Surroundings

Bran Castle boasts a romantic appearance and a tumultuous history spanning nearly eight centuries. Perched atop a rock overseeing the Bran Pass, nestled between the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountains, the ancient fortress is surrounded by enchanting landscapes. The four-story museum houses collections of furniture, costumes, weapons, and armor. The castle estate also includes the Royal Park, the Tea House, the Administrator's House, and the Princess Ileana House. Through its eventful history with prominent figures, the beauty of its architecture and surroundings, as well as its fascinating legends, Bran Castle is one of Romania's most beloved tourist attractions, drawing over 500,000 visitors annually.

Bran Monastery is situated atop Balaban Hill, providing stunning panoramic views of the Bucegi, Piatra Craiului, Postăvaru, and Leaota mountains, as well as Măgura Codlei and the Transylvanian Plain. This location holds significant historical importance as it honors the Romanian soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending the Rucăr-Bran corridor during World War I. In their memory, a commemorative cross has been erected near the church.

The Chișătorea waterfall, enveloped in lush vegetation, is located on the scenic route of the Moieciu Gorges. Following the Turcu Stream, you arrive at a small natural paradise where two jets of water burst from the rock, cascading down 15-20 meters. The specificity of the waterfall comes from the travertine formations made up of calcium carbonate deposits: this karst phenomenon determined the creation of the Cheile Moieciului - Chișătorea Waterfall Bio-Geological Nature Reserve.

The Bran National Museum houses a valuable collection of objects with which Queen Maria of Romania decorated her favorite residence, Bran Castle. Here you can see what the royal bedroom once looked like, part of the music room and a section of the magnificent library, the sovereign's tea service, and the cult objects she loved.

The Bran Village Museum is situated on the grounds of the famous castle and showcases valuable examples of architecture and traditional techniques representative of this historic border area. The exhibits include houses, outbuildings, tools, wood and wool processing facilities, furniture, folk art, and traditional costumes. Together, these displays bring to life the stories of past communities, with their beliefs, customs, and values.

Piatra Craiului is a mountain range in the Southern Carpathians, stretching over 25 kilometers and reaching a maximum altitude of 2,238 meters at the La Om (Piscul Baciului) peak.

Piatra Craiului National Park hosts numerous ecosystems representative of this mountainous area and includes natural elements of exceptional value from various perspectives: physical-geographical, floristic, faunistic, hydrological, paleontological, and more. The park is open to visitors for scientific research, recreation, education, and tourism.

The first natural reserve here was established in 1938 and covered an area of 440 hectares. In 1990, the protected area was expanded to 14,766 hectares and officially designated as a national park.

The height of the mountains formed mainly of limestone rocks of Jurassic age, and the tectonic of the area favored karstification, which led to the formation of more than 500 caves and caverns. On the western slope, the steeps and areas devoid of vegetation create an impressive wild landscape.

In Piatra Craiului National Park there are 119 species and subspecies of vascular plants, of which 53 are endemic to the Carpathian region. Dianthus callizonus (beauty's girdle, or the Piatra Craiului little carnation) is a species that exists exclusively in this area.

The fauna is highly diverse, including 35 invertebrates as endemic species, 111 bird species, and no fewer than 21 species of bats. Among large carnivores, the most representative are the bear, the wolf, and the lynx, which, according to studies, have three migration corridors between the Piatra Craiului and Bucegi massifs.

If you want to visit Piatra Craiului National Park, you can do so individually or through guided tours. You can choose from 42 hiking trails of varying difficulty levels and 11 cycling routes, each well-marked.

Libearty Zărnești is the largest brown bear sanctuary in the world. The project began in 2005 by rescuing 160 bears held captive in miserable conditions, malnourished, and abused. Here, they regained their freedom, were cared for, and retook their natural behavior.

Recognized by specialists as the most ethical sanctuary in the world, Libearty is now home to over 130 bears. On the 70 hectares of oak forest, the animals have plenty of trees to climb, pools to splash in, and proper food prescribed by veterinarians.

Cheile Zărneștiului (Zărnești Gorges) are a narrow canyon of unique beauty. Regardless of the season, the landscapes are breathtaking, and with a little luck, you might spot a chamois. The gorge stretches for 5 kilometers, with rock walls reaching up to 200 meters in height in some places and the path is almost flat, making it easy for anyone to walk through.

Cheile Zărneștiului are located in Piatra Craiului National Park. The easiest way to get there is by the route that starts from Strada Râului in the town of Zărneşti towards Valea Prăpăstiilor.

Many tourists park their cars at Fântâna lui Botorog (Botorog's Fountain), from where the hiking trail to Cabana Curmătura (Curmătura Hut) begins.

We recommend a circuit of approximately 6 hours on the route Fântâna lui Botorog - Poiana Zănoaga - Cabana Curmătura - Prăpăstiile Zărneștilor - Fântâna lui Botorog.

Râșnov Fortress is one of the most significant medieval monuments in the country. The initial fortification at this site was constructed by the Teutonic Knights and local Saxons between 1211 and 1225. Unfortunately, the wooden structures built during that period and afterward were destroyed by fires. The existing fortress, which features defensive walls, towers, and residential buildings, is the old fortified settlement of the Saxons in Râșnov.

Valea Cetății Cave in Râșnov was hidden due to landslides for many years and became visible only in 1949. In 2010, after being prepared for public access, the cave was opened to tourists and designated as a protected natural area of national interest. Its interior is stunning, featuring small lakes, stalactites, and various formations shaped by nature in the white limestone. The acoustics of the Great Hall are exceptional; the Brașov Philharmonic holds concerts here without the need for sound systems.

The Râșnov Citadel Funicular is the elevator on an inclined plane that connects the historic city center with the citadel of the same name. The facility can transport up to 800 people per day and runs at 2 meters per second, so you can freely admire the beautiful scenery it passes through.

Râșnov Dino Parc is more than just an amusement park; it is an interactive educational project. It features 120 life-sized dinosaur replicas (some of which move and make sounds), all based on the latest paleontological discoveries. The complex also features a replica of an active volcano, a platform that simulates earthquakes, exhibitions held in treehouses, interactive workshops, a 9D cinema, zip lines, adventure trails, a laser maze, play areas, a restaurant, and many other attractions.

If you love horses, you'll find two riding centers in Râșnov that offer riding lessons and horseback rides through nature or in an arena. It's worth visiting even only to see the ponies, the Arabian horses, and Lipizzaners.

Council Square is the heart of Brașov, filled with charm, history, and legends. Until the early 20th century, it hosted important fairs attended by merchants from Transylvania, Wallachia, Greece, Turkey, and other regions. In the Middle Ages, the pillory of the square was used for the public judgment of witches and wrongdoers. In 1688, Stefan Stener, the head of the cobblers' guild, was executed here for opposing the Austrians' entry into the city. In this square was inaugurated, in 1892, the first steam tram from the nowadays Romanian territory. The surrounding houses, painted in brick red, yellow, blue, pink, and green, are historical monuments, many being architectural gems built between 1500 and 1900. Today, Council Square hosts concerts and events that attract tourists from all over the world.

The Black Church in Brașov is the parish church of the Evangelical Lutheran community in the city and the largest Gothic church in Southeast Europe; it can accommodate nearly 5,000 people. The building was constructed between the 14th and 15th centuries in late Gothic style.

It has been called the Black Church since 1689 when a fire blackened its walls and partially destroyed its interior. The reconstruction lasted until 1722, and master craftsmen from Danzig (now Gdańsk) were brought in to restore the large vaults. Therefore, the interior is predominantly Baroque. The pulpit was made in 1695, six years after the fire, from a donation by the butcher craftsman Lorenz Bömches.

The church preserves a stunning Gothic mural painted at the end of the 15th century, depicting the Virgin Mary with the child Jesus and the saints Catherine of Alexandria and Barbara, alongside which appear the coats of arms of the King of Hungary, Matthias (Matthias Corvinus), and his wife, Beatrix of Aragon. Another piece of art is the bronze baptismal font, dating from 1472, which is still in use today.

• Another piece of art is the bronze baptismal font, dating from 1472, which is still in use today;
• The rich collection of Anatolian rugs from the 15th-16th centuries is surpassed only by the one in the Topkapı Museum in Istanbul. The carpets mostly come from the Saxon villages, where they decorated churches and town halls;
• The famous organ here was installed in 1839 by the Berlin company Buchholz. The quality of its sound attracts organists from all over the world who come to perform.

Strada Sforii (Sforii Street) connects Cerbului and Poarta Șchei streets in the historic center and is ranked the third narrowest street in Europe, with a width of 1.11 to 1.35 meters. This corridor has been documented since the 17th century and was originally built for firefighter access. Locals say that lovers whose parents disapproved of their relationship would secretly meet here, and couples who kiss on Sforii Street will stay together for life. After restoration, the passage has regained its romantic charm, with lanterns identical to those from a century ago.

The first Romanian school in Transylvania is located in the courtyard of the Saint Nicholas Church in the historic Șcheii Brașovului neighborhood. The ancient school was built in 1495, and Romanian lessons began around 1850. Here, in 1556, the deacon Coresi started printing the first volumes in the Romanian language within the Transylvanian territory, in 1757 Dimitrie Eustatievici wrote the first Romanian grammar book, and Costea translated the first series of popular books. The current building dates from 1760 and houses the First Romanian School Museum, featuring a rich collection of ancient volumes and works of art.

Mount Tâmpa is part of the Postăvaru Massif and rises in the heart of Brașov. It’s like a love story: the city surrounds the mountain almost completely, as in an embrace, while the mountain carries the name of the city far into the distance, written in glowing letters. It’s worth hiking up Tâmpa either on foot or by cable car: the trail is very picturesque, and from the top, you have a stunning panorama of Brașov and the Bârsa Land.

Poiana Brașov is a component locality of the city of Brașov and the most famous winter sports resort in Romania. In ancient times, only shepherds with their flocks would ascend here; skiers first appeared around 1895. The first skiing competition organized in Poiana Brașov took place in 1906, and in 1951, here were held the Winter World University Games, for which the first hotel and cable car were prepared. Today, it is the most luxurious mountain resort in the country, with 12 ski slopes, numerous hotels, villas, restaurants, bars, clubs, and a breathtaking natural setting.

In Poiana Brașov, you’ll find Spiritul Cailor equestrian center. Here, you can take riding lessons and enjoy horseback rides at a walk, trot, or gallop on trails and paths of varying difficulty levels. The center also organizes horse training demos, competitions, photo sessions, and other activities.

The Merchants’ House, or the Hirscher House, in Piața Sfatului, was built between 1541 and 1547 by Apollonia Hirscher, the widow of former town judge Lukas Hirscher. This lady had a natural talent for business and a generous soul: she donated nearly her entire fortune to the community, including the Merchants’ House, which featured a sales hall and a sample fair. Damaged by fires, the building underwent major reconstruction between 1759 and 1847, when it acquired its current plans and shape. This historic monument houses today some commercial galleries, a restaurant, and a café.

Cetățuia (the Citadel) on Straja Hill is situated outside the walls of Brașov’s old medieval fortress. The original fortification consisted of a defensive tower, later enhanced by three artillery towers, an earthen rampart, and a water moat. The structure as we see it today dates back to 1773 when the hexagonal tower and the two-story building were constructed. Returned to public ownership in 2022, Cetățuia, with its rich history and romantic medieval appearance, has been open to visitors since 2023.

Dominated by the Piatra Craiului Mountains, the two villages boast breathtaking landscapes and picturesque houses that retain their old-world charm. Here, far from the hustle and bustle, you find pure, refreshing air, pastoral tranquility, and stunning views.

The area lies within the Piatra Craiului National Park, a protected zone rich in flora and fauna. The park features over 800 caves and grottoes - including Avenul de sub Colții Grindului, the deepest sinkhole in the country (-540 meters), listed among the world's deepest underground voids.

Moieciu commune has some attractions of its own: a traditional wool processing installation, a fulling mill, a sawmill, and a grain mill which are among the few remaining original structures of their kind in Romania. Moreover, the area is the starting point for many uniquely beautiful hiking trails.

In Peștera village, you’ll find the Bat Cave, while Măgura village is home to the Runceanu House, a charming traditional wooden dwelling.