Romania · MONASTERY TOURS

The 15 Best Painted Monastery Tours in Romania

24 tours  ·  from $60

The Bucovina monasteries are frescoed on the outside, which is why they are a UNESCO group and why they are a long way from anywhere. These 15 cover the day trips from Suceava, the runs from Bucharest and the shorter monastery stops closer in.

3-Castle: Peles,Bran,Rasnov,Sinaia Monastery from Brasov w pickup - Sinaia Monastery: a short but worthwhile pause
Brasov Tours, Monastery Tours, Peles Castle Tours, Rasnov Fortress Tours, Tour Reviews

3-Castle: Peles,Bran,Rasnov,Sinaia Monastery from Brasov w pickup

1.3-Castle: Peles,Bran,Rasnov,Sinaia Monastery from Brasov w pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 274 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $87Our pick

Spend 8 to 9 hours visiting Peles Castle, Sinaia Monastery, Bran Castle and Rasnov from Brasov. Guides such as Traian and Claudiu provide history, ticket help and practical advice in English. Rasnov may be replaced by Cantacuzino Castle, known as the Wednesday filming location.

“I had been really looking forward to this trip since I had booked it. We arrived the day before the trip from 15hrs of travelling with no WiFi to messages from our guide telling us to buy the tickets for the castles we were visiting. I was able to get 2 out of the 3 tickets. We were picked up as arranged the next morning. The vehicle was comfortable but no water available. We arrived at the monastery 1st, had about 15 mins there. Then the 1st castle (no tickets for this 1- we were given option to pay cash but decided not to). 2nd castle, got a short tour…”

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Bucovina Painted Monasteries Day Tour - Humor Monastery and its Scarlet Woman
Bucovina Tours, Monastery Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Bucovina Painted Monasteries Day Tour

2.Bucovina Painted Monasteries Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $102

Visit Humor, Voronet, Moldovita, and Sucevita monasteries with an English-speaking guide-driver such as Sebastian, then cross the Palma Pass for mountain views, lunch, and a short stop at Marginea’s black-pottery workshops. The private vehicle carries no more than seven people, with pickup available in Suceava or Gura Humorului.

“A great day exploring the Bucovina monasteries. Sebastian was a very knowledgeable & accommodating guide & driver. The information shared at each stop made the day so much more memorable than just our photos. The lunch stop for local cuisine was the perfect opportunity for us to try some new Romanian dishes. The countryside is beautiful. Highly recommend taking the opportunity explore this region (or further afar) with Sebastian. Thanks for a most wonderful day.”

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Peles Castle, Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress and Sinaia Monastery Tour from Brasov - Key points to know before booking
Brasov Tours, Dracula Castle Tours, Dracula Castle Tours in Brasov, Monastery Tours, Peles Castle Tours, Rasnov Fortress Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Peles Castle, Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress and Sinaia Monastery Tour from Brasov

3.Peles Castle, Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress and Sinaia Monastery Tour from Brasov

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $84

Spend about eight hours visiting Romania’s best-known castles and fortresses from Brasov. You’ll travel in a small group of up to nine with an English-speaking guide such as Bianca, Bogdan, Marius, or Elina. Hotel pickup, transport, and live commentary are included, while entrance fees and lunch cost extra.

“Bianca was a great tour guide, funny, friendly and very knowledgeable! Highly recommend choosing this company. Beautiful historical buildings with great commentary from our guide”

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Princely Court of Târgoviște and Curtea de Argeș Monastery - Târgoviște and the court of Vlad the Impaler
Bucharest Tours, Monastery Tours, Monastery Tours in Bucharest, Tour Reviews

Princely Court of Târgoviște and Curtea de Argeș Monastery

4.Princely Court of Târgoviște and Curtea de Argeș Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $210

Travel by private, air-conditioned Wi-Fi vehicle from Bucharest to Vlad the Impaler’s former court in Târgoviște, the Golești estate museum, and Curtea de Argeș Monastery. An English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, and drop-off are included. The day lasts about 10 hours, with an optional replacement of Golești by Poienari Castle.

“This was an amazing and worthwhile trip. Sebastian was so knowledgeable about the landscape and very funny. A good portion is spent in the car but the scenery you see on the way is outstanding. We made multiple stops to see the scenery as we made our way to the top of the mountains. We also saw 8 bears so up close which was amazing. Overall would highly recommend!”

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Small Group Tour to Mogosoaia Palace & Snagov Monastery - The Drive Through Bucharest’s Northern Countryside
Bucharest Tours, Monastery Tours, Monastery Tours in Bucharest, Tour Reviews, Tours

Small Group Tour to Mogosoaia Palace & Snagov Monastery

5.Small Group Tour to Mogosoaia Palace & Snagov Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 41 reviews · from $67

Spend five hours beyond Bucharest with an English-speaking guide, visiting Snagov Monastery on an island in Snagov Lake and Mogosoaia Palace, a 1702 Brancovenesc masterpiece. Guides such as Boogie, Nicos, and Narcis have led lively, informative outings. Transport and hotel pickup are included, but entrance fees and lunch are extra.

“This tour is a good way to spend half a day on. Snagov Church and the Palace are really beautiful. The monastery is fairly interesting. The church is also very nice. Boogie was our tour guide and he was fun and lively and tried very hard to make us feel comfortable”

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1-Day Bucovina Painted Monasteries tour from Suceava - English - Voronet’s famous blue walls
1-Day Tours, Bucovina Tours, Monastery Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

1-Day Bucovina Painted Monasteries tour from Suceava – English

6.1-Day Bucovina Painted Monasteries tour from Suceava – English

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · 7 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $140

Spend 7 to 9 hours touring Bucovina’s painted monasteries with a private English-speaking guide. Visit Humor, Voronet, Moldovita, and Sucevita, then stop at Marginea to see traditional black pottery. Hotel pickup, parking, air-conditioned transport, and a guide are included. Lunch and entrance fees cost extra.

“Charming and educatonal. Architecture, history , iconography. Mountain views captivating. Not too long, not too short either. All in all a pleasant day.”

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Sacred Monasteries Private Tour: Snagov, Țigănești & Căldărușani - Tiganesti Monastery and its convent village
Bucharest Tours, Monastery Tours, Monastery Tours in Bucharest, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Sacred Monasteries Private Tour: Snagov, Țigănești & Căldărușani

7.Sacred Monasteries Private Tour: Snagov, Țigănești & Căldărușani

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $110

Leave Bucharest with an English-speaking guide such as Toni or Marius for a private half-day visit to Tiganesti, Snagov, and Caldarusani monasteries, with Mogosoaia Palace also included. Expect a comfortable car, hotel pickup, Wi-Fi, Orthodox art, quiet grounds, and the debated tomb of Vlad Tepes at Snagov.

“Belle et surprenante découverte de cette région, de la culture et de l’histoire roumaine. A voir absolument!”

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Brasov: Transfagarasan Highway, Balea Lake & Carta Monastery - Carta Monastery brings a quiet start
Brasov Tours, Monastery Tours, Tour Reviews, Transfagarasan Road Tours, Transfagarasan Road Tours in Brasov

Brasov: Transfagarasan Highway, Balea Lake & Carta Monastery

8.Transfagarasan Highway, Balea Lake & Carta Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 29 reviews · 8 hours · from $147

Travel from Brasov in a small group of up to seven, stopping at Carta’s Gothic Cistercian monastery before climbing the Transfagarasan Highway to Balea Lake. Your English-speaking guide handles the driving, while you enjoy waterfalls, mountain views, photo stops, and possible wildlife sightings. Seasonal road closures may require a cable car.

“Our guide Claudio was very disappointing. The minibus door broke so we were transported in 2 x 4 seater cars. Therefore one couple was split up. This was not his fault. However, he was very abrupt to the point of rudeness, did not like anyone else having an opinion and the phrase ‘ I already told you’ came up several times which is not acceptable. He is obviously not suited to this occupation. He would have missed out the monastery if we had not reminded him and his response when we mentioned that we had not been was - ok if you want to.”

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Private Half Day Trip to Snagov Monastery & Mogosoaia - Starting with Mogosoaia Palace and Brancovenesc style
1-Day Tours, Bucharest Tours, Half-Day, Monastery Tours, Monastery Tours in Bucharest, Private, Tour Reviews

Private Half Day Trip to Snagov Monastery & Mogosoaia

9.Private Half Day Trip to Snagov Monastery & Mogosoaia

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 29 reviews · 4 hours · from $176

Leave Bucharest with an English-speaking guide and private driver for Mogosoaia Palace, a graceful Brancovenesc retreat, then continue to Snagov Monastery on an island in Snagov Lake. Guides such as Eugen and Rasvan have helped make this four-hour outing personal, while the Vlad the Impaler legend adds a dark edge to the history.

“This was a great tour! Our tour guide Mr. Eugen and the driver were knowledgeable kind polite. told us a lot if historical facts and accommodated all our requests. We are truly thankful to GYG and Eastern European experiences company for making our day special ❤️”

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Hike to Poenari Fortress, Vidraru Dam, Argeș Monastery - Private - Vidraru Dam and the Făgăraș Mountain views
Bucharest Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Monastery Tours, Monastery Tours in Bucharest, Private, Tour Reviews, Transfagarasan Road Tours, Transfagarasan Road Tours in Bucharest

Hike to Poenari Fortress, Vidraru Dam, Argeș Monastery – Private

10.Hike to Poenari Fortress, Vidraru Dam, Argeș Monastery – Private

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $167

Leave Bucharest by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide such as Bogdan or Victor. Visit Curtea de Argeș Monastery, climb 1,480 steps to Poenari Fortress, and see Vidraru Dam and the Făgăraș Mountains. The day lasts about 10 hours and includes hotel pickup, but not lunch or the fortress entry fee.

“I really enjoyed this trip to the mountains. We saw seventeen, I repeat, seventeen European brown bears in one day!”

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Day trip from Iasi to the UNESCO Painted Monasteries in Bucovina - Voronet and its famous blue walls
1-Day Tours, Bucovina Tours, Monastery Tours, Tour Reviews

Day trip from Iasi to the UNESCO Painted Monasteries in Bucovina

11.Day trip from Iasi to the UNESCO Painted Monasteries in Bucovina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $244

Travel by private vehicle from Iasi to Bucovina with an English-speaking guide, visiting Voronet, Moldovita, and Sucevita monasteries. Expect about an hour at each, with entrance fees, hotel or airport pickup, bottled water, and time to learn about Marginea’s black pottery. Guides such as Mihai, Nicu, Iulian, and George are praised for clear explanations and careful driving.

“Nicu has been an amazing guide: absolutely overdelivering not only he has shown us (with the help of the very funny and informative Florin) the wonderful monasteries of Bucovina, adding a lot of background informations about Moldava and Bucovina. They added extra spice to the tour with an adrenalinic ride on a telepheric over the woods and we also had a very pleasant lunch with a local family. An unforgettable experience !”

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Small Group Tour to Mogosoaia Palace and Snagov Monastery - Caldarusani Monastery, art, and a quieter setting
Bucharest Tours, Monastery Tours, Monastery Tours in Bucharest, Tour Reviews, Tours

Small Group Tour to Mogosoaia Palace and Snagov Monastery

12.Small Group Tour to Mogosoaia Palace and Snagov Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $82

Leave Bucharest at 9am for Snagov Monastery, linked to Vlad the Impaler, then visit Caldarusani Monastery and Mogosoaia Palace, a fine example of Brancovenesc design. You travel by air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi, hotel pickup and drop-off, and an English-speaking guide such as Matthew, Laura, Narcis, or Daniel. Entrance fees and photo charges are extra.

“Great experience! Definitely recommend! The guide was very polite and professional ☺️. We have had a great time.”

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Transfagarasan Highway Balea Lake and Carta Monastery from Brasov - Balea Lake at 2,034 meters
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Transfagarasan Highway Balea Lake and Carta Monastery from Brasov

13.Transfagarasan Highway Balea Lake and Carta Monastery from Brasov

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $143

Travel from Brasov in a luxury Mercedes van or similar vehicle with a professional guide such as Claudiu, Viorel, or Trian. See waterfalls and mountain views on the Transfagarasan Highway, reach glacial Balea Lake by road or cable car depending on the season, and visit Carta Monastery.

“Our guide Claudiu is very knowledgeable and gave great information and time with options of activities at stops. He provided a prompt and safe drive up and down the mountain. He even gave a recommendation for dinner near where we stay. It was a great day and recommend those who can to see these sights. The pictures just don't do it justice.”

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Mystical Monasteries, Dracula's Tomb and Mogosoaia Lake Palace - Private Tour - Caldarusani Monastery on the lake
Bucharest Tours, Dracula Castle Tours, Dracula Castle Tours in Bucharest, Monastery Tours, Monastery Tours in Bucharest, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Mystical Monasteries, Dracula’s Tomb and Mogosoaia Lake Palace – Private Tour

14.Mystical Monasteries, Dracula’s Tomb and Mogosoaia Lake Palace – Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $132

Explore three remarkable sites outside Bucharest with a private English, French, or Italian-speaking guide-driver. You’ll visit Caldarusani and Snagov monasteries, see the stone said to mark Vlad Tepes’s tomb, and tour Mogosoaia Palace. Marius and Toni are praised for punctuality, local insight, flexible timing, and friendly service.

“I had an marvelous afternoon tour visiting Caldarusani Monastery, then Snagov Monastery where Dracula's Tomb is located, and Mogosoaia Lake Palace. My private guide and driver was Marius, who was a very punctual and responsible driver. I learned a significant amount about the typical architecture and the frescoes on the monasteries in Romania. I was very impressed with the 3 places that we visited, and thanks to Marius who is a professional photographer I obtained excellent pictures of Caldarusani Monastery. Snagov Monastery, where Vlad Țepeș (aka Dracula) is said to be buried is extraordinarily beautiful. Finally, Mogoșoaia Palace is also worth visiting to asmire it’s grandeur.”

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Mogosoaia Palace & Snagov Monastery: Private tour from Bucharest - Mogosoaia Palace and its quiet lakefront grounds
Bucharest Tours, Monastery Tours, Monastery Tours in Bucharest, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Mogosoaia Palace & Snagov Monastery: Private tour from Bucharest

15.Mogosoaia Palace & Snagov Monastery: Private tour from Bucharest

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $72

Travel by private, air-conditioned car or van from your Bucharest hotel to Mogosoaia Palace and Snagov Monastery. Your English-speaking guide handles the route and explains the sites, including Vlad the Impaler’s reported burial place. Allow about four hours, plus roughly EUR 12 for entrance and photo fees.

“Both, The Palace and the Church are worth the visit. We had enough time to go inside the palace and around it to enjoy the beautiful views of the lake. The Monastery is very interesting being the burial place of Vlad. Our guide was fantastic. Very patient and nice.”

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