Romania contains a beautiful, mythical land filled with signs of turbulent history and breathtaking nature. Transylvania is where Count Dracula come from …
Traveling to Transylvania by car is a good idea. Hence you can see more, and be comfortable to go wherever and when you want.
Transylvania lies in central part of Romania on the Transylvanian uplands pressed between the Carpathian Mountains.
Its rich history left behind countless castles, medieval cities and fortified churches. Over the centuries Transylvania had many names as a result of various influences.
Erdély – in Hungarian times, Siebenbürgen in Saxon times and Erdel in Turkish times.
We started our trip to Transilvania by car from Cracow.
Me and my friends Magda and Slawek /Odprawieni.pl/ made a May long week…end road trip.
We travelled to Transylvania cities and villages. We mannaged to do short hike in Bucegi Mountains, a Transfagarasan road attempt and visit Dracula Castle. All that in one week 🙂
Two things attract people to vistit Transilvania… Dracula and Dracula.
Yes that’s true, showing how strongly all of us live in pop-culture reality… The legend of famous vampire present in books, movies, even cartoons set our minds and eyes on a map high in the Carpathian Mountains.
Im not saying that it’s wrong but this legend fuels our curiosity and drives us to see the DRACULA CASTLE even more.
Transylvania delivers not only that, but also great medieval, fortified cities, many castles reigning over the valleys, and in my opinion most of all wild and phenomenal mountains.
The Road
I was reading that Romanian roads are horrible, but that wasn’t all true. In fact I was surprised that the quality of roads were quite good. We made 1,5k km and my car was fine. We even did a little bit of ‘offroad’ in the mountains around Rasnov.
Is it safe to travel to Transylvania?
Yes it is, just stay in normal safety alert zone. I mean: maybe not driving like crazy, not speeding too much, and park your car in host possesions you stay in.
People are very friendly and heplful, therefore we were very pleased with Romanian hospitality 🙂
Our highlights of one week in Transylvania by car:
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Transylvania Cities
– Sibiu
The first night we spend in rather peaceful Sibiu after long drive through Slovakia and Hungary. Interesting historic center, devided into Upper and Lower Town.
– Rasnov
A small town close to Brasov and Bran set in XIII Century with a huge castle on top of the hill.
– Brasov
A larger and vivid city nicely located in the valley with huge square and many churches.
Slawek and Magda crossing narrowest street in Romania – Strada Sforii.
Jump mode in Brasov square finally;)
– Sighisoara
Seems like the most beautiful and well preserved town in all places we’ve seen and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sighisoara is full of gorgeous towers and old, colourful buildings and churches. I liked the athmosphere here so much. But make reservations for accommodation because it’s a very popular spot in Dracula Land.
Sighisoara is also a birthplace of Dracula… CASA VLAD DRACUL.
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Transylvania Villages
Don’t limit your trip just to see the Cities. Villages are very beautiful where locals live their normal lives and you can feel the nature everywhere.
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Fortified Churches in Transilvania
– Prejmer /Tartlau/
Close to Brasov this impressive commune with large fortified Church was constructed by the Teutonic Knights in XIII Century. Prejmer contains 270 rooms which could give shelter to 1,5k villagers in case of an atack. Romanian goverment restored the place in ’70s.
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The Sheperds
Every where we went and got lost the sheperds showed us the way 🙂
Clik link above for more of this wonderful mountain road.
Transylvania is such an interesting place for travellers. We had only a week and we didn’t have enough time for long hikes or treks. Next time 🙂 link above for more of Bucegi Mountains…
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Dracula Castle
Dracula Castle in Bran is one of the most beautiful medieval castles in Romania. Was it really Dracula’s home?
Accomodation
We slept in a mountain hut, and in a few guesthouses and a hostel. I will not recomend any specific one, because all were very decent and not expensive. Believe me hearing a gear roaring in the middle of the night close to homestead we pitched our tent, was a lifetime experience…
