Beauty, mystery and heritage in one of Europe’s least visited regions
For those seeking something truly unexpected this fall, Transylvania is a revelation. It offers stunning fall foliage, rolling hills, fairy-tale castles, and charming folklore, all without the crowds. Here’s how to do Transylvania this fall.
Revealing a new side of Romania
Fall in Transylvania is about the changing colors, the deep orange, red, and gold leaves falling soundlessly on the grassy meadows. But it’s also about shifting perspectives, new contrasts, and the ephemeral nature of life. Unlike summer where the landscape stands still under the shining sun, fall is dynamic, ever-changing. While September is still green, by mid-October, the forests ignite with bursts of gold and rust and yellow. Then, in late October when the beech, oak, and maple trees reach their peak fall coloration, you’ll see a mesmerizing patchwork of color across the Carpathian landscape. The ideal way to experience it? On your own two feet , doing a hike like the Via Transilvanica, feeling the mist of early morning, enjoying the cool zenith of a noonday sun, watching the slow sunsets over the mountains.
Old-world charm in Transylvania’s villages
Dotted around Transylvania are hidden, storybook villages, some with roots going deep into the past. Places like Magura, Pestera, and Sirnea feel as though they’ve been plucked from a former century. Life there moves slowly, and it’s deeply intertwined with the land. Fall is the final harvest, a time when shepherds descend from the mountains in an ancient tradition known as transhumance. During these rare and spectacular days, you’ll find roads transformed by thousands of sheep or goats. An insider’s tip: Sighisoara, one of Europe’s last inhabited medieval citadels, is a dreamscape in the fall. Its ancient cobblestones are covered in golden leaves. Its medieval towers take on an otherworldly glow in the evening light as you dine on local delicacies like pork tenderloin in cream mushroom sauce, bean soup served in a loaf of bread, or goulash cooked over an open flame. Visiting these villages will give you instant access to authentic Romanian culture.
A hauntingly beautiful road trip
While train travel is always the best option, especially in Europe where rail networks are dense and reliable, in this one case, a car will elevate your journey. Take the Transfagarasan Highway for a stunning fall drive beside deep green firs alongside fire-colored beech and maples. Take a stop at Balea Lake, which by late October might have its first dustings of snow. Balea is also an exceptional place for stargazing, which is best done by spending the night at one of the lakeside huts or hotels. Bran Castle, a place steeped in Dracula’s legend, is even more haunting under moody fall skies. In Transylvania, you’ll see so much. But it’s not just about the eyes. It’s an immersive experience, from the cool crisp weather to the delicious food to the satisfying crunch of leaves under your boots.
No matter where you go in this wonderful region, when you travel in the fall—whether for a hike or a road trip—your experience will be elevated. Between the front-row seats to unrivaled nature and the quiet luxury of boutique lodgings to the peace of a crowd-free location, you’ll be in for a true upgrade to your trip.
