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Private Day Trip True Castles of Vlad Dracula and Transfagarasan Road

3 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 3 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Bucharest, Romania
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from $204.33 per person

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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 16 (0) days in advance.
12 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Take a day tour from Bucharest to Poenari, the true castle of the famous Vlad the Impaler and one of the most popular sights in Romania. Built on the top of a cliff, the castle had a great strategic position and nowadays offers a great view over the Arges Valley. You will visit also the Targoviste, the real residence of Vlad the Implaer, known as Dracula and also Vidraru Dam and the best road in Romania: Transfagarasan.

What's Included

  • Hotel/meeting point pick-up and drop-off
  • Private Tour
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Entrance fees
  • Tips for the tour guide / driver
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

We pick-up/drop-off from any hotel or accommodation in Bucharest

What To Expect

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Princely Church

In the morning meet with your guide at your hotel in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. The tour will leave Bucharest going west and visit the Royal Court in Targoviste first.In 1436, Vlad Dracul, the father of Vlad Dracula Tepes (the Impaler), became the ruler of Wallachia and moved to the Royal Court in Targoviste. It is in Targoviste that Vlad Dracula became famous for his cruelty. In 1459, during Easter Sunday, he impaled the all old noble men and enslaved the young ones to build his Poenari Fortress. He accused them of murdering his father.In 1459, from his royal court in Targoviste, Vlad The Impaler refused to pay tribute to the Ottoman Empire. He won one memorable victory against the Ottomans in which he disguised himself as a Janissary and attacked the Ottoman army camped near Targoviste.Vlad Dracula also built Chindia Tower, the landmark of the city, for surveillance and defense purposes. It is partly built from a church and is 27 meters high and 9 meters in diameter. The legend says that once you climb all 122 stairs, you will never forget Targoviste and he will come back.The oldest written document about Targoviste Royal Court dates back to 1396. In the 17th century, the Royal Court was set on fire at the orders of the Ottoman Empire and the capital of Wallachia was moved to Bucharest.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Included

Curtea de Arges Monastery

Curtea de Arges was the former second capital of Wallachia, in the southern region of Romania, and the strongholds that were rebuilt in the 14th century. See its Princely Church and its fresco ed interior which is one of the first examples of Romanian paintings. The Episcopal Church (the monastery) is a recreation of the original, which was built in 1512 -1517 by prince Neagoe Basarab (rebuilt in 1875 – 1885) and Olari Church.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Included

Poienari Castle

Standing on a cliff but now in ruins; it is known as the real castle of Dracula (Vlad Tepes). To get to the top you must climb up its 1400 steps (takes approx. 1 hour). Once you arrive at the top of the Citadel you will find that the citadel is surprisingly small, one third of it collapsed down the mountainside in 1888. Entering through a narrow wooden bridge, you come across the crumbling remains of two towers within; the prism shaped one was Vlad’s (Dracula’s) residential quarters, from here, according to the legend, the Impaler’s wife flung herself out of the window, declaring that it was better this way than to be captured by the Turks, who were besieging the castle. Legend has it that Vlad himself escaped over the mountains on horseback.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Included

Vidraru Dam

The Vidraru Dam was completed in 1966 with the primary purpose of serving a hydroelectrical power plant. One of the largest hydroelectric dams in Europe it stands 166 metres tall and can produce as much as 400 GWh of power per year. The Transfagarasan Highway passes over the top of the dam, which is 305 metres in length. The dam - which took more than five years to build - created the artificial Vidraru Lake on the Arges river in 1965.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Transfagarasan Highway

More than 150 kilometres in length the Transfagarasan Highway is Romania’s most spectacular and best known road and, thanks to an appearance on BBC Top Gear in 2009, now one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. Fully open only from June to October, the road’s highest point is at 2042 metres: the tunnel which links the northern and southern sides at Lake Balea (Balea Lac).
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30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Bucharest (pass by)

Finally, return to Bucharest where we’ll arrive in the evening. Drop-off at your hotel in Bucharest.
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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • From 1st July to 30th October, we will skip Targoviste and vsee the Transfagarasan road From 30th October to 30th June Transfagarasan Road is closed and you will visit Targoviste Princely Court (open from Tuesday to Sunday)

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Day Trip True Castles of Vlad Dracula and Transfagarasan Road?

A: This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded. This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-7724P4

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Reviews

5.00
3 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 3 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

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On average, this is booked 16 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Day Trip True Castles of Vlad Dracula and Transfagarasan Road?
A:
This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Hotel/meeting point pick-up and drop-off.
  • Private Tour.
  • Air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Professional guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Entrance fees.
  • Tips for the tour guide / driver.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Private Day Trip True Castles of Vlad Dracula and Transfagarasan Road is as follows:

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Private Day Trip True Castles of Vlad Dracula and Transfagarasan Road will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Hotel/meeting point pick-up and drop-off
  • Private Tour
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Professional guide
  • Entrance fees
  • Tips for the tour guide / driver

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • From 1st July to 30th October, we will skip Targoviste and vsee the Transfagarasan road From 30th October to 30th June Transfagarasan Road is closed and you will visit Targoviste Princely Court (open from Tuesday to Sunday)

Report Product Issue

Activity name