Unpacking with a View at Shard
The drive from Peleș Castle to Brașov takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The route winds through spectacular mountain scenery that keeps the road trip excitement building with every kilometre. While driving is highly convenient, travellers exploring Transylvania without a car can easily get to Brașov from Bucharest via the Romanian Railways (CFR). Direct trains run roughly every 30 to 60 minutes throughout the day, taking around 2.5 hours from Bucharest or just 1 hour if coming from Sinaia. Alternatively, many visitors opt to take organised guided tours departing from major hubs.
For my two-night stay, I specifically looked for a hotel located in or very near the core centre that could guarantee a hassle-free parking solution, whether it was paid private space or street parking. Finding hotels with parking spaces inside the historic centre is notoriously difficult and stressful. That search led me to book The Shard Boutique Hotel via Booking.com. It sits just a little bit outside the city centre, which turned out to be a deliberate and brilliant choice.
The hotel advertises free street parking, and it completely lived up to that promise. Because the property is located right at the edge of the forest, the area is quiet and uncrowded. I easily found parking right in front of the hotel entrance, and there was plenty of open space further down the street if needed.
Checking in was entirely seamless; the owner, Adrian, messaged me all the entry codes directly through the Booking app. My room was tucked away on the top floor and featured a private balcony looking straight into the lush, forest greenery of Brașov. The room’s main design highlight was a standalone bathtub right in the bedroom area rather than enclosed in the bathroom (though fair warning: you have to get a bit creative and sit down while showering!). The hotel also features a lovely, quiet shared living room and kitchen that shares that same peaceful forest view. I loved how small, private, and relaxing it felt. I took a little time to unwind on my balcony before finally heading out to explore the centre. The hotel is a 25 minute walk, however, for a few Euros you can order Bolt/Uber.
It is all about the mountain views!
Stepping into the old town feels like stepping back into its grand, centuries-old past. Originally founded in 1211 by the Teutonic Knights and later heavily developed by German colonists known as the Transylvanian Saxons, Brașov—historically known by its Latin name Corona or German Kronstadt (Crown City)—flourished as a highly fortified, wealthy medieval trading hub. Its powerful merchant guilds financed defensive bastions and massive stone walls to protect it from Ottoman raids. Standing on my balcony, looking over the exact forests that once surrounded this legendary frontier stronghold, I was eager to see how that fascinating clash of Saxon fortifications and vibrant Romanian history would unfold as I walked into the Council Square.
Exploring Brașov: 10 Things To Do
- The Historical City Centre: Although Brașov is one of Romania’s major urban hubs, its beautifully preserved historical centre is surprisingly compact, pedestrian-friendly, and completely walkable. Because it is highly accessible, many visitors easily explore it on a quick day trip from Bucharest, frequently combining it with a morning stop at Peleș Castle in Sinaia. However, taking your time to slow down and wander the narrow, cobblestone alleyways is incredibly refreshing. The old town is packed with charm, countless shops, and outdoor seating.If you get hungry while walking, stop by a local patiserie (bakery window) to grab some traditional Romanian street pastries like merdena (flaky puff pastry stuffed with salty cheese) or covrigi (hot, chewy Romanian pretzels). You can easily buy them straight over the counter for under 10 Lei (less than €2!) to eat on the go. Many of these windows also sell quick, savoury slices of salami pizza, which are absolutely delicious and make for a perfect, easy lunch while exploring. If the weather is hot, you can finish it off with a scoop of local ice cream for the exact same affordable price, which quickly became my favourite afternoon ritual!
- Council Square (Piața Sfatului): The perfect place for an evening stroll and truly the “living room” of Brașov. This is the vibrant, bustling heart of the city where everyone naturally gathers. I was incredibly impressed by the grand square, which is ringed with an endless choice of lively outdoor cafés. Right in the centre sits a beautiful fountain surrounded by outdoor seating, making it the ultimate spot for people-watching. The square is anchored by remarkable historical landmarks like the Old Town Hall (Casa Sfatului), which houses the history museum, and the nearby Merchant’s House (Casa Negustorilor). Even better, there was a bustling Sunday market happening when I arrived. I love local markets, and I happily managed to pick up some fresh, seasonal blueberries to eat for breakfast!
- The Smaller Squares: Aside from the main Council Square, make sure to seek out these atmospheric spots as part of your things to do in Brasov:
- Piața Apollonia Hirscher: Named after the wealthiest and most prominent female merchant of 16th-century Brașov, who funded the nearby House of Merchants. Beyond its historical roots, this charming square is hands-down the absolute best vantage point in the old town to snap a photo with Mount Tâmpa. The angle from the cobblestones frames the iconic, Hollywood-style “Brașov” sign perfectly directly over your head or right behind your back!
- Piața Brassei (Brassaï Square): A wonderfully quiet, peaceful, and tucked-away pedestrian square that offers a welcome breather from the main tourist paths. It sits nestled right against the northern edge of the historic old city walls, just a one-minute walk from the bustling Council Square and steps away from the famous După Ziduri (Behind the Walls) stream alley. This charming square actually serves as a lovely tribute to history and art; it was named in honour of the world-famous 20th-century photographer Gyula Halász, better known by his pseudonym Brassaï, who was born right here in Brașov. Bordered by beautifully restored historic buildings, it’s an ideal spot to pause, admire the proximity of the medieval city fortifications, and enjoy a quiet moment of old-world stillness right in the heart of the city.
- Piața Sfântul Ioan (St. John Square): Originally named after a historic Franciscan monastery that once stood nearby, this area was beautifully revitalized into a modern cultural hub. It is a lovely square that regularly hosts open-air live music, outdoor cinema nights, and street performances during the warm summer months. The adjacent street, which shares the same name, has a beautifully cool, cosy vibe that makes it perfect for a relaxed wander. Because it is narrower than the main thoroughfares, it feels much more intimate. It is packed with charming cafés and is a great place to stop, sit down for a cup of coffee, and just watch the people go by.
Piața Apollonia Hirscher where you can pose for the Brasov sign.
- The Black Church (Biserica Neagră): Having seen so many European churches on my travels, I didn’t find this one overly impressive. It is worth a quick look since you are right there, but if you aren’t a massive history or architecture buff, this is an easy one you can skip. Factual context: Built by the city’s German Saxon community between the 14th and 15th centuries, it stands as the largest Gothic cathedral in Romania and one of the largest in Central Europe. Its intimidating name comes from the Great Fire of 1689, which swept through Brașov and left the cathedral’s outer stone walls heavily blackened with soot. Step inside, and you’ll find a massive 4,000-pipe organ alongside one of the largest collections of historic Anatolian/Turkish carpets outside of Turkey, which were gifted over the centuries by local merchants returning safely from eastern trade routes.
- Catherine’s Gate & Șchei Gate: These striking historic city gates are absolutely beautiful pieces of old-world architecture and well worth a pause to admire the craftsmanship. Best of all, they are easily accessible—you don’t need to do any hiking or climbing to see them; you can just casually walk right up to them while exploring the edge of the old town.Factual context: Built by the Tailors’ Guild in 1559, Catherine’s Gate (Poarta Ecaterinei) is the only original medieval gate to survive in the city. Its fairy-tale roof features four small corner turrets that carry a dark history: they symbolised Jus Gladii (the “right of the sword”), a medieval privilege granting local rulers the authority to issue death sentences and carry out capital punishment. During Saxon rule, ethnic Romanians were forbidden from owning property inside the fortress and had to live outside in the Șchei district; they could only enter the city through this specific gate at certain times, paying a toll just to sell their goods. Right next to it stands Șchei Gate (Poarta Șchei), built in 1828 in a neoclassical style reminiscent of a triumphal arch. It was added later with three distinct archway openings—a large central one for trader carriages and two smaller side ones for pedestrians—to ease the heavy flow of traffic.Tucked right behind Catherine’s Gate, you will also find a small garden with seating. It is the perfect little spot to sit down, relax, and hide away from the crowds for a bit, though keep in mind it is quite popular among the locals!
- The Towers, City Walls, and Bastions: I wasn’t in the mood to climb up the towers or hike along the old city fortifications this time, as I preferred to just walk around the flat areas of the historic centre and bask in the atmosphere. However, if you are a history buff or love panoramic viewpoints, definitely add these to your list! The remaining structures—like the White Tower (Turnul Alb) and Black Tower (Turnul Negru) perched on the hillside, along with the heavily fortified Graft Bastion (Bastionul Graft) and Weavers’ Bastion (Bastionul Țesătorilor)—are absolutely fantastic for catching a panoramic view over the sea of historic red rooftops that define Brașov.
- Strada După Ziduri (Behind the Walls): This is a gorgeous, narrow alleyway running alongside a small river. The moment you step into it, it feels like discovering a secret passage into a different world, completely removed from the business of the city centre. It is incredibly green here, with the stream rushing directly beneath the historic city walls and the lush, towering forest of Mount Tâmpa. When I walked through, a street musician was playing, and locals were casually sitting on tree branches hanging out over the stream. I arrived just before twilight, which gave the entire path an enigmatic, magical glow as the old lanterns began to flicker on. If you cross over the little water bridges, paths lead right up to the towers for great city views. I also peeked at a somewhat hidden Italian restaurant along this path, and it was packed—always a good sign!
- Hiking Tâmpa Mountain: This is a fantastic outdoor option, but make sure you don’t go alone. While I normally never pass up a good hiking opportunity, being a solo traveler who is terrified of accidentally bumping into a wild brown bear, I decided to skip the trek this time. However, it is an incredible trail for sporty travellers and nature lovers! The paths are well-marked, and for safety reasons, you must strictly stay on the designated trails. If you do go, remember to make plenty of noise as you walk—bears can easily detect human sounds and will naturally move away from the path. The trek to the top takes roughly an hour.
- The Tâmpa Cable Car (Telecabina Tâmpa) & The Brașov Sign: If you aren’t up for the hour-long hike, The Tâmpa Cable Car is a fantastic alternative. The journey up the mountain is incredibly quick—taking just 2 minutes—and tickets are very reasonable at 30 Lei (~€6) for a one-way trip or 45 Lei (~€9) for a round-trip. The cable car generally runs from 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM (opening slightly later at 12:30 PM on Mondays), making it easy to catch a late sunset. Once at the summit, you’ll find both a restaurant and a café; the restaurant offers stunning sweeping views of Brașov’s old town, while the back café terrace looks peaceful out over the forest greenery. From the top station, a short, easy hike brings you right up to the famous Hollywood-style “Brașov” sign. Normally, you can walk directly behind the massive letters for a spectacular panoramic view of the city centre and beyond. However, when I visited, the path was closed for maintenance. You can still see the views from the side, but it can get pretty busy and chaotic with tourists during peak hours. I strategically went at the very end of the day, which meant far fewer crowds!
- Fine Dining at Restaurant Panoramic: To treat myself in Brașov, I booked a table well in advance at Panoramic Restaurant Brasov, which sits directly atop the peak of Mount Tâmpa. I settled in for a wonderful 3-course dinner paired with a crisp glass of local Romanian white wine. For my starter, I couldn’t resist the Bulz Cota 960—a refined, modern take on traditional polenta layered with rich Romanian cheeses, a velvety egg confit, and a savoury strip of bacon lard. Because I’d spent the previous days snacking heavily on those delicious, thin cârnati (traditional dried sausages), I chose a vegetarian route for the main course: the black truffle linguine, which was absolute perfection. I finished the night with a flawlessly executed crème brûlée, bursting with Madagascar vanilla and topped with fresh berries. From the contemporary plating and rich flavors to the high-altitude ambiance, the entire experience was exceptional. The absolute best part? Compared to Western European standards, a fine-dining meal of this caliber was incredibly affordable!
Pro traveller tip: Secure your reservation early and request a window table—they will save you a coveted front-row seat to the best views in the city!
Looking Ahead: Side Trips from Brașov
While the city centre itself is captivating, Brașov also makes the perfect base for exploring the surrounding Transylvanian countryside. I spent a morning checking out the impressive fortress in Râșnov, the legendary “Dracula’s Castle” in Bran, and the heartwarming Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Zărnești. All of these make for incredible side trips, and I will detail exactly how to visit them in my next post!
📍 Next Stop: Viscri and Sighisoara
It is going to be a full of day of driving with stops. At the end of this day I would have clocked in 3 hours driving time! But quite happy to break those into a few great stops such as the Bear Sanctuary in Zarnesti in the morning, then Viscri for midday and finally arriving in Sighisoara in the afternoon. Stay tuned.
🗺️ Catch Up on the Transylvania 8-Spoke Road Trip Series!
If you missed any of my previous drives, check out the first seven spokes of the journey below before my ultimate trip directory drops very soon:
- Spoke 1: Royal Elegance in Sinaia – Exploring the stunning Peleș Castle
- Spoke 2: The Fortress Vibe of Brașov – Two days soaking in historic charm (this post!)
- Spoke 3: Day Trips from Brasov – Exploring Rasnov, Bran, and the Libearty Bear Sanctuary
- Spoke 4: Saxon Heritage in Viscri – A step back in time
- Spoke 5: Picturesque Sighișoara – A night in the Citadel Sphere
- Spoke 6: Grandeur and Mystery in Sibiu – The historic heart of Transylvania
- Spoke 7: Day Trips from Sibiu – Corvin Castle and Alba Iulia Citadel
- Spoke 8: Bears and Driving Transfagarasan Highway – Epic Transfagarasan highway drive from Sibiu to Bucharest
Happy Travels!
With love from Jo
Travel Period: August 2026
Brasov (Transylvania), Romania