on your bank some commissions may occur for international money transfer. Please check with your bank!

Since I am coming from the U.S. would I need a passport with me while in Romania?

American citizens do not require a visa for Romania (Romania is a member of the European Union so it shares the same legal legislation – a passport is all you need)

What countries require a visa?

To check the list of the countries that require a visa please see the web site page of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at www.mae.ro.

What is the local currency in Romania?

Romanian currency is Lei (written symbol Ron). All the places in Romania trade lei (pronunciation: lay). You can bring some of the local currency from USA or you can change here the amount of money you need (advisable due to the lower exchange rate). Credit cards are accepted in large hotels, restaurants and malls. ATM machines are available at banks, airports and shopping centers all over the country. (except in remote areas or villages). Foreign currencies may be exchanged at banks or authorized exchange offices. International airports and larger hotels also offer currency exchange services. The tour guide is also responsible for helping clients with money exchange; recommend the exchange offices which charge the lowest commission.

Can the accommodations or the itinerary suffer any changes?

In case we’ll have a full house situation at one of the hotels, an accommodation of an equal classification or better will be booked for you. In case of closed roads due to bad weather, working situations or dangerous weather conditions the itinerary could suffer changes.

Are ATMs available?

ATMs are available in all the cities; near by hotels, our guide will come with good advice and recommendations. MasterCard ATM Locater– Search by address and by airport https://www.mastercard.com/atmlocator/index.jsp atm locator Visa ATM Locator– Search by airport, city and country https://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/jsp/SearchPage.jsp

What is the voltage of the electric power system in Romania?

In Romania electric power in use is of 220 voltages, AC, usually 2 pronged.

What’s the climate like in Romania, what clothes should I wear?

Romania enjoys warm summers and cold winters. In summer, cool cottons are best and in the winter a warm jacket or alike is recommended. Autumn is dry and cool, with fields and trees producing beautifully colored foliage. The weather in October-November is very unpredictable, with daytime temperatures between 6°-17° Celsius (42.80 - 62.60 Fahrenheit), and night time temperatures between 3° - 10°Celsius (37.40 - 50 Fahrenheit); but it is very much possible that you will see some snowfall especially in the mountain areas.

What is the time zone for Romania?

Romanian time is EET (Eastern European Time, two hours ahead of GMT, seven hours ahead of New York and ten hours ahead of Los Angeles. Check right now what time is in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania: https://time.is/Bucharest

What clothes should we pack? Will we be OK with jeans for the tour? How should we plan to dress for dinner? What is the dress code? Could we shop for clothes?

The dress code in Romania is the same as all over Europe (think France, Germany, UK or Italy). Wearing jeans, t-shirts/sweatshirts and athletic shoes is standard casual in Romanian. Plenty of designers’ shops are to be found in major cities: Bucharest, Cluj, Brasov, Sibiu, where people are a bit too pretentious when it comes to their outfits. Dorobanti Boulevard in Bucharest can easily be compared to Chaps Elysees in Paris when it comes to “fashionists” (costs are similar too). The malls are well supplied with designers’ clothes and with respect to the prices, a great deal of our clients found the Romanian costs to be more acceptable then the ones in US. With regards to the restaurants’ dress code, something casual is sufficient. You can wear whatever you would wear at home. To satisfy dress codes for churches and monasteries, men and women are requested to cover their arms and legs (no shorts above the knees or sleeveless garments).

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• Two Castles in One Day Tour – 12 hours
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• Private Full-Day Sightseeing Tour of Bucharest – 8 hours
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• Danube Delta – 3 tours
• Bucovina – 3 tours
• Bulgaria – 2 tours
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• Tour Search

Castles of Romania Where Vlad the Impaler Lived

Vlad the Impaler , one of the cruelest rulers of the Walachia region of Romania, has become a tourist attraction in Transylvania. His popularity stems from the “ Dracula ” novel and the movies based on the story.

It is believed that Bram Stoker drew inspiration from one of Romania’s castles, Bran. As he delved into the region’s history, he acquired more knowledge about Vlad the Impaler and his family. At that time, Vlad was known as Vlad Drăculea, a name not too dissimilar from the character’s name.

Throughout his life, Vlad the Impaler resided in several citadels from which he governed the region. Let’s focus on some of the main ones, which you can still visit this year.

We recommend you spend at least 2 days in Transylvania to fully enjoy it . Our tour will take you to see the house where Vlad the Impaler was born and the famous castle.

Born in Sighisoara

The story reveals that Vlad the Impaler, born in Sighișoara , had parents in the form of Vlad Dracul, the ruler of Walachia at the time, and a Transylvanian noblewoman. Even in those days, the city served as a beautiful trading center.

This area served as the outskirts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and they brought in many German ethnics to defend the border. These individuals, known as the Transylvanian Saxons, profoundly shaped the architecture of Sighișoara and the entire region.

You can admire this architecture for yourself when you come to visit book your tour today.

Vlad the Impaler: The Royal Court of Târgoviște

There is a misconception that Vlad the Impaler referred to as Dracula , ruled the Transylvania region. The region he ruled is further south. His Royal Court was not placed in one of the castles of Romania but in the city known today as Târgoviște .

You can visit the monastery, the ruins, and the restored towers of the citadel. Târgoviște is only 80 km away from Bucharest which makes it great for a one-day trip.

Vlad the Impaler Concealed at the Poenari Citadel

As he was known as a cruel ruler, even more so than his father, Vlad the Impaler had a difficult relationship with the noblemen. He even punished a part of them by constructing a citadel from an older outpost overlooking the Argeș River.

This became the Poenari Citadel , where in the future year it is said that Vlad the Impaler hid from Turkish armies. From the Transfăgăraș road below the citadel is almost unnoticed, but from the citadel level, the view is breathtaking.

Keep in mind that the Citadel is not always open and there are around 1480 steps to climb to get to the top. But the view is worth it.

Vlad the Impaler’s Life

Even if he was the ruler of a large and important area of what now is Romania, Vlad the Impaler had to retreat or run from enemies, many times in his life. This meant that he inhabited different citadels and castles in Romania .

All are great destinations for your holiday .  You can enjoy the stories and the architecture around these settlements if you plan a tour across Transylvania.

Or we can do that for you. Just send us an email at [email protected] or call +40 735 525 710 .

Why Book With Us?

• Small-groups always
• Certificate of Excellence
• Fun & Friendly local guides
• Customer care available 24/7
• 15+ years experience

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