Romania: Transylvania

The only standalone, full-length English-language travel guidebook to Transylvania, now in its fourth edition.

Transylvania is a wild, wooded, intensely romantic region filled with mountains and gorges, myths and legends, dragons, bears, wolves—and vampires. Bram Stoker called it "one of the wildest and least-known parts of Europe," a description that remains true today. Co-authored by former British Ambassador to Romania Paul Brummell and thoroughly updated by prolific travel writer Tim Burford, this comprehensive guide offers chapter-per-county coverage catering to a diverse range of interests, from city breaks to rural escapes, skiing to wildlife watching.

One of the most beautiful regions in central Europe, Transylvania is home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites and preserves its cultural and artistic treasures in a landscape bordered on three sides by the Carpathian Mountains. These mountains provide Romania's finest skiing and hiking destinations, while hay meadows in the Lower Carpathians form a grassland ecosystem of extraordinary diversity, offering beautiful wildflower displays. The Carpathians are home to lynx, wild boar, and one of Europe's largest populations of brown bear. Other natural wonders include the Scarisoara Ice Cave in the Apuseni Mountains and the Sfanta Ana volcanic crater lake in Harghita County.

Transylvania's cultural riches span centuries, from the Dacian fortresses of the Orastie Mountains—including Sarmizegetusa Regia, conquered by Roman Emperor Trajan in AD 106—to the picture-perfect medieval hill town of Sighisoara. Fortified churches in southern Transylvania stand as testament to medieval Saxon communities' struggles against Ottoman raiders, while the historic cities of Cluj, Sibiu, and Brasov host internationally renowned film, electronic music, and theatre festivals. You can even ride the big wheel in an underground amusement park at Turda's salt mine, or follow the Dracula trail, visiting sites linked to Bram Stoker's novel. Whatever your interests, discover Transylvania's many and varied attractions.