Wrap yourself in Transylvania’s charming cloak, because from tree-shrouded valleys to storybook towns, this legendary land lives up to the hype. Ancient history comes to life, eco-tourist retreats make the most of stunning landscapes, and Romanian culture provides the warmest of welcomes.
NATURE & WILDLIFE
A visit to Transylvania takes you into Europe’s best-preserved wilderness. Its landscapes range from flowering meadows to towering peaks, providing healthy habitats for a huge range of flora and fauna. Keep a lookout for sure-footed chamois dotting craggy slopes, or head to a designated hide to spot bears, lynx and wolves. A thriving population of bird species also live among the trees, gorges and valleys, from majestic eagles and falcons to the unmistakable golden oriole.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
From the long distance Via Transilvanica hiking trail to horseback riding and e-bike tours, this region is replete with options that will get the blood pumping. The Carpathian Mountains are a rock climber’s paradise, with walls that suit both beginners and those with more experience. And where there are mountains there are rivers. Transylvania’s provide adventure in the form of white- water rafting, canyoning, kayaking and tubing, or – for something more sedate – excellent fishing.
LANDMARKS
Perched on a soaring clifftop, the imposing Bran Castle is the stuff of legend – as close to Dracula’s lair as castles come. Secret passages, ancient armouries and turrets and towers add to its air of mystery, while the village below acts as an open-air folk museum. But medieval architecture is everywhere. Beyond Bran are castles in abundance, Saxon citadels, and pretty towns and villages that have remained unchanged for hundreds of years.
While Bran Castle matches Bram Stoker’s imagined aesthetic for Dracula’s home, the real Vlad the Impaler lived in Poenari Castle, a citadel no less impressive, but much less visited.
