In the spa town of Baile Felix, you can spend a pampering holiday cheaply.
Cluj-Napoca has a Central European soul
Cluj-Napoca is the center of Transylvania, which exudes a Central European urban atmosphere. Street cafes and historic buildings overlap into a lively shopping center, which now also shows a lot of tourists.
The main attractions of Cluj-Napoca include the handsome Gothic Church of St. Michael, the Botanical Gardens and the Fabrica de Pensule. In the city it is possible to eat very well and at very affordable prices, so book a long time for dinner.
The architecture of Oradea and the healing waters of Baile Felix
The city of Oradea, and especially its smaller neighbor Baile Felix, has a long spa tradition. The water here has been studied to be even better than in Hungary’s famous spa towns. Baile Felix’s hot springs produce thermal water with an exceptional mineral composition, which is used to treat rheumatism and psoriasis, for example. The Baile Felix’s spas, the most famous of which is Hotel President, also allow you to pamper yourself with a variety of mud and herbal baths and beauty treatments.
The city of Oradea is known for its impressive Art Nouveau architecture. The city center has been renovated in recent years and the place is definitely worth a stop on a Transylvanian holiday. For families with children, Oradea has a fireball water park.
Get the most out of the Carpathians
The mountain scenery of the Carpathians can be enjoyed by hiking, biking, horseback riding or looking out the car window – each in its own style. The offer is varied and marked hiking trails abound. Nature here is wild and green. The Carpathians are home to a large and species-rich wildlife population, which includes a prosperous bear population. Traces of abundance date back to the time of dictator Nikolae Ceaucescu , who ruled Romania for a long time. During the Ceausescu regime, the dictator himself was the only one allowed to overthrow the bears. The stock was able to grow in all peace.
The Carpathians are also characterized by numerous exciting caves. The world of caves can be explored, for example, in the cave of Meziad, which has been opened as a tourist destination. A total of sixteen different bat species live in the cave and their total number of individuals rises to tens of thousands. Walking through the huge cave, you may not see them at a glance, but the world of sound and smell created by bats is impressive.
Spend the day in the salt mine
One of Transylvania’s most special tourist attractions is the Turda Salt Mine, which dates back to Roman times. The place is no longer in mining use today, but a giant entertainment complex has been built in its shafts, where visitors can not only learn about the place’s history, but also play games, shop, row on an underground lake and even swing on an underground ferris wheel.
The deepest points of the mine are about 125 meters below the ground. There are a total of about 900 meters of tunnels. Staying in a salt mine is very healthy – after just a couple of hours you will notice how the airways open and the skin softens.
The medieval Sighișoara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The retaining walls of Sighișoara have protected the inhabitants for hundreds of years. The place is an old German town that has belonged to Romania since 1920. Thanks to its interesting history and unique environment, the place was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999.
Many backpackers and car holidaymakers traveling around Romania in the footsteps of Dracula visit the city, as the role model of Dracula, Vlad Tepes, is known to have been born in Sighișoara. His birthplace is located in the walled old town and the building now houses a Dracula-themed restaurant with sheep brains on the menu, for example.
Other places to visit in Sighișoara include the 64-meter bell tower, the old Orthodox Church, the Armory Museum and the Museum of Torture.
Do you dare to drive through Transfăgărășan?
Named the best road in the world by Top Gear, Transfăgărășan is an unforgettable experience for even the most experienced motorist. This incredibly winding serpentine road runs through the Carpathians, connecting Transylvania to the Muntenia region. The 90-kilometer route was built by dictator Nikolae Ceausescu in 1970 and was created in the spirit of the times for defense purposes with a view to a possible Soviet invasion. The highest point is located at an altitude of 2,034 meters. The road is only open during the summer season from June to October.
THE BEST OF TRANSILVANIA
Transfagarasan means tight bends, steep climbs and stunning scenery. You should set aside plenty of time on the route, as progress on these roads is very slow.
Experience at least these in Transylvania
- Great scenic spots in the Carpathians
- The timeless atmosphere of the countryside
- Spa day at Baile Felix
- A hearty Romanian dinner
- The Central European milieu of Cluj Napoca
- Oradea Art Nouveau architecture
The most interesting cities
- Cluj Napoca
- Sighisoara
- Oradea
The finest Nature Spots
- Lake Bâlea Lac along Transfăgărășan
- Lacul Roșu or Red Lake
- Bicaz Canyon and Bicaz Dam
- Cave of the Meziad
