Check out the best places to visit that make a Medieval Transylvania tour - from medieval towns of Sibiu and Sighisoara to the rural villages of Viscri and Biertan.


The Road to Medieval Transylvania

Romania travel would be incomplete without Medieval Transylvania. This is a wild and mysterious place with a complex history in which, due to cultural differences, the oriental and occidental cultures clashed and created an extraordinary scenery. Blessed with a strong and enchanting legacy, rural Transylvania managed to attract tourists which are drawn to the mesmerizing stories and legends about supernatural beings that dwell in these lands; including the famous Dracula castle, just a day trip from Bucharest.

But part of these legends’ charm and the fuel that keeps them alive are the roads leading to these places - beautiful, intricate and with stunning views, Valea Prahovei and Transfagarasan will take you deep into the mountains where untamed Romania will tell you her stories.

The proposed length of the trip is 4 days - an extended weekend.

In order to get the most out of this Romania tour, the proposed route for these day trips is Bucharest - Valea Prahovei - Viscri - Sighisoara - Biertan - Sibiu - Castelul de Lut (Valea Zanelor) - Transfagarasan - Bucharest.

There is not a “best timing” for this trip, as each season brings its own particularities making this route even more special through the Transylvanian medieval towns. While spring and fall bring the colours marvel and fewer crowds, the summer can't be beaten when talking about the pleasure temperatures and the length of daylight, with a lot of events and folklore festivals. Winter, on the other hand, is usually white with snow and a lot of traditions around Christmas, while many attractions are more peaceful compared to other periods of the year. It can also be done during the winter when medieval cities like Sibiu and Sighisoara offer stunning Christmas markets and the landscape is stunning. Yet, as this trip includes crossing high mountain slopes like Transgafarasean or isolated locations like Viscri and Biertan where access might be restricted, our suggestion is to either split the destinations into separate trips or choose warmer seasons.

Covered in thick forests and crowned by spectacular mountains, Prahova Valley attracts both romantics and fierce explorers. The valley is crossed by the main road that connects Bucharest to Transylvania and offers lots of access points to mountains and other nearby valleys.

Should you need to make a stop on the way, Sinaia is the best place to do so. The beautiful resort, also known as the “Pearl of the Carpathians”, is a perfect blend of picturesque villas and modern hotels, all concentrated at the foot of a mountain in a buzzing touristic hot spot. The famous Peles Castle is also here.

Get lost in time and space in mesmerising Viscri

Viscri, (or White Church) from Brașov county, Transylvania is a village hidden from the road that connects Brasov to Sighisoara, and which houses one of the most spectacular Saxon fortified churches, one of the 6 included in the UNESCO world heritage. The particularities of the settlement attracted the attention and goodwill of Prince Charles himself, who renovated the church and a few houses in the village, restoring them some of the original charms. The isolation, but also the absence of other occupations besides agriculture, caused at the end of the 1990s the project of knitting natural wool socks from Viscri to appear, initiated by the two Germans established here. As the pile of socks began to grow larger and larger, over time the bargain became a real project involving 125 women from the village. The peasants knit about 10,000 pairs of socks, gloves, hats, sweaters or house slippers that are sold throughout the country and even further, beyond Transylvania’s borders or abroad. Take some time to explore this remote world and make sure to have a home meal at one of the locals.

Situated upon a cliff, the romantic town of Sighisoara with its defence walls still intact, is one of the most beautiful in Transylvania. The expression “like a fairytale” suits it the best because once you enter the citadel, you feel pulled back in time.

Sighisoara will charm you with its perfectly intact XVth century gem with nine towers, narrow passageways and cobbled streets, burgher houses and ornate churches. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sighisoara is also the birthplace of Vlad Dracula, nicknamed Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Tepes), ruler of Wallachia in the XVth century who inspired Bram Stoker's fictional creation, Count Dracula. His house is just one of the many attractions here. Among the best things to do in Sighisoara is to relive the medieval times with other attractions like the Church on the Hill, with its 500-year-old frescoes; the Church of the Dominican Monastery, known for its Transylvanian renaissance carved altarpiece, Oriental carpets and XVIIth century organ; and the Venetian House, built in the 13th century.

Biertan - Germanic village with a fortified church

In the nearby countryside, another UNESCO World Heritage town, XIIIth century Biertan, stands high on a hill as one of the largest and most impressive medieval strongholds in Transylvania. The village was first mentioned in an official document in 1283 and is surrounded by quaint streets and vineyards with its XVth century fortified church perched high on a hill in the middle of the village. Three tiers of defensive walls, connected by towers and gates, encircled the complex, making the church impossible to conquer during medieval times.

Gaze upon the late-gothic architecture with heavy doors and double exterior walls of the church which boasts the largest Transylvanian multi-panelled wooden altar and a remarkable wooden door which once protected the treasures in the sacristy.

You can also admire the towers surrounding the church, namely the Clock Tower, the Bell Tower, the Gate Tower and the Bacon Tower. Within the grounds are several other interesting buildings, including the Prison Tower - which once served marital counselling purposes.

You’ll get to the heart of Germanic Transylvania. Its current place lies on one of the largest medieval settlements in Romania and back then, it was surrounded by three concentric rings of fortified walls. Some survived among with the fascinating network of markets, stairs and bastions dating back to the XIIIth and XVIIIth centuries. Here are the main places to visit in Sibiu.

Marvel at Sibiu's Old Town which retains the grandeur of its earlier days when rich and powerful guilds dominated regional trade. Narrow streets pass steep-roofed XVIIth century buildings with gable overhangs before opening into vast, church-dominated squares such as Great Square and Little Square.

Sibiu is a pedestrian-friendly city with two easily accessible levels: the Upper town, home to most of Sibiu's historic sights, and the Lower town, lined with colourful houses on cobblestone streets and bounded by imposing city walls and defence towers overlooking the river Cibin.

The historical centre includes the Great Square, Huet Square, the beautiful Passage of Steps connecting the upper town to the lower town, the well-known Bridge of Lies, Goldsmiths' Square and the Small Square. All of them, bustling with small bars and cafes that can offer you lunch, dinner or maybe just a coffee right in the middle of the action.

Get a piece of a fairytale at Castelul de Lut (Valea Zanelor)

Castelul de Lut (Clay Castle) at Porumbacul de Sus with rounded doors and tiled roofs, in a very rustic landscape, with a name that reflects its origin has a far more down to earth beginning. Just 40km away from Sibiu, the Fairy’s castle of Clay is actually a project of newly retired man from Bucharest who gave up city life to move into this enchanted place where he hand-built this eco-house from nothing more than clay, water, sand and hay. His intent was to create a unique place in Romania and thus gave the house the organic shapes and fairytale-like personality. Initially intended to be a small pension and accommodate guests, the owner decided to shift his focus and turned it into an attraction where visitors stop on their way to take photos, enjoy nature and the small cold stream behind it, marvel at its out of this worldly shapes and create memories. 

Marvel at the majestic mountains on Transfagarasan highway

	Transfagarasan highway will be the last and probably the most intense experience on this route. Cutting through Fagaras Mountains and 152 km long, it connects Romania’s historic regions of Muntenia and Transylvania. Through its greatness and beauty, it had contributed to a powerful economic development of the region with many hotels, villas and cottages right in the heart of the wilderness. 

	The ascension from the North to South passes by the frozen waters of Balea Waterfall and peaks at Balea Lake, a glacial wonder hidden in the tallest of the mountains. Take a moment to enjoy nature’s views after heading downwards on the southern side into the Transfararasan Tunnel that will open a vast scenery of the winding road heading down towards the plains. Up next, passing by the numerous trekking tracks and camping bases, you can admire Cascada Capra (Goat Waterfall) having multiple encounters with the main road. Further down from the tundra and into the thick pine woods, you’ll see Piscul Negru, a small resort next to a cave with the same name. River Arges will accompany you on this road that will eventually lead to Vidraru Dam,  a beautiful place with breathtaking views, definitely worth a stop. There is also the possibility to take a boat trip on the lake and admire the majestic cliffs one last time before heading back to Bucharest.

Of course, this is our suggestion of what to visit in Romania for your amazing 4 days along with Transylvania`s treasures. But you can always be more creative and ask for more or simply propose for your own itinerary. Give us a number of days and a budget and we will do it for you! 

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The Road to Medieval Transylvania

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