Guided Tour from Budapest to Sofia through Transylvania
Budapest, HU
Highlights
- Explore the enchanting beauty of Transylvania
- Discover the fascinating history of Dracula's Castle
- Experience the charm of medieval towns and cities
- Visit the breathtaking natural wonders of Bulgaria
- Enjoy seamless travel with expert local guidance
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Duration: 9 days
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Includes 8 nights hotel stay
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Air-conditioned minivan transport
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Breakfast included daily
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Professional guide for entire tour
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Hotel pickup and drop-off included
Embark on an unforgettable journey from Budapest to Sofia, weaving through the enchanting landscapes of Transylvania. Travelers will explore the hauntingly beautiful Dracula's Castle and the vibrant city of Timisoara, the 2021 European Capital of Culture. They will wander through the picturesque streets of Sibiu, a medieval marvel, and Sighisoara, where history comes alive. The adventure continues with a visit to the breathtaking Peles Castle and the iconic Palace of Parliament in Bucharest, before crossing into Bulgaria to discover the majestic Veliko Tarnovo and the serene Krushunskiye Waterfalls. Comfortably seated in an air-conditioned minivan, they will enjoy the expertise of a professional guide and a small group atmosphere, ensuring a personal touch to every experience. This journey promises rich culture, stunning architecture, and captivating stories that will linger long after the journey ends.
At a Glance
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Free cancellation
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9 days
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Instant Confirmation
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Available in English
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Mobile voucher
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Private Tour
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Guided
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Family friendly
Embark on a captivating guided tour from Budapest to Sofia, exploring Transylvania's treasures and rich cultural heritage over 9 unforgettable days.
Included
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OtherProfessional tour leader that will be also the driver -
Breakfast
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OtherLocal tour guide for the entire tour in Romania
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Other8 nights accommodation in 3/4* hotels
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OtherHotel/port pickup and drop-off
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OtherTransport by air-conditioned minivan for the entire tour
Excluded
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OtherFood and drinks, unless specified -
OtherTips for the tour guide / driver
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OtherEntrance fees
Pickup
Check if pick-up is available from your location, you will select during checkout (providers may allow other pickup locations)
What to expect
Budapest
Pick-up in the morning at 9 a.m. from your hotel.
Timisoara, a very charming city for its architectural features for many Turkish, Serbian, Austrian and German elements, which will become the European Capital of Culture in 2021
180 minutes
Castelul Corvinilor
In the morning we will visit the most fascinating gothic castle in Eastern Europe and one of the most beautiful and greatest of our continent, the famous Corvin Castle
120 minutes
Admission Not Included
Sibiu
Visit Sibiu, a beautiful medieval city where Romanians and Saxons have been living peacefully for centuries and where the various religious monuments (Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants) demonstrate this peaceful coexistence. Sibiu was named European Capital of Culture in 2007 and hosts an extraordinary theater festival every year. The city fascinates thanks to its three squares (Big Square, Small and Huet Square ) that transport tourists in a real medieval atmosphere. Its towers and its 15th century bastions, but also its beautiful museums and the famous “houses with the eyes” give the visitor lovely moments. Also in Sibiu you will see one of the largest gothic evangelical churches in Transylvania.
180 minutes
Later, we will go to the most beautiful salt mine in Eastern Europe: Turda Salt Mine.
60 minutes
Admission Not Included
Sibiu
Visit Sibiu city dominated by the Tower of the Clock or Council Tower dating to the medieval era and by the extensive 18th – 19th century Brukenthal museum, the former residence of the governor of Transylvania. The big square, the small square and Huet Square, with the Evangelical Cathedral, show off in all their beauty.
180 minutes
Centrul Istoric Sighisoara
Visit Sighisoara, with its imposing Clock Tower. This citadel is the best preserved in Europe and, extraordinary, it is still inhabited. Since 1999 the historic center of Sighisoara is a UNESCO heritage site. Here we will admire the church on the hill, reachable after a wooden staircase called the schoolchildren’s ladder. We will also see the statue of the famous Hungarian national poet Petofi Sandor, testifying to the fact that in Sighisoara the Magyar community was in the past numerically important. Next to the statue is the beautiful Catholic church, reserved for the Hungarian community, and the tower of the shoemakers. You can have lunch at the house where Vlad the Impaler was born (not included)
120 minutes
Brasov Historical Center
Visit Brasov, a wonderful Transylvanian town, once entirely fortified, an important cultural, tourist and commercial center. Brasov impresses with its typically German architecture, where the Gothic, the Baroque and the Renaissance intersect to give life to an interesting and culturally very lively city. Visit of the First Romanian School, which is located in the oldest district of the city, and which was inhabited exclusively by Romanians, the Schei district, interesting for the entrances into the city that were carried out in medieval times through the Caatherine’s and Schei Gate, quest last of the nineteenth century. In Brasov we will also visit the impressive Black Church, the largest evangelical Gothic church in Eastern Europe. We will then admire the palaces and houses of the historic center, recently restored, with the Council Square which now houses a beautiful museum, and the pedestrian Avenue of the Republic.
120 minutes
isit the famous Bran Castle, better known as Dracula’s Castle. In the Middle Ages, Bran was exactly on the border between Wallachia and Transylvania, so it was essential for the inhabitants of Brasov to build and preserve a defensive stronghold. In the 90s of the 900 this fortress was transformed into a beautiful castle thanks to the intervention of Queen Maria of Romania
120 minutes
Admission Not Included
Libearty Bear Sanctuary Zarnesti
Visit Libearty Bear Sanctuary, the biggest brown bear sanctuary from Europe and has the largest surface in the world. Here, 75 bears found a nice home in this 5 stars welfare facility. Here you can see happy bears in their natural environment, after a bad life in circuses and zoo cages. The tours are guided by trained animal welfare experts and the visitors can see brown bears really close.
120 minutes
Admission Not Included
Visit to the fabulous Peles Castle, the summer residence of the first king of Romania, the King Charles 1 of Hohenzollern, of German origins. The castle was beautifully designed by a Czech architect, and is famous for being one of the most modern castles in Europe at the time of its construction, between the 19th and 20th centuries. Each room is characterized by a unique style, different from the styles of the other rooms. We will also admire the Florentine room, where we will breathe a typically Italian and Renaissance atmosphere.
120 minutes
Admission Not Included
Bucharest
We continue towards Bucharest and enjoy a panoramic tour of Bucharest with its Triumph Arch, Atheneum, Revolution Square and Parliament Palace. This will be followed by a tour of the hystorical Center of Bucharest, a completely pedestrian area, with the remains of the princely fortress of Vlad the Impaler, the 16th century palatine church in Byzantine style, and the Stavropoleos church, an architectural jewel of the 18th century, in typical Wallachian style, with important oriental influences in external decoration.
120 minutes
Built by Communist Party leader, Nicolae Ceausescu, the colossal Parliament Palace (formerly known as the People’s Palace) is the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. It took 20,000 workers and 700 architects to build. The palace boasts 12 stories, 1,100 rooms, a 328-ft-long lobby and four underground levels, including an enormous nuclear bunker. The Palace of Parliament it is the world’s second-largest office building in surface (after the Pentagon) and the third largest in volume (after Cape Canaveral in the U.S. and the Great Pyramid in Egypt)
120 minutes
Admission Not Included
Old Town
Walking Tour of the Historic Center of Bucharest, a completely pedestrian area, with the remains of the princely fortress of Vlad the Impaler, the 16th century palatine church in Byzantine style, and the Stavropoleos church, an architectural jewel of the 18th century, in typical Wallachian style, with important oriental influences in external decoration
120 minutes
Visit Village Museum, founded by a Romanian sociologist and built in 1936 with the collaboration of construction experts, anthropologists, ethnographers and sociologists from all over Romania. This wonderful open-air museum offers the opportunity to learn about the lifestyle of the romanian farmers of the 19th century, their houses, their water mills and their churches entirely made of wood
120 minutes
Admission Not Included
Veliko Tarnovo
We will leave Bucharest in the morning and head to Bulgaria. After crossing the bridge over the Danube River we will enter in Bulgaria and our first visit will be at Veliko Tarnovo , “City of Tsars” , the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Visit Tsarevets Fortress , the main attraction of the city.
60 minutes
Krushunskiye Waterfalls
The Krushùna Falls are the biggest travertine cascade in Bulgaria, unique with its picturesque scenery, lush vegetation, numerous round-shaped terraces and small natural pools with mineral water. The main waterfall is about 20 m high and it splits into several smaller ones along its way down the soft limestone rocks.
60 minutes
Admission Not Included
The Devetàshka cave is a picturesque karst cave near the waterfalls. Unlike other caves Devetàshka is very well lit and its floor is covered by lush greenery, especially in spring and summer, so sometimes it is hard to believe that one is actually underground.
60 minutes
Admission Not Included
Sofia
In the early evening we will arrive in Sofia . The walking tour of city center will include the gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint (Sveta) Sofia Church , Banya Bashi Mosque, the Sofia Synagogue and the main shopping street Vitosha .
180 minutes
The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.
Additional Information
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!! In case you will need a transfer to the airport or any other extra services please ask the tour manager in advance if it is possible to organize it and let you know also the price. -
A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
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A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
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A minimum of 2 participants is required to organise the tour. If the tour it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
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Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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• In case that all the members of the tour have a special request to see something else that it is not in the itinerary and it requests also extra miles the tour manager after a discussion with our sales department will let you know the extra cost or if we can make it complimentary
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• The order can be changed based on multiple factors like weather, traffic conditions and restrictions, national holidays, ecc but all the visits will be done as indicated in the itinerary, changing just the order keeping in mind that all this is done for your safety or to make more enjoyable your tour.
What our experts say
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Pack comfortable walking shoes -
Try local cuisine at Sibiu's restaurants
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Visit the Bear Sanctuary in Zarnesti
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Explore Bucharest's Old Town for nightlife
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Bring a jacket for cooler evenings
More About this Experience
Introduction
Embark on an unforgettable journey with the Guided Tour from Budapest to Sofia through Transylvania, a mesmerizing experience that blends rich history with breathtaking landscapes. This nine-day adventure will take you through the heart of Eastern Europe, visiting iconic sites like Dracula's Castle, the enchanting painted monasteries of Bukovina, and vibrant cities such as Timisoara and Sibiu. Travelers will enjoy the comfort of a small group tour, where modern air-conditioned minivans and a professional driver/tour leader will ensure a seamless travel experience. Inclusive of hotel pickups, drop-offs, and eight nights of accommodation in cozy 3 to 4-star hotels, this tour is designed for those seeking both comfort and cultural immersion. With English-speaking guides at your service, every moment becomes an opportunity to create lasting memories. So, pack your bags and get ready for an adventure where history, culture, and breathtaking scenery await at every turn!What to expect?
Participants can expect a carefully curated itinerary that showcases the very best of Transylvania and beyond. From the charming streets of Timisoara, soon to be the European Capital of Culture, to the hauntingly beautiful Bran Castle, often associated with the Dracula legend, this tour promises an array of highlights. Travelers will explore the majestic Corvin Castle, the picturesque medieval city of Sibiu, and the stunning landscapes of the Carpathians. Each day is filled with guided tours, allowing travelers to delve deep into the culture and history of each destination while enjoying the comfort of well-planned transportation. The tour also includes breakfast each day, ensuring travelers start their adventures fueled and ready to explore. With ample opportunities to engage with local culture, art, and cuisine, this experience is as enriching as it is enjoyable. The small group dynamic fosters camaraderie and an intimate atmosphere, making the journey not just about the destinations, but also the connections made along the way.Who is this for?
This guided tour is perfect for a diverse range of travelers. History buffs will relish the chance to explore medieval castles and UNESCO World Heritage sites, while culture enthusiasts will appreciate the vibrant local traditions and artistic heritage of the regions. It’s also an excellent fit for couples seeking a romantic getaway, families wanting to bond over enriching experiences, and solo adventurers eager to meet like-minded individuals. The tour is inclusive, welcoming travelers of all backgrounds and ages, provided they have a moderate level of physical fitness. Whether one is a seasoned traveler or taking their first international trip, this journey is tailored for anyone looking to discover the hidden gems of Eastern Europe in a supportive and engaging environment. With a professional tour leader guiding the way, even those new to group travel will feel at ease and well-cared for.Why book this?
Booking the Guided Tour from Budapest to Sofia through Transylvania isn’t just about visiting stunning locations; it’s about experiencing the heart and soul of Eastern Europe in a way that’s both comfortable and enriching. This tour offers a unique blend of iconic landmarks and hidden treasures, all while being led by knowledgeable guides who bring the stories of each site to life. The small group format ensures personalized attention and the opportunity to forge connections with fellow travelers. With everything from hotel accommodations to transportation included, the experience is seamless, allowing participants to focus on enjoying the journey rather than stressing over logistics. Plus, the chance to explore culturally rich cities and picturesque landscapes means every day brings something new and exciting. For those looking to create lasting memories filled with adventure, history, and culture, this tour is an unbeatable choice.Good to know
Before embarking on this exciting tour, travelers should keep a few important tips in mind. A valid passport is required on the day of travel, and it is advisable to dress appropriately for visits to places of worship and museums, ensuring knees and shoulders are covered. While the tour is designed for comfort, a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended as some sites may involve walking or climbing stairs. If travelers have special requests to see additional sites not included in the itinerary, discussions with the tour manager can often accommodate these wishes. It’s also wise to check in advance about transportation to and from the airport, as extra services can sometimes be arranged. Lastly, travelers should prepare for the possibility of itinerary adjustments due to factors like weather or traffic, but rest assured that all planned visits will be honored.Reviews
Feedback from travelers who have embarked on this guided tour has been overwhelmingly positive. Many praise the knowledgeable tour leaders who provide insightful commentary, enriching the experience with fascinating stories about each location. Participants frequently highlight the comfortable accommodations and the convenience of having all logistics taken care of, allowing them to relax and fully immerse themselves in the journey. Travelers also express appreciation for the small group setting, which fosters a friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to form lasting friendships with fellow adventurers. The stunning sights, from the majestic castles to the charming towns, leave a lasting impression, making this tour a top recommendation for anyone looking to explore the enchanting landscapes and rich history of Eastern Europe.
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