Things to do in Brasov

Brasov is referred to as the heart of Romania and this colourful city can be found in Transylvania deep within the Carpathian Mountains! Many tourists visiting Romania choose to visit Brasov due to the proximity to Bran Castle, the home of Count Dracula, but there are many amazing things to do in Brasov that will keep you occupied here! From taking a cable car to Mount Tampa, hiking the Carpathians, visiting the narrowest street in Eastern Europe, the Black Church, and seeing the famous ‘Brasov Hollywood Sign’. This is the place to go for anyone who enjoys taking amazing photographs, more than fit for the best Instagram feed.

Here is a complete list of the very best things to do in Brasov, Romania!

1. Start in the Piata Sfatului, Council Square.
This is the heart of Brasov’s medieval historic centre.

The arc-shaped square and its ornate rainbow of building facades will have you wondering where to look first. The clock tower from the 13th-century Town Hall chimes, momentarily drowning out the murmur of chatter and clinking glasses from the nearby cafes. The air feels pleasantly warm. The Piata Sfatului is the perfect place to grab a bench seat and people-watch. Check out the main building, Casa Sfatului, a beautiful town-hall building that dates back to 1420. The building is an interesting one to look at, as you can make out the different architectural styles, indicating the lengthy construction process.
Walk the historic Strada Republicii, which used to be a bustling merchant square. Today, it is still as lively as before as a pedestrian walkway with shops and restaurants.

2. Take a walking tour of Old Town

Explore on foot the magic and charm of Old Town, as you’re led by a local tour guide throughout Brasov’s most famous landmarks. For 2-hours, you’ll be walking past sights like the Piata Sfatului and the Church of St. Nicholas. You’ll also walk through some of the most famous avenues in Old Town, from Rope Street to Strada Republicii. Choose between a day walking tour of Old Town, or a night tour where you’ll see the city’s gothic and medieval side light up in a unique way. On the night tours, you’ll also listen to some of the darker stories and legends of the city, so if you’re into spooky tourism, the night tour is for you! While you’re on the tour, be sure to ask for local recommendations!

3. Tour the Biserica Neagra, Black Church

The Black Church sits just off the main square in Brasov. It’s the largest Gothic church in Eastern Europe. As you can see, the Black Church is not black in color. It earned the name after a fire in 1689 burned the church and the walls darkened from smoke. The church’s interior is not as striking as other Cathedrals in Europe, but the gothic architecture combined with the collection of Anatolian Carpets adorning the walls reflects the geography and history of medieval Brasov positioned at a cultural crossroads. These influences from the Ottoman Empire, the Kingdom of Hungary, and the Saxons distinctly blend east and west.

4. Visit Bran Castle AKA Dracula’s Castle

Located just 25 kilometres from Brasov in Transylvania, Bran Castle is a sight famously known as Dracula’s Castle. However, the history and things to do at Bran Castle go way past that. Take a day trip from Brasov in a comfortable climate-controlled bus to explore the impressive scenery of Transylvania, and hop on the Time Tunnel, the 31.5-meter tunnel that Queen Marie of Romania designed in 1377.Enjoy a tour of the castle itself, and view some of the furniture original to the castle! When you get to the top, you’ll see many interactive and digital exhibitions detailing the history of the palace. After you’ve done it all, refuel with a meal at Bran Castle restaurant, serving traditional Romanian dishes. Just make sure to make a reservation beforehand.

5. Visit both the Black and White Towers

On the opposite side of Brasov’s mountaintop sign, you’ll find a walkway behind the city’s old wall fortifications. Here you’ll discover both the White Tower and the Black Tower. In terms of architecture, the White Tower, built in 1494, retains more of its historic charm. The Black Tower (also not black. But called that after a bolt of lightning struck it.) was recently renovated to include a glass roof. Both towers have wooden staircases to climb for city views.

6. Search for one of the narrowest streets in Europe

Strada Sforii or String Street is 53 inches at its widest point and just 44 inches at its most narrow point. Once you find Strada Sforii, you might wonder how it passes as a street when it looks more like a passageway! Historically, firemen used it to quickly get between Brasov’s tightly packed houses.

7. Visit Rasnov Fortress

Getting to Rasnov Fortress
If you’re planning a road trip or simply prefer driving, the journey from Brasov to Rasnov is relatively short and scenic. There are also reliable bus routes between the two cities, making it a perfect day trip from Brasov.

Distance: Approximately 17 kilometers.

Driving Time: Roughly 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. The route is straightforward, primarily following the DN73A highway.

By Bus: Buses run frequently between Brașov and Râșnov. It’s an economical option and can be faster than the train during peak times. The journey usually takes about 25 minutes. The bus schedule operates daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM with departures every 15 minutes.

By Train: From Brașov, board the train on the Brașov-Râșnov-Zărnești route. This quick 20-minute ride gets you to Râșnov. Upon reaching Râșnov station, a quick 10-minute walk takes you to the fortress’s foothills.

Located just a short distance from Brasov’s historic center, you’ll find the 14th-century Rasnov Fortress. The Saxons built upon an already existing structure 650 feet up above the town of Rasnov. The fortress was perfectly positioned to protect against invasions from nomadic European and Asian tribes. Doesn’t Rasnov’s stunning fortress look like some of Ireland or the U.K.’s best medieval sites? The key difference? Hardly anyone knows about Rasnov compared to the others! The Rasnov Fortress is a defence building that dates back to 1225 and was built to offer safe refuge to locals in times of war. Situated on an isolated scenic hilltop, surrounded by rolling green hills and dense forests, the fortress is not only beautiful to look at but also has impressive form on the inside as well.

Climb to the top of the fortress, and get incredible views of Brasov!

Rasnov Citadel has notably resisted several sieges. In 1335, it stood undefeated against a Tatar incursion, and by 1421, it faced its first Ottoman army siege. However, its only conquest occurred in 1612 due to the vulnerability of its water source. Recognizing this, the inhabitants dug a deep well between 1623 and 1642 to ensure water availability within the fortress walls. Despite their efforts, natural calamities like fires and earthquakes in the 18th and 19th centuries brought damage to the fortress. The last siege of Râşnov Fortress took place in 1690 during the final Ottoman invasion of Transylvania. Damaged by fire in 1718, it was rebuilt the following year. The next major damage occurred as the result of an earthquake in 1802. The fortress was last used as a place of refuge during the revolution of 1848 and was abandoned after that. Recently, the old fortress has been restored to its former glory and today, you can visit the impressive remains. There is also a museum here, hidden behind the ancient walls, where you can find a skeleton buried beneath a glass floor, as well as some other interesting artefacts. The inner rooms are maze-like, with several wooden ladders linking them and a few so-called secret passages which should keep you busy for quite awhile.

8. Go skiing at Poiana Brasov

Hit the slopes at Poiana Brasov, with over 13.7 kilometres of slopes and 5 kilometres of ski routes to choose from! At an elevation of 941 and 1,783 meters, Poiana Brasov is a local favourite winter escape. At the slopes, you’ll also find scenes of beautiful lakes, meadows, and snow-capped mountains everywhere you look, and for fun, there are lots of restaurants, cafes, and bars, perfect to tuck into and heat up. Whether you go for the day, or you take a weekend-long getaway, there are many cottages, guesthouses, and villas ready for your arrival. You can book a skiing lesson, or hit the slopes right away with a tour that will take you from your hotel, all the way up to the slopes of Brasov 

9. Visit Peles Castle

Peles Castle is located a little over an hour from Brasov, and it is considered to be the first European castle to have electricity, with its own power plant in 1884. The castle was the residence of former King Carol I of Romania and his family, in which his son King Carol II was born. Inside, check out the restored castle, designed in the way in which the King used to live, with some original furniture. Some exhibits showcase old weapons and paintings as well.

From the very beginning, Peles Castle was one of the most modern in Europe. It was the first castle on the continent fully supplied by electrical power – it had its own electrical unit – and one of the few with a central heating system, an elevator, and the best comfort of the time. With a total number of 160 rooms, including a theatre hall and a concert hall, seven terraces decorated with statues of the King and the Queen, and numerous other decorative objects done from Carrara marble, the castle was an impressive residence fit for its political and cultural functions.

Few words about King Carol I of Romania (1839–1914)

Before we can delve into Peleș Castle in all its magnificent glory, we need to take a minute to review the man behind its construction: King Carol I of Romania. Born Prince Karl Eitel Friedrich Zephyrinus Ludwig of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (whew, that’s a mouthful), Carol first became the Domnitor, or Ruling Prince, of Romania in 1866, partly thanks to the recommendation of Napoleon III of France (the nephew of that Napoleon) when the previous Domnitor, Alexandru Ioan Cuza, was expelled from the country by its leading noblemen. Carol adopted the Romanian spelling of his name (hence the shift from Karl) and took up residence in the country. It’s important to note that, at this time, most of Romania’s various regions were loosely, but unofficially, unified. Many of them remained largely under the control and/or significant influence of other European powers and the Ottoman Empire, which plays a big role in what Carol did next.  In 1877, Carol declared Romania a sovereign nation. He then (with some assistance from Russia) defeated the Ottoman Empire the following year in the Russo-Turkish War, which secured Romanian independence. In 1881, with a change to the Romanian constitution officially making it a united kingdom, Carol became the first king of the country. Before all this drama, Carol had visited the would-be site of Peleș Castle, and, so impressed by the beautiful scenery, he purchased the land in 1872, with construction beginning the next year. After several rejected proposals (they were lacking originality), Carol selected an architect by the name of Johannes Schultz, who combined various European styles with an emphasis on Italian and German features. Additional work was done by Carol Benesch and, later, Karel Liman, producing the final structure you now see. The estimated cost for the construction of Peleș Castle would be about $120 million in the United States today.

Getting to Peles Castle

Peles Castle is most easily reached by car from Brasov along the 1 motorway heading south, which takes about an hour. Sinaia train station also has regular links to Bucharest and Brasov.

10. Cable car to Postavarul Massif Mountain Range

The Postăvarul massif is a massif in Romania. It is part of the Romanian Carpathians. This is part of the Carpathian Mountains range. The altitude of the highest peak, which is also named Postăvarul, is 1799 metres high. A massif is a compact group of mountains. This one had some spectacular views and a few options for peaks. Postavarul Massif is near to Poiana Brasov at the southern end of the grand arc of the Eastern Carpathians. The Carpathian Mountains are a range of mountains that form an arc shape in parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It is the third-longest European mountain range; it stretches from the far eastern Czech Republic through to Romania.

My Visit to Postavarul Massif in Romania
The cable car cost me 50 lei for a return trip, about £10 in British Pounds. There was quite the wait for the ascent, mainly people with skis. After a 20 minute wait, my cable car had arrived. It was pretty packed, but got a window seat to enjoy the view. The ride was fantastic in terms of views of the nearby mountains and ski action below. I would have loved to have the cable car to myself, but no chance of that. I walked over and scrambled up the edge of the slope. That was, until I reached a sharp corner with a safety barrier at the top of a cliff. The views suddenly become very special here. So out with the phone to take a few snaps and appreciate the cold, fresh air. Next phase was walking just off the edge of a narrow ski track. This took me towards another cable car station. Maybe the one I could have opted for an easier time at the top.

Nearing the top, the cable car dipped down to land at the station, where we all departed. Everyone quickly and got off to put on their ski equipment. People looked to be having fun and made me think about a future trip to learn to ski.

11. Visit Dino Parc

Dino Parc Râșnov is the biggest dinosaur theme park in Eastern Europe, an unique and special project in Romania. Constantly we are considering to improve, and this year we developed a new area in our park with dinosaurs and prehistoric animal that lived on our territory, in Hațeg more specifically. It has a lot of particularities, but the most important are the 100 dinosaurs. Each one of them has a scientific certificate, according to the latest palaeontologists’ findings. The dinosaurs are reproduced in natural size, on a 1 to 1 scale. They are made of fibreglass and a special resin, having a guarantee for 50 years. Another very important attraction in our park is Seismosaurus, the biggest dinosaur that ever lived on planet Earth and it has 45 meters long. More than that, there is a chronological route to visit them, with sounds, lights and interactive panels with very interesting information regarding dinosaur’s life and behaviour.

In the park is an interactive volcano that simulates an eruption and a moving platform that simulates three types of earthquakes: one caused by the movement of tectonic plates, one caused by a herd of running Seismosaurus and an earthquake caused by a volcanic eruption. You will also discover animatronic dinosaurs that make terrifying sounds, an interactive window with augmented reality and many other interactive areas, both for children and adults.

In conclusion, Brasov is a treasure trove of history, culture, and natural beauty, waiting to be discovered by intrepid travellers. With its stunning architecture, fascinating museums, and breath-taking landscapes, this enchanting city offers a wealth of experiences for visitors to enjoy. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a memorable getaway, there’s no doubt that you’ll find plenty to see and do during your visit to Brasov. So, make sure to take the time to explore all that this captivating destination has to offer, and create lasting memories that you’ll cherish for years to come. From the medieval charm of its historic centre to the vibrant festivals that showcase its unique traditions, Brasov invites you to discover its many wonders and immerse yourself in the city’s rich cultural tapestry. Enjoy Brasov to the fullest, and let the city’s enchanting spirit capture your heart.