EmWelcome to Brașov, Romania – a charming city nestled in the heart of Transylvania that promises oodles of old-world charm. From exploring medieval castles to visiting bears, there is no shortage of adventure waiting for you in this vibrant destination. So pack your bags and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey filled with culture, cuisine, and countless memories waiting to be made in this enchanting Romanian city.
Is Brașov, Romania worth visiting?
In my opinion, absolutely yes! Brașov, Romania is hands down one of Europe’s hidden gems. This is true of Romania as a whole, which sees relatively few tourists beyond the inevitable stag nights, but Brașov and the surrounding areas are an unknown paradise of fairy-tale architecture, spectacular views, and cultural treats. I visited in late 2022 and would love to go back.
Where is Brașov
Brasov is a city in the Transylvania area of Romania. It’s around 3 hours drive north of the capital Bucharest, and just over 2 hours east of Sibiu, another famous tourist town in Romania.
Romania is in eastern Europe, and shares borders with countries including Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, Moldova and Ukraine. It has been a member of the EU since 2007 but uses the Romanian Leu rather than the Euro.
Is Brașov, Romania safe?
I found the city to be extremely safe. I traveled alone and experienced no problems. Whiile the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) does warn against theft, this is more targeted to Bucharest than Brasov.
There are the usual potential scams to watch out for, especially around taxis which the FCDO does also warn about. Always try to find out in advance what your fare should cost, or have your hotel organize your initial transfer if necessary.
But in general, Brașov was a busy, bustling little town with lots of people out and about until late, making it feel very safe as a solo female traveler. This is backed up by crime stats, which show very low incidences of crime, especially when compared to somewhere like London.I also took the train from Bucharest, which again felt extremely safe, if a bit chaotic (if you’re British like me, you should be able to relate here).
How many days should you spend in Brașov
The absolute minimum amount of time to spend in Brașov is two full days.
This would give you a day to explore Brașov Old Town, and a day to travel out of the city to sights like Bran Castle and Peles Castle. However, I would recommend adding another day to enable you to enjoy the Old Town at a more peaceful pace.
What to visit in Brașov
In the city itself, you will mostly find yourself wandering the picturesque streets, taking in the old-world, fairy-tale charm. The city was founded in 1211 by the Teutonic Knights, to defend the border of the Kingdom of Hungary. While they didn’t last long, leaving in 1225, the German colonists who came with them stayed in the city, giving Brasov its German feel. They formed a big part of the city’s history, as it became a major trade hub.
To get the most out of Brasov, start in Piata Sfatului, the main square at the heart of Brașov Old Town. It’s a triangular expanse focused on the 13th-century clock tower in the center. There are cafes and restaurants clustered around the sides, some of which catch the afternoon sun, so it’s a beautiful spot to have a leisurely drink and people-watch.
Next, head over to the Biserica Neagră, or Black Church. Just off the main square, this is a pleasant church to walk around, and it has a lovely shop just opposite selling local items.
My favorite activity was visiting the Black and White towers, perched on the hills above the city, giving you a picturesque view of Brașov Old Town.
What to visit around Brașov, Romania
One of the highlights of visiting Brașov is, oddly enough, getting out of Brașov. The city is part of the historical region of Transylvania, a region famous for being part of the Carpathian Mountains (among other things). Transylvania has a rich cultural heritage, with Romanians, Saxons, Hungarians and Roma co-existing peacefully.
There are myriad activities to help you explore this beautiful part of Romania.There are multiple hiking options, while my absolute favorite activity was bear watching. You can either go right out in nature in a bear hide, or at Libearty Bear Sanctuary.
Most famously, you can also head to two of Romania’s most famous – and different – castles. Head to mediaeval Bran, the inspiration for Dracula’s castle, or to the gloriously Gothic and Neo-Renaissance Peles.
Where to stay
Brașov, Romania is not particularly pricey. The best place to stay (in my opinion) is right in the center of Brașov Old Town. This will keep you close to all the action. You’ll want to try and find somewhere set slightly back from the main streets, as the buildings are old and the soundproofing isn’t going to be the best. While the town isn’t nearly as stag-night focused as Bucharest, if you’re staying on the main streets, you will hear noise at night.
Avoid staying in the New Town – while it’s nearer to the train station, it doesn’t offer any of the charm of Brașov Old Town.
Best time to visit Brașov
Like much of central Europe, Brașov, Romania is best visited in Spring or Autumn. This avoids the hot summers, which average out at 25°C or 26°C, with highs of 30°C. While this certainly isn’t the hottest part of Europe, some people find this too hot for comfortable touristing.
Spring and autumn are more comfortable, with May coming in at an average of 18°C and October a balmy 21°C, making it a great shout for some late warmth.
Winter isn’t the worst time to visit, as Brașov itself doesn’t get truly cold. It has an average of 12-13°C in January and December, dropping to 9 or 10°C. However, the areas around it, including Bran Castle and the mountains, will get significantly colder. This means your options for local sightseeing will be reduced.
How to get to Brașov, Romania
By rail
There are a number of ways to get to the town. Most people will transfer from Bucharest. There are regular trains from Bucharest’s main station, București Nord.
Brașov is not far from Bucharest, but trains vary in duration, from just over two hours to three and a half. Make sure you take that into account when booking your ticket.
There are sleeper trains as well. However, given the short trip, I wouldn’t personally recommend these, as you’d barely be asleep before having to get up again.
From Bucharest Airport, you can take a direct train to București Nord and transfer to the train for Brașov. The train from the airport takes about 20 minutes and runs about every 40 minutes.It’s really easy to book trains in Romania.
The main train company website CFR Calatori has an English-language version and you can see all your travel options quickly and easily. There are two classes on trains in Romania. I recommend upgrading to first class – it’s certainly not a world of luxury but it’s not enormously more expensive either.
By air
Brașov Airport has only just opened in June 2023 – it wasn’t open when I visited in October 2021. There are relatively few flights going in and out. However, this is likely to change as the town gets more well-known. At the moment (March 2025), the main airline flying into Brașov is Wizz Air.
The airport is not on public transport links, so you’d need a taxi to get into town. This is around a 15-minute drive. Uber is available in Romania, but is less frequent in Brașov than in Bucharest, so you might have to wait a bit if relying on Uber from the airport. However, the flip side is knowing your fare in advance. This means not having to negotiate with taxi drivers, so it could be a useful option if you haven’t pre-booked a taxi.
Brașov, Romania is a hidden gem just waiting to be explored. From its stunning medieval architecture to its picturesque surroundings, there is so much to see and do in this charming city. With my guide to the top things to do in Brașov, you’ll be well-equipped for an unforgettable adventure filled with culture, history, and plenty of fun. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to experience all that Brașov has to offer!
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