18 BEST Things to Do in Brasov, Romania [2026 Update]

You might have heard of Brasov linked to Bran Castle or the story of Dracula from Transylvania, but there is much more to do and see here.

I’ve traveled to Brașov both in sunny summers and during snowy winters, and each time I’ve discovered something new to love, from the cafe culture in the Council Square to the quiet hiking trails of Tampa Hill and everything in between.

Below is my personal list of the best things to do in Brașov, refined for 2026, so you can bypass the tourist traps and enjoy the city like a local. But first…

Practical Info: Getting There, When to Go & Where to Stay

Before we get to the list, things have changed regarding transport and we have a new option: you no longer have to fly into Bucharest and take a 3-hour train. You can now fly directly into Brasov-Ghimbav International Airport (GHV). It’s about 20 minutes from the city center by bus (line A1) or rideshare.

You can still take a train or bus from Bucharest and be in Brasov in around 2 hours.

Best Time to Visit: December – February if you want to ski in Poiana Brasov and enjoy the Christmas Market. May – September for hiking and enjoying the outdoor terraces (and warmer weather).

Where to Stay: Safrano Palace Hotel

We book Safrano Palace every time we visit and we’ve never been disappointed. It’s located right in the Council Square, so you literally step out of the hotel and you are in the heart of the city.

The rooms are high-ceilinged and spacious, featuring cute touches like teddy bears in the windows (at least during the winter). Even better, despite being in the center, the soundproofing is good and the prices affordable. The breakfast is excellent too!

Check prices for your dates here.

Now that we have all these settled, let’s jump into the attractions!

1. See the city from the Brasov Sign on Tampa Hill

One of the first things you’ll spot as you approach Brașov is its own version of the Hollywood sign perched on Tâmpa Hill.

This is located on the Tampa hill, and is one of the two such signs in Transylvania – the other one is at Rasnov, another small town next to Brasov, within the same County (more on it later).

Getting up there (and then back down) can be done in two ways:

Cable car: A quick, 1-minute ride that drops you next to the sign. This only works Tuesday to Sunday, starting at 9:30 AM, with the last ride up at 4 PM, and the last ride down at 5 PM.

Ticket prices are relatively high, in my opinion: €6 each way or €8 for a two-way ticket, per adult.

Hike: You can also hike up there (or back down), but it’s around 40 minutes from the top to the bottom. If there’s snow or it rained recently, you will need proper equipment and it will still be relatively dangerous, as the hill is very steep.

When we visited, we took the cable car up and walked back down. It was the perfect compromise – we saved our energy but still got to explore the nature on the descent. The views over the orange rooftops of the Old Town are unmatched:

2. Visit the Black Church

The Black Church is a massive Gothic cathedral built in the 14th century. In 1689, it survived a huge fire – hence the darker exterior.

Despite its somber exterior, the interior of the Black Church is absolutely fascinating. There, you can often catch concerts featuring its 4,000-pipe organ, as well as the largest church bell in Romania, weighing six tons.

It’s right in the heart of the Old Town, so you can’t miss it. Here’s what to look out for:

The Black Church can be visited daily between 10 AM – 7 PM and the ticket price is 5 Euros per adult (25 lei).

You should also check out the church’s concert schedule here (in 2026, every Saturday at 6 PM). I recommend booking one for an amazing experience. You must purchase a ticket, but the price is the same as visiting the church: 25 lei (€5)

3. Explore “Piata Sfatului” aka the Council Square

Council Square is the heart of Brașov’s Old Town. This is where the Christmas Market is set up yearly (read about the best Christmas Markets in Romania here), and where colorful historic buildings, cafés, and restaurants serving traditional foods mingle.

You are surrounded by colorful historic buildings, the Council House (now a museum), and a constant buzz of energy.

We’ve been here during the winter holidays to catch free concerts and the arrival of Santa Claus and it was amazing, even though cold and packed. The mulled wine helped, at least.

Even if there is no event, just grabbing a coffee or a Kurtoskalacs (chimney cake) from a street vendor and people-watching is a valid activity here.

Recommendation: Book this Brasov Candlelight tour for an amazing guided tour of the area, showing you the most important attractions in the city (and a few ghost / vampire stories for good measure!) Great experience!

4. Take a Day Tour to Visit Impressive Attractions

If you’re spending several days in Brașov, be sure to take advantage of the various day tours available to explore some of Romania’s most important attractions:

• Peles Castle, Bran Castle & Rasnov Fortress Day Tour: The best option if you want to check out the most important castles in the area – Peles, Bran aka Dracula’s Castle, and the nearby Rasnov Fortress. Click here to check it out.

• Day trip to Sighisoara and Viscri: Sighisoara is the only inhabited medieval town in Southeastern Europe. Viscri is a nearby village with a fortified church that goes well with the medieval theme. The perfect mix for an unforgettable day tour from Brasov. Click here to check it out.

5. Eat Delicious Romania Food at La Ceaun

One of the best restaurants in Brasov for hearty and tasty traditional Romanian food is La Ceaun – Weiss (marked here on Google Maps). There’s another one nearby, by I recommend the one I marked on Google Maps.

The prices are decent, the service is impeccable, and the food is so good that you will come here again – guaranteed.

don’t miss the traditional bean soup served in bread (pictured below) or the meaty dishes – I had the deep-fried pork & sausages with polenta pictured above. Round it up with a delicious portion of Papanasi. You’ll be full, but satisfied!

If you’d like to check even more options, I recommend reading my previous article sharing the best pubs in Brasov.

6. Take Photos on the Medieval Walls

From the Weavers Bastion to the Waistcoaters’ Bastion, Brasov’s Southern Medieval Walls are at the base of Tampa City and make up for a perfect walk, ideally before or after going up the hill.

The walls once were 2m thick and 12m high, but now they’re a bit shorter – yet equally impressive.

There are six towers along the way, as the ones seen in the photos above and below.

Some towers are open to visitors, and occasionally, events or exhibitions are held there. Even if you see them from the outside only – as we did – you’re still up for a treat and a nice trip back in history.

The street along which you will see these walls is called “Aleea Tiberiu Brediceanu”, so note it down if you want to type it in Google Maps – or just click this link.

7. Schei Gate, White Tower & Black Tower

Another walk that I recommend you to take is from the Schei Gate at the Eastern side of the Old Town – and all the way to the Northern Walls, marking along the way various attractions: Catherine’s Gate, the White Tower, the Black Tower, and the Graft Bastion.

As a note, Graft Bastion is right behind Safrano Palace, the hotel I recommended above, so you can start the trip here if you want and end it at the Schei Gate.

Keeping the medieval vibes alive and offering a glimpse into the past, this is a 30 minute walk no matter where you start (sometimes a bit uphill) – but worth it each step of the way.

8. Check out Straja Hill Fortress (Cetățuia de pe Strajă)

What started as a simple watchtower eventually expanded into a fortress – a truly impressive one that’s up the Straja Hill – a bit of a climb from the Old Town area (if you’re tired of all the walking, you can take a taxi or an Uber for around 5 Euros).

Looking more like a castle than a fortress, the building is today classified as a historical monument, and it is surrounded by a veil of legendary vibration and fairytale-like energy, which I am certain you will sense and enjoy.

Plus, of course, new ways to enjoy the panoramic views over Brasov, from a different angle and the sunset from the hill is fantastic!

Important Update for 2026: The Citadel has faced ownership disputes and renovation needs. It is currently closed to visitors on the inside – it was closed when we visited, but this still didn’t make it less of a “must see”.

9. Spend a Few Hours at the Zoo

If you ask me, Brasov’s Zoo is the best one in Romania, set on a huge stretch of land (10 hectares or 25 acres) with plenty of green areas, playgrounds, and a reptile house teeming with interesting species.

You’ll also find lions, tigers, monkeys, polar owls, and even llamas or red pandas, all in enclosures designed to give them as much comfort as possible.

The ticket prices are affordable: 25 lei for adults (5 Euros), and 15 lei for children (3 Euros), while those under 6 years of age visit for free. Check out the Zoo’s official website to book tickets online.

If you’re traveling with kids, make sure to schedule at least a few hours at the zoo. Just keep in mind that’s well away from the city center – on Brasov’s outskirts, so you’ll need to take a taxi or Uber (around 10 Euros each way).

10. Sneak through the Rope Street, one of the narrowest streets in Europe

Initially built as a passage, the Rope Street (or Strada Sforii in Romanian) is today one of the narrowest streets in Europe. It measures 80 meters in length, whereas the width varies from 111cm to 135cm.

The most frequent photos that are taken here feature people touching both walls of the street with their hands stretched (like I did in the photo above). It just has to be done so make sure you don’t miss out on this opportunity!

This iconic landmark is close to the old town area – I’m marking it here on the map to make sure you don’t miss it. After all… it’s very narrow!

Recently, they added the Rope Street Museum (a small cafe/museum combo) at the exit, which is a nice spot to grab a tea and learn a bit more about the street’s history.

11. Stroll in Nicolae Titulescu Park

Parks are the heart of a community, and Nicolae Titulescu is one of my favorites in Brașov.

It’s right near the Old Town, filled with tall trees and plenty of benches. During spring and summer, there are colorful flower beds that make it especially charming.

Sometimes, I just grab a snack and hang out to watch people go by – it’s a nice break from sightseeing.

Other times, if I’m lucky enough, I’m there when local crafts are on display – perfect to buy a unique Romanian Martisor, or other souvenirs to remember the city.

12. Travel Back in Time at the Tales of Communism Museum

Right across from the park is the Museum of Memories from Communism (Muzeul Amintirilor din Comunism).

I love visiting these places – apart from a bit of a strange nostalgia, it helps me realize how far we came since Nicolae Ceausescu‘s communist regime was overthrown.

The plethora of real stories from those times (which I recommend you to read thoroughly) will also impress. Here’s an example (click the photo to enlarge it if the text is too small):

My son also enjoyed it – even though he had no idea how to use the phone with spinning numbers or what many of the objects on display were. To me, it was a trip back to my childhood – so no matter where you stand, this is a must visit.

As a bonus, you can serve some snacks from the communist era, like lard on a slice of bread or get back home with a souvenir or two from the shop on the premises.

The ticket price is 7 Euros for adults and just 3 Euros for children. I marked the museum on Google Maps here.

And, if you want a very quick glimpse into Romanian art (both modern and classical), right next to the Communism Museum is Brasov’s Art Museum. Affordable and only requires 30 minutes or so to fully explore.

13. Rent a hydro bike and explore the Lake Noua

If you went to the Zoo (point #9), you are already right next to Lake Noua. This is a massive recreational area loved by locals, tucked inside a calm park that offers green spaces, benches, and a zip-line over the water.

One of my favorite ways to relax here is by renting a hydrobike and lazily paddling alongside ducks and fish – as long as the weather is nice. Not something you’d like to do during the winter (not that it’s possible, anyway…)

The park gets busy on weekends, so if you want a more peaceful experience, aim for early morning, late afternoon or visits during the week.

14. Get a dose of adrenaline and entertainment from Poiana Brasov

This one is the main attraction in the area during winter, because it is one of the most popular ski resorts in the country; but this doesn’t make it any less attractive during summer either, because there are plenty of trails and routes to discover.

Additionally, you can also find a horse-riding center here, where children and adults can ride horses and ponies.

TIP: Unless you MUST be in Poiana, I recommend booking your stay in Brasov instead to keep the costs low (you can take a local bus there). Poiana Brasov is one of the most expensive mountain resorts in the country!

15. Visit the Bear Sanctuary (and hike a bit)

Romania has been, lately, in the news in regards to bear attacks and I wrote more in depth about bears in Romania here. But the Bear Sanctuary in Brasov is safe and you will only see these impressive creatures from a distance.

By visiting the Bear Sanctuary Liberty (this is its name), you are also supporting an important cause here in Romania.

There are over 100 bears in the sanctuary, all of them brought from illegal animal parks or old zoos that couldn’t handle them anymore. They’ve been given a new life here, which is pretty amazing.

I recommend this tour for the occasion – you will have to go outside of Brasov a bit, and you’ll end it with a nice hike in the Piatra Craiului Mountains. (So make sure to bring comfortable shoes!)

16. Visit Dracula’s Castle!

While I mentioned it earlier as part of a mega-tour of the castles, I want to talk about it again.

There is no direct train from Brasov to Bran, but you can find buses leaving from the main Bus Station in Brasov every 30 minutes, so you can easily hop in and get there some 45 minutes later.

Or you can just get a longer day tour that covers the most important sights in the area, like the one I mentioned already (with Peles and Rasnov bundled).

Click here to check it out.

If you decide to get to Dracula’s castle via bus (or other means, without an organized tour) I highly recommend getting a skip the line guided tour. There will always be huge lines here, so you’ll save a ton of time.

Back to Dracula’s castle, it’s worth visiting as it dates back to the 14th century and is filled with a rich and tumultuous history.

While it’s commonly associated with the fictional Count Dracula from Bram Stoker’s novel, it was actually used by Queen Marie of Romania in the 20th century – and Bram Stoker’s apparent inspiration for the famous vampire, Vlad Tepes never set foot here.

17. Relax at the Aquatic Paradise

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If you want a spa day but don’t want to drive all the way to Bucharest to visit the amazing Therme, or you simply need an alternative, Aquatic Paradise in Brasov (Paradisul Acvatic) is a solid choice.

It has indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, and slides. The highlight is the heated outdoor pool in winter – swimming while steam rises around you and snow falls on your head is a unique feeling. It’s family-friendly and much cheaper than its rivals in the capital.

Ticket prices here start at ~€22 per day for adults and just €9 for children.

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Wrapping up

Brasov is one of Romania’s most important touristic destinations for a reason: it’s amazing!

When you visit, I recommend spending at least 3 days here to enjoy all the things it has to offer (ideally with a tour to the castles), but no matter how long you’ll stay, my list of the best attractions above has got you covered.

Have you discovered a hidden gem in Brasov that I missed? Let me know in the comments – I’m always looking for a reason (or more) to go back!