Sighisoara

Sighisoara is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, a UNESCO gem and one of the very few still-inhabited fortified citadels on the continent. Built by Saxon settlers, its hilltop old town is a fairytale of steep cobbled lanes, pastel-painted burgher houses, defensive towers and the iconic Clock Tower, all enclosed by old walls. It is also famous as the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure behind the Dracula legend.

What you actually see

• The Clock Tower - the iconic tower with its figures and museum.
• The citadel lanes - the steep cobbled streets and pastel houses.
• The covered stairway - the wooden Scholars' Stairs to the hilltop church.
• Vlad's birthplace - the house where Vlad the Impaler was born.

When to go

May to September for the best weather; go early or stay overnight to enjoy the citadel once the day-trippers leave, as it is small and popular. A medieval festival in summer brings the town to life, though it draws crowds.

Honest expectations

It is small, so the citadel is seen in a few hours, and it can be busy with day-trippers and tour groups; staying overnight or arriving early gives it a magical, quiet atmosphere. The Vlad connection is played up for tourists. Its genuine, lived-in medieval beauty, though, is unmatched, and it is a highlight of any Transylvania trip.

Nearby

Brasov, the fortified Saxon churches and the Transylvania region are within reach.