Brasov is widely considered Romania’s most well-rounded city to explore. So if you’re considering checking out Brasov and you’ve stumbled on this article, I’m here to tell you that it’s by all means worth visiting.
Whether you’re visiting Brasov for its magnificent mountain views, lively old town, historical significance, or all the above, you’re going to find plenty of things to see and do.
13 Things to Do in Brasov
I spent four full days getting to know Brasov, and it met all of my expectations. And from my experience, below are the 13-best things to do in Brasov.
1. Walk Up Mount Tampa
Brasov is one of the most postcard-friendly cities in Europe, in large part to Mount Tampa in the backdrop of the old town.
At the top of the mountain is Brasov’s version of the ‘Hollywood’ sign. While a bit cheesy, I have to admit it’s a fun little addition to the setting.
It’s so convenient that the Mount Tampa trailhead to the viewpoint overlooking the city is right next to Old Town. The Brasov sign hike can be done in about 2 hours round trip, and while it does require you to be in decent shape, it’s not overly strenuous by any means.
2. Explore the Black Church (Biserica Neagra)
The most notable landmark in Brasov is the 14th-century Black Church (Biserica Neagra). Built by the Transylvanian Saxon community (Germans) during medieval times, it’s one of Romania’s most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture. In fact, it’s the largest hall church east of Vienna.
The cathedral is open to visitors and the museum entrance fee is 25 RON ($6 USD).
3. Hike at Seven Ladders Canyon
If you want more of a taste of the outdoors than Mount Tampa, grab an Uber to the nearby Seven Ladders Canyon Hike.
Only 15 minutes from the city, this is a small but beautiful canyon hike with seven sets of ladders guiding you through the gorges. The gushing waterfalls and tight canyons will be enough to make you forget you’re only 15 minutes from Brasov.
Don’t be intimated by words like “ladders” and “canyon.” There were very young kids doing the hike, so as long as you’re confident in your ladder-scaling skills, this hike won’t strike any fear into you.
4. Stroll Down Strada Republicii
The pedestrian-only Strada Republicii (Republic Street) is where you’ll find the largest concentration of bars, pubs, and clubs in Brasov. It’s super lively at all hours of the day, with several calmer side streets and alleyways branching off from the main strip (these calmer streets tend to have the best restaurants in Brasov). I’ll touch on the best nightlife in Brasov a bit later on in this guide, though.
5. Walk Up to the Black Tower (Turnul Negru) and White Tower (Turnul Alb) for Prime Views
The best views of the city and the most Instagram-worthy spots in Brasov are from the Black Tower (Turnul Negru) and White Tower (Turnul Alb).
These medieval towers are connected by a short walking path and are just a few minutes’ walk from Council Square.
6. Hang Out in Parc Sub Tampa
Brasov’s best park lies right at the base of Mount Tampa, sensibly named Parc sub Tampa (Park Under Tampa).
This is a really well-laid out park. It’s essentially a single wide walking path paralleled by playgrounds, a basketball court, ping pong tables, sand volleyball court, and a couple of vendors with food and drinks. You’ll find the start of the hike up the mountain begins here as well.
7. Spend Time at Poiana Brasov
Poaina Brasov is a hub for adventure activities. It’s the home of the ski resort in the winter, and in the summer, it acts as a base for mountain biking, hiking, ziplining, four-wheeling, and more.
Poiana Brasov is about 20 minutes from the city. There’s enough to offer that you could spend at least half a day there, if not a whole day if you’re doing something like a guided mountain biking tour. There are plenty of tour agencies that operate their businesses from Poiana Brasov.
8. Eat at Dei Frati
Dei Frati is known as the best restaurant in Brasov, and after dining there, I can’t disagree. It’s recommended by all the locals for good reason.
Dei Frati is tucked away on a quaint street in the old town. The restaurant is quite small in size, but big in flavor. Every dish we scarfed down was somewhere between good and great. The duck leg in particular stood out.
9. Have a Drink at Aftar Stube
Our favorite hangout spot was Aftar Stube, a shaded beer garden. We went here three times in three days and ended up getting to know some of the workers before we left, who were extremely friendly. The service was great.
Aftar Stube has the best beer selection in Brasov, with numerous beers on draft and a wide range of craft beers. It’s especially worthwhile if you’re looking for a shaded spot to cool off on a warm summer day. It’s also mostly frequented by locals.
10. Get to Know Council Square
Council Square (Piata Sfatului) is Brasov’s largest and most lively by some margin. You’ll find yourself walking through and wandering around it plenty of times throughout your visit.
This square dates back to the 14th century, when it first started holding weekly markets. Today, it’s mainly surrounded entire by 18th and 19th-century houses, most of which are considered historical landmarks.
My favorite spot around the square was actually an ice cream shop called Velocita Brasov. In terms of food, Dolissima and Old Jack Burger House are good spots on the square.
11. Enjoy the Thrills of Adventure Park Brasov
If you can’t tell by now, Brasov is the hub of outdoors activities in Romania. In fact, our mountain biking guide told us he’d moved from Cluj to Brasov solely because of the nature and outdoors.
Adventure Park Brasov is a super family-friendly spot to get a taste of those activities. It has a small lake for swimming, ziplining, tree walking, and a kid-friendly version of “offroading” on a four-wheeler. A couple of tour operators also operate out of here for bike rides around Transylvania.
It’s really conveniently located, as getting here requires only a 10-minute drive.
12. Take in the Sight of Biserica Sfantul Nicolae
For me, this Orthodox Church is just as stunning as the Black Church. Biserica Sfantul Nicolae is about a 15-minute walk from Council Square in more of a residential neighborhood, so it’s not as frequented by travelers. But I’d recommend taking the time to do so. When we went, a pretty packed Church service was just wrapping up.
13. Squeeze Through Strada Sforii
Strada Sforii is one of Europe’s narrowest streets. And in true Eastern European fashion, its walls are completely decked out in graffiti (I kind of liked the spooky vibe it gave at night).
Now, I won’t lie — I think this might be an overrated thing to see in Brasov. There were a lot of tourists taking pictures and taking their sweet time walking through the 1.5-meter wide “street.” But, it was still a neat little spot worth seeing walking through.
Best Day Trips From Brasov
Thanks to its central location in Romania, there are plenty of fantastic day trips from Brasov.
Some of your best bets would be:
- Sighisoara (2-hour drive): The birthplace of Dracula. It’s a charming, small medieval city elevated on a hilltop in the countryside.
- Viscri (1.5-hour drive): A fortified Transylvanian Saxon village where residents still live a traditional lifestyle. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Sibiu (2-hour drive): Though you should stay 1 or 2 days in Sibiu, it’s a must-visit if you’re short on time. The historical cultural capital of Transylvania and one of Europe’s most beautiful old towns.
- Sinaia (45-minute drive): A town even deeper in the mountains with endless hikes, but it’s most well-known for being the home of the stunning Peles Castle. Go early to avoid the crowd.
- Bran Castle (45-minute drive): Romania’s most-visited castle. Legend has it as the home of Dracula. Because of this, there are large crowds during peak hours. Go early!
Best Places to Eat in Brasov
Brasov’s food scene was fantastic. You can obviously find your fair share of Romanian food, but the amount of top-notch Italian restaurants was particularly wonderful.
If you’re like me and you don’t want to miss out on the top spots to eat, here are the best restaurants in Brasov.
Dei Frati
The most well-regarded restaurant is Dei Frati, and it did not disappoint. The duck leg and the carpaccio were our favorite dishes, though the pasta was very good too.
The outside seating looked very inviting, but there was only one indoor table left to reserve for a Sunday night. That was OK though, because the cozy, homey atmosphere was nice to wind down our weekend.
Make sure to call a few days in advance to reserve a table, particularly if you’re trying to dine during high season or on a weekend.
Le Petit Bistro
Another restaurant you should call ahead to reserve a table for is Le Petit Bistro, located just across the street from the Black Church.
Le Petit Bistro is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Make sure to try their fresh lemonade if you go for brunch or lunch. In terms of dishes, you can’t really go wrong with anything. A lot of people stumble here if there’s an open table not realizing that they’re about to have some of the best food in Brasov.
Bistro de l’Arte
Tucked away in a small, cobbled alleyway in the center is Bistro d’el Arte, yet another well-known Italian spot.
The interior feels like a wine cellar with its brick and stone walls. Bistro de l’Arte has been recognized as one of the best places to eat not only in Brasov, but in the world. Its recognition is thanks to its wonderful soups, salads, charcuterie boards, and pastas – in addition to the tasteful interior of the restaurant. This is yet another spot where you should call ahead if you want to ensure you get a table.
Mori de Sicilia
Unfortunately, Bistro de l’Arte and Le Petit Bistro were booked when we were in Brasov. We ended up at Mori de Sicilia located along Strada Republicii, and it did not disappoint.
All three of our pastas were fantastic. I ordered the wild boar ragu and it was one of the better dishes I had throughout my two weeks in Romania. It felt like a very authentic Italian restaurant experience.
Brunch House
OK, straying away from the Italian spots finally, we’ve got a brunch spot as one of the best places to eat in Brasov – Brunch House.
The eggs benedict here was scrumptious, as was the grilled halloumi with eggs. The French toast also looked inviting. I will say that prices here were high for Romanian standards (most brunch items around 50 RON or $12 USD), but the food backed it up.
La Birou Bistro
La Birou Bistro was another great breakfast spot we tried. They serve smoothies that acted as the perfect protein boost before a day of exploring Brasov, and the lemonade looked equally refreshing. The truffle omelette was phenomenal here.
Best Bars, Pubs, and Clubs in Brasov
Brasov might not be known for its nightlife compared to places like Bucharest or even Timisoara, but it has its share of nice bars, pubs, and even clubs for drinking, dancing, and live music.
Aftar Stube
Our favorite spot in Brasov was Aftar Stube, a shaded beer garden a few blocks from Council Square.
The service at Aftar Stube was so good, as were the beers. They’re known to have the largest selection of craft beer in Brasov. They also serve food, of which I’d recommend the fried cheese bites the most. You’ll find yourself eating way too many of these.
Juno Wine Garden
The same owners that run Aftar Stube also run Juno Wine Garden on the other side of the square.
Tucked beneath the White Tower and Black Tower, this shaded wine garden makes for a really fun setting, particularly for a small group. The small trees and flowers around the space give it a different vibe than most other places in Brasov.
The food here wasn’t necessarily memorable, so I’d instead recommend it for an after or before-dinner spot.
O’Peter’s Irish Pub
If you’re looking for the best Irish Pub in Brasov, look no further than O’Peter’s.
The place really starts to get going around 10:00 after the dinner-goers make their way in for late night music, drinks, and even dancing. There was karaoke and a live band the first night we were at O’Peter’s, while the second night had a DJ. You can dance or just vibe to anything from old school rock to techno here, and all ages were on the dance floor having a good time together.
Times Club
Looking for a late night in Brasov? Look no further than Times, the city’s most notable nightclub.
I’m not someone who frequents nightclubs super often, but I went with my two friends and had a great time until the early hours of the morning. It was actually more crowded when we left a little after 2:00 a.m. than it was around midnight. Romanians party LATE.
Be aware that there’s a 30 RON ($7 USD) cover to enter, and they only take cash.
Tipografia
Tipografia doubles as a coffee shop during the day and a bar at night. I noticed several people working from there on their laptops in the afternoon, but by nighttime it was very lively. I may have gotten carried away with their aperol spritzes!
Musik Cafe
The best bar for alternative music or an alternative crowd has to be Musik Cafe. While they’re not known for their drinks (most people were just drinking beer), the ambience inside was much more invigorating. It was quirky, artsy, and there were several different areas to hangout in, though it was difficult to find a place to sit or stand on a Friday night.
Best Cafes and Coffee in Brasov
There is no shortage of nice cafe atmospheres and good coffee in Brasov. Here were some of my favorite coffee shops.
Ch9 Specialty Coffee
By far the most beautiful setting for an outdoor cafe vibe in Brasov. Ch9 is perched right at the foot of the Black Church. Grab a morning coffee, a pistachio croissant, and a table outside with the cathedral towering over you.
Book Coffee Shop
Both the service and the coffee at Book Coffee Shop were very good. I just stopped into grab an espresso to-go. The weather was nice when I went, so everyone was sitting outside, but I liked the welcoming interior of the shop as well.
Sufra Coffee Shop
The owner of Sufra Coffee Shop was also super friendly! This was located right down the street from our boutique hotel that we stayed at for our four nights, Vila Katharina, so I went several times.
Sufra also has those delicious, healthy smoothies that you’ll find served at several spots around Brasov.
Nola Coffee Shop
Just down the street from Sufra is Nola Coffee Shop.
A locals’ favorite, Nola is tucked away in a small space but has some of the best coffee in Brasov.
Tipografia
As mentioned, Tipografia is both one of the best cafes in Brasov and one of the best spots for an evening cocktail. It’s a very large space, so if you’re looking for a laptop-friendly spot in Brasov, Tipografia is undoubtedly going to be one of your best options.
Where to Stay in Brasov
As far as where to stay in Brasov, I can only recommend the one place I stayed: Vila Katherina.
This boutique hotel is in a prime location in the historic center. It’s away from the noise of the main drags, but close enough so that you can walk to Council Square and the Black Church in 5 minutes. It’s also only 5 or 10 minutes from the trailhead of the Mount Tampa hike.
The hosts were so hospitable. We had plenty of laundry that had to be done as Brasov was our last stop on our two-week trip to Romania. They graciously delivered it to someone who took it to the laundromat for us and returned it back the next morning (just a heads up that if you need laundry done, there is a fee)
In-Summary: Visiting Brasov
Brasov’s name is starting to make the rounds within the travel community as a super well-rounded city. It checks all the boxes. It’s safe, scenic, historic, convenient for adventure-seekers, has a great food scene, and is easy to get around. Brasov should be at the top of your list of places to see in Transylvania.
Brasov FAQs
Can you drink tap water in Brasov?
Yes, tap water in Brasov is safe to drink. In fact, it’s safe to drink throughout all of Romania.
The water may look murkier than you’re used to at first depending on where you’re visiting from, but you don’t need to worry about getting sick or anything.
Is Brasov safe to visit?
Yes, Brasov is an incredibly safe city. There’s very little crime. Even petty crime like pickpocketing is rare in Brasov, and you will feel safe walking at night.
How long do you need in Brasov?
I’d recommend spending at least two full days getting to know Brasov, though three days allows you to take your time and get outside of the city to explore places to see just outside of Brasov, such as Seven Ladders Canyon and Poiana Brasov. This doesn’t account for potential day trips from Brasov to Sighisoara, Viscri, Sinaia, and Rasnov.
How do you get to Brasov?
Getting from Bucharest to Brasov is quite easy thanks to numerous trains that run between the cities. The train from Bucharest to Brasov takes about 2.5 hours and they leave from Bucharest Nord Station.
You can drive from Bucharest to Brasov, but the road is notorious for having bad traffic, so it might take closer to four hours or even longer if you’re driving on a weekend or during rush hour. Alternatively, Flixbus operates between the two cities. The ride only costs 30 to 40 RON ($7-10 USD).
Getting to Brasov from Sibiu is another easy drive or nonstop train ride. However, this train is a bit slower, so car or bus will be the more efficient option. The drive from Sibiu to Brasov is just around two hours.
What is there to do in Brasov when it rains?
Brasov is nestled in the mountains, so a lot of the best things to do in Brasov revolves around nice weather.
Still, you have things to do in Brasov when it rains.
The First Romanian Church (now a museum) is well-worth the visit. Furthermore, you can use the time to explore the Black Church (Biserica Neagra), Brasov’s most iconic landmark.
You could also use the time to hang out in one of Brasov’s many nice cafes.
What can you do in Brasov in winter?
Brasov is beautiful in winter, particularly when it snows or around the holiday season. Poiana Brasov is the most modern and popular ski resort in Romania, and it’s located only 20 minutes from the city.
The Brasov Christmas Market set in the medieval Council Square is stunning. Because of this, it’s definitely worth visiting Brasov in December.
Even if the weather isn’t cooperating, you can take shelter in a cozy cafe.
What free things are there to do in Brasov?
Brasov is an ideal destination for budget travelers. Not only because it’s a pretty cheap place to visit, but because there are plenty of cool things to do for free!
You can walk up Mount Tampa to Brasov’s version of the ‘Hollywood sign’, hike at Seven Ladders Canyon, hang out in Council Square, wander to the Black Tower (Turnul Negru) or White Tower (Turnul Alb), or explore Parc sub Tampa and play basketball, volleyball, or ping pong.
