What to See and Do!

Bran is an excellent location from which to explore the spectacular mountains and forests of Bucegi, Piatra Craiului and Postavarul, the beautiful Barsenland hill country, the Zarnesti and Dambovicioara gorges, waterfalls, caves, and other strange geological formations.

Apart from Bran Castle itself, there are many other fascinating historical sites nearby. Rasnov hilltop fortress was built as a refuge by Saxon settlers in the Middles Ages, to protect themselves against frequent raids by Tartars (from Mongolia) and Turks. Look for the 480 ft deep well hacked by Turkish prisoners in 17 years!

The lavish Peles Castle in Sinaia was built in 1875 by King Carol I as his royal summer palace. It was the first castle in Europe to feature electricity, an electric lift, and central heating. To the north and west of Bran there are more than 500 Saxon villages - many with fortified churches. The largest of these at Prejmer, 15 kms north east of Braşov, has 272 individual storage chambers arranged within an impressive ring-shaped defensive wall. Look for the unique "death organ" - an early attempt at a machine gun!

Brasov itself (just 28 kms from Bran) is one of the "Siebenburgen" - the 7 fortified cities of Saxon Transylvania. Much of its original defences still remain, surrounding the old city's germanic centre and massive Black Church - the largest Gothic cathedral east of Vienna. Brasov is a thriving business and shopping centre and well worth a day visit.
Your stay in Bran is something you will remember forever. You can meet farmers who still plough by hand, shepherds wearing traditional bell-shaped hats and sheepskin cloaks, and foresters who are more used to meeting bears than tourists! You will see some of the most superb, unexplored scenery in Europe.

You can walk, cycle, climb, explore caves, ski in winter, photograph, watch wildlife, try your hand at traditional crafts, and picnic in fields of wild flowers. Or you can just relax at "The GuestHouse" and sample wholesome, country fare and locally made wine and plum brandy.