Brașov has no shortage of things to do, but one of its biggest perks is also its location. Sitting in central Romania, it’s surrounded by castles, medieval towns, scenic mountain roads, and traditional villages that are all close enough to visit as a day trip.
You could easily spend several days exploring Brașov itself, then use the city as your base for the rest of Transylvania. Whether you want to hike through the Carpathian Mountains or see some of Romania’s most famous landmarks, you’ll find plenty of worthwhile options nearby.
With that said, these are my favorite day trips from Brașov.
Transfăgărășan Highway
Driving the Transfăgărășan Highway was one of my favorite experiences from my two-week trip to Romania. Frequently called one of the world’s greatest drives, this mountain road winds through the Făgăraș Mountains with endless switchbacks and dramatic scenery on both sides of the pass. After driving it myself, I’d have a hard time arguing with the people who rank it among Europe’s best road trips.
Approaching from the north, the road climbs steadily through an enormous valley before reaching one of Romania’s most recognizable viewpoints. The scenery somehow keeps getting better as the elevation increases.
Eventually you’ll reach Bâlea Lake, a crystal-clear glacial lake surrounded by rugged mountain peaks. Even if you don’t plan on hiking, it’s worth stopping to walk around and enjoy the scenery. If you have time and are down for a hike I’d strongly recommend the Bâlea Lake to Capra Lake loop. It’s challenging enough to feel rewarding without taking up your entire day.
After passing through the Bâlea Tunnel, the landscape changes again as the road descends toward Vidraru Lake. This stretch is also where you’re most likely to spot wild brown bears. You’ll most likely see a few from your car, which is an unforgettable experience, but it’s important to admire them responsibly. A few groundrules = stay inside your vehicle and never feed them. It’s fine to slow down and took a picture or video, but don’t hold up traffic.
Keep in mind that due to unpredictable weather and snowpack, the road is typically only open from the end of May to the start of October.
How to Get From Brașov to the Transfăgărășan
Driving is easily the best, and essentially the only option. The drive to the northern entrance of the Transfăgărășan takes about 90 minutes to reach from Brasov. Then, it’s about 2.5 hours from the north end through the mountains to the south end, but you’ll likely spend more time thanks to stopping for pictures.
Having your own car lets you stop wherever you want and spend as much time as you’d like at areas like Bâlea Lake. The roads are generally in good condition, making this a comfortable drive for visitors who are used to mountain roads.
If you’d rather not drive, several companies also offer guided tours from Brașov. A private tour is usually worth the extra cost since you’ll have much more flexibility than joining a large coach group.
Sighișoara
Few towns in Romania are as photogenic as Sighișoara, a historic town in the Transylvanian countryside.
Sighisoara’s UNESCO-listed citadel rises above the surrounding countryside, with colorful houses, narrow lanes, stone staircases, and defensive walls creating one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe.
Even though Sighișoara attracts plenty of visitors, it never felt overly crowded during my visit. It still retains the quiet atmosphere you’d expect from a place that has existed for centuries. The Clock Tower dominates the skyline and offers some of the best views over the old town after climbing to the top.
Many visitors also come because of its connection to Vlad the Impaler, who was born here in 1431. His birthplace has become one of the city’s biggest attractions, along with several Dracula-themed restaurants and souvenir shops.
Despite its popularity, Sighișoara remains much more than a Dracula destination. It’s simply a beautiful place to wander for a few hours without much of a plan.
I only spent half a day here and felt like I saw most of the highlights. If your schedule allows, though, spending the night would let you experience the town after the day-trippers leave.
How to Get From Brașov to Sighișoara
Driving is the quickest way to get from Brasov to Sighisoara and gives you the freedom to stop in picturesque, historical villages along the way like Viscri and Biertan. It’s about two hours from Brașov to Sighisoara by car. Most travelers spend four to six hours exploring before heading back, making this a perfect full-day excursion.
If you prefer public transportation, direct trains connect Brașov and Sighișoara several times each day, although the journey takes closer to three and a half hours.
Another affordable option is FlixBus. Tickets are inexpensive (less than $20 USD), the buses are comfortable, and the schedules work well if you’re only planning a day trip. Just double-check departure times before you leave so you don’t end up waiting around in the afternoon.
Viscri
If you only have time to visit one traditional Saxon village in Transylvania, I’d make it Viscri. Life moves at an entirely different pace in this nearly 1,000-year-old village of just a few hundred people.
With only a couple unpaved roads, and farmland stretching in every direction, Viscri is super untouched compared to many of Romania’s more famous destinations.
The village traces its roots back to the Saxon settlers who arrived in Transylvania centuries ago. Their influence can still be seen throughout the community, especially at the UNESCO-listed Viscri Fortified Church, which ended up being one of my favorite historic sites anywhere in Romania.
I actually enjoyed visiting it more than some of the country’s famous castles. It felt more personal, and because it’s located right in the middle of a working village, you get a better sense of everyday life than you would at a major tourist attraction. There were only five other people exploring the Viscri Fortified Church when we were there.
We stayed for two nights, which gave us enough time to rent mountain bikes and explore the surrounding countryside. Cycling between the rolling hills was easily one of the highlights of our Romania trip.
If you only have one day, though, you can still see the church, walk through the village, browse a few artisan shops, and enjoy lunch at one of the local guesthouses before returning to Brașov. A day is definitely enough (even a half-day trip can work).
How to Get From Brașov to Viscri
Viscri is just over an hour from Brașov by car, and driving is essential. There isn’t a reliable public transportation option to Viscri, so you’ll either need to rent a car or arrange a private driver.
Parking is available just outside the village center. Visitors weren’t allowed to bring their car down the main street when I went, but the designated parking areas are only a short walk from the church and guesthouses.
Sinaia
If you only have time for one classic Romanian castle, I’d make it Peles Castle in Sinaia.
While Bran Castle gets most of the international attention, Peles is arguably the country’s most impressive royal residence. Built as the summer home of Romania’s first king, it’s surrounded by a dense forest and looks straight out of Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter.
The exterior is beautiful, but the inside is what really sets it apart. Every room is decorated differently, with elaborate woodwork, stained glass, chandeliers, and ornate ceilings that make the guided tour well worth taking.
Try to arrive when the castle opens if possible. It gets busy throughout the day, especially during summer weekends.
Once you’ve finished exploring Peles Castle, the rest of your afternoon can be spent around Sinaia itself. The town is based at the base of some massive mountain peaks, and several hiking trails begin within walking distance of the town center. If you’re visiting during warmer months, it’s worth spending a few hours on the trails before heading back to Brașov. You could also do an overnight hike as many of the hikes around Sinaia are long and strenuous, but rewarding.
How to Get From Brașov to Sinaia
The train is easily the best option to get from Brasov to Sinaia. Since Sinaia sits directly on the rail line between Brașov and Bucharest, trains run frequently (multiple every hour) and the trip is fast. Better yet, you won’t have to deal with the heavy traffic that often backs up along the highway within the Prahova Valley. Sinaia is only about 45 minutes from Brașov by train or by car (without traffic), making it one of the quickest day trips on this list.
Sibiu
Sibiu might be my favorite city in Romania, though I really did love Brasov and Timisoara as well.
Although Brașov usually gets more attention from international visitors, Sibiu has every bit as much charm. If I had to choose one city in Transylvania to spend two days, Sibiu would give Brașov some serious competition.
The old town is divided into an upper and lower section connected by staircases, bridges, and narrow passageways that are fun to explore without much of an itinerary.
Piața Mare (“Big Square”) serves as the heart of the city, surrounded by colorful buildings, outdoor cafés, and several of Sibiu’s most recognizable landmarks. You can climb Council Tower or Saint Mary’s Evangelical Cathedral for panoramic views over the rooftops of Sibiu, many of which are famous for their distinctive “eyes” staring back at you.
Some of my favorite moments in Sibiu came from simply wandering residential streets away from the busiest squares. We also had one of the best meals of our Romania trip here at SPIC Paste de Vin. The setting on the front patio beneath St. Mary’s Cathedral was maybe the most stunning and memorable of any dinner I’ve had while traveling.
While Sibiu deserves at least two days if your schedule allows, it’s still possible to see the highlights on a day trip from Brașov. I’d encourage going even if it’s only for 8 to 12 hours.
How to Get From Brașov to Sibiu
You have several good options to get from Brasov to Sibiu. Driving takes a little over two hours and is a straight shot on a well-paved highway. It’s a scenic trek along the base of the Fagaras Mountains.
Trains between Brasov and Sibiu are a touch slower than driving (about three hours) but comfortable, cheap, and easy. FlixBus also runs between the two cities and is often the cheapest option if the departure times work for your schedule.
Bran Castle
No list of the best day trips from Brașov would be complete without Bran Castle, though to be honest, it wouldn’t be my first choice.
Yes, it’s touristy.
Yes, it’s often associated with Dracula despite having very little connection to Bram Stoker’s novel!
It is still worth visiting as long as you know what to expect. That includes lines to get in if you go in peak season or on the weekend, so try to get there right when it opens.
Bran Castle is still arguably Romania’s most iconic landmark. It’s perched on a rocky out cliff which makes it a picturesque setting, and while the interior isn’t quite as grand as Peles Castle or Corvin Castle, it’s fascinating in a different way. Rather than lavish royal rooms, Bran is more like an open-air authentic medieval fortress, with some narrow corridors and defensive architecture.
One advantage of visiting Bran from Brașov is how easy it is to combine with another nearby attraction. If you get an early start, you could easily pair Bran Castle with Râșnov Fortress or even finish the afternoon in Poiana Brașov. The village of Bran itself is also worth spending time in after seeing the castle. The village is filled with cafés and small museums, and if you’re interested in Romanian cheeses, cured meats, or homemade jams, you’ll find plenty to sample here.
How to Get From Brașov to Bran Castle
Bran Castle is only about 40 minutes from Brașov by car, making it the easiest excursion on this list. It makes sense to spend three to five hours between the castle and the village, so it can be more of a half-day trip.
Regular buses leave Brașov’s bus station throughout the day and reach Bran in under an hour if you’re a budget traveler. They’re inexpensive and reliable, making them a great choice if you don’t plan on renting a car during your Romania trip.
If you prefer a guided experience, plenty of local companies also run half-day and full-day tours that include Bran Castle, often alongside Râșnov Fortress or Peles Castle.
In Summary: The Best Day Trips From Brașov
I love Brașov itself, but what’s equally nice is how central it is to several wonderful day trips.
One day you can be driving one of Europe’s most scenic mountain roads. The next, you might be wandering a UNESCO-listed medieval town or cycling through a centuries-old Saxon village. Few places in the Balkans offer this much variety within such a short distance.
Here are several other day trip ideas:
- Râșnov Fortress: A hilltop fortress with excellent views of the surrounding mountains.
- Poiana Brașov: The region’s premier ski resort during winter and a hub for hiking, mountain biking, ziplining, and paragliding during summer.
- Seven Ladders Canyon: One of the area’s best half-day hikes, featuring waterfalls, metal ladders, and narrow canyon walls. It’s doable for anyone in decent shape and only 20 minutes from Brasov.
- Miercurea Ciuc: The cultural center of Romania’s Székely region, known for its Hungarian heritage.
- Bucharest: If you don’t mind a longer journey, Romania’s capital can be visited in a day thanks to direct train service.
No matter which direction you head, you’ll find plenty of memorable places within easy reach of Brașov.
