One week in Transylvania with a rental car is enough to see everything that matters: medieval castles, Saxon towns, alpine landscapes, monasteries and welcoming villages. Here is our favourite itinerary — tested, optimised and ready to follow.
Day 1: Arrival in Cluj-Napoca
Recommended base: Cluj-Napoca
Kilometres driven: 0
Arrive in Cluj-Napoca — by plane (CLJ Airport) or by train. Pick up your car from Transylvania Car and start exploring Transylvania's largest city.
What to do in Cluj:
- Union Square (Piața Unirii) — the heart of the city, with St. Michael's Cathedral
- Botanical Garden — one of the most beautiful in Romania
- Old Town — cafés, restaurants, vibrant atmosphere
- Cetățuia Hill — panoramic views over the entire city
🍽️ Restaurant tip: Roata (traditional Romanian cuisine) or Bistro de l'Arte (modern fusion)
Day 2: Cluj → Turda Gorge → Sighișoara
Km: ~150 km · Driving time: ~2.5 hours (with stops)
Start the morning with a 2-hour stop at Turda Gorge (Cheile Turzii) — a spectacular nature reserve 30 km from Cluj, with 1–2 hour hiking trails and stunning scenery.
Continue to Sighișoara — the best-preserved inhabited medieval town in Romania, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
What to do in Sighișoara:
- Clock Tower — climb to the top for panoramic views
- Vlad the Impaler's birthplace (now a restaurant)
- Scholars' Stairs — 175 covered wooden steps to the hilltop church
- Evening: stroll through the illuminated medieval lanes
Day 3: Sighișoara → Sibiu
Km: ~80 km · Driving time: ~1.5 hours
A full day in Sibiu (Hermannstadt) — another dream city with impeccable Saxon architecture and a vibrant cultural scene.
What to do in Sibiu:
- Grand Square & Small Square — the most beautiful squares in Transylvania
- Bridge of Lies — the cast-iron bridge with its legend
- Council Tower — panoramic views from the top
- Brukenthal Museum — the oldest museum in Romania
- ASTRA Open-Air Museum — extraordinary, allow at least 3 hours
🛒 Sibiu has the best craft market in the region — ideal for authentic souvenirs.
Day 4: Sibiu → Transfăgărășan → Brașov
Km: ~200 km · Driving time: ~4–5 hours (with stops)
The highlight of the entire itinerary. Leave Sibiu early and drive the Transfăgărășan — the most spectacular road in the world.
Mandatory stops:
- Bâlea Waterfall — park below, 15-minute walk to the cascade
- Bâlea Lake — glacial lake at 2,034 m, allow 45–60 minutes
- Vidraru Dam — impressive arch dam on the descent
- Poenari Fortress — Vlad the Impaler's real castle, 1,480 steps (optional)
Arrive in Brașov in the evening.
Day 5: Brașov + Surroundings
Km: ~60 km (day trips) · Base: Brașov
A day based in Brașov with excursions to nearby castles.
Morning — Bran Castle
30 km from Brașov, Romania's most photographed castle. Allow 2 hours.
Lunchtime — Râșnov
Râșnov Fortress and lunch in the town.
Afternoon — Brașov
- Historic Centre — Republicii Street, Council Square
- Black Church — the largest Gothic church in Romania
- Tampa Cable Car — spectacular panorama over the city
Day 6: Brașov → Sinaia → Brașov (or continue south)
Km: ~100 km return · Time: 4–5 hours
Day trip to Sinaia — Romania's royal resort.
What to do in Sinaia:
- Peleș Castle — absolutely unmissable, allow 2–3 hours
- Pelișor Castle — next to Peleș, allow 45 minutes
- Sinaia Monastery — ancient and peaceful
- Bucegi Plateau Cable Car — extraordinary alpine scenery
Day 7: Brașov → Prejmer → Cluj (or car return)
Km: ~300 km · Driving time: ~3.5 hours
The final day. On the way back to Cluj (or the airport):
- Prejmer Fortified Church (UNESCO) — 30 minutes from Brașov, well worth stopping
- Rupea Fortress — another impressive fortress en route to Cluj
- Cluj-Napoca — return your car, catch your flight home
Itinerary Summary
| Day | Route | Km | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Cluj | — | City tour |
| 2 | Cluj → Turda Gorge → Sighișoara | 150 | Medieval citadel |
| 3 | Sighișoara → Sibiu | 80 | Grand Square, ASTRA Museum |
| 4 | Sibiu → Transfăgărășan → Brașov | 200 | Bâlea Lake |
| 5 | Brașov + Bran + Râșnov | 60 | Bran Castle |
| 6 | Brașov → Sinaia → Brașov | 100 | Peleș Castle |
| 7 | Brașov → Prejmer → Cluj | 300 | Car return |
| Total | ~890 km |
Book Your Car for This Itinerary
Transylvania Car — pick up in Cluj, return in Cluj (or Brașov if you prefer).
All vehicles are fully serviced and come with comprehensive insurance.
🌐 www.transilvaniacar.com
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Need help planning your exact route? Message us — we're locals and know every road in Transylvania.