Two days tour to Sibiu and Sighisoara from Cluj-Napoca

You will be leaving Cluj-Napoca at 09:00, after your guide picks you up at your hotel, and head out of the city towards the south of Transylvania. The drive to Alba Carolina is a little over an hour. Your first part of the day is all about discovering the fortresses and the castles in Transylvania.

Alba Carolina was built in the early 18th century, as part of a fortification system created by Prince Eugene of Savoy to provide defense for the newly conquered provinces of the Habsburg Empire. Besides its cleverly designed architecture, Alba Carolina does not seize to impress through its attractiveness.

The whole complex was built by Italian and Austrian artisans in 23 years.  The walls, slightly oblique, are made out of from brick and stone by a technique without unevenness, to cause the cannonballs to ripple.

One hour away from Alba Carolina is Corvin Castle, one of the most impressive in Transylvania, and a Gothic masterpiece.

Its name derives from the name of the one who ordered its construction, John Hunyadi, and his son, Matthias Corvinus, the King of Hungary between 1458 and 1490.

Corvin Castle is split into 3 large areas: the Knight's Hall, which was used for feasts, the Diet Hall, which was used for ceremonies, and the circular stairway. All of the halls have a rectangular shape, and their walls are beautifully decorated with marble.  

Your day will end in Sibiu, former European Union’s Cultural Capital in 2007 and one of the best-preserved Transylvanian cities. Your city tour includes the Main Squares, together with the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Bridge of Lies.

Your guide will take you to your hotel and the rest of your day is at leisure.

Yesterday’s visit to Alba Carolina and Corvin castle was a perfect introduction in the defense mechanisms of the Transylvanian fortifications. Your guide will pick you from your hotel in Sibiu, and drive you to Biertan Fortified Church.

The village in which the church was built, was for the first time mentioned in an official document in 1283. The fortification is perched on a hill in the middle of the village, making it visible from miles away. The fortification is one of the biggest and most impressive in Transylvania, built with double exterior walls, heavy doors and a locking mechanism with 15 bolts that can be simultaneously activated by one key.

The highlight of the day is Sighișoara, the only inhabited medieval fortress included in UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and home to real-life notorious ruler Vlad Tepes, known as Dracula from Bram Stocker’s novel.

The establishment was first dated in the First Century AD, when the Dacians (ancient inhabitants of the territory of modern Romania), built the fortification. Later on, in 14th Century a new citadel was built, and it still stands, more than 600 years later. 

Walking up the winding cobblestone streets lined with historic buildings, you reach the Clock Tower, a symbol of the city, from where you can admire the breathtaking views. The Tower shelters a museum of medieval weapons and a torture chamber. After visiting the tower you will climb the three hundred wooden steps up to the Church-on-the-Hill, built in the XIV century.

After the fortress tour, your guide will drive you back to Cluj-Napoca. Your drop-off point in Cluj-Napoca depends on your travel plans and might be at the airport, a hotel for an additional overnight (not included) or train station.