Bucovina Monasteries Tour 2 of Romania’s Colorful Painted Churches

Hidden away in northern Romania are a plethora of vivid and colorfully painted churches. Many tourists opt to take a Bucovina monasteries tour, but in fact, it’s possible to visit two of these stunning churches completely independently by merely walking and using public transportation.

There are eight UNESCO listed painted churches in this overlooked corner of Romania; however, this self-guided Bucovina Monasteries tour covers only two of them: Humor Monastery and Voroneț Monastery.

This guide best suits those travelers looking to appreciate these stunning churches on their own time-frame. Another positive is visiting the churches independently is it notably cheaper, although it will require some patience!

Find where to base, useful tips, and other logistics on how to create your own Bucovina Monasteries tour.

Table of Contents

• Where to Base for Bucovina Monasteries Tour
• Tips & Logistics for Self-Guided Bucovina Monasteries Tour
• Self-Guided Bucovina Monasteries Tour
• Cost of Self-Guided Bucovina Monasteries Tour
• Bucovina Monasteries Tour 2 of Romania’s Colorful Painted Churches

Where to Base for Bucovina Monasteries Tour

Gura Humorului makes an ideal base to explore the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina. If taking public transportation, many buses run to Suceava. From there, look for buses that run to Gura Humorului.

Transportation Tip | In the rural north of Romania, public bus schedules can’t be trusted 100% of the time and most times the timetables can’t be verified. Always check with locals, but even that isn’t completely accurate. Public transit in northern Romania takes patience and can cost a whole day. If on a time schedule, it may be best to rent a car.

Gura Humorului was a comfortable base to navigate the monasteries from. In my humble opinion, it was far more beautiful than Suceava, which felt more like a city than a village. Gura Humorului felt more quaint and cozy and is decorated with beautifully crafted homes. There are also a few restaurants with nice outdoor seating. While it’s best to base here, there are very few lodges.

For sleeping purposes, it’s best to stay at one of the guest houses that line the road that leads to Mănăstirea Humorului. From Gura Humorului to the monastery is 6 KM. For an added bonus, there is a public bus that runs between the village and the monastery.

Pensiunea Emma is a lovely guest house with private rooms and an ensuite bathroom. The hostess doesn’t speak english, but is so sweet and called her daughter who helped me plan my very own Bucovina monasteries tour | Lovely garden space | Clean rooms

Tips & Logistics for Self-Guided Bucovina Monasteries Tour

These tips will also come in handy for a self-guided Bucovina Monasteries tour.

Appropriate Dress Code for Visiting the Painted Monasteries

Whether you are a man or a woman, your knees and shoulders must be covered. Men should try not to wear jeans, and they will be asked to cover their legs if they are in shorts. Luckily, the monasteries conveniently have scarfs readily to pass out. There is no guarantee the last time that they were washed, or even that they are not damp from sweat, but it allows you to enter these beautiful sites.

Voronet Monastery was much more strict with the dress code than Humor Monastery.

Travel Tip | Carry your own personal scarf to wrap around yourself, women may be asked to cover their heads

Don’t want to borrow the heavily worn wrap skirts? There are multiple souvenir booths in front of both monasteries selling extra long scarfs and skirts. It is okay to bargain with these vendors.

Buses & Taxi Logistics

There is a bus that runs between the village and the monastery. The bus starts it route at the Pharmacy across the street from the Best Western, continues up the hill, and finishes its route right in front of the Humor Monastery, next to all the souvenir shops. Don’t worry, you can hop on the bus at any time, just wave it down.

Bus Route: Gura Humorului Pharmacy across from Best Western to the Humor Monastery | Hours: 6:00 – 20:00 | runs every half hour | Bus Fare: 5 RON ($1.25 USD) one-way ticket

Using Taxis

For those who don’t want to walk it is possible to use a taxi. Be wary of the taxi drivers and make sure they are official taxis, which should have their rates posted on their doors. Verify that they have and will use a meter. It is important that you negotiate the price before entering the taxi.

Have a Car?

If you have a car, it’s possible to visit several of the Monasteries that are scattered around the north of Romania. A local favorite is Moldovita Monastery, only a 20 mile car ride from Gura Humorului. There are eight of these monasteries in total, but only seven of them are part of the UNESCO World Heritage list, and with good reason.

More detail on all 8 of the painted monasteries

Self-Guided Bucovina Monasteries Tour

Now that the logistics are out of the way, on to the fun stuff! This itinerary should take around 6 hours, so it can be completed in one day. This tour uses a mix of walking and public transportation. Start early to avoid the crowds.

Walk to the Humor Monastery

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If staying on the recommend road to the Humor Monastery, it just makes sense to visit this painted church first because it was the closest. From where a majority of the guest houses are located, this walk shouldn’t take more than 45 minutes The road does not have much of a side walk, but there were many people walking along the roadside, so it didn’t feel too dangerous. If you don’t feel comfortable, feel free to wave down a passing bus!

The walk is quite scenic because the traditional homes are absolutely stunning. The houses have raised patterns and designs with colorful shutters. Look at the water gutters on the sides of the house, even these small details are intricately designed. These traditional homes usually are surrounded by green gardens with colorful flowers. Don’t forget to glance up at the power lines, there may be storks who have created nests. These small details can be overlooked if taking the bus.

Tour Humor Monastery (Mănăstirea Humorului)

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Welcome to the beautiful Humor Monastery (Mănăstirea Humorului)! This site has beautiful grounds and the tiny monastery was founded in 1530. Take a few moments to savor the lush, green grounds, but the real treasures are found inside the chapel.

Each monastery feels like a miniature masterpiece. The details of each painting are incredible to gaze upon. The decorations are elaborate, and the ceilings are covered from floor to ceiling. Alters are covered in gold and silver with chandeliers to match. While each monastery has fee, there are most definitely worth it. Get here early enough before the crowds show up. That way, it can feel as if you are in your own private temple. In the morning hours, only a small handful of locals were passing through. Nuns were walking about while fussing over fresh floral arrangements.

This was a great place to start the Bucovina monasteries tour, since it isn’t as popular as some of the surrounding churches.

Humor Monastery Logistics | Ticket Cost: 5 RON ($1.25 USD) | Photo Fee: 10 RON ($2.50 USD), only outdoor photos | Hours: Daily 8:00 – 22:00

Important | Keep in mind, no photos are allowed on the inside, only exterior photos only

All Finished?

Hop on the bus, pay the driver and head back down to Gura Humorului. The bus runs every half hour, but it usually is waiting at the top of the hill to head back down.

Nativity Cathedral

From here, you can head towards the main Nativity Cathedral in the center of Gura Humorului. Pop in if you like, but it’s just a normal church that the locals pray at. I say normal, but it is still elaborately painted inside; however, it’s much newer than the monasteries. Look above the door upon entrance, do you see the 3rd eye watching over you?

Nativity Catherdral Logistics | Free to Enter

All Finished?

Continue the Bucovina Monasteries tour to the famed Voronet Monastery.

How to Reach the Voronet Monastery

There are a few options on how to reach the Voronet Monastery, either grab a taxi from the Nativity Cathedral, or walk there. There are multiple taxis lined up in the parking lot of the Nativity Cathedral, the city’s very own taxi hub.

Voronet Monastery is only 3.5 miles from the Nativity Cathedral. The first half of the walk contains a sidewalk, the second half does not. Again, make sure you will feel comfortable walking with cars zipping past you

Local Tip | Lots of older couples are driving to and from the monasteries. It is super easy to hitchhike. The road basically ends at the monastery, so it is assumed that everyone passing you is heading to the the Voronet Monastery. Hitchhiking is widely accepted and safe in Romania, however, always trust your gut.

Voronet Monastery (Manastirea Voronet)

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The Voronet Monastery is probably the most famous painted monastery of Bucovina. It is known for its famous blue coloring which even has its own signature color “Voronet Blue.” The monastery was founded in 1487 and again boasts being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The back wall outside had one of the most beautiful paintings, and you can really see the intensity of the blue coloring. Wait for the tour groups to pass, so you can take in the vividness of the ancient fresco.

When you are ready, head inside. Again, the coloring of this place is incredible. This monastery was very busy, but park on a bench in the main chapel and wait for the crowds to cycle through. Staring at the beautiful decorated walls is so much more powerful when you have the place to yourself.

This painted monastery is so detailed it is actually nicknamed “the Sistine Chapel of the East.” It is worth a visit, and had more intricate paintings between the two monasteries I visited. The vividness of the frescoes’ coloring was something I will always remember.

Watch for the the locals passing through, their hands dancing to the Hail Mary’s in sets of three and their lips kissing the silver plaque of Mother Mary. It really is quite fascinating to watch.

Voronet Monastery Logistics | Ticket Cost: 5 RON ($1.25 USD) | Photo Fee: 10 RON ($2.50 USD), only outdoor photos | Hours: Daily 9:00 – 17:00

Finish the Bucovina Monasteries Tour in Gura Humorului

Head back in the way you came. Taxis sit near the cemetery in front of the monastery. Walk the 3.5 miles back, or even hitch a ride right there from the parking lot!

Cost of Self-Guided Bucovina Monasteries Tour

So, what was the cost of this self-guided Bucovina Monasteries Tour?

Prices on the table are rounded to the nearest 25¢

Expense	RON (lei)	USD ($)
Bus Fare (Gura Humorului to Humor Monastery, round trip)	10 lei	$2.50
Humor Monastery & Photo Fee	15 lei	$3.75
Nativity Cathedral	FREE	FREE
Voronet Monastery & Photo Fee	15 lei	$3.75
Total	40 lei	$10

This incredible day trip cost me $10!

It can be challenging to visit these beautiful painted masterpieces without a car, but it was one of my most rewarding travel moments throughout Romania. The monasteries of Bucovina are still etched in my mind, and they were purely exquisite. Not only are the monasteries dazzling, but there is something special about the grounds around them. It feels as if the “veil” is thin, and you are closer to the “other side.” The energy seems to be electric, and is only emphasized by chants, smoking incense, and dim lit candles.

If touring at your own pace, you can wait for the crowds to pass and share these special spaces with just yourself, an occasional solemn nun, and the beautiful frescoes. The region itself can be a challenge without a car, but take the time and effort. With a bit of patience and hopefully these helpful tips, you can tour two UNESCO World Heritage Monasteries for under $10

Notes on Guided Tours

There are many companies offering Bucovina Monasteries tours. The private tours are fairly expensive and usually only tour three of the total eight Painted Monasteries. Keep in mind, this self-guided Bucovina Monasteries tour covers two of the three on most organized tours. Taking a tour is a great option for those travelers with limited time, or don’t have the physical ability to walk.

Bucovina Monasteries Tour 2 of Romania’s Colorful Painted Churches

In short, this is the complete guide on how to take a self-guided tour of two of Romania’s most popular Painted Monasteries. This day trip is possible from the cute village of Gura Humorului. It’s possible to visited these special sites via public transportation and by walking. The Painted Monasteries of Bucovina are still a hidden gem in Romania, and most tourists don’t make the effort to reach these worthwhile sites. However, the vivid and colorful churches are well worth the effort.

It’s possible to independently take this self-guided Bucovina Monasteries tour for under $10 and it can be completed in just 6 hours!

Psst… Where to Next? Try Brasov, the gateway to Transylvania!

Have you heard of the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina before, or have you been fortunate enough to visit them? Did you take a Bucovina Monasteries tour, or would you prefer to explore them on your own terms? Let me know in the comments below!

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