Tours & Day trips in Brasov

The city of Brasov is one of Romania’s most popular tourist destinations for locals or foreign travellers alike. Easily accessible via public transport, with the option of either a bus or train journey, or flying in on the recently opened airport, spending one night in the city is a must even if your goal is to visit the nearby Dracula’s Castle!

But you should know that the area around Brasov offers some of the best day trips in Romania: from renowned castles and fortresses, wonderful natural attractions, authentic local life in remote mountain villages, natural parks, and, of course, the famous Transylvania region to which Brasov acts as a gateway.

By no means exhaustive, here’s our list of the best day trips from Brasov.

• Bran Castle & Rasnov Fortress (~30 min)

Just to get it out of the way – this is Romania’s #1 tourist attraction and remains the most visited medieval castle on guided tours. It's often the first stop for many tourists in Romania. That's why the most popular day trips in Romania will also include a visit to the fascinating Dracula's Castle.

Overhyped because of its 'Dracula' association, this attraction is located in the small village of Bran, just 30 km (a half hour drive) from Brasov. The fortress was built around 1377 as a strategic defence fortress and customs pass. Perched on a crest overlooking a valley leading into Wallachia, Bran Castle has menacing towers and truly a medieval air to it.

With a long history and passing through many hands and owners, the castle has an interesting history of its own – not at all related to Dracula or Vlad the Impaler, the supposed real-life person for Bram Stoker’s character. The best way to explore Bran Castle is with a tour guide who can offer you valuable insights into the castle's history.

Situated nearby, Rasnov Fortress was built as a place of refuge by local Saxons during long medieval sieges. While the fortress interior is currently closed for restoration, visitors can still explore the surrounding grounds, admire the impressive stone walls, and take in panoramic views over the surrounding valley.

Brasov Day Trip to Bran Castle and Peles Castle

Start from: Brasov

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• Peles Castle (~1–1.5 hrs)

Romania offers so much more than just Bran Castle, and for those with a fascination for history, numerous castles and fortresses from the medieval period stand as proof of the rich culture of this country.

Peles Castle, whose construction commenced in 1873 and was completed in 1914, is situated in the picturesque town of Sinaia, on the medieval route connecting Transylvania and Wallachia. It was commissioned by King Carol I, and it can be found along the Peles River's valley.

It also holds a world record as the first castle to be entirely powered by locally produced electricity. Now, its architecture and history continue to captivate hundreds of thousands of tourists each year.

Brasov Day Trip to Bran Castle and Peles Castle

Start from: Brasov

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• Viscri, Prejmer & the Saxon villages (~20 min–1.5 hrs)*

One of the most interesting things tourists can discover on one of the available Brasov day trips is how well different nationalities lived together.

Viscri is one of the best-known Transylvanian villages, after having been put on the world tourist map by Prince Charles himself. Tourists come here to see the former Szekely, then Saxon settlement, built around the fortified church. They get to spend the night in an authentic guesthouse and enjoy the peace and quiet of the place, along with some traditional meals.

Founded by the Teutonic Knights, the Prejmer Fortified Church was in the first line of defence against the invaders of the Transylvanian Saxon space.

Now, the 13th-century construction, which is the largest fortified church in southeastern Europe, is part of the UNESCO Heritage Sites, calmly welcoming visitors of all nationalities. With Gothic architecture, rounded windows, and solid 3 meters-thick walls, the fortified church provided shelter in the 15th and 16th centuries to the Saxon community in the village. It has around 270 rooms built into its walls, where villagers sheltered during sieges.

Transylvania Culture & History Day Trip: Viscri, Sighisoara & Rupea

Start from: Brasov

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• Sighisoara & Rupea Fortress (~2 hrs)

A 2-hour day trip from Brasov by car will take you down a very picturesque road to the citadel of Sighisoara, a 12th-century construction with amazing defensive and locative constructions, restaurants, and cultural venues, that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sighisoara, also known as the pearl of Transylvania, is one of Romania’s most popular tourist attractions and one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. There are various defense towers, formerly run by the city guilds, with the clock tower being the most famous of all. Taking a short walk in Sighisoara is a great way to step back in time and experience the medieval atmosphere that envelops you at every turn.

Another fortress built on top of a hill, Rupea Fortress watches over the town with the same name. Built in the 14th century and constantly upgraded afterwards, it was used to defend and protect the area and the locals living here. Now, it’s one of Transylvania’s most iconic medieval sites, located midway between Brasov and Sighisoara.

Rupea Fortress was restored recently and should make it on your list of places to visit if you want to learn about the history of the area and see some great views!

Transylvania Culture & History Day Trip: Viscri, Sighisoara & Rupea

Start from: Brasov

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• Magura & Pestera mountain villages (~45 min)

All over the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, and particularly around Brasov, there are many remote villages dotting the hills with their small houses, haystacks and livestock. Here, ageing villagers live as they used to 100 years ago. These villages are representative of the authentic, self-sustainable, and peaceful rural lifestyle of Romanian culture.

The villages of Magura, Pestera, Ciocanu, Fundata, Moeciu, and Sirnea, located in Piatra Craiului National Park, are among the most representative. These communities live at the highest altitudes in Romania, at around 1,000 m, nestled between mountain crests and rolling hills. That’s why we created a day trip which is our best-selling guided tour from Brasov!

1 or 2 Day Trip in Traditional Mountain Villages: Magura & Pestera

Start from: Brasov

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• Piatra Craiului National Park (~45 min)

In the Carpathian Mountains, the Piatra Craiului mountains are considered among the most beautiful and exciting for hiking trips. Famous for their sharp limestone ridge that zig-zags across the sky at heights of over 2.170m, this natural park is every hiker’s paradise.

Piatra Craiului National Park has been a protected area since 1938, encompassing a wide variety of wildlife and rare plants, picturesque hiking trails for both beginners and versed hikers, and wonderful small mountain villages.

There are guided day trips or multi-day hiking tours from Brasov or Bucharest that will take you to these sights and we know the friendliest licensed hiking guides for that!

1, 2 or 3 Days Hiking Tour in Piatra Craiului National Park

Start from: Brasov

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• 7 Stairs Canyon (~30 min)

Undoubtedly one of the most popular natural attractions in Romania, the Seven Ladders Canyon is very close to Brasov and makes for a great hiking day trip.

Located in the western part of Piatra Mare Mountains, this Jurassic limestone canyon was formed as a result of natural ruptures, earthquakes, and landslides that happened over thousands of years. Similar to a very narrow gorge and 160 m long, the canyon has no less than 9 waterfalls.

The canyon can be crossed through a series of metal stairs, passageways, and vertical ladders. This means you will have a very personal, up-close experience with nature and if you book a guided hiking tour the guide will take you to some of the most beautiful places in Piatra Mare massif!

Hiking Trip to the Spectacular 7 Stairs Canyon

Start from: Brasov

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• Bucegi Mountains & the Sphinx (~1 hr)

Rising sharply above the Prahova Valley resorts about 1 hour from Brasov, the Bucegi Plateau is famous for its natural wind-sculpted rock formations, including the Sphinx and Babele. Accessible via the Busteni cable car, the alpine plateau offers wide panoramic views and accessible trails leading toward the iconic Heroes' Cross on Caraiman Peak and up to Omu Peak (2,505 m), the highest point in the Bucegi range.

2 Day Hiking Trip in Bucegi Mts: The Sphinx & Omu Peak

Start from: Brasov or Sinaia or Busteni

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• Fagaras Mountains (~1.5 hrs)

The Fagaras Mountains are Romania's highest alpine range, home to Moldoveanu Peak (2,545 m). Most hiking trails start high up near Balea Lake, a glacial lake situated at 2,034 meters elevation. The area is accessible via the famous Transfagarasan road, open roughly from July 1 to October 31, while outside those dates a cable car operates up to Balea Lake.

2 or 3 Day Hiking Trip in Fagaras Mts: Negoiu or Moldoveanu Peak

Start from: Brasov (pick-up)

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• Bear watching & wildlife

Few people know that Romania hosts the largest brown bear population in Europe. Previously hunted for game meat, fur, or simply as trophies or for sport, they are now protected by law. As their numbers grew, bear watching in Romania became a very popular activity. And besides the opportunity to see these majestic animals in their natural habitat on a guided trip from Brasov, if you're lucky you may see others too!

A special attraction in the area is the Libearty Bear Sanctuary, a natural reservation that shelters bears saved from improper captivity from all over Europe. The reservation located in the hilltop forest near the town of Zărnești was open to the public in 2005. Now it’s home to 100 brown bears and can be visited under stricter rules than a zoo because it focuses more on protecting the animals rather than caring for visitors.

Sighting chances are 75% or higher May–September, 50–75% late March–April and late October–early November.

Choose from our ethical wildlife experiences:

1. a convenient small group tour: Bear Watching Experience from a Forest Hide: spend a couple of hours at a safe observation hide, accompanied by a specialist wildlife researcher.
2. the thrilling version: Wild Bear Safari: track bears across wild valleys and forests with an expert conservation guide.
3. a true wildlife experience: Hiking & Wildlife Tracking in the Carpathians: combine mountain trekking with active tracking of bears, bison, and other wild fauna in pristine wilderness

• Fagaras Citadel (~1 hr)

Another interesting historic attraction to visit on a day trip from Braşov is in the city of Fagaras. Dating back to the early 1300s, Fagaras Citadel was used to defend Transylvania from invaders and served as a residence for medieval rulers.

Recently, the citadel was restored and now houses the Fagaras Country Museum, displaying a vast array of medieval weapons, traditional folk crafts, and Roman artifacts.

Brasov Day Trip to Bran Castle and Peles Castle

Start from: Brasov

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• Sona pyramids (~1.5 hrs)

In the village of Sona, eight peculiar earthen mounds arise along a nature trail, creating the most intriguing and unusual view. These pyramid-shaped mounds, around 30 meters high, and covered with vegetation, are surrounded by many local stories.

Local legends say these giant mounds were built by giants or ancient folk, making them a unique and quiet off-the-beaten-path stop.

Transylvania Culture & History Day Trip: Viscri, Sighisoara & Rupea

Start from: Brasov

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Longer trips from Brasov

If you have more time and want to explore Transylvania beyond a single day, consider these multi-day trips starting from Brasov:

2-Day Agrotourism Farm Stay Experience:: Stay at an authentic organic farm in a Transylvanian village, enjoy home-cooked meals, and experience local rural life.

2-Day Saxon Villages Bike Trip: Ride along peaceful dirt trails, rolling hills, and fortified villages in the heart of Saxon Transylvania.

3-Day Hiking & Wildlife Watching in the Carpathians: Combine high-ridge mountain treks in Piatra Craiului with evening bear-tracking adventures in wild forests.

7-Day Hut-to-Hut Hiking Trip (Shared): A multi-day trekking adventure conquering the highest peaks across the Fagaras, Bucegi, and Piatra Craiului ranges.

Horse Riding Trip in Transylvania: Explore wild meadows, quiet valleys, and traditional oak forests on horseback guided by local experts.

Guided tours in Brasov

Lying at the base of Tampa Hill and with Postavaru Massif nearby, Brasov is a great place to go on a mountain bike tour as the trails start right from the city edge!

Brasov is also a great destination for winter sports lovers: nearby Poiana Brasov is considered the best ski resort in Romania, where you can join a Poiana Brasov ski tour, while Postavaru Massif is a great place for off-piste, backcountry freeriding on a freeride ski tour whether you're a beginner or experienced rider!

• Uncover centuries of Saxon history and medieval landmarks on a guided walking tour of Brasov.
• Explore hidden spots and capture the city's best views with a photographer guide on Brasov with a Local.