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Dracula Tour: Discover Vlad's True Fortress
5.0
12 Ratings
București
Uncover Dracula’s true story on a small-group tour from Bucharest. Visit Poenari Citadel, Targoviste, and Curtea de Arges. Book your adventure now.
Uncover Dracula’s true story on a small-group tour from Bucharest. Visit Poenari Citadel, Targoviste, and Curtea de Arges. Book your adventure now.
Duration:
11 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Princely Court - The journey begins in Targoviste, the former capital of Wallachia, once governed by Vlad Tepes, famously known as Vlad the Impaler. This historic city was pivotal in medieval Romanian history and served as one of Vlad’s primary royal residences. Visitors can explore the former Princely Court and ascend the iconic Chindia Tower,…
- Princely Court - The journey begins in Targoviste, the former capital of Wallachia, once governed by Vlad Tepes, famously known as Vlad the Impaler. This historic city was pivotal in medieval Romanian history and served as one of Vlad’s primary royal residences. Visitors can explore the former Princely Court and ascend the iconic Chindia Tower, now the unmistakable emblem of Târgoviște, symbolizing its rich and turbulent history.
- Curtea de Arges Monastery - The next destination is Curtea de Arges Monastery, a stunning and significant religious monument in southern Romania. Celebrated for its graceful proportions and intricate details, the monastery is a superb example of Byzantine-inspired architecture and is deeply linked to Romanian royal history. Besides its architectural splendor, the site is renowned for its legends, adding an element of mystery to this extraordinary location.
- Poienari Castle - The following stop is Poenari Fortress, dramatically situated high above the Argeș Valley. After a brief but rewarding ascent, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking mountain panorama and learn about the tumultuous story of Vlad Tepes, one of the most fascinating and debated figures in Romanian history. Often regarded as the true inspiration for the Dracula legend, Poenari was Vlad’s actual stronghold, offering profound insights into his life, reign, and legacy.
- Vidraru Dam - The tour continues at Vidraru Dam, a remarkable engineering feat from Romania’s communist era, dramatically located in the heart of the Făgăraș Mountains. Positioned next to the legendary Transfagarasan Road, famously hailed by Top Gear as “the most beautiful road in the world,” the dam provides stunning views over Lake Vidraru and the surrounding alpine scenery.
What's Included
- Driver/guide
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Driver/guide
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Entrance fees
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Entrance fees
Additional Information
The tale of Count Dracula is famous globally, yet much of it is based on myth rather than factual history. Many people link Vlad Tepes to Dracula and Bran Castle to his residence, but neither connection is historically correct.
The Real Dracula Tour reveals the authentic story behind the legend by visiting Poenari Fortress, the genuine mountain fortress…
The tale of Count Dracula is famous globally, yet much of it is based on myth rather than factual history. Many people link Vlad Tepes to Dracula and Bran Castle to his residence, but neither connection is historically correct.
The Real Dracula Tour reveals the authentic story behind the legend by visiting Poenari Fortress, the genuine mountain fortress constructed and utilized by Vlad the Impaler. The tour also features Targoviste, the former capital of Wallachia during Vlad’s rule, Curtea de Arges, known for its stunning monastery, and a picturesque stop at Vidraru Dam, located alongside the renowned Transfăgărășan Road.
This intimate, full-day tour from Bucharest is guided by a welcoming local expert and blends genuine history, breathtaking landscapes, and lesser-known attractions—perfect for travelers eager to discover the true story of Dracula.
- A moderate amount of walking is required during this tour. Access to Poenari Fortress involves climbing 1,480 steps; guests who choose not to climb may wait at the base of the hill.
Location
Statie Taxi Universitate
Bulevardul Nicolae Bălcescu
In front of the Grand Hotel Bucharest, on the sidewalk, next to the taxi station.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(12 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Roving05290851993
Sep 4, 2024
Beautiful Romania - I recently had the pleasure of touring Romania with Serban Riga Fereu, and I wanted to share my appreciation. The trip was fantastic, and Serban's knowledge of the country was impressive. He shared many interesting facts that made the experience very enriching. His sense of humor also added a lot of fun to the tour. Overall, it was an excellent experience, and I highly recommend Serban as a guide. Thank you for making our trip so memorable!
Anna
17.08.2024
Review provided by Tripadvisor
542trishb
Feb 18, 2020
2 castles in one day - We had a trip out with Boogie through Travelmaker. It was a small group of three. We had an amazing time. It was both informative and Boogie made it great fun. Would thoroughly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Inspiration705163
Jan 25, 2020
Excellent full day tour. Thank you Serban Riga - Great trip. Very good value. Serban Riga was a great host - full of knowledge and very friendly. Would thoroughly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jacobo
Sep 26, 2019
Great experience - Visited Peles and Bran castles, Braşov, Sighisoara, Viscri, Salina Turda and Alba Iulia with guide Serban Riga. He is excellent! Always in good mood, knows everything and everyone, not shy to ask anyone around and get all you need. Big van for two of us in 4 star hotels. Very formal and punctual. Thank you Serban and Dan!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Moshanda
Jun 23, 2019
Excellent experience!!! - My friends and I decided to go on a private tour to Bran Castle and Braşov with this agency. We had a really great time ,took some amazing pictures and enjoyed some of the breathtaking countryside of Romania. All were awesome thanks to the professional work and entertaining guidance of two excellent gentlemen,our tour guide Serban and our driver Alex that ensured we could enjoy our trip all day long. Thank u guys, it was really one of the most memorable things we have done in Romania.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jony1972
May 11, 2019
Best day in Romania - We came for just few days to visit Bucharest and after some hesitation (because of long grive) decided to spend last day in Transylvania.
It was an excellent experience to visit countryside and 2 castles and mainly because our cool guide Boogie. He definitely loves what he's doing and making journey pleasant and knowledgeable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nikila82
Feb 27, 2019
A wonderful day thanks to Valentin Paun!! - We left early in the morning from Bucharest, meeting point of the Atheneum, it was just me and my partner and we were warmly welcomed by the guide Valentin who accompanied us throughout the journey explaining to us with perfect English the story of Vlad III of Wallachia. First stop Targoviste, the landscape was lovely and all immersed in the snow! beautiful frescoed church the view from the Tower takes your breath away! second stop is Cortea de Arges, the oldest Orthodox church in Romania, magnificent on top of a hill, which still preserves intact the styles of Byzantine construction .. beautiful legend that tells the story of Manole the builder of the church ..
Last and long-awaited stop, Poenari citadel... to be left speechless, when you climb the 1480 steps in the middle of the snow-covered forest, in silence... it's as if you catapult yourself into another era, reflect on what life could have been in 1400... when you get to the top the view is spectacular, the Arges river at the foot of the valley... the wind that whispers to you and .. you almost seem to see it standing looking at the horizon in search of the enemy ..
Our guide was like Virgil with Dante! kind prepared, took us to eat in a typical restaurant in the area advising us which dishes to choose
Valentin and Travelmaker will be my ciceroni whenever I travel to Romania!
Thanks again for the wonderful day, the seriousness and commitment you put into your work! it will be a priceless memory that we will always carry with us!
Lara and Francesco
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suzanne
Oct 12, 2018
Brilliant trip - Boogie the tour guide make this very long day absolutely fantastic!
The day was fast, entertaining, educational and cultural. Boogie was a wealth of knowledge and brought the tour to life by filling in the gaps. Pelles castle was just breathtaking- I wish we had done to overnight option as it was such a beautiful place with much to see.
I thoroughly recommend it, but do the longer overnight option!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Phil
Sep 17, 2018
Take this tour! - My sole reason for coming to Romania was to see Dracula’s Castle and this tour was perfect! Boogie was our tour guide and he was extremely knowledgeable, funny, and informative. He had all the answers and ran the tour very well giving times, meeting places, and what to expect. LOVED THIS! I saw that some people complained about getting back late (later than 21:00), but traffic is something beyond their control. ALSO, if you take this tour and a guide says to meet at a certain time, BE THERE ON TIME! Don’t hold up the group!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mikko
Jun 20, 2018
Tour recommanded - I did the tour today as really private tour because I was alone with the really cool guide "Boogy". All the places where we went were really places to see in Romania. Do it by your own if you have a car or with this tour if you want a guide who will answer all your questions.
To go to the castle you will have to sweat a bit but the view over there is really nice. But don't expect to see a castle like the one in Bran. This one is in ruins.
One the way back from the castle, I was specially lucky to see a brown bear few meters from the way.
Then just enjoy the tour...
Thanks a lot to my guide Boogy for this amazing tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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