Discover Romania on a fully private or small-group, tailor-made tour built around your interests, at your own pace.
Licensed tour operator
since 2009
Over 30 years of experience in the travel industry
Top-rated by travelers (TripAdvisor 5 stars)
Local team based in Romania and Bulgaria
Fast custom proposal
within 24h
- Pace and flexibility, fully customizable itineraries
- Knowledgeable, passionate local guides
- Access to under-the-radar destinations
- Responsive, hassle-free planning from first contact to last day
- Charming, character-filled hotels you’d never find on your own
- The perfect balance of guided structure and personal freedom
- Excellent value for a trip that actually gets you inside the country, not just past it
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Experience the charm of Eastern Europe in Romania, a land of stunning natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history.
From the majestic Carpathian Mountains to the picturesque villages of Transylvania and Danube Delta, Romania delivers the kind of trip you’ll actually talk about when you get home.
Breathtaking Landscapes
Medieval Castles
Transylvania
Rich Cultural Heritage
32 UNESCO World Heritage sites
Danube Delta
- World-famous for the “Dracula” legacy in Transylvania, Romania has a history and culture that genuinely rewards curiosity. There’s real depth here if you know where to look.
- If you are passionate about diverse cultures, a trip through Romania will stop you in your tracks. Every region looks and feels completely different from the last. From the vast array of architecture in each region to the scenic mountains (including the famous Transfăgărășan Road), plains, Black Sea, and Danube Delta, Romania is one of the few places in Europe where you can still show up somewhere and feel like you actually discovered it.
- You’ll end up in places most travelers never think to look for: remote areas that still feel untouched precisely because so few people make it there.
- You can visit any of the 32 UNESCO World Heritage sites filled with locals who love sharing their stories and heritage with travelers like yourself. With our custom tours, you can take part in their well-preserved traditions to get the full experience of being part of their culture.
1. Spectacular mountains
Romania is home to the Carpathian Mountains, offering breathtaking landscapes, hiking trails, and ski resorts.
3. Transylvania
Known for its picturesque landscapes, rich history, and the myth of Dracula, Transylvania is a region that captivates with its Saxon villages, Gothic castles, and fortified churches.
2. Medieval castles
The country boasts numerous well-preserved medieval castles, fortresses, and fortified churches, with Bran Castle( often associated with the legend of Dracula) being one of the most famous.
4. Rich cultural heritage
Romania has a vibrant cultural scene, with traditions and folk art that have been preserved through centuries.
Most “typical” tours stuff you on a tour bus with dozens of other people… rush you from stop to stop with 40 strangers you didn’t choose to travel with. You’ll miss Romania’s most exciting parts, leaving you unsatisfied and disappointed.
Instead, we take you deep into the heart of the country with your own privately designed tour and private guide/driver, or a small-group option if you prefer. Moreover, you can customize your experience with an itinerary built specifically for you based on the way you like to travel and your particular interests.
Every hotel we book has been personally vetted, not pulled from a catalog. Locally owned where possible, always centrally located, and the kind of place you’d never stumble across booking on your own.
If you’re going to travel through Romania, do it right!
There are many options to choose from. Feel free to contact us to create a customized tour for you, traveling privately without groups or “buses”… and at a very affordable fee well worth the flexibility and privacy of a custom, private tour.
Please review our options and select the one that is a good starting point for you.
Ready to start your adventure and visit Romania?
Inquiry
- private / custom itinerary
- flexible pacing
- local expert planning
- mid to premium comfort
- special interests and needs
ultra-low budget group tour
fixed large-coach departures
“join a group tomorrow” type booking
1. Realistic driving times
We factor in real traffic conditions, seasonal road closures, and local driving patterns, not just map estimates. Whether it’s a busy summer weekend on the Transfăgărășan or a slower autumn morning through Maramureș, we adjust departure times and routes so you arrive relaxed, on time, and never rushed.
2. Balance between sightseeing and downtime
A good trip isn’t just about how many places you visit. It’s about how you feel at the end of each day. We build breathing room into every itinerary: time to linger over a coffee in a medieval square, explore a village at your own pace, or simply rest before the next day’s adventure.
3. Seasonal adjustments
Romania looks and behaves differently in each season. We plan around daylight hours, weather patterns, and seasonal road access (like the Transfăgărășan, open only June–September), so every place on your itinerary looks and feels the way it’s supposed to.
4. Backup options if weather affects the tour
Outdoor plans don’t always survive a rainy day, and that’s fine. We always have alternatives ready: an indoor museum, a lesser-known monastery, or a local workshop visit that turns an unexpected change into an unexpected highlight.
5. Local restaurant and accommodation selection
We don’t pick hotels from a catalog or restaurants from a tourist map. Every property and dining spot we recommend has been personally vetted, centrally located, locally owned where possible, and chosen to give you an authentic taste of the region rather than a generic travel experience.
From your first inquiry to your last day on the road, you’ll have real people looking after your trip — not a ticketing system.
Who you're talking to
Every inquiry is answered directly by Vlad, one of the owners. You’re not dealing with a call center or a rotating support team, you get a straight answer from someone who knows Romania firsthand.
Custom proposal within 24 hours
Send us your travel dates and interests, and you’ll have a tailored itinerary proposal in your inbox within 24 hours.
Unlimited itinerary revisions
We go back and forth until the trip is exactly what you want. There’s no cap on revision rounds. If something doesn’t feel right, we adjust it.
On-trip support
Your guide is your first point of contact for anything that comes up during the tour. And if you ever need to reach beyond that, Vlad and Zoe are personally available around the clock for the duration of your trip.
Dietary needs, mobility considerations, and traveling with children
Tell us upfront and we’ll handle the rest. Dietary requirements get communicated directly to every supplier and restaurant involved in your tour, so your meals work for you from day one. For guests with mobility limitations, we adapt on the fly. Walking portions can be shortened or partially done by car where the route allows. Traveling with kids? We factor that into the pacing and activity choices from the start.
Airport delays and last-minute changes
Your driver tracks your flight in real time, so a delayed arrival doesn’t mean a stranded one. They’ll be there whenever you land. As for last-minute itinerary changes once the tour is underway, we’re as flexible as the situation allows. That said, some changes made close to departure or during the trip may carry additional costs, and we’ll always be upfront about that before anything is confirmed.
What types of Romania tours do you offer?
Balkan Trails offers a variety of private and small-group tours throughout Romania, including customized tours that cater to individual travel styles and interests.
What's included in a tour?
All our tours of Romania include:
- The possibility of having your itinerary customized before the tour starts at no extra charge. The itinerary customization can include pacing changes, selection of hotels, sights we include (or skip), etc.
- Great flexibility regarding changes to the daily itinerary even after the start of the tour
- The services of a private licensed English-speaking guide (also driving)
- All guide’s expenses (meals, accommodation, etc.)
- Private transportation in an air-conditioned car (or minivan, depending on your group’s size)
- All vehicle-related expenses, such as gasoline, parking, and road tolls
- Complimentary wireless internet access in the vehicle so that you can stay in touch with your loved ones even while traveling
- Entrance fees and guided visits. If you wish to add any sight on the go, the guide will always be available with information during the visit
- Accommodation in locally-owned, centrally located 3, 4, and 5-star hotels or B&Bs, with breakfast included
- Airport transfers
Not included:
- Airfare to and from Romania
- Meals or beverages other than the included ones
- Photo fees (some sights require the payment of a fee for allowing you to take pictures – they are mostly inexpensive, around 2 or 3 euro/sight)
- Credit card fees (3.25%). We offer you the possibility of paying for the tour in your home currency via a domestic bank transfer
- Gratuities for your guide (entirely up to your discretion)
I would like to change some of the hotels that come with the tour. Can I do that?
Sure. Let us know which hotels you’d like changed, and we’ll handle it. You can request to have certain hotels changed, or you can request an overall accommodation level (4-star only, for example).
Do your travel packages in Romania include any insurance related services?
No. We recommend to all of our clients to carry a medical insurance that would cover any health-related costs that might incur while on the trip. Insurance for trip interruption and lost/stolen luggage is also recommended.
I like one of the tours, but I’d like to make some changes to the itinerary. Is it possible?
Of course. All our tours are customizable. We can change one itinerary, join two itineraries together, or just tell us about the places you want to see, and we’ll make a whole new itinerary just for you! Customizing a tour comes at no extra charge.
How can I book a tour?
You can book a tour by sending an inquiry through the website’s contact forms, detailing your preferences and travel plans. Also, you can contact us through the chat widget located in the bottom right corner of the screen.
What makes Balkan Trails unique?
Balkan Trails focuses on providing personalized experiences with private guides and drivers, avoiding the typical crowded tour bus scenarios. Additionally, we recognize the unique needs and travel styles of each individual, so we offer customized trips.
What is the best time to visit Romania?
The best time to visit Romania is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is pleasant, and the tourist sites are less crowded.
Do I need a visa to visit Romania?
EU citizens do not require a visa. Visitors from other countries should check visa requirements specific to their nationality.
What are the must-visit places in Romania?
Key attractions include the castles of Transylvania (like Bran Castle and Peles Castle), the medieval towns of Brasov and Sibiu, the Danube Delta, and the painted monasteries of Bucovina.
Is Romania safe for tourists?
Romania is generally safe for tourists. As with any destination, it’s advisable to follow standard safety precautions.
