Surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains and covered in evergreen pine forests, Transylvania is a fairytale land of Gothic fortresses and enchanted villages.
The region is full of mystery as it is best known as the home of the infamous Count Dracula in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel.
However, besides sinister legends, visitors also discover beautiful landscapes and towns filled with history, where the numerous conquerors of Transylvania have left their cultural traces.
The region was settled by the Dacians and then the Romans, but the strongest influence came from the Transylvanian Saxons.
Originally people of German ethnicity, the Transylvanian Saxons were invited by the Hungarian kings in the mid-12th century to establish towns, build mines and cultivate Transylvania.
Gradually more and more Transylvanian Saxons migrated to the region until the 19th century, making it hardly surprising that many Transylvanian towns are somewhat reminiscent of certain parts of Germany.
Brașov is a town in south-eastern Transylvania, located only two and a half to three hours away from Bucharest by car or train, which makes it a perfect stop on a journey through Romania, or a highly recommended excursion during a multiple-day stay in Romania's capital.
Brașov is one of the most popular Romanian tourist destinations due to the many different sights located in and around the city. Historically, it was one of the centres of the Transylvanian Saxons and the most economically powerful city in Transylvania, which is definitely reflected in the city centre's architecture. One of the first things you will notice in the old town of Brasov is the iconic Brasov sign, reminiscent of the one in Hollywood.
Tâmpa Mountain, where the sign is located, offers an incredible view and can be easily reached from Braşov by either hiking up the mountain for about an hour or taking the cable car, which costs about 4€ for a round trip.
Most of the sights of the city centre are centred around Piaţa Sfatului or Council Square, a wide, café-lined square at the heart of the city.
In the centre of the square is the Town Hall or Casa Sfatului, built in 1420 and topped by the Trumpet Tower.
Down the road you will find the magnificent Neobaroque Administration Palace.
On the other side of the Council Square, the Black Church, Romania's largest Gothic church, rises 65 metres (215 feet) above the old town of BraÅŸov. Built between 1385 and 1477, the German Lutheran church got its name due to its charred appearance after the great city fire of 1689.
Brașov's popularity is hardly surprising since a walk through its charming city centre makes you feel like you have travelled back in time, but what contributes greatly to the city's appeal are the sights located in its surrounding area.
One of my absolute highlights, not only in this region but in all of Romania, was visiting the Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Zarnesti.
Just over half an hours drive from Brașov lies the biggest brown bear sanctuary in the world, home to about 100 bears, most of which were rescued from miserable living conditions, being abused in captivity.
Nowhere in Europe are there more wild brown bears than in Romania, which is why they have long been a part of the country's tourism industry.
Whereas in the past hotels and restaurants used to attract tourists with caged bears, nowadays you can visit and learn about these amazing animals in an ethical way.
The sanctuary's main focus lies on the welfare of the bears, and I particularly appreciate being able to check on them from time to time via the livestream on YouTube:
You can only visit the Sanctuary before noon from Tuesday to Sunday on a guided tour.
A regular tour is held in Romanian or English for a maximum of 40 people and costs about 12€.
However, prices and opening times vary depending on the season and day of the week.
The information on this, as well as on the different types of private tours additionally offered by the Sanctuary, can be found on their official website.
Please note that children under the age of five are not admitted for safety reasons and to protect the bears.
Bran, located only 25km (16 miles) from Brașov, easily reached by car or train, is a commune that attracts many tourists due to its association with Count Dracula from Bram Stoker's 1897 novel. The character is said to be based on Vlad the Impaler, a ruler of the Principality of Wallachia in the 15th century.
Although Vlad himself never lived in Bran Castle, its location high above a valley perched on a rock with a flowing river below is said to have greatly inspired Bram Stroker.
You can visit the castle for under 10€, more information can be found on the official website, but I personally preferred a simple walk in the area to admire the mysterious castle from the outside.
On the way to both Bran Castle and the bear sanctuary, you pass Râșnov, a town about 20km (13 miles) from Brașov. Râșnov is adorned with its own Hollywood-like sign as well as an impressive fortress on the hilltop. If you have some time to spare, you can make a short stop here and take the cable car up the hill to enjoy the view.
Right on the edge of the Bucegi National Park, near Sinaia, lies perhaps the most beautiful castle in all of Romania, Castelul PeleÈ™.
Although it is technically not located in Transylvania, but just 15km (less than 10 miles) past the border with Wallachia, I still decided to include it in this post, as it is on the direct route from Bucharest to Brașov.
The castle was built between 1873 and 1883 for King Carol I in an architectural style of a romantically inspired blend of Neo-Renaissance and Gothic Revival, somewhat reminiscent of Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria.
You can visit the National Museum inside the castle and marvel at collections of statues, furniture, weapons and armour, gold and, of course, art, including the murals by Gustav Klimt. The castle can be visited from mid-April till the end of October, but only from Tuesday to Sunday. The entrance fee is 50 lei, which is around 10€. Information on additional tours and their prices can be found on the official website.
If you drive deeper into the Transylvanian Forest along the Southern Carpathian Mountains, you will reach what is probably the most culturally rich city in the entire region, Sibiu.
Built in the 12th century by the German Saxons, Sibiu shares a similar history with Brașov, as Transylvanian Saxon merchants and craftsmen settled in the city and helped it to thrive over time.
The city is one of the most popular and visited places in Romania, and for good reason, with beautiful old houses and numerous beautiful squares such as Piaţa Mare and Piaţa Mică, the architecture of Sibiu is simply stunning.
Unsurprisingly, the city was named European Capital of Culture 2007 along with Luxembourg, and its historic centre was included in the World Heritage Tender List in 2004, which is the first step towards nomination for the status.
The Transfăgărășan is a paved mountain road that crosses the southern part of the Carpathian Mountains, stretching over 90 kilometres (56 miles). It is a winding road, dotted with steep hairpin turns, long S-curves and sharp descents, which is why the average speed is 40 km/h (25 mph).
The road passes several sights, such as the Bâlea Waterfall, Lake Bâlea, Lake Vidraru, as well as its own version of Dracula's castle, namely the ruins of Poenari Castle, which actually served as the residence of Vlad the Impaler.
Due to its picturesque landscapes, the Transfăgărășan Road is a popular tourist destination and has even been featured on the British TV programme Top Gear.
The road can only be travelled in summer, as it is usually closed from the end of October to the end of June due to heavy snowfall.
In winter, however, you can take the cable car to Lake Bâlea and still discover a piece of the iconic road.
Driving further along the southern Carpathians, you reach the town of Hunedoara in the eastern foothills of the iron-ore-rich Poiana Ruscăi Mountains, on the southwestern edge of Transylvania.
Besides Dacian and Roman archaeological remains, Transylvania's most important Gothic building, Corvin Castle, is located here.
For around 16€ you can visit this fascinating castle, that looks like it fell straight out of a fairy tale right into the magical landscapes of Transylvania.
It is therefore no surprise that it has served as the filming location for numerous movies, including the fourth installment of the "Dragonheart" series, 2012's "Ghost Rider" with Nicolas Cage and, most notably, "The Nun", a horror movie from the popular "Conjuring"-franchise.
Although, the castle is an hour and a half's drive from Sibiu and thus a little further away from the big cities and tourist centres, it is right on the way to the natural and national parks of southwestern Romania, which I recommend to every traveller who is fascinated by unspoilt nature.
Food:
I personally don't recommend restaurants unless I find them to be truly amazing and although Romania gave me a wonderful culinary experience, due to the fact that we were travelling by car, many good restaurants were located in very remote places that I doubt many people's itineraries would take them to. However, there is one restaurant in a larger city that meets my criteria for a recommendation and that is Charlie's Specialty Coffee And Wine in Sibiu. We had a fantastic breakfast there and were very impressed with the amazing taste and the great choice of food. In addition, the prices in Romania are simply unbeatable, as we paid less than 10€ per person for food and drinks.
In summary, Transylvania is a fascinating region, of which I have so far only explored the south, but which has definitely awakened an interest in me to see more. The proximity to the Romanian capital is very convenient, allowing you to explore a part of breathtaking Transylvania, whether you only have enough time for a day trip to BraÅŸov or for a longer exploration of the region on a road trip through Romania.
Southern Transylvania is definitely worth a visit for its diverse beauty, which is evident in gorgeous landscapes and picturesque little towns.