Day trip to Dracula Castle and Brasov from Sibiu

TOUR description

The distance from Sibiu to Dracula Castle is around 140 kilometres, so we need to drive 2.5 hours to arrive in Bran. The visit is around 1.5 hours, depending on the season and the day of the week. After the guided visit we will have a walk in the park in front of the Dracula Castle for taking photos, or just admiring the view from its foothills. Lunch can be served at the restaurant of the castle or at one of the non-touristy restaurants nearby.
Then we will leave Bran for Brasov, the former Saxon city at the foothills of the Tampa mountain. After one hour drive, we will stroll in the old town of Brasov, passing through the Council Square and walking around The Black Church or the medieval city walls.Then, after a coffee break in Brasov, we will return back to Sibiu.

TOUR options

For an extended trip, we can include, besides the walking tour of Brasov and the visit at Bran Castle, some other visits to the touristic attractions of the area, listed below. This is a tour starting and ending in Sibiu, but we can tailor it to be a part of a bigger trip in Transylvania. We can spend the night in Brasov to visit also Peles and Pelisor castles, or we can thing an extended trip to cover other touristic destinations of Transylvania or Romania.

Choose from the Points of interest

Dracula Castle

Sibiu and Brasov are on the first page of every travel guide of Romania. This tour gives you the opportunity to visit both, but the highlight of the trip is the Bran Castle, one of the most important touristic attraction in Romania, due to its links with the legend of Dracula. Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula, never been to Transylvania, so he positioned the Dracula Castle in the north of Transylvania. The city of Bran is on the other side of Transylvania, but the castle looks exactly like the one from the book.
So, for this reason, you will not find any vampire there, instead, you will be fascinated by the story of Queen Maria of Romania. She received the castle in 1922 and transformed the former medieval stronghold into a royal residence. Today, Dracula is still the main vector driving tourists to the castle. But, after the visit, we will discover the fascinating personality of the most beloved Romanian queen.

Brasov

Brasov, a gem among the 7 Saxon cities in Transylvania (Siebenbürgen), is a true historical treasure with roots dating back to the 13th century. Thanks to its location near the trading routes with Wallachia, this settlement has evolved into one of the most important cities in Transylvania. The old town, encircled by heights from three directions, still partially preserves its medieval walls from the 15th century. Wandering through a labyrinth of narrow streets, bordered by a dense complex of old buildings showcasing various architectural styles, such as Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, or Neoclassic, is a truly unique experience. Our walking tour will take us through the enchanting Council Square, the majestic Black Church, and the iconic Rope Street, before reaching the medieval walls. As we climb the alley at the foothills of Tampa mountain, a popular promenade spot for the locals, we'll be able to admire the stunning panoramic views of the city from above.

The bear Sanctuary

The NGO-run Bear Sanctuary, near Bran, is a natural reserve in a forest that spans 69 hectares. It gives a safe and natural home to bears that for different reasons weren't able to make it in the wild. Home of more than 100 brown bears, rescued from miserable living conditions, the Sanctuary is also housing a few wolves and deer. Each bear has a story and the guides are happy to tell it to the tourists who are visiting the Sanctuary every day.

Rasnov Fortress

The Rasnov Fortress is a defensive structure situated atop a rocky promontory that commands a strategic vantage point along the route that links Wallachia with Transylvania, via the towns of Bran and Brasov. Its origins can be traced back to the early 14th century, and it has since evolved into a miniature medieval town that served as a nearly permanent residence for the inhabitants of Rasnov, a small Saxon settlement located at the foot of the fortress, particularly during the 16th century. At present, in the year 2023, the fortress is undergoing a significant renovation effort, and only the outer precincts are accessible to visitors

Fagaras Castle

One of the last defence structures in Transylvania with a functional water-encircled moat is the Fagaras castle, built in the 14th century. The castle has undergone various expansions and renovations over the centuries, featuring diverse architectural styles such as Renaissance and Baroque. The castle operates as a museum today that presents a range of exhibits that illustrate the castle's abundant history, including its architecture, the local culture, and the past residents of the fortress

Hiking through the mountain villages near Bran

The hike is an easy walk, 6 km long, through the mountain villages near Bran. It offers splendid views of the mountains nearby and gives a glimpse into the daily countryside life. We can encounter livestock, and horse-driven carts and we can admire the specific architecture of the mountain villages in the southern Carpathians. Here is a photo gallery whith the area.

Sinca Veche Cave Church

Many legends exist about the cave monastery, but the underground church probably dates back to the 18th century when Orthodox monks hid from Austrian oppression. They carved a small underground church in the rock of soft sandstone, which was subsequently deserted when the persecution ceased. The cave church was found again later and inspired many legends and superstitions. A small monastery has been constructed next to the cave church, which protects the church from the damage of time.

Sambata de Sus monastery

Sambata monastery, also known as Brancoveanu monastery, is a Romanian Orthodox monastery located at the foothills of the Carpathians. It was founded in the late 17th century by Constantin Brancoveanu, the ruler of Wallachia and a patron of culture and arts. The monastery was destroyed in 1785 by the Austrian imperial decree that banned contemplative monasticism. It was restored in the 20th century by the Romanian Orthodox Church and became a symbol of national identity and spirituality. The architecture of the monastery church is a good example of the Brancoveanu style, a style that developed at the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century in Wallachia. On the outside, the stone decoration of the door and window frames, but especially the carved pilasters and the openwork stone panels on the church porch give a special beauty to this monument of Christian art. The monastery is surrounded by a natural park and offers scenic views of the nearby mountains.

traditional water-fed installations for wool processing

The "La vâltori" traditional wool processing complex is the longest continuously operating facility of its kind in Romania, with a history dating back to the 1850s. The art of wool processing, which utilizes machinery that can still be visited today, has been passed down through generations. Through the use of water power and manual labor, raw wool freshly sheared from sheep is transformed into delicate fibers, and then crafted by skilled women from Lisa into stunning rugs and other textile products.