11+ Magical Places to Visit in Transylvania in Romania (2026)

Did you know that Transylvania is a real place? It’s one of Romania’s most spectacular regions with many incredible attractions.

You can explore fairytale towns and spooky castles associated with vampires, all with panoramic views of the mountain peaks. 

I’ve visited Transylvania a few times now, and I cannot get enough of it. I always leave feeling utterly enchanted.

As a spooky girl, it’s one of my happy places, and somewhere I’d cross oceans of time to return to. 

Here are the very best places to visit in Transylvania, Romania.

Is Transylvania a real place?

Yes, it may surprise you to know that Transylvania is not merely a place from legends and fictional stories of blood-sucking vampires.

Transylvania is a real place and a gorgeous region of Romania with medieval towns, dramatic castles and panoramic mountain views.

Although it has a dark history and spooky literary connections. Today, it’s an enchanting region with settlements that look plucked from a fairytale. 

It offers plenty for visitors of every interest, whether you love the outdoors, history, food, scenery or vampires. 

Magical places to visit in Transylvania

1. Brasov

Brasov is often called the heart of Romania, and this colourful city lies deep within the Carpathian Mountains.

Originally founded by Teutonic Knights from Germany, it is packed with historic buildings, cobbled streets, and defence towers.

Many tourists visiting Romania choose Brasov for its proximity to Bran Castle, home of Count Dracula.

But this incredible historic city also offers plenty. From Mount Tampa to skiing, hiking in the Carpathians and visiting the Black Church.

2. Bran Castle

Have you ever wondered where the real Dracula’s Castle is? The one that inspired Bram Stoker’s home of Count Dracula?

It’s called Bran Castle, tucked away in the Carpathian Mountains. It’s easily one of the best places to visit in Transylvania. 

It’s the country’s most famous medieval castle, drawing over 800,000 visitors each year, and it’s a must-visit attraction.

On your guided tour, you can learn about Romanian royalty, Transylvanian legends, and its literary horror connections. 

I’m obsessed with vampire stories, so visiting here was an absolute dream. Be sure to read my guide with top tips before you visit.

You can easily visit from Brasov, or as part of a guided tour from Bucharest. Either way, you’re sure to have a spooktacular time.

3. Peles Castle

Romania’s prettiest castle is the Neo-Renaissance Peles Castle.

It’s a magical building surrounded by planned gardens, and the architecture looks like something from Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

Inside, over 160 opulent rooms draw inspiration from different countries. 

Murano glass chandeliers, German stained-glass windows, and priceless collectable art pieces fill the halls.

Fans of the Netflix trilogy, A Christmas Prince, will also recognise this beautiful place as the real castle of Prince Richard of Aldovia.

4. Cantacuzino Castle

Wednesday fans, did you know that you can visit Nevermore Academy in Romania? 

It’s called Cantacuzino Castle, tucked away in the hills near Brasov. It’s one of the most magical places to visit in Transylvania.  

You can explore the formal grounds or take a guided tour of the ornate castle that has lots of history to uncover.

There’s also a Wednesday exhibit where you can see props from the TV show. 

5. Rasnov Citadel 

If you’re basing yourself in Brasov for a few days, don’t skip the historic Rasnov Citadel.

Built between 1211 and 1225, it sits atop a limestone hill 150 metres above the town.

The fortress was built as a defensive structure with nine towers, two bastions and a drawbridge.

Rather than a royal residence, it was a defensive refuge containing more than 30 houses, a school and a chapel. 

On your visit, you can learn the legend of the well that two Turkish prisoners carved out by hand to earn their freedom.   

6. Sibiu

Sibiu is a delightful medieval city in Transylvania, with heritage to uncover around every corner.

It’s famous for its Germanic architecture in the Old Town, which dates back to the 12th century.

On your visit, you can explore the Council Tower, the Market Square, defence towers and St Mary’s Evangelical Church.

The most unforgettable site is the view from the famous Bridge of Lies (Liar’s Bridge),  a symbol of the city.

Legends say this ornate iron bridge would collapse if someone sat on it and told a fib. 

I could have spent weeks in this charming city discovering its secrets.

7. Corvin Castle

Another one of the most magical places to visit in Transylvania is Corvin Castle in Hunedoara (Castelul Corvinilor).

This medieval fortress looks like a fairytale, but its history is actually very dark. It’s one of the most haunted places in Europe.

Legend has it that Vlad the Impaler, also known as Count Dracula, was held prisoner here. 

As someone obsessed with vampires, I had such an enchanting time. It was also a filming location for the recent Nosferatu adaptation. 

8. Sighisoara 

Sighisoara was one of my favourite places to visit in Transylvania; it’s a seriously underrated city filled with colourful streets.

It’s famous as the birthplace of Dracula, Vlad Tepes, and you can find his house near the iconic Clock Tower in the walled fortress.

It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site with nine watchtowers, cobbled streets, historic churches and burgher houses.

Something magical awaits around every corner. You can have a wine tasting in heritage cellars, visit torture dungeons and admire scenic views.

It’s almost frozen in time and will transport you back to a bygone era. I couldn’t get enough. 

9. Transfăgărășan Highway

The Transfăgărășan Highway is a must-do on a road trip around Transylvania.

This serpentine road connects two historic regions of Transylvania and Wallachia and passes over the Fagaras Mountains.

It’s 90 kilometres (56 miles), and you’ll crest a peak of 2042 metres (6,699 feet) above sea level.

Plenty of rest stops along the way offer views that will take your breath away. 

10. Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca isn’t always on tourists’ radar when exploring Romania, but it certainly should be.

It’s one of the best places to visit in Transylvania and was once a fortified city. 

Explore the main square (Piața Unirii), with the Gothic Saint Michael’s Church and the Matthias Corvinas Statue.

Visit the Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden or climb Cetățuia Hill for incredible city views.

One of the best reasons to go is that it’s also a gateway to Turda with dramatic gorges, Roman ruins, and a monumental salt mine.

11. Turda Salt Mine

Turda is in Cluj County in Transylvania and makes a delightful day trip from Cluj-Napoca.

It’s one of the country’s oldest and most important settlements, and you can learn more at the Roman Castle, or Potaissa Roman Castrum.

Emperor Marcus Aurelius built it to station the Fifth Macedonian Legion in 170 AD.

Afterwards, you can explore the dramatic Turda Gorge (Cheile Turzii), which looks like something from a fantasy world.

The region’s most famous attraction is the Turda Salt Mine. You can take a guided tour of this huge network of underground caverns.

It has a spa area, an amphitheatre with performances, and an amusement park with a Ferris wheel.

Is Transylvania worth visiting?

Yes, Transylvania is worth visiting. It’s easily my favourite area of Romania, and I cannot get enough of exploring it.

The spooky connections to Count Dracula, medieval architecture, fairytale castles and dramatic views all make it a whimsical travel destination. 

Whether you spend a week there or take a day trip from Bucharest, Transylvania is waiting to delight (and spook) you.

Make sure to add these enchanting places to visit in Transylvania to your travel bucket list. 

How many days in Transylvania are enough?

If you want to visit all of the above places, I recommend at least a week in Transylvania, maybe more if you prefer travelling slowly.

I would also allow more than seven days if you’re exploring Romania by public transport.

If you’re travelling by a mix of train and bus, I would try to organise guided tours to visit the castles, as they are not easy to reach without a car.

You can save lots of time (and money) by visiting a few castles in one day.

How to get around Transylvania

The best way to travel around Transylvania is by car. This gives you the most flexibility and can save you lots of time.

I travelled around the country by public transport, and it’s easy enough by train and bus, but they run on Romanian time (i.e. slow).

You can break up the journey by starting in Brasov, which takes only two hours by train from Bucharest.

You can fly into Bucharest and fly out of Cluj-Napoca to avoid backtracking, since Cluj has an international airport. 

It’s easy to book trains through the CFR Călători website since it’s available in both Romanian and English. 

Alternatively, you could book guided tours to explore some these places in Transylvania:

Where to stay in Transylvania 

Transylvania has plenty of accommodation options for every budget. I stayed in a mix of modern and heritage hotels. 

Here are my top Transylvania hotel recommendations:

• Brasov: Kronwell Brasov Hotel

• Sibiu: Hotel Împăratul Românilor Hotel & SPA

• Sighișoara: Casa Georgius Krauss 

• Corvin Castle: Werk Hotel & Spa

• Cluj-Napoca: Hotel Transilvania 

Read my Romania guides

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