From Brasov: Bran, Rasnov & Peles Castles Small-Group Tour
Description
Transylvania in One Day — Without the Rush, Without the Crowds! Discover Peles Castle, Bran Castle, known as ‘Dracula’s Castle,’ and Râșnov Fortress on this 9-hour small group tour from Braşov. Travel to the beautifully ornate Peleș Castle, then visit Bran Castle, the turreted hilltop palace linked to Bram Stoker’s fictional Count Dracula. Walk through the spooky rooms and hear tales about Vlad the Impaler, the 15th-century noble who was imprisoned here and inspired Stoker’s blood-stained vampire. Finally, we drive to Râșnov to explore its stunning 13th-century fortress.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Drive to Peles Castle. The expansive, Bavarian-style Peleș Castle was built among a lush forest to house Romania’s royalty in the 19th century and is among the most beautiful in Europe. A guide will lead you through many of its immaculate, ornate rooms, still adorned with luxuriant furnishings and décor. You’ll also have the chance to tour the neighbouring Pelișor Castle, a smaller royal residence decked out in art nouveau finery.
A 1-hour drive brings you to Bran Castle, nicknamed ‘Dracula’s Castle’ for its ties to Bram Stoker’s 1897 Gothic tale and its bloodthirsty villain. The high stone walls and red turrets of this hilltop citadel come into view as you approach the secluded castle, set among the dramatic backdrop of the Carpathians. Enter if you dare, after paying the site fee (own expense), and wander through the castle’s many well-preserved rooms and chambers with your guide. Gothic furnishings and details help set the scene for ghastly legends of all that happened here, including the imprisonment of Vlad the Impaler. This 15th-century prince was notorious for his bloodthirsty campaigns against invading Turks and is said to have inspired Stoker’s malevolent Count Dracula. Opt to have lunch if you like (own expense).
- RASNOV FORTRESS IS CLOSED, for the moment! Anyhow, we could visit the outside walls and exterior court. Explore two of Transylvania’s most impressive citadels and discover why the region is steeped in mysterious lore. Your professional guide will pick you up in central Braşov in a car or minivan for the 30-minute ride south to Râșnov, situated among the stunning Bucegi Mountains. Learn about the storied history of Râșnov Fortress, a walled stone compound designed to ward off attacks by the fierce Tartars and used as a refuge for local villagers during medieval warfare. Explore the time-worn courtyards, ramparts and well of the 13th-century fortress built by the Teutons.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Meeting point: In front of Biblioteca Județeană "George Barițiu", Bulevardul Eroilor 33-35. Please be aware that we provide pick-up and drop-off services exclusively within the city of Brașov, as well as for guests staying outside the old town. The pick-up time will vary based on the location requested. Additionally, we are happy to drop off guests at a different location than the pick-up point for an additional fee.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Small group tour. This is NOT for you if: you are looking for the cheapest option / you prefer large group tours / you want to rush through as many places as possible.
- Sturdy hiking footwear recommended
- All year round - Try to avoid Saturdays and Sundays, as they tend to be very crowded.
- MONDAY BRAN CASTLE IS OPENED AT 12:00.
- Peles and Pelisor Castles are closed MONDAY and TUESDAY! More info about the admission time: peles.ro
- RASNOV FORTRESS IS CLOSED, for the moment! Anyhow, we could visit the outside walls and exterior court as follows: Starting Wednesday, August 13, 2025, the Garden of the Medieval Fortress of Rasnov and the Báthory Tower, located at the garden entrance, can only be visited with an admission ticket. Ticket details: ▪ The fee is 10 lei/person (VAT included) for visitors over 12 years old; ▪ Children under 12 years old enjoy free entry; ▪ Tickets can be purchased exclusively on-site, by card only (POS available).
- Please bring your own mask; we provide hand sanitizer. We are cleaning vehicles after every tour.
- Tour available with extension to Sinaia at a supplement fee and you have to book online Bran, Rasnov and Peles Castle option!
- The recommendations of our tour guides: We are always eager to make sure our guests have a wonderful time while participating on our tours. Organizing private and small group tours allows us to be flexible with time and always have opportunities for breaks. Usually, we arrive to Bran around mid-day and after visiting Bran castle our guests can have some free time on the premises and nearby the castle grounds for lunch, shopping or photographing the area. In the Tea House, a small restaurant in the castle’s courtyard one can try the Funeral cake, a porridge like dessert with walnuts, raisins, rom and much more. In Romanian called Coliva the funeral cake usually is served at funerals and commemoration of deceased loved ones. It goes well with a good coffee or tea. Nearby the castle entrance a small souvenir market is located, our favorite stall is selling traditional masks and handcrafted objects and textiles. Please ask your guide to point it out to you! Our guests have the option to decide to have a proper sit-down meal or something quick on the move. The same market has food stalls, one of the most popular ones sells Romanian Hot Dogs (local sausage sandwiches) and Hanul Bran restaurant offers a large choice of tasty Romanian cuisine.
- Meeting point: In front of Biblioteca Județeană "George Barițiu", Bulevardul Eroilor 33-35. Please be aware that we provide pick-up and drop-off services exclusively within the city of Brașov, as well as for guests staying outside the old town. The pick-up time will vary based on the location requested. Additionally, we are happy to drop off guests at a different location than the pick-up point for an additional fee.
- We would like to inform you that Peleș Castle has recently implemented a new ticketing system. Starting now, all tickets must be purchased online, in advance, for a specific entrance time and date. Please note the following important details: Tickets are only available online. Kindly check the ticket voucher for the link. Each time slot is limited to 500 visitors only. Tickets must be booked for specific entrance windows: Wednesday: 10:00 – 12:45 / Thursday to Sunday: 09:15 – 11:00.
- Starting August 1st, 2025, guided tours inside Bran Castle will be conducted exclusively by the Castle’s official guides or independently, without being accompanied by our tour guide, due to Bran Castle’s new policies—more details on their website.
- Starting November 1st, the company that manages the ticketing at Peleș Castle decided that guides must also pay the entrance fee. Following this new rule, our guides will no longer accompany guests inside the castle. They will share the historical information and insights before and after your visit.
Reviews(971)
Ou guide Charlie was great guide. Peles and Bran castle were amazing. It was also great to see Rasnov. The whole trip was very good and would recommend.
Thank you for your wonderful review, Hannah! We’re delighted to hear that Charlie made your From Brașov: Bran, Rasnov & Peleș Castles Small-Group Tour such a great experience. We’re glad you enjoyed all three highlights and would happily recommend the tour to future travelers. We hope to welcome you back to Romania soon!
Karol with a "K" (aka Charlie) was an amazing tour guide and really enjoyed having him guiding us through the castles and the citadel with nuggets of information on the road. One thing to note, that even during the peak Romanian summer, thunderstorms are quite common, so having the castle tours would be your best bet under this weather as majority of the trip is done indoors, but obviously everyone would prefer it sunny. However, setting the mood right for Bran Castle, the rain may have actually helped that. Overall, it was an experience to remember and would highly recommend it and keeping the group tour small is just the best thing so far.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience on our Peleş Castle, Bran Castle and Rasnov Citadel in July tour, Lexi! We're delighted to hear that Karol ("Charlie") made your day so enjoyable with his knowledge, stories, and enthusiasm. He truly loves sharing Romania's history and culture with our guests. You're absolutely right about the summer weather in Romania—afternoon thunderstorms can appear even during the warmest months. We're glad the indoor visits to Peleş Castle and Bran Castle helped make the day enjoyable despite the rain, and it sounds like the moody weather added a special atmosphere to Bran Castle! Thank you for recommending our small-group tour. Keeping our groups small allows us to offer a more personal and memorable experience, and we're happy this made a difference for you. We hope to welcome you back to Romania for another adventure!
I'm very happy with the tour and can definitely recommend it to people coming to visit Braşov! Charlie was a great guide and really went the extra mile for all the participants.
Thank you very much for your wonderful review of our Bran, Rasnov & Peles Castles Small-Group Tour, Justyna! We are delighted to hear that you had such a great trip and that you would recommend the tour to other travelers visiting Brașov. Charlie will be especially happy to know that his efforts and dedication made your experience even more enjoyable. He always strives to go the extra mile for our guests, and your kind words are truly appreciated. We hope to welcome you back to Romania for another adventure in the future!
Just had the most fantastic day with Charlie touring the three castles and beautiful countryside. Charlie was so knowledgable and we laughed the entire day. I would 100% recommend Charlie and this tour. Thank you for such a memorable experience!!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had such a fantastic day exploring Bran Castle, Râșnov Fortress, Peles Castle, and the beautiful Romanian countryside with Charlie. He'll be delighted to know that his knowledge, sense of humor, and enthusiasm made your experience so memorable. Thank you for your kind recommendation—it truly means a lot to us. We hope to welcome you back to Romania for another unforgettable adventure in the future!
I did 2 individual, day long tours last week with Tudor. As a solo traveller, he was able to take things at my pace ( allowing for some knee issues). He is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the history and geography of Transylvania. I’ve learned a lot during those 2 days and seeing the castles, fortresses and unimaginable landscape was breathtaking!
Thank you so much for your beautiful review, Michaela! We are delighted to hear that your two days exploring Transylvania with Tudor were such a memorable experience. Tudor will be very happy to know that you appreciated his knowledge, passion, and flexibility. We are especially glad he was able to adapt the pace to make the tours comfortable for you, while still giving you the chance to enjoy the castles, fortresses, landscapes, and stories of the region. Transylvania really does have a special way of combining history, nature, and breathtaking views, and we are so pleased you could experience that during your time with us. Thank you again for choosing oufor sharing your positive review! We truly appreciate your kind words and are grateful for your support, which helps us continue providing memorable experiences.r tours, and we hope to welcome you back one day for more discoveries in Romania!
It was great :) comfortable trip, very informative and interesting
Thank you so much for your kind review, Anna! We’re very happy to hear you enjoyed the trip from Brașov to Bran, Râșnov, and Peleș Castles. It’s great to know the tour was comfortable, informative, and interesting. We hope to welcome you again in Romania for another experience!
Great trip to the castles through the lush countryside and moutains! It was a great day with a knowledgeable guide!
What a joy to read this — thank you! The road between castles is part of the magic, with green hills, mountain views, and stories unfolding along the way. We’re so glad your guide helped bring the day to life and made the trip memorable. Hope Romania stays with you as a beautiful memory!
Peles castle was our favorite stop. However the entire drive was beautiful. We were lucky enough to have a wonderful tour guide, Tudor.
Thank you so much for your kind review, Michelle! We’re delighted to hear that Peleș Castle was your favorite stop and that you enjoyed the beautiful drive along the way. Tudor will be very happy to know he helped make the tour a wonderful experience. We hope to welcome you back to Romania for another adventure!
Our tour operator provided us with a phenomenal day at the Pele’s palace, Brans castle, and the Fortress. He provided excellent information on the history, insights on how the different royal families played a part in their preservation and other important information. It was by far one of the best tours that we’ve ever done in any country. He provided personal experiences and made us feel very welcomed. We would highly recommend this experience for anyone visiting the Brasov area
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Heather! Your kind words about your visit to Peleș Palace, Bran Castle, and Râșnov Fortress mean a lot to us. We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great day, and your feedback motivates us to continue providing memorable experiences. It’s fantastic to know that the history, royal stories, local insights, and personal experiences made the tour memorable for you. We’re especially happy that you felt welcomed throughout the day, as creating a friendly and meaningful experience is very important to us. Your feedback helps us feel connected and appreciated. Thank you again for choosing us and for recommending this tour to others visiting the Brașov area. We truly appreciate it and hope to welcome you back to Romania for another adventure! We look forward to seeing you again and sharing more memorable moments.
Marvellous. Tiberiu was very knowledgeable and really helped keep us from being overwhelmed by the other tourist groups. Broadened our knowledge of Romanian history and culture and inspired us to explore more. Would happily go on another tour.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, David! We’re so glad you had the opportunity to visit Peleș and Bran Castle with Tiberiu and that his knowledge and passion helped make the experience smooth, enjoyable, and meaningful. It’s great to hear the tour broadened your understanding of Romanian history and culture and inspired you to explore more. We would be very happy to welcome you on another tour in the future!
