Transfăgărășan, Romania
Romania
The road Jeremy Clarkson called the best in the world, the Transfăgărășan Highway slices through the Southern Carpathians from Wallachia to Transylvania with 90 km of hairpin bends, viaducts, and a tunnel through granite. Poenari Castle (Vlad the Impaler's real fortress, 1,480 steps above the Argeș River) guards the route's start; Bâlea Lake sits at the 2,034m summit.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Curtea de Argeș
The medieval royal capital of Wallachia, anchored by an early 16th-century Episcopal Cathedral with intricate stone-lace facade. The Transfagarasan climbs north immediately into forested foothills.
- Poenari Castle
The real Dracula's fortress, reached by 1,480 steps up a cliff above the Arges River. Unlike tourist-oriented Bran, Poenari has no gift shop and genuine ties to Vlad the Impaler.
- Vidraru Dam
A 166m arch dam completed in 1965, one of Europe's largest, backing up Vidraru Lake in wild mountain scenery. The road clings to the reservoir's western shore before the hairpin ascent.
- Bâlea Lake
A glacial cirque lake at 2,034m at the road's summit, ringed by Fagaras snowfields. An Ice Hotel forms here each winter; in summer cable cars rise from the northern valley.
- Sibiu
A Saxon Transylvanian city of great beauty, with a baroque Large Square, the 1817 Brukenthal Museum, and rooftop dormers shaped uncannily like watching eyes. European Capital of Culture 2007.
Where to Eat
- La Cetate RestaurantRomanian
Traditional Romanian dishes served in a rustic setting near Poenari Castle.
- Cabana Bâlea Lac RestaurantRomanian
Authentic Romanian cuisine with panoramic views of Bâlea Lake.
- Crama SibianăRomanian
Cozy restaurant in Sibiu offering local specialties and wines.
Things to Do
- Curtea de Argeș MonasteryHistoric Site
A 16th-century monastery known for its unique architecture and legends.
- Transfăgărășan HighwayScenic Drive
A winding mountain road offering breathtaking views of the Carpathians.
- ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk CivilizationMuseum
An open-air museum showcasing Romanian folk culture and architecture.
Travel advisory
The road is closed roughly November through June due to snow; check opening dates before planning. Hairpin bends and steep gradients demand careful driving, and the tunnel near the summit is narrow and poorly lit. Fuel up before entering as services along the highway are limited.