Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesGerman, English, Italian, Spanish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below
Overview
Step beyond the familiar and discover one of Europe’s last great cultural frontiers on a journey from elegant Budapest into the storybook landscapes of northern Maramures, Romania.
A place where horse-drawn carts share the road with shepherds, wooden gates stand like works of art, and villagers still wear traditional embroidered clothing for Sunday church and festivals. This remote corner of Romania is home to some of Europe’s most extraordinary wooden architecture.
But the true highlight of Maramures is its people. Here, folklore is not preserved in museums, it is lived. Meet local artisans who carve intricate wooden gates, watch women weave colorful textiles on traditional looms, and taste homemade plum brandy known as horinca often shared with warm hospitality and stories passed down for generations. You’ll explore charming villages like Breb and Ieud, where life follows the rhythms of the seasons, and visit the lively Merry Cemetery in Sapanta.
What's included
Private transportation
Air-conditioned vehicle
Breakfast
Lunch and dinner not included
What to expect
Day 1: Budapest - Oradea
Oradea
10h
Oradea is a picturesque city in western Romania, near the border with Hungary. It is known for its elegant Art Nouveau architecture and colorful historic buildings. We'll be exploring the Old Town, relax in the afternoon and spend the night here.
Day 2: Oradea - Maramures
Merry Cemetery
1h · Admission ticket included
Merry Cemetery is a unique cemetery in northern Romania known for its colorful wooden crosses and humorous epitaphs. Instead of traditional solemn gravestones, each cross is painted in bright colors—especially the famous “Sapanta Blue”—and includes a simple painting and a short poem describing the life, personality, or sometimes the cause of death of the person buried there.
Merry Cemetery
30m · Admission ticket included
Near the cemetery is the Merry Cemetery Museum, located in the former home and workshop of the man who invented it all. The museum displays tools, original crosses, sketches, and examples of the traditional epitaphs, explaining how the wooden monuments are carved and painted. It helps visitors understand the local culture and the artistic tradition that continues today through Patras’s apprentices.
Church of the Holy Paraskeva
20m · Admission ticket included
Church of Saint Paraskeva, Desesti is one of the famous wooden churches of Maramures and part of the Wooden Churches of Maramures. Built in 1770, it is made entirely of wood and features a tall, slender bell tower typical of traditional Maramures architecture.
Ieud Ses Wooden Church
15m · Admission ticket included
Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, Ieud Deal is one of the oldest and most important wooden churches in Maramures, Romania. Built in 1364, it is considered among the earliest surviving wooden churches in the region and is part of the Wooden Churches of Maramures.
Day 3: Maramures Full Day
Mocanika Maramures
4h · Admission ticket included
Mocanita Maramures is a famous narrow-gauge steam train ride that travels through the scenic mountains and forests of Maramures. The historic train runs along the Vaser Valley, offering visitors a nostalgic journey through remote landscapes that are otherwise difficult to reach.
Pulled by a traditional steam locomotive, the Mocanita ride is one of the last functioning forest railways in Europe, combining history, nature, and local heritage.
Horses Waterfall
1h · Admission ticket included
Cascada Cailor is the largest waterfall in Maramures and one of the most impressive in Romania. Located in the Rodna Mountains near the town of Borsa, the waterfall drops about 90 meters down steep rocky cliffs. We'll take a cable car up and walk through the forest for around 15 minutes to reach the waterfall.
Muzeul Tarancii Romane
30m · Admission ticket included
Peasant Woman Museum Dragomiresti is a unique museum dedicated to the life and role of women in traditional Maramures villages. Located in a restored wooden house, the museum presents everyday objects used by peasant women, such as hand-woven clothing, household tools, and traditional textiles.
Through its exhibits, the museum tells the story of how women shaped rural life—working in the household, preserving traditions, and passing down crafts like weaving and embroidery. It offers visitors a personal glimpse into the strength, creativity, and cultural importance of the Maramures peasant woman.
Day 4: Maramures Full Day
Barsana Monastery
30m
Barsana Monastery is probably the most beautiful religious complexes in Maramures. Built in traditional Maramures wooden style, the monastery features tall wooden churches, carved gates, and flower-filled courtyards. The complex includes a church with a very high wooden spire, monks’ houses, and workshops for traditional crafts. Surrounded by green hills, Barsana Monastery is both an important Orthodox spiritual center and a popular tourist attraction known for its peaceful atmosphere and remarkable wooden architecture.
Surdesti Wooden Church
20m · Admission ticket included
Church of the Holy Archangels, Surdesti is one of the most impressive wooden churches in Romania and a highlight of the Wooden Churches of Maramures. Built in 1721, it showcases the extraordinary craftsmanship of Maramures carpenters, constructed entirely from massive oak beams without the use of nails. Inside, visitors can admire 18th-century religious frescoes painted in a vivid folk style that depict biblical scenes and saints. Surrounded by a traditional village setting and an old cemetery with wooden crosses, the church offers a powerful glimpse into the spiritual life, artistry, and architectural genius of Maramures.
Satu Mare
10h
Late evening walk in the city of Satu Mare with stop for lunch and accommodation before heading back to Budapest.
Day 5: Satu Mare - Budapest
Budapest
3h
After breakfast we will start our drive back to Budapest where we started our tour. Drop-off anywhere in Budapest or the surrounding area.
Meeting and pickup
Pickup details
We'll be picking up travelers from their hotel/airbnb/any place in Budapest or the surrounding area. Your guides will be wearing the company's logo ( t-shirt, cap, hoodie) so you cannot miss them.
Additional information
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
