Top 10 places to visit in Transylvania

Visit Transylvania

Peles Castle
Bran Castle
Brasov
Sighisoara
Biertan
Sibiu
Saxon villages
Alba-Iulia
Turda Salt Mine
Maramures
Safe to travel to Transylvania during Covid and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Transylvania is probably one of the most popular regions in the country, sheltering many of Romania’s landmarks. Tourists love this area, becoming interested in visiting amazing medieval sights, finding out more about the culture and legends, discovering the local mysteries, or just going for a city break in one of the Transylvanian cities. It was one of the most popular travel destinations a couple of years ago, and the number of tourists visiting Transylvania is constantly increasing. If you decide to visit Transylvania, we compiled a list of the must-see best places that you should include in your itinerary.

1.Peles Castle

Peles Castle may be considered an important historic edifice in Romania, having a unique character and is, by its historical and artistic value, one of the most important monuments of its kind in Europe from the second half of the nineteenth century. It is a good place to start and visit Transylvania.

The Hall of Honor is great, panelled in walnut, lined with bas-reliefs and statues. The glass ceiling is mobile, operated by an electric motor or a manual system, and was an element of surprise for the guests, who could admire the blue sky on summer nights. It was fully completed only in 1911, under the guidance of Karel Liman.

The Royal Library attracts many enthusiasts, especially those who appreciate rare books with leather covers and gold embossed lettering. Even for those less familiar with the world of books, there is an attraction: the secret door, a passageway behind a bookshelf, through which the king could find refuge in various rooms of the Castle. Other attractions include weapon halls, a music room, the Grand Hall, or the Council Hall.

2.Bran Castle

Another interesting castle you can’t miss visiting is the Bran Castle. Although it is now like a medieval amusement park, the Bran Castle still impresses through its surprising architectural elements and art collections housed within.

Dracula Castle Tour

Bran Castle, or Dracula’s Castle, as it is known by most people, was built here more than 600 years ago, and still maintains something from the pride of knights who have stepped its threshold centuries ago.

Bran Castle lies less than 30 km from Brasov, built on a rock in a strategically key location. It currently hosts the Bran Museum, a museum that spans over four castle floors. Here are exhibited collections of ceramics, furniture, weapons and armours, and in the castle’s courtyard is a small village museum with traditional houses from the Rucar-Bran region.

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3.Brasov

Visiting Bran brings you closer to Brasov, a medieval city full of various attractions. The city’s main attractions include the Black Church, the White Tower, Weavers Bastion or Tampa Mountain, for some light trekking.

Brasov has always been a city of artisans. Winding streets of the old centre bear today prints of the past, even if small workshops of old abandoned firms are behind new names.

4.Sighisoara

Even if it is just a small town, Sighisoara has many well-preserved architectural monuments, reminiscent of the town’s medieval past. If you visit Sighisoara, you will encounter Dracula’s legend yet again, as one of the colourful medieval houses once belonged to Vlad Tepes’ family. Even without Dracula’s shadow, the cobbled streets and medieval towers take you back centuries ago and give you the feeling of a small medieval town frozen in time.

5.Biertan

Although Biertan is just a village in Sibiu County, it attracts many tourists because of the beautiful, fortified church. The centre of the village still looks like it did centuries ago, which is part of its charm.

Biertan has been operating for 300 years as one of the most intriguing prisons. It was not intended for thieves or robbers but for husbands who wanted a divorce. Known as a matrimonial prison, the building inside the fortified ensemble from Biertan hosted spouses who announced their intention to divorce. They were locked in a small room with one bed, one table, a chair, a spoon, bread and water, no knife, having to share everything and to give up the idea of divorce. It seems the method was very effective for over 300 years, as it has been registered only one divorce in Biertan.

6.Sibiu

Sibiu has a great mix of old and new. Visiting the city’s centre, tourists can see the medieval towers and a town square, which is the place where all the most important events take place. The town continues to grow and develop as an important industrial and academic centre. Therefore, it is a perfect destination for cultural trips, business trips or for those who want to experience a revigorating blend of cultures, especially the influences of Saxon culture, present to this day.

7.Saxon villages

Biertan is not the only Transylvanian town influenced by Saxon cultures. In the past, Saxons came into the region in a large number, and many other Transylvanian villages carry on the Saxon heritage. Viscri, Saschiz or Rupea, to name a few worth visiting if you are interested in exploring the rural life in Transylvania.

8.Alba – Iulia

Alba-Iulia is the largest city in Alba County, and it is also the place where you will find the beautiful Alba Carolina Citadel. So, those who choose to visit Alba-Iulia will experience a real journey through time where the local authorities have managed to revive Alba Carolina Citadel, the largest in the country and bring it to its former glory. A Vauban-style fortress, the most impressive of its kind in Southeast Europe, was built between 1716 and 1735.

9.Turda Salt Mine

In Cluj County, the most visited tourist attraction is Turda Salt Mine. Inaugurated in 2010, after being rehabilitated, Turda Salt Mine has become from an unknown cave to one of the most visited tourist attractions of Romania, a “Grotto” which attracted yearly hundreds of thousands of tourists from all around the world.

10.Maramures

Maramures is the region where the villages preserved the traditions and ancient architecture, woodcrafts, and monasteries, many of them included by UNESCO on the World Heritage List. A top place, if not the first most popular with tourists, it occupies the Merry Cemetery in Sapanta. It is one of the most popular holiday destinations of Romanians and foreigners impressed with the metaphors written by craftsmen on the crosses of those who rest in the burial place right in the centre of the village.

Therefore, if you want to find out more about medieval Transylvania, to explore Transylvania and everything this beautiful region has to offer, or simply to find out more about Dracula’s legend, Transylvania is one of the destinations you should definitely consider for travelling in 2022.

Safe to travel to Transylvania during Covid and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Discover all the attractions that Transylvania offers in a Covid safe environment, as the locals implement and follow all the necessary sanitation and cleaning procedures to protect their guests.

It is also safe to travel to our country, as the new crisis, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine does not impact the tourists travelling in Romania.

As a tourist, you can immerse yourself in a Transylvanian cultural bath that will enrich both your spirit and mind.