Transfagarasan, Romania (driving The top gear road)
If you’re looking for one of the best road trips in Europe, you NEED to add Transfagarasan to your list.
This breathtaking road is one of the most spectacular places you’ll ever drive- either by car, motorbike or even a motorhome!
JUMP AHEAD TO...
What is the Transfagarasan Highway?
The Transfagarasan road (also known as the Transfăgărășan highway) is an incredible road in Romania. Apparently, it’s now one of the most visited spots in the whole of the country! It’s the road Top Gear called “The Best Road in the World” after they reviewed it in 2009.
The road is 90km long and was built in 1974. It winds through the Carpathian Mountains and its highest point is 2042 metres- the views are spectacular! Yet, despite this, it’s actually the second-highest paved road in Romania- TransAlpina is even higher!
Apparently (and there are conflicting rumours, so take it with a pinch of salt), the Transfagarasan road was built to transfer troops quickly through the mountains in case Romania was invaded by the USSR.
Where is the Transfagarasan Road?
The Transfăgărășan road is in Romania, west of Brasov and about 3 hours NW of Bucharest.
The road is called 7C and runs north from Curtea de Arges- be sure to stop and visit the old monastery.
The tunnel of the highway links the northern and southern sides at Lake Balea.
Map of Transfagarasan
Here’s a map of where the Transfăgărășan Road is in Romania:
When can you drive Transfagarasan?
The highway is fully open only during June to October so if you want to drive this road, you will have to plan your road trip accordingly.
What is driving the Transfagarasan Highway like?
Once you get to the top of Transfagarasan, expect to be mesmerised. The views are breathtaking or Balea Lac, an open valley with a stunning lake.
Luckily, the weather is normally very good up there as well, meaning you can enjoy the view without worry.
It truly is an incredible sight and even moved Jeremy Clarkson to call it “every great corner from every great race track lined up one after the other.”
Other things to do in Romania
Romania is an incredible country with a huge range of treats to enjoy. The history and culture alone are worth the visit- plus it’s one of the cheapest countries to live in Europe.
Some other attractions to work into your Romania itinerary include:
- Hunt for Dracula at Bran Castle. You could spend a week in Transylvania at least!
- The Ice Hotel (Winter only)
- Go hiking in the Fagaras Mountains
- Visit a salt mine
- Gaze at the Black Sea
- Visit all 8 of it’s incredible UNESCO sites
There is so much to do, bot on the Transfagarasan Highway and in Romania itself. Start planning your road trip here today, using our FREE road trip planner.
Other Europe road trip ideas you might find useful:
Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.
Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.
If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.
Transfagarasan is my favourite road in Romania. I hope to drive again on it this summer.