This list of top things to do in Brasov, Romania, contains affiliate links.
When planning our halloween tour to Romania, I hadn’t really given much thought to the majority of places we’d be visiting.
Front of my mind was instead our upcoming visit to the infamous Bran Castle, nestled amongst the snowy peaks of the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountain ranges. Shrouded in myth (and a good deal of clever PR), the prospect of visiting this ghostly castle eclipsed anything else on our itinerary.
While I knew we’d be staying in Brasov due to its proximity to the Castle, I hadn’t contemplated what the city would be like. If I’m being honest, I’m not sure I really cared. However, and having now visited Bran Castle and spent two days in Brasov, I can confidently say that I had my priorities all wrong.
In the end, while Bran Castle was suitably spooky and fun to visit, it was the medieval town of Brasov that truly blew me away. In fact, the Castle paled in comparison to everything this historical city had to offer. It was easily one of my favourite places we visited and definitely one of the prettiest places in Transylvania.
Sitting at the foot of the majestic Mount Tâmpa, with deep green forests and roaming bears threatening to spill onto its cobbled streets, Brasov is a stunning, richly historical and suitably gothic place. A city shared by Romanians, Hungarians, Germans and Bulgarians, it has a rich and proud heritage; welcoming visitors with genuine warmth.
Now home from our trip, I’ve put together a list of some of the best things to do in Brasov – 13 things, in fact. From its large gothic church, to its famous tearoom, Brasov is definitely a city worth visiting.
13 Top Things to do in Brasov, Romania
A city of conflating cultures, people and styles, Brasov is like a walking tour of different countries and eras.
The prettiest part is, of course, its Old Town, neatly hemmed in by sturdy Saxon walls and defences. Walk further and you’ll eventually come across its later dalliance with Communist architecture, before reaching the more modern Brasov – home to most of its current citizens.
Indeed, as the sixth most populated city in Romania, Brasov isn’t just a quaint medieval town. It’s instead a city full of well-heeled professionals, wine bars and first class restaurants. It almost feels like a German or perhaps Austrian city – full of old European charm and twinkling lights.
Thankfully, because of its size and history, there are plenty of great things to do in Brasov. Below is just a selection of these highlights.
1. Explore the Old Town (Centru Vechi)
First off, be sure to head straight to Brasov’s fairytale Old Town, or ‘Centre Vechi’.
The Council Square (Piata Sfatului) lies at the heart of this old city and was once home to a large, busy market. Today, it’s instead a great place to catch some afternoon sun as the mountains cast their shadows over the town’s cobbled streets.
The Old Town is home to some of Brasov’s prettiest buildings, including the City Hall, which lies at the centre of the square, and a long line of red-roofed merchant houses.
While we were in Brasov, we took a Brasov walking tour, to make sure we didn’t miss any of its hidden spots. I’d definitely recommend doing this as given that the city’s history stems back to the 11th Century, this pretty city packs a punch in terms of myths, legends and events.
While in the main square, be sure to pop into the Ograda for lunch (or indeed dinner). It’s beautifully decorated, very friendly and has some fantastic dishes on the menu (including baked Romanian cheese).
2. Visit the Black Church (Biserica Neagră)
Towering over Brasov at a heady height of 65 metres is the city’s famous Black Church – (currently) the largest Gothic church in Eastern Europe (soon be be usurped by a new church being built in Bucharest).
Thanks to an apparent fierce fire in the 17th Century, the church has a blackened or charred appearance, which actually makes it quite fitting for a church in the middle of Transylvania. On the outside, you’ll also seen scrapes and scratches, thought to be made by bygone soldiers once sharpening their swords.
As it is a German Lutheran church, the building is pretty pared back inside – aside from a collection of ancient tapestries and rich Transylvanian rugs, donated to the church by Romanian elite during the 5th and 17th century.
Inside, everything is on a grand scale. In fact, one of its enormous organs has 4,000 pipes and just one of its church bells weighs a whopping 6.3 tonnes.
There is a small museum inside the church and if you’re lucky, you can attend one of the weekly organ recitals (usually around 6pm) – which would be a phenomenal experience.
You will need to pay to enter the church – tickets are 10 LEI for students and 15 LEI for adults.
3. Take a Cable Car up Mt Tampa
It’s hard to miss Mt Tampa – Brasov’s phenomenal backdrop.
Visitors regularly flock up this 940m mountain by either hiking, or taking the much more genteel alternative – the cable car.
Decorated in a thick layer of forest, this mountain not only offers a fantastic view of the city, but is home to a suitably eclectic range of animals, including: boars, lynx, bears (who frequently wander the city’s streets at night), black woodpeckers and the stunning Ural owls. For hikers and nature lovers, this mountain is heaven-on-earth and there is a lovely little cafe perched at the very top – the perfect spot for a warming shot of Țuică.
The mountain is also home to many ghost stories and myths, thanks to its slightly barbaric history. It’s here that Romania’s favourite baddie – Vlad Țepeș (or Vlad the Impaler) – famously killed and impaled 40 Saxon prisoners (while he merrily feasted in Brasov).
The cable car costs around 34 LEI per person (the equivalent to £5). If you want to hike the mountain, take the winding Serpentine route, or climb the steep Gabony’s Steps.
If you’re visiting Brasov in the winter and are interested in skiing, then simply hop on the regular shuttle bus to the nearby town of Poiana Brasov, where a ski resort awaits.
4. Visit Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle)
Read any list of top things to do in Brasov and (a little predictably) most will insist you visit the nearby Bran Castle – also known as Dracula’s Castle.
A 30 minute drive away, Bran Castle is, albeit tenuously, linked to Dracula thanks to the apparent links with the character’s creator – Bram Stoker. In reality, Stoker – who never actually set foot in Transylvania – asked a friend if they knew of a castle that might fit the description he had in mind (isolated, spooky and the perfect home for a vampire).
It’s then that Bran Castle was apparently suggested; something Marketing and PR teams have seized upon since the 1970s.
Whether Dracula prowled this castle or not, it is still a stunning spot to visit. Sitting in the small town of Bran (with plenty of parking for those enormous tour buses), Bran Castle sits snugly in the Bran Gorge, surrounded by rolling hills and thick woodland.
When we visited, the woods were iridescent – a cascade of red, orange and yellow autumnal colours. Surrounding the castle is also a collection of traditional Romanian homes – offering a more authentic glimpse into the area’s rich history.
The first site was built in 1226 by the Teutonic Knights, as a fortress to protect its enemies to the south. Later, this foresters was built into a fully functioning castle, under the orders of the Hungarian King – King Louis the Great.
Following this date, this small (but mighty) castle changed hands countless times, until it was eventually offered to Romania’s beloved Queen Maria.
Far from being a terrifying place, Queen Maria lovingly restored the castle and made it a cosy home for the Romanian Royal Family.
Although there are a few throwaway references to Dracula throughout the castle, on the whole it’s really a shrine to its kinder resident – Queen Maria. It’s a small castle, but one filled with twists and turns, turrets, narrow stair cases and hidden corners. The views, particularly during the autumn, are stunning and you get a real sense that this was once a home, rather than the blood-thirsty lair of a vampire.
As we visited at Halloween, I would be amiss not to mention just how chaotically busy the castle was when we visited. We ensured we were there by 9am, but even then the crowds were impressive. The queue to get in can sometimes be an hour or more and once inside, the narrowness of the building means you find yourself shuffling through in single file.
Of course, it may be a lot more bearable outside of Halloween (its peak time), but it’s still a very popular spot. Aim to get there first thing, or at the end of the day, to avoid the worst of the crowds.
Tickets are reasonable costing 70 LEI for adults (approximately £14) and 20 LEI for children.
After you’ve visited the castle, be sure to have a quick look around Bran itself, and enjoy some utterly delicious gingerbread at the aptly named Gingerbread House.
5. Explore Brasov’s Independent Shops
Although this may not be everyone’s cup of tea, for someone who loves to buy hand crafted gifts, this is definitely one of the top things to do in Brasov, Romania.
The town of Brasov is filled with the most beautiful independent stores – the perfect place to stock up on Romanian made souvenirs and gifts.
While we were in Brasov, we visited a number of these lovely spots. Our favourites were Pebs Jewellery (selling jewellery made from the resin of local wild flowers), the Locals Souvenir and Gift Shop (hand painted products all made by one family), Cris Boutique and the wonderful Inspiratio.
6. Discover the Black Tower (or White Tower)
If you want to enjoy brilliant views of Brasov (and don’t fancy a trip up Mt Tampa), then this is definitely one of the best things to do in Brasov.
Part of the city’s medieval fortifications, the Black Tower is one of the best-preserved defensive towers in Brasov, offering sweeping views over the city. Like the city’s gothic church, the tower’s dark name is said to be derived from its blackened walls following a fire.
The walk up here is fairly gentle, and follows a sweeping upward path through the trees, which is particularly pretty during autumn. For the best views, definitely visit at sunset – as birds circle the city’s historic square and the sun sets behind the mountain range.
Alternatively, if you want a slightly different view – then take the more challenging walk up to the White Tower. Rather than following a path, instead you’ll need to climb a few hundred steps to get here, but it’s well worth it.
Dating back to 1494, in its day this tower would have been considered impressibly large – with 4m thick walls.
7. Stroll along the Rope Street (Strada Sforii)
Originally built as a corridor for firefighters as early as the 17th century, Rope Street now proudly holds the title of Europe’s narrowest street – spanning just 111cm in parts.
Although not an attraction you’re going to need to spend long at, today the street is famous for its layers of graffiti and messages – added to by locals and tourists every year. Here you’ll find autographs, inspirational messages, love notes and political statements. In fact, it’s become something of an activist hot spot in recent years.
While not coming top of the list of best things to do in Brasov, it’s definitely worth a visit – particularly as it sits in the heart of the Old Town.
8. Dinner at Sub Tampa
If you’re looking for the best place to eat in Brasov, then look no further – be sure to make a booking at the fantastic Sub Tampa.
Located at the foot of Mt Tampa, this gorgeous restaurant not only has beautiful views, but serves up some of the best food in Brasov.
We came here for an evening meal as a group and had a brilliant time – sampling some of its traditional Romanian food. The truffle burger was delicious, albeit very filling, as was the duck leg, suckling pig and the oven-baked goat’s cheese.
Vegetarians, don’t worry, although there was a lot of meat on the menu, there were still plenty of veggie options, including a truffle risotto.
Although one of the best restaurants in Brasov, the food here is still reasonably priced. We paid just over £30 per head for two courses and a few bottles of wine.
9. Enjoy Cake at La Vatra Ardealului
Come winter time and Brasov gets decidedly chilly – with snow often falling over Mt Tampa and the city.
When the cold creeps in, one of the best things to do in Brasov is definitely to head for a cup of tea and a huge slab of cake, at the much loved La Vatra Ardealului.
Said to be the most popular confectionary store in Brasov, this cosy cafe – with its vintage lampshades and cake counter – offers a huge array of sweet treats, pots of tea and coffee.
10. Head to the Wine Bar
A well-heeled city, full of busy professionals, Brasov has no end of great places to eat and drink.
On our first night here, we headed through its twinkling streets to the wonderful Pilvax Wine Bar and Restaurant.
Definitely one of the top things to do in Brasov on a chilly night, Pilvax is a small, but cosy spot, offering over 100 wines and a great menu. The wines are largely Hungarian (delicious) and from the wine-producing regions of Tokaj, Szekszárd and Villány.
We had such a great meal here, ordering a few of their (equally delicious) Hungarian and Transylvania dishes, including a board of Romanian cheeses and delicious Hungarian dumplings.
It was a wonderfully cosy place, for a cold autumn night.
11. Visit Beth Israel Synagogue
Brasov has, and continues to be, home to a diverse population of nationalities and religions.
One population is Brasov’s Jewish population, who once had their own quarter, found in the Old Town. In 1947, this Jewish population was at its highest, with over 6,000 residents – although today this is dwindled to around 300.
However, this population remains an active and engaged part of the community; something beautifully demonstrated by the very pretty Beth Israel Synagogue – a symbol of resilience and a reminder of the city’s Jewish heritage.
The Synagogue is open to visitors from Monday – Friday, and is well worth a look inside. Here you’ll find stunning stained glass, beautiful woodwork and a decorated Ark.
12. Explore Life Outside of the Old Town
Although not regularly making the list of top things to do in Brasov, a trip to the city’s Shei District is definitely recommended.
Sadly, we didn’t make it here (we were running to a tight schedule), but I really wish we’d had the chance.
Found beyond the walls of the Old Town, the Schei District was once designated for residents who were not Saxons, as only Saxons were allowed to live within the fortified city walls. Over the centuries, the district expanded and became an integral part of Brasov’s culture.
Here you’ll find Romania’s first school, established in the 14th century. The school is now a museum and is worth a look around, to gain a richer understanding of the diversity of Brasov’s history.
Close by you’ll also find the magnificent St. Nicholas Church – Romania’s first Orthodox church, built between the 15th and 16th centuries. The graveyard is particularly beautiful and filled with vibrant murals and colourful motifs.
13. Explore Brasov’s Brutalist Side
Although Brasov and its Old Town are like something from the pages of a fairytale, this city has a darker, more masculine side. This comes in the form of the Brutalist architecture that can be found on the outskirts of the Old Town.
Like much of Eastern Europe, Romania fell under Communist rule from the 1950s to the 1980s (ruled by the infamous and now much despised leader, Nicolae Ceaușescu). During this time, Brutalist architecture became the favoured style – concrete and utalitarian design quickly filling Brasov’s more modern suburbs.
Today, many of these buildings remain. Fantastically jarring when compared to the beauty of the Old Town, these mighty buildings, including the Casa de Mode MODAROM, the residential blocks found in the residential areas of Tractorul and Noua, the Reduta Cultural Center and Brasov’s City Hall, are all worth a peek.
For those interested in life under Communist rule, a visit to this part of the city is definitely one of the top things to do in Brasov.
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