From spectacular medieval cities and small villages which seem to have defied the rules of time to fantastic wildlife and bursting nightlife, Romania has something to offer to everyone.
And one of the best ways to make the most out of your time here is as part of a Romania small group tour.
In this article, we’ll take you on a journey around different parts of Romania and show some of the top attractions and sights you can visit here.
You’ll get to learn more about the country, as well as its people and culture, and open your appetite for going on a new adventure to a new and exciting place.
Buckle up; we’re diving right in!
1. The Medieval City of Brasov
Located just two hours away from Bucharest, Romania’s capital, Brasov rests in a land of overwhelming natural beauty.
The tall Carpathian Mountains showing their majestic peaks, the sea of green pines, the overlapping slopes; these all create a picture-perfect landscape you won’t be able to take your eyes off.
But the breathtaking scenery is not the only reason why you should consider a Romania small group tour which features Brasov on its itinerary. Here are some others:
- The area is bursting with attractions, such as The Council Square, the historical center, Dracula’s Castle, Rasnov Fortress, and Peles Castle.
- Exciting tourist outdoor activities. Tourists can practice winter sports (you’ll find some of the best slopes in this part of Europe here), cycling, hiking, trekking, adventure parks, and more.
- Historic landmark. Brasov was first documented in 1235 and was the most important commercial center from all the seven German Medieval Cities of Transylvania.
Brasov is also known as one of the best-preserved cities in Europe. As part of a small group, you’ll be able to enjoy stress-free sightseeing, share new experiences with new people, and get beneath the surface of what Brasov has to offer.
History buffs, nature lovers, thrill-seekers, and sports enthusiasts will all find something they’ll love here.
For more details about Romania’s Crown City (literally, considering its German name is Kronstadt), make sure to check out this article.
2. The Medieval City of Sighisoara
Often referred to as “Transylvania’s Pearl”, Sighisoara is the region’s historic heart and a looking glass back into medieval times.
Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the small city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Romania. So why do people love it so much here?
Well, for starters, the city’s charm is totally disarming!
It’s easy to get lost walking down Sighisoara’s cobblestone narrow streets, admiring the colorful building facades and the beautifully decorated balconies.
At every corner, there’s something that catches your eye.
The architecture combined with the music which often fills the streets will make you think of the stories with kings, princesses, and brave knights you’ve read as a kid.
And that’s not all!
Sighisoara is also home to many attractions, like the citadel of Sighisoara kept in pristine condition (UNESCO Monument), the iconic Clock Tower built in the 14th century, the historic center, the Covered Stairs, and the Evangelical Church.
We’ve recently published a comprehensive Sighisoara city guide which offers more details about this stunning Romanian gem.
You can find the article here.
And while you can most definitely visit the city independently, traveling as part of a small group can make the trip more exciting.
You’ll not only get to save time by not having to plan every single detail of your visit, but you’ll also get to exchange travel tips with tourists from all over the world.
3. Viscri Village- UNESCO Heritage Site
Viscri is a Saxon village north-west of Brasov and Sighisoara, and one of the most fascinating places in Romania.
The best-known attraction here is a beautiful fortified church which is one of the25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Romania.
The Viscri unique gothic church was built around 1100 by the Szekler population and was later occupied by Saxon colonists in 1185.
Nowadays, the citadel is open to tourists. Inside, there’s an interesting, small museum where visitors can admire things like:
- woven and embroidered textiles
- pottery
- handmade agricultural tools
- traditional clothing and furniture.
Tourists can also climb the church’stower which offers a gorgeous panoramic view of the village. And this is just the icing on the cake.
With no more than 500 inhabitants, Viscri is pretty much an open-air village museum!
A trip to this picturesque Transylvanian village is like taking a trip back in time. Here, time seems to stand still and people continue to live outside the noise of the modern world.
Tourists can find comfortable accommodation in one of the traditional authentic Saxon houses which many locals have turned into welcoming guesthouses.
What’s more, you’ll be able to take part in traditional village activities and workshops to learn unexpected crafts, attend gastronomic festivals and interact with the locals.
What’s more, as part of a tour group, you’ll be able to share all these exciting new adventures and experiences with other, like-minded people who enjoy traveling just as much as you do.
Viscri’s hills and meadows, its rich cultural heritage, and the warmth of its people are sure to win you over right away- as it happened in the case of Prince Charles.
It’s no secret Viscri is his favorite destination in Romania (read more about this here).
Charmed by the pure beauty of these places and people’s authentic way of life, the Prince even bought a home here and is now a strong advocate for traveling to Romania.
4. World-Famous Medieval Romanian Castles and Citadels
One of the most considerable advantages of booking a Romania small group tour is the chance to visit more castles on the same day and make the most out of your trip to Romania.
In the following lines, we’ll go through a few of the most celebrated medieval attractions in the country, so make sure to keep on reading.
- Peles Castle. Known as one of the most stunning castles in Europe, Peles Castle is a jewel of German Neo-Renaissance architecture. As legend has it, King Carol I was so impressed by how beautiful and wild the place was that he decided to build the imposing castle. Learn more about Peles Castle and why it’s a must-see attraction while in Romania here.
Note that Peles Castle is closed during the whole month of November for cleaning and maintenance repairs.
- Bran Castle. Thanks to Author Bram Stoker who immortalized Romania as the home of Count Dracula in his book, Bran Castle (also known as Dracula’s Castle) is one of the most popular sights in the country. Get more exciting details about this unique castle from this article.
Pro Traveler Tip: Two of the most iconic castles in Romania are approximately one-hour away from one another, so it’s possible to get to them within 24 hours.
If you want to visit both Bran Castle and Peles Castle on the same day – you can. For more information, we encourage you to check out this resource we put together for you!
The two attractions are located relatively close to one another (about 30 miles via DN1/E60 and DN73A), so you just need a little careful planning.
However, we don’t want you to miss out on anything and we’re pretty sure you’d better spend your time enjoying your vacation than planning it in detail.
That’s why we offer an exclusive, 12-hour tour for tourists who want to visit Bran and Peles Castles in just one day! This is a small group shared trip, so you’ll be able to meet new people, maybe make friends and share the experience with other travel enthusiasts.
The route for this tour is stunningly picturesque because it goes straight through the Carpathian Mountains. Other attractions included in this trip are:
✔ Sinaia mountain resort which is considered the “Pearl of the Carpathians”.
✔ Brasov: Walking tour of Brasov downtown.
- Poenari Castle (pictured below). If you’re interested in learning more about Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Dracula (the cruel Romanian Voivode who inspired Dracula’s character), then you should visit Poenari Castle. Located on the rocky peak of the mountain Cetăţuia in a place famous for its wildness and beauty, the medieval construction served both as a residence and a refuge for the ruler. The site kept his mysterious medieval air which helps to tell his story.
Opening Hours: Mon. – Sun. 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (summertime)
- Rasnov Fortress (thought to have been built between 1211 and 1225). Located near Brasov, Rasnov citadel is now a historical monument. In the past, the fortress defended the Transylvanian villages which were exposed to outside invasions. People who lived in this area took shelter inside the citadel, which often provided the only chance of survival in front of the invaders. The view you get from the highest point of the fortress is breathtaking.
Opening Hours: April – October: daily 9.00 – 19.00, November – March: daily 9.00 – 17.00.
Top Romania Small Group Tours: How to Join
As you saw from this article, Romania has a lot to offer. In fact, there is so much to see and do here that it may feel a tad overwhelming to take care of all the planning yourself.
We want you to be able to go home with the best memories from your vacation and experience as much of what Romania has to offer as possible.
That is why we provide a great variety of tours you can enjoy on your own, with a group of friends, or with your family members.
Depending on how much you are planning to stay here and your travel destination preferences, we’ll point you to the best tour option for you.
Contact us and we’ll be happy to provide more information about this!