On the way from Sibiu to Brasov lies the city of Fagaras. At the end of the 12th century, the city’s castle was only a wooden fortress, which was expanded into a stone fortress in the 14th century.

The fortress houses a museum, which can be visited just like the fortress itself. Right next to the fortress is the cathedral/church Sfantul Ioan Botezatorul.

Beautiful pictures by Mr. Iercosan Marian from the end of September 2025.

Bran Castle (in German: Törzburg) is located in the Transylvania region, in Brașov County.

Regardless of whether Dracula (if he ever existed 😁) or his "human" counterpart (Vlad III Draculea, Vlad the Impaler) lived here or not... the castle and the entire region are definitely worth a visit.

We thank Castelul Bran for the permission to use these images.

The History Museum of the city and county of Brașov (Kronstadt) was founded in 1950 and is located in the former parish hall in the center of the Council Square (square) or partly in the Weavers' Bastion in Brașov (Kronstadt).

https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com

The bastion, defended and maintained by the linen weavers' guild, was built in two stages between 1421-1436 and 1570-1573. In the first phase, the first two levels of the three battle galleries were built. The upper galleries, built between 1570 and 1573, were intended for small arms that could be used through narrow, circular bullet holes throughout the galleries. Two guard towers were built, which monitored the city both militarily and in terms of possible fires.

After the restoration, the weavers' bastion was transformed into a museum.

Marienburg from Feldioara (Romanian name of Marienburg) is a medieval castle of the Teutonic Order in the region of Transylvania in the district of Brașov.

https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/ | https://welcome-to-romania.com

The castle offers a wonderful view of the surrounding area and the mountains of Brașov (German name: Kronstadt), it is located at approx. 20 kilometers away from Brașov on the way to Sighișoara (in German: Schäßburg) and was built on a hill (almost 500 meters above sea level).

In 1211 King Andrew II called. from Hungary The Teutonic Knights in support of the Kumans in the country to secure the eastern border of his growing kingdom. The king granted them many privileges, including immunity, the right to self-government, and the construction of stone fortresses to ensure the environment. In 1838, the city of Marienburg (Romanian name: Feldioara) was severely destroyed by an earthquake. Between 2013 and 2017, the ruins of the castle were renovated and largely rebuilt.

Bran Castle (German: Törzburg, Hungarian: Törcsvar) is located in the Transylvania region, Brasov County, in Romania.

We thank Castelul Bran for the permission to use this picture (Bran at night).

Rupea Fortress (German: Repser Burg) is located near the town of Rupea (German: Reps), about 50 km from Brasov (Kronstadt) – on the way to Targu Mures – and is one of the oldest castles on Romanian territory.

The fortress was built in the 11th century and is the landmark of the town of Rupea (Reps). High above the town on Kohalmer Hill (578 meters), it can be seen from far away. It was first mentioned in documents in 1324, when the Saxons fought against the King of Hungary.

Pictures: May 2024

The village of Fundata is located in Brașov County, in the Transylvania region.

Situated at an altitude of 1,360 meters, Fundata is the highest settlement in Romania. It lies halfway between Bran and Rucăr, close to the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului Mountains.

Many thanks to Vlad the Impaler - Dracula for allowing us to use this image.

The community of Harman (German: Honigberg) is located in the historical region of Burzenland, about 12 kilometers northeast of the city of Brasov (Kronstadt).

In 1211, the Hungarian King Andrew II granted the Burzenland to the Teutonic Order, which settled there, built castles, brought German settlers into the country, and founded villages such as Honigberg. After conflicts with the king, the order was expelled from the Burzenland in 1225, but the German settlements remained.

More information and many pictures:
https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de/de/uir/ausflugsziele-sehenswertes-zitadelle-harman/

Interesting info and more in German

Video

The village of Viscri (German: Deutsch-Weisskirch, Hungarian: Szaszfeheregyhaza) is located in Brasov County in Transylvania.

It lies northwest of the town / fortress of Rupea (German: Reps) and southeast of the city of Sighisoara (German: Schäßburg). Between the 18th and 20th centuries, the village had about 700 inhabitants, mainly Transylvanian Saxons plus a Romanian part of the village. Viscri is characterized by both its fortified church and the village structure shaped by Saxon farmsteads.

Many travelers drive to Romania with their own car or rent one at the airport and ... some may feel a bit overwhelmed by parking situations in certain cities. So here are a few tips.

**First of all, don’t copy the creative parking habits of some locals**. Cars can be **towed quickly** (especially in fire zones, in front of hospitals, intersections, pedestrian crossings, etc.), and recovering them requires **cash payment** – but first, you need to find out where your car was taken, which can be a long process 🙈.

# Stress-free parking in Brăila 🥰
Brăila, located in southeastern Romania, has about 150,000 residents. **Parking is always available and completely free, even in the city center**.

# The neighboring city, Galați ... a bit more complicated 😅
Galați, with around 300,000 residents, has **many paid parking zones** (not only downtown). Parking is charged **Monday-Saturday, 08:00-20:00**, and can be paid at parking meters or via SMS (Romanian phone number required). **IMPORTANT**: If you don’t pay, you may quickly find a **wheel clamp** 😅. The unlocking fee is **200-300 Lei (40-60 Euros)** depending on the time of day.

# Brașov – parking requires patience
Finding a parking spot **near the center of Brașov is difficult at any time**. Many streets are one-way, and it takes time to locate an available space. **Parking is charged (Monday-Saturday, 08:00-20:00)** and can be paid at meters, via SMS (per hour, multiple SMS needed – Romanian number required), or via an app (24h tickets available). Paid parking applies citywide, so always check the signs.

# Timișoara, European Capital of Culture 2023 ... going high-tech 😁
Paid parking in the city center is monitored using a **special camera-equipped vehicle** that scans parked cars and checks payment records in real-time. We’re not sure how it works exactly, but … we suspect fines are issued automatically.

# Bucharest … no words 🙈
Parking in Bucharest means **either at the hotel or 20 km outside the city** 😁. The **traffic is intense**, and the **driving style is reminiscent of Italian movies**. Most areas, including downtown, require **paid parking** (via meter, SMS – Romanian number needed, or app). Finding a spot in the **Old Town is extremely difficult**, and private parking can cost up to **300 Lei (60 Euros) for 24h**. **Our advice**: book a hotel with free parking and use taxis, Uber, or public transport instead. It's worth it!

# Small towns & rural areas
Parking here is usually **free and easy** 😊, but check signs near tourist attractions.

# Ignoring a parking fine? 😅
Not a good idea! Most cities **clamp the front wheel** (yellow or orange). The release fee depends on the time of day. **Better pay for parking in advance** – it’s cheaper!

Any parking experiences in Romania? Share your comments!

# And a reminder: RO Vignette
Driving on **Romanian highways and national roads** requires a vignette (Rovinieta). Buy it online **up to a month before your trip**: [https://www.roviniete.ro/de/](https://www.roviniete.ro/de/). Prices:
- 3 Euros / 7 days
- 7 Euros / 30 days
- 13 Euros / 90 days
- 28 Euros / 1 year

Rental cars usually have it included, but double-check.

Safe travels & stress-free parking! 🚗😊

The city of Sfantu Gheorghe is the capital of Covasna County, located north and northeast of Brasov.

We thank Mr. Frank Schleßmann for sending these beautiful pictures (early October 2025).

The castle seen from high above... from the so-called "vampire perspective" 🧛‍♂️😁 always beautiful 🥰

https://discover-brasov.com | https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de

We thank Mr. Amstad Beat for sending and giving permission to use these pictures.

On the way from Sibiu to Brașov lies the town of Făgăraș. At the end of the 12th century the town's fortress was only a wooden fortification, which was expanded into a stone fortress in the 14th century.

The fortress houses a museum, which—like the fortress itself—can be visited. Directly next to the fortress is the cathedral / church Sfantul Ioan Botezatorul.

Beautiful pictures by Mr. Iercosan Marian from a few days ago (end of September 2025).

Pure relaxation, pampering yourself with delicious dishes made from local products, a pool, and yet adventure all around 🥰

https://conaculgrigorescu.com (German website, German-speaking hosts)

The Grigorescu Estate (Buzau County, near the town of Berca) offers a family atmosphere and is centrally located in the triangle of Bucharest – Brasov – Danube Delta. It is also a perfect starting point for excursions to the Dealu Mare wine region or for hiking and sporting experiences in the UNESCO Geopark Buzau.

The Roman Catholic Church „ Saints Peter and Paul ” from Brașov ( Brasov ) was founded in the second half of the 18th century. 19th century built according to the plans of the architect Karl Joseph Lamasch.

The church building is the only baroque building in the city, the altar is made of wood and gilded, the stained glass windows were built in Budapest, and the organ comes from Timisoara. The church houses statues of St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Anna and St. Anthony of Padua

Priest Ignatius Wagensei asked Empress Maria Theresa for support for the construction of this church, and construction began in the summer of 1776. In 1787 the church was consecrated by the bishop of Transylvania, Ignatie Batthyany.

Pictures from January 2023 from the old town of Brasov / Kronstadt, in the so-called Burzenland* and the Transylvania region.

https://discover-brasov.com | https://kronstadt-erleben.de

* Tara Barsei (German: Burzenland, Hungarian: Barcasag) is a historical and ethnographic area in southeastern Transylvania with a mixed population of Romanians, Germans, and Hungarians.

Poiana Brasov | Simply beautifuuuuuuuuuuul !!! 🥰

The Rasnov Fortress (German: Rosenauer Burg) is a historical monument and landmark in Romania. It is located in Rasnov (Rosenau), Brasov County, about 20 km from Brasov (Kronstadt).

Information: Currently, this fortress is (probably) still being renovated, and access to the interior is therefore not possible. The pictures are from the accessible part of the castle. However, the renovation should be completed soon.

The fortress was built as part of a defense system for the Transylvanian villages. Today's medieval fortress was likely built between 1211 and 1225 during the rule of the Teutonic Knights in Burzenland.

About 35 km from the city of Brasov, to the northeast in the direction of Sfântu Gheorghe, lies the bear-watching site Medveles találkozóhely in Covasna County. And yes, the name doesn’t just sound Hungarian – it actually is Hungarian... because in this part of Romania, although deep in the east of Transylvania, the main spoken language is Hungarian.

Info and more (in English)
https://medveles.hu/en/programs/tourist-bear-watching

According to current estimates, about 8,000 to 10,000 brown bears live in the forests and mountains of the Romanian Carpathians / Transylvania. If you have ever wanted to come face to face with a bear in a safe way, this is your chance. The bear-watching site offers visitors and photographers guided, professional experiences, including many activities – from bear observation to off-road tours.

We thank Observator de ursi for allowing us to use these wonderful images.

Shortly after leaving Brasov in the direction of Sinaia (Bucharest), turn left towards the Sapte Scari (Seven Ladders) gorge.

It is a good hour's walk to the gorge or the seven ladders, which is lined by a stream with clear, cold water and lots of nature. Even if you don't enter the gorge via the ladders (there's a charge, another three hours' walk!), the hike there and back is definitely beautiful.

For the hike: sturdy footwear is highly recommended. In places, you walk over tree trunks, small wooden bridges and loose stones or you walk directly in the stream bed or on a stony path. You should definitely take something to drink with you.

Pictures: Beginning of September 2023

Targu Mures, first mentioned in documents in the year 1300, is located on the Mures River (in German Mieresch, in Hungarian Maros) in the historical county* of Maros-Torda, on the route from Brasov to Cluj-Napoca.

https://xn--willkommen-in-rumnien-m2b.de/ | https://welcome-to-romania.com

* County: name for an administrative district in Hungary

Peles Castle is located about 1.5 kilometers northwest of the town of Sinaia, which lies on the route from Bucharest to Brasov (and of course vice versa), in the Prahova Valley, framed by the Bucegi Mountains.

https://welcome-to-romania.com | https://urlaub-in-rumänien.de

We thank Mr. Georg Schenk and https://www.instagram.com/romania_ig/ for allowing us to use these pictures.

The village of Viscri (in German: Deutsch-Weisskirch, in Hungarian: Szaszfeheregyhaza) is located in Brașov County in Transylvania.

It lies northwest of the town/citadel of Rupea and southeast of the city of Sighișoara. Between the 18th and 20th centuries, the village had about 700 inhabitants, mainly Transylvanian Saxons and a Romanian village section. Viscri is notable for its fortified church and the typical Saxon village layout.

The village was founded by Transylvanian Saxons at the end of the 12th century and was first mentioned in documents in 1185. At the northwest end of the village stands the fortified church.

In the 12th century, before the German settlers arrived, the Székelys (a Hungarian-speaking ethnic group in eastern Transylvania) built a small Romanesque hall church here. In the 13th century, it was expanded. After the first Turkish incursions, the church was fortified in the 14th century, and a defensive wall with towers was built.

We thank photographer Brian Randall for the permission to use these pictures (early September 2021).

The town and fortress of Rasnov (German: Rosenau) are located in Brasov County in Transylvania.

In addition to the fortress, Dino Parc, located directly behind the castle (as seen in the picture, access possible from the rear), is open year-round.

Learn more about the region:
https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com

The village of Viscri (German: Deutsch-Weisskirch, Hungarian: Szaszfeheregyhaza) is located in the county of Brasov in Transylvania.

It lies to the north-west of the town/castle of Rupea (German: Reps) and to the south-east of the town of Sighisoara (German: Schäßburg). The village had around 700 inhabitants between the 18th and 20th centuries, mainly Transylvanian Saxons plus a Romanian part of the village. Viscri is characterised by both the fortified church and the village structure, which is characterised by Saxon farms.

Pictures: 17 May 2024

The village of Viscri (German: Deutsch-Weisskirch, Hungarian: Szaszfeheregyhaza) is located in the county of Brasov in Transylvania.

It lies to the north-west of the town/castle of Rupea (German: Reps) and to the south-east of the town of Sighisoara (German: Schäßburg). The village had around 700 inhabitants between the 18th and 20th centuries, mainly Transylvanian Saxons plus a Romanian part of the village. Viscri is characterised by both the fortified church and the village structure, which is characterised by Saxon farms.

Pictures: 17 May 2024

A wonderful walk through Brasov on a early Sunday morning in May.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com

It was quiet, the sun was shining, and it was a wonderful day. Pictures: early May 2025

In Buzau County, close to the Mud Volcanoes, the "Living Fire," and the Tinutul Buzaului Geopark, lies the German-speaking guesthouse Conacul Grigorescu.

https://conaculgrigorescu.com/de

Enjoy wonderful days, be pampered with culinary delights, and experience the region around Buzau or the surrounding area. The guesthouse is located in the center of the triangle formed by Bucharest, Brasov (Kronstadt), and the Danube Delta. The perfect starting point for further experiences and adventures.

https://kronstadt-erleben.de | https://discover-brasov.com