11 Awesome Things to Do in Brasov for First-Timers

11 Best Things to Do in Brasov

1. Hang Out at The Council Square

We first begin our journey in Brasov right at the heart of the city, at the Council Square, a large, open-air public square that has been a central meeting place for people here for centuries. The square is surrounded by some of the most beautiful historical buildings and colorful Baroque-style houses in town, which make for a great place to begin our exploration.

The most prominent feature of the Council Square is the Old Town Hall, which dominates the eastern side of the square. The building has striking Gothic-style architecture with a tall clock tower with a beautiful water fountain adjacent to it.

The Council Square is also surrounded by numerous cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops, making it a great place to hang out and have lunch or dinner. Some of my favorite restaurants are located at the square like La Ceaun, one of the best places to try Romanian cuisine. which adds to the vibrant atmosphere of the place.

During the summer months, there are often street performers and musicians entertaining the crowds, as well as summer events like concerts that are often held on the square for both locals and tourists to enjoy, adding to the lively ambiance of the square.

In winter, you can expect to see a huge Christmas celebration here with a sprawling Christmas market with stalls selling all kinds of festive food, an ice-skating rink, and a large illuminated Christmas tree right next to the Old Town Hall.

The square is also connected to Republic Street, a long pedestrian street lined with all kinds of shops, cafes, and restaurants, making it a great place to stroll around at. The whole area is one of the liveliest places in the city so if you are looking for a place to hang out to get the feel of this city, be sure to check out Council Square.

2. Admire the Beauty of The Black Church

Located right next to Council Square, you will find the Black Church, one of the most impressive Gothic-style churches you will see in Eastern Europe and one of the most famous landmarks of Brasov.

The church was originally built in the 14th century but was heavily damaged by a fire in 1689, which gave it its current name due to the blackened appearance of its walls. The restoration work took over 100 years to complete, during which the church underwent several modifications, including the addition of a Baroque-style organ.

The interior of the Black Church is also as pretty as one can expect from a 17th-century Gothic church, with beautiful high ceilings and impressive stained glass windows. The church houses a large collection of valuable antique carpets, some of which are over 500 years old, as well as a rare collection of Ottoman-era prayer rugs.

One of the most striking features of the Black Church is its impressive pipe organ, which is one of the largest in Europe. It has over 4,000 pipes and was built in 1839 by Friedrich Wilhelm Hesse, a famous German organ builder. The organ is still in use even today.

To get inside the Black Church, you are going to have to get a ticket from the ticket office at the building nearby. The ticket should cost about 20 RON or 4.5 EUR per person. The church is open from 10 AM to 6:45 PM on weekdays and 12 PM to 6:45 PM on weekends. Definitely one of the best things to do in Brasov.

3. Check Out the View from Black Tower or White Tower

If you are looking for a great viewpoint of Brasov that is easily accessible on foot straight from Brasov's Old Town, right on the hillside, north of the Old Town, you will find 2 towers, the Black Tower and the White Tower.

Black Tower is a medieval tower built in the 15th century and served as a watchtower and a defensive stronghold against invading armies. The tower stands around 11 meters tall and has a cylindrical shape with a cone-shaped roof. It is constructed of brick and has a blackened appearance, which gives it its name.

White Tower, on the other hand, is a larger and more imposing tower built in the early 15th century and served as a main entrance gate into the city. The tower stands around over 20 meters tall and has a conical roof, just like the Black Tower. The tower is called White Tower due to the white plaster covering its exterior walls.

Both of which provide a nice view over the city, but despite the White Tower being larger and taller, I found the view from the Black Tower to be a bit better as the tower provides a perfect unobstructed view of the Brasov cityscape with a clear view of the Black Church and the mountains behind it.

Despite the fact that you can't really get access to the top of the Black Tower anymore, the view from its balcony, which can be accessed for free, is still better than the view from the top of the White Tower.

Plus, it's free at the Black Tower, and you can be there any time you want, whereas at the White Tower, you have to pay the entrance fee of 7 RON per person, and it is open daily from 7 AM to 5 PM. You can check out both places if you wish, but I think you are going to appreciate the view from the Black Tower more.

4. Visit Beth Israel Synagogue

One of the most unique and striking architecture you can see in Brasov is Beth Israel Synagogue, one of the few remaining active synagogues in the country and an important symbol of the Jewish community's presence in the region.

The synagogue was built in the early 20th century in a Neo-Gothic style and has a striking appearance with its red brick exterior and pointed arches. The interior of the synagogue is equally impressive, featuring a spacious prayer hall with a high vaulted ceiling and ornate chandeliers. The walls of the hall are decorated with colorful stained glass windows depicting Jewish symbols and scenes from the Torah.

During World War II, the synagogue was used as a storage facility for confiscated Jewish property by the occupying Nazi forces. However, the building survived the war relatively unscathed and was restored to its former glory in the 1950s. There is just nothing quite like it anywhere else in Romania, so be sure to check Beth Israel Synagogue while you are in Brasov. The place is open from 10 AM to 4 PM on weekdays only, and the entrance fee is 10 RON per person.

5. Walk Through the Beautiful City Gates of Brasov

There are 2 beautiful historical city gates in Brasov you should definitely check out while you are here. First is Catherine's Gate, a beautiful Romanesque-style city gate which was built by the Tailors' Guild, in the 16th Century for defensive purposes.

This historic gate is named after St. Catherine's Monastery, which was situated here in former times. It is the only original city gate to have survived from medieval times. It is my favorite city gate out of all, with its beautiful coned roof that looks like a medieval castle in fairytales.

Another cool city gate right next to Catherine's Gate that you should check out is Șchei Gate, a beautiful Classic-style city gate built with stone and brick, all painted in white, built in the 19th Century to allow the increased flow of traffic to the city, which goes to show how rapidly the city has grown.

Both gates are located right next to each other, which makes for a great place to drop by as you stroll along the city gate of Brasov and ultimately make your way to Weavers Bastion and beyond.

6. Walk Through the Narrow Sforii Street

Before we get to Weavers Bastion, I highly recommend you check out Sforii Street, one of the narrowest streets in Europe with a width that ranges from just 1.2 to 1.5 meters.

The street was built in the 15th century as a passage for firefighters to quickly reach the city's main square in case of a fire. Over time, it became a popular shortcut for locals to take to reach the other side of the building block without making a detour.

The street will take you along the extremely narrow Graffiti-covered alleyway located in between people's houses, through apartment blocks, which makes for a fun activity to do, and since we are going to visit Weavers Bastion next, the Sforii Street should take you close to the bastion without you having to go around apartment blocks so be sure to check it out while you are here.

7. Visit Weavers Bastion (Bastionul Ţesătorilor)

On the southeast corner of Brasov, you will find Weavers Bastion or Bastionul Ţesătorilor, a beautiful 15th-century well-preserved bastion fortress that houses a medieval museum you can check out and learn more about the city.

The Bastion was built as part of the city's defensive walls and was used as a defensive tower during times of conflict. It is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Brasov, and it is best known for its incredible multi-level wooden balconies and staircases that you can walk around in.

The museum features exhibits and displays that showcase the evolution of Brasov's defenses, as well as the weapons and equipment used by soldiers and guards in the past. There is also an impressive model of Brasov from 1896, which should give you a glimpse of how expansive the city was back then.

The bastion is open from 10 AM to 6 PM every day except on Mondays, and the entrance fee is around 7 RON per person. If you like history and want to learn more about the history of this region, be sure to drop by Weavers Bastion.

8. Check Out the View from Belvedere Tampa

Now, for the ultimate viewpoint over the city that will allow you to see Brasov and its surroundings from above, you can't go wrong with Belvedere Tampa, an observation deck located at the top of Tampa Mountain, just east of Brasov.

This viewpoint is situated on top of Mount Tâmpa, which is a forested mountain that dominates the skyline of Brasov. The viewpoint offers stunning panoramic views of the city and its surroundings, as well as the Carpathian Mountains.

To get up there, you can either take the cable car from Telecabina Tampa you can walk straight from the city center. The cable car should take about 2 minutes to get you to the top and cost around 15 RON one way or 25 RON for a roundtrip ticket. The cable car operates from 9 AM to 6 PM every day except on Mondays. The cut-off time to go up is 5 PM and the cut-off time to go down is 6 PM so be sure to plan accordingly.

You can also hike all the way to the top in about 45 minutes to an hour along the 2.4 km hiking trail that snakes its way up to the top of Tampa Mountain. The trail begins at this trailhead located not too far from the cable car station. If you are looking for the best viewpoint in the city, this is it.

9. Be Amazed by Peles Castle

After seeing all the tourist attractions in Brasov, it is time to go on a day trip and explore all the beautiful tourist attractions around Brasov, starting off with the most impressive one of all, Peles Castle, one of the most beautiful and well-preserved castles in Europe.

Nestled in the beautiful Carpathian Mountains, Peles Castle is a stunning castle built in the late 19th century as the summer residence of King Carol I of Romania, who wanted to recreate the Bavarian mountains of Germany, where he is originally from in Transylvania.

The castle's architecture is a blend of several styles, including Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance. Its exterior is adorned with wooden frames, intricate carvings, and decorative motifs that resemble those beautiful castles you see in Germany and Austria.

The castle is surrounded by incredible gardens and parks filled with flowers, fountains, and sculptures, set against the beautiful landscape of the Carpathians. The castle is truly a sight to behold.

If you think the castle looks amazing from the outside, wait until you see the inside! The castle boasts over 170 rooms, each with its own unique style and character. Some of the rooms are all lavishly decorated with wooden sculptures, ornaments, and furniture with incredible craftsmanship, the like you can't find anywhere else in Romania.

The most impressive rooms include the Grand Armory, which houses an extensive collection of medieval weapons, the Music Room with its impressive ceiling painting, the Florentine Room with its exquisite Italian Renaissance decorations, and the Imperial Suite which was used by King Carol I and his wife Queen Elisabeth.

In order to get to Peles Castle, I highly recommend you go on an organized tour that will take you from Brasov to Peles Castle as well as Bran Castle and Rasnov Citadel, another 2 places that I will recommend you visit next.

I went on this tour and they were great. It was a small group of 8 people, including our guide, who was very knowledgeable and often guided us through each place with gripping stories of the history behind them. He also takes us to a nice family-run Romanian restaurant, Bran Chalet, and recommends us some really delicious local dishes to try.

The whole tour was awesome and allowed us to see many remote sites without having to worry about the logistics of it all. Definitely one of the best things to do in Brasov. If you are looking for the best way to visit Peles Castle among other places, be sure to give this tour a try.

10. Visit Bran Castle, Known as the Dracula Castle

As part of the organized tour, you will also be visiting the famous Bran Castle, also known as "Dracula's Castle" because it is associated with the legendary vampire Count Dracula, who is said to have inspired Bram Stoker's famous novel.

The castle was built in the 14th century and was originally used as a fortress to defend the border of Transylvania against the Ottoman Empire. Over the centuries, the castle was used as a royal residence, a customs house, and even a hospital during World War I.

Bran Castle's architecture is a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, with towers, battlements, and courtyards. The castle's interior features an impressive collection of medieval art, furniture, and weapons, although not as over the top as Peles Castle.

While Peles Castle went full-blown extravagance with its decors, Bran Castle is a little more discrete with small rooms, low ceilings, and simple furniture, giving you a more homely feel to it, which I think is pretty cool.

You can explore the castle's rich history and architecture through your guide, as they will explain the function of each room as you walk through them, highlighting the castle's unique features and decorations.

While you ascend the castle up to one of its watchtowers, you will be able to appreciate the castle's medieval courtyard from above as well as the incredible view of the Carpathian Mountains surrounding it.

There are also many shops and stalls selling all kinds of souvenirs and street food right at the entrance to Bran Castle, where you can stroll around and look for some Dracula-themed souvenirs to buy for your loved ones at home.

You should have ample time at Bran Castle to explore the castle and its surrounding area with this organized tour and you will then be taken to Bran Chalet, a local restaurant/guesthouse nearby to try out some of the finest Romanian cuisine out there before you are taken to the last destination of the itinerary, Rasnov Citadel.

11. Enjoy Sunset over at Rasnov Citadel

Last but not least, we are going to visit Rasnov Citadel, a medieval fortress located near the town of Rasnov that offers an incredible view over the surrounding mountainous landscape of the Carpathians, perfect for watching the sunset.

The castle was built in the 14th century as a defensive structure and was often used as a place of refuge for the local population during times of conflict, thanks to its hard-to-reach location.

The fortress is surrounded by walls, towers, and battlements, with a central courtyard that houses several buildings. Unfortunately, the buildings inside the fortress are left pretty much abandoned despite the sign saying it is still under renovation. I don't think the castle is going to be fully renovated anytime soon.

That said, the fortress does offer a nice pleasant area to stroll around and discover the stunning ruins inside the castle, along with several walking trails surrounding the fortress walls that offer stunning views of the surrounding hills and forests.

Again, to get to Rasnov Citadel, your best bet is to rely on an organized tour as I did and they will take you to the fortress for sunset. Once you get to the castle, you will also have to take a small train car to get to the top of the castle. It is a great place to end your trip around the Carpathians, so don't forget to check out Rasnov Citadel while you are here.

What to Eat and Drink in Brasov?

1. Try Romanian Cuisine at La Ceaun

La Ceaun is one of my favorite Romanian restaurants in Brasov. They serve a wide variety of delicious sizzling local dishes straight from the oven that you can try to get a taste of what makes Romanian cuisine one of the best cuisines in the Balkans.

Some of the local dishes available here are dishes like mixed meat stew with polenta, smoked pork knuckle, and my favorite of all, lamb pastrami with garlic sauce and polenta. I highly recommend you order the lamb pastrami dish for your first dish, and then you can try other menus when you eventually come back for more 😉.

The restaurant is open from 12 PM to 10 PM every day, and although the price is a little higher than the average restaurant here, I guarantee you that you are going to get your money's worth here. If you want to try some local cuisine here, you can't go wrong with La Ceaun.

2. Enjoy Delicious Cakes and Pastries at La Vatra Ardealului

For a nice cafe to check out while you are in Brasov, I highly recommend you check out La Vatra Ardealului, a local cake shop that has been operating for more than 20 years.

The café is decorated in a vintage style with wooden furniture, old-school chandeliers, and a display of cakes and pastries to choose from.

They are affordable and delicious, making it a perfect place to drop by if you are looking for a place to get your daily sugar intake. The cafe is open from 10 AM to 8 PM every day except on Mondays when it is open from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Further Reading for Romania

• For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
• For a complete itinerary of Romania, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Romania Itinerary.
• A trip to Romania won't be complete without visiting Bucharest, the capital city. If you are planning to visit this city, here are the 14 Best Things to Do in Bucharest.
• As one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in Transylvania, it is hard not to recommend visiting Sighisoara. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Sighisoara.
• The second largest city in Romania, Cluj-Napoca, is one of the best places to visit to get the real feel of what it is like to live in Transylvania. To help plan your trip here, here are the 13 Best Things to Do in Cluj-Napoca.
• Timisoara, the city of flowers, is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Transylvania. From exploring the charming town squares to soaring churches, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Timisoara.
• Known as one of the most beautiful cities in Romania, you can't travel all the way to Romania without visiting Sibiu. Wondering what some cool things you can do there? Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Sibiu.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Romania, visit the Romania Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.