Brașov.

Quick facts

Currency

Romanian leu (RON).

Language

Romanian.

Time

UTC+2 in winter, UTC+3 in summer.

Plugs

Type C and F (European two-pin), 230 V.

Best time to visit

July and August are the warmest and sunniest months, with highs around 21°C. Winters are cold, with January highs around 0°C.

About Brașov

• Work on the Black Church began in the late 14th century and took almost a hundred years; legend says smoke from a fire in 1689 blackened its walls.
• The church’s organ, built in Berlin between 1836 and 1839, has 3,993 pipes.
• The Black Church holds about 200 Ottoman rugs from Anatolia that reached Brașov through trade.
• Bran Castle was built by the people of Brașov from 1377 and finished in 1388; in 1920 the city gave it to Queen Maria of Romania.

Getting around

Taxis

Take a marked taxi from a known company, check the price per kilometre shown on the door and make sure the meter is running. For trips outside the city, agree a fixed price first.

Ride apps

Uber and Bolt both operate in Brașov, and the Star Taxi app lists the city too.

To Bran Castle

Buses leave Bus Station 2 (Autogara 2) every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly at weekends; the trip of about 30 km takes around 50 minutes and costs about 13 lei. A taxi costs about 150 lei.

From the airport

Brașov-Ghimbav Airport (GHV) is about 12 km from the city; bus A1 links it with the railway station every hour from 06:00 to 22:00. From Bucharest Otopeni, take the airport train to Gara de Nord and change for Brașov (about hourly, the fastest just over two hours).

Public transport

RATBV runs the city buses. Tap a bank card on board, use the 24Pay app, or buy tickets at kiosks and machines.

Staying safe

The UK government does not advise against travel to Romania, and Australia’s Smartraveller advises normal safety precautions. Follow local instructions and RO-Alert phone alerts if you receive one.

• Pickpockets often work in groups on public transport and at stations.
• Use authorised taxis or the ride apps, and ignore touts.
• Real police officers do not stop people at random to ask for their wallet.
• Bears live in the mountains around Brașov and Bran: never approach or feed wild animals.

Emergency numbers

Police, ambulance and fire

112

Places to eat nearby

Well-known restaurants near the sights, listed for convenience. Apollonaut has no connection with them and takes no bookings. Price levels (€ to €€€) are a rough guide; check opening times before you go.

• La Ceaun Piața Sfatului (Council Square) · Romanian dishes cooked in a cauldron €€
• Bistro de l’Arte Piața George Enescu, old town · Romanian and Transylvanian, local produce €€
• Le Petit Bistro Str. Gheorghe Barițiu, opposite the Black Church · Bistro: brunch, pasta and grills €€
• Pilvax Str. Michael Weiss, centre · Hungarian and Transylvanian
• Prato Str. Michael Weiss, centre · Mediterranean (evenings, Tuesday to Sunday)
• Sergiana Str. Mureșenilor, centre · Traditional Transylvanian