The historic mountain resort city of Brasov offers a great mix of medieval history and beautiful Carpathian mountain scenery with excellent skiing and trekking opportunities. Gothic churches and medieval fortresses and castles are part of its appeal, and it also hosts lively festivals and affordable shopping.
Transylvanian city located in central Romania, Brasov is the seventh largest city in the country. It has a medieval town center surrounded by scenic green hills, and nearby Southern Carpathian mountains offer plenty of outdoor activities around the year. No wonder it is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Romania. Settled already during ancient times, Brasov City was founded by Saxons who came to Transylvania in the 1200s AD. The city still has notable Hungarian and German minorities.
Three mountain resorts around Brasov - Poiana Brasov, Predeal and Sinaia offer a wide range of outdoor sports opportunities from skiing and snowboarding in wintertime to mountain climbing, trekking, horseback riding and roller skating during the summer. They make skiing in Brasov area arguably the best in Eastern Europe. The Bran Castle, located in the village of Bran 30 km / 19 miles south of Brasov, is a popular place to visit and commonly referred as the Castle of Dracula, although it has never been home of the historic ruler Vlad Tepes.
City attractions. In Brasov itself, the main touristic sight is the medieval old town with the famous black Gothic church, built in 1477, cobblestone pedestrian streets, old city gates and restaurants and cafés, as well as buildings representing several centuries and architectural styles, situated around the main square, Piata Sfatului. there are also a couple of museums, including the Town Museum and an art museum. The Tâmpa mountain close to the old city center offers beautiful views over Brasov, and can be reached by walking or by cable car. There is also an old citadel from the 16th century that is now home to many outdoor restaurants and bars. Outside the fortress, you can find the oldest part of the city, called the Schei district.
Transylvanian city located in central Romania, Brasov is the seventh largest city in the country. It has a medieval town center surrounded by scenic green hills, and nearby Southern Carpathian mountains offer plenty of outdoor activities around the year. No wonder it is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Romania. Settled already during ancient times, Brasov City was founded by Saxons who came to Transylvania in the 1200s AD. The city still has notable Hungarian and German minorities.
Sights and activities in Brasov: skiing, trekking and medieval history
Brasov has plenty of attractions ranging from historical sights to skiing, trekking and horseback riding in the Carpathian mountains. The city is also used as a base for visits in the nearby attractions such as the castle of Bran and the historic fortress of Rasnov. The city also hosts popular festivals such as the Golden Stag Music Festival between August and September, hosting many international concerts, as well as the Feast Days fair around Easter and the Beer Festival in Autumn. There are also plenty of opportunities for inexpensive shopping in Brasov.Three mountain resorts around Brasov - Poiana Brasov, Predeal and Sinaia offer a wide range of outdoor sports opportunities from skiing and snowboarding in wintertime to mountain climbing, trekking, horseback riding and roller skating during the summer. They make skiing in Brasov area arguably the best in Eastern Europe. The Bran Castle, located in the village of Bran 30 km / 19 miles south of Brasov, is a popular place to visit and commonly referred as the Castle of Dracula, although it has never been home of the historic ruler Vlad Tepes.
City attractions. In Brasov itself, the main touristic sight is the medieval old town with the famous black Gothic church, built in 1477, cobblestone pedestrian streets, old city gates and restaurants and cafés, as well as buildings representing several centuries and architectural styles, situated around the main square, Piata Sfatului. there are also a couple of museums, including the Town Museum and an art museum. The Tâmpa mountain close to the old city center offers beautiful views over Brasov, and can be reached by walking or by cable car. There is also an old citadel from the 16th century that is now home to many outdoor restaurants and bars. Outside the fortress, you can find the oldest part of the city, called the Schei district.
Brasov travel information and practical tips
The climate in Brasov is temperate and continental, with four seasons that is also cooler and wetter than in the lower-lying areas in Romania.
Photo: cod_gabriel, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
The winters from December to March are cold and snowy, and the summers from June to September are hot during the days but with chilly nights. High mountain areas around Brasov have colder climate than in the city and the surrounding hills.
How to get there. Travelling to Brasov can be done by railroad or by road. The city has no civilian airport, although an international airport is currently being built. For now, the best way to travel to Brasov by air is to fly to Bucharest or nearby Sibiu instead. The railway connections to Brasov are good, and you can travel there easily by train from many European countries as well as elsewhere in Romania. Intercity buses to Brasov are also available.
Local transport in Brasov is handled by buses and trolleybuses. The nearby ski resort of Poiana Brasov is also connected to the city by buses. Taxis are also plentiful in the city and relatively inexpensive. Car rental in Brasov is available and a good idea if you are planning to tour the countryside areas of Transylvania a lot.
Visitor services. There is a good amount of hotels in Brasov, as well as cheaper guesthouses and private accommodation options. It is a popular tourism destination, so prices in Brasov can be higher than in many other parts of Romania. Restaurants in Brasov are also plentifully available, serving mostly local cuisine. There are also many nightlife options, and the city’s nightlife becomes especially lively during the major festivals.
Safety. Brasov is a relatively safe destination with very little violent crime and visible police presence. However, pickpocketing and scams targeted at tourists are not uncommon, and you should take good care of your belongings, especially on public transport and in the city center. Many local people in Brasov can speak English, and also German, French and Hungarian languages are widely understood.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Sighisoara, Bucharest
