Cultural Romania & Bulgaria

Discover Romania on a journey filled with history, landscapes, legends and cultural heritage. This itinerary combines the elegance of Bucharest, the medieval charm of Transylvania, the painted monasteries of Bucovina, the scenic beauty of the Carpathian Mountains and some of the country’s most iconic castles.

Throughout the tour, travelers will explore historic cities such as Sibiu, Sighisoara and Brasov, visit unique monasteries decorated with exterior frescoes, cross the spectacular Bicaz Gorges and discover two of Romania’s most emblematic landmarks: Bran Castle, associated with the legend of Dracula, and Peles Castle, the former royal residence in Sinaia.

This program is ideal for travelers seeking culture, architecture, traditions, nature and a complete introduction to Romania’s rich historical heritage.

This program continues from Romania into Bulgaria, creating a richer cultural journey through two fascinating Eastern European destinations. After exploring Bucharest, the itinerary crosses into Bulgaria to discover medieval towns, Orthodox monasteries, Roman heritage, and the vibrant capital city of Sofia. It is an ideal extension for travelers looking to combine history, architecture, local traditions, and authentic cultural experiences in one complete regional itinerary.

Day 1 | Arrival in Bucharest

Arrival in Bucharest and meeting with the guide, who will remain at the group’s disposal throughout the journey in Romania.

Depending on the arrival time, departure by coach for a short panoramic tour of the Romanian capital. During the tour, admire its grand avenues, elegant Belle Époque buildings, the Arch of Triumph, the Romanian Athenaeum, Revolution Square and University Square.

You will also admire Stavropoleos Church, considered a masterpiece of Romanian architecture.

Dinner in a typical restaurant.

Accommodation at Hotel Capitol 4 or similar in Bucharest.*

Day 2 | Bucharest – Sibiu – Sighisoara

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure towards Sibiu, European Capital of Culture in 2007, crossing the beautiful Olt River Valley.

Arrival in Sibiu and lunch at a restaurant.

Visit the old town of Sibiu, a city once known for having one of the largest fortification systems in Transylvania, with more than 7 km of defensive walls, of which important remains are still preserved today.

During the visit, admire the Grand Square, famous for the city’s distinctive rooftops known as “the eyes that follow you”, the Small Square with the Bridge of Lies, and the impressive 14th-century Gothic Evangelical Church.

Departure towards Sighisoara, birthplace of the famous Vlad the Impaler, known worldwide as Count Dracula.

Dinner at leisure.

Accommodation at Hotel Mercure Binderbubi 4 or similar in Sighisoara.*

Day 3 | Sighisoara – Targu Mures – Gura Humorului

Breakfast at the hotel.

Guided visit of Sighisoara, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval towns in Romania. Much of the city dates back to the 14th century, when it was expanded and reinforced after the destruction caused by the Tatars in 1241.

The city has preserved 9 of its original 14 towers, including the Blacksmiths’ Tower, Shoemakers’ Tower, Butchers’ Tower, Tailors’ Tower, Tanners’ Tower and Tinsmiths’ Tower.

You will also admire the city’s most famous monument: the Clock Tower, built between the 13th and 14th centuries, which served as the seat of the City Council until 1556.

Continuation towards Targu Mures.

Short panoramic visit of the city, famous for its squares surrounded by Secession-style buildings, including the Prefecture and the Palace of Culture.

Lunch at a restaurant en route.

Continue towards Bucovina, the region of Moldavia whose name, since 1774, means “the land covered with beech forests”. Famous for its beautiful landscapes, Bucovina is especially known for its monasteries decorated with frescoes, built between the 15th and 16th centuries under important Moldavian princes such as Stephen the Great and his son Petru Rares.

Visit Voronet Monastery, built in 1488 and known as the “Sistine Chapel of Eastern Europe”. It is considered one of the jewels of Bucovina for its famous cycle of exterior frescoes, the most renowned being “The Last Judgment”.

Dinner at leisure.

Accommodation at Hotel Best Western Bucovina 4 in Gura Humorului.*

Day 4 | Gura Humorului – Bucovina Monasteries – Piatra Neamt

Breakfast at the hotel.

Continue exploring Bucovina with a visit to Moldovita Monastery, built in 1532, surrounded by fortifications and decorated with exterior frescoes. Its paintings reflect the Moldavian artistic style, aiming for great realism in scenes of everyday life and giving a more human expression to its characters.

Visit Sucevita Monastery, built between 1582 and 1584, known for the important fresco “The Ladder of Virtues” and its impressive surrounding walls.

Lunch at a restaurant en route.

In the afternoon, visit Agapia Monastery, dating from the 17th century, famous for its museum, which preserves beautiful icons and embroideries. You will also visit its workshops, where you may observe the work carried out by the nuns.

At the end of the visits, continue towards Piatra Neamt.

Arrival in Piatra Neamt, a city known for its beauty and location in Neamt County, often called “Perla Moldovei”, the Pearl of Moldavia.

Dinner at leisure.

Accommodation at Hotel Central Plaza 4 in Piatra Neamt.*

Day 5 | Piatra Neamt – Bicaz Gorges – Brasov – Bran – Brasov

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure towards Brasov. During the journey, cross the Carpathian Mountains through the Bicaz Gorges, the most famous canyon in the country. Stretching for 10 km, it is formed by Mesozoic limestone rocks rising between 300 and 400 meters.

Pass by the Red Lake, formed by a natural dam after a landslide in 1837. Petrified pine trunks can still be seen emerging from its waters.

Continuation towards Brasov.

Upon arrival, visit one of the most fascinating medieval towns in Romania. During the tour, admire Council Square, the Black Church, known as Biserica Neagră, the largest Gothic church in Romania, and the old city fortifications with the bastions of the craftsmen’s guilds.

Lunch at a restaurant.

Departure towards Bran to visit Bran Castle, known as Dracula’s Castle. It is one of the most picturesque castles in Romania, built in the 13th century by the Teutonic knight Dietrich and restored in later periods.

From 1920, Bran Castle became a residence of the Romanian royal family. Queen Marie of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha spent many summers there, accompanied by her daughter, Princess Ileana of Romania. The queen extensively redesigned the interiors in the Romanian Art and Craft style of the period.

In 1948, after the Romanian royal family was expelled by the communist occupation forces, the castle was occupied.

At the end of the visit, return to Brasov.

Dinner at leisure.

Accommodation at Hotel Ambient 4 or similar in Brasov.*

Day 6 | Brasov – Sinaia – Bucharest

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure towards Sinaia, known as the “Pearl of the Carpathians” and one of Romania’s most famous mountain resorts.

Visit Peles Castle, the former royal residence, built at the end of the 19th century in Neo-Gothic style, inspired by Bavarian castles. The interior of Peles Castle contains 160 rooms, arranged and decorated in different styles, with wood decoration especially prominent throughout.

Departure towards Bucharest.

Lunch at a restaurant.

In the afternoon, enjoy a visit of the Romanian capital. During the tour, admire its grand avenues, glorious Belle Époque buildings, the Arch of Triumph, the Romanian Athenaeum, Revolution Square and University Square.

Walking tour of Bucharest’s old town, including Stavropoleos Church, considered a masterpiece of Romanian architecture. Built in 1724, it has a trefoil plan, a tower over the nave and a beautiful marble portal with five polylobed arches. Its balustrade is finely sculpted with floral motifs and figures, while the upper section is decorated with fresco-style medallions.

Visit the Palace of Parliament, the second-largest building in the world after the Pentagon in Washington.

Dinner at a restaurant with drinks included and folklore show.

Accommodation at Hotel Capitol 4 or similar in Bucharest.*

Day 7: Bucharest – Ruse – Arbanasi – Veliko Tarnovo

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by coach towards Bulgaria, crossing the border near Ruse. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo, one of Bulgaria’s most historic cities.

Visit the village of Arbanasi, a beautiful open-air museum town, especially known for its remarkable Church of the Nativity of Christ, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Veliko Tarnovo, including the ancient Tsarevets Fortress, also known as the Hill of the Tsars.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight at Hotel Yantra 4* or similar in Veliko Tarnovo.

Day 8: Veliko Tarnovo – Plovdiv – Sofia

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Plovdiv, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe.

During the visit, guests will discover the Ethnographic Museum, the Church of St. Constantine and Helena, the Roman Amphitheatre, Lamartine House, and the Jumaya Mosque. Visits are panoramic only, without museum entrance fees.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Continue to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight at Ramada Hotel 4* or similar in Sofia.

Day 9: Sofia – Rila Monastery – Sofia

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to visit Rila Monastery, the most important and largest monastery in Bulgaria, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the country’s most iconic cultural landmarks.

Lunch after the monastery visit.

Return to Sofia and enjoy a city tour of the Bulgarian capital, including the neo-Byzantine Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Church of St. Sofia, and the Rotunda of St. George.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight at Ramada Hotel 4* or similar in Sofia.

Day 10: Sofia – Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Free time at leisure, depending on the flight schedule.

Transfer to the airport for the return flight to Spain.

End of our services.