19 Things To Do In Brasov, My Favourite City In Romania

Are you looking for some fun things to do in Brasov, but don’t know where to start?

We went on a two-week road trip around Romania, and Brasov was my favourite stop.  Below, you’ll find a comprehensive guide on plenty of things to do in Brasov based on what we learnt while we were there.

Things to Do in Brasov: Top Attractions

The best place to stay in Brasov is near the Old Town where most of the main attractions are located.  You’ll be spoilt for choice in terms of places to eat.  It’s also the most picturesque part of the city.  

The top things to do in Brasov Old Town are:

1. The Council Square

The Council Square is the beating heart of Brasov.  It’s full of restaurants and cafes and is a popular meeting spot for locals and tourists alike.  

Take a seat on the benches behind the fountain for lovely views of Tampa Mountain and the Hollywood-style Brasov sign peeking over the rooftops of the colourful townhouses. 

The most notable building in the square is Casa Sfatului and its clock tower.  It used to serve as the old city hall but has since been converted into the Brasov County Museum of History where you can learn about the city’s heritage.  

The square branches off into Strada Republicii – the main pedestrian street -where you’ll find the highest concentration of shops and places to eat.  I found it very touristy though, and preferred to wander the side streets for food and drink.

2. Brasov’s Medieval City Walls

Brasov is known as the “Fortress of the Seven Bastions”.  The Saxons built the medieval city walls and watchtowers to defend the city against invaders during the 14th century. 

Back then, the only way to enter and leave the fortified city was through Catherine’s Gate on Ludwig van Beethoven Street.  By the early 19th century, there was so much traffic that they had to build a second gate, aka the Schei Gate, next door.   As you’ll see, the gates look very different to one another!

Today, six of the bastions are still standing.

One of my favourite things to do in Brasov is take a walk along the outside of the city walls on Dupa Ziduri Street to visit the Black Tower (Turnul Negru) and the White Tower (Turnul Alb).   The towers are within a 5-minute walk from one another.  Climb to the top of both to get amazing views overlooking the main square, with Tampa Mountain in the background. 

⚡️ TIP:  Visit the towers before 11 am or after 3 pm to avoid the walking tour groups.  There’s not a lot of space on the balconies so it gets crowded easily.

You can also visit the Weaver’s Bastion (Bastionul Tesatorilor) which now houses a museum exhibiting medieval weapons and guild artefacts. 

3. Rope Street

Rope Street is the narrowest street in Romania.  It’s only 80 m long and at 135 cm wide,  I could touch both sides of the walls with both of my hands at the same time! 

The street was originally built as a passageway for firefighters so that they could access the city quickly.  

The walls are now covered in graffiti but it’s still a fun spot to photograph.

If you enter from Poarta Schei Street, make sure to look up because the Brasov sign is perfectly aligned with the street from above.  I wonder whether this was done on purpose or if it was purely coincidental …

4. Tampa Mountain and the Brasov Sign

Tampa Mountain and its giant Brasov sign dominate the city’s skyline, and are easily accessible from the Old Town centre.  

There are two ways to reach the Brasov sign: take a cable car or hike to the top.  

Whichever option you choose, you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the city and surrounding area. 

We decided to hike the Serpentine trail.  It’s definitely one of the easier hikes we’ve done because the incline is very gradual and it’s completely shaded by the forest.    

You’ll know you’ve arrived when you reach a clearing and start seeing the crowds from the cable car rushing towards the Brasov sign.  

⚡️ TIP: Many people stop at the Brasov sign, but there is an upper viewing platform with an even better view and is usually less crowded.  Follow the path behind the Brasov sign for a further few minutes, and you’ll be greeted with the Romanian flag signalling that you’ve officially made it to the top. 

5. Brasov Free Walking Tour

Joining a free walking tour is a great way to get know a new city on your first day. 

We recommend this 2-hour tour by Walkabout Free Tours. It starts at 10:30am almost everyday at Council Square.

Things to Do in Brasov for Culture Lovers

All of the main highlights of Brasov can be explored in 1-2 days.  If you have more time and want to further immerse yourself in the city’s history and culture, consider some of the following activities: 

6. The Schei District

The Schei District, located south of the Old Town Centre, is the oldest neighbourhood in Brasov. It’s also known as the Romanian District because historically, the Saxons did not allow the Romanians to live inside the fortress. 

Come to the Schei District if you want to see different architecture and experience the city away from the tourist bubble.  

From the Schei Gate, continue walking along Prundului Street and within 10 minutes you’ll reach Union Square – a cute little square with some cafes and restaurants.  

Other highlights include the First Romanian School Museum which played an important role in preserving the Romanian language in the 16th Century, and St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral.  

7. The Black Church

From any viewpoint in Brasov, the Black Church stands out not only for being the tallest building in the city but also for its charcoal black exterior. 

There is some debate about how the 500-year-old church acquired its dark appearance.  Most believe that it was blackened during a huge fire in 1689.  More recently, others are saying it’s simply due to pollution over time. 

No matter how it happened… if you’re interested in Gothic architecture, seeing a collection of 17th-18th century Turkish carpets, or attending a concert featuring one of the largest pipe organs in Romania, then you may be interested in visiting the Black Church. 

The entrance fee is 25 lei. You can buy tickets at the Inspiratio Gift Shop across the road. Check visiting hours before you go.

⚡️ TIP: Next to the gift shop is a cafe called CH9 Specialty Coffee serving hot drinks and yummy pastries.  It’s a cosy place to have a break before or after your visit.  

8. Tales of Communism Museum

The Tales of Communism Museum, aka Muzel Amintirilor Din Communism (MADC), is a great place to learn about what life was like during over 40 years of Communist rule in Romania.  All the profits go to supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

9. Brasov Ethnographic Museum

If you’re interested in learning about the culture and traditions of the rural southeastern Transylvania communities, then pay a visit to the Brasov Ethnographic Museum. Here, you’ll find displays of folk costumes and demonstrations of how the textiles were created.  

10. Casa Muresenilor

Casa Muresenilor belonged to the prominent Muresianu family.  It showcases their valuable collection of art and furniture.   You can learn about the family’s important contributions to Romanian society – including the first newspaper to be printed in the Romanian language and the Romanian national anthem. 

11. Brasov Art Museum

The Brasov Art Museum or Muzeul de Arta, has a permanent exhibition of over 150 creative pieces demonstrating the evolution of Romanian art through the centuries.  There are also temporary exhibitions promoting the work of contemporary local artists.  

⚡️ TIP: If you’re planning to visit 2 or more museums in Brasov, it might be cheaper to purchase the Brasov Visit Ticket which gives you access to 11 local museums, including the Black Church.  It costs 58 RON and is valid for 3 months. 

12. Traditional Romanian Cooking Class

I love Romanian food.  It’s hearty with lots of meat and carbs.  

This cooking class by Mama Maradin teaches you how to prepare a three-course traditional meal with a Romanian family.  You’ll get to try some local drinks and also learn some new moves with a short Romanian dancing class. 

Things to Do in Brasov for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Brasov is surrounded by nature.  In addition to Tampa Mountain, there are several other hiking trails and outdoor activities nearby: 

13. Solomon’s Rocks

Solomon’s Rocks are a natural rock formation located in the forest just outside the centre of Brasov.  It’s a lovely picnic area with public barbeque facilities. 

From the Schei Gate, you can walk to the rocks within an hour.  Otherwise, it’s a 10-minute drive to the parking lot.

You can also take bus 50 from the bus stop on Strada Gheorghe Baritiu (near the Black Church). There are 14 stops to the Solomon bus stop, which is another 17-minute walk to the rocks.  For information on how to use public transport in Brasov, check out the RATBV website.

14. Poiana Brasov Mountain Resort

Poiana Brasov is a nearby mountain resort town, which can be reached in 15 minutes by car from the Old Town Centre. 

You can also hike from Solomon’s Rocks to Poiana Brasov along a 600-year-old route called the “Old Road of Poiana” Trail.   Follow the red vertical lines uphill. This hike takes about an hour and is considered easy-to-moderate.

If you’re feeling peckish, you won’t have trouble finding a place to eat because the resort has many restaurants. 

Other activities you can do from Poiana Brasov include paragliding or skiing, depending on the season.

15. Postavarul Peak

From Poiana Brasov, you can choose to hike even further to Postavarul Peak for even better panoramic views, or … you can catch a cable car 🙂

16. The 7 Ladders Canyon

The 7 Ladders Canyon is nestled in the Piatra Mare Mountains near Brasov.  It features seven waterfalls cascading down rugged limestone cliffs.

Although there is a bus and train available, the quickest way to access the canyon from Brasov is to drive to the nearby village of Timisul de Jos towards Dambul Morii Estate where the trail starts.  

From the car park, follow the yellow and white lines along Sipoaia Creek for about an hour until you reach a ticket booth.  This is where you pay 20 RON to enter the canyon.  

From here, you cross the canyon by climbing up 9 metal ladders alongside the waterfalls!  It takes about 30 minutes to get to the top.

At the top, you have 3 options: 

• Walk back down to the starting point. Follow the red and white marked trail.  This takes about 2 hours.  

• Continue hiking towards Piatra Mare Peak.  Follow the yellow and white marked trail.  This takes about 3 hours.  

• Zip-lining! There are 37 zip-lining trails.  The longest is 273 m.  This cost 120 RON. 

⚡️ TIP: Try to avoid weekends because it gets really busy.  Don’t forget to bring cash and some form of ID.  Payments are cash-only, and you need ID to rent safety equipment for ziplining. The canyon usually closes during Winter. Check opening hours on the 7 Ladders Canyon website before you go to avoid disappointment.

Day Trips from Brasov

Brasov is known as the “gateway to Transylvania” because of its central location. It has a very well-connected road and public transport network, making it an ideal base for quick day trips. 

Below, are some places you can easily reach from Brasov in less than an hour: 

17. Bran Castle

Possibly the most famous attraction in all of Romania is Bran Castle, aka Dracula’s Castle. 

Brasov is the best place to see to visit Bran Castle because it only takes 30 minutes to get there by car.

We skipped this because we heard it can get unpleasantly overcrowded, especially in the Summer.  (Plus there are many less famous castles in Romania that are just as impressive.)  

If you would like to visit, there are frequent buses from Brasov Bus Terminal 2 to Bran every 30 minutes on weekdays and every hour on weekends. Tickets costs 7 RON, and the journey takes about 45 minutes.

We recommend buying tickets in advance online and getting there close to opening time to avoid queuing on the day. Admission costs 70 RON. You can buy tickets and check opening hours here.

18. Rasnov

Rasnov is home to the Rasnov Fortress, a medieval citadel on top of a hill with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

We weren’t able to visit the citadel because it was closed for renovations, but we could still walk up to the top and enjoy the view and citadel gardens for free.  Check opening hours here.

There is a direct train between Brasov to Zarnesti will take you to Rasnov in 20 minutes. Tickets cost 6 RON.

⚡️ TIP: Rasnov and Bran Castle can be visited on the same day because they are so close to one another.

👉🏼 Check out this Day Trip from Brasov to Bran Castle, Rasnov and the Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Zarnesti

19. Zarnesti Libearty Bear Sanctuary

The Libearty Bear Sanctuary is the world’s largest brown bear sanctuary.  The non-profit organisation has rescued over 100 brown bears from cruel captivity and rehabilitated them in 70 hectares of oak forest.  

You can see the bears only by guided tours in the morning.  Tickets range from 40 – 90 RON. It’s cheaper to visit on a weekday or outside the summer months. 

Note: Children under 5 years old are not allowed to enter the sanctuary and they will ask for ID to confirm.  

The easiest way to get to the Libearty Bear Sanctuary from Brasov is to drive. The car journey is about half an hour.

👉🏼 If you don’t have a car, click here to book a transfer.

If you have a car, pop by Zarnesti town for lunch.  Then, you can follow the hiking trails through the Piatra Craiului National Park or visit Wolf Park Adventure.

Visiting Brasov: FAQs

How to get to Brasov?

✈️ Plane: Flights into Brasov-Ghimbav International Airport are limited.  Unless you’re coming from London, Budapest or Dortmund, fly into Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport first and make your way from there. We check for flights using Skyscanner.

🚘 Car: We found hiring a car in Romania much cheaper than in other European countries.  You can hire a car at Bucharest Airport near the main entrance of the arrivals hall or use Discover Cars. The drive from Bucharest to Brasov takes about 3 hours. 

🚊 Train: There are direct trains between Bucharest North Station and Brasov Train Station.   I use the Rome2Rio to book train tickets.  

🚍 Bus: The bus from Bucharest to Brasov takes 4 hours and is the cheapest transport option. I use FlixBus. 

How to get around Brasov?

All attractions in the Old Town and Schei District are within walking distance. 

If you want to explore the surrounding area, I recommend hiring a car.  You can find car parking using the T Park app. 

Otherwise, there are plenty of Ubers and taxis. For taxis, remember to confirm the price of the ride before you get into the car.

For information on local bus routes and schedules, check out the RATBV SA website. 

For information on local train routes and schedules, check out the CFR Calatori website.

When is the best time to visit Brasov?

⚡️ TIP: Download the Brasov Tourism App to find out about the local events that are happening during your visit.  

How many days do you need in Brasov?

We were in Brasov for 3 days and I loved it so much that I didn’t want to leave!  There’s sooooo much more to do in the city and the surrounding area than I had anticipated.  

In hindsight, at least 5-7 days would have been the perfect amount of time to spend in Brasov.

Is Brasov expensive?

Compared to popular travel destinations like France, Italy and Spain, we found prices in Romania to be on the cheaper end.  

Our daily average for per person in Brasov = £33
(this includes accommodation, transport, entertainment and meals)

Do you need to tip in Brasov?

We were told by our free walking tour guide that it’s common practice to tip 10% for table service in restaurants.   

Is Brasov a safe place to visit?

We felt completely safe in Brasov.  But it’s never a bad idea to stay alert and keep a close eye on your belongings when you’re travelling, especially in crowded areas.  

If you plan to do some hiking, I also recommend reading some bear safety tips before you venture out.  We didn’t encounter any bears while in Brasov, but one evening, we did receive a bear alert on our phones letting us know that one was spotted wandering the streets not too far from our accommodation!  

Final Thoughts: Things To Do in Brasov

So is Brasov worth visiting?  

Definitely yes!  Out of all the cities we visited in Romania, Brasov my favourite.  

I loved being surrounded by forests and mountains, and how easy it was to start a hike from the centre of town!

Brasov also stood out for its food culture.  There’s so much variety.  If you’ve been travelling long-term like we have, any cravings you have will be satisfied here.  (FYI, for me, it was Vietnamese pho.)

I can’t wait to come back!

Check out my other Romania Travel Guides 😊

• Two-Week Romania Itinerary: 13 Places To Visit For First Timers
• 15 Things To Do In Bucharest, Romania’s Underrated Capital
• 10 Things To Do In Sibiu, Romania’s Capital of Culture
• 12 Things To Do In Sighisoara, Romania’s Real-Life Fairytale
• 3 Days In Bucharest: An Itinerary For Exploring Romania’s Capital
• 5 Easy Day Trips From Bucharest: Places To Visit (< 1 Hour)
• 15 Things To Do In Cluj-Napoca, Romania’s Most Liveable City
• Transfagarasan Highway: Everything You Need To Know