Brasov, one of the most interesting and beautiful places to visit in Romania, is a popular destination for day trips from Bucharest. Most travelers spend only one quick day here, enjoying the best things to do in Brasov and then moving onward to another place. But the city deserves more time to get to know it properly and enjoy its vibrant atmosphere, which gets only better in the evenings when the day trippers are gone.

Brasov can also be a great base from which to explore the surrounding region. Transylvania is one of the most fascinating areas in Europe, and you can see some of its highlights on day trips from Brasov. I did that a few times, too, discovering the beauty of Romania during the day and returning at the end of the day to enjoy the lively Brasov evenings. I believe this is the best way to plan your Romania itinerary.

I put together a list of the best places you can visit as day trips from Brasov. You need a few days to see them all, as you can combine many of them into one trip since they are not too far apart. You will find a combination of historical places, UNESCO-listed sites, and stunning nature here. Read on and plan your perfect trip to Brasov and Transylvania!

How to travel around Brasov

Unfortunately, public transport in Romania isn’t the best. Even if there are train or bus connections between places, there are either only a few of them, not enough to plan a sufficient trip, or they take too much time. Some of the places, like fortified churches or the Transfagarasan Highway, are reachable by car only.

The best way to get around is by car. If you don’t mind, you can rent one for your trip and explore the region at your own pace. You can find the best car rental deals here.

Otherwise, you can take organized tours. Fortunately, there are many to choose from, and they usually cover more than one place in the itinerary. I have included a list of the recommended, highly rated day tours from Brasov at the end of this article.

Best day trips from Brasov

Without further ado, here are the best places you can visit on the day trips from Brasov.

Map data Copyright Google Maps. You can access the map here.

Sinaia

Sinaia is one of the most popular and beautiful places to visit in Romania. Located only 50 km south of Brasov, the town is a perfect destination for an easy day trip. You can easily reach it by train or by road, however if you choose a train I recommend buying the ticket earlier to avoid unnecessary waiting.

The main reason to visit Sinaia is the stunning Peles Castle, which you might have seen in numerous movies. It looks unreal, like it’s straight from a fairy tale. With the surrounding mountains, this place is truly enchanting and magical.

The castle dates back to the end of the 19th century and was built in the Bavarian style. It’s breathtaking both from the outside and inside, so don’t miss the tour through its numerous rooms.

Besides Peles Castle, there are more interesting places to visit in Sinaia. You should stop by the Pelișor Castle (part of the Peleș complex, built in a similar style and time), the local monastery, or the casino. Back in the past, the town was a favorite escape for noble families, and still today, you can somehow feel the sophisticated vibe in the place.

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You can read more about Sinaia in my article here: Visit Sinaia, Romania – home to the amazing Peles Castle

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Rasnov

Located only 20 km away from the city, Rasnov is one of the most popular day trips from Brasov. The main reason to visit the place is the impressive fortress towering over the town and surrounding area. It dates back to the 13th century and was most likely built by the Teutonic Order, who used to rule this part of Europe.

While the fortress looks amazing from the outside, especially from the central part of Rasnov, it’s worth taking the funicular up and visiting the place inside, too. You will find there a museum showing the local history, customs, and crafts. You can also admire a stunning panorama of Rasnov and its surroundings. The center of the town is pleasant, too, designed in the typical style of the region.

You can combine visiting Rasnov with a trip to nearby, more popular Bran Castle. You can get there by public transport or with a tour.

Bran

Located only a few kilometers south of Rasnov, Bran is one of the most visited places in Romania. The small village attracts numerous tourists with its famous castle, often called home to Dracula. However, Vlad the Impaler (known as Dracula) never lived in the castle.

The author of “Dracula” book – Bram Stoker – never visited Romania, but his descriptions resembled Bran Castle so much that the place became an icon of dark tourism. But even with the whole missed fame, the castle is worth a visit. Inside, you will find dark interiors with winding staircases, suits of armor, and numerous medieval artifacts. The castle might be a bit small, but it’s still enchanting.

Besides the castle, there are a few other interesting spots in Bran, such as the Bran Village Museum or the beautiful nature that is perfect for hiking. Since it’s a popular place among tourists, you will also find numerous restaurants serving local food, if you would like to try some Romanian dishes.

Sighisoara

One of the most beautiful and charming towns in Romania – Sighisoara – is a perfect day trip option from Brasov. When wandering the winding lanes of the Old Town you feel like the time has stopped there back in medieval times and the place looks like it’s from a fairy tale.

Since the historical center of Sighisoara is located on a hill, it feels a bit secluded, a universe of its own, where you can truly feel the magic. The place was granted the UNESCO World Heritage Site title for one of the best-preserved medieval walled towns in Eastern Europe, and it’s a well-deserved reward.

Some of the main Sighisoara attractions are the 13th-century Clock Tower, the house where Vlad Dracul was born, and the old Saxon cemetery. However, the best thing to do there is just wander around and enjoy this charming place, its medieval atmosphere, and its old-time vibe.

Sighisoara is located 120 km away from Brasov with trains connecting the two places. Those, however, take a bit too long so it’s better to drive or go on a tour. This way, you can also see more than Sighisoara on your day trip from Brasov.

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You can read more about Sighisoara in my article: 9 Wonderful Things to Do in Sighisoara, Romania

Viscri

Viscri, an idyllic village located a bit off the main road from Brasov to Sighisoara, is one of the most charming places you can visit in Romania. Its main attraction is one of the UNESCO-listed fortified churches from the early 13th century – the oldest church in Transylvania.

It’s still well-preserved and a joy to visit. Inside the massive fortified walls, you can find a small church where you can climb to the tower to admire the panorama of the surrounding area. There’s also a small museum that displays artifacts that have been used in everyday life in the region for centuries. It’s worth taking your time inside the fortification to take a closer look at how the site was built, with so much attention to each detail.

When visiting Viscri, don’t focus on the church only; go also on a stroll through the lovely village. The place is a perfect example of neat and orderly Saxon villages in Transylvania, with colorful rows of houses built in the style typical for this region. It’s so easy to fall for the charm of Viscri. One of the people who loved the place was King Charles of Great Britain, who bought a house here—you can visit it for a small fee!

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You can read more about Viscri in my article: Visit Viscri, Romania – the Idyllic Saxon UNESCO Village

Fortified churches

The Transylvania region of Romania is known for its fortified churches, seven of which were granted the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of them are located not far from Brasov and you can visit them on a day trip from the city.

Besides Viscri (described above), you can also easily go to Prejmer and Saschiz. Both are amazing, dating back to medieval times, and are great examples of fortified churches in the region.

But besides those listed on UNESCO, there are more medieval fortified churches in the area that are worth visiting. My personal favorite one was the church in Harman, just outside of Brasov. It’s one of the best-preserved medieval churches in Romania, with so much to see inside its walls. Definitely recommended!

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You can read more about fortified churches in Transylvania in the article: A Complete Guide to Fortified Churches in Transylvania

Rupea

I must admit I was slightly disappointed with Rupea fortress, but since it’s on the main road between Brasov and Sighisoara / Viscri, why not stop here and see the place? The fortress is located on one of the oldest archeological sites in Romania, a place that has always played an essential role in the region.

The remnants of the fortress we can visit today were first mentioned in 1324. Since then, the place was rebuilt a few times to adjust to its defense purposes. Eventually, the fortress was abandoned in the late 18th century, and it recently underwent major renovation so tourists could visit and admire its greatness.

Even if it’s mostly in ruin, it’s easy to imagine what a vibrant and important place it used to be. Besides discovering all the fortress has to offer, you can also admire Rupea and its surroundings from the top of the hill.

Sibiu

One of the most interesting cities to visit in Romania is Sibiu. Even if it deserves its own trip, you can visit it as a day trip from Brasov if you are short on time.

Sibiu was founded in the 12th century by German settlers, and today you can still find numerous remnants of their culture (or hear the former name of Sibiu – Hermannstadt). There are numerous historical sites around the Upper and Lower Town; the best way to discover them all is simply by wandering around and enjoying the charming corners and winding lanes.

You might also feel like someone is watching you – that’s because the local houses are well-known for having eyes. The extra attic window was added to the building for cooling purposes and now is one of the most characteristic features of the local architecture.

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You can read more about Sibiu in my article: Visit Sibiu, Romania – one of the most idyllic cities you will ever see!

Transfagarasan Highway

One of the most epic and iconic places to visit in Romania is the Transfagarasan Highway. The famous road became very popular when it was featured in the TV series Top Gear as one of the best driving roads in the world.

It is truly spectacular, with numerous twists and turns along the way. The views are breathtaking throughout the whole ride in the upper part of the Transfagarasan Highway, but the most stunning spot is Balea Lake at the highest point of the road.

The Transfagarasan Highway is closed most of the year due to weather conditions and heavy snow, but even if it’s impossible to drive up to Balea Lake, you can take the cable car to the highest point and still enjoy amazing views of the Carpathian Mountains.

Brasov day tours

If you don’t have a car to drive around, you can choose one of the organized tours that offer day trips from Brasov. Here are some of the recommended, highly-rated ones:

• Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress Tour from Brasov with Optional Peles Castle Visit
• Castles Tours from Brasov
• Brasov, Sighisoara, Sibiu. Private Tour
• Small Group Tour to Viscri Church Sighisoara Town Rupea Fortress
• From Brasov: Small-Group Half-Day Fortified Churches Tour
• Harman and Prejmer Fortified Churches Tour from Brasov
• Transfagarasan Highway Balea Lake and Carta Monastery from Brasov
• Sibiu Day Trip from Brasov

Further reading

I published many articles about Romania that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 25 Best Places to Visit in Romania
• 23 Great Things to Do in Bucharest, Romania
• 10 Awesome Places to Visit on Day Trips from Bucharest
• 15 Best Things to Do in Brasov, Romania
• How to Get from Bucharest to Brasov
• Visit Sinaia, Romania – home to the amazing Peles Castle
• 9 Great Things to Do in Cluj-Napoca, the Vibrant City in Romania
• Why you should visit Timisoara, Romania
• and many more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in the Balkans and ask your questions there.

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For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you:

• Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
• Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions – just click here!
• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Romania too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

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