Find and book motorcycle tours to Romania

Motorcycle Tours in Romania

Shrouded in vampire legends and myths, with the Carpathian Mountains providing a dramatic backdrop and a seemingly limitless playground for motorcycle tours, Romania is one of the top European destinations for two-wheeled adventures. Motorcycle tours in Romania focus on those mountain twisties, the legendary region of Transylvania, and the two most iconic Eastern European roads: the Transfagarasan and Transalpina rivaling the famous Passo Stelvio and other Alpine passes. We’re not exaggerating: hewn from the living rock of the mountains, boasting countless sweepers and hairpin turns, and revealing incredible views, the Transfagarasan and Transalpina roads are easily among the most coveted motorcycling routes on the continent.

Romania is a large and mostly mountainous country with plenty of curvy paved roads, beautiful cities with awe-inspiring medieval Old Towns, friendly locals, and stunning nature still untouched by sprawling urban developments. Riding motorcycles in Romania, you’ll feel like you’re traversing a wild, rugged mountain country with jaw-dropping vistas around every corner. Whether you’re aiming straight for the heart of Transylvania or want to experience the entire country, Romania is one of Europe’s most beautiful hidden gems when it comes to motorcycling.

In addition to fantastic mountain roads, scenery, and historic towns, Romania also boasts excellent cuisine and wine. When shopping for motorcycle tours in Romania, make sure they include at least one rest day to explore the cities, sightsee, and sample some of that delicious Romanian red.

Whether you’re traveling on your own or thinking of choosing one of the guided motorcycle tours in Romania, some of the locations here are simply must-see. Here’s what’s not to miss along the way:

Motorcycle Tours in Romania: Highlights

Carpathian Mountains
Covering a large portion of the country, the Carpathian Mountains are the third-longest European mountain range, and in Romania, the Carpathians are at their most spectacular. Gently sloping upwards in undulating hills and valleys, then cresting and plunging down in jagged cliffsides and rocks, the Carpathians are both bucolic and majestic at the same time. Easily accessible via several well-paved roads, the Carpathian Mountains are a delight to explore on two wheels. Most motorcycle tours in Romania focus on the Carpathian routes for the scenery, the landscapes, and the culture: out here, you can still see local shepherds walking alongside herds of sheep in the remote mountain pastures, and it feels like you’re being transported back in time.

Transylvania
Located right in the middle of the country, Transylvania is Romania’s most beautiful – and most mysterious – region. Out here, the Carpathians are cloaked in dark woods, and Bran Castle, the famous lair of Dracula, rises up from the forest against the brooding mountain peaks in the distance. Its folklore, legends, and breathtaking scenery aside, Transylvania also boasts some of the most beautiful cities in Romania. Sibiu, Brasov, and Timisoara are all worthy of a visit, especially Sibiu and its magnificent Old Town with plenty of great dining options. The town of Bran and Bran Castle should also make it to your Romania motorcycle tour itinerary: the medieval fortress is an intriguing site to visit and learn more about the history of Transylvania, and you can lunch on Dracula’s Donuts in downtown Bran – unsurprisingly, everything around town is named after the infamous Count.

Transalpina
One of Romania’s oldest mountain routes and easily the most magnificent one in the country, Transalpina is an ancient road connecting the high passes of the Carpathians. Stretching between the towns of Sebes and Novaci, Transalpina has countless tight corners, steep climbs, and breath-taking scenery around every single curve. While most motorcycle tours in Romania focus on the neighboring Transfagarasan, Transalpina is a must-ride if you’ve got the time. Older, narrower, and more spectacular than any other road in Romania, this is the route to take if you want to experience true motorcycling bliss. Keep in mind that local motorcyclists love this road, too, so aim to ride here on weekdays or earlier in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Transfagarasan
This 151-kilometer route connecting Bascov and Sibiu is Romania’s pride and joy when it comes to spectacular mountain roads. Running almost parallel to Transalpina, the DN7 has more big, high-speed sweepers and switchbacks resembling a racing circuit; word has it, Romania’s former dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu built Transfagarasan just to spite Transalpina. Whether that’s true or not, Transfagarasan is a fantastic route across the Carpathians, and the views here will have you stopping every five minutes to snap a photo. Most motorcycle tours in Romania aim to ride Transfagarasan from south to North for the best views.

Practical Information for Touring Romania

Romania is best explored in the summer months when the weather is warm and pleasant. May through to September are the best months for motorcycle tours, and remember that some of the mountain roads may be closed in winter due to heavy snowfall. The temperatures get fairly hot in Romania in the summertime, but the weather in the mountains will always be slightly chillier. July and August are the best months for sunny days and green scenery.

Although a member of the EU, Romania still uses the leu as its official currency, and it’s a very cheap country to travel. Expect to spend around $40-$50 a day for your food, fuel, and accommodation, and always have a little cash on hand when traveling to the more rural areas or Transylvanian villages. On the Transalpina, you may want to buy some fresh blueberries locals sell right from the side of the road.

Romania is a safe country to travel, but just as anywhere else in the world, be sure to keep an eye on your belongings in bigger cities and always park your motorcycle in a secure parking lot or garage. It’s best to remove luggage and tank bags for overnight stays.

Most motorcycle tours in Romania are aimed at road riding, so whichever motorcycle you pick, it should do the job just fine. Romanian roads may offer up a pothole or two, but generally the bigger routes are paved and well-maintained. In terms of road quality, Transfagarasan has better tarmac than Transalpina, but whether you choose an adventure bike, a cruiser, or a tourer, you can ride confidently on most Romanian roads.