Mysterious and bewitching, Transylvania is a multifaceted region nestled in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains. Between perfectly preserved medieval cities like Sighișoara, Sibiu and Brașov, picturesque villages with fortified churches and spectacular landscapes of mountains and hills, it offers a journey out of time. Heir to a rich past that blends Saxon, Hungarian and Romanian influences, Transylvania will appeal as much to history and architecture enthusiasts as to those who love nature and the great outdoors.
What to see and do in this fascinating region? Here are the 15 must-sees on your trip to Transylvania.
1. Sibiu: a favorite
Sibiu charms everyone who visits. Its historic center, one of Romania's largest medieval ensembles, has been meticulously restored. Its cobbled streets with colorful facades and squares lined with splendid mansions give it a unique charm. Piața Mare and Piața Mică, separated by the Catholic church and the council tower, form the vibrant heart of the town. For a more leisurely stroll, lose yourself under the vaulted porches, explore the magnificent accessible inner courtyards and discover the lower town, with its more popular character. Sibiu will delight art and history enthusiasts with its rich religious heritage and numerous museums, including the prestigious Brukenthal Museum, one of the finest in Eastern Europe.
Worth knowing: Sibiu is easily explored on foot, with its emblematic sites located within walking distance of each other. Its Christmas market is one of the most beautiful in Europe.
2. Sighișoara, one of Transylvania's treasures
Nestled on the banks of the Târnava Mare river, Sighișoara is one of Transylvania's treasures. Its medieval city, perched high above the town and valley, is remarkably well-preserved, earning it a place on UNESCO's World Heritage List. It is one of the most beautiful fortified towns still inhabited in Europe. Its colorful facades proudly display wrought-iron signs indicating their function, while its cobbled streets exude a peaceful atmosphere. Here, churches and schools are still in operation, offering visitors an immersion in a living city, far from the staid impression ofan open-air museum.
Read more: What to do in Romania? 16 must-see places to visit
3. Brașov and its timelessly charming medieval center
Nestled at the foot of Mount Tâmpa, at around 650 meters above sea level, Brașov beckons with its timelessly charming medieval center. Founded by the Saxons in the Middle Ages as Kronstadt, the town grew thanks to its strategic position on important trade routes. It quickly became prosperous, with fortifications and elegant buildings erected by powerful trade guilds. Today, its historic center, located in the southeast of the city, is a veritable architectural gem. Around the vast and picturesque Piața Sfatului, charming pedestrian lanes come alive, while others, more peaceful and almost village-like, reveal large houses with flower-filled courtyards.
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4. Bran Castle, Dracula's castle!
Its imposing silhouette stands proudly on a rocky outcrop, overlooking a valley that winds between the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountains... Here you are at Bran Castle, rich in history and legend. Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors flock here to discover the so-called Castle of Dracula, or rather that of Vlad Țepeș, the 15th-century Wallachian prince who is said to have inspired writer Bram Stoker to create his vampire character. In reality, he's more associated with Queen Marie, much beloved by Romanians, who left her mark on the area between the wars.
Good to know: For those who've come for the story of Dracula, the castle won't disappoint: several rooms are dedicated to the vampire myth and Vlad Țepeș, his alleged inspiration. You'll also discover information on strigoi, the undead of Romanian folklore.
5. Biertan, one of Romania's best-preserved Saxon villages
Nestled among the hills and surrounded by orchards, Biertan is one of Romania's best-preserved Saxon villages. Founded in the 13th century, Biertan has established itself as an important agricultural, viticultural, craft and religious center. Its Baroque houses with their colorful facades give it a unique charm, and its fortified church, the most impressive in the country, has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. An ideal starting point for exploring the region, Biertan offers superb opportunities for hiking, mountain biking or horse-riding through its undulating landscapes.
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6. What to do in Transylvania Visit Mălâncrav
Off the road between Sighișoara and Mediaș, Mălâncrav is a small village of 1,000 inhabitants tucked away among hills and meadows, at the end of a small dead-end road. On the heights, it's home to a superb Saxon church in rural Gothic style, built in the 14th century and fortified a century later. Its interior features magnificent frescoes. The village itself is well worth a visit, with its charming Saxon houses featuring colorful facades and flower-filled gardens.
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7. See a statue come to life in Saschiz
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Saschiz is a picturesque village with a rich heritage. It's well worth a stop, if only to admire its 15th-century fortified church, topped with colorful tiles, and its main tower, erected in 1677 by the architect of Sighișoara's Clock Tower. At 50 meters high, the latter offers a unique spectacle: every fifteen minutes, a wooden statue nicknamed Bogdan by the locals comes to life before the eyes of visitors. Recently restored, the tower is accessible and offers a beautiful view from its summit.
8. What to do in Transylvania Visit Răşinari
Located at the foot of the Cindrel Mountains, Rășinari captivates with its enchanting setting. Strolling through its maze of cobbled streets, lined with low houses with uneven tiled roofs, is a real pleasure. One of its jewels is the 18th-century Cuvioasa Paraschiva church, famous for its painted façade depicting The Wheel of Life and its precious icons on wood and glass. The village's name, meaning "resin collectors", bears witness to its rich artisan past, still alive today in woodworking and textiles. These skills are showcased in the town's small ethnographic museum, which you can visit.
9. Cluj-Napoca, a city in perpetual motion
With a population of 325,000, Cluj-Napoca is Transylvania's main economic, cultural and academic hub. Unlike medieval towns like Sibiu, Sighișoara or Brașov, Cluj offers a resolutely modern and dynamic atmosphere. There's no fixed center here, but a city in perpetual effervescence, attracting investors and students alike. As soon as you step into its lively city center, you're struck by its energy. But Cluj is more than just an economic boom: it also boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, with imposing churches, renowned museums, elegant palaces and a colorful botanical garden. Not to mention its vibrant nightlife and the natural and architectural treasures scattered throughout the surrounding region.
10. Râşnov, one of the region's best-preserved medieval citadels
Located between Bran and Brașov, Râșnov is one of the best-preserved medieval citadels in the region. Perched on a promontory, it can be reached in 20 minutes on foot via a forest path, or in just 2 minutes by funicular, offering breathtaking views over the Brașov plain and the Bucegi mountains. In Râșnov you can also see several beautiful caves, including the peștera Valea Cetății, located on the road leading to Poiana Brașov as well as the peștera Râșnoavei, which can be reached after a pleasant one-hour hike from the town center (path marked with a white stripe). The town is well served by buses and a few trains from Brașov.
11. Poiana Sibiului, a typical mountain village
Perched at an altitude of almost 1,000 meters, this picturesque mountain village seems to melt into a high plateau in the Cindrel Mountains. Sheltered from the weather, it is particularly renowned for its many sheep breeders. Every May, the flocks make their way up to the mountains and take over the magnificent flower-filled meadows. The village is also an ideal starting point for hikes, offering an enchanting mountain landscape dotted with shepherds' huts. The village is home to beautiful wooden houses, one of which dates back to 1760, and can be reached either via route 106 G, after passing through the charming village of Dobârca, or from Săliște via route 106 E, which winds its way through the mountains.
12. Padiş, a paradise for hikers
Located 1,200 meters above sea level, the Padiș plateau is an exceptional place for hiking enthusiasts, offering a spectacular landscape of karst formations, caves, underground rivers, wild chasms, waterfalls and cascades. Among the most impressive karst phenomena are the Someș Cald gorges, the Valea Galbenei and Valea Boga canyons, and the majestic Citadels of Ponor (Cetățile Ponorului). The region is also a favorite haunt for cavers, with some 30 remarkable caves. The region is also home to a wide variety of wildlife. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of deer, wild boar, foxes and roosters.
Worth knowing: In the evening, a peculiar phenomenon occurs: the "Padiș fog", which results from the mixing of cold air with warm air accumulated during the day in the dolines.
13. What to do in Transylvania Visit Cisnădioara
Adjacent to Cisnădie and surrounded by magnificent hills, Cisnădioara is home to one of Romania's oldest Romanesque churches, St. Michael's Church, whose existence is attested as far back as 1223. Perched on a hill, it was soon protected by fortifications, of which only a few remains today, along with two unfinished towers. The church itself is modest in size, with short naves, and its carved Romanesque portal is particularly striking. As you stroll through the village, you'll be able to admire some charming Saxon houses, offering a fine immersion in local architecture.
