Vacationing in Transylvania

According to Tropical Magazin, for many, perhaps, Transylvania (in Hungarian Erdély) isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when they are looking for holiday destinations; however, it would be a great pity to miss out on the recreational possibilities available in the area, of which Transylvania offers a most unique array year-round to visitors: the extraordinary mixture of culture, streams with healing properties, stunning medieval charm and the picturesque landscapes garnered Transylvania international recognition in 2016, when Lonely Planet deemed the area the most visit-worthy. Let us now take a look at some of the recreational possibilities available to visitors in Transylvania!

Cultural attractions

Amateurs of cultural attractions have a wide array of possibilities to fulfil their passion in Transylvania. It is recommended, in particular, to travel to the previously Hungarian area, where a great number of our compatriots live to this day, during Hungarian national holidays. Acquainting one’s self with a particular area’s history is an indispensable part of cultural tourism; tourists are granted the possibility to experience it firsthand in Transylvania, as Dracula’s fatherland is teeming with historical districts and medieval castles. Gyimes (Ghimeș), situated at the border of Transylvania and Moldova, is also worth a visit when festivities take place, if one’s curious about the locals’ traditions as well as folk costumes (not to mention their traditional dishes!)

Naturally, the Castle of Törcsvár (Castelul din Bran), also known as the “Castle of Dracula”, is located in the area as well, in the village of Törcsvár, 30 km away from Brassó (Brasov).

While Bram Stroker never visited the area, he said that he had utilized the illustration of the Castle of Törcsvár in Charles Boner’s “Transylvania: Its Product and its People”, published in 1865, for his work.

Segesvár (Sighișoara), with its colorful buildings, cobble-stone streets and its UNESCO World Heritage medieval city center, is also a tourist destination not to be missed.

The city is perhaps best known as the natal city of Vlad III, also mockingly rebaptized as ‘Vlad the Impaler’ (Vlad Tepes in Romanian) due to his extreme cruelty. This Wallachian voivode also served as inspiration for the iconic Dracula. Its old city attracts tourists with more than the characteristic, old-city-charm, it also boasts of one of Eastern Europe’s best preserved medieval downtowns!

If you like the Castle of Vajdahunyad of Budapest, the original, Transylvanian one, which served as inspiration for the former, is bound to blow you away! Kálmán Mikszáth dubbed the 600-year-old, perfectly preserved Gothic castle “the King of Castles”; it is a veritable treasure trove for those interested in medieval history and art. Considered the most imposing Castle of not only the area but the entirety of Greater Hungary, the Transylvanian Castle of Vajdahunyad was also included in Jules Verne’s classic entitled “80 Days Around the World.”

Despite the fact that this list contains but a few elements, Transylvania offers numerous other entertainment possibilities. The St Nicholas Church of Demsus (Densuș), the Castle of Peles (Castelul Peleș), or the Transfăgărășan highway are all worth a visit. But, truth be told, Transylvania is teeming with so many cultural attractions, among others, that they could fill several books.

Medical tourism

Travelers have the possibility to rest and heal simultaneously in Transylvania.

Let us begin the enumeration with the Félix Baths, called Félix-fürdő in Hungarian and Băile Felix in Romanian; it is the largest thermal spa resort of Transylvania. The daily 17 million, 49 degrees Celsius-hot liters of water are ideal to treat gynecological, cerebral, rheumatologic or musculoskeletal problems.

But it is also ideal for those who wish to simply rest. More than 7000 tourists a year enjoy its relaxation, wellness and kiddie pools, water slides, gyms and saunas. A fun bit of trivia: the nearby warm-water lakes are ideal for exotic florae and faunae.