Bucharest’s industrial cityscape faded in the distance as the towering Carpathian Mountains and lush forests of Transylvania grew all around us. After a dodgy encounter with a rental car company (story for another day), we hit the highway full steam. We were so excited!
There isn’t a lot of information on travel in Romania, which meant, on one hand, Google maps was often unreliable, and, on the other hand, we’d get to uncover many of Romania’s treasures for ourselves.
Still from what we could find, we knew we were hunting for three important things: untouched landscapes, medieval villages lost in time, and storybook castles.
Romania didn’t disappoint in any of these things, and, I’d say, the lack of information let us take each place in with unfiltered admiration. So, let’s get started. Here are six castles you’ll love visiting in Romania in or around towns we recommend visiting.
In Sinaia, Romania
Peles Castle
Peles Castle was my first Romanian castle love, and like all first loves, I fell hard. When we first saw it, it was wrapped in thin veils of fog. It’s Neo-Renaissance architecture looked mystical and moody against the dimming afternoon, but it was too late to explore the grounds. We returned the next day to see it bathed in sunlight and surrounded by the vibrant greens of the Carpathian Mountains. I really couldn’t decide when it was more beautiful, but that’s how first loves go.
Built for King Carol I, Peles Castle is considered one of the most beautiful castles in Europe!
To get here, spend the night in Sinaia, an adorable mountain town known as the pearl of the Carpathians. You can enjoy the grounds and the exterior of the castle for free but will have to pay to enter.
Tips for your trip to Peles Castle
- Plan to visit Wednesday to Sunday. The castle is always closed on Mondays and is also closed on Tuesdays from February 1 to March 30.
- On Tuesdays when it’s open, you can only visit the ground floor and the exteriors.
- Arrive early, the grounds close at 5 p.m. and parking can fill up quickly in the Summer.
- Bring your student ID, entrance is about 75% cheaper for students. (It’s ok if it’s a little expired. Mine was six-years expired. It’ll be our secret.)
- If you want to take pictures or videos inside, you will have to pay. There are different fees for personal vs. professional use. Photos taken of the interior can’t be put up online.
*Fun fact: Peles Castle is used as the castle in all three of the Netflix Christmas Prince movies. (They’re quite awful, but I’ve watched them all.)
Website: https://peles.ro/
Pelisor Palace
When you visit the Peles Castle complex, you get TWO castles. Take a little walk away from Peles Castle and down some flower-lined paths to find Pelisor Palace. King Carol I built it for his heir and nephew, King Ferdinand I, and his wife, Queen Maria. Because it acted as their year-round home, Queen Maria designed several of the rooms herself in art-nouveau style with Byzantine and Celtic elements.
It’s also free to view this castle from the exterior, and, because Peles Castle tends to draw the majority of the crowds, Pelisor Palace is much less crowded.
Tips for your trip to Pelisor Palace
- Visit Wednesday-Sunday. The palace is closed Mondays and Tuesdays year round.
- Check out tips 2-4 for Peles Castle above. The same ones apply here.
Website: https://peles.ro/
Daytrips near Brasov, Romania
Bran’s Castle
This is probably the most famous castle in Romania. Even if you’ve never heard of it, you’ve likely heard of Count Dracula, popularized by Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. Well, Bran’s Castle just so happens to be the inspiration for the castle on the novel’s cover!
If you are a castle fan, you may enjoy touring this gorgeous medieval fortress that also served as the residence of the royal family during WWI.
If you’re excited about visiting Dracula’s home, WELL, I’ve got some bubbles to burst. (We hope you’ll still love us.)
Things you should know about Bran’s Castle
#1: Count Dracula is not real and, for that matter, neither are vampires. Count Dracula is, however, loosely based on a real Romanian leader named Vlad III Dracula and more affectionately known as Vlad the Impaler. He was obsessed with obliterating Ottoman invaders and earned his nickname for his ruthless destruction of his enemies (aka plundering, setting villages on fire, and then there’s that whole impaling-people-and-leaving-them-to-die thing).
#2: Vlad the Impaler never lived here. Like, ever. There’s not even a record of him visiting.
#3: Dracula’s real house is actually 2.5 hours away at Poenari Castle. While that’s a bit far from Bran’s Castle, it’s right off the Transfagarasan road, which is one of the coolest things to see in Romania! So, maybe you can two-birds-one-stone this one and still see Dracula’s real house. (You know what, I actually don’t think this is a bubble I burst. I think I just gave you a cool tip! So actually, you’re welcome.)
#3.2: You have to climb 1480 steps to get inside of Dracula’s actual house. Didn’t think this barbaric badass was going to make it easy for the Ottoman’s to get to him? Did you?
Tips for your visit to Bran’s Castle
- Prepare to pay to see the interiors and the exteriors. Keep that trusty student ID on deck!
- Check the website before visiting. The hours change according to the season.
- If you want to take any professional photos or videos, you’ll have to sign a contract and pay extra fees. Personal photos and videos are included in your basic ticket.
- There is a lookout point on a nearby hill. You can find this lookout point on Google Maps (you can trust it).
- Arrive early so you can squeeze in the next place on our list. It’s 20 minutes away.
Website: http://www.bran-castle.com/
Rasnov Fortress
After leaving Bran’s Castle for the day, head to Rasnov Fortress. To get to the citadel, we drove to the town of Rasnov and took a tractor up the hill (and so far in my life, this is the only time I can say that). It’s heavily forested and you may also enjoy walking up the hill.
For centuries, the fortress protected smaller Tranyslvanian towns from the invading Ottomans (if you haven’t noticed yet, they come up a lot in Romanian history). The small village inside is cute but has been converted into souvenir shops. It won’t take you long to tour the grounds. One hour and $1 is all it takes to see Rasnov Fortress, so it’s great paired with a trip to Bran’s Castle.
Website: http://www.rasnov-turism.ro/tourism/the-citadel-of-rasnov
Daytrip from Sibiu, Romania
Corvin's Castle
Okay, remember how I said Pelisor was my first Romanian castle love? That was until I met Corvin Castle. I mean, look at it. I half-expect Rapunzel to let down her long hair from one of those towers.
Also known as the Fortress of Hunedoara, this Renaissance-Gothic castle is one of the Seven Wonders of Romania. The aesthetics alone make it worthy of your bucket list, but my new Romanian castle love is more than just her looks.
Recommendations
- Bring that student ID. Entrance is 78% cheaper for students.
- You do have to pay a photography free, but it is 5 lei or about $1.
Website: http://castelulcorvinilor.ro/en/
Daytrip from Sighisoara, Romania
Fortified Church of Biertan
One of my favorite parts about driving through all the tiny Tranylvanian towns was having all the locals stare at our car as we drove by. Naturally, me being me, and me being ridiculous, I started waving at everyone that stared, and they waved back and smiled. Such was our entrance into Biertan.
The Fortified Church of Biertan is probably the most unique place on our list because, well, how many fortified churches have you been to? My personal answer is one.
Fortified churches were commonly used by the Saxons in this region to protect villagers from, you guessed it, Ottoman invaders.
Why is the Fortified Church of Biertan one of the best things to see in Romania?
The Biertan Fortified Church was the most important religious center for Saxons from Transylvania for almost THREE centuries.
It is also one of the largest and most impressive medieval strongholds in the region. With three tiers of 35-foot high defensive walls connected by gates and eight towers, this church was impossible to conquer during medieval times.
While there’s hundreds of fortified churches in the area, this is one of the best-preserved ones. It is a total time-warp.
Inside you’ll see many of its original elements like 16th century painted pews, original tapestries and banners, and even a pulpit carved from one single stone. It also houses the original altar, which is the largest in Transylvania!
We’ve kept this list to our favorites within the Transylvania region, but Romania is rich in castles and fortresses surrounded by lush landscapes. It’s probably impossible to visit them all in one trip, but we’d cheer you on if you took up the challenge! Are there any Romanian castles you have on your bucket list?
Love the tips and photos! I’m not much into traveling anymore, but I definitely want to visit these castles now!!
Hi Michelle, thanks for stopping by and loving on these castles. We hope we can convince you to take a trip again 😉
This was so thoughtful, concise, and while I’m heartbroken about Dracula, I’ve always wanted to go to Romania for its lore. Thanks y’all!
Hahaha, we knew we’d break some hearts spreading the truth about Dracula, but we’re excited you’re still interested in Romania. There are so many great legends in this country. Reach out when you plan your trip!
These places can’t be real…Romania has never been on my travel list, but that has officially changed. Stumbled upon this after reading your post on Seville. Thanks for all the tips!!
Yes, girl! Romania is fantastic. Especially the Transylvania region. The medieval towns and castles just stole our hearts. Thanks for stopping by <3
Bran was such a great experience. It took a variety of trains and buses to get there, but the experience of seeing the area during the winter days was so worth it.
I bet Romania is a different type of magical covered in snow! So great that you were able to make it here. It’s a beautiful castle.
I never really put much thought into visiting castles during my travels but this post has convinced me otherwise! Castles are now a must see!
They’re always one of my favorite stops! Being from the USA, I never saw any castles growing up. Except the one at good ole Disney World, haha, so it’s exciting to see these real-life castles when I’m abroad. Glad we’ve convinced you to seek them out too.
I’m imagining a mage’s battle outside the Fortified Church of Biertan. Are those allowed? 😉
These views are so good! I can’t wait to travel again post-rona. Corbin Castles contrast between the castle and the greenery is spectacular ?.
Thanks for the student ID tip btw! Keep these post coming. ??
Hahaha we can’t confirm whether the villagers will stare at you like you’re crazy or not but it might be worth the shot, haha. Corvin’s Castle is beautiful and yes always keep the ID on you. Romania is already a pretty affordable country to visit but students get almost 75-80% off all admissions. You might end up paying $1 to enter a place like Corvin’s Castle!