Transylvania is not a country, but a region in Romania. Transylvania is located in the central part of Romania and it is one of the main historical regions of the country (which, depending on whom you ask, are either 3, 4 or 9).
One of Romania’s top attractions, Dracula’s Castle (aka Bran Castle) is also located in Transylvania, near Brasov. But there’s a LOT more to Transylvania than just vampires and Dracula’s Castle.
Other well-known attractions in this region include Corvin Castle, Alba Iulia, the Retezat National Park, Turda Salt Mine, the Merry Cemetery at Sapanta, the medieval towns Sighisoara, and Medias and much, much more.
It’s also the place where beautiful nature abounds, with traditional villages still alive, offering a perfect blend of modern amenities and unspoiled nature.
You can read more about living in a village in Transylvania here – and know that UK’s King Charles III also has a soft spot for a village in Transylvania, Viscri.
So, if there were any doubts, you know that the famous region in Romania, Transylvania, does have a lot to offer.
Where Is Transylvania – marked on the map
As mentioned above, Transylvania is a pretty large region of Romania. To make things easier, I have marked this region on the map below:
To make it even easier to understand, know that Transylvania, as a region, is the area surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains.
As you can imagine, driving there is a scenic experience. It takes about two and a half hours to drive from the capital city of Bucharest to the southern edge of Transylvania.
You will cross the Southern Carpathians and suddenly find yourself in a place where beautiful nature abounds – places like Sinaia or the better-known Brasov.
Traditional villages are still present here, many of them adapting to the growing popularity of the region and offering modern amenities for good prices, but still keeping the natural and traditional values intact.
I actually have a detailed article about living in a Transylvanian village over the summer, as well as extra details about hiking and biking in Transylvania.
Getting There: Airports and Schengen Travel
Traveling to this part of Eastern Europe has never been easier. As of early 2026, Romania is fully in the Schengen Area, meaning you do not have to worry about passport control if you are flying or driving in from another Schengen country.
You do not even have to start your journey in Bucharest, either. You can fly directly into the region, which is well served by international airports in Cluj-Napoca, Brasov and Sibiu. Brasov is particularly convenient if you want to head straight for the castles.
And if you are into these relatively technical things, make sure to also read about Romania’s neighbors.
A very brief history of Transylvania
Now, let’s talk a bit about Transylvania as a historic region of Romania, because here is a lot more to it than the legend of Dracula (which is, in reality, pretty new).
It has a really important, military strategic location – and as a result, it had a very tumultuous history.
For a long time, especially in the more recent history, it has been part of Hungary, but it also saw influences from other civilizations, such as the Celts, Romans and Ottomans.
It officially became part of modern Romania in 1918, after the end of World War I.
What matters now is that Transylvania is an important region in Romania, with plenty of natural beauty and well-preserved artifacts from the past.
Final words
There is plenty to write about Transylvania, but you are here to learn where it is in Romania – and you’ve already seen that, but also learned a few more fun facts about this region.
Of course, there is a lot more about it – an amazing culture, delicious food and unspoiled natural beauty. But that’s something you can explore when you actually set foot in the region. Enjoy!
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I am a journalist and local expert who has been documenting life in Romania since 2013. Based in Constanta (after living in Bucharest and Drobeta Turnu Severin), I provide up-to-date, on-the-ground advice for expats and travelers. My articles are based on real life experiences and plenty of research – from paying Romanian bills to exploring the wild “Rawmania” countryside.