Romania

Travelling in Transylvania: my photos

Transylvania was brilliant.

I’ve just got back from my first trip to Romania: five days travelling around Transylvania. I absolutely loved it: beautiful cities, warm and welcoming people and fascinating and accessible culture. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I left a country so eager to return. (I am already eyeing up trips to Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca…)

I will be posting plenty about my travels in the coming few months but to whet your appetites, here is a collection of the best photos of Transylvania I took during my trip and a short introduction to the cities I visited.

To read my full itinerary, click here.


Sibiu


(German) Hermannstadt

Formerly European Capital of Culture in 2007, Sibiu is a spruced-up gem waiting for tourists to take note. The old town is utterly charming, with colourful buildings, a lively cafe culture and just the right mix of Transylvanian and Saxon influences.

Sibiu old town

Photos of Sibiu

Photos of Transylvania: Sibiu

This was by far my favourite street in Sibiu, but impossible to photograph well thanks to all the cars. Sibiu needs underground parking desperately. 

Photos of Transylvania: Sibiu

Sibiu, Romania


Brasov


 (German) Kronstadt

More established on the tourist trail is Brasov – a jumping off point for trips to Bran Castle and a bustling regional hub. Though every bit as attractive as Sibiu with just as many sights, Brasov is a much bigger city, combining small-town traditional charm with great restaurants, bars and even a club or too.

Brasov, Romania

Is it Hollywood? No, it’s just Brasov.

Town square - Brasov, Romania

Brasov, Romania

Brasov, Romania

Transylvania photos - Brasov, Romania

Got to love that atmospheric mist on the horizon in Dracula-country….


Sighisoara


 (German) Schäßburg

Ridiculously photogenic Sighisoara is a dreamy town that looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale, with winding cobbled streets, brightly coloured houses and a Gothic covered staircase leading to an old German church. Here is where you’ll find a lot of tourists and day-trippers, but the town is definitely worth a visit.

I may have taken approximately one thousand photos of this town.

Sighisoara, Transylvania

Where to go in Transylvania - Sighisoara

Covered staircase - Sighisoara, Transylvania

Church Sighisoara, Transylvania

Sighisoara, Transylvania

Sighisoara, Transylvania

The saturation or photos of the above photo has actually only been minimally enhanced. The town really does look that bright… 

Clock tower, Sighisoara

Transylvania graveyard

This sinister-seeming photo is probably my favourite of the trip – it sums up exactly what comes to my mind when I think of Transylvania…

Clock tower, Sighisoara


Targu Mures


 (German) Neumarkt am Mieresch
(Hungarian) Marosvásárhely

Though far from the usual tourist trail in Transylvania, Targu Mures nevertheless has a handful of interesting sights, making it a lovely city to spend a day. Home to the country’s largest urban Hungarian population, the city offers a slightly different outlook to other places in Romania, with care taken to respect both cultures.

Targu Mures - town hall

Places to visit in Transylvania - Targu Mures

Culture palace - Targu Mures, Romania

Fortress - Targu Mures, Romania

Photos of Transylvania: Targu Mures, Romania

The above shows the Eastern Orthodox Romanian Cathedral and the Catholic Hungarian Cathedral on the main square.

Where would you most like to visit and why?
Comment below!

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