Few places in Europe are full of secrets and are as little known. Transylvania is not a fiction with gothic horrors and full of vampires, but a province in Romania. Attention: after visiting it, you can fall, even the king!

Why is it hard to find on the map?

And also on the map of Romania… Because it is not an administrative unit, but a historical province. And its boundaries are difficult to define. Some territories have always been Transylvanian, but others from the north and west are included only occasionally. Depending on who you talk to, if you find out that Oradea or Timisoara are cities in Transylvania.

Don’t expect vampires

Thanks to books and movies, most people associate Transylvania with vampires. But only after 1897, when the Irish Bram Stoker published the famous novel “Dracula”.

Another connection of the novel to Transylvania is the vampire’s name, which is carried by a real person, Vlad the Impaler. Better known as Vlad the Impaler, he was a prince from neighboring Wallachia with a somewhat brutal reputation. Romania has many places associated with the fictional Dracula as well as Vlad the Impaler.

Sighisoara is the city where he was born, in Corvinilor Castle he was imprisoned, and in Poenari Castle he lived. But the legendary place is Bran Castle. Although it is called “Dracula’s Castle”, it no longer has anything to do with the person or the character, but it is very picturesque.

A good time to visit

It is more important to know when and where not to go. Of course, depending on your plans. Since Romania is not overrun by tourists, summer is a good time, because it is also unbearably hot here.

For walks and landscapes, autumn or late spring is more suitable. And if you like leaves, then endless forests are a delight. In winter, it gets a little colder in the mountains, so it’s not an ideal time for walking, but for skiing, sledding and the local Christmas markets.

Some cities are attractive

Although the region is both mountainous and agricultural, the best way to get to know Transylvania is to visit the cities.

The best starting point is Cluj-Napoca, the largest city and unofficial capital of the province. Although it has historical sites, such as parts of the old medieval wall or St. Michael’s Church, it is a very fun and modern city. Brasov, a city in the mountains, is one of the best places in Europe. A historic city, it has a great atmosphere and attracts many winter sports enthusiasts.

Smaller cities include Sibiu, Alba Iulia, Sighisoara and Tirgu Mures, each with its own attractions and charm. Many of them are worth a day or two, especially if you take into account the surrounding attractions.

A trip to the castles

Amazing castles are among the most important assets of Transylvania. They can compete with Germany or France in terms of beauty or history. And they are much less crowded with tourists than Western ones.

I have already mentioned those related to Vlad Tepes. Bran Castle at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains is a real medieval one. Find all the hidden stairs throughout the castle, although it is not very easy.

Corvinir Castle is truly magnificent. Also known as Juniage Castle, this Gothic castle looks more like Disneyland than a small town in Transylvania. The classic angle is from the suspension bridge, but the cobbled corridors also have their own charm.

Another unforgettable castle is Peles, the royal summer residence. Neo-Renaissance castle, seemingly in the Bavarian Alps. It has an impressive exterior, but the interiors with carved wood and furniture are even more luxurious, making it a special place.

Beware, bears!

Forest walks are beautiful, but they can also be dangerous. Not because of vampires or werewolves, but because of brown bears. There are about 6,000 in Romania, half of those in Europe, many of them in Transylvania. This is probably the best safety tip in Romania, as attacks do happen.

There are bears not only in remote places, but even near Brasov, on Mount Tampa. And the Pjatra-Krajului mountains are known for watching wild bears, which is becoming more and more popular.

How to get around

Many options are possible, but some with certain limitations. For public transport, there are trains and buses, depending on the chosen destination.

Trains are fine, but delays can be expected. Buses, intercity buses and minibuses are more reliable for the same costs and travel time. Although Romania has cheap domestic flights, Transylvania is too small to travel by plane.

The best form of transport in Transylvania is by car. Some destinations, such as Birtan with its huge fortified church, are only accessible by car. This is probably the best tip for traveling in Transylvania!

And only behind the wheel you can admire what Top Gear once called “the most beautiful road in the world” – the Transfagarasan road. Long and winding, with many serpentines, it rises to gorgeous views. Don’t forget that it’s only open a few months a year, in the summer when there’s no snow.

Get settled somewhere

You can make a long list of sights worth visiting in Transylvania. But many of them are small and take no more than a day. As such, they don’t necessarily have adequate accommodation options, so it would be a good idea to choose one or two places as your home base.

From Brasov or Sibiu, you can visit several places in one day. For example, Rhysnov Fortress and Bran Castle can easily be visited from Brasov in one day, and you don’t need to spend the night in each place.

Remember that you are not in Germany

When visiting Transylvania, it can sometimes feel like you’re actually somewhere else. You’re not crazy, you’re just under the impression of the strong German influence in the region over the centuries.

From the 12th century, people from present-day Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands settled in Transylvania to fight off foreign invaders and cultivate the land. They were the “Saxons of Transylvania” (Saxons). They built Siebenbürgen, seven fortified cities, including Brasov and Sibiu.

Despite the fact that most of the Saxons left Transylvania, all these cities still have German names: Brasov – Kronstadt, Sibiu – Germanstadt, etc.

Spread the Word

Although Romania and Transylvania are becoming more and more popular for tourists, they still receive too few visitors compared to other countries. Not because it’s not worth seeing, but because people don’t know what a fantastic place this is on the globe. If you get a chance to come to Transylvania, spread the word and tell others what it’s really like!

Source: Road business