A 7-Day Transylvania Itinerary

Transylvania is best explored by car, at a pace that leaves room for medieval squares, hill roads and long lunches. The loop below links the main sights in a week, starting and ending in towns with air links (Brașov connects well to Bucharest and Sibiu; Cluj has an international airport).

Day 1 — Brașov

Begin in Brașov, beneath Mount Tâmpa. The Council Square, the Black Church (the largest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul) and Rope Street fill a morning. In the afternoon, ride the cable car up Tâmpa for the view.

Day 2 — Bran and Râșnov

Thirty kilometres on, Bran Castle is Romania's most-visited monument. Its Dracula connection is largely commercial (see our dedicated guide), but the castle itself is genuine and lovely. Pair it with Râșnov Fortress, a hilltop peasant citadel.

Day 3 — Sighișoara

Drive north to Sighișoara, the only continuously inhabited medieval citadel in Europe on the UNESCO list. The Clock Tower, the coloured houses and the Saxon burgher atmosphere deserve a full day and, ideally, a night inside the walls.

Day 4 — Sibiu

Sibiu, a former European Capital of Culture, has one of the country's finest squares (the Large Square and Small Square), the famous "eyes of the city" — the roof dormers — and the Liars' Bridge. The Brukenthal Museum holds one of Central Europe's oldest art collections.

Day 5 — Alba Iulia

To the west, Alba Iulia is home to the Alba Carolina Citadel, Romania's largest Vauban-style bastion fortress, superbly restored. The 1918 Union was proclaimed here — the place carries real historical weight.

Day 6 — Hunedoara

The Corvin Castle in Hunedoara is perhaps the country's most spectacular Gothic castle — bridges, towers and a fairy-tale silhouette. Set aside a good few hours.

Day 7 — Cluj-Napoca

Finish in Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania's unofficial capital: Union Square with St Michael's Church, the university quarter, cafés and a lively food scene. From here you can fly home or push on to the Apuseni.

Practical tips

• Distances look small on a map, but mountain roads are slow — plan 2–3 hours between stages.
• Check castle and museum opening times on the day; they shift by season.
• Sleep at least one night inside a citadel (Sighișoara or Sibiu) for the atmosphere.