Transylvania is a mystical land interspersed with stories of vampires and Count Dracula, with magical medieval castles and lazy idyllic villages. Check out why it's worth heading east to visit a landscape that even crowned heads like to visit.
British King Charles III. he fell in love with Transylvania on his first visit, and there he also invested money in three village houses, where he likes to retreat in the summers. No wonder, when you see the beauty of Transylvania yourself, it will become clear to you in no time why it attracts him. But not too fast. Transylvania represents as much as a third of the Romanian territory, and in terms of its size it is even larger than Austria. The best way to fully absorb the beauty of this part of Europe is to get to know the locals and their customs, visit some of the famous castles and enjoy a good local meal.
When to Transylvania?
The best time is either spring or autumn. Transylvania can boast of lush forests that turn into a magical palette of colors in autumn. The temperatures are also much more pleasant in spring and autumn than in the heat of summer.
Photo: Unsplash/Michael MicelovskiWhat should I see in Transylvania?
The most famous is without a doubt Count Dracula's castle, which became famous thanks to Bram Stoker's novel. Let's refresh, Vlad Dracula is said to be a Romanian prince known for his fierce cruelty. The castle is truly something special. It is located on a hill in a dramatic landscape, where it has been alone for the past 700 years. For many years, with its mighty walls, it defended the residents from enemy incursions, but today it welcomes tourists from all over the world with open arms. But this is far from the end of the castles. Also Corvin Castle it deserves your attention, just because of its magnificent Gothic and Renaissance image. It was built in the 15th century, and it has been stirring the spirits of tourists and local residents ever since.
When visiting Transylvania, don't miss the Saxon churches and villages under UNESCO World Heritage protection. The Saxons conquered Transylvania in the 13th century, and here they built a series of fortified villages that still bear witness to the region's rich history. There are a little over 150 in total, Citadel of Sighisoara and a group of seven villages with fortified churches belong to the world heritage. This group also includes the village of Viscri, where Karl III arranged a holiday home some time ago.
Photo: Unsplash/Artem ZhukovIf you are more tempted by natural sights, visit the underground salt mines, whose air also has a beneficial effect on your respiratory system. You can choose between Salina Prais and the Truda salt mine, famous for its beautiful light installations.
Don't miss one of the most picturesque roads - Transfagarasan. Top Gear crowned it one of the most scenic roads in the world. When you drive on it, you will understand why. Winding, turning, climbing... It was built during communism for military purposes, and the former dictator Ceausescu spent huge amounts of money on it. The road, which reaches as high as 2133 m above sea level, crosses mighty mountains and offers beautiful views of ridges and peaks. Due to the snow, the road is fully open for driving only from July 1 to October 30. Speaking of which, hiking is also quite popular in Transylvania. The region, embraced by the Carpathians, offers endless opportunities for hiking. Exploring the beautiful nature is therefore one of the most recommended activities when planning a visit to Transylvania.
Photo: Unsplash/Artem ZhukovHow to explore Transylvania?
A car is the best way to travel around Transylvania. You can drive there with your own car, although the drive (via Budapest) will take about ten hours. You can also rent a car in Cluj Napoca, which is a good starting point for exploring the countryside. You can also fly to Sibiu from Ljubljana and rent a car there.
How much is a plane ticket to Transylvania?
With Wizz Air (+ Ryanair) you can fly from Ljubljana to Transylvania for as little as 62 euros (not a direct flight). You can search for flight tickets according to your vacation date HERE.
Photo: Unsplash/Artem ZhukovCovid-19 restrictions in Transylvania
At the time of writing the article, there were no special restrictions for travel, as all conditions for entry were relaxed in Romania in March. Even the war situation in Ukraine does not affect the activities or the security of Transylvania. Check all current information about Covid-19 restrictions HERE.
Accommodation in Transylvania
Old Town Cataleya
In the old town of Sibiu, there is a nice accommodation that offers a good starting point for discovering the city and the region as such. The rooms are air-conditioned, in addition to the bedroom and private bathroom, they also have a small kitchen.
Casa ABA
The accommodation boasts close proximity to a number of attractions, and its interior offers guests all the comfort they need to explore the region. In addition to the living room with TV, for evening rest, there is also an equipped kitchen and a private bathroom.
