Transylvania Highlands

Transylvanian Highlands, a recently nominated Eco-destination is located in the area of Sibiu, Mures and Brasov counties. The area is part of European Natura 2000 network, the largest ecological network in the world, with over 25,000 sites, out of which 531 are in Romania and 7 of them in the Transylvanian Highlands.

The large number of important natural sites make our eco destination the second largest protected area in the country, after the Danube Delta Biosphere Reservation.

​Most of the villages in the region are former Saxon, many depopulated during Communism and in the ’90s. Another migration wave started after 2007 when many of the local people left for work in other European countries. Thus, being a depopulated area, with a predominantly aged population and little farming, the nature has been preserved very well having no big pollution sources.

Therefore, while hiking up the hills or down in the valleys, you may easily notice many protected species of fauna and flora:

• flora (wild celery, arnica, lady’s slipper wild orchid, daffodils and many others),
• fauna – mammals (wolf, bear, wild cat, otter), birds (Eurasian sparrow hawk, Northern goshawk, corncrake), reptile and amphibian species (Fire-Bellied Toad), protected species of fish and butterflies.

During our tours in the area, we can spot various birds and animals, we can explore the flowery meadows in the Hartibaciu and Tarnava valleys, we can follow the trails along forests of secular oak trees – perfect areas for forest bathing.

Check some of our tours in the area:

Sibiu – Biertan – Sighisoara Day Tour
Sibiu – Sighisoara – Viscri

The Transylvanian Highlands are home to numerous former Saxon villages with fortified churches or citadels. They were all built in the 15th century mainly with Gothic and Renaissance elements, as defensive structures in front of the attacks. For more than 500 years these impressive monuments have preserved their architecture. Furthermore, some of them have become new community centers where local people organize festivals, brunches, concerts and even Christmas markets. 

Many years ago, some of these fortified churches were included on UNESCO heritage list due to their architecture (Viscri, Biertan, Valea Viilor) whereas others were awarded the Europa Nostra Prize for restoration (the Evangelical Church in Sighisoara). They are all so lovely, seen from the distance, they may look like little fairy tale castles.

Most of the villages are built along river valleys, hidden between hills surrounded by old forests, flowery meadows and terraces that once used to host vineyards. The houses are built along the main road, many of them still respecting the local Wallonia architecture from the end of the 18th century.  

The castles and manors in Transylvania have an amazing history, their properties being divided during the centuries by many noble families, each generation trying to add something special. Places like Apafi Manor in Malancrav or Bethlen Castle in Cris together with the villages and the surroundings definitely worth a visit, they truly are hidden gems of Transylvania.