Discover Transylvania

Transylvania (Romanian Transilvania, German Siebenbürgen) is a high plateau enclosed by the Carpathians like a natural fortress. The name literally means "land beyond the forests" — and that's exactly how it feels: a world of its own, shielded from the plains of Wallachia and Moldavia.

The history of Transylvania is unique in Europe: For centuries, Romanians, Hungarians, Transylvanian Saxons, and Roma lived here in a multicultural fabric. The Transylvanian Saxons — German settlers who came in the 12th century — left behind a landscape of fortified churches, which today are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many Saxons left Romania after 1989, but their architecture remains — and is increasingly being restored.

Plan at least 5–7 days for Transylvania. The three major cities (Brașov, Sibiu, Sighișoara) and the fortified churches form the backbone of any route. Add hikes in the Carpathians, village visits, and the legendary Transfăgărășan Highway. Best with a rental car — the distances are short, the roads picturesque.