Transylvania hides numerous natural, architectural, and tradition-preserving attractions. I will introduce 26 places from this wonderful region!
Transylvania is located in Central Europe, in the eastern part of the Carpathian Basin, within the territory of present-day Romania. Today, it can be considered distinct only because of its historical traditions, unique culture, and regional identity.
Transylvania is one of Romania’s most visited regions by tourists, thanks to its numerous medieval buildings, churches, monuments, and natural beauties.
During a week-long tour of Transylvania, I visited most places. You can read a photo travelogue here!
Table of Contents
Attractions in Transylvania
Cluj-Napoca
The historical center of Transylvania and its most significant city. It is Romania’s 2nd largest settlement, one of the seven fortified cities from which Transylvania gets its German name (Siebenbürgen).
A prominent city in Hungarian history, where King Matthias Corvinus and István Bocskai were born. The statue of King Matthias in the main square is one of the most beautiful Hungarian equestrian statues.
Another iconic attraction in the main square is St. Michael’s Church. With its 76-meter tower, it is Transylvania’s second-largest church in terms of area, a magnificent building.
Brașov
The center of southeastern Transylvania was the most important city for the Saxons.
Its most famous landmark is the Black Church. Romania’s largest church, it is also the most significant eastern piece of European Gothic architecture. It was also the largest church in former Hungary.
In the southwestern part of the city, remnants of old fortifications can be seen. The most beautiful of these is the Weavers’ Bastion, which has remained almost in its original form.
It’s also worth stopping in front of the St. Paraskeva Church. The Orthodox church, with its silver towers and dome, is a very beautiful building in Brașov.
Sfântu Gheorghe
Contrary to its name, which means „Four Villages”, it is quite a large city southeast of Brașov. It became the center of the Barcaság Székelys through the merging of four villages (Bácsfalu, Türkös, Csernátfalu, Hosszúfalu).
Its uniqueness lies in the city’s terrain, which includes plains, hills, and mountains.
They have rich folk art traditions. Their woven textiles and patterned Easter eggs, of which they preserve about 150 patterns, are famous.
Sibiu
The city on the banks of the Sibiu River was once the cultural and commercial center of the Transylvanian Saxons. The small town has numerous attractions, a defining settlement in the southern part of Transylvania.
Founded in the 12th century, the city was the site of many historical battles. For 16 years in the 19th century, it was also the capital of Transylvania!
Don’t just look at the Orthodox cathedral in the city center from the outside! The interior of the church, built in imitation of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, is incredibly beautiful!
Another famous attraction in the downtown is the Brukenthal Museum and Art Gallery. This was once the castle of Baron Samuel von Brukenthal, the governor of Transylvania. Its collection is among the richest in all of Romania. The palace itself is a very beautiful Baroque building.
The Evangelical Cathedral was built in the 15th century in Gothic style. Its tower also operates as a lookout, offering a wonderful view of the city.
The city also has a zoo. While it doesn’t have many animals, it can be a pleasant program for children at an affordable entrance fee.
Although Transylvania is not famous for viticulture, the Sibiu wine region’s Sibiu-igabor wine is quite well-known.
Corvin Castle
Transylvania’s most beautiful castle, which Kálmán Mikszáth called the king of castles.
The castle, built in the 15th century, was owned by the Hunyadi family. John Hunyadi and his wife, Elizabeth Szilágyi, lived here, and it was during their time that it was transformed into a knight’s castle.
The castle suffered from two fires in the 19th century. Thanks to the reconstruction in the 1870s, Gothic elements can be found in the otherwise Renaissance castle.
An important site in Hungarian history, indicated by the fact that a replica of the castle was also built in Budapest’s City Park.
Deva Castle
The former fortress stands on a hill above the city of Deva, on a 250-meter-high rock along the Lower Mureș River.
Due to its location, the view is very beautiful, making it well worth the climb alone.
The castle might be known to everyone. A Hungarian folk ballad, „Kelemen the Stonemason”, which is taught in elementary school, is about the Deva castle.
Its military significance was minimal. During the 1848-49 revolution, the Hungarian army fought successfully here, and the surrender of arms by General Bem took place here.
The castle has been renovated a few years ago, thus once again becoming one of Transylvania’s most beautiful sights. You can go up to the castle by cable car, but there is also a staircase leading up for those who prefer a more strenuous climb.
Alba Iulia
Transylvania’s ancient historical capital, the seat of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Transylvania. It was also called Karlsburg after King Charles III of Hungary.
The city’s historical center has been on the World Heritage tentative list since 1991.
The medieval old town is surrounded by walls built between 1714-1735. Here you can find the cathedral, the old episcopal palace, which became a princely palace in the 16th century, the current episcopal palace, the Apor Palace, the Batthyaneum, and the Orthodox cathedral built in 1922.
Its most famous sight is the 13th-century cathedral, which was the burial place of the princes of Transylvania.
The cathedral houses the tombs of the Hunyadis, as well as the richly decorated stone sarcophagi of Queen Isabella and Prince John Sigismund. A whole row of Transylvanian princes and bishops rest in its crypt.
Timișoara
This large city in the southwestern part of Transylvania is also called Little Vienna because of its architectural richness.
The Lloyd Row promenade is a perfect example of this. Numerous magnificent buildings can be seen here, with the Orthodox cathedral at the end. The eponymous Lloyd Palace is a three-story eclectic Art Nouveau building.
Union Square is the city’s main square, dominated by the cathedral and the Baroque palace of the Timișoara Art Museum.
Lake Bicaz (Red Lake)
The most famous lake in Transylvania was created by a rockfall in 1837, which blocked several streams.
A true natural rarity, it offers an unmatched view with the stumps of tree trunks sticking out from the rusty red water surface and the massive rock formation of Little Ceahlău behind the lake.
Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle)
Transylvania’s most famous castle is located 30 km southwest of Brașov, next to the village of Bran, before the Bran Pass. The castle now functions as a museum.
It is called Dracula’s Castle, but it has nothing to do with vampires. A Wallachian voivode, Vlad Tepes, named his son after the Order of the Dragon, Vlad Draculea. Tepes allegedly spent a few nights here. This is where the castle’s world-famous name comes from.
The castle was built by King Louis I for the protection of the trade route. Its location made it difficult to capture over the years, as the castle stands on a 100-meter-high mountain.
It’s located in a very beautiful environment, but be prepared for crowds in the summer, thanks to the „Dracula cult”.
Praid Salt Mine
The town of Praid is the center of the Salt region, one of the most important salt mining locations in the Carpathian Basin.
The huge quantity of salt in the area suggests that mining can continue for several hundred years.
Visitors are transported by bus into the huge chamber 120 meters underground, where there’s an adventure park, playhouse, ping-pong tables, and a chapel built of salt.
It’s proven to have beneficial effects on the body, especially the respiratory system benefits from the high salt content in the air.
Gheorgheni
Located between Praid and Lake Bicaz is the center of the former Gheorgheni District, also called the „Arcadia of Szeklerland”.
The heart of Gheorgheni, the former Market Square now called Liberty Square, is one of the most beautifully landscaped small town squares in Transylvania.
It’s also famous for several traditional folk crafts: wood carving, wool spinning, pottery, straw plaiting, beekeeping, pottery, and egg painting should be mentioned.
Rimetea
The settlement is the westernmost Szekler frontier fortress and perhaps the most beautiful village in Transylvania.
Rimetea is dominated from above by the iconic rock formation of Székelykő. As they say here, the sun seemingly rises and sets twice, as from the village, it dips behind the rocks of Székelykő, only to reappear shortly after.
A more strenuous hike can take you up to Székelykő, where on a clear day, a fantastic view unfolds.
In Rimetea stands the oldest wooden house in historical Hungary, with the year 1668 carved above a window on a timber beam.
The Ethnographic Museum on the main square exhibits the old lifestyle and traditions: hand-painted furniture, beautiful old folk costumes, other creations of Rimetea folk art, objects used in iron production, and old photographs.
Turda Salt Mine
The salt mine is located on the outskirts of the town of Turda, fitting into a smaller amusement park. Next to Praid, this is the other famous salt mine open to visitors.
The mine has two entrances: one entrance is via a steep staircase, and the other entrance is through a long corridor, then by elevator. The long corridor is much more spectacular and worth taking.
Inside the mine, there is a lake where you can go boating, as well as a Ferris wheel, amphitheater, mini-golf. The average temperature is around 10-15 degrees Celsius.
Lake Saint Anne
Near Băile Tușnad, this crater lake is one of Transylvania’s most beautiful natural attractions.
The elliptical lake was once the crater of a volcano. Its beauty comes from being surrounded on all sides by forest-covered high mountain peaks.
Bears are frequent visitors to the area around the lake, so be cautious and attentive while hiking around the lake!
Miercurea Ciuc
Its fame comes from the annual Pentecost pilgrimage at the nearby Șumuleu Ciuc and the Ciuc Beer.
It’s one of the most significant settlements of the Szekler group, as evidenced by the Mikó Castle. The late Renaissance fortress with a regular floor plan and old-Italian bastions is the most beautiful sight in Miercurea Ciuc.
The Mikó Castle hosts the Szekler Museum of Ciuc, which presents the castle’s history and the life of the people of Ciuc in a permanent exhibition. Its collection consists of archaeological and ethnographic objects, archival materials, and many artifacts.
The famous Ciuc Brewery is located in the nearby village of Sânsimion. A guided tour introduces the beer-making process, and of course, at the end, you can taste the beer.
Rupea Fortress
The fortress has a very nice view of the town and the surrounding hills.
The castle has been standing since the 14th century and served as a significant defense function for a long time. Its walls, reinforced with towers, were presumably built in the 15th-16th centuries. Over time, it lost its significance and started to deteriorate. Fortunately, it was beautifully restored in the 2010s, allowing us to admire it almost in its former glory.
Mediaș
The small town between Sighișoara and Sibiu is one of Transylvania’s oldest cities and an important industrial center.
Its main attraction is the Lutheran church, which is a significant work of Transylvanian Gothic architecture. Its leaning tower is the symbol of the city. The church is surrounded by a fortified wall with five towers.
The city wall, which is 1485 meters long, has also been preserved. Among its several towers, the most interesting are the southern Forkesch gate tower and the northern Steingässer tower.
Sighișoara
The city’s historical center has been part of the World Heritage since 1999, making it one of the most beautiful cities in Transylvania.
The city has always been characterized by its famous craftsmanship: stone carving, ceramics, glass industry, bronze and tin smiths.
Its main attraction is the Clock Tower. Its famous musical clock had silver statues of 12 apostles walking around, which were stolen in 1601 and replaced in 1648.
Out of its former 14 towers, 9 are still standing today, connected by a 930-meter-long fortress wall. Each tower bears the name of the guild responsible for its defense.
You can also reach the Citadel Hill via the Scholar’s Stairs. Built in the 17th century, these nearly 170 steps were made so that students could reach the school above even in rainy weather. Definitely undertake the climb, as you will find a church and a mountain cemetery at the top.
Lupeni and the Heart of Jesus Lookout
Lupeni and the Heart of Jesus lookout on the nearby Gordon Hill are located between Sighișoara and Miercurea Ciuc.
Lupeni is famous for one person: it is the birthplace of Áron Tamási, the Kossuth Prize-winning Szekler Hungarian writer, author of the Ábel trilogy.
His birth house is now a memorial museum. His grave stands between two juniper trees behind the church, marked by a quartzite relief.
The Heart of Jesus lookout on the hill above the village is worth the climb not only for the view but also for the lookout itself. It features Europe’s largest metal representation of Christ.
Făgăraș Castle
The settlement located between Brașov and Sibiu, on the banks of the Olt River, is famous for its castle.
Surrounded by a moat, the castle has experienced numerous historical changes since its construction in the 14th century. The castle was besieged several times but was never taken by armed force. It was owned by many famous individuals, including John Hunyadi, Gabriel Bethlen, Stephen Báthory, and John Zápolya.
The Valer Literat Museum of Făgăraș Land operates within the castle. The museum consists of historical, ethnographic, and sculptural sections.
Gherla
The settlement on the banks of the Little Someș River, 45 km from Cluj-Napoca, is the center of the Transylvanian Armenians.
Its symbol is the Armenian Catholic Cathedral in the main square, built in a distinctive Austrian-Baroque style. Another famous building is the Martinuzzi Castle.
The town is perhaps the only one in Central Europe with a Baroque structure and architectural spirit: parallel streets, diagonal side streets, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the central market. Along these streets, one can find characteristic, richly carved window lintels, high-roofed Baroque houses, and more modestly decorated, charming Classical buildings.
Sovata, Bear Lake
The town of Sovata became a popular resort due to the therapeutic waters sourced from its vast salt deposits.
The largest of these lakes is Bear Lake, named after its shape resembling a spread bear skin. It is the world’s largest heliothermal lake.
Due to its high salt content, bathers float more easily on the water’s surface. It is recommended for the treatment of inflammatory and rheumatic diseases.
Corund
The village between Praid and Székelyudvarhely is one of Transylvania’s centers of folk pottery.
The existence of pottery is based on the gray shale (clay) found on the left bank of the Szakadát Stream at the village’s western boundary.
Passing through the village, one can see sales stands everywhere, offering beautiful pottery creations for purchase.
The village is famous for its borvíz (fermented mineral water) springs. Borvíz is a carbonated mineral water with a slightly sour taste but is a very healthy beverage. You can also taste it at the eastern end of the village along the main road.
Mini Transylvania Park
Just a few kilometers north of Székelyudvarhely, Transylvania’s only thematic venue of this kind was created.
Visitors can see models of more than ninety Transylvanian historical buildings and medieval castles. In the adventure park, children can ride the Mini Szekler steam train, which travels among the models, making the visit enjoyable for the little ones as well.
Wooden Churches of Maramureș
The northern part of Transylvania cannot be left out of the list!
Nearly a hundred Orthodox and occasionally Greek Catholic churches can be found in Northern Transylvania, in the Maramureș region. These churches were built using various architectural solutions but are wooden structures, typically with high, slender bell towers. The churches were built from the 17th century to the 19th century.
In 1999, eight wooden churches in Maramureș County became part of the World Heritage. These include: Bârsana, Church of the Presentation of the Virgin to the Temple; Budești, Church of Saint Nicholas; Desești, Church of Saint Parascheva; Ieud, Church of the Nativity of the Virgin; Poienile Izei, Church of Saint Michael and Gabriel; Șișești, Church of Saint Parascheva; Rogoz, Church of Saint Michael and Gabriel; Surdești, Church of the Holy Archangels.
