• Regions
• Mountain regions
• Cities
• Other destina...
• Understand
• Talk
• Get around
• Drink
• Stay safe
• Get out

Transylvania is the largest region of Romania. It is also the westernmost region, the most prosperous, and perhaps the best known excluding Bucharest.

Râşnov fortress in southern Transylvania

[edit] Regions

North-west region (Crişana), based around Zalău and Oradea

South-west region (Banat), with Timişoara and Arad

Northern region (Maramureş), with Baia Mare

Central region, around Cluj Napoca

South-eastern region, with Sighişoara, Sibiu, Braşov and Rasnov

Eastern region (Secuime), with the counties of Harghita and Covasna

[edit] Mountain regions

Eastern Carpathians

Southern Carpathians

Western Carpathians

[edit] Cities

• Braşov/Kronstadt/Brassó
• Cluj-Napoca/Kolozsvár/Klausenburg
• Petroşani
• Sibiu/Nagyszeben/Hermannstadt
• Sinaia
• Sighişoara/Segesvár/Schässburg
• Oradea/ Nagyvarad
• Timişoara/Temesvár/Temeswar/Temišvar
• Arad
• Lunca_ilvei
• Tirgu Mures / Marosvásárhely / Neumarkt
• Sfântu Gheorghe / Sepsiszentgyorgy / Saint George / Sankt Georgen

[edit] Other destinations

• Maramures
• Apuseni Mountains, Huedin and surrounding villages
• Ciucea
• Păltiniş
• Poeinari Castle
• Retezat National Park
• Szeklerland, Tg. Secuiesc, M.Ciuc
• Turda
• Rasnov

[edit] Understand

Even though some people may only associate the name with tales of bloodthirsty vampires, Transylvania is actually known as one of the most beautiful natural regions in Europe dotted with picturesque, medieval fortress towns and monasteries and lively cities with stunning baroque architecture which offer modern tourism services at a price far below that of, say, Germany or France. You can find here some of the most developed cities from Romania, but also old villages where people are living as they did one hundred years ago. Transylvania is surrounded by the misty Carpathian mountains and home to almost extinct fauna (bears, wolves) and flora (orchids and other plants).

Transylvania has all the history and multi-ethnic culture you want. The history of Transylvania is much disputed: once it was an integral part of the Austrian-Hungarian empire and under its rule. It was home to a majority of Romanians, who had few rights, and ruling minorities such as Hungarian and Saxons. Other minorities included Roma and Jews. After world war I Transylvania became part of the Greater Romania. The relations between the ethnic minorities and majority has known tense times, but there has never been a serious conflict. Even though attitudes of individuals can still be closed towards out groups, Transylvania can be regarded as an example of different ethnic groups living together in peace. However, as the case of whole Europe, the Roma ethnicity is still seriously discriminated and their culture far from understood. Communism has been a harsh time for ethnic minorities, especially for those who where small business owners (Hungarians, Jews) before the totalitarian regime. After the revolution in 1989, most Saxons moved to Germany (they settled to Romania in large groups in the 13th century). Romania has not yet become conscious about this huge loss. Many Hungarians left as well.

Today Transylvania is the most developed region in Romania, in part because of tourism, and in part because of a stronger capitalist tradition before world war II. The presence of the German and Hungarian minorities has been a catalyst for western influences in Transylvania after 1989. It is interesting to try to observe the differences in this small region: The south and south east is marked more by the Saxon culture, while the east and north east is marked more by the Hungarian culture. The north is a bit more slavish, and the south west is once again a little different. Try to see a few old villages, as people are in general very friendly.

[edit] Talk

Nowadays, almost everyone in Transylvania speaks Romanian, though for many of the ethnic Hungarians -- about 20% of the population, but far more in certain areas -- Hungarian is actually their first language. Few native German-speakers remain, but in any sizeable town you should be easily able to find people who speak at least moderately good English, French, or German.

[edit] Get in

Transylvania is relatively easy to access, due to its relative economic prosperity, tourism industry and proximity to Central Europe.

[edit] By air

There are three main airports in the region.

• Cluj-Napoca International Airport [1] is located near Cluj. It's the largest airport in Transylvania and an emerging regional hub.
  • WizzAir [2] flies to/from London, Rome, Barcelona, Dortmund and Budapest;
  • TAROM [3] flies to/from Frankfurt, Vienna, Milano, Bologna, Madrid and Bucharest;
  • Carpatair [4] flies to/from Budapest and Timişoara;
• Sibiu Int'l Airport is located near Sibiu. It underwent a serious modernization effort in the past year, but isn't yet fully completed.
  • Austrian Airlines [5] flies from Vienna;
  • Lufthansa [6] flies from Munich;
  • TAROM flies from Bucharest;
  • Carpatair flies from Timisoara;
• Transilvania Int'l Airport [7] is located near Targu-Mures. It has daily flights to/from Budapest with MALEV [8] and Bucharest with TAROM.

[edit] By train

There are several daily international trains:

• Dacia Express -links Vienna with Bucharest (via Budapest); it passes through various cities in the southern part of Transylvania (Deva, Alba Iulia, Mediaş, Sighisoara, Brasov);
• Ister Express -a faster night train that links Budapest with Bucharest and has the same route as above;
• Pannonia Express -links Prague with Bucharest (passing through Bratislava and Budapest) and reaches the same cities in southern Transylvania as the above trains;
• Corona Express -a night train that links Budapest with Brasov going through Cluj and the eastern parts of Transylvania;
• Ady Endre Express -links Budapest with Cluj (leaves from Cluj early in the morning, gets to Budapest around noon and then gets back to Cluj, arriving in the evening);
• Maros/Mureş Express -links Budapest with Targu-Mureş;

Very frequent trains link cities in Transylvania with Bucharest and major cities in all other regions of Romania. Check timetables on infofer.ro.

[edit] Get around

• Transylvania Triangle Train Tour
• Maramures and the Mountains Tour

Transylvania is a must see destination for people travelling in this part of Europe. Trains are usually the best way to travel between major Transylvanian cities and touristic destinations. However, many of the region's landmarks lie hidden from major transportation routes, so it is recommended you either rent a car or take buses to these places. Here you can find information about trains: onetwo

You can find great and detailed road maps in any gas station throughout the country, in train stations and in most newsstands. These detailed road maps can lead you anywhere, without much guidance needed. Be careful though for secondary and tertiary roads are not clearly marked, so sometimes you have to ask for directions. People are usually very friendly and will help you get to the destination of your choice.

Buses are becoming a popular means of transportation in Transylvania. Usually, they leave from train stations in major cities, and stop in the central area of smaller ones.

As in all eastern Europe, hitchhiking is common and even a preferred way of transport for some locals. It is polite to leave the one who drives you some money, about 1-2 lei / 30min. However, people won't get mad if you don't leave anything and they might turn your money down anyway. Choosing the right spot for hitching increases your chances drastically- try to ask people on the street where to stand.

[edit] Eat

[edit] Romanian dishes

• Sarmale - meat in wine or cabbage leaves

• Mici - a symbol of Romania. To some locals it is like the sword to a samurai (but tastier).

• Ciorba de Burta - tripe (cow stomach) soup. Tastes better than it sounds!

• Bulz - cheese with polenta (only in Transylvania)

• Papanasi - desert: try it love it

[edit] Hungarian dishes

• Bean soup in bread - you will be amazed from serving to liking your plate

• Gulash

• Cabbage soup

• Lentil soup

• Kurtos Kolacs - desert, can be found around tourist attraction or in Hungarian zones on the road

[edit] Saxon dishes

There aren't many Saxon restaurants, but if you find one you can explore it and post some info here.

[edit] Drink

• Ursus Black beer - a medium-bodied, dark lager arguably ranking among Eastern Europe's premier drinks

• Bergenbier - a rich, German-style lager extremely popular throughout Romania

• Stejar beer - A 7% strong beer with a distinct taste

• Lacrima Lui Ovidiu - a nice, sweet Romanian wine, available in supermarkets for around 20 lei.

• Dracula Beer - a kitsch beer sold to foreign tourists, around Bran Castle as well as supermarkets, noted for it's remarkably unsavory flavor.

• Ciuc beer - One of the best beers part of the Group Heineken

• Wine from a local wine cellar. You will find these in any town, just ask for "crama" (read: krahmah)

• Horinca de Bihor, or other Tuica. This is a local brandy. Many locals brew their own natural and tasteful brandy. You can find it at locals (they will be happy to have you taste theirs) and in wine cellars.

[edit] Stay safe

Transylvania is not a land of dangers lurking around each darkened corner. It houses a relatively large bundle of police headquarters, so that if anything goes amiss in your journey, help will be close by. You should beware of pickpocketing around busy tourist attractions.

On the other hand, especially in heavily touristed towns like Sinaia, there will be some con men out to prey on tourists. Beware of the "maradona".

Police corruption has been reduced significantly and you should be better off being nice and friendly to the police officers, rather than offering him money. If you feel like you are being betrayed/abused by a police officer, ask for his superior.

[edit] Get out