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Private Transfăgărășan & Bâlea Lake Transfer from Sibiu - Your Private Trip
On this full-day private tour you’ll drive the dramatic Transfagarasan, the highest-altitude pass road of Sibiu, visit the glacial Balea Lake (located at an altitude of 2034 m) and explore the scenic route that leads to Balea Waterfall; you’ll also discover the evocative ruins of the Cistercian Abbey of Carta and the elegant baroque Palace and Garden in Avrig in Avrig, all curated to give you a seamless day of nature, history and architecture. Book this memorable Sibiu experience if you want a private, hassle-free outing that blends high-mountain vistas, glacial scenery and cultural landmarks; note that the tour is available in winter as well, with the hiking segment from Balea Waterfall to Balea Lake excluded-access to the lake in that season requires the cable car.
About this activity in Sibiu
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Highlights
- Drive the iconic Transfagarasan mountain road-one of the region’s most dramatic alpine routes-through scenic high-altitude landscapes.
- Visit glacial Balea Lake at 2,034 m for breathtaking mountain views and photo opportunities above the tree line.
- Explore the atmospheric ruins of the Cistercian Abbey of Carta and learn about the area's medieval heritage.
- Stroll the baroque Palace and Garden in Avrig to admire period architecture and cultivated grounds in the region.
Important Information
- This full-day private tour operates year-round; in winter the hike from Balea Waterfall to Balea Lake is closed and access to the lake requires the cable car.
- Entrance fees (e.g., Carta fortified church and Avrig Buckenthal Palace) and photography fees are not included and are payable on site-please bring cash or card.
- You should have a moderate level of fitness for short walks; the route is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or serious cardiovascular conditions.
- Family notes: infants may ride in a stroller or on an adult’s lap and special infant seats can be provided; confirm requirements at booking.
Meeting Point
Pick-up is provided from your accommodation in Sibiu or from a centrally agreed meeting point in the city; your English-speaking guide/driver will confirm the exact pickup time when you book.
Includes
- Private transport in an air-conditioned car for pick-up and drop-off from/to Sibiu - ideal for comfortable day trips around Sibiu, Romania
- A map of Romania provided to help you plan routes and spot nearby highlights in the region
- An English-speaking guide/driver for the full 1-day itinerary from/to Sibiu so you can explore the area with clear local commentary
Excludes
- Entrance fees to the fortified church in Carta and to Buckental Palace in Avrig are not included: €6.00 per person
- Any photo fees at sites are not included
- Admission to the fortified church in Carta is excluded from the price
Other
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the visit
- Public transportation options are available nearby if you want to combine the car transfer with local transit
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; specialized infant seats are available on request
- This experience is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- This experience is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness to fully enjoy the day
Customer Reviews
10/10
Based on 2 Reviews
Summary:
Firstly, Peter was such a wonderful person, so knowledgable and a fantastic guide. We went for the road, but the walk up to the summit of Varful Netedu was beautiful, and something we had not anticipated doing! Thank you.
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Summary:
We really enjoyed our tour.
Our guide, Florin, drove us around the different stops and answered all our questions on the places we were visiting as well as any other question we had on Romanian history and culture on the way. He was a good-humoured guide with a lot of knowledge about his country and we really enjoyed hearing his views and stories.
We also enjoyed our time alone hiking up Balea lake and taking in the beautiful views of the Transfagarasan Highway.
Read More
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Explore Sibiu: Book Your Cultural Tours, Outdoor Adventures and Food
Discover vibrant Art & Culture, immersive Workshops & Learning, and guided Tours & Sightseeing when you plan an event in Sibiu, where rich programming for families, couples, and groups makes it easy to build memorable experiences. You can pair Outdoor & Nature adventures and Food & Drink tastings with Shows & Entertainment and seasonal Events to create a tailored itinerary that matches your group's interests. Book here to access Multi-Day / Full-Day options, Services, and Transportation & Rides that simplify logistics so you can focus on experiencing everything the area offers.
2153 ft²
15 Guests
5 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
Ocean View
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- Fireplace/Heating
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1 Bathroom
Family Friendly
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- Parking
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4 Guests
1 Bedroom
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Know more about Sibiu
On this full-day private tour you’ll drive the spectacular Transfagarasan pass, visit the glacial Balea Lake at 2,034 m, see Balea Waterfall and explore the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey of Carta plus the baroque Palace and Garden in Avrig. The itinerary combines scenic driving, outdoor nature stops and cultural sightseeing for a well-rounded day trip.
The tour includes transport in an air-conditioned car from/to Sibiu, an English-speaking guide/driver following the program for the day, and a map of Romania. These inclusions make it easy to enjoy the Transfagarasan drive, Balea Lake and cultural stops without worrying about logistics.
Families can join the tour; infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller and are required to sit on an adult’s lap. Specialized infant seats are available and public transportation options are nearby. Note that the tour requires at least moderate physical fitness and is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.
Yes, you can book this trip in winter; however, the hiking section from Balea Waterfall to Balea Lake is not available in winter. To reach Balea Lake in the colder season you must use the cable car, which provides safe access to the glacial lake at high altitude.
No. Entrance fees to the fortified church in Carta and Buckental Palace in Avrig (€6.00 per person) are excluded, as are photo fees and specific fees for the fortified church in Carta. Plan to pay these on-site if you wish to enter and photograph the interiors.
You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the outdoor nature and hiking elements, such as the walk to Balea Waterfall. In winter, hiking to Balea Lake is suspended and access is by cable car, reducing physical strain but still requiring preparedness for high-altitude conditions.
