Your Last BordersTHINGS TO DO IN BRASOV ROMANIA
Brasov is a Romanian city packed with interesting attractions that makes the perfect base to visit Transylvania. There’s many attractions in Brasov worth visiting. From exploring the Transylvania countryside to learning about vampires in Romania and visiting stunning castles in Transylvania. Yet, there’s no reason to be overwhelmed. This travel guide contains everything you need to know about what to do in Brasov. Keep this list of things to do in Brasov Romania handy and enjoy an unforgettable trip to Brasov Transylvania Romania.
With over 230,000 inhabitants, Brasov the sixth largest city in Romania. It stands in the North of the country, 200km from the capital, so driving from Bucharest to Transylvania takes about 3 hours. There’s also lots of organized tours that can take you over. Once in Brasov, expect a mediaeval old town with plenty of narrow cobblestone streets, a vibrant atmosphere, incredible architecture, and lots of restaurants and cafes to enjoy.
Brasov attractions will certainly take you back to the middle age, when it was ruled by the Saxons and served as a Lutheran and trading hub. Despite being largely destroyed during the 17th century, the city has been restored and now one of the best places to visit in Romania all year round. The following are the best things to do in Brasov Romania.
Best things to do in Brasov Romania Old Town
1. Council Square
Council Square, or Piata Sfatului in Romanian, is the city’s main square and thus it’s home to many Brasov tourist attractions. Here you’ll find the 15th century council house and many beautiful townhouses from the 18th and the 19th centuries. Along with the 13th century clock tower and the arcaded 16th century merchants’ House that is now a shopping centre. The square is also home to the orthodox cathedral known as Black church, of which I’ll tell you about it in item 2 of this list.
Back in the days of mediaeval Brasov the square served as a public market and also as a venue for public trials and executions. During the communist era, to discourage social congregations, the square became a parking lot. Nowadays, it hosts a wonderful Christmas market every December and is home to many restaurants, cafes and shops all year round. Thus, it’s the perfect place to seat on a bench, enjoy local treats, and people watch.
2. Black Church
The so-called black church is certainly not black, so don’t panic if you don’t see any black walls nearby. The church got this name in 1689 when the Austrian army set it on fire and the walls became darker because of the smoke. Nowadays, it’s a highlight of Brasov sightseeing and the city’s most distinctive symbol.
Officially the Church of Saint Mary, it’s the largest gothic church in Eastern Europe, between Vienna and Istanbul. This and a real masterpiece of mediaeval engineering. It was built by Brasov’s German community. Its walls feature a large collection of Turkish Anatolian Carpets, chalices, a baptismal font, and a large fresco depicting the Annunciation. Along with a huge bell and a statue of Johannes Honter, the famous Transylvanian Saxon humanist responsible of bringing Lutheranism to Transylvania.
This lutheran church has the largest functional mechanical organ in all of Southeast Europe. Make sure to check whether there is an organ concert during your visit as attending these is one of the best things to do in Brasov Romania. Besides concerts, the Black Church is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday and the entrance fee is $4.
3. Strada Sforii
Walking along String Street, to Strada Sforii in Romanian, is one of the coolest things to do when visiting Brasov. Yet, don’t expect a wide avenue nor a vibrant boulevard here. On the contrary, this is one of the narrowest streets in Europe. With a length of 80 metres and a width of 111cm, two people can’t walk it side by side and one can’t stretch their arms within it either. Yet, trying it is one of the Brasov things to do that few can resist.
This narrow corridor was built in the 1600s to help firemen quickly move around Brasov’s old houses and streets, avoiding the chaos of the Old City. Nowadays, it’s one of the coolest photo spots in the city. Check out the many arches, lights, and murals around it. And beware of pigeon droppings as they love it too.
4. Catherine’s Gate
Catherine’s Gate is the only remaining medieval gate of Brasov’s fortified city. It was built in 1559 along with three other gates, all displaying the city’s coat of arms and hosting current towers on their corners. its name comes from nearby St. Catherine’s Monastery and is now a Brasov must see.
During Hungarian times Brasov was packed with Saxon merchants enjoying the available tax exemptions and leading the trading routes between Western Europe and the Ottoman Empire. Back then, local Romanians weren’t allowed to own property within the fortified town. Thus, they hay to live outside the city walls and centre the old town through Catherine’s gate within certain times and paying a toll.
A flooding destroyed the gate in 1526, yet it was rebuilt shortly after. Later on, in the 19th century, the main city gate was switched to Șchei Gate as this one was too narrow to fit a horse and a cart,
5. Neolog synagogue
Brasov was once home to over 4,000 jews, and Neoloog Synagoge wa their main praying and congregation centre. Despite the city´s jewish popuylation is now of only 230, the synagogue remains a huge community space and hosts Jewish-centered businesses, a kosher restaurant, and a holocaust memorial. Therefore, it´s one of the best places to visit in Brasov.
Neolog synagogue is from the 19th century and features neo-Moorish, Neo-Gothic, and neo-Byzantine styles. Its architect is Lipót Baumhorn, a Hungarian who designed over 20 synagogues across the Austriohgungarian empire. Despite standing quite hidden between the surrounding houses it wasd badly damaged during WWII and used as a gym during communist times. Yet, it is now renovated and makes one of the nicest buildings in town.
6. Prima Scoala Romaneasca
Within the grounds of the Church of St. Nicholas stands the first-even school teaching courses in Romanian. This is a highlight of Romanian language and culture, and thus one of those Brasov what to see spots culture lovers should not skip.
The school functioned between 1583 and 1941, teaching over 1,700 students. It was also the headquarters of Romania’s first printing press. Nowadays, it´s a museum hosting over 4,000 Romanian books, 30,000 historic documents, and old education artifcats. Among its highlights, visitors will find manuscripts form the 11th century and the first Bible in Romanian, along with lots of valuable first editions. It´s open daily form 9am to 5pm and the entrance fee is $2.20.
7. Local cuisine
One of the best things to do in Brasov Romania is sample as many delicious local dishes as you can. Most of the cities in Transylvania have their very own local recipes, and Brasiv is no exception. When in the area, make sure to try the following.
- Jumari: fried pork belly
- Mamaliga: balls of boiled cornmeal
- Bulz: balls of polenta stuffed with cheese
- Sarma: leaves stuffed with rice and minced meat
- Salat de boeuf: meat, potato, and root vegetables salad
- Ciorba de fasole: beans and vegetables soup
- Ciorba de vacuta: beef soup
- Ciorba de cartofi: vegetable and potato soup
- Papanasi: Sweet cheese donuts
- Kurtoskalacs: chimney cakes with nuts, chocolate or coconut
Some of the best restaurants in Brasov to samples Romanian cuisine are Le Ceaun, Sergiana, Sub Tampa, and Valverde. Additionally, Bars 4rooms, Times Pub, Il Caminetto, and Vanilla Urban Lounge are great places to enjoy nightlife Brasov and spice up your holidays to Transylvania. Despite being part of the Balkans, food in Romania is quite different from that of Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia Herzegovina, Albania and North Macedonia. Thus, make sure to sample as much of it as you can during your trip.
Best things to do in the outskirts of Brasov Romania
8. Black and White Towers
Brasov has two very distinctive towers visitors love exploring among their things to do in Transylvania. You´ll find these opposite the Brasovs’ sign on Tampa mountain, outside the city’s wall. Both towers are very close to one another and offer stunning views over the red rooftops of the old town and the Black Church. Therefore, those looking for some mediaeval charm and a unique location to enjoy sunset should head into the forest and enjoy Brasov´s Black and White towers.
The White Tower is the oldest of the pair, built in 1494 at the highest point of Brasiov´s fortifications. The tower is 20 metres high and its white walls are four metres thick and feature five machicolations. These are openings from where to throw objects on to attackers, such as burning oil and stones. Additionally, to protect the tower from attacherks its entrance is several metres from the ground and only accessible through a wooden ladder. The White tower was renovated in 2006 and is now a museum featuring exhibits from Brasov´s County Museum of History, including its original fireplace.
The Black Tower is from 1689 and got its names 8as you might have guessed) from its fire-blackened walls. The tower is 11 metres high and features a very narrow wooden staircase. It was recently renovated, turned into a museum and re-opened to visitors. This tower, partly thanks to its new glass roof, offers slightly better views than those of the White Tower. Yte, climbing either, or just hanging by their bases, is one of the best things to do in Brasov Romania.11. Bastions
9. Tampa Mountain
Tampa Mountain is a 955 metre-high hill overlooking Brasov and hosting a Hollywood-like sign of the city’s name. Thus, one of the highlights of every Brasov visit is to make your way up to Tampa and enjoy the sun set over the city’s red roofs.
One can hike up via the Knight’s Road, which encircles some 13th century ruins and takes near 1 hour. Or take the cable car which runs from 9.30am to 5.40pm, takes a few minutes and costs around $5 return. At the top there’s a nice viewing platform and a panoramic restaurant meant to be one of the best restaurants in Brasov.
10. Park Aventura
Once you have checked out the top things to see in Brasov, consider a trip to Park Aventura. This is one of the best places to visit in Brasov for nature and speed lovers. You’ll find it 9km or 15 minutes away from the old town, it’s open from 10am to 7pm and the entrance fee is $8.50.
This outdoor adventure park features zip-lines between trees, ladders, hanging bridges, and rope nets. it’s highlight is a 300-metre zip-line above the lake that will delight adrenaline junkies. As there’s over sixteen courses with different difficulty levels, it suits both beginners and experts. The place is ideal for families, friends and couples as it also features food stalls and picnic areas.
11. Libearty Bear Sanctuary
Another one among the unusual things to do in Brasov is visiting its Libearty Bear Sanctuary. Not that long ago it was very common in Romania to use brown bears as an attraction. Many appeared in circus shows, were kept in front of restaurants to seduce customers, and performed in local squares in exchange of tips to its owners. Yet, since Romania joined the EU in 2007 and European regulations on animal treatment became applicable, this had to stop. Consequently, many brown bears were abandoned and this conservation centre became their new home.
The Libearty Bear Sanctuary hosts over 100 European brown bears across its 27 hectares in the Carpathian mountains. Here they have caves to hibernate, fresh streams providing water, and lots of trees. Plus it’s the perfect place for their rescue, recovery and healing. The sanctuary stands 25km and 40 minutes from Brasov. Visitors can enjoy it on a guided tour from 9am to 11am Tuesday to Sunday. Check prices and availability here.
12. Poiana Brașov
If you are visiting Transylvania between November and March and are looking for the best Brasov places to visit in wintertime, Poiana is your place. This wonderful ski resort is only 15km from the city and offers over 24 kilometres of skiable slopes within 80 hectares of winter wonderland. Rentals, lessons and snowboarding are also available. Plus there’s lots of buses connecting Brasiov and the resort. Thus, you can choose to base your accommodation in Brasov and commute for the day or stay in one of the many hotels and guesthouses in Poiana.
Do not worry if you Visit Brasov in summer time though. Besides the fantastic things to see in Brasov discussed in this post, spending some time in Poiana under the sunshine is also a great plan. Indeed, Poiana is one of the best places for hiking in Transylvania and offers some of those transylvania forests anyone interested in the Romania vampires dreams of. The area is also great for cycling, horseback riding, picnics, and sunbathing by the lakes. Plus it hosts great restaurants, bowling, and many indoor activities all year round. So many cool Brasov what to do activities are based in Poiana, the so called Alps of Romania.
Recap con the best things to do in Brasov Romania
Brasov is one of the best cities to visit in Romania Transilvania. Its lovely Old Town hosts lots of architectural masterpieces such as the main square and Black Church. Additionally, its many bars, restaurants, and cafes serve the best cuisine of Romania Transylvania and are perfect to relax while people watching.
Those with extra time should make sure to visit the White and Black Towers and Tampa mountain, which are Brasov´s must see spots away from the old Town. Additionally, if you love hiking and/or skiing consider a visit to Poiana ski resort.
When exploring Brasov, consider taking a guided tour around the main landmarks not to miss any of its hidden gems. You´ll find free walking tours and the best private guided experiences here. Leave a comment below or reach out on Instagram or Tiktok for additional insights on my trip to Brasov Romania. Safe travels and happy times in Transilvania!
