What to do and see in Transylvania, Romania: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do

March 29, 2022 Florencio Paulino

Transylvania is a historical region in today's central Romania. Bound on the east and south by its natural borders, the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended westward to the Apuseni Mountains. The term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical regions of Crișana and Maramureș, and occasionally the Romanian part of Banat.
Restaurants in Transylvania

1. Wooden Churches of Maramures

Romania http://www.visitmaramures.ro/index.php
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5.0 based on 98 reviews

Wooden Churches of Maramures

Reviewed By doinab634

More or less alike at a first glance - elegant shape, sky-piercing spires,,richly decorated interiors, polychrome murals evoking the most memorable episodes of Christianity, any of the 5 UNESCO-listed wooden churches I visited exudes a unique feeling of simplicity,sobriety and devotion.Apart from elaborately carved wooden doors laden with such typical symbol-motifs as the twisted rope, the tree life, the wolf's tooth or rosettes (notice them on the monumental gates of a peasant's home), each of them is peculiarized by fabulous details. For instance, St Nicholas' Church in Budesti - the chainmail armor and helmet of Pintea the Brave (Pintea, legendary figure of the local historiography and folk literature, was the Robin Hood of Maramures, preceding the latter by nearly 100 years);or the Virgin Mary's Nativity Church in Ieud on the Hill.Built in mid-14th century by a local craftsman, this wooden church is the oldest in Romania and it jumped into public attention a century ago when the oldest writing in the Romanian language notwithstanding its Cyrillic characters(dating back to 1391-1392) was found out in its garret.Known as The Pandect from Ieud, it can be seen in the Library of the Romanian Academy and the Introduction adorns the entrance to the new church erected in the lowland area of the village.

2. Retezat Mountains

Dj685 Râușor Romania +40 770 124 709 http://romaniatourism.info/retezat%20germana.html
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5.0 based on 14 reviews

Retezat Mountains

Reviewed By Ana_Bejan

This place is absolutely stunning for mountain enthusiasts I’m surprised it isn’t getting a lot more tourists I was blown away by how beautiful it was

3. Active Travel

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5.0 based on 846 reviews

Active Travel

Your Tailor Made Travel Partner in Romania! Book on-line our private and small group tours - maximum 8 tourists. Unique small group tours and vacation travel packages from general touring to wildlife viewing, to wilderness trips around Romania. We are a young and dynamic team, with more than 12 years experience. City tours: if you are visiting this cosmopolitan city of Brasov make sure not to miss our Brasov day trip; Castle tours - Rasnov, Bran, Sinaia; Fortified Saxon churches; Sighisoara, Viscri, Biertan, Transfagarasan road. Adventure tours in Transylvania: Themes include general sightseeing, natural history, hiking, trekking, biking, bear watching, photo hunting featuring with eco-tour styles from cozy, small lodges to camping. Biking tours in Transylvania including Piatra Craiului National Park, Fagaras Mountains. Self guided Romania tours: half the price of guided, no minimum group size, better discovery, any travel date possible, expert local support, professional planning.

4. Art & Crafts

P-Ta Cetatii Nr. 8 House on the Rock, Sighisoara 545400 Romania +40 745 853 109 [email protected] http://www.obiectetraditionale.ro
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5.0 based on 234 reviews

Art & Crafts

Hello, My name is Mark Tudose and few years ago I have start "Art & Crafts" in Sighisoara. At first I have made a local artist gallery with handmade products around Sighisoara. I do the wood part in the gallery. In time we developed more opening a museum section for our gallery with pieces made of wood about 50 years ago. This year is for the first time when we will open this museum part for our customers. So, feel free to visit us and let me know your opinion. I really think that the only way for a craft it comes with the story behind. I hope you will like our stories.

Reviewed By mirunavrn - Bucharest, Romania

This souvenir shop in the historical center has various products made by local craftsmen: from wooden carved spoons and hand painted Christian icons to handmade magnets showing the most iconic attractions of the city. The owner is very polite and hospitable, even gives more details about the products and the stories behind them.

5. Fortress of Ponor

Padis Romania +40 770 124 709
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5.0 based on 28 reviews

Fortress of Ponor

Reviewed By MeA18 - Paris, France

We went up on a very rainy day, and there was no problem, just make sure you're adequately equipped, because the track is not so easy, although doable by everybody. It was the most wonderful landscape we had ever seen. We also went inside the cave with headlamps, which was unforgettable (we recommend to do it with experienced people and water boots). As the site has been kept as it is, in its most natural way, you won't find any restaurant/bar in the national park, so make sure you bring your own food and drinks.

6. Timisoara City Tours

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5.0 based on 407 reviews

Timisoara City Tours

Timisoara City Tours is for those who want to find more about Timisoara. More than you can find from the pages of a guidebook. More than you can find rambling on the streets of the beautiful city, trying to guess the stories behind the baroque or secession facades. Timisoara City Tours is for those who have 1-2 hour before the flight as well as for those who want to spend few days in the city.

7. Rope Street Museum

Strada Cerbului 13, Brasov 500015 Romania +40 731 909 999 http://www.ropestreet.com
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5.0 based on 34 reviews

Rope Street Museum

Discover the untold stories and legends of Brasov. We are inviting you to visit our permanent photo exhibition of Brasov, surrounding castles and churches. The unique city miniatures that shows our city architecture from old times. You can take a coffee break in our souvenir shop where you can find unique items made by local artists. Free WI-FI, free city map is included in the entry price.

Reviewed By Dzeikob - Kaunas, Lithuania

Small, but interesting and high quality. Here you can find all information and legends about Rope street, alike here is cozy coffee house.

8. Merry Cemetery

Sapanta 437305 Romania http://romaniatourism.com/press-the-merry-cemetery.html
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4.5 based on 551 reviews

Merry Cemetery

A fascinating collection of unique wooden headstones that immortalize details about the deceased.

Reviewed By njw_to - Toronto, Canada

The cemetery is a gem and the grave markers are wonderful folk art and interesting to explore. We were there on a Sunday morning so he’d the added atmospheric bonus of the church service. It was great to see the local girls in their traditional dress.

9. Peasant Fortified Church at Prejmer

East side of the Brasov Depression, Prejmer 507165 Romania +40 268 362 052 http://www.e-primarii.ro/primaria-prejmer/obiective.php?id=62
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4.5 based on 233 reviews

Peasant Fortified Church at Prejmer

Reviewed By Crvan - Weston, United States

This UNESCO site is a must visit when in Transylvania. It is one of the few fortified churches of its kind; especially in the great condition it is in. The church was erected in the early 1200's and this type of architecture and design was typical of that era as the towns were centered around the local church. If invaders were coming, the inhabitants of the area, who normally lived outside the church fortifications, would take refuge inside the church behind its fortifications. The walls were about 5 meters thick with further towers and battle stations to fend off the enemy. In the interior, there were rooms built to accommodate the people, storage for food and other items. The church itself was built in the middle of the circular fortified wall with a little green space. A very unique build but the church was not captured very many times over the centuries due to its impressive build and fortifications. Another must see in Transylvania.

10. Pivnita lui Teo - Teo's Cellar

Str. Scolii nr.14, Sighisoara 545400 Romania +40 722 496 263 [email protected] http://www.delateo.ro
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4.5 based on 115 reviews

Pivnita lui Teo - Teo's Cellar

At Teo’s 500-year-old cellar you can taste, enjoy and buy different sorts of local alcoholic beverages such as brandies and liquoirs. Among those several have received different prizes for their outstanding quality at national and international fairs. Our family has been producing these beverages for the past 200 years following traditional recipes perfected by local Saxons for centuries from the local area, also known as Tarnava Valley. Our brandy is kept in oak barrels for at least 3 years.

Reviewed By HealdGreenForever - Slovakia, null

We spent a very pleasant 2 hours in Teo's cellar and in his company. What can we say? As a couple who very regularly go wine-tasting, we can confirm that his wines are delicious, his award-winning cognac is fabulous, and his fruit liquors and brandies are superb! If we were to revisit Sighisoara, we'd happily stay in Teo's accommodation next time.

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