12-Day Bulgaria & Romania Private Tour: UNESCO Sites & Castles

From Bulgaria’s Rila Monastery to Transylvania’s Bran Castle, explore two countries on a 12-day Bulgaria and Romania private tour from Sofia to Bucharest. Follow a route through UNESCO World Heritage sites, medieval towns and historic castles. In Bulgaria, see Boyana Church, Rila Monastery, Plovdiv, Bachkovo Monastery, Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi. In Romania, travel through Sibiu, Sighisoara, Viscri and Brasov, with Bran Castle and Peles Castle on the planned route.

Travel with your own guide-driver, not a shared group. Private transport, selected 4-star hotels and airport transfers are included. Attraction tickets, lunches and dinners cost extra.

• 12-day private cultural tour from Sofia to Bucharest
• UNESCO heritage sites in Bulgaria and Romania
• Transylvania’s medieval towns and famous castles
• Bran Castle and Peles Castle on the planned route
• Private guide-driver, 4-star hotels and airport transfers

Itinerary

Arrival in Sofia (Bulgaria)

1. Sofia · 4 h

   Arrive at Sofia Airport and meet your driver for the transfer to your hotel in Bulgaria’s capital. Settle into your accommodation before your journey begins the next day. The itinerary also mentions a welcome dinner at a traditional Bulgarian restaurant, although dinner is not listed as included in the package.

Sofia – Boyana Church – Rila Monastery – Plovdiv

1. Rila Monastery · 8 h

   Leave Sofia in the morning and head to UNESCO-listed Boyana Church, known for its medieval frescoes. Continue to Rila Monastery, one of Bulgaria’s best-known religious landmarks, surrounded by the Rila Mountains. In the afternoon, travel to Plovdiv, a historic city known for its ancient roots and old town, where you'll spend the night.

Plovdiv – Bachkovo Monastery – Kazanlak – Veliko Tarnovo

1. Bachkovo Monastery · 8 h

   Begin the day exploring Plovdiv’s Old Town, with its Roman Theater and Ethnographic Museum on the sightseeing route. Continue toward Bachkovo Monastery before traveling through Kazanlak, home to the UNESCO-listed Thracian Tomb. From here, head to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s former medieval capital, known for its hilltop setting and historic buildings.

Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanassi – Bucharest (Romania)

1. 8 h

   Explore Veliko Tarnovo, including Tsarevets Fortress and Samovodska Charshia, a historic area known for its traditional shops and crafts. Continue to nearby Arbanasi, a village with traditional houses and churches known for their frescoes. Then travel north, crossing the Danube River into Romania before reaching Bucharest, the country's capital.

Bucharest – Curtea de Argeș – Sibiu

1. Bucharest · 8 h

   Start in Bucharest, with the Palace of the Parliament on the day's sightseeing route. Continue to Curtea de Argeș Monastery before heading toward the Carpathian Mountains. When seasonally accessible, the planned route follows the Transfagarasan Road, known for its winding mountain scenery. Continue to Sibiu, a Transylvanian city with historic squares and distinctive architecture.

Sibiu – Biertan – Sighisoara

1. Bucharest · 8 h

   Explore Sibiu's historic squares and Gothic church architecture before traveling to Biertan, a Transylvanian village known for its UNESCO-listed fortified church. Continue to Sighisoara, where colorful medieval buildings, cobbled streets and a preserved citadel reflect the town's history. Sighisoara is also known for its connection to Vlad Dracula.

Sighisoara – Viscri – Brasov

1. Sibiu · 8 h

   Leave Sighisoara and travel to Viscri, a traditional Saxon village known for its historic houses, rural surroundings and UNESCO-listed fortified church. Continue to Brasov for an afternoon walking tour through its historic center, where medieval buildings and old streets sit against a backdrop of mountains.

Brasov – Bran Castle – Rasnov – Sinaia

1. Alba Iulia · 8 h

   Leave Brasov and head to Bran Castle, often called Dracula's Castle because of its connection to the Dracula legend. Continue to Rasnov Fortress, another historic landmark in the Carpathian region. From here, travel through the mountain scenery toward Sinaia, a town known for its royal history and surrounding forests.

Sinaia – Peles Castle – Bucharest

1. Wooden Churches of Maramures · 8 h

   Begin the day in Sinaia with Peles Castle, a former royal residence known for its detailed architecture and mountain setting. The itinerary includes a castle tour, but entrance tickets are not included in the package. After visiting the castle area, return to Bucharest, where you'll have free time in the evening and can arrange dinner at your own expense.

Bucharest – Free Day

1. Bucovina Village Museum · 8 h

   Spend the day exploring Bucharest at your own pace or relaxing after several days of traveling through Bulgaria and Romania. If you'd like to see more of the city, the itinerary suggests optional visits to the Village Museum or Cotroceni Palace, or an optional half-day excursion. These activities are not part of the scheduled program, and any additional costs are your responsibility.

Departure from Bucharest

1. Bicaz · 8 h

   After breakfast, prepare for your departure from Bucharest. Your arranged airport transfer takes you to Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport, where your journey through Bulgaria and Romania comes to an end.

What's included

• All land transportation Bulgaria – Romania
• 10 nights accommodation in selected 4★ hotels
• Border assistance
• Private guide/driver for 11 days
• Rent-a-car for the entire itinerary
• Tour planning and operational coordination
• Breakfast
• Airport arrival & departure transfers (Sofia / Bucharest)

What's not included

• Lunch and dinners excluded
• Flights
• Entrance fees (Boyana Church, Rila Monastery, Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, castles, museums
• Local specialist guides where required
• Tips and personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Visa fees (if applicable)

Meeting point

Start time

08:00

End point

Travellers

• Infant (0–2)
• Child (3–11)
• Youth (12–17)
• Adult (18–64)
• Senior (65–99)

Options

• 12-Day Bulgaria & Romania Private Tour: UNESCO Sites & Castlesfrom €2,985.08

  Start time: 08:00

Additional information

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.