Romania, Bulgaria and Republic of Moldova Tour – 9 Days, 8 Nights

Discover three Eastern European countries during a private 9-day tour through Romania, Bulgaria and the Republic of Moldova. The itinerary combines medieval fortresses, historic cities, UNESCO-listed monasteries, mountain landscapes and important cultural landmarks.

Starting and ending in Bucharest, the tour takes you across the Danube into northern Bulgaria, east towards Chișinău and Iași, through the painted monasteries of Bukovina and across the Carpathian Mountains into Transylvania. Along the way, you will visit cities such as Veliko Tarnovo, Chișinău, Iași, Sighișoara, Sibiu and Brașov, as well as some of the region’s most important castles, monasteries and fortified churches.

Tour Highlights

During this Romania, Bulgaria and Republic of Moldova tour, you will:

• Visit Basarabovo Rock Monastery in Bulgaria.
• Walk along the ancient walls of Tsarevets Fortress.
• Discover the traditional village of Arbanasi.
• See the unusual lunar landscape of the Mud Volcanoes.
• Explore Chișinău, the capital of the Republic of Moldova.
• Take a sightseeing tour of Iași, the former capital of Moldavia.
• Visit the UNESCO-listed Painted Monasteries of Bukovina.
• Photograph Bicaz Gorges and Red Lake.
• Visit Praid Salt Mine or explore Sovata Spa Resort.
• Walk through the cobbled streets of Sighișoara Medieval Citadel.
• Visit the fortified church of Biertan.
• Explore Sibiu Old Town, once one of Transylvania’s most important Saxon cities.
• Visit Hunyadi Castle and Alba Iulia Fortress.
• Travel through the scenery of the Carpathian Mountains.
• Discover the royal mountain resort of Sinaia and visit Peleș Castle.
• Visit Bran Castle, commonly associated with the Dracula legend.
• Explore the medieval centre of Brașov.

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Bucharest – Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanasi – Ruse – Bucharest

Leave Bucharest in the morning and travel approximately 55 kilometres towards the Bulgarian border. Cross the Danube over the Friendship Bridge, pass through Ruse and continue towards the Rusenski Lom Valley.

From the 12th century onwards, monks carved churches, chapels and cells into the limestone cliffs of this region. Today, these religious sites are among northern Bulgaria’s most interesting cultural attractions.

The first visit of the day is Basarabovo Rock Monastery, closely connected with Saint Dimitar Basarbovski, an Orthodox saint venerated by both Romanians and Bulgarians.

Continue to Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. The city is dominated by Tsarevets Fortress, once an important political, economic and religious centre. The medieval Bulgarian state was restored here by the brothers Peter and Asen. In 1393, following a siege lasting approximately three months, the fortress was conquered by the Ottoman army.

After lunch, walk through the historic centre of Veliko Tarnovo. Discover its cobbled streets, traditional 19th-century houses and small shops that once belonged to the town’s merchants and craftsmen.

The next stop is Arbanasi, a historic village known for the fortified houses built by some of the region’s wealthiest merchants. Visit the Church of the Nativity and discover the stories and religious symbols represented in its Byzantine-style frescoes.

Cross the Danube and return to Bucharest in the afternoon.

Overnight in Bucharest at Opera Hotel 3-star or similar.

Day 2: Bucharest – Mud Volcanoes – Chișinău

Leave Bucharest in the morning and travel east towards the Republic of Moldova.

One of the main stops of the day is the Mud Volcanoes, an unusual natural phenomenon found in only a few European countries. Underground gases push mud and water towards the surface, forming small cones and craters.

The lack of vegetation around the formations creates a dry, almost lunar landscape. Visitors can walk around the site and observe the small mud eruptions and constantly changing terrain.

After visiting the Mud Volcanoes, continue towards the border with the Republic of Moldova and travel to Chișinău.

Arrival is expected in the evening. You may enjoy a traditional Moldovan dinner accompanied by one of the country’s local wines.

Overnight in Chișinău at a centrally located hotel.

Day 3: Chișinău Sightseeing Tour – Iași

Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Chișinău, the capital and largest city of the Republic of Moldova.

Visit Cathedral Park and the Nativity Cathedral, the principal Orthodox church of the city. Nearby stands the Triumphal Arch, constructed in 1841 and located beside the Great National Assembly Square.

At the city’s artisan and flea markets, you can find local handicrafts, paintings, antiques and objects dating from the Soviet period.

Depending on your interests and the available time, the Chișinău city tour may also include:

• The Military Museum, which presents military equipment, documents and vehicles connected with the Soviet period.
• The Alexander Pushkin Museum, located in the house where the Russian poet lived during his exile.

After exploring Chișinău, continue towards Iași in north-eastern Romania.

Optional Visit: Cricova Winery

An optional tour and wine tasting can be arranged at Cricova Winery, located approximately 15 kilometres north of Chișinău.

The winery occupies an extensive network of underground limestone galleries. Stone extracted from these mines was used over several centuries for the construction of buildings in Chișinău and the surrounding towns.

Today, the underground galleries are used for wine production, ageing and storage.

Overnight in Iași at a centrally located hotel.

Optional Extra Day: Transnistria

An additional day can be added to the itinerary for a full-day excursion from Chișinău to Transnistria, one of Eastern Europe’s most unusual regions.

Travel east across the Dniester River and explore Tiraspol, the administrative capital of the self-proclaimed territory. Walk along its broad boulevards and central squares while observing Soviet-era architecture, Lenin monuments and Second World War memorials.

The city retains many visual elements associated with the former Soviet Union and is often described as an open-air museum of the Soviet period.

Please note that adding Transnistria requires extending the standard tour by one day.

Day 4: Iași Sightseeing Tour – Gura Humorului – Painted Monasteries of Bukovina

Located in north-eastern Romania, Iași developed at the intersection of historic trade routes connecting Poland, Hungary, Russia and Constantinople. For several centuries, it served as the political and cultural capital of Moldavia.

Walk along the city’s main pedestrian area towards the Palace of Culture. Continue to the Metropolitan Cathedral, inaugurated in the 19th century and designed by architect Alexandru Orăscu. Its interior was decorated by Romanian painter Gheorghe Tattarescu.

Since 1889, the cathedral has housed the relics of Saint Parascheva, the patron saint of Moldavia, making it one of the city’s most important pilgrimage sites.

Visit the Church of the Three Hierarchs, whose stone exterior is covered with elaborate Byzantine, Georgian, Armenian and Oriental decorative motifs.

During the Iași sightseeing tour, you can also admire several important 19th-century buildings commissioned by influential local families and institutions. These include:

• Iași City Hall, housed in the former Roznovanu Palace.
• The National Theatre, designed by the Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer.

After the Iași tour, continue towards Bukovina and the region of the Painted Monasteries.

The monasteries and churches of Bukovina are known for their exterior frescoes, monastic traditions and religious art. The tour includes three of the region’s most important painted monasteries.

Voroneț Monastery

Voroneț Monastery was commissioned by Stephen the Great in 1488. According to tradition, the ruler promised to build the monastery after the hermit Daniel of Voroneț predicted his victory in a battle against the Ottoman forces.

The monastery is particularly famous for the intense blue colour used in its exterior frescoes. Its representation of the Last Judgement is considered one of the most important compositions among the painted churches of Bukovina.

Moldovița Monastery

Moldovița is a fortified monastery surrounded by peaceful countryside. Its exterior frescoes include a detailed representation of the Siege of Constantinople.

The monastery combines defensive architecture with religious paintings intended to communicate biblical and historical stories to the local population.

Sucevița Monastery

Sucevița is the largest of the monasteries included in the tour and is surrounded by high defensive walls and corner towers.

One of its most distinctive exterior frescoes is the Ladder of Divine Ascent, also known as the Staircase of Virtue. The composition represents the spiritual journey from earthly life towards salvation through a sequence of 30 symbolic steps.

Optional Visit: Painted Eggs Museum and Workshop

An optional visit can be arranged at a painted eggs museum and workshop. Here, you can learn about the traditional techniques used to decorate eggshells and discover the symbols and regional motifs associated with this custom.

Overnight in Gura Humorului at Hotel Dukat 4-star or similar.

Day 5: Gura Humorului – Bicaz Gorges – Red Lake  – Sighișoara

Today’s journey is longer but follows one of the most scenic routes of the tour. Leave Bukovina and travel towards Transylvania through the Eastern Carpathian Mountains.

After several hours, reach the Ceahlău region and Bicaz Gorges. The road passes between steep limestone walls that rise to approximately 300 metres in some areas, creating one of Romania’s most dramatic mountain passages.

Continue to Red Lake, a natural lake formed in 1837 after a landslide blocked a mountain valley. The trunks of trees from the flooded forest remain visible above the water, giving the lake its distinctive appearance.

Continue to Sighișoara in the evening.

Overnight in Sighișoara at Casa cu Cerb Guesthouse or similar.

Day 6: Sighișoara – Biertan Fortified Church – Sibiu

Begin the day with a walking tour of Sighișoara, one of Romania’s best-preserved medieval towns.

The historic centre is still inhabited and is surrounded by medieval walls, towers and defensive structures. Its narrow streets and colourful houses reflect the history of the Transylvanian Saxon community.

Continue towards Biertan, one of the earliest Saxon settlements in Transylvania.

Visit the early 16th-century fortified church, positioned on a hill and protected by three lines of defensive walls and several towers. For almost 300 years, Biertan was the seat of the Lutheran bishop of Transylvania.

In the afternoon, travel to Sibiu, one of the most important historic Saxon cities in Romania. Founded during the medieval period, Sibiu is known for its preserved architecture, museums, churches, restaurants and historic squares.

The walking tour begins in the Large Square, once used for public gatherings, markets and executions. Pass through the Council Tower to reach the Small Square, where merchants once sold their goods.

Stop at the Bridge of Lies and listen to the legends and stories associated with one of Sibiu’s best-known landmarks.

Overnight in Sibiu at Republique Hotel or similar.

Day 7: Sibiu – Hunyadi Castle – Alba Iulia Fortress – Sibiu

After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel and travel to Hunedoara to visit Hunyadi Castle, also known as Corvin Castle.

The castle originated in the 14th century and was later rebuilt and expanded by John Hunyadi and his son, Matthias Corvinus. It served both as a noble residence and as an important strategic stronghold.

The castle’s towers, courtyards, halls and defensive structures illustrate several stages of medieval construction. Like many old fortresses, Corvin Castle is also connected with local legends, including stories about prisoners, hidden passages and supernatural events.

Continue to Alba Iulia, a city associated with Roman, medieval and modern Romanian history.

Known as Apulon during the Dacian period, the settlement later became Apulum, one of the most important Roman military and administrative centres in the province of Dacia.

Between 1541 and 1690, Alba Iulia served as the capital of the Principality of Transylvania.

The present Alba Carolina Citadel was constructed during the 18th century over earlier Roman and medieval fortifications. Designed in the Vauban style, the star-shaped fortress is one of the best-preserved citadels of its kind in Romania. Return to Sibiu in the evening.

Overnight in Sibiu.

Optional Excursion: Sarmizegetusa Regia

Travellers interested in Dacian and Roman history may add an excursion to Sarmizegetusa Regia after visiting Hunyadi Castle.

Located in the Orăștie Mountains, Sarmizegetusa Regia was the political, religious and military centre of the Dacian Kingdom before the Roman conquest.

The archaeological site includes defensive walls, sacred areas, terraces and the remains of an important ancient mountain settlement.

Day 8: Sibiu – Transfăgărășan – Poienari Fortress – Curtea de Argeș – Bran or Brașov

Leave Sibiu and cross the Carpathian Mountains towards Wallachia.

From June to November, the route follows the Transfăgărășan, one of Romania’s most scenic mountain roads. The road climbs through alpine landscapes before descending through the Argeș Valley.

Continue towards Poienari Fortress, a stronghold associated with Vlad the Impaler, the historical ruler who later influenced the Dracula legend.

The ruins are located on a steep hill above the Argeș Valley. Access normally involves climbing approximately 1,480 steps through the forest. From the upper area, visitors can see the surrounding mountains and the valley below.

Not far from Poienari Fortress, visit Curtea de Argeș Monastery. The church is known for its unusual architectural form and detailed exterior decoration. Its design combines Byzantine traditions with Oriental and Moorish influences.

After the visit, travel through the mountain corridor connecting Wallachia and Transylvania. Along the way, enjoy views of the Carpathian Mountains and pass through rural communities situated near the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului massifs.

Overnight in Bran village or Brașov.

Seasonal Route Alternative

When the Transfăgărășan high-altitude road is closed, the itinerary must be adjusted according to weather and road conditions.

Access to the Bâlea Lake area may be possible by cable car from Bâlea Waterfall when the cable car is operating and weather conditions permit.

Day 9: Bran Castle – Brașov Sightseeing Tour – Peleș Castle – Bucharest

Begin the morning with a visit to Bran Castle.

The name Bran is believed to have Slavic origins and is connected with the idea of a passage or gateway. Since ancient times, the Bran corridor has provided an important route between Transylvania and Wallachia.

As the region was exposed to attacks by Ottoman, Tatar and other armies, the Transylvanian Saxons built fortifications to protect the mountain passes.

Bran Castle was constructed in 1377 to defend the Bran Pass. It also protected Brașov from possible attacks from the south and functioned as a customs point along the commercial route.

Although the castle is widely promoted through its connection with Dracula, Vlad the Impaler did not live here. He may, however, have passed through the region during his military campaigns.

Continue to Brașov, located only a short drive from Bran.

During the Brașov Old Town walking tour, discover some of the city’s most important medieval landmarks.

Visit the Black Church, an important example of Gothic architecture in Romania, and learn about the events and legends connected with the building.

Walk through Council Square, the historic centre of Brașov, surrounded by colourful merchant houses. Continue to Catherine’s Gate, the only fully preserved medieval gate dating from the 16th century.

After the Brașov tour, travel towards Sinaia and visit Peleș Castle.

Built as a royal residence in the Carpathian Mountains, Peleș Castle is closely connected with Romania’s first royal family. Its architecture and decorated interiors reflect the tastes of King Carol I and the European artistic influences of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

After visiting Peleș Castle, continue to Bucharest, where the Romania, Bulgaria and Republic of Moldova tour ends.

Optional Experiences and Tour Extensions

Several optional visits can be added to the standard itinerary, depending on the available time, opening schedules and traveller interests:

• Cricova Winery tour and wine tasting
• An additional day in Transnistria
• Painted Eggs Museum and workshop
• Sarmizegetusa Regia

Optional visits may require itinerary adjustments or an additional night.

Explore Three Countries on One Private Tour

This 9-day Romania, Bulgaria and Republic of Moldova itinerary is suitable for travellers interested in regional history, architecture, religious heritage and mountain scenery.

The route combines medieval Bulgarian landmarks, the urban and Soviet heritage of Chișinău, the historic cities of Moldavia, the painted monasteries of Bukovina and the castles and fortified towns of Transylvania.

Contact us for information about available departure dates, confirmed accommodation, optional excursions and the final tour schedule.