| Duration: | 6 Hour(s) - 0 Minute(s) |
| Tour Category: | Half Day Tour |
Departure hour & location: 11 AM (only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday), Cultural Heritage Info Point, Sighisoara (Piata Muzeului 6, Venetian House).
Itinerary: Sighisoara – Biertan – Malancrav – Sighisoara
Highlights:
Visit the former bishopric of Biertan with its fortified church
Discover the village with one of the largest Saxon populations in the region
Travel to Malancrav, a place surrounded by beautiful landscapes
Tucked deep in the rolling hills of Transylvania, Mălâncrav and Biertan are two villages that feel like they exist outside of time. Picture cobblestone lanes, traditional Saxon houses, fortified churches, and landscapes that look like they were painted by nature. These two destinations are perfect for travelers searching for authentic Romanian culture mixed with untouched countryside beauty.
Mălâncrav, a quiet village in Sibiu County, is often described as a living postcard. It’s one of the few places in Transylvania where you can still find a significant Saxon heritage preserved almost exactly as it was centuries ago. The village is home to the beautifully restored Apafi Manor, a graceful estate surrounded by orchards and meadows. Walking through its rooms feels like entering a noble family’s past — elegant, calm, and rich in history.
Just a short walk away stands the Evangelical Church of Mălâncrav, famous for its rare Gothic frescoes. These murals, dating back to the 14th century, are some of the most impressive medieval paintings in Transylvania. The church, with its quiet courtyard and tall stone walls, adds a layer of spiritual charm to the village. It’s the kind of place where the air feels still, and history feels close enough to touch.
What makes Mălâncrav even more special is its rural authenticity. Locals still practice traditional crafts, work the land, and maintain Saxon-style homes with colorful facades and well-kept gardens. The village is surrounded by nature trails, making it perfect for slow walks, biking, or simply taking in the gentle rhythm of rural life.
Just 30 minutes away lies Biertan, one of the most beloved villages in Transylvania and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Biertan’s claim to fame is its magnificent Fortified Church, perched on a hilltop and wrapped in three defensive walls. It’s one of the largest and most powerful fortified churches in the region, and its medieval character is astonishingly well preserved.
Inside, you’ll find a beautifully carved sacristy door with a 19-lock mechanism — a true engineering marvel of the 1500s. Biertan’s churchyard, with its wooden stairways and old watchtowers, feels like a movie set from a medieval tale. The village below is equally charming, with pastel houses, small cafes, and friendly locals who enjoy sharing stories from their Saxon past.
Together, Mălâncrav and Biertan offer the perfect escape for travelers seeking culture, nature, and old-world charm. These villages don’t just show you history — they make you feel part of it. Whether you’re wandering through vineyards, exploring fortified walls, or simply enjoying the silence of the countryside, this corner of Transylvania stays with you long after you leave.
Program:
This half-day trip in the surroundings of Sighisoara will lead you to the former bishopric of Biertan with its fortified churches. You will also visit Malancrav, which shelters one of the most important fortified
churches in Transylvania.
Biertan is one of the most important Saxon villages with fortified churches in Transylvania, having been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1993.
Visit the Biertan fortified church, which was the see of the Lutheran Evangelical Bishop in Transylvania between 1572 and 1867, and has one of the largest Saxon populations in the region.
Next, you will travel to Malancrav, a small village dating from the early years of the 14th century and an absolute must for travelers curious to discover a place, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, where time almost stands still. You will also visit a fortified church here. You will return to Sighisoara in the afternoon.
Please Note:
Departures are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 11:00 o'clock
The price is available for a minimum of 2 persons
You will visit these places:
Fortified Church Biertan • Fortified Church Malancrav
Included Services:
Transport with "Sighisoara - Bus" from/to Sighisoara
Entrance fees to the Fortified Church in Malancrav and in Biertan
Map of Romania
