The name Transilvania evokes tales and mysteries, legends and even a little fear. It is one of the historical regions of Romania , inextricably linked to the story of Count Vlad Tepes, where history and literature have now merged into a fascinating and attractive intertwining.
But Transylvania is not just Dracula: located in the center of the country, and surrounded and protected by the Carpathian mountain range, it offers enchanting natural landscapes thanks to its dense woods and forests, dotted with medieval villages of unique picturesque beauty.
Here is the useful information for your trip to Transylvania , where it is, when to go and what to see.
Travel informed: useful information
- Population : 6.789 million
- Capital : Cluj-Napoca
- Languages : Romanian, Hungarian, German, Roman, Ruthenian, Slovak, Croatian, Serbian, Czech, Bulgarian
- Local currency : Romanian leu (€ 1.00 = 4.83 Romanian lei)
- Climate : it is of the subcontinental temperate-cool type, with very cold winters and cool summers, also due to the altitude
- Distance from Italy : between Rome and Cluj-Napoca the distance is 1,765 km (about 1 hour and 50 minutes by flight)
- Travel / health insurance : recommended. With us you get a 10% discount and you have full coverage, 24h medical insurance and unlimited telephone advice. Get
a free quote
Where it is and how to get there
It is one of the historical regions of Romania, protected by the Carpathian mountains and located in the central part of the country. It is made up of 16 counties.
To get to Transylvania, you land at the airports of Sibiu or Cluj . Unfortunately there are no direct flights, so it is often advisable to land in Bucharest and then reach the region by train, bus or by renting a car.
When to go
Info on climate and best period
Month Average temperatures (min / max) Precipitation (days / mm) January -6 / 0 ° 6 days / 25 mm
February -5 / 3 ° 7 days / 25 mm
March -1 / 10 ° 6 days / 30 mm
April 4 / 16th 9 days / 50 mm
May 9/21 ° 10 days / 65 mm
June 12/24 ° 11 days / 90 mm
July 14/26 ° 10 days / 85 mm
August 13/26 ° 8 days / 65 mm
September 9/21 ° 7 days / 50 mm
October 4/15 ° 6 days / 35 mm
November 0 / 7th 7 days / 30 mm
December -4 / 2nd 9 days / 35 mm
- Climate : it is moderately continental, and temperatures in January can reach -6 °, while in summer they do not exceed 26 °
- Best time : Spring and summer are the perfect seasons for the most favorable climate and for observing nature in rural areas, even if it can be cool at night
- Period to avoid : in winter it is very cold and snowfalls are frequent and abundant, some roads and mountain passes could also be closed due to bad weather and cause inconvenience for those visiting the region
- Advice : the most suitable clothing, if you go to Transylvania in the recommended period, is the layered one, in mid-season. The temperatures are never too high and it is always better to have at least a couple of warm sweatshirts available
What to see in Transylvania: cities and attractions not to be missed
1 – The Places of Vampires and Dracula
Sighisoara and the birthplace of Vlad III of Wallachia, known as Vlad Tepes (the impaler), the legendary Dracula. Inside its fortifications, near the Clock Tower, is the birthplace of Dracula and the stone bust of Vlad Tepes , in that square that witnessed numerous tortures and witchcraft burnings.
The Poenari Fortress (or Poenari Castle) is located in the municipality of Arefu. now in ruins, it was built by the boers (subjects) who were then impaled by Vlad, and reached by climbing a staircase of 1480 steps and is the place where Dracula’s first wife committed suicide, throwing himself from the tower into the waters of the Arges river.
Bran Castle , near Brasov, on the ancient border between Wallachia and Transylvania, and the castle that inspired Bram Stoker to describe Dracula’s castle (which is actually Poenari’s Castle).
Finally, the Snagov Monastery , founded in 1408 by Mircea the Elder of Wallachia, is located 35 km north of Bucharest, on an island in Snagov Lake. It became famous in 1933, when archaeological excavations led to the discovery of a crypt later identified as the tomb of Dracula.
2 – Sighisoara
Sighisoara is one of the most visited tourist resorts in Romania. It is not just the hometown of the alleged Count Dracula, or Vlad Tepes III of Wallachia. It is in fact considered as the most romantic and colorful city in Transylvania, thanks to its charming old town, surrounded by high walls and made up of picturesque medieval streets and traditional houses with high and sloping roofs. In fact, we recommend a city tour with a visit to the Dracula House.
Every year, during the last weekend of July, a great and famous medieval festival takes place here , with music, dances, traditional costumes and specialties of the typical Romanian gastronomy.
3 – Brasov
Brasov, 170 kilometers from Bucharest and located almost in the center of Romania, is one of the most important centers of Transylvania. Do not miss a tour of the city with its fortified citadel, with its thick walls that served to protect an enchanting historic center characterized by wonderful streets.
The city skyline is unmistakable, in fact you can see the medieval watchtowers and the typical spiers of its Gothic churches. The city is also immersed in an enviable natural context , surrounded by a majestic forest that is well suited for excursions and explorations.
4 – Bran and its Castle
Bran is a small town in the Brasov district and perhaps the most visited place of interest in Transylvania. The reason is simple: Bran Castle, better known as Dracula’s Castle, is the fortress identified as the home of the most famous prince of Wallachia. We therefore recommend that you book a very interesting guided tour of the castle.
Built in the fourteenth century by Ludovico I D’Angio, the building stands in a narrow gorge, perched on a rocky wall. The particularly scenic context that surrounds the castle has done nothing but feed, over time, the outline of mystery and legend that surrounds it . Its architecture includes Gothic characters, narrow and winding stairways and imposing towers, giving it a truly fascinating aspect. The castle, which now houses a museum of medieval art, actually has little to do with the infamous Count Dracula!
5 – Sibiu
Sibiu represents the heart of Romania, thanks also to its central position, overlooking the Carpathian mountains. It was founded by the Saxons in 1190 and is one of the most touristic cities in Transylvania thanks to a historic center with a unique architectural heritage.
A city tour will be surprising: formed by narrow and characteristic alleys, it preserves many 17th century buildings with traditional gable roofs. And also full of squares, there are 3 of them: the Piata Mare (or Piazza Grande) which houses a beautiful Roman-Catholic Baroque church, the Council Tower and the Brukenthal Palace; the Piata Mica (or Piazza Piccola) with many shops and cafes; Piaaza Huet with its Gothic buildings and the Evangelical Cathedral. In 2007, Sibiu wasdeclared European Capital of Culture .
6 – Fortified church of Prejmer
Photo of Neighbor’s goat. Also included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Prejmer Fortress Church is located 18 km northwest of Brasov. It is an extraordinary monumental complex that includes a church, its fortification walls, a defense road, two towers, two bastions (the only remaining of the four originals) and an entrance tower.
Its construction was begun by the Teutonic knights in the 13th century and later finished by the Saxons. It represents one of the strongest and best preserved medieval fortified churches in Eastern Europe and is truly marvelous.
7 – Turda salt mines
The Turda salt mines are not only the oldest in the world but represent a unique theme park, where visitors can descend to a depth of up to 80 meters underground and discover how the salt was extracted. The best way to visit them is with a day trip from Cluj.
The largest room in this underground saline is called Rudolf, it is located 40 meters underground and is divided into 13 levels. At this depth it is possible to have a coffee at the leisure center complete with a bar, play billiards or sail on a delightful pond. On display in the other rooms that make up the route there are also a series of medieval machines that were once used for the extraction of rock salt.
8 – Transfagarasan
It is one of the most beautiful roads in the world , certainly the highest and most characteristic in all of Romania. It was built in the seventies at the behest of Ceausescu, with the aim of allowing Romanian troops to cross the Carpathians quickly in the event of a Soviet invasion.
The road is 112 km long, starts from Pitesti and, crossing wonderful landscapes between mountains, green valleys, tunnels, viaducts and numerous hairpin bends, arrives at Lake Balea, of glacial origin. Due to the climatic conditions, the Transfagarasan is only open during the 4 summer months.
9 – Biertan
It is part of the heritage of nearly 300 fortified villages and churches in Romania. That of Biertan ea village among the most important in the country , which became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
Its conformation has a high value not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also from a historical point of view. It is, in fact, one of the best preserved architectural complexes dating back to the 15th – 16th century. Its defensive walls stand out in three concentric levels and are 35 meters high, are connected through doors and towers and defend the heart of the complex, making the church a real stronghold.
10 – Corvino
Castle The Corvino Castle is located in Hunedoara and represents the most important monument of Gothic architectureof Romania. The best way to visit it is with a guided tour from Cluj.
It stands on the site of an ancient Roman castrum, with an imposing appearance and dominates the valley. In the past it served as a fortress and housed the Voivodes of Transylvania. Today the prisons and torture rooms, the large courtyard, several interior rooms with period furnishings and the drawbridge can also be visited.
There are several legends related to this castle, it is said that Count Dracula was held prisoner here for seven years and that the well in the courtyard was built by some Turkish prisoners, who were promised freedom if they found the place. ‘water. After 15 years and more than 30 meters of depth reached, the promise was not kept.
11 – Biserica Neagra
It is one of the most photographed attractions in Transylvania and Romania, it is located in Brasov and attracts around 250,000 tourists every year. It is a unique place of worship, the largest church in the country , built in the Gothic style 500 years ago. Its name refers to the blackened walls, evidence of a ferocious fire that partially destroyed the church in 1689. Several legends
are also linked to this place., the most famous and the one concerning a statue of a child who seems to be about to fall. Legend has it that the child represents a very skilled apprentice who was killed out of envy by the master master, who pushed him off the roof. After some time, the murderer discovered that the apprentice had great admiration for him and, destroyed by a sense of guilt, I dedicate this statue to him.
The main itineraries in Transylvania
Without a doubt, the most famous tour is the one in the footsteps of Count Dracula , but there are others equally interesting. The castles of the Romanian region, in fact, are well preserved and built in strategic and suggestive positions.
- Day tour from Bucharest : full day excursion (12 hours) to discover the most famous castles, such as that of Peles, Bran Castle and the city of Brasov, in the footsteps of the legend of Dracula – click for info, costs and booking
- 3-day tour of medieval Transylvania : castles, medieval citadels, architectural wonders, of course without forgetting the places of Dracula – click for info, costs and booking
- 2-day tour of the Castles : Sighisoara, Dracula’s Castle, fortress of the Teutonic kings of Rasnov, experience an extraordinary weekend discovering the best preserved castles and fortresses in Transylvania – click for info, costs and booking
- Tour and custom quote : click here to request a custom quote
What to do in Transylvania: excursions and tours
How much does a holiday in Transylvania cost
Prices, offers and advice
Romania in general is a rather cheap destination , the cost of a holiday corresponds to that of life.
Several low cost airlines offer round trip routes at very low prices (low cost flights starting from € 18.00 each way). Another expense that has very little impact on the budget is that of the overnight stay, in the vicinity of the main places of interest, in fact, there are numerous hotels and B & Bs with well-priced rooms, even in high season (from May to September, average cost € 39.00 per room per night). Furthermore, if you choose winter, prices drop further. The cost of renting the car for a week is approximately € 65.00.
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 21.00 per room – see the offers
- Low cost flights: from € 18.00 – see the offers
- Flight + hotel: Round trip flight + 6 days / 5 nights from € 231.00 per person – see the offers
- Custom quote : click here to request a custom quote
Travel Insurance: Our Advice
We always rely on the company
, which provides comprehensive coverage at absolutely competitive prices .
They also provide customer assistance, an always active call center and 24- hour medical insurance with unlimited telephone medical advice : we know well that when you are abroad in emergency situations, you can find a consultant who is always ready to answer
the most
important.
Visit their website and receive a 10% discount on your policy reserved for Travel365 users .
