Quick Breakdown of the Best Brasov Day Trips
1. Bran Castle Day Trip
2. Libearty Bear Sanctuary
3. Seven Ladders Day Trip
Best Places to Stay in Brasov
1. Budget: Secret Boutique Hostel
2. Mid-Range: Hotel Kolping
3. Luxury: Villa Katharina
Car Hire in Brasov
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Brasov is a small but charming city tucked in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. It has a beautiful old town with cobbled streets and brightly coloured architecture. There are lots of excellent day trips from Brasov which you’ll discover below.
From gothic castles to untamed mountain wilderness, fairytale old towns and iconic landmarks, these Brasov day trips make for a great day out in this beautiful part of Europe.
I’ve visited Brasov a few times over the last few years and have done many of these day tours myself. As a huge fan of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Bran Castle is one of my favourites.
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Best Day Trips from Brasov Romania
Below you’ll find a wide selection of Brasov day trips that include castles, churches, beautiful countryside and interesting towns and cities that make for an excellent day out. These Brasov trips will allow you to explore the stunning nature and history of this region.
1. Bran Castle (Best Day Trip from Brasov)
One of the most popular day trips from Brasov is to Bran Castle which has a long association with Bram Stoker’s Dracula and is touted as the inspiration for the Count’s Transylvanian castle. This 14th Century castle is a joy to explore.
I’ve visited Bran twice, first in 2018 and again in 2023 when I filmed a documentary about dark tourism there. The second time I visited the castle was under a blanket of snow and the whole place looked very dramatic.
This excellent seven-hour day trip from Brasov includes visits to Bran Castle, Rasnov Fortress and Peles Castle as well as exploring the stunning Transylvanian countryside and the Carpathian Mountains. Click here to book today.
Address: Strada General Traian Moșoiu 24, Bran 507025, Romania. Click here for directions.
How to get there: There are hourly buses from the Autogara 2 bus station in Brasov. The cost is 13 Lei and the journey time is 45 minutes. A taxi will cost around 200 Lei and take 35 minutes.
Opening times: 9am to 6pm, Tue-Sun, 12pm to 6pm, Mon
Best day trip from Brasov: Brasov to Bran Castle tour. Click here for details.
Entry price: €14
Website: bran-castle.com
2. Rasnov
The small town of Rasnov is just a 20-minute bus ride away from Brasov and well worth a visit. There is a large fortress on a hill overlooking the town which dates back to the 14th Century. Visitors can explore this picturesque citadel with its defensive walls, towers and underground tunnels.
Rasnov is nestled in the Carpathian Mountains between Brasov and Bran and has a charming old town which sees fewer visitors than its more popular neighbour Brasov. One of the best ways to see the town is to take a tour which includes it as a stop.
Click here to book a tour from Brasov
Click here to book a tour from Bucharest
Address: Rasnov, Romania. Click here for directions.
How to get there: There are hourly buses (the same ones for Bran) from the Autogara 2 bus station in Brasov. The cost is 8 Lei and the journey time is 25 minutes. A taxi will cost around 100 Lei and take 20 minutes.
3. Peles Castle
The neo-renaissance Peles Castle makes for an excellent day trip from Brasov and is included in many Brasov castle tours. This imposing-looking fortress is relatively new by Romanian standards as it was built between 1873 and 1914.
The castle was built as a palace for King Carol I of Romania as he fell in love with the gorgeous Carpathian scenery. The palace was built in the neo-renaissance style incorporating baroque and gothic elements and can be likened to the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.
Inside the 3,200 metre squared castle there are 170 rooms including the Hall of Honour, the Imperial Suite and the Grand Armory. You can visit the castle on a guided tour and explore the impressive architecture on display.
Address: Aleea Peleșului 2, Sinaia 106100, Romania. Click here for directions.
How to get there: You can take the train from Brasov to Sinaia and then a taxi (or hike) the final distance. The journey time from Brasov to Peles Castle is just over an hour.
Best tour from Brasov: Bran and Peles Castle tour from Brasov. Click here for details.
Opening times: 9:15am to 5pm, Wed-Sun
Entry price: 50 Lei (€10)
Website: peles.ro
4. Libearty Bear Sanctuary Brasov
The Libearty Bear Sanctuary is run by the oldest Animal Protection Association in Romania and has cared for over 30,000 animals since its inception in 1999.
The priority of the sanctuary is to care for the bears, wolves, dear and wild dogs that call it home and to educate, rather than a tourist attraction (I wouldn’t include it otherwise).
You can visit the bears on a guided tour which run from Tuesday to Sunday each week. For safety no children under the age of five can join (they will ask for proof). Tours are run in both Romanian and English with a maximum of 40 people.
Address: Zărnești 505800, Romania. Click here for directions.
How to get there: The sanctuary is located in Zarnesti 20 miles (32km) from Brasov. It’s not the easiest to get to by public transport so renting a car or taking a tour is the best option. You can also take the bus to Rasnov and then a taxi.
Best tour from Brasov: 3-hour tour from Brasov. Click here to book.
Opening times: 9am to 11am, Tue-Sun
Entry price: 70 Lei (€14.50)
Website: millionsoffriends.org
5. Seven Ladders Canyon (One of the Best Day Trips from Brasov)
For hikers and nature lovers the Seven Ladders Canyon, also known as Canionul Sapte Scari, is one of the best day trips from Brasov. This beautiful forested area a short drive from Brasov is home to some of Romania’s most stunning scenery.
The Seven Ladders is located within the Piatra Mare massif, part of the Carpathian Mountains. The gorge is famed for its steep ladder that ascends the rock face offering amazing views of the canyon and its many waterfalls.
This half-day tour from Brasov includes private transport from your hotel in Brasov, an English-speaking mountain guide and the chance to hike in some of Romania’s most pristine wilderness. Click here to find out more.
Address: Strada Canionului, Timișu de Jos 505600, Romania. Click here for directions.
How to get there: The canyon is just 12km south of Brasov and takes around 20 minutes to go by taxi.
Best tour from Brasov: Half-Day Seven Ladders Tour
Opening times: 10am to 5:30pm, Sun-Mon
Entry price: 20 Lei (€4.50)
Website: canional7scari.ro
6. Mountain Villages and Piatra Craiului National Park
This mountain villages guided day tour from Brasov is the perfect way to explore the beautiful Transylvanian countryside. You’ll get to explore the traditional rural villages of Pestera and Magura and see how little has changed in this part of Europe in centuries.
The trip takes in the stunning Piatra Craiului National Park where you’ll get to hike through pristine wilderness and also includes a visit to the bat cave (no, not that bat cave). You’ll get to meet local farmers, sample local cheeses and really get to experience a side of Romania that few tourists get to see.
The tour includes all transport from Brasov, an English-speaking guide, lunch, cheese tasting and entry to the bat cave and the oldest guest house in Piatra Craiului National Park. Click here to learn more.
7. Faragas Mountains and Balea Lake
This full day Brasov tour to the Faragas Mountains follows one of the most impressive mountain roads in Europe (check out the Split to Mostar route for another of Europe’s most beautiful drives).
You’ll get to cruise along the Transfagarasan Highway with stupendous views of the mountain landscape, visit the glacial Balea Lake at 2,034 metres (6,673 feet) and visit the historic Cistercian Monastery in Carta Village.
If you’re looking for Brasov day tours that include some of the finest views in Europe, this is the trip for you. The tour includes Luxury transport in a Mercedez V-Klass, an English-speaking guide, free maps, bottled water and Wi-Fi on board. Click here to learn more or use the widget below to check availability.
8. Take a Day Trip from Brasov to Sighisoara
The small city of Sighisoara is just an hour by train and makes an excellent day trip from Brasov. The fairytale citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with medieval, cobbled walkways, an old clock tower and brightly painted houses.
Sighispara is also the birthplace of Vlad “the Impaler” Tepes, also known as Vlad Dracul and the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It’s possible to visit the room where he was born and the building now serves as an excellent restaurant.
I spent a week in Sighisoara in 2019 and and fell in love with this gorgeous place thanks to its history, beautiful architecture nestled in the Carpathian Mountains, and excellent restaurants and cafes.
This Brasov to Sighisoara day trip includes transport from your hotel, and trips to other highlights of Transylvania such as Viscri and Rupea. Click here for more info.
9. Guided Day Trip to Sibiu from Brasov
Getting from Brasov to Sibiu is easy with hourly trains and buses. I stopped off in Sibiu on my way from Brasov to Hungary and found it to be a beautiful example of a Transylvanian city. There is a pleasant old town with colourful houses, cobbled streets and lots of cafes and restaurants no the main square.
This day trip Brasov includes visits to both Sighisoara and Sibiu. Click here for more details.
10. Bucharest
Romania’s historic capital is well worth a visit. I spent a week here in 2023 and loved exploring the impressive architecture and bustling old town. Places to visit include the impressive parliament building built for fallen dictator Nicolau Caecescu.
The old town is packed full of cafes and restaurants vying for trade, and I highly recommend having a meal at Caru cu Bere (I ate there three times it was so good). This traditional restaurant is always packed with locals and tourists but has lots of seating inside and out.
Getting to Brasov
Train: There are lots of daily trains between the capital Bucharest and Brasov with the journey taking 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the service. Tickets cost xx and can be booked online or bought at the station. There is also a service from Budapest in neighbouring Hungary.
Bus: Flixbus has daily services from destinations across Romania and Hungary. The journey time is around 2 hours so it’s quicker than the train in some cases. Click here to find out more.
Flight: Brasov-Ghimbav International Airpot is a brand new airport opening in June 203 and has direct flight flights to cities across Europe including Barcelona, Brussels, Budapest, London and Milan. The airport is located just 5.6 miles (9 km) from the town.
Tour: If you’re in the capital and have limited time then you can take a Brasov day trip from Bucharest.
Where to Stay in Brasov
There are plenty of accommodation options around Brasnov from hostels to boutique hotels and luxury resorts. Below are two of the places I stayed at recently when visiting the city. Check out my reviews of all the major hostels in Brasov.
Secret Boutique Hostel
I spent a couple of nights at the Secret Boutique Hostel which is located right in the centre of the city on a quiet pedestrian street. It’s a modern hostel with capsule-style bunks, a large kitchen/common area and great rates. Click here to book on Hostelworld.
Hotel Kolping
On my last trip to Brasov, I stayed at the Hotel Kolping while filming for a documentary about dark tourism (click here to see the trailer on Youtube). The hotel is a ten-minute walk from the old town and has amazing views of the city rooftops. Click here for more info.
Day Trips from Brasov FAQs
To get to Peles from Brasov first take the train to Sinaia and then a taxi the final few kilometres to the castle. You can also take a guided tour.
There are lots of ways to get to Bran Castle from Brasov including bus, taxi and taking a Bran Castle tour from Brasov. If going by bus, they leave hourly from Autogara 2 bus station and take around 30 minutes.
Brasov is definitely worth visiting as there is so much to see and do. From exploring the charming old town to some top Brasov day trips to gothic castles, beautiful mountains and more.
Two to three days is a good length of time to spend in Brasov to see the major sights. However, if you want to take some of the day tours from Brasov and explore the region, then four to five days is better.
Final Thoughts
With so many fantastic day trips from Brasov, this gorgeous Transylvanian city nestled in the Carpathian Mountains makes the perfect base for exploring this rural part of Romania. I’ve been visiting the region for years look forward to going back soon so I can discover more of these great Brasov Day trips.
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About the author:
Steve Rohan is a writer from Essex, England. He has travelled to over 60 countries, lived in China and Hong Kong, and is now living the digital nomad life on the road.
Steve prefers “slow travel” and has covered much of Europe and Asia by train, bus and boat.
Where I am now: Yerevan, Armenia 🇦🇲