Bran

Bran is a village in southern Transylvania, in Brașov County. It's famous for Bran Castle, guarding the pass between Wallachia and Transylvania.

Understand
The village is known for Bran Castle, heavily marketed as "Dracula's Castle". In reality it has nothing to do with Count Dracula (or with Vlad Țepeș who lately became identified with Dracula). Nevertheless, the tourists love the idea, and the souvenir shops and tour operators keep up the legend.

By public transport
By public transport you'll first need to reach Brașov – a train or bus from Bucharest will take about three hours.

Bran is SW of Brașov on Highway DN73 / E574. Buses run between Brașov Autogara 2 and Bran every 30 mins M-F, hourly Sa & Su (every full hour). The trip takes 45 min, fare 13 lei (€2.80) as of August 2022.

By car
Driving from Cluj-Napoca or Sibiu along the Făgăraş road, you can bypass Brașov by the Highway 73A shortcut into Râșnov.

Get around
Bran is a very small village and everything is within walking distance.

Parking
Thera are parkimeter contrlled parking space on the street infront of Bran castle, however usually is full. There are some parking lots of different prices and qualities. Propbably no one es the "oficial" parking of the castle, but many claim that.

Do

 * Visit Bran Village Museum in the Castle's park. It presents you pieces of the history of this old Transylvanian village.
 * Hike in the nearby hills and mountains.

Buy
There is a market near the Castle. The souvenirs are quite "kitschy", but you can get one.

Eat
There is a Kürtős kalács place in the center of town, very recommended.

Sleep
There are plenty of pensions and camping places.

Go next

 * Râșnov is 15 km away towards Brașov. It has an interesting citadel and old churches.
 * Peleș Castle is 50 km south in Sinaia, which lies in a valley through the Carpathian mountains.
 * Piatra Craiului National Park is on the mountain ridge west of Bran.