Christmas markets of Transylvania

6-Day Christmas Markets Tour of Transylvania from Bucharest

Discover Romania in winter on a 6-day tour from Bucharest that combines the Christmas markets of Bucharest, Brașov and Sibiu with royal castles, medieval towns, a fortified Saxon church and the snowy landscapes of the Carpathian Mountains.

The tour is designed for travelers who want to see Transylvania during the festive season, with guided visits, walking tours of decorated historic centers, time at the Christmas markets and a winter excursion to Bâlea Lake, weather permitting.

Tour Highlights:

• Visit the Christmas market in Constitution Square, in front of Bucharest’s Palace of Parliament
• See the Arch of Triumph and, depending on time, the Village Museum in Bucharest
• Visit Peleș Castle in Sinaia, former summer residence of Romania’s royal family
• Explore the historic center of Brașov and its Christmas market
• Discover Bran Castle, often associated with the Dracula legend
• Walk through the UNESCO-listed medieval citadel of Sighișoara
• See the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill, the Venetian House and the House with Antlers in Sighișoara
• Visit Biertan Fortified Church, former seat of the Lutheran bishops of Transylvania
• Explore Sibiu’s Large Square, Small Square, Evangelical Church and Bridge of Lies
• Spend time at the Sibiu Christmas Market in the Large Square
• Ride the cable car from Bâlea Cascadă to Bâlea Lake, weather and operating conditions permitting
• Cross the Southern Carpathians through the Olt River Valley
• Visit Curtea de Argeș Monastery, home of the legend of Master Manole

Detailed itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Bucharest – city tour – Christmas Market

Welcome to Bucharest

Welcome to Romania. Depending on your arrival time, the first day includes either a more extensive sightseeing tour of Bucharest or a panoramic introduction to the capital.

Known as “Little Paris” in the late 19th and early 20th centuries because of its elegant architecture and French influence, Bucharest today combines historic buildings, monumental communist-era architecture and modern city life.

Bucharest Christmas Market

One of the main stops is Constitution Square, in front of the Palace of Parliament, where Bucharest’s main Christmas market is traditionally held. Walk among the decorated stalls, try seasonal food and local products, enjoy a cup of mulled wine and listen to Romanian Christmas music.

Village Museum and Arch of Triumph

The sightseeing tour can also include the Village Museum, an open-air museum with hundreds of traditional buildings showing rural architecture from different regions of Romania.

You will also see the Arch of Triumph, built to commemorate Romania’s participation in the First World War and the creation of Greater Romania.

Christmas Lights in Bucharest

During the festive season, smaller markets and decorated areas can be found across the city. In the evening, a drive along Bucharest’s main boulevards shows the seasonal illuminations.

Overnight in Bucharest

Accommodation in Bucharest at Hotel Berthelot 4 or similar*.

Day 2: Bucharest – Sinaia – Brașov

Peleș Castle in Sinaia

After breakfast, you leave Bucharest and travel north toward the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania.

The first major stop is Sinaia, one of Romania’s best-known mountain resorts and home to Peleș Castle. Built in the 19th century for King Carol I, Peleș became one of the main residences of the Romanian royal family. Its interiors combine carved wood, paintings, decorative arts and architectural influences from different parts of Europe.

The castle remains one of Romania’s most important royal landmarks and a good introduction to the period when modern Romania developed as a European monarchy.

Arrival in Brașov

The route continues through the mountains to Brașov, one of the most important historic cities of Transylvania.

Brașov grew significantly after German-speaking Saxon settlers established themselves in the region in the Middle Ages. Its location on major trade routes made it an important commercial and defensive center.

Brașov Old Town and Christmas Market

A walking tour of the historic center introduces you to old Brașov, followed by time at the city’s Christmas market. The stalls usually offer food, sweets, hot drinks, handicrafts and festive decorations.

The evening is free to explore the market and the surrounding pedestrian streets.

Overnight in Brașov

Accommodation in Brașov at Casa Wagner Hotel 3 or similar*.

Day 3: Brașov – Bran – Sighișoara

Bran Castle

In the morning, you drive to Bran Castle, about one hour from Brașov.

Often promoted internationally as “Dracula’s Castle”, Bran is one of Romania’s most visited landmarks. Its real history is connected mainly with medieval defense, trade routes and the development of Transylvania. The castle was built in a strategic location, controlling access between Transylvania and Wallachia.

The connection between Bran and Vlad III Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler, is much more limited than popular culture suggests. Historical traditions and later tourism promotion turned Bran into the castle most widely associated with the Dracula story.

Arrival in Sighișoara

After the visit, the tour continues deeper into Transylvania to Sighișoara, one of Europe’s best-preserved inhabited medieval citadels.

Its narrow streets, towers, colorful houses and medieval architecture keep the character of an old Transylvanian craftsmen’s town. Take time for a first walk through the citadel.

Overnight in Sighișoara

Accommodation in a 3 hotel or guesthouse in or near the historic citadel*.

Day 4: Sighișoara – Biertan – Sibiu

Walking Tour of Sighișoara

The morning starts with a more detailed walking tour of Sighișoara Old Town.

Along the cobbled streets of the citadel, you will see the Clock Tower, the Church on the Hill and the house traditionally associated with the birth of Vlad III Dracula in 1431.

The historic houses inside the citadel reflect Sighișoara’s development as a medieval town of craftsmen and merchants. Notable buildings include the Venetian House, the House with Antlers and several former residences of prosperous local families.

Biertan Fortified Church

After the visit, you drive through the Transylvanian countryside to Biertan, a historic Saxon village known for its fortified church complex.

The church is surrounded by several defensive walls and towers and illustrates the system of fortified settlements developed by the Transylvanian Saxons. For almost three centuries, Biertan was also an important ecclesiastical center and the seat of the Lutheran bishops of Transylvania.

One of Biertan’s best-known stories concerns a small room used for couples who wanted to separate. According to local tradition, they were confined there together for a time in an attempt to encourage reconciliation.

Walking Tour of Sibiu

Founded and developed by Transylvanian Saxons, Sibiu became one of the most important fortified towns of medieval Transylvania. Its historic center still reflects the architectural influence of the German-speaking communities that shaped the city for centuries.

The walking tour includes the Large Square, the Small Square, the Evangelical Church, the Bridge of Lies, medieval towers and former guild buildings.

Sibiu Christmas Market

The day ends at the Sibiu Christmas Market, traditionally held in the Large Square in the heart of the Old Town, with free time among the stalls, decorations and historic buildings.

Overnight in Sibiu

Accommodation in Sibiu at Casa Luxemburg 3 or similar*.

Day 5: Sibiu – Bâlea Cascadă – Bâlea Lake – Sibiu

Winter on the Transfăgărășan Road

Today is dedicated to the winter landscapes of the Făgăraș Mountains, part of Romania’s Southern Carpathians.

Weather and operating conditions permitting, you drive from Sibiu toward the northern section of the Transfăgărășan Road. In winter, the high-altitude section is normally closed to vehicles because of snow and avalanche risk, so the journey continues only as far as the cable car station at Bâlea Cascadă.

Cable Car to Bâlea Lake

The cable car climbs through the glacial landscape of the Făgăraș Mountains to Bâlea Lake, at approximately 2,000 meters above sea level, and offers a very different view of the Carpathians in winter.

At the lake, enjoy the snowy mountain scenery and stop for a hot tea or coffee at one of the mountain facilities. Depending on the season and operating conditions, the area may also feature the seasonal Ice Hotel.

Free Evening in Sibiu

After the excursion, you return to Sibiu. The evening is free for another visit to the Christmas market, a walk through the Old Town or dinner in the historic center.

Overnight in Sibiu

Accommodation in Sibiu at Casa Luxemburg 3 or similar*.

Day 6: Sibiu – Olt Valley – Curtea de Argeș – Bucharest

Olt River Valley

After breakfast, you leave Sibiu and begin the return journey to Bucharest. The route crosses the Southern Carpathians through the Olt River Valley, one of the main natural passages between Transylvania and southern Romania, with winter views of the mountains and the narrow valley.

Curtea de Argeș Monastery

The main visit of the day is Curtea de Argeș Monastery, one of Romania’s best-known Orthodox monuments.

Built in the early 16th century, the monastery stands out for its elaborate exterior decoration and its combination of Byzantine traditions with other decorative influences. The church is closely associated with Romanian royal history and with one of the country’s best-known legends, the story of Master Manole, an important theme in Romanian literature and folklore.

Return to Bucharest

After the visit, you continue to Bucharest, where the six-day tour comes to an end.

Overnight in Bucharest at Hotel Duke Armeneasca 3 or similar*.

Why Choose This Christmas Markets Tour of Transylvania?

This 6-day tour from Bucharest suits travelers who want to experience Romania during the festive season while also seeing some of the country’s main cultural landmarks.

The route combines three Christmas markets in Bucharest, Brașov and Sibiu with royal heritage at Peleș Castle, the Dracula legend at Bran, medieval history in Sighișoara, Saxon heritage in Biertan and Sibiu, and the Orthodox tradition of Curtea de Argeș.

It is a good option for visitors interested in Christmas markets, castles, UNESCO sites, old towns and winter scenery in the Carpathians. Please note that the Bâlea Lake excursion depends on weather and cable car operating conditions.

Request More Information

If you are planning a winter trip to Romania, this 6-day itinerary brings together Christmas markets, cultural sightseeing and Carpathian scenery in one route from Bucharest.

Contact us for availability, full tour details and more information about the Christmas Markets of Transylvania tour.

Want more time to explore Romania in the colder months? See also our 6-Day Winter Tour of Transylvania.