Want to visit Transylvania in 2023? Great idea! In this travel guide we'll tell you why this region is so famous, what are the best places to visit, things to do and famous tourist attractions so you can plan an amazing holiday in Transylvania!
You probably heard Transylvania is a place somewhere in Eastern Europe (actually part of Romania!) supposedly beautiful, mysterious and where (legends of) vampires come from, hidden in menacing medieval castles. For some it may be a surprise to find out that Dracula Castle is a real place...
Or perhaps you heard about its charming, authentic rural life from the UK's King Charles who owns 3 village houses in Transylvania?
Or maybe you've seen some beautiful pictures of famous tourist attractions, perhaps a medieval castle?
While all these are true - except for the Count Dracula and vampires part - there is so MUCH more about visiting Transylvania you should know! So after reading this article I hope you'll want to travel here and see for yourself :)
Table of contents
- Practical info to plan your trip in Transylvania
- A short history of Transylvania and what you're about to see
- 1. Bran Castle a.k.a. Dracula's Castle
- 2. The UNESCO Sighisoara Citadel and Saxon Villages with Fortified Churches
- 3. See a Gothic castle full of legends: Corvin Castle
- 4. Visit the spectacular (and healthy!) Turda Salt Mine
- 5. Visit Romania's spiritual capital: Alba Iulia Citadel
- 6. Transfagarasan Highway - a thrilling ride with awesome views!
- 7. Transylvanian culture in cities and villages
- 8. Transylvanian food and wine - a must try!
- 9. Go hiking in Transylvania
- 10. Stay in family-owned boyar mansions or restored village houses
Practical info to plan your trip in Transylvania
During my travels lots of people told me ‘I want to visit Transylvania’ - but it’s not that simple! The region is 1/3 of Romania and it's larger in size than Austria! To get more basic info (tourist cities, sights, public transport) you might want to start with our travel guide on how to visit Romania for the first time.
Pro tip:some "expert travel bloggers" and foreign-made travel guides think all of Romania's attractions are in Transylvania, for example Peles Castle, or include commercial, TripAdvisor-style attractions such as Clay Castle in their list; these havenothingto do with Transylvania culture or history
Long-story short, the region of Transylvania is the whole area inside the arc formed by the Romanian Carpathian Mountains and is made up of many sub-regions:
- Saxon Transylvania is a triangle-region in central Romania between Sibiu - Sighisoara - Brasov known for its Saxon culture and villages with fortified churches
- the region of Maramures (N-W), the most authentic for Romanian culture famous for its UNESCO Wooden Churches
- Bukovina (N-E), equally Romanian, famous for its UNESCO Painted Churches
- South-West of Cluj-Napoca, Motilor Land in Apuseni Mountains and Natural Park, for rural mountain villages
- around Timisoara is the region of Banat
Each of these regions have their distinct cultural identity with local celebrations, cuisine, folk costumes, unique places to visit and tourist attractions.
And even if the many castles in Transylvania and medieval cities made the region popular, locals in rural areas have preserved their traditional way of life as if in a time bubble - far from modern civilisation, mass tourism and even Covid - which is the #1 reason why you should come visit!
As our historians say, the heart and spirit of Romanian culture is best experienced in the ancestral Romanian village where a hard-working yet self-sustainable, community-based, God-fearing, simple lifestyle, in communion with nature, has been passed from generation to generation.
This is why King Charles fell in love with this region and owns 4 village houses where he spends his summer holidays!
So the most important thing you should know is that visiting Transylvania is NOT just about seeing its top tourist attractions to snap some quick pictures, grab a tacky Dracula souvenir from gift shops or do a day trip from Bucharest to the city of Brasov and Bran Castle, the main tourist destination in the region.
The best thing to do is to experience the magical Transylvania countryside and meet locals, see how they live, eat a home-cooked meal with produce from their households.
To slow down and disconnect from the busy, digital and sedentary lifestyle the Covid pandemic accelerated, and to reconnect with nature!
This is by far one of the best activities to do in Romania and in Transylvania especially. As you'll see, there are many things to do and places to visit and this is why more tourists come here compared to the other two regions of Romania, Wallachia and Moldova.
Get inspired by our handpicked collection of day trips in Transylvania and unique experiences:
If you're planning to visit Transylvania you'll need min. 3-5 days to travel between different cities and tourist attractions. If you're short on time, arriving in Bucharest and want to get the a condensed tour of the region with the best places to visit, check out this amazing and unique itinerary we prepared for this:
3-Day BEST of Transylvania Tour: Brasov, Sighisoara, Bran & Viscri
Start from: Bucharest
We prepared a similar one starting from the city of Cluj-Napoca, the largest city in Transylvania:
But if you want to have an authentic holiday in Transylvania, then you need min. 4-6 nights in the region. You can alternate between:
- visiting major tourist cities: Brasov, Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca, Oradea and Timisoara (also the most beautiful cities in Romania)
- day trips from these cities to popular tourist attractions and places to visit (Bran Castle, Corvin Castle, Sighisoara Citadel, Rasnov Fortress, the Saxon villages with fortified churches, Transfagarasan Highway etc.)
- do some cool things and tourist activities popular in Transylvania: hiking in the Carpathian Mts, brown bear watching, have an agro-tourism experience, do wine tasting in the picturesque hills
- experience authentic rural life by visiting Transylvania's sub-regions, staying in family-owned guesthouses and doing the best thing you can on your vacation - relax!
And for the Summer of 2023 we're planning a 9-day shared small group tour with fixed departures that includes the best of what Romania, Transylvania and Maramures can offer:
Before we get on with the list of the best castles, places to visit and tourist attractions in Transylvania, I want to tell you a few things about the region's history so you understand why these places are important and how to make sense of what you're about to see!
A short history of Transylvania and what you're about to see
Latin for land beyond the forests Transylvania is arguably among the most beautiful regions for tourism in Europe, easily comparable with Tuscany or Provence. But its history is complex and reflects its multicultural identity. If you're curious, Wikipedia has a whole page about the full history of Transylvania.
In short, more than 2,000 years ago large parts of the region was settled by our ancestors, the Dacians. The ruins of Dacian citadels are now a UNESCO World Heritage heritage called by "travel bloggers" the Romanian Stonehenge - what a way to disrespect two tourist attractions at the same time...
Dacia was conquered by the Roman Empire in 100 A.D and became a wealthy Roman province renowned for its agriculture, wines and gold mines. Over the next centuries, the combination of locals, Roman settlers and migrants is what eventually gave birth to Romanians who continued to live in these parts.
After the Roman empire disintegrated, the province of Transylvania became part of various empires and kingdoms mostly under Austrian and Hungarian rule. Fertile ground with rich resources and a clear natural border (the Carpathian arc), it was caught between the power struggles of the Ottoman, Habsburg and Russian empires which defined the history of South Eastern Europe for the past seven centuries.
So alliances, betrayals, battles and truces every couple of decades were the norm here...
The popular tourist city of Sibiu
Despite its very complicated political history, Romanians peacefully coexisted with Transylvanian Saxons, Hungarians, Jews, Slovaks and the many other minorities since medieval times. So you can imagine the melting pot of cultures, traditions and lifestyles you will see in cities, villages and tourist attractions in the region.
And even though Romanians were always the most numerous - we never had political autonomy and independence. Our language, culture and religion was not recognised - and even forbidden! - which is why Romanian churches played an important role in keeping our culture alive - which is why you should visit them!
All this lasted until the Great Union of 1918 was proclaimed in Alba Iulia when Transylvania united with the Kingdom of Romania (formed in 1859 when Wallachia and Moldova were united and later King Carol was put on the throne). This was our people's struggle and dream for at least 300 years!
So you see, there is much history behind all the castles, churches and cities you'll see. That's why authentic Romanian culture was best preserved in the rural villages where Romanians could be free and themselves, far from foreign controlling powers and wars, or from city aristocracy and prohibitions.
And now, let's see what to do in Transylvania:
1. Bran Castle a.k.a. Dracula's Castle
We’ll start with the most famous place to visit in Transylvania just to get it out of the way! To the surprise of many, Dracula's Castle is a real place going by the historical name of Bran Castle - a medieval castle truly impressive even without the added fame!
The castle became hugely popular thanks to Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel about a fictional character inspired by the Romanian prince Vlad the Impaler. And the 1992 classic Hollywood movie Dracula propelled it into mainstream fame and turned it into Romania's #1 tourist attraction.
Pro tip:the Dracula thing is a blessing and a curse for Romanian tourism - everything is Dracula-branded or 'the real' Dracula, with lots of souvenirs, products (including wines and chocolate no Romanians buy!) and tours to attract naive tourists; they're all fake, cheap and of low quality so watch out!
Located in Bran, this is the most visited castle in Romania's and is accessible on day trips from Brasov, Bucharest and Sibiu. Tickets cost 11 Euro or $12. And if you want to avoid all the Dracula tourist traps and (false) stories around this sight - our guides will give you the real story behind this famous castle in Transylvania.
Perched on a mountain ridge in dramatic landscapes and woodlands at the base of Bucegi Mountains, the badass looks and menacing towers will surely impress you. Built 700 years ago as a strategic fortress to defend the mountain crossing against invaders, the castle has a fascinating history of its own. Its rooms are simple because that's how they were in medieval times with narrow corridors and staircases.
After loosing its role and significance from medieval times, Bran Castle was sort of abandoned until 1920 when it was donated to the Royal Family. To everyone's surprise, it became the favorite place of Queen Marie in Transylvania.*
The queen restored and decorated the castle with the finest artistic taste of those times, giving it a new life. So this stunning castle became a royal residence - and you can check some old pictures here to see what that looked like.
As for the supposed connection between Count Dracula and Vlad Dracula or Vlad Țepeș, a Romanian prince known for his cruelty and inspiration for vampire stories - spoiler alert - there isn't any!
Bram Stoker never visited Transylvania or Bran Castle (though he may have heard about them) and it's unlikely he knew about Vlad the Impaler who died in 1476 - almost 400 years before the novel was written! Google and Wikipedia didn't exist back then :)
And if you see mentions of the real Dracula castle - that's Poenari Citadel, the real residence of Vlad Tepes. The ruins of the castle have been restored in recent years and if you're really into the subject then it's worth visiting.
Pro tip:the 'local' vampires are called vârcolaci which are similar to werewolves, are there are lots of stories and myths in Romanian folk about them.
Viscri fortified church
2. The UNESCO Sighisoara Citadel and Saxon Villages with Fortified Churches
There was a lot of migration going on in the Middle Ages. So in the 12th century the king of Hungary who ruled the province of Transylvania invited Saxons Germans from Western Europe to colonise the area around Brasov - Sibiu - Sighisoara in exchange for land and benefits. With help from Teutonic Knights, they were tasked to build fortifications and defend the empire's borders against pagan invaders.
So that's why there are so many fortified villages, small medieval towns surrounded by walls and castles in Transylvania. These well-preserved historical sites are living testament of Transylvania's fascinating, plot-twisting history. In total there are over 150 fortified attractions to visit, most of which well preserved, so tourists passionate about history will have a busy itinerary!
Biertan Fortified Church, another UNESCO world heritage site
Two historic attractions have been included in UNESCO heritage:
- Sighisoara Citadel one of the best-preserved citadels in Europe dating back to the 13th century where people still live! with its cobbled streets and colourful houses, the Clock Tower and Church Hill, this is an accessible and must see attraction in Transylvania
- a group of seven villages with fortified churches of the many Saxon villages in Transylvania. Of this group, the village of Viscri is the most popular thanks to the UK's King Charles who fell in love with the area, and bought and restored a house to spend his summer holidays
Other beautiful villages in Transylvania you should consider visiting are: Malancrav, Copsa Mare, Crit, Saschiz, Alma Vii, Prejmer, Cincsor, Richis and Cisnadioara. In most of them you'll find traditional houses restored and transformed into gorgeous, boutique guesthouses where locals love to escape the busy city life on a weekend break.
Pro tip:fortified churches don't have typical visiting hours, and they're still in service; without a guide, or very good local info, you won't be able to get in or know what you're looking at
Besides being incredibly old, these medieval villages preserve our rural culture and ancestors’ way of life as if in a time bubble. You will literally make a trip 100 years back in time if you go visit them on a day trip or spend a couple the night there.
A stunning castle in Transylvania
3. See a Gothic castle full of legends: Corvin Castle
In our opinion, this is the best castle in Transylvania even though it can't compete with Bran Castle's popularity! Corvin Castle also known as Hunyadi Castle is a splendid gothic-meets-renaissance historic tourist attraction with an authentic medieval feeling.
Built in the 15th century as a fortified residence for a regional ruling dynasty, there is much history to be learned and seen here - and on a different plot line than at Bran. There are also some legends about the family’s seal and symbol of the castle - a raven, Corvus in Latin, with a golden ring in his beak.
Local tip:we think Corvin Castle is the best castle in Romania! It's more authentic and has a fascinating history compared to any ‘Dracula’ fantasies you’ll ever hear at Bran Castle - so we highly recommend you put this castle on your list of things to do on your vacation in Transylvania!
With well preserved crenels, towers and meeting halls, including original stained glass windows depicting Iancu de Hunedoara, the ruling prince of this impressive sight which you can see on the stained-glass windows inside. Corvin Castle is one of the best attractions in the region even if it's not the most famous castle in Transylvania.
- Fun fact: contrary to the reputation and looks of most Gothic Castles, Huffington Post considered it as one of the ten most fairy tale like constructions of this kind in the world
Corvin Castle is in the city of Hunedoara and can be seen on day trips from the cosmopolitan cities of Sibiu and Timisoara but also from Cluj-Napoca. Although the castle has been growing in popularity considerably over recent years, getting there using public transport is quite a hassle so a car is your best option. Ticket costs 8 Euro or $9.
4. Visit the spectacular (and healthy!) Turda Salt Mine
If you're looking for a unique attraction in Transylvania then Turda Salt Mine should be on your list. The difference between salt mines and all other mines is that breathing salty air is good for your lungs.
People with respiratory problems such as asthma are being sent by doctors for ‘salt therapies’ aka sitting and breathing the air. There’s even evidence the Romans spent time in salt mines 2,000 years ago for the same reason!
Since 2008 and with the help of cleverly designed lighting installations, the abandoned Turda Salt Mine became one of Romania's top attractions. With stunning views of the underground, visitors will discover huge grottos and many galleries to go for a walk while detoxing their lungs.
Besides walking and sitting, Turda Salt Mine literally has an amusement park to keep people busy. You can ride an underground Ferris wheel or go on a boat ride on an underground lake. Wait... what?
Turda Salt Mine is one of Transylvania's best attractions
Yup - going to a salt mine in Romania is like going to the park on a chilly day. You spend time reading, socialising, playing all sorts of games or walking. No cellular reception - and you're not allowed any food or drinks other than water to avoid air contamination. The idea is to spend at least 2 hours inside and for this reason salt mines in Romania are usually set up as small amusement parks.
And Turda Salt Mine does a great job at that. I personally like to take mindful walks through its galleries and admire the beautiful patterns in the wall. It's easy to visit on a day trip from Cluj-Napoca or Sibiu. Entrance ticket costs 10 Euro / $11 and be sure to bring a jacket or something to keep you warm.
5. Visit Romania's spiritual capital: Alba Iulia Citadel
Surprise - another historic place to visit, but this one of significant importance to Romanian history. Alba Iulia Citadel in the small town of Alba Iulia, is considered the spiritual birthplace of modern Romania. Within its walls the 1918 Great Union was proclaimed unifying the principality of Transylvania with the rest of Romania (Wallachia and Moldova) after WWI.
And a few years after this pivotal event in Romanian history, King Ferdinand and Queen Marie had their coronation ceremony at Alba Iulia Cathedral within the Citadel Walls. They became the first king and queen of Greater Romania, something Romanians have been dreaming of for a very long time!
That's why Alba Iulia is considered Romania's spiritual capital and why on 1 December (National Day) the celebrations here are impressive.
Cluj Top Attractions: Turda Salt Mine, Alba Iulia Citadel & Rimetea Village
Start from: Cluj-Napoca (pick-up)
The citadel itself has a rich history too! Built in the early 1700s on the remnants of a Roman castrum it served as a strategic fortification and centre of power in the heart of Transylvania. Today, Alba Iulia Citadel is a gorgeous and restored historical sight in Transylvania which breathes history through its many buildings and cobble stone alleys.
It regularly hosts outdoor events and fairs and every day at 12:00 there's a changing of the guard ceremony. Consider visiting Alba Iulia Citadel on a day trip from Cluj-Napoca or Sibiu. Both Transylvanian cities are in close proximity to Alba Iulia and it only takes about 1,5h to by car from any of the two locations.
The best driving road in the world!
6. Transfagarasan Highway - a thrilling ride with awesome views!
Have a quick look at our video - this popular tourist attraction in Transylvania needs no other introduction! Named by Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson as the best driving road in the world for good reason: twisting and turning as you go up getting ever more beautiful views! Built during communist times for military purposes, it's also known as Ceausescu's folly due to the huge resources spent to build it.
Reaching altitudes as high as 2,042m, this is the main road crossing the mighty Fagaras Mountains from Cartisoara to Curtea de Arges (DN 7C). These are the highest, most beautiful and wild in our country and a favorite destination for hiking in Transylvania.
As you go on the road trip you'll see their impressive ridges and peaks and when at the top you'll be rewarded with the best views of Transylvania's vast plains between mountain ridges!
Local tip:due to snow, the road is open for driving only from1 July - 30 Octso that's the best time to visit if you want the driving experience or if you're planning to visit from Bucharest.
Outside this period Transfagarasan Road can be seen from above! Coming only from Brasov or Sibiu and driving partially on the road and then taking a cable car across the closed section all the way to the top of the road at Balea Lake, a mesmerising glacial lake. Once there, you can go on on a short walk above it to get the best view of the area, or on longer hiking trips in Fagaras Mountains. So visiting this place is one of the top things to do in Transylvania.
And if you enjoy breathtaking scenery and winding roads, then you'll love Transalpina Road also known as King Carol road. West of Sibiu, this is the highest road in Romania reaching an altitude of la 2.145m. It crosses Parang Mountains from Sebes to Novaci (DN 67C). It has even more restrictions than the Transfagarasan Road but is equally breathtaking.
7. Transylvanian culture in cities and villages
Each tourist city in Transylvania has its unique personality, vibe and reputation. If you ask locals, they're all very different!
Here are the main medieval cities you should consider visiting (on each link you'll find our selection of tours and the local city guide):
- the hip, bustling, IT and student town of Cluj-Napoca the largest city in the region and second largest in the country, the unofficial capital of Transylvania
- multicultural and artsy Sibiu with its bohemian Old Town made up of Piata Mare (Big Square) and Piata Mica (Small Square), and the best Christmas market when winter in Romania comes
- medieval, laid-back Brasov with its Black Church, the largest Gothic Church in South-East Europe towering over the main square Piata Sfatului (Old Town) and its many well-preserved defensive walls and seven bastions (most of which have small museums inside). If you're interested to visit Brasov, check out our complete city guide.
- the little town of Sighisoara in the heart of Romania with its famous Sighisoara Citadel that's like a small museum for medieval times and the impressive Clock Tower dating from 1350
- the less-popular small towns of Medias, Sebes, Bistrita and even Targu Mures shouldn't be overlooked as they're also representative of Saxon heritage with their medieval architecture, large town squares and small museums
These medieval cities is the reason why in German Transylvania was called Siebenburgen translated as 'the seven citadels' Bistriţa (Bistritz), Braşov (Kronstadt), Cluj (Klausenburg), Mediaş (Mediasch), Sebes (Mühlbach), Sibiu (Hermannstadt) and Sighişoara (Schassburg).
A typical village Saxon village Transylvania
But Transylvania’s true beauty lies in its famous countryside and rural areas, in traditional villages where the simple way of life of locals, their sense of community and hospitality will capture your soul instantly. Add to the mix picturesque landscapes and quiet village life you've got yourself a perfect holiday in Romania to disconnect and wind down far from the business of city life.
There are lots of day trips or trips where you can experience this. You can go by car to visit villages, or on hiking trips from village to village, photo tours, horse riding, agro-tourism experiences -- you name it! Although without a guide who knows the area and locals, it will be harder to have the experience you want. Check our suggestions below - or contact us if you'd like a private custom tour.
2 Day Hiking in Apuseni Natural Park: Culture & Local Life
Start from: Cluj-Napoca or Sibiu
There are lots of bike paths connecting the Saxon villages of Transylvania and this is a great way to explore the area!
Or perhaps you'd like to stay in a traditional farm turned modern guesthouse and have an agro-tourism experience?
Besides Saxon Transylvania, the greater region also includes the traditional sub-regions of Maramures, Bucovina and Motilor Land in Apuseni Mountains which will give you the most authentic experience of Romanian culture and countryside you can find in our country.
For example, in Maramures centuries old Romanian traditions and customs are still part of everyday life. You'll see wood-carved decorations everywhere and locals who wear their best traditional folk costumes on Sundays to go to church (the Romanian traditional blouse called ie by the way).
Besides the delicious food (all with home-grown ingredients!), there are some interesting attractions to see such as the Maramures Ethnographic Museum, the Merry Cemetery of Sapanta or the famous UNESCO Wooden Churches of Maramures. To visit Maramures, another must see’ sight of Transylvania, it's best to start from Cluj-Napoca and have min. 2-3 days.
8. Transylvanian food and wine - a must try!
The whole region is naturally blessed with fertile lands and sun-bathed hills. And with its mix of cultures and rural traditions of farming and self-sustainability, Transylvania has a reputation for its delicious food and wines. Much of Romanian traditional food and products come from the region and they're famous and preferred even by locals.
The region of Sibiu is particularly famous for its products (cheese, fresh sour cream, cured meats, salami and jams) and typical dishes, which is why it was was awarded the European Region of Gastronomy title in 2019.
In the city as well as on day trips in tourist villages nearby (called Marginimea Sibiului) you'll find lots of small, old-school food producers, or hip restaurants with young chefs who reinterpret traditional dishes with a modern twist.
For years, locals have had a clear preference for home-made, organic, 'buy local' and to support small producers - which makes food in the region truly delicious! Sibiu has several restaurants known for this (check our Sibiu attractions guide for more) and on day trips our guides will take you to family households and small guesthouses where locals will cook for you!
A wine tasting trip in Transylvania
Even 2,000 years ago Transylvania's wines were famous among the Dacians, Romans and migrating people. There are lots of wineries in central Transylvania perfect for vineyards! From old-school, large-scale wineries to boutique, specialised producers, in the last 10 years the quality and popularity of Romanian wines has increased significantly - and so has wine tourism!
Local tip:unfortunately most wineries don't offer 'walk-in' tastings for 2 people, but we can arrange that for you on a custom tour. But you can also order a glass of Romanian wine in any restaurant or bar - we're sure it will surprise you!
9. Go hiking in Transylvania
The entire region exists because of the natural border the Carpathian Mountains form around it! Read our full guide on hiking in Romania to find out the huge - and undiscovered - outdoor potential of our country.
In short, there are mountains and trails for EVERYONE no matter your physical condition or how much time you want to spend in the mountains. So exploring Transylvania's beautiful outdoors and unique natural landscapes is one of our most recommended things to do on your holiday here!
Brasov, Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca are the best places to go on hiking day trips or multi-day tours in the Carpathian Mountains. The best time for hiking in Transylvania is between May - October, although outside of this is also possible with the right gear and experience.
The best part? On a guided trip our guides can take you through picturesque foothills with traditional villages (600 - 1,200m) to medium mountains (Apuseni Mountains or Piatra Craiului) or the high peaks (over 2,200m) in Fagaras or Bucegi. It all depends on your interests! Poiana Brasov is the most popular ski resort in Transylvania if you're looking for that, although you may want to check our full Romanian ski guide for more info.
Famous natural attractions you should see:
- Zarnesti Gorges and the the Seven Stairs Canyon close to Brasov
- the impressive Turda Gorges, White Cliffs, Scarisoara Ice Cave or the steep hill Szekler's Stone close to Cluj-Napoca
- Balea glacial lake (NOT for dipping!) and Red Lake.
Pro tip:Romania is known as Europe's last wilderness reserve thanks to its vast and untouched Carpathians, home to many wildlife, including the largest population of brown bears; that's why brown bear watching in Transylvania one of the most popular and unique activities you can do
10. Stay in family-owned boyar mansions or restored village houses
The combination of Transylvania's multiculturalism, heritage buildings, picturesque countryside and sustainable, ancestral way of life attracted many locals tired of the big city life looking to create a different life.
From 2008 onwards a trend started where many traditional houses in villages, old boyar estates or bourgeois manors were bought by corporate city folk looking to escape busy life. These were restored and transformed into boutique, luxury guesthouses for tourists.
Offering premium accommodation services, locally sourced organic foods, amazing views and a beautiful example of how rural life can blend with modern needs, these guesthouses are so beautiful and popular they're in high demand all year long!
Check here for some inspiration and you can find most of them on Booking.com or AirBnB. However, most of them are in remote areas accessible only by car and are on the expensive side. Nevertheless, spending one or two nights there will be a unique memory from your holiday in Transylvania!
***
Seriously underrated, Transylvania is many times included in renowned travel guides such as Lonely Planet or Conde Nast.
But I hope you see how the best things to do in Transylvania are not just simple tourist attractions to tick off your list like most foreign bloggers and travel guides tell you...
It's about discovering how a unique mix of cultures is kept alive, about experiencing rural life, admiring nature and relaxing. It's about using slow travel to get to the heart of Romanian culture and history.
It's about being present on your holiday - not just rushing from one famous castle to another top sight....
I hope this article gave you a taste of what to do in Transylvania and help you plan your visit here - and if you have any questions contact us, we're here to help!
Your Romanian Friend
Marius