Transylvania and the colourful towns

I have found myself in Dracula’s homeland, in the middle of the historic region of Transylvania and the colourful towns in Romania. It is such a beautiful area. It started with Brasov already and the country just got prettier and prettier. From Sighisoara to the Dracula Bran Castle as well as Rupea, each town is definitely worth a visit. I love it!

I am definitely glad I decided to visit Transylvania and the colourful towns in Romania.

Bran Castle

Bran was my overnight stay after Brasov. I still prefer the small towns and so I found this great hotel right in the centre (Hanul Bran). Bran is the place where the Dracula castle towers over the town and my hotel was right beneath it with a gorgeous view. You can read more about the history here but it is best known as the house of Bram Stoker’s Dracula who was fictionally based on the tyrant Vlad Țepeș (Vlad the Impaler; 1448–1476).

The castle itself looked more like a cute house than a scary castle but it was great to see nevertheless. Bran is a cute and busy little town!

More of Transylvania and the colourful towns…

Rupea Citadel (Castle)

I left Bran and the Bran Castle early in the morning heading north towards Sighisoara. The roads are actually great in Romania. I was expecting the worst but there are very easy to drive. Yes, you get the occasional old damaged road but you can see that a lot of improvements have been done already. While driving along, suddenly around the corner, out of nowhere, unexpectedly, this big castle appears. The Rupea Citadel! Happy day for me and definitely a stop!

This Castle is known to be the oldest archaeological site in Romania, dating back to 5500 BC–3500 BC. With lots of history it has been fully abandoned in 1790 and restored only in 2010/13. Too much history to write so you can find more details here!

After Rupea, continuing along the road, I drove through lots of small and colourful villages (Fisher, Bunesti, Saschiz), one cuter than the other. The locals managed to give simple towns an idylic charm by painting all the houses in different colours and planting lots of roses and trees along the street. Amazing and cute!

Sighisoara, the colourful city

Sighisoara is by far the most colourful Medieval city in Romania, sitting in the centre of Romania and the Transylvania region. Apparently the King of Hungary (around the 12th century) invited all the German craftsmen and merchants to settle here to defend his kingdom. It is also reputed to be the birth place of Vlad who has a bust in a prime location.

It is surely a very charmful town. The authentic medieval architecture and the colourful finishes inside and around the fortified city give Sighisoara the fairy-tale look it is known for. As I always say: it is amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do to the overall look! Agree?

My stop for the night was Medias, south of Sighisoara. Also a cute and colourful city. Oh, there is soo much beauty here.

MY SUMMARY FOR ROMANIA and Transylvania 

If possible, travel by car and take your time when driving through this part of Romania. Transylvania and the colourful towns are not to miss, and one is prettier than the other. And if you’re lucky, Dracula might be home in one of his castles.

There is definitely more to see in Romania. Click here for other parts of Transylvania I have visited.