City: Transylvania
Top Things to do in Transylvania
The 10 Best Points of Interest & Landmarks in Transylvania, Romania
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. Citadel of Alba Iulia
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 647 reviews
*** Alba Iulia - Alba Carolina Citadel *** A town coated by the legendary halo of the great historical events that took place within its ancient walls, Alba Iulia has deeply got into the Romanian people's mind and soul. No other Transylvanian town has gathered so many crucial meanings and symbols. With thousands and thousands of years of human existence lying behind it, Alba Iulia represents the charming mirror in which all the ethnic groups of Transylvania can discover their vigor or their traditions of yore. The heart of Alba Iulia is Alba Carolina Citadel. Alba Carolina, the most representative bastion fortress in Romania and Southeast Europe, built upon the initiative of Emperor Charles the VIth of Habsburg, under the supervision of the French-born Austrian field marshal Eugene of Savoy, is wearing its royal robe. A royal citadel, residence of the bishopric, capital of autonomous principality, and a military garrison, Alba Iulia has been during all historical periods the main political, administrative, religious, cultural, and military centre of Transylvania. We invite you to visit The Other Capital of Romania.
Reviewed By nicolaem249 - Alba Iulia, Romania
Over 70,000 square meters of History. The place where we see all the fortifications made in this place for over 2000 years. On the site of an old Romanian fortress was built a medieval fortress and a church at the same time as Notre Dame in Paris. But it suffered much more and was burned twice, one of its towers being destroyed. However, the new Fortress was built during the Habsburg Empire, and in 1918 was the place where the first King of united Romania was crowned. In Alba Iulia, the Orthodox Cathedral is the only one in the country that has hosted any coronation of the Kings of Greater Romania!
2. Piata Victoriei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 575 reviews
Reviewed By Anatravelsromania
This is where the Christmas market is set up so it is bustling and very nicely decorated. Plus, there are so many beautiful buildings, old buildings recently renovated.
3. Turnul Sfatului (The Tower of the Council)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 487 reviews
Reviewed By charliesU224AJ - Victoria, Australia
Well worth the climb to the top for the views. And the late 1400's clock mechanism on the 6th floor was interesting.
4. Unirii Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 844 reviews
Reviewed By Tiberiu_Baranyi - Timisoara, Romania
If somebody would ask me to single out a spot in this beautiful city where I live I would say the "Unirii Square" - or Union Square if you like it more. It is one of the oldest squares in the city - in 1716 Eugen of Savoy liberated the city from the ottoman rule and with that started more than 2 centuries of Habsburg rule and also it began the transformation and rebuilding of the city. In Unirii Square you have most likely the greatest concentration of historical buildings , just to mention a few: - the Catholic Dome - built in the 18th century - 1774 it was finished. - the Baroque Palace - obviously built in a baroque style - over the centuries was hosting historical figures like Franz Joseph of Austria and the Royal Romanian couple King Ferdinand of Romania and Queen Mary of Romania. Nowadays is the home for the Art Museum of Timisoara. - the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral - built in 1748. - the Bruck House - built in Secession style. - the monument of the Holy Trinity - built after the bubonic plague ended in Banat ( 1731-1738 the plague was devastating the Banat region - the region where Timisoara is situated). This above are just a few of the buildings worth checking out. Also for those looking for a place to eat there are several restaurants : - the Drunken Rat - Pepper - In Thyme - Bistro M Just to mention a few of the places. (at the bottom I've chosen 3+ hours for the visit because I was considering that the average traveler will sit down for a few beers and have something to eat also, but for a fast visit you can do it in under 1 hour) A lot of things to see if you want to take a walk - several restaurants to choose from if you want to have lunch or dinner. So, once this world gets back to normal and you come again to visit Timisoara - come and check out Unirii Square, maybe you'll see me there too.
5. Sighisoara Clock Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 909 reviews
Reviewed By mirunavrn - Bucharest, Romania
The Clock Tower is emblematic for the city. It is currently housing the History Museum of Sighisoara, where visitors can learn about the history of the city and see various well preserved objects and artifacts from different centuries. You can also go up and have an overview of the city.
6. Big Square (Piata Mare)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,349 reviews
Big Square is Sibiu’s historical centre, where there are important historical monuments, many of which are part of the UNESCO patrimony.
Reviewed By LolaGo1 - Washington DC, United States
It is a big Square where one can SEE and DO a lot of activities here: Visit Churches, Museums and other Attractions; Eat at restaurants and Coffee Shops; Shop at some stores; Relax and enjoy the ambience, Take selfies and other pictures, etc. Recommended to start your visit of Sibiu here!
7. Oradea City Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
The City Hall Palace and Tower THE BUILDING IS THE WORK OF ARCHITECT RIMANÓCZY KÁLMÁN JR., WHO IN 1896 WON THE PROJECT CONTEST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN OF THE CITY HALL. THE SOLEMN INAUGURATION MEETING OF THE LOCAL COUNCIL WAS HELD IN THE NEWLY-BUILT PALACE ON THE 10th OF JANUARY 1904. THE CITY HALL TOWER With a height of about 50 m and 4 main levels, three of which have observation decks, the City Hall Palace Tower is also hosts the clock announcing the exact time in Oradea. The mechanism of the clock, called the "mother clock", strikes every hour and plays Iancu's March. The local watchmaker Mezey Dezső built the mechanism in the early twentieth century, in 1904. The clock survived two world wars, while the roof and wall of the tower survived the two great fires of 1917 and 1944. The watch dial retains even today bullet holes from gunfires shot during the Second World War. The second level was also the observation point of the city firefighter on duty. Fires were announced by ringing a bell, depending on the area where the fire started. In the daytime, a red flag was unfurled in the direction of the fire, while at night an electric projector was used.
Reviewed By Vladimiramirela - Mississauga, Canada
The Clock Tower of Oradea's historic City Hall allows visitors - for a modest fee - an incredible view of Old Town and surrounding hills. There are no elevators and geting to the last level may require some effort, however, if you can, this would be a most rewarding stairs-climbing trip one can take. The clock tower used to serve as a watch point for the city’s firefighters. However ironic, history says that in 1944, the tower along with its top floor and roof took fire. The City Hall Palace and its Clock Tower have been renovated and rebuilt, currently hosting quite a number of visitors every year. On the ground floor, the tower has a pretty gifts shop , were the entrance tickets are sold as well.
8. Sighisoara Historic Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,577 reviews
Reviewed By carolas936 - Marietta, United States
Sighisoara is an outstanding example of a small fortified city in the border region between the Latin-oriented central Europe and the Byzantine-Orthodox culture of south-eastern Europe. Castle walls enclose a steep plateau hill overlooking a bend in the Tirnava river (traces of occupation trace back to the Paleolithic period). Sighisoara was built in the 12th century by German craftsmen and merchants who were ordered by Hungarian rulers to colonize Transylvania to protect the Carpathian border against the Mongols. These Saxon settlers occupied City Hill; the town grew as a regional trading center, defensive outpost and transportation hub. Following the Mongolian invasion of 1241, the fortified settlement was reinforced with stone walls and guard towers surrounding the entire plateau. The town, known in 1280 as Castrum Sex, developed commercial activities thanks to the powerful guilds of craftsmen. Each guild was responsible for the construction of a tower and its defense. The town obtained the title ‘Civitas’ in 1367 and became an important trading and defensive center in Transylvania. Sighisoara heightened its walls between 1421 and 1526 in response to threatened Turkish invasions. During the 17th century, the population was reduced by almost half from two plague epidemics. Fires damaged the lower town in 1676, 1736 and 1788, floods in 1771, and an earthquake in 1838. Despite this, the area within the castle walls has rebuilt and kept its original medieval architecture, with narrow cobbled streets lined with rows of houses. Three main streets run roughly north-south, crossed by passages and alleyways. Houses are mostly two or three stories, the simple homes of craftsmen, built from stone or brick, covered in colored stucco, roofed with tiles, with a narrow facade along the street and an L- or U-shaped layout. Wandering the cobbled streets between medieval houses gave me a sense of what it would be like to live in a fortified castle. Sighisoara Historic Center was listed in 1999 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is accessible at all times with no entry fee.
9. Council Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,559 reviews
Reviewed By XamatTomax - Fort Wayne, United States
This is the heart of the city. With so many nearby restaurants and cafes, this is a vibrant area with locals and tourists. You can have a seat and watch people carrying bags from their shopping. Just around the corner from Old Town is the historic Black Church.
10. Catedrala Reintregirii Neamului (Coronation Cathedral)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By wendyanddavid536 - Solihull, United Kingdom
Completed in 1922 for the coronation of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie after the unification of Romania in 1918. In plan it is based on a Greek cross with multiple domes topped with large decorated crosses. The inside walls, as in most Orthodox churches, are highly decorated with Biblical scenes, saints, martyrs, angels, Mary and Jesus. There are numerous lovely icons around the church and a huge iconostasis containing all of the usual icons. A truly wonderful place to visit.
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