Private Day Trip to Brasov, Bran Castle and Peles Castle [NO Dracula stuff]

On this trip will will see Romania's 'must-see' attractions: Peles Castle is a splendid former summer royal residence that will enchant your eyes. Bran Castle - also known as Dracula's Castle - is a medieval fortress in the highlands of Transylvania where you will find out if there are any vampires in Romania. And Brasov is a charming medieval city that will take you back in time!

What you need to know Moments to expect Guide Cancellation & refund policy Location details

What you need to know about the Peles and Bran Castles Tour:

This is a private guided day trip starting from Bucharest. Included: transport (400 km) and guide. NOT included: entrance fees
We pick you up at 8:00 and expect to be back in Bucharest around 21:00. Journey time around 3h (one way)
Visit two famous castles of Romania: Peles Castle and Bran Castle (also known as the Dracula's Castle); entrance fees NOT included
Get a glimpse of Bucharest and discover the medieval Old Town of Brasov on the same trip
We can stop for lunch or grab sandwiches for the road, based on your preferences.
As this is a private tour, you can determine how fast we move and how much time you want to spend where. It's going to be a long day so I want you to be comfortable.

Additional information

Please wear comfortable outfit, the day will be long!

Moments to expect during the the Peles and Bran Castles Day Trip:

Panoramic tour of Bucharest

Before leaving the city, we will drive you on a short panoramic tour of Bucharest to show you some of its most important sights and landmarks, and get a quick intro of Bucharest and Romanian history. This will be a nice intro to your tour and what you're about to see next!

Peles Castle: a royal residence

Considered a masterpiece of German Renaissance architecture, Peles Castle was built in the late 19th century as a summer residence for the royal family, especially for King Charles (Caorl) I. Located in the mountains and with a splendid palace garden, it will quickly impress you. Enjoy a guided tour of the castle and its surroundings and learn more about Romanian history.

Bran Castle: Dracula's imagined home!

This medieval fortress was built in the 14th century as a defensive border point crossing into Transylvania and to prevent the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. Located in highpoint overlooking the mountains and a valley crossing, the sight of Bran Castle's imposing and scary Enjoy a guided tour of the well known castle when you will find out stories about the infamous Vlad the Impaler and also about the royal family.

Visit Brasov

Brasov is a charming mountain city, with a strong medieval legacy, German influence and beautifully restored architecture. We will do a walking tour of the city's most important sights and then enjoy a delicious dinner at a Romanian restaurant if you want to, and depending on time left.

[Alternative] Pelisor Castle

If Peles Castle was built for the heads of the royal family, its 'small brother' Pelisor Castle was built for the heirs. Similar yet different and with its own history and legends, Pelisor Castle is worth visiting. During the normal tour you will see it from the outside, but when Peles Castle is closed we'll also go inside!

How to book?

Choose how many people and when
Request a booking and fill in your details
Flexible payment and cancelation
Guide answers in 24h
Children prices

2 x 175 Euro

How to book this tour?

Choose how many people and when
Request a booking and fill in your details
Flexible payment and cancelation
Guide answers in 24h
Children prices

Guide

Alina

19 REVIEWS

I have been working as a guide ever since I was in college, so I could say travel became my usual lifestyle :) I see traveling as a beautiful adventure, a ceaseless discovery journey. Come with me and I'll show you Romania's beauties!

I like: traveling, hiking, swimming, painting, music, history

I speak: english, german, romanian

Other guides for this tour

Bogdan

Cancelation & refund policy

Easy

Sends us or the guide an email 24h before the tour informing us you can't make it and you'll get a full refund of your payment, no questions asked.

Location details

Starting point: Bucharest
Nearest airport: Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport
Nearest train station: Bucharest North Railway Station
Landscape: Urban, countryside, mountainous area

See on the map

Questions about the Bucharest Day Trip to Bran Castle and Brasov

What's the difference between Peles Castle and Bran Castle?

Peles Castle in Sinaia was the summer residence of Romania's royal family — it's a stunning neo-Renaissance palace with 160 rooms, original art, and beautiful interiors. Bran Castle near Brasov is the medieval fortress associated with the Dracula legend — it's smaller and more atmospheric, with narrow staircases and views over the valley. Both are worth seeing and offer completely different experiences.

How long does the day trip take and what's included?

The tour is a full-day experience of approximately 12 hours from Bucharest, covering about 500 km round trip. It includes transport by car and a knowledgeable guide. Castle entrance fees are NOT included (Peles ~€15, Bran ~€12). You'll also have time in Brasov's Old Town for lunch and a short walking tour.

Is Peles Castle open every day?

No — Peles Castle is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays all year-round. If your preferred date falls on one of these days, we can visit Pelisor Castle instead (similar but smaller) or suggest an alternative (eg. Cantacuzino Castle). We recommend buying Peles Castle tickets online in advance, especially in summer when queues can be long.

Can this day trip be combined with bear watching?

Not comfortably on the same day — the castle day trip takes the full day and bear watching starts in the late afternoon and is done with another guide. But if you really want this we can set it up, please message us. Or, better, finish the tour in Brasov, spend the night there, go bear watching the next and return by train to Bucharest. We can help you plan this.

Is the tour suitable for children and elderly travelers?

Yes. Both castles are accessible with some walking and stairs. Bran Castle involves narrow staircases that can be challenging for people with mobility issues, but Peles Castle is more spacious. The driving portions are max 2h though, so keep this in mind. Children generally enjoy both castles — Bran especially sparks their imagination with the Dracula connection.

Reviews from travellers

Alice D. on 28.07.2019

We enjoyed our tour with our guide, George - who took us around the Castles around the region.

Melissa R. on 29.05.2019

We were looking for a private tour and a comfortable experience for ourselves as we came across many tours like this but weren't convinced of their quality. This trip was perfect: a very knowledgeable and friendly guide with a spacious and modern car told us A LOT about Romanian history and gave us enough context to understand what we're seeing. Didn't rush us and gave us space to explore on our own which was great. A long day but very good value for money, thanks!

Scott G. on 11.07.2018

I really enjoyed my whole day with my driver/guide Chip, Bogdan's colleague. He was very accommodating to my special wish, which was to also go to the Village Museum. He also suggested a wonderful monastery tomb visit along the way. He was polite, an excellent guide, and very knowledgeable. He was also open to giving me just the right amount of information about each site, without information overload. Snacks and some beverages were also provided during the day. I enjoyed this tour tremendously and would highly recommend it to others!