Romania: Why Transylvania should be on your to-do list

Dec 14, 2017
5 min read

When I was 14 years old I received a postcard from Count Dracula. An actual postcard. From a fictional character. That was actually stamped in Transylvania, Romania. Imagine my mother's surprise when I shouted from the doorway, "WHAT IS A MADE UP VAMPIRE DOING TRYING TO SEND ME A MESSAGE?" Even to this day, I am not sure what would be an appropriate reaction to such a question.

I'll be honest, I was mostly upset that it wasn't from Vlad the Impaler...that would have been awesome. Instead I held in my hand a mysterious greeting from some gothic horror wannabe. Anyway, long story short, I found the postcard spiked my curiosity. I couldn't help but imagine myself gliding regally down stone corridors under the weight of magnificent gothic castles or getting lost in the spooky mists of the haunted forests. Since then I've been waiting for the moment to finally make my way over to this mysterious country.

That moment finally happened earlier this year .

I got to spend a week driving around with Vince and exploring a small part of this beautiful country. We loved it so much, that I thought I'd create a list of some of the top things you have to see/do while you are in Transylvania.

1. Peleș Castle, Sinaia

This Neo-Renaissance castle looks like it has been ripped from the pages of a fairytale. We almost didn't go inside, which would have been the craziest mistake ever. It was magnificent. I have never seen the likes of such a castle. Sure it looked pretty on the outside, but on the inside it was utterly magical. Every room was enchanting in a different way, and the detail on everything was intense, there was so much to see.

Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures on the inside as we toured around. But you can find pictures online. I will include only one and the website for the nosey ones, but for those of you who enjoy being surprised, don't worry about looking up pictures online, just trust me and make sure you go see it.

The main lobby. Image from: https://ya.cc/2TcV4

Website: http://peles.ro/

2. Bâlea Lake, Cârțișoara, Sibiu County

Nestled in the Făgăraș mountains lies Bâlea Lake, a glacier lake sitting at an altitude of 2,034m. When there is no snow on the ground, this lake is easily accessible via the magnificent and winding Transfăgărășan mountain road. However, during the winter, this lake is only accessible by gondola. The gondola ride offers a magnificent panorama view of the entire Transfăgărășan mountain road as you climb up the mountain.

From riding a banana boat on the frozen ice, to hiking and skiing, there is a whole variety of snow fun to be had. Make sure to check out the ice hotel as well!

3. Muzeul Castelul Corvinilor, Hunedoara County (aka Corvin Castle)

This beautiful Renaissance fortress was rebuilt in the 19th century, it's dark Gothic towers and history museum are a must see for those who want a glimpse into the dark castle life and to explore the rich culture and history of the time. This is definitely one of the more impressive castles we have stepped into.

4. Fortress of Deva, Deva, Hunedoara County

This 13th Century fortress sits perched on top of a volcanic hill and offers a full view of Deva and Mures Valley. You can either walk up or enjoy the cablecar ride. This fortress is considered one of the most important fortresses in Transylvania, as it spent centuries guarding the entrance into and out of the Mures Valley. A lot of it is under construction, however, it remains a fascinating way to delve further into the local history.

5. Sibiu City, Sibiu County

The city where houses have eyes. This remarkable city surrounded by the remains of medieval walls and towers, holds numerous historical sites and beautiful architecture to behold. You can easily spend time getting lost along the dinky streets and exploring the Germanic architecture in the old town. Make sure to visit a local bakery and get some fried bread with sweet cheese (langoși) to take away as you wander these old streets.

Make sure to check out the stunning Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Evangelical Cathedral in Huet Square, Piata Mare (the Large Square), Piata Mica (the Small Square), Liar's Bridge, The Stair's Tower and Strada Cetăţii (the best preserved portion of Sibiu's medieval defences).

6. ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation, Sibiu Country

Just on the outskirts of Sibiu is an outdoor museum complex with over 300 historical buildings. This picturesque "museum" offers exquisite views of the mountain and a world untouched by the modern-day. You can easily spend a couple of hours walking around to see the old buildings, churches, stables, machinery and watermills used by the Traditional Romanian peasant. Try to time your trip with a Romanian festival.

7. Salina Turda, Durgău-Valea Sărată area of Turda

The Turda Salt Mine is now a history museum of salt mining. Now this might sound super random and even boring, however, the excellent state of preservation of mining and machinery used to transport salt, the long and winding passages and the gigantic chamber at the bottom of this mine make it a truly unique part of Turda culture and history.

We stumbled across this place by accident, and although it was very strange, we loved exploring the "amusement park" and the surrounding area. You can even rent little row boats at the bottom of the mined chamber or have a game of bowling. It's all very wacky.

8. Vidra Lake, on the Lotru River, Vâlcea County

This gorgeous storage reservoir is surrounded by thick spruce forest and beautiful mountains. While we were there it was frozen over and the perfect place for a picnic and snow fight. In summer, I am sure it would be just as beautiful as you can spend time horse riding, hiking and fishing.

9. Bran Castle, Bran, Brașov County

I will end this list mentioning Bran Castle, aka Dracula's Castle. If you are in the area this castle is a great tourist destination (emphasis on the "tourist" part) displaying the art and furniture of Queen Maria, as well as, highlighting the legend of Vlad the Impaler and Stoker's Dracula story. During our whole time in Transylvania, we never saw as many tourists anywhere else. It was somewhat overrun. Having said that, if you take the time to actually explore the castle and read all the information on the walls, you will find a fascinatingly rich (and bloody) history that dates back to the early 13th Century.