Curtea de Argeş

In the morning you will start your journey towards the Fagaras Mountains, some of the most massive and beautiful mountains in Romania, also named the Transylvanian Alps. Your first stop will be in the town named Curtea de Arges, at the bottom of the Fagaras Mountains, where you will visit one of the most remarkable monasteries in Romania. Next you will make a stop at the foot of the Poenari Citadel, a stronghold that became famous thanks to Dracula's Legend. From here you will be taken to Romania's most beautiful road, named by Top Gear "the best road in the world", the Transfagarasan, the second-highest road in Romania. The road reaches its highest point of 2034m at the Balea Lake. Here you will have an hour and a half break to enjoy the beauty of this place. You have numerous possibilities: a cable car trip between Balea Lake and Balea Waterfall; lunch in one of the chalets; or picnic or hike around this beautiful area​. ​With your batteries fully charged, you will now drive back to Bucharest arriving at around 20:00.

Forget about legends and travel to see Vlad the Impaler's Royal Court and his Fortress in Poienari village, where Vlad use to hide the country's gold. Stop to see Curtea de Arges Monastery, a real beauty of the Royal Family, and where the graves of the Romanian Kings are located. See the biggest dam in Romania nearby, Vidraru Dam, and get ready to take pictures. You will travel by private car and have your own guide while visiting some of the most historical and interesting sites in the area. Travel to Targoviste Fortress, one of the most important medieval monuments in Romania with a history that goes back to the 15th century. Explore the former princely court, that was used as a residence by some of the most famous princes of Southern Romania, including Constantin Brancoveanu and the legendary Vlad the Impaler who built the emblematic Chindia Tower. Learn the history of Tragoviste, from its small beginnings as a fortress to its expansion to a princely residence by Vlad Dracul. Move on with a walk up to Chindia Tower, the symbol of the princely court of Targoviste. Admire the view from the tower’s balcony, especially the ruins of the two princely palaces, and also observe the silhouette of a church dated back to 1415. Finish walking around what remains of the palace and visit the two churches that still survive in the area, the small Holly Friday Church and the Great Princely Church, the only monument built in the 15th century in Southern Romania still conserved in its original form. Reach the old town of Curtea de Arges, with its rich and eventful history, and see the ruins of the Wallachian princely court, the 13th century Royal Church, as well the famous Arges Monastery. Learn the interesting and sad history of the sites from the guide. Enjoy visiting Poenari Castle, a perfect stop for history lovers and fans of Dracula. Experience the perfect chance to discover the wildlife in Transylvania.

Drive to the former capital of Wallachia, Targoviste, and visit the remains of the court of Vlad the Impaler, better known as Dracula. Next stop is in Curtea de Arges where you’ll visit one of the most beautiful churches in Romania, also the burial site of the first Romanian kings. From this holy place keep on driving to the ruins of Poenari Castle, Dracula’s fortification which overlooks the Carpathian Mountains.  Experience the Transfagarasan Road, built by Ceausescu with the help of the army. It offers a breathtaking view and takes you all the way up to the summit of the mountain where you can discover the astonishing glacial lake of Balea. From here, start your long but beautiful drive back home.

Poenari Castle, also known as Poenari Citadel, is a ruined castle in Romania, notable for its connection to Vlad III The Impaler, a real life member of the House of Drăculești who gave his name and inspiration to the legendary fictional Count Dracula. On this 10-hour sightseeing tour from Bucharest, be driven to the castle in the foothills of the Făgăraş Mountains, perched on a cliff above the Curtea de Arges, one of the oldest towns in Wallachia. Historically, Curtea de Arges was the capital of a small state that formed the start of the unification of lands south of the Carpathians. Stroll through the town center to visit the Princely Church, the oldest Orthodox church in the region, and explore the Old Court ruins, Episcopal Church, and Olari Church, a painted church from Moldavia uniquely found on Wallachian grounds. Your trip also includes a traditional Romanian meal at the best restaurant in Curtea de Arges, and the chance to climb the 1,480 steps up to the ruins of Poienari Castle for spectacular views of the Arges gorge and Wallachian landscape.

Discover the top attractions in Romania on this guided tour. You’ll see the resting place of kings, Curtea de Arges Monastery, visit the true home of Dracula, Poienari fortress, see wild brown bears waiting by the road, and more. The tour will start with a visit to Curtea de Arges Monastery, found in the former capital of Romania, Arges. You’ll see the ruins of the Wallachian princely court, the 13th century Royal Church, as well as the famous Arges Monastery. Learn all about this important historical monument and its interesting, but sad story, from your guide. Next up is one of Romania’s top attractions, Poenari Castle. This was the original castle of Vlad the Impaler, who inspired the story of Dracula. As you climb up the 1480 stairs that lead up to the castle, you’ll be walking in the steps of Dracula! From there, it’s on to Vidraru Dam, which forms Lake Vidraru. Completed in 1966 on the Argeș River, the arch dam was primarily built to produce hydroelectricity. The dam's height is 166 meters, the arch length 305 meters, and it can store an incredible 465 million cubic meters of water. Near Vidraru Dam is the final sight of the day: wild brown bears! You’ll be amazed by these great animals, calmly relaxing by the road. Finally, you’ll be driven back to your accommodation, your mind filled with all the incredible sights from the day.

Discover the most scenic high-altitude road in Romania named by Top Gear "the best road in the world" with this Transfagarasan Day Trip from Bucharest. Visit the Curtea de Arges Monastery and see the mighty Poenari Citadel. Your first stop will be in the town named Curtea de Arges, at the bottom of the Fagaras Mountains to see the remarkable ruins of the Wallachian princely court, the 13th century Royal Church, as well the famous Arges Monastery. Next, head to the foot of the Poenari Citadel, a stronghold that became famous thanks to Dracula's Legend. Climb the 1480 stairs that lead up to the castle. Continue to the spectacular Transfagarasan Highway and experience the incredible views and stunning scenery that this paved mountain road offers.

Embark on a guided walking tour of the captivating monasteries of Romania's Curtea de Arges. One of the oldest towns in Wallachia, Curtea de Arges rests on the bank of the Arges River. A former capital of a small local state, the city was crucial in the unification of the lands south of the Carpathians, and its oldest archeological evidence dates back to the 13th century. As you begin your walking tour through the ancient city, stop to admire the austere exterior of the Prince Church, and then head within to witness its breathtaking interior. Entirely decorated with painted frescoes, the artworks are the first examples of Romanian painting dating back to the 14th century. Continue the tour with visits to the Old Court ruins, the beautiful Episcopal Church, and the unique Olari Church. Enjoy a delicious traditional Romanian meal at the best restaurant in Curtea de Arges to end the tour.

Head out towards Transfagarasan, a stunning mountain pass said to be one of the world's most beautiful drives. On the way, stop at Curtea de Arges monastery and the Poenari fortress. Once you're on the road, ride its tight curves and take in sights of the Fagaras Mountains. Get picked up from your hotel in Bucharest and embark on an adventure full of legend, lore, and amazing sights. Make a stop at the Curtea de Arges monastery, famous for its dark legends and burial ground of Romanian kings passed. Next, find yourself at the Poenari fortress, the ruins of Blad the Impaler's castle that stands atop a mountain. Discover why it is considered the real Dracula's castle and admire it from the outside. Now, set out on the Transfagarasan and take on its tight curves and fairytale-like landscapes. Stop for a moment on the Vidararu dam to snap a picture and continue on the drive of one of the most beautiful roads in the world. Once you have passed Poenari fortress you are on Transfagarasan road. Before seeing its tight curves and enjoying the amazing landscape, stop for a moment on the Vidraru dam. At the top of the road, stop for an optional lunch at Balea Lac Chalet, which sits next to Balea glacier lake. Look down at Transylvania at your feet before heading back to Bucharest.

Discover the magnificent scenery and charming towns along the Transfagarasan Highway on a guided 2-day excursion from Bucharest. Explore the town of Curtea de Arges, Poenari Castle, the city of Sibiu, and Cozia Monastery on a scenic adventure through Transylvania. Day 1: Start with pickup from your hotel by minivan in Bucharest and first travel to Curtea de Arges, the capital of the historic region of Wallachia. Discover the ruins of the former Wallachian Court, the 13th century Royal Church, as well the famous Arges Monastery. Continue along the Transfagarasan Highway and admire the stunning scenery along this winding mountain road. Often deemed to be one of the most beautiful roads in the world, be amazed by the vast mountain peaks as you descend through the valley. Arrive at the ruins of Poenari Castle, a former residence of the infamous Vlad the Impaler. Situated on a mountaintop, climb the 1480 steps that lead up to the castle as you follow in the footsteps of Dracula himself. Make a short stop at Vidraru Damn for some picturesque views of the lake. Finally, arrive in the city of Sibiu for an overnight stay. Day 2: On the second day of your tour, take a guided tour through the cobbled streets of Sibiu. Discover charming squares surrounded by historic buildings such as the colorful Orthodox Cathedral and the majestic Lutheran Church. Hear of the legends associated with Bridge of Lies and the remarkable stories of the medieval guilds. Learn more about the historic and cultural history of Sibiu, the region of Transylvania, and Romania as a nation, with your guide. Next, make a stop at Cozia Monastery, which was erected in 1388. Discover one of the most significant monuments of medieval art and architecture in the country. Arrive next at Călimănești, a town in Vâlcea County. Situated in the historical region of Oltenia and the northern part of the county, this spa town is known for its popular thermal hot springs. After exploring the town for a short time, relax on the journey back to Bucharest.

5 Days Tour in Romania An adventure of a lifetime, for this 5-day tour of Romania we have chosen an assortment of rich sensory experiences, from medieval sites to a taste of the wilderness, with deep forests, vibrantly colored wildflowers and fresh mountain air (in the right season), all the way to modern exhibits, and a dash of traditional herbs and spices with the delicious foods we will be trying in every medieval town we visit. Total Duration: 5 days Day 1 : Bucharest City Tour 8 hours - Overnight in Bucharest Itinerary steps: 7 Meals not included Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in Bucharest - Accommodation not included Day 2 : Curtea de Arges Monastery, Poienari Castle, Transfagarasan (only between June and September), Overnight in Sibiu Itinerary steps: 4 Meals not included Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in Sibiu - Accommodation not included Day 3 : Biertan Fortified Church, Sighisoara’s Citadel, Overnight in Sighisoara Itinerary steps: 2 Meals not included Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in Sighisoara - Accommodation not included Day 4 : Brasov Old Town, Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) - Overnight in Brasov Itinerary steps: 2 Meals not included Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in Brasov - Accommodation not included Day 5 : Peles Castle, Sinaia Monastery, Snagov Monastery - Dracula's Tomb - Back to Bucharest Itinerary steps: 3 Meals not included Accommodation included: Overnight Stay in Bucharest - Accommodation not included