Castles in Romania are nestled within forested hills or tucked in mountainous areas which makes it the country’s best-hidden gems. Castles and fortresses built mostly during the medieval era are among the country’s most visited places, with most of them beautifully preserved and well kept.
Each with a unique character, history and even legends about them — these structures are a good way to know more about Romania’s intriguing yet conflicted history.
If you’re ever going to go castle-hopping, here’s the list of best castles in Romania that you must visit.
Map of Castles In Romania
9 Best Castles In Romania
1. Bran Castle, Romania
Listed as both an archeological site and a historical landmark, Bran is the most famous castle in Romania and regarded as among the most beautiful castles in Europe.
It has been associated with the fictional vampire Dracula for a long time, mostly because the description of the count’s castle in the Bram Stoker novel is exactly like Bran.
Instantly recognizable with its instantly recognizable asymmetric towers and turrets covered in red tiles, Bran Castle is perched on a rock that’s 70 meters tall in the Carpathian Mountains.
Situated in the heart of Transylvania and close enough from Brasov, Bran Castle has more to offer than Dracula, as it has 57 rooms filled with artifacts, antique furniture, and other curiosities that all tell something interesting about its history since it was built in the14th century.
Opening Hours
Monday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Admission Fee
Adults – 40 leu (8.5€)
Seniors – (65+) 30 leu (6.5€)
Students – 25 leu (5.5€)
Pupils – 10 leu (2 €)
School groups (>20pax) – 5 leu (1€)
Contact Information
Phone: +4 0268 237-700
Email: [email protected]
Address: Str. General Traian Mosoiu, nr. 24 507025 Bran – Romania
2. Făgăraş Fortress
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Situated on the toad that connects Braşov and Sibiu is the Făgăraş Fortress, regarded as among the most beautiful in Romania. Founded in the 14th century, it is one of the best-preserved fortresses in Europe.
For years, this was where the political prisoners were sent during the Communist regime. Today, Făgăraş Fortress now houses a museum that features ten costumed guards to match this structure’s medieval origins.
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Admission Fee
Adults – 15 leu (€3.17)
Pupils, Students, Seniors – 7 leu (€1.48)
Contact Information
Phone: 0268 211.862
Email: [email protected]
Address: Str. Mihai Viteazul 1, Fagaras
3. Peleș Castle, Romania
Another most visited castle as well as among the best castles in Romania is the Peleș Castle. It is also a magnificent example of German New-Renaissance architecture.
Looking like a grand alpine villa, the 19th century Peleș Castle has 160 luxuriously decorated rooms that feature important collections of art masterpieces and decorative objects.
These treasures include crystal chandeliers, Murano glass, thousands of weapons, German glass stained windows, ceiling paintings and wall frescoes by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt.
Aside from its aesthetics, Peleș also holds the distinction of being the world’s first fully electric-powered castle, which is locally produced in its power plant. Located 2 hours away from Bucharest, you can also include this castle to your itinerary.
Opening Hours
Wednesday to Sunday – 9:15 AM to 5:00 PM
Admission Fee
Adults – 30 leu (€6.35)
Pensioners – 15 leu (€3.17)
Students, students – 7.5 leu (€1.59)
Euro Card <26 – 7.5 leu (€1.59)
Contact Information
Phone: 0244 310.918
Email: [email protected]
Address: Str. Pelesului 2, Sinaia, Romania
4. Corvin Castle, Romania
Corvin Castle is considered as one of the best Gothic-style buildings in Romania. Constructed in the 15th century, this brilliantly preserved structure was originally a fortress until Iancu de Hunedoara, a ruler in Transylvania made it his home.
A tour of the castle takes you to its parts that date back to the time it was built, such as the defense tower, the gallery and keep the stunning Knight’s Hall and the Club Tower.
Corvin Castle features high buttresses, courtyards and a drawbridge that adds to its fairytale appearance. Within the castle grounds, one will also find water well with a depth of 40 meters.
Opening Hours
Monday 12:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Admission Fee
Adults – 30 leu (€6.35)
Students – 7 leu (€1.48)
College Students – 7 leu (€1.48)
Pensioners – 15 leu (€3.17)
Contact Information
Phone: 0254 711.4230
Email: [email protected]
Address: Str. Castelului 1 – 3 Hunedoara, Transylvania
5. Alba Carolina Fortress
The massive Alba Carolina Fortress is located in Akba Julia is considered to be the biggest of its kind in this part of Europe. Erected in the 18th century, this fortress spans 12 hectares, with seven gates that feature statues, sculptures and stone works.
When visiting, guests should set aside a couple of hours to fully explore this huge castle’s paths and alleys, as well as climb the terraces to enjoy sweeping views of surrounding areas.
Make sure you stay longer to witness the changing of the guards, which is an old ritual that’s a definite must-see.
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Admission Fee
free
Contact Information
Phone: +40 747 026 232
Email: moc.syenruoj-nainamor@eciffo
Address: Calea Moților, Numărul 5A, Alba Iulia, Romania
6. Bonțida Bánffy Castle
Another medieval Romanian structure that’s listed as an archaeological site and historical Landmark is the Bonțida Bánffy Castle.
Its architecture is a mix of Baroque, Neoclassical, Neo-gothic and Renaissance elements, and has been rebuilt several times since the 15th century.
It nearly completely devastated by wars, disaster, and communist uprising during the 20th century, but there is collective effort ort now restore the castle back to its former glory.
Still among the most beautiful structures in Romania despite being in ruins and in the midst of a restoration project, Bonțida Bánffy also hosts the yearly popular Electric Castle Festival or the European Artistic Crafts Day.
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Admission Fee
Per person – 8 leu (€1.69)
Contact Information
Phone: +40 264439858
Email: [email protected]
Address: Bonțida nr. 152-154., Cluj County, Romania
7. Enisala Fortress
Built by Genovese merchants and Byzantine rulers in the 13th century, Enisala is the only remaining medieval castle in the Southern part of Romania.
Originally built as a fortress, it was the Byzantines who benefited the most from this structure as it has a strategic location that allowed them to monitor and maintain their tule over the Black Sea.
This castle is an important economic, cultural, and military center because of its role as a defensive system in the Walachia region. Now open to the public for tours, guests also get to enjoy the scenic views over Babadag and Razim lakes.
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday – 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Admission Fee
Adults – 10 leu (€2.12)
Children, Students, Pensioners – 6 Leu (€1.27)
Contact Information
Address: Enisala, Romania
8. Miclăușeni Castle
The Miclăușeni Castle was built in the 19th century, and also known as Sturdza Castle.
It was owned by Gheorghe Sturdza, a local nobleman and his wife Maria. This Neo-Gothic castle is in the village of Miclăușeni has towers ending in flèches, while the doors and windows are adorned with rosettes, crenellations, and ogives.
The interior paintings meanwhile are done by architect Iulius Reinecke and with the help of Maria. The castle has gone through wars and disasters and was used for a variety of purposes before it underwent a decade-long restoration.
Today, it is open to the public lit to visit and explore re, and to serve another purpose that is in line with the Sturdza family motto – to prove that ‘Beauty shines everywhere.’
Opening Hours
Saturday to Sunday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Admission Fee
15 leu /per person – (€3.17)
Contact Information
Phone: +4 0728 880 575
Address: Sat Miclăușeni, Butea County Iasi, Romania
9. Cantacuzino Castle
Situated in the mountain resort of Busteni is the Cantacuzino Castle. It was built in the 20th century upon the request of the prince of Romania.
Attracting visitors since it was opened to public tours in 2010, Cantacuzino Castle delights with what it has to offer inside and outside the structure. The surrounding parklands are worth exploring, as guests can discover sparkling fountains, a grotto, and waterfalls.
Inside the castle, there are marble fireplaces, mosaics and stained glass, and a frieze that displays votive paintings featuring members of the aristocratic Cantacuzino family.
Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Friday to Saturday – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Sunday – 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Admission Fee
adults 20 leu -(€4.23)
seniors & students 15 leu -(€3.17)
children under 18 – 10 leu (€2.12)
children under 12 – 6 leu (€1.27)
Contact Information
Phone: +40 722 960 606
Email: [email protected]
Address: Bușteni, Str. Zamorei, Nr.1, 105500 Prahova – Romania
Traveling to Romania and don’t have a visa yet? Check this guide on how to apply for a visa in Romania.
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