Where is Transylvania?
Transylvania is the most important historical region located central Romania, Eastern Europe, known for its picturesque landscapes, its medieval towns and castles, including Bran Castle, associated with the Dracula legend.
Transylvania extends over 100,284 square kilometers, an area comparable to that of Switzerland or the U.S. state of New York.
I want to make it clear from the beginning that this post applies more to travelers from outside Europe who intend to visit Europe and especially Transylvania during 2024.
I have been working in the past 15 years mostly with non EU tourists such as, Americans, Australians, Asians, etc and I have a good idea of how difficult it is for travelers to understand Europe and to plan a trip accordingly.
How safe is Europe?
According to 2023 Global Peace Index of The Institute for Economics and Peace, Europe remains the safest region in the world, home to 7 out of 10 most peaceful countries in the world.
There’s a common misconception that Europe is divided simply into “West” and “East,” with the former being more developed and “civilized” than the latter. This oversimplified categorization fails to capture the captivating diversity and the exceptional charm that make Eastern Europe a fascinating destination.
Eastern Europe, encompassing countries like Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, and the Balkan states, boasts a fascinating history shaped by the Byzantine, Ottoman, and Slavic influence. This heritage has left its mark on the region’s culture, architecture, and traditions, creating a tapestry of experiences that are distinctly different from those found in Western Europe.
How safe is Romania?
Contrary to common perceptions, especially for a former Communist country, Romania’s crime levels are relatively low, placing it 16th among 42 European countries on Numbeo’s Crime Index 2023, even outperforming France, Italy, Germany, and Luxembourg.
According to World Population Review Index 2024, crime rate in Romania, not one of the top 7 in Europe is 28.3 compared with 47.8 (per 100k inhabitants) in United States of America. One could conclude that, for Americans, apparently it is far safer to travel through Romania than to live in US.
How safe is Transylvania?
Transylvania stands today as the most important region in Romania, both culturally and economically, with significant natural resources, agriculture, and tourism.
It is by far the safest part of Romania according to all surveys and one of Europe’s most secure destinations. Three out of five Romanian cities ranked in top 100 in the world are located in Transylvania. They are: Cluj Napoca, Timisoara and Brasov. They are also among the top 10 safest cities in Europe.
In strong contrast to other countries, gun violence is virtually unheard of in Romania due to Romania having some of the strictest gun laws in the world.These laws, have effectively restricted the accessibility of firearms, making it extremely difficult for individuals to acquire them even with proper authorization.
If you liked this article, consider taking a trip to Transylvania and feel you might use some assistance do not hesitate to drop me a line here.