Best Things to Do in Brasov Romania Alone: One Day in Brasov

If you are wondering what to do in Brasov Romania or if you should visit this Transylvanian city on your own, then this post is for you!

But let me tell you a little bit about Brasov first. Located 166km north of Bucharest, Brasov is Romania’s 7th most populated city. This city is part of the historical region of Transylvania and is surrounded by Southern Carpathian Mountains.

In the 13th century, Transylvanian Saxons inhabited this Romanian city. And because Brasov is located at the intersection of the trading routes between the Ottoman Empire and Western Europe, the city became a hub for merchants. With increased wealth and political influence, Brasov became a powerful city in Romania.

And when you visit Brasov today, you can see the picturesque city full of old-world charm. See 800 years of history through historical buildings, restored bastions and fortified guard towers. All you have to do is follow my Brasov itinerary and see all the best highlights in one day.

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What you need to know before starting your Brasov itinerary

Before you visit Brasov Romania, take a look at some of these useful travel tips:

• If you are following my Brasov 1-day itinerary, start as early as possible. I highly recommend staying in Brasov the night before and after so you can really get a feel of the city.
• Romanian leu (plural: lei) is the currency of Romania. RON is the three-letter code for the Romanian currency. 
• Brasov is a safe city for solo female travellers. I wandered around both day and night and didn’t feel unsafe.
• Signs in Brasov are written in German, Hungarian and Romania.
• The city’s coat of arms is a crown on an oak tree trunk and roots. It can be seen almost everywhere in Brasov.
• Plan your visit to Brasov with the following festivals and events:
  • Brasov’s Lads Annual Parade (first Sunday following Orthodox Easter) – see a parade with people dressed in colourful costumes on horseback.
  • Brasov Jazz & Blues Festival (August) – listen to live music over several days in the city centre.
  • Oktoberfest Romania (first two weeks in September) – drink beers and enjoy German and Romanian music at this annual event.

How to get to Brasov Romania

Air

Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport is located 12km northwest of Brasov. The airport is the newest addition to Romania and will start operating in June 2023.

Train

Travellers can go to Brasov by taking CFR Călători, Romania’s main railway. Multiple trains travel from Bucharest, Sighisoara, Sibiu and other cities in Romania daily. Check the CFR Călători website for train schedules and costs.

Once you arrive at Brasov Train Station, take a local bus to the city centre, which is 4km southwest of the station. Go outside the train station, buy a bus ticket (5 lei) from the ticket booth, and take Bus #4 to the city centre. The bus stop is right in front of the ticket booth. Make sure you stamp your ticket once you board the bus.

How to get around Brasov

If you are only spending one (or two days) in Brasov, the best way to get around is on foot. Most attractions are within walking distance.

But if you are going for hikes outside of Brasov or taking day trips, you will need to take a local bus or a local train. I included all the transportation details in the section for all the things to do outside Brasov (near the end of the post).

16 Best things to do in Brasov Romania

I packed many Brasov attractions in my 1-day itinerary so you can see all the highlights of the city. When you follow my itinerary, you can see all the best Brasov attractions efficiently and effortlessly.

All you have to do is follow the numbered red pins on the interactive map and read the descriptions below.

Are you ready to spend a day in Brasov? Here we go!

Brasov itinerary: Old Town Brasov and Mount Tampa

1. Strada Republicii

Strada Republicii is the best place to start your full day in Brasov. This picturesque pedestrian-only street is where many outdoor cafes, restaurants, and shops can be found.

Have a quick breakfast or grab a pretzel because you’ll need the energy for a full day in Brasov. And don’t worry about not spending much time here in the morning, you can return at the end of the day for some shopping.

Address: Strada Republicii, Brașov | Hours: 24 hours

2 & 3. Mount Tâmpa via Telecabina Tâmpa or a hiking trail

First on the agenda is Mount Tâmpa. You’ll need to walk up Suișul Castelului (street) to the base of the mountain and decide how you want to go up to the top.

There are two ways: take Telecabina Tâmpa Mountain Cable Car (about 2 minutes and 20 seconds) or trek up 573m via a hiking trail (about one hour or so). Whichever way you reach the summit, you will have enough time to complete the rest of the itinerary.

At 960m, you can see the entire city of Brasov and the mountainous area in the vicinity. There is an observation platform behind the “Brasov” sign and another viewing platform just west of the sign.

Tip: if you are hiking up Mount Tâmpa, you can hike in an anti-clockwise loop from the cable car station. This is the route going up Mount Tâmpa. Wear sneakers or light hiking shoes. Some parts are quite steep.

Address: Tampa Cable Car, Aleea Tiberiu Brediceanu, Brașov | Hours: 12-6pm Monday, 9:30am-6pm Tuesday to Sunday | Admission: 15 lei each way or 25 lei for both

4. Bastionul Țesătorilor (Weavers’ Bastion)

Bastionul Țesătorilor (Weavers’ Bastion) was once part of Brasov’s fortifications. It is one of the original guard towers built and maintained by the linen weavers’ guild.

After the bastion was abandoned in 1750, the preserved guard tower was used for document storage and a meeting place. Today, the interior is part of a medieval museum while the outside is used for concerts and operas because of the excellent acoustics.

Even if you don’t go inside the bastion, you can admire the building from the outside.

Address: Strada George Coșbuc 9, Brașov | Hours: 9am-5pm (closed Mondays) | Admission: 7 lei

Places to visit in Brasov: Piata Unirii

5. Muzeul Prima Școală Românească (First Romanian School Museum)

Beyond the city centre are highlights around Piața Unirii (Union Square), a district where Romanians lived when the Saxons ruled Brasov.

Built in 1495, Muzeul Prima Școală Românească (First Romanian School Museum) was the first school in Romania where the Romanian language was used in teaching. People come from far and wide to be a student here. Each village paid for one student to attend the school so they can go back and share their knowledge. An impressive total of 1,730 students attended the First Romanian School.

The school remained an educational institution until 1850. Then it became the first Romanian printing press. Only 39 books were printed here.

Today, see a collection of Slavic and Romanian books and the first Romanian Bible inside this small museum.

Address: Piața Unirii 2-3, Brașov | Hours: 10am-5pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 2-5pm Tuesday; 11-5pm Saturday; 12-5pm Sunday | Admission: 20 lei

6. Biserica Sfântul Nicolae (Saint Nicholas Church)

Next to the First Romanian School Museum is Biserica Sfântul Nicolae (Saint Nicholas Church), a 16th-century Romanian Orthodox Cathedral.

The church was originally established in 1292. It was built in a Gothic style initially, but over the years, renovations were needed, the church was rebuilt with stone by the locals, and Baroque decorative elements were added.

Pop inside the church to see the frescos. And check out the adjacent cemetery and murals at the entrance on the way out.

Address: Piața Unirii 1, Brașov | Hours: 10am-1pm Sundays (Church service)

Other Brasov attractions in the Old Town

7. Poarta Ecaterinei (Catherine’s Gate)

Romanians were forbidden to live inside the citadel when the Saxons ruled Brasov between the 13th and 17th centuries. And the only way to enter the fortified wall was by paying a toll and entering via Poarta Ecaterinei (Catherine’s Gate).

Named after St. Catherine’s Monastery (situated in the same location), the Tailors’ Guild built the gate in 1559 for defensive purposes. It is one of the last standing original gates that survived medieval times. The gate consists of four turrets and a central squared building with a tower. Above the entrance, you can see the city’s coat of arms.

Roam around the small park via the walking paths around the medieval gate. It is all free.

Address: Strada Poarta Schei 26, Brașov | Hours: 24 hours

8. Sinagoga Beit Israel (Beth Israel Synagogue)

In the 15th century, Jewish people settled in Brasov, becoming the first Saxon city in Transylvania for Jewish settlers. As the Jewish population grew, Sinagoga Beit Israel (Beth Israel Synagogue) was built as a prayer house for its community.

Built between 1899 and 1901, the red and white stripes Orthodox Synagogue was built in a Neo-Gothic style with Moorish architectural elements. There have been multiple renovations since its construction. Today, you can see stained-glass windows, the Israeli settlement coat of arms, and memorial plaques inside the synagogue.

Address: Strada Poarta Schei 27, Brașov | Hours: 10am-4pm Monday to Friday | Admission: 10 lei

9. Strada Sforii (Rope Street)

Near the synagogue is Eastern Europe’s narrowest street: Strada Sforii (Rope Street).

Initially, this 80m (260ft) street was built as a passage for firefighters in the 15th century. But today, this narrow corridor is a quirky attraction in Brasov.

You can touch both sides of the cobbled stone street while walking from one end to another. After all, the widest part is 135cm (53 inches), and the narrowest part is only 111cm (44 inches).

Check out all the graffiti on both walls and the rope statue at the south end. And you can even see the Brasov sign in Mount Tâmpa.

Address: Strada Sforii, Brașov | Hours: 24 hours

10. Biserica Neagra (The Black Church) 

Biserica Neagra (The Black Church) is a place of worship for the Lutheran community in Brasov. Built by the Saxons in a Gothic architectural style, it is the largest church in Romania.

The church got its name from its dark exterior. The dark appearance was caused by a fire in 1689 supposedly. But some historians say the dark exterior is caused by pollution.

Nonetheless, it is worth checking the inside of the church. Look for two large organs. Moreover, there are over 150 praying carpets inside. It is the largest collection outside Turkey.

Tickets are sold at the gift studio opposite the church entrance. And if you are there in the summer months, you can even listen to the organ playing on Saturday evenings.

Address: Curtea Johannes Honterus 2, Brașov | Hours: 12-7pm Monday and Sunday, 10-7pm Tuesday to Saturday

11, 12 & 13. Piața Sfatului (The Council Square)

Piața Sfatului (The Council Square) is the historical centre of Brasov. It was an important commercial and cultural centre and a vibrant marketplace where merchants sold products and people socialized.

Today, colourful 18th to 19th-century historic buildings are found throughout the square and cafes, and restaurants with outdoor seating line the perimeter.

Besides all the food options (which I will discuss later), check out Casa Sfatului (Council Hall) located in the centre. This former town hall houses Brasov History Museum and has the city’s coat of arms directly above the entrance.

And on the north side of the main square, look for Biserica Sfânta Adormire a Maicii Domnului. The entrance is a bit hidden. Look for a three-story building, enter via a doorway and walk through the corridor to see the Orthodox church inside a small courtyard.

Address: Piața Sfatului, Brașov | Hours: 24 hours

14 & 15. Turnul Alb (White Tower) and Turnul Negru (Black Tower)

Next, visit two 15th-century watchtowers guarding Brasov.

First, visit Turnul Alb (White Tower), a 20-meter-high semi-circular watchtower. There is a museum within the tower where you can see exhibits spanning over five wooden levels.

Then, follow the path at the base of the White Tower, and it will lead you to Turnul Negru (Black Tower), an 11-meter high square-based tower with a glass roof. Inside the tower is a weapons exhibit that belongs to the Historical Museum of Brasov County.

However, when visiting the two towers in August, I couldn’t see the inside of both.

But I saw some amazing Brasov views from the observation decks around both towers. Just the views alone are worth the trek up the hill. Just take a look at the photos below!

White Tower Address: Calea Poienii, Brașov | Hours: 9am-5pm (closed Mondays)

Black Tower Address: Calea Poienii, Brașov | Hours: 10am-6pm (closed Mondays)

16. Piața Sfântul Ioan (St. John’s Square)

Piața Sfântul Ioan (St. John’s Square) is a small square not far from the main pedestrian street, Strada Republicii. This open space hosts many cultural events including Brasov Jazz & Blues Festival in August, which I came across while there.

But even if there aren’t any events, you can still check out the colourful art murals around the square. There is more graffiti around the small streets next to the open space.

And this concludes my Brasov itinerary. Grab dinner along Strada Republicii or Piața Sfatului to finish the day in this charming town.

Address: Strada Sfântul Ioan, Brașov | Hours: 24 hours

Other things to see in Brasov: outside of city centre

There are many more things to do in Brasov besides the attractions mentioned in the itinerary. If you can spend more than one day in Brasov, here are a few more things to see around Brasov (see blue pins on the map):

1. Pietrele Lai Solomon (Solomon Rocks) – 2-hour hike with streams, natural springs and a waterfall. Take bus 50 from Livada Postei to Solomon’s Rocks.
2. Poiana Brașov – hike in the summer and ski in the winter. Take bus 20 from the Livada Postei to Poiana Brasov. It is possible to hike from Pietrele Lai Solomon to Poiana Brasov (4.2 km, 1.5 hours).
3. Râșnov Citadel – See a medieval fortress and beautiful Romanian countryside. Take a local train from Brasov Station to Rasnov Station.
4. Bran Castle and Peles Castle – Visit the famous Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle), Peles Castle, a Neo-Renaissance castle in the Carpathian Mountains and Rasnov Citadel on this day tour.
5. Transfăgărășan Highway – Romania’s most famous road that zigzags through the southern section of the Carpathian Mountains. The organized tour will visit the winding highway and Balea Lake.

Where to stay in Brasov Romania as a solo traveller

I included many things to do in Brasov in my one day itinerary so I recommend staying the night before so you can start your day in Brasov bright and early.

And I also suggest staying overnight, so you don’t have to rush back to Bucharest or continue to another city. Plus, you can enjoy a nice meal at the end of the day and see Brasov at night.

I stayed at an Airbnb apartment which is within walking distance of everything. And if I didn’t stay in this apartment, I would’ve loved to stay at one of the hotels listed below.

• Art Studio Apartment ($) – a brand-new ground-floor studio apartment with everything you need for a short-term stay.
  • Check prices & reviews: Airbnb
• Schuster Boarding House ($$) – a cute boutique hotel with modern and cozy guestrooms.
  • Check prices & reviews: Agoda
• Radisson Blu Aurum Hotel ($$$) – a 5-star boutique hotel with eclectic contemporary guestrooms.
  • Check prices & reviews: Agoda

Where to eat in Brasov Romania

Traditional food in Brasov is very similar to the food in Bucharest: tasty, filling, and meat-heavy. But a handful of items on the menu are specific to the region. I’ll mention these specialties below.

Here are some of my favourite places to eat in Brasov:

• La Ceaun – order cauldron dishes like bean soup with smoked ham in a bread bowl or cauldron fried chicken with polenta. And try local beers like Breasla Cărciumarilor Pilsner or Mustată Blondă. La Ceaun has two locations.
• Sergiana – the traditional restaurant gives complimentary fried pork belly and bread so don’t order too much food.
• Bistro L’Arte – try Crizbav snails with salad and order Czell Blondă Clară, a local beer made in Brașov. And if you still have room, try the Gomboti (cinnamon plum dumpling).
• Ceasu’ Rău – try bulz ciobănesc (polenta with cheese, smoked sausages, egg) or Poiana Mărului sausages at this Romanian barbecue restaurant.
• Simigeria Petru – a popular bakery that sells many types of pretzels.
• Transylvania Bakery – try a Kürtőskalács, a sweet cylinder cake roasted on a spit. It comes in many different flavours.
• Gelato Mania – the best gelato place in Brasov! Locals start queuing half an hour before it opens.

Are you going to follow my Brasov itinerary?

I spent almost a week in Brasov and saw all of these attractions but not in a sequence that made sense. Which is why I put together a one day itinerary that includes all the best things to do in Brasov and in a sequence that makes more sense.

You can really see everything in one day. It’s quick but if you only have one day to spare, then you must follow my Brasov itinerary.

Let me know in the comments if you did try this itinerary and how you find it. Or if you have any suggestions to make it better.

Thank you for reading my Brasov itinerary post

You may also like these other Romania solo travel posts:

Romania posts

• Romania 10-day itinerary for first-time travellers
• Bucharest 1, 2 and 3-day solo itineraries
• 25 Best Bucharest food: What and where to eat in Bucharest
• Things to do in Sighisoara Romania: 1-day itinerary
• One day in Sibiu: top things to do
• How to spend one day in Constanta Romania

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