10 Unforgettable Day Trips From Brasov, Romania
There are so many unforgettable day trips from Brasov at its door.
While Brasov’s medieval aesthetic entices visitors to stay in its realm, its location right in the heart of Transylvania makes it a perfect basepoint for day trips to explore the vast region and beyond.
Since my first visit to Romania a while back, I have developed a soft spot for the country, often bringing it up heavily in conversation. I’ve visited all over, including the capital, Bucharest, which is easily reachable from Brasov.
But even while other areas in Romania are wonderful to visit, Brasov always remains close to my heart due to its easy access to some amazing day trips for when you’re done with the typical city break.
That being said, where can you go?
Continue reading for the best days out from Brasov, including how to get there, what to expect, and a guide to the transportation options in Brasov.
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Best day trips from Brasov
1. Bran Castle
Bran Castle is undoubtedly one of the best day trips from Brasov to explore a beautiful part of the Transylvanian region.
While this medieval fortress acted as a defensive structure against the Ottomans for centuries, its association with Bram Stoker’s Dracula story is what undoubtedly put it on the world map.
Although a vampire or Vlad the Impaler never lived here, and Bram Stoker never visited, its eeriness and spooky vibe make that notion seem unfathomable.
I spent a good two hours admiring the interior and decor within its walls, neatly set up and refurbished by Queen Marie, who used this castle as her summer residence.
As you walk around the castle, you’ll learn more about the royals, kings, and knights who used to live here, with information boards and portraits of them on its walls.
The courtyard is the most popular and Instagrammable space in the castle. This gothic-like architecture makes the castle feel more “Dracula” esque.
Inside Bran Castle, you’ll also find the Torture Exhibition and The Time Tunnel. The Time Tunnel visually dives into the castle’s history, whereas the Torture Exhibition showcases instruments used around Europe during the medieval ages as forms of torture.
I highly recommend prioritising the Torture Exhibition, located just above the courtyard. It’s very grim, but it’s fascinating and provides a lot for your money!
Right beside the castle is the village of Bran, which is full of local markets selling everything from local cuisine to Dracula merchandise. It should take less than 30 minutes to walk around.
I recommend picking up lunch from the market and heading to the lovely garden next to Bran Castle for a serene stop-off.
Planning your day trip to Bran Castle
Entrance fees (Concessions available):
- Bran Castle: 70 RON.
- Time Tunnel: 30 RON (Optional add-on).
- Torture Chambers: 20 RON (Optional add-on).
How much time: Allocate at least half a day to visit Bran Castle from Brasov. You’ll need a full day if you’re planning to visit Rasnov during your trip.
How to get there: There are various transportation options from Brasov to Bran Castle. I highly recommend heading there by bus. You’ll need to catch a bus from Autogara 2 bus station. Tickets cost 13 RON.
Day tour options:
- Peles Castle, Bran Castle & Rasnov Fortress Day Tour: This guided tour will take you to Bran Castle alongside Peles Castle and Rasnov Fortress. Transport is all included, but you will need to pay entrance fees.
For further information for your day trip, check out my full Brasov to Bran Castle guide.
2. Rasnov
Rasnov is a medieval-style town with a rich history dating back to the 13th century. Similar to Brasov, the town showcases its medieval brilliance through its cobbled stone streets and picturesque architecture.
Not to mention its very own Rasnov sign! Reminiscent, of course, of the famous Hollywood sign, similar to Brasov’s on Tâmpa Mountain.
Atop the town, adjacent to the Rasnov sign, is its most famous attraction, Rasnov Fortress. The fortress has played a significant role in Rasnov’s defensive strategies for centuries, especially in the medieval era when soldiers used its facilities to fight off the Ottoman invasion.
You can take a Funchilar ride or hike up there to reach the fortress. Once inside, you’ll see first-hand how the soldiers utilised the building to defend the town from invaders.
If medieval history doesn’t entice you, the view from the top showcases a stunning view of both the town and the far Romanian greenery – so it is definitely worth heading up there nonetheless!
Note: Unfortunately, some parts of the castle might be unavailable during your visit due to construction work. Please see here for updated information regarding its opening times and what’s open.
As well as the Citadel, is its wonderful Old Town, often overshadowed by the fortress. Although Rasnov is tiny, you will find many quaint cafes and shops that make it feel Brasov-esque.
Walking around the town shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. However, the area is lovely – you may find yourself spending longer there than expected.
Planning your day trip to Rasnov
Entrance fee (Rasnov Fortress): 12 RON
How much time: Plan a half-day trip if you’re just visiting Rasnov, although I highly recommend combining Bran Castle and Rasnov for a full-day trip.
How to get there: There are a few transportation options from Brasov to Rasnov.
I highly recommend heading there by bus. The Rasnov bus stop is on the same route as Bran Castle and is one stop off before arriving in Bran. The bus leaves from Autogara 2 bus station, and a single ticket costs 13 RON.
Day tour options:
- Peles Castle, Bran Castle & Rasnov Fortress Day Tour: This guided tour will take you to Rasnov Fortress alongside Peles and Bran Castle. The only downside is that it doesn’t explore Rasnov. Transport is all included, but you will need to pay entrance fees.
3. Peles Castle
Peles Castle is one of the most majestic monuments in Europe and was only very recently built in the late 19th century, commissioned by King Carol I of Romania.
Although Kings and queens used it as a summer residence, one of its primary intentions was to embody Romania’s power as a nation, with King Carol’s vision to showcase the country’s strength through this architectural masterpiece.
Its whole exterior is very stunning, built in the Neo-Renaissance design. While walking up to the castle, you’ll find plenty of great little spots to take snapshots of Peles Castle from afar.
Note: It is a very long walk up to the castle from Sinaia – Car access is also allowed for people with disabilities to get adjacent to the castle.
Before you enter Peles Castle, I recommend walking around the grounds to get a closer view. It is free to walk around and generally open during normal hours, even when the inside is closed to visitors.
But of course, the main highlight of Peles Castle is the interior. Inside, you’ll find over 160 rooms lavishly decorated in a royal theme.
Some of the most popular rooms include the Hall of Honor – perhaps the grandest room in the castle – the Royal Library, and my favourite – the Armoury Room, which completed my medieval fix.
Planning your day trip to Peles Castle
Entrance fee: 50 RON (Concessions available)
How much time: Allocate at least half a day to visit Peles Castle from Brasov. A venture around Sinaia and visiting Castelul Pelișor and Sinaia Monastery can make for a brilliant full day there.
How to get there: The best way to reach Sinaia from Brasov is to take the train, which takes around 1 hour. From Sinaia Train Station, it is a 40-minute walk to reach Peles Castle, requiring some strenuous climbing along the way.
Taxis are the only reliable option to help you get from the station if walking that long proves to be difficult.
Day tour options:
- Peles Castle, Bran Castle & Rasnov Fortress Day Tour from Brasov (8 hours): This guided day trip takes you to some of Romania’s most famous attractions in a small group. Transport is all included, but you will need to pay entrance fees.
- The Three Castles Day Tour from Brasov (Peles, Bran, and Cantacuzino Castle): Venture around some of the best castles in Romania, including Cantacuzino, where the Netflix series Wednesday was filmed. Hotel pick-up and transport are included.
4. Sighisoara
The historic town of Sighisoara is an absolute hit for those looking to continue their Transylvanian adventures from Brasov in great fashion. Among the confusion, Sighisoara itself is referred to as a citadel and a town due to its medieval features.
Its cobblestone streets, old stone walls, and tall towers were all built and well preserved from medieval times, deserving the status of a UNESCO heritage site.
And interestingly enough, the town is entirely inhabited, the only town in Europe, in fact!
Little Trivia: Sighisoara is the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the Dracula legend himself.
Perhaps the most popular monument to visit in Sighisoara on your day trip from Brasov is The Clock Tower. Its tall stature was used to help the defenders of the Citadel spot any possible invaders planning to attack the town.
Inside The Clock Tower, there is a multiple-floor history exhibition that holds many artefacts and figurines from Sighisoara’s history.
Throughout it, you’ll learn the background of the town’s historical figures. Additionally, you’ll see a huge model of the town and a part of the clock mechanism.
Although to me and many others, The Clock Tower’s biggest selling point is the view at the top!
Here, you get a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire Old Town, with a balcony which you can walk around to pick your photo spot.
Around the town are also unique and wonderful finds, and one no better than The Covered Stairway.
This stairway was originally used to provide a safe passage for students to reach the School on the Hill, avoiding any of the chaotic weather from above, hence the meaning behind the word ‘Covered’.
There are around 170 steps to climb up (originally 300 steps – I wasn’t complaining). It was a perfect place to burn off the calories from the Tochitură in the afternoon.
If possible, during your day from Brasov, I recommend staying till the evening. Sighisoara is incredibly beautiful at night as the town is illuminated in a soft light. The Clock Tower is particularly stunning to look at.
Given the legend of Dracula and the fact that Vlad the Impaler was born here, it also leaves that eerie feeling as you walk around the town at night. A fascinating experience!
Planning your day trip to Sighisoara
How much time: I recommend spending at least a day in Sighisoara, as it is worth seeing both in daylight and at night.
How to get there: The best way to get from Brasov to Sighisoara is by car, as public transport is scarce. The journey length is 1 hour and 47 minutes.
There are occasional coaches available using FlixBus, but the only reliable way is by car or by taxi. Or, of course, a day tour.
Day tour options:
- Sighisoara and Viscri UNESCO Day Tour: This brilliant day tour from Brasov takes you to two of Romania’s finest UNESCO sites. Transport and hotel pickup/dropoff are included.
5. Piatra Craiului National Park
Looking for hikes from Brasov? The Piatra Craiului National Park is the ultimate hike fest, offering multiple easy routes to challenging multi-day hikes.
If you are an experienced hiker, you can go straight into the deep end and attempt the peaks in the Piatra Craiului Mountains. The highest, Vârful La Om, can take over 12 hours to climb and descend.
Recommendation: The Casa Folea to Joaca Pass hike is great for beginners or families looking for an easy hike. It lasts over two hours and involves a 263m elevation gain.
While the hiking does grab the headlines for the national park, there are many pretty little villages that are worth stopping by on the way.
Pestera and Magura are some of the national parks’ most popular villages within the mountains. As they are 1000m+ above sea level, many hikers visit them for pit stops, as guest houses are scattered around the villages.
And when you are resting, the long landscape views of lush greenery surrounding these villages don’t hurt either. A feast for the eyes!
Planning your day trip to Piatra Craiului National Park
Entrance fee: 10 RON (Free during the winter months). Information for tickets can be found here.
How much time: Plan at least a day in Piatra Craiului National Park. Some hikes take a day or even a few days. It entirely depends on how much priority you put on hiking during your Romanian travels!
How to get there: The best way to get from Brasov to Piatra Craiului National Park is by car. There are multiple spots to park up or make as a pit stop.
If you want to travel from Brasov to Piatra Craiului National Park by public transport, then going by train is the best option. To get there, catch the train to Zărneşti from Brasov Railway station, which takes 50 minutes.
Then, from Zărneşti, you can access the national park along the many trails nearby, including the Plaiul Foii or Fountain Botorog hike.
Tour options:
- Piatra Craiului National Park Private Day Tour From Brasov: Follow a mountain guide for some hiking around the scenic trails of the Carpathian Mountains. Transport and hotel pickup/dropoff are included.
6. Libearty Bear Sanctuary Zarnesti
Located just outside the main part of Zarnesti is Libearty Bear Sanctuary, one of the largest welfare projects in Europe. It is a fascinating place to visit on a day trip from Brasov.
It was built in 2005 to combat the problem of bears being used for entertainment purposes in Romania.
Each bear in Libearty Bear Sanctuary has been removed from their previous captivity and provided a refuge where they can rehabilitate and have a safe, loving home.
To access the sanctuary, you will need to book a guided tour, which is showcased in Romanian or English. As the main purpose of the tour is educational, strict rules will be in place and must be followed during your visit.
I recommend booking your tickets online. You are not guaranteed a tour slot when purchasing from the ticket office, and each tour only holds up to a maximum of 50 people. So book online!
You can choose between Classic, VIP, and Super VIP tours. I recommend opting for the classic. This is the one I went for as the other tours don’t offer much for the extra price you pay.
Note: Children under 5 are not allowed to visit.
Along the tour, you’ll learn about the bear’s history and dive more into the conservation efforts the sanctuary is doing to keep the bears from their previous terrible conditions.
In the sanctuary, bears are kept in an expansive 70 km area, with pools to play in and forest areas to roam around. As you make your way around, you’ll get a first-hand glimpse of these bears in their natural habitat.
Planning your day trip to Libearty Bear Sanctuary Zarnesti
How much time: You need at least half a day to tour the Libearty Bear Sanctuary Zarnesti and get there from Brasov. There are many day trips that combine both the sanctuary and Bran Castle for a full day trip.
How to get there: There is no direct public transport to Liberty Bear Sanctuary from Brasov. The cheapest way to get there would be to catch a train from Brasov to Zarnesti and then get a taxi to the sanctuary.
Driving there is the best option all around, and it is only a 39-minute journey from Brasov.
Tour options:
- Bear Sanctuary and Bran Castle Day Tour from Brasov: This day tour explores the Bear Sanctuary and also visits Bran Castle. Transport and hotel pickup/dropoff are included.
7. Bucharest
Bucharest, Romania’s capital, is the perfect day out from Brasov. Although it deserves a few days to explore the city fully, much of Bucharest’s highlights can be explored in one day, with its attractions and monuments all mostly within walking distance.
To make things easier during your day trip, buses are readily available with great connections to get through the city with ease, and 24-hour bus passes are available for 8 RON.
There are so many brilliant things to do in Bucharest!
To start your Bucharest day from Brasov, I recommend heading to the Old Town, which is home to the city’s main establishments and monuments.
Have a walk around and gaze upon its stunning architecture!
Make sure to stop off at Carestrai Carusel, one of the most elegant bookshops in the world. Even if you’re not the biggest literature fan, it is one of the grandest introductions to the world of books you’ll experience.
Around the shop are collections of books in Romanian and English – although, like me and many tourists, you don’t read books; you reach for the nearest camera. Just make sure to visit before midday, as it gets really busy!
After your photoshoot, be sure to head out of the city centre, along Bulevardul Unirii, onwards to the Palace of Parliament, Bucharest’s parliament building.
What makes the building special is its grandeur, which is famously known as the largest administrative building in the world.
To access the building, you’ll need to book a guided tour. Tours last over 75 minutes, and you are required to bring a form of ID to enter.
Planning your day trip to Bucharest
How much time: You need at least a full day to explore Bucharest’s main highlights. A weekend trip is recommended to explore it fully.
How to get there: To get from Brasov to Bucharest, catch a train from Brasov station to Bucharest North. The journey takes an average of 2 hours and 32 minutes.
Unfortunately, this is the closest station to the Old Town, and it is a 41-minute walk. There are buses just outside the train station – I took the #85 bus and got off at the Universitate stop, and from there, it is a 7-minute walk to the Old Town.
Note: There are no day tours from Brasov to Bucharest. However, there are many free walking tours in Bucharest that can help guide you around the city.
8. Fagaras Fortress
Fagaras Fortress is one of Romania’s most beautiful fortresses and a much-worthy visit from Brasov.
Built-in 1310, the citadel played a significant role in both defensive strategies against the Tatars and Ottoman Empire and later as a home residence for Transylvania’s royalty.
What makes the fortress unique is it is completely surrounded by a moat!
To access it, you’ll need to walk along the wooden drawbridge to take you to the fortress’s grounds – something straight from a medieval film!
The ticket office is located right at the entrance of the fortress. Tickets cost 15 RON for adults (Concessions available). You’ll be asked to present your tickets when you visit the fortress’s museum and exhibitions.
Little trivia: Before Fagaras Fortress was converted into a museum, it was used as a prison for political figures from 1948 to the 1960s during Romania’s communist era.
This becomes clear as day to any visitor while inside the Prison Tower part of the fortress.
The interior has kept its bleak stone walls and ceilings. It’s also very narrow, with small rooms, giving that vivid prison-like feel.
While you walk around the prison, you’ll find examples of torture equipment used on prisoners, with descriptions of how it was used.
There are many rooms and exhibitions within the fortress, temporary or permanent.
My favourite was The Throne Hall. The interior is a delight, with elegant pieces of furniture and chairs positioned as if there were a board meeting currently ongoing.
Note: To enter the museums/exhibitions, you will need to wear shoe coverings. These are provided by the workers for free. They explained that it was to protect the interior’s flooring.
Planning your day trip to Fagaras Fortress
Entrance fee: 15 RON (Concessions available) – Tickets are bought on-site.
How much time: I recommend spending at least half a day at Fagaras Fortress to explore the grounds. You can extend your trip to a day by exploring the rest of the city.
Fagaras Cathedral is a nice little visit located right near the fortress and you’ll see it sticking out when you’re there.
How to get there: The only reliable way to get there is by car, which takes roughly 1 hour. There are no day tours from Brasov to Fagaras Fortress.
9. Viscri Village
The Viscri Village is one of the most well-preserved villages in Europe.
Fit for royalty, this Saxon village in Transylvania has been preserved deep down into its roots, where the village still participates in old traditional activities.
This is highly down to its connection with King Charles III. The King of the United Kingdom has made huge efforts to conserve the village’s old traditions, working with the Mihai Eminescu Trust to provide training to locals to continue traditional practices.
And this is what you can expect to see when visiting!
Visitors can watch many of the local artisans showcase skills like blacksmithing and brickmaking, including Gabor Istvan, the blacksmith who produces items like iron hinges or copper cauldrons.
Furthermore, be sure to head to the Fortified Church, a beautifully well-preserved monument and easily deserved spot as a UNESCO site. Fortified walls surround the church, and inside is a little museum that dives more into the Saxon heritage.
Also, inside, don’t miss the chance to go up to the top of its bell tower for a great panoramic view of the village. The entrance to the church costs 12 RON.
Alongside the attractions are many amenities in the village that will make your day trip from Brasov a memorable one.
The locals in Viscri try to make visitors feel at home by serving lovely, fresh Romanian cuisine. The Viscri 32: White Barn and Blue House serves great food in a saxon-like setting.
Note: If you fall in love, as most do with Viscri village, accommodation is available in Viscri 32, alongside many other hotels, to extend your day trip from Brasov.
Planning your day trip to Viscri Village
Entrance fee: Free (Although there are many attractions in the village that come with a cost).
How much time: You need at least half a day there to fully appreciate the village and not feel rushed. A trip to Sighisoara is often combined with Viscri Village for a full-day trip.
How to get there: There is no direct public transport route to Viscri Village from Brasov. The easiest way to get there would be by car, which takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes
If you can’t get there by car, then a day tour is the perfect option for you.
Tour options:
- Day Tour to Sighisoara, Viscri, and Rupea from Brasov: This day tour explores some of the top UNESCO sites of Romania. Transport and hotel pickup/dropoff are included.
- Sighisoara and Viscri UNESCO Day Tour: Visit just the two UNESCO sites of Sighisoara and Viscri instead with this brilliant day tour from Brasov. Transport and hotel pickup/dropoff are included.
10. Sibiu
Sibiu is one of the most majestic towns in Romania. If you have more than three days in Brasov, it is the ultimate place to fit into your itinerary without feeling too overwhelmed.
But where should you start?
The key point of interest in Sibiu is the Old Town. Everything runs through this central hub, with famous monuments, beautiful old architecture, and dining establishments all in one place.
The main part of the Old Town is The Large Square (Piața Mare). It’s got a cobblestone floor with an elegant square design, similar to Brasov and most major Romanian cities.
Dotted around the square are restaurants and cafes. The beautiful architecture, as an added touch, helps create the town’s most bustling atmosphere during the day and at night.
Recommendation: Jap Caffe & Brasserie is a great choice for lunch in The Large Square. The pasta dishes are delicious and are as cheap as 40 RON.
Also by The Large Square is the Bridge of Lies, which, since the 19th century, has become a renowned figure in local folklore.
Each folklore story concerns a lie with devastating consequences. One famous tale states that whoever stands on the bridge and hears a creaking noise – or the bridge collapses – is said to have told a lie.
It was interesting to see how many couples listen out for the noises! Although I’m sure if it did collapse, the biggest lie would be the engineering.
For attractions outside the city centre, the ASTRA National Museum Complex is a great place to visit.
It is an open-air exhibition that celebrates Romania’s rural life, featuring over 400 buildings, including workshops, homes, and more! A ticket costs 150 RON (Concessions are available).
If you plan to stick around in Sibiu until nighttime, then good! The Old Town is incredibly pretty at night, with many of the buildings and architecture illuminated in a soft light – wonderful to walk around and see.
Recommendation: For those staying longer than a day in Sibiu, I highly recommend visiting Corvin Castle for a day trip. It is one of the largest and most beautiful castles in Europe and Romania – well worth the visit!
Planning your day trip to Sibiu
How much time: You need at least a full day to explore Sibiu and its main attractions.
How to get there: Public transport to Sibiu is scarce, with the average journey time being at least 3 hours one way. For a convenient day trip from Brasov, I recommend going by car, which is 2 hours and 10 minutes long.
There are no convenient day tours from Brasov to Sibiu.
Map of Brasov Day Trips
To help you best navigate around the Transylvanian region and beyond, here is a map of all the best day trips from Brasov listed on this itinerary.
Brasov transportation guide for a day trip
Train
Train travel from Brasov to destinations around the Transylvanian region and other parts of Romania is very affordable and easier to navigate. Brasov Train Station is the city’s only station and will be your main hub.
If you plan to travel out of Brasov by train for the day, I highly recommend purchasing your tickets online through the CFR Călători website or mobile app.
Trains that run to locations like Zărnești for Piatra Craiului National Park run through the operator Regio Calatori, and tickets can be bought online.
All online tickets can be saved to your phone as a QR code or printed out. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets from the station, although I recommend using an app or purchasing it online for a less stressful journey.
Seats will be assigned to you upon purchase. Make sure to prebook at least a day in advance to ensure a seat on the train, particularly for highly visited tourist destinations like Bucharest.
Note: If you don’t manage to secure your desired seat, you can sit anywhere on the train unless the passenger requests their reserved seat.
Bus
Bus travel is very easy to use and navigate for your day trip from Brasov. There are two bus stations in Brasov and one major bus stop in central Brasov (Livada Postei). The bus stations are Autogara 1 and Autogara 2.
Autogara 1 is typically used for longer journeys from Brasov to locations around Romania, whereas Autogara 2 is for more regional routes. You’ll catch the bus from Brasov to Bran Castle or Rasnov at the Autogara 2 bus station.
Tickets for buses can be purchased from the nearby kiosk, shops near the bus stops or from the bus driver. If you need to get a bus from the Old Town to the other bus stations, Livada Postei is your go-to bus stop!
The #4/A1 bus from Livada Postei can drop you off within walking distance of Autogara 1, whereas the #14 or #A1 bus will take you to Autogara 2.
Also, the #A1 bus departs in the direction towards the airport if you need airport access to or from the Old Town.
Top recommendation: The Autogari website is a brilliant service for finding the latest bus schedules in Romania.
*At the top right-hand corner of the website, you can translate to a given language.
Car/Taxi
Renting a car or getting a taxi is an affordable option to travel to most places from Brasov, as Romania remains one of the cheapest places in Europe to visit and travel around.
There are several locations where you can rent a car in Brasov. Brasov Railway Station and Brasov-Ghimbav International Airport are the most popular drop-off locations.
I recommend using a service like Kayak, which can help you pick a rental next to where you arrive.
Taxis:
Taxi firms are also located throughout the city and are cheap to use in most cases. The only downside is they sometimes overcharge tourists.
I knew someone who was charged a return price for Brasov to Bran and never received a return trip. So be cautious when using them!
Alternatively, you can use ride-sharing apps like Uber or Bolt to save costs on transportation, allowing you to split costs with other travellers going in the same direction.
Final thoughts
Well, there you have it! Much of Romania’s vast beauty can be easily explored from Brasov. There are so many brilliant day trips with accessible transport links right at your door.
And while the city has its own magic, with its cobblestone streets, picturesque architectural buildings and medieval vibes, it proves to be a great pit stop.
Whether you’re planning on jetting off to the capital or UNESCO site hunting across the country, Brasov will be the perfect destination to help you get where you need for your next Romanian adventures.
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