Transylvania’s jewel, Brasov, is a town in Romania that you’ll fall in love with during your trip. Its history, charm, and the fact that’s surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains make the city one of the most visited places in the country.
In this post, I’ll point you to the 5 best things to do in Brasov, Romania. But that’s not it. I also added a section with the best hotels in the city and some practical information on how to get to Brasov from Bucharest, the capital.
I am Romanian and I’ve been visiting the city since I was little and to be honest, I never get bored of it!
The fresh mountain air and the incredible architecture transport me to another world. I’m curious to know how you’ll feel about Brasov (let me know in the comments)! Until now, I’ve only heard great things about Brasov.
Let’s go!
1. VISIT THE BLACK CHURCH
Ready to fall in love with one of my favorite cities in Transylvania, Romania?
Brasov is like a history book filled with pages from the past, and there’s no better place to start your trip than with a visit to the famous Black Church, the largest Gothic Church in Eastern Europe.
The Black Church got this name after a huge fire in 1689 threatened to destroy the whole town (many buildings were partly ruined from this). Losing the roof and most of its interiors in the fire, the walls of this gothic building were mostly black after the incident and that’s why people named it like this!
Its gothic style is incredible, but I highly recommend going inside and spending some time admiring the mechanical organ and the collection of Oriental carpets!
The Black Church is set in the beautiful Old Town, where you’ll also find Piata Sfatului (Council Square), the main square in the city.
PRICE: US$3
2. ENJOY COUNCIL SQUARE IN THE OLD TOWN
Of course the architecture is breathtaking, colorful medieval houses that you don’t get the chance to see every day, plus the unique Council House (the Town Hall) built in 1420, which is set right in the middle of Council Square.
Council Square is now filled with cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops, but back in the 1300s, this is where you’d find all the markets.
NOTE: If you’re traveling during Christmas time you will still get to experience a little of the past here as the square hosts the annual Christmas Market. It’s so wonderful, you shouldn’t miss the chance to drink a nice cup of mulled wine!
My favorite thing to do in the Council Square (after raiding all the shops) is to sit on one of the terraces and do some people watching! It never gets old! I recommend Casa Hirscher restaurant because the drinks and the Romanian food are delicious!
3. ADMIRE THE CITY VIEWS FROM TAMPA MOUNTAIN
One of the main things tourists notice when they arrive in Brasov, Romania, is the big Brasov sign, high on the mountain in Hollywood-style The landmark is set on Mount Tampa, which you can visit!
Yep! You can either hike to the top or take the cable car, whatever works best for you. Here are some directions for either option:
Hiking up Mount Tampa
If you want to hike, you can start from the Old Town and Council Square. You’ll have to walk for approximately 10 minutes in the direction of the big Brasov sign and reach Tampa Mountain Cable Car station, the hiking trail starts nearby this spot.
It will take around 1 hour to get to the top, but the views and the whole walk through the forest are so worth it! Plus, it’s free, so you’ll be sparing a few bucks too!
NOTE: Stick to the laid-out path and don’t venture off, as Brasov is famous for its MANY bear encounters. (Although if you want to see bears, you can take a tour for that!)
Once you get near the Brasov sign, you can stop for a small break and admire the scenery. But don’t think that’s it! If you continue on the rocky path behind the sign, you’ll get to an even more amazing look-out spot. From there you’ll be able to see the whole town, it’s so worth it!
Mount Tampa cable car
For anyone who doesn’t feel like hiking or maybe the weather isn’t appropriate for that, there’s another way… Taking the cable car up to Tampa Mountain!
From the Old Town and Council Square, walk 10 minutes to Aleea Tiberiu Brediceanu. Right nearby, you’ll find the Tampa Hill Cable Car station.
It takes around 5 minutes to reach the top of Tampa Hill, and the views are amazing.
NOTE: If you’re traveling during wintertime, the cable car might not work if there are heavy snowstorms
PRICE: US$4
4. BRAN CASTLE
One of the most famous castles in Romania, also known as Dracula’s Castle, this place which is set in Bran commune is filled with tourists all year round!
If you’re one who loves spooky experiences then I recommend visiting the castle on a night tour!
Bran Castle was used as a Royal residence however, its fame is mainly due to the fact that people think Count Dracula, a fictional character from Bram Stoker’s Gothic horror novel (often confused with Vlad the Impaler, a Walachian Prince), has a connection with this place. In reality that’s not the case, the author was indeed inspired by the place, but that was merely it!
Even though its fame may be a bit misleading, Bran Castle is still one of the most popular tourist attractions in Translyvania, so make sure to buy your ticket in advance to skip the long lines!
GETTING THERE:
- By bus – The cheapest way to visit Bran Castle is by taking the bus. Take an Uber for 15 mins to Autogara 2 Transbus Codreanu, the take bus in direction to Bran commune. The journey takes around 50 min, and a ticket costs US$2
NOTE: Make sure you have some cash with you as you might need it to pay for the bus tickets.
- By car – The easiest way to get to Bran Castle during your day trip is by renting a car. It will take you around 40 minutes to get there, and the rental prices start from around US$40 per day.
- On a tour – If you prefer not to drive or take the bus, you can visit the beautiful Bran Castle during a day trip tour from Brasov for around $65 per person including your entrance ticket.
PRICE: Adults – US$10, Kids (from 7 years old) – US$2
5. TAKE A PICTURE ON ONE OF THE NARROWEST STREETS IN EUROPE
One of my favorite things to do in Brasov, Romania is strolling down Strada Sforii (Rope Street), which is thought to be the 3rd narrowest street in the world!
Rope Street has a minimum width of 111 cm (44 inches), and it measures 80 meters (260 feet) long. When you walk on it, you’ll be able to touch both sides of the walls!