Corvin Castle (“Castelul Corvinilor” in Romanian, or “Hunyadi Castle” in Hungarian) is one of Romania’s most famous castles.
For me, Corvin is best castle to visit in Romania. It’s one of many gems of Transylvania and yet is less crowded than the more popular Peles Castle and Bran Castle.
I visited Corvin Castle as a day trip from Timisoara while on my way to Sibiu. During my few hours exploring, I learned plenty of helpful tips for future visitors. So if you’re wondering how to get to Corvin Castle, where to buy tickets, or whether you should book a tour, continue reading.
When Was Corvin Castle Built?
Built in the 15th century at the order of the Hungarian noble John Hunyadi, this building holds plenty of history within its walls. It’s located in the small city of Hunedoara, which is why locals sometimes refer to Corvin as “Hunedoara Castle.”
Some believe Corvin Castle was where Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula, was held prisoner. Regardless of the Dracula lore, Corvin Castle in all its grandeur is worth visiting. It’s a jaw-dropping structure in beautiful Transylvania, attracting more than 250,000 tourists annually. It’s no surprise that it’s been a film site for several movies, including the 2024 remake of Nosferatu.
The 7,000-square-meter castle was built in Renaissance-Gothic style and houses more than 50 rooms. The most striking visuals, aside from the stunning perimeter of the castle from the outside, were what I call the “torture rooms.” These rooms display eerily realistic representations of the methods of torture that used to occur within the walls of Corvin Castle.
Where Is Corvin Castle?
Corvin Castle is located in Hunedoara, a small city in the Transylvania region of Romania. The castle, conveniently located just steps from the historical center of Hunedoara, is just over 2 hours from Timisoara and 1.5 hours from Sibiu. The Zlasti River forms a moat around the castle, making for an idyllic setting.
How Do You Get to Corvin Castle?
Corvin Castle (“Hunyadi Castle” in Hungarian) is an especially popular day trip from Sibiu and Brasov. However, tourists from all over find their way here. Below is a breakdown of how to get to Corvin Castle, depending on where you’re coming from.
How to Visit Corvin Castle From Sibiu
Sibiu is the closest city to Corvin Castle and the city of Hunedoara (I spent two days in Sibiu and loved it).
It’s about 90 minutes by car from Corvin Castle to Sibiu. If you’re road-tripping Romania with a rental car (or your own car), know that it’s a straightforward drive. There should be very little traffic as you’ll be driving through the countryside until you reach Hunedoara.
Alternatively, budget travelers can take a shuttle from Sibiu to the nearby city of Deva, a 1 hour and 45-minute journey. You can explore tickets here. Then, catch the shuttle from Deva to Hunedoara, a short, 15-minute ride. The castle is walkable from the Hunedoara town center.
There are a few tour operators in Sibiu that take guests to Corvin Castle as well. This can be helpful mainly so you don’t have to worry about transportation. However, I’d recommend spending the extra money for a private tour if you go this route.
How to Visit Corvin Castle From Timisoara
We started our Romania trip in Timisoara before working our way east to Bucharest. Corvin Castle was one of our first stops along the way.
It’s a little more than two hours of a drive from Timisoara to Corvin Castle. The drive was easier for us, since we were already halfway there as we were exploring some of the Romanian countryside and meeting local farmers on a memorable tour with Timisoara City Tours.
There are also daily trains from between Hunedoara and Timisoara. The journey takes four hours, including a transfer in the city of Arad. It’s a decent option for those who aren’t planning to drive in Romania.
How to Visit Corvin Castle From Brasov
Brasov is the most popular city to visit in Transylvania. Many travelers make their way from Brasov to Sibiu and continue onto Corvin Castle.
I don’t know why you would skip Sibiu since it’s right on the way to Corvin Castle. If you’re considering Corvin Castle as a day trip from Brasov, know that it’s a three-and-a-half-hour drive each way. The drive is straightforward and pretty scenic as it parallels the mountain range to the south. However, I wouldn’t recommend doing it in one day… definitely spend a night in Sibiu.
There are more tour operators in Brasov than Sibiu, so you could also get to Corvin Castle from Brasov by joining a tour (private or group). Again, I recommend paying the extra money for a guide who will do a private tour.
How to Visit Corvin Castle From Bucharest
Corvin Castle is quite the journey from Bucharest—over five hours in the car. There are also daily direct trains from Bucharest to Hunedoara that take more than 7 hours. This includes an overnight sleeper train, which could be more convenient, that takes close to 10 hours.
If you’re headed to Corvin Castle from Bucharest, you’re going to have worthwhile places to see on the way. So I wouldn’t recommend this direct route unless you’re on a serious time crunch and desperately want to see the castle.
How to Get Tickets to Corvin Castle
There’s no need to get tickets to Corvin Castle in advance. However, if you’re going on a weekend during peak season, consider buying tickets online ahead of time.
Corvin Castle doesn’t get quite as packed as Bran Castle, the most famous castle in Romania thanks to its extensive Dracula lore. But it’s still heavily visited and there might be short lines for tickets. (By the way, I think Corvin Castle is better than Peles and Bran Castle).
How Much Do Corvin Castle Tickets Cost?
Tickets to Corvin Castle cost around 50 LEI or 10 EUR. If you have a student ID, tickets are as low as 3 EUR/$3 USD. Kids under 7 years old are admitted for free, and seniors can visit the castle for 25 LEI or 5 EUR.
These prices are pretty steep for Romanian standards and have increased over the past few years. However, if you’re visiting from the U.S. or Western Europe, it’s not too bad.
Best Corvin Castle Tours
I’d strongly encourage you to avoid visiting Corvin Castle with a large group tour. Some of the rooms can get quite crammed with people and stairwells are narrow, making it needlessly difficult to get around if you’re surrounded by a big group.
Corvin Castle is a place you don’t necessarily need a tour guide to enjoy. If you have a rental car for your Romania trip, a tour guide will mainly be helpful to provide context for what you’re seeing and offer interesting history tidbits. You can also do the audio tour at the castle or just by reading the signage.
If you do choose to do a Corvin Castle Tour, here are some highly rated tour operators to consider:
- Timisoara City Tours: If you’re not coming from Timisoara, you can arrange to meet the guide outside the castle. I can highly recommend Timisoara City Tours for any type of tour.
- Corvin Castle Tours: These are led by an employee of the castle itself.
- Sibiu Tour Guide: Great if you’re coming from Sibiu
- Day Trips Brasov: Great if you’re coming from Brasov
Tips for Visiting Corvin Castle
The visual impact of Corvin Castle will be so jaw-dropping that it will find itself etched in your memory.
Still, there are some pros and cons about visiting Corvin Castle, along with some things to know that can improve or detract from your experience. Here are some quick-hitter tips to optimize your visit:
- Beat the crowds by arriving right around when the castle opens at 10 a.m.
- The main square of Hunedoara down the street is worth checking out. Grab a coffee or beer there on your way out.
- The numerical signs for each of the different stops can be confusing. Don’t worry if you find yourself out of order.
- The castle is large. Be prepared for a decent amount of walking and stairs to climb if you want to see everything.
- If you want a guided tour, find an operator and book in advance, particularly if you’re visiting in summer or on a weekend.
- There are parking lots within a few minutes’ walk of the castle, charging visitors 10-15 LEI ($2-3 USD) per day. If you go early or late in the day, you might be able to find free street parking.
In-Summary: Visiting Corvin Castle
Whether you visit for its Gothic spires, its eerie legends, or its cinematic history, Corvin Castle is one of Romania’s most unforgettable landmarks. It’s a place where history, architectural grandeur, and myth collide, making it an ideal place to visit for a variety of travelers.
Getting to Corvin Castle requires some advanced planning, but it’s not too difficult. Plus, I found getting around Romania pretty easy and stress-free.
I hope you enjoy your visit to the castle and this wonderful country!
Corvin Castle FAQs
What are the hours of operation for Corvin Castle?
Corvin Castle is open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. from Tuesday through Sunday. On Mondays, it opens at noon and closes at 5:00 p.m.
In peak season, the castle sometimes opens at 8:00 a.m. Check times in advance or give them a call a few days before visiting if you’re planning on arriving as early as possible.
Which movies were filmed at Corvin Castle?
A few notable movies filmed at Corvin Castle include Nosferatu (2024), Vlad Țepeș (1979), and The Nun (2018).
