Overview
This Best of Romania - Motorcycle Tour is one of the must-do guided motorcycle tours in Europe. Departing from the city of Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania, Romania, the itinerary covers 1928 km of the most important regions of Romania: Transylvania, Moldavia and Wallachia.
Highlights
- Starts and ends in Cluj-Napoca
- Ride on Transfăgărășan Road, the most challenging of Europe’s roads for motorcyclists
- Ride the Transalpina Highway, one of the most spectacular roads of the Carpathian Mountains
- Admire the great views on Transbucegi Road (1925 m above sea level)
- Take on the bends on Transrarau, the third most beautiful alpine road in Romania
- Enjoy the Transceahlau, a narrow, sinuous road cutting through Ceahlău Natural Park
- Explore the Medieval Saxon city of Brasov
- 10 nights accommodation
Itinerary
Day 1 - Cluj-Napoca - Turda
Welcome to Romania! Your English-speaking guide, a motorcycle enthusiast and a 100% Transylvanian, collects you from Cluj-Napoca Airport. Start your Best of Romania Motorcycle Tour from Cluj, and you will be transferred to Turda, a small town with an intimate atmosphere founded by the Romans under the name Potaissa. A ride to the sunset mountains will give you an appetite for more. Accommodation in Turda.
Day 2: Turda – Bistrita – Piatra Fantanele (about 220 km / 137 mi – 4h30min riding)
Prepare to descend to the heart of one of the biggest salt mines in the country, Turda Salt Mines, with impressive halls named after kings and queens. Today you'll enjoy stunning sceneries, following the footsteps of Jonathan Harker (Bram Stoker's character from the Dracula novel) to Borgo Pass. And here you are at Dracula's Castle in Borgo Pass, a 3\* hotel which was built in accordance to Bram Stoker's imagination. A visit to Dracula's coffin after the sunset will waken your senses.
Day 3: Piatra Fantanele – Transrarau Road – Gura Humorului (about 126 km / 78 mi – 4 hours riding)
In the morning, if you still see your reflection in the mirror, continue your Romania Motorcycle Tour crossing from Transylvania to Bucovina region. Ride up to 1400 m in altitude on Transrarau Road, also known as the Treasures Road. Transrarau will reward you with an amazing ride and kilometers of breath-taking scenery. Accommodation in Gura Humorului.
Day 4: Gura Humorului – Moldovita – Sucevita – Marginea – Gura Humorului (about 140 km / 87 mi – 3 hours riding)
Today you will follow the route to the medieval painted monasteries of Bucovina, UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ride the motorbike up in the mountain area on a winding road to discover the jewels of Bucovina: Moldovita and Sucevita Monasteries. The region is also famous for its black ceramic workshops.
Day 5: Gura Humorului – Targu Neamt – Transceahlau Road – Piatra Neamt (about 196 km / 122 mi – 5 hours riding)
Continue riding to Targu Neamt, home to Neamt Citadel. Dating back to the 14th century, the citadel is one of the most impressive of its kind in Romania. Transceahlau Road is your next destination. Crossing Ceahlau National Park, the road is narrow with small sections of gravel road and offers some beautiful views over Bicaz Lake and the mountain area. Accommodation in Piatra Neamt.
Day 6: Piatra Neamt – Red Lake – Brasov (about 243 km / 151 mi – 4h30min riding)
Today you will cross through Hell’s Throat while riding some of the most beautiful gorges in Romania—the Bicazului Gorges. Connecting Moldavia with Transylvania, the spectacular gorges are guarded by 400 m rocks offering an incredible view to the traveler. Explore today Brasov, a city with an outstanding medieval atmosphere which has played a vital role in Romania’s history, both old and new. Accommodation in the medieval city of Brasov.
Day 7: Brasov – Transbucegi Road – Brasov (about 220 km / 137 mi – 5h20min riding)
Start the day riding Prahova Valley and visit Peles Palace, one of the most beautiful royal residences in Europe, home to most of Romania’s monarchs. Get on the motorbikes and continue riding Transbucegi Road. Crossing Bucegi Mountain, the ride rewards the traveler with amazing views. Also known as Babele Road, Transbucegi is a narrow mountain road, filled with hairpin curves taking you up to 1925 m above sea level. Accommodation in Brasov.
Day 8: Brasov – Rasnov – Bran – Transfăgărășan (about 218 km / 135 – 5 hours riding)
Continue your journey to reach Transylvania’s symbol, Bran Castle. Unrightfully called Dracula’s Castle, Bran owes its fame both to its unique charm and to the myth Bram Stoker created around Dracula. Your next ride is on Transfăgărășan Road, the most crooked and challenging of Europe's roads for motorcyclists. Built between 1970 and 1974 as a military route by communist dictator Ceausescu, it snakes up into the Carpathians offering great rides and enormous satisfaction.
Day 9: Transfăgărășan – Horezu - Transalpina (about 200 km / 124 – 5h40m riding)
Curtea de Arges is your next destination in this Best of Romania Motorcycle Tour, with its beautiful monastery built in Byzantine style, with Moorish arabesques. Find out the legend of the monastery and continue your journey riding up the mountains. Transalpina Road, one of the most spectacular roads of the Carpathian Mountains and the highest mountain road in Romania, is next on your agenda. Accommodation in a 3\* hotel on Transalpina Road.
Day 10: Transalpina – Alba Iulia – Turda (about 190 km / 118 mi – 4 hours riding)
Continue exploring Transalpina Road. With its highest point at Urdele Pass, 2145 m above sea level, the road is also called The King's Road by the locals. The road was built under the rule of King Carol II of Romania and rebuilt during World War II by German troops. Reach the town of Alba Iulia Citadel, a fortress with seven bulwarks, a star shaped citadel, common to Vauban fortresses.
Day 11: Turda – Cluj
Your Best of Romania Motorcycle Tour will end in Turda, with a smile on your face and road bends to last you for a lifetime. Transfer to the airport to catch the flight to your next adventure.
Ride Details
- Terrain
- Paved roads as well as sections of gravel roads
- Bike
- personal or rental bike (BMW G650GS, F800GS, F750GS, F800GS (895cc), F850GS, R1250 GS)
- Mileage
- Approximately 1928 kilometers / 1198 miles
- Daily rides
- 126 - 243 km / 78 - 151 mi
- Riding gear
- not included: complete motorcycle gear with integral or flip up helmet
- Meals
- 10 breakfasts
What's included
- 10 nights accommodation
- 10 breakfasts
- Motorcyclist English-speaking guide
- General map
- Daily route briefing
- Transfers from Cluj-Napoca International Airport (CLJ)
Not included
- Plane ticket
- Airport fees
- Gas
- Road taxes
- Parking
- Entry fees to the mentioned tourist attractions
- Lunches and dinners
- Beverages
- Individual activities
- Photo, video tax
- Others not mentioned
Accommodation
The itinerary is complemented with excellent accommodation because the region offers charming hotels and cozy country inns.
Food
Ten breakfasts are included in the price.
Getting There
The tour takes you riding on some of the best motorcycle roads in Europe. Transfăgărășan Road, Transalpina Highway, Transbucegi or Transrarau will all open their roads for you in an amazing Romanian motorbike experience. The mountain roads will take you to the northeast part of Romania, also known as Bucovina. Certainly this region is famous first of all for its painted medieval monasteries. Howev
