Brașov, Romania: travel guide
Medieval Saxon-founded city at the foot of the Carpathians — Transylvania's premier tourist base and gateway to Bran and Peleș castles.
- Country
- Romania
- Currency
- RON
- Time zone
- Europe/Bucharest
- Nearest airport
- GHV
Top places to visit in Brașov
Bran Castle
Fort · 4.3 rating · about 2 h
The dramatic hilltop castle marketed as "Dracula's Castle", about 28 km from Brașov near Bran village.
Peleș Castle
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry RON 100
A lavish neo-Renaissance royal palace in Sinaia (about 48 km away), the former summer residence of Romania's kings.
Black Church (Biserica Neagră)
Church · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h
The largest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul, blackened by a 1689 fire, with a famous Buchholz organ.
Strada Sforii (Rope Street)
Heritage · 4.2 rating · about 0.3 h
One of the narrowest streets in Europe, just over a metre wide, connecting two lanes of the old town.
First Romanian School
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h
Museum in the Șchei quarter preserving the first school to teach in Romanian, with old presses and manuscripts.
Council Square (Piața Sfatului)
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h
The picturesque medieval main square of Brașov, ringed by pastel Saxon houses and the old Council House.
White Tower (Turnul Alb)
Fort · 4.6 rating · about 0.4 h
A semicircular 15th-century watchtower above the old town, reached by a short climb, with fine city views.
St. Nicholas Church (Sf. Nicolae)
Church · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h
Historic Orthodox church in the Șchei quarter, dating from the 15th century, with an old cemetery.
Mount Tâmpa
Viewpoint · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h
The forested peak overlooking Brașov, topped by the Hollywood-style BRAȘOV sign, reached by cable car or hiking.
Black Tower (Turnul Negru)
Fort · 4.5 rating · about 0.4 h
A restored medieval defensive tower on the hillside above the old town with panoramic views.
Catherine's Gate (Poarta Ecaterinei)
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.3 h
The only surviving original city gate (1559), a fairy-tale tower marking the entry to the Șchei quarter.
Râșnov Fortress
Fort · about 1.5 h
A 13th-century peasant citadel on a hill above Râșnov (about 15 km away) with sweeping Carpathian views.
Things to do
- Bran, Râșnov & Peleș Castle Day Tour Cultural · 9 h · from RON 350 per person
- Transfăgărășan Scenic Day Tour Nature · 10 h · from RON 400 per person
- Brașov Old Town Walking Tour Cultural · 2 h · from RON 50 per person
- Mount Tâmpa Cable Car & Summit Hike Activity · 1.5 h · from RON 45 per person
- Poiana Brașov Skiing & Lessons Activity · 6 h · from RON 200 per person
- Carpathian Bear-Watching Experience Wildlife · 3.5 h · from RON 300 per person
Day trips and tours
- Three Castles of Transylvania 9 h · from RON 350
Where to stay in Brașov
- Old Town / Centrul Istoric about RON 400 per night
The walkable medieval core around Council Square, with most mid and luxury hotels.
- Poiana Brașov about RON 500 per night
A purpose-built mountain resort ~12 km away, the base for winter sports.
Hotels
- Bella Muzica Hotel 4-star · RON 350 to RON 550 per night
- Aro Palace 5-star · RON 550 to RON 1,000 per night
- Centrum House Hostel RON 70 to RON 220 per night
- Kismet Dao Hostel RON 60 to RON 200 per night
- Kronwell Brasov 4-star · RON 400 to RON 650 per night
Where to eat
- Sergiana Romanian · about RON 85 per person
- Bella Muzica Romanian, Hungarian, Mexican · about RON 100 per person
- La Ceaun Romanian · about RON 60 per person
- Keller Steak House Steak, International · about RON 180 per person
- Casa Românească Romanian · about RON 85 per person
- Prato Italian · about RON 100 per person
- Dei Frati Italian · about RON 90 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Train-station taxi overcharging
Gara Brașov
No-meter or rigged-meter taxis at the station quote inflated fares.
How to avoid it: Use marked metered taxis (rate posted on the door) or order via Bolt.
Bran Castle "Dracula" touts and extras
Bran village
Touts push "official Dracula experience" add-ons, guides and paid parking.
How to avoid it: Buy tickets only at the official office or bran-castle.com.