Itinerary · 3 days
Authentic Maramureș
Wooden churches, the steam train and the Merry Cemetery, in three days
Duration
3 days
Distance
~300 km
Pace
Relaxed
Best time
May–October
Best for
Lovers of tradition and the authentic
Maramureș is where Romania best keeps its soul: UNESCO-listed wooden churches, carved gates, the steam train up the Vaser Valley and the famous Merry Cemetery at Săpânța. A short route, but intense in feeling, through the country's most authentic north.
The key to this trip
Rent a car and drive it yourself
This route is built for a rental car — total freedom, no fixed schedules.
Day by day
- 1
Day 1 — Sighet & Săpânța
The Merry Cemetery at Săpânța, the Sighet Memorial and the first wooden churches. Night in Sighetu Marmației.
- 2
Day 2 — The Vaser Valley steam train
A full day on the steam train, one of Europe's last forest steam railways, through forests and mountains. Base in Vișeu de Sus.
- 3
Day 3 — Bârsana & the villages
Bârsana monastery, the carved gates and the villages of the Iza Valley, toward Borșa and the Prislop pass.
Getting to Romania
Flights, transfer & car
Fly into Romania
Compare fares to Bucharest Otopeni (OTP) and regional airports — Cluj, Sibiu, Iași, Timișoara.
Airport transfer
Private, fixed-price door-to-door transfer — driver waiting from the moment you land.
Rent a car — see the real Romania
A rental car is the key to Romania: the Transfăgărășan, the painted monasteries of Bucovina, mountain roads and the villages of Maramureș that no train reaches.
Find a carExperiences
Tours & activities
Guided tours, day trips and hand-picked experiences via GetYourGuide — free cancellation on most.
See all experiencesStays nearby
Where to stay on this route
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book the steam train?+
Yes — the Vaser steam train should be booked ahead, especially in summer and at weekends. Check the official schedule before you go.
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