A Fun Guide to Visiting 9 Romanian Castles in 2026 (By a Local)

These nine castles are chosen for their history, architecture and visitor access, spanning Transylvania, Moldova and the Bucharest day-trip belt, with transport and nearby-hotel tips for each.

Ready to uncover some incredible places in my home country? Then hop on this post where you’ll find 9 unique Romanian castles!

I’ve been visiting these castles since I was little, and I’ve made sure to include lots of tips that I’ve gathered over the years in this article. You’ll find information on how to reach each castle and also a short list of hotels near each one.

Romania’s castles cluster in a few areas, which makes trip-planning easy. The Prahova Valley belt north of Bucharest holds Peles and Pelisor (Sinaia), Cantacuzino (Busteni) and Iulia Hasdeu (Campina), so you can pair two or three of them in a single day. Transylvania has Bran (near Brasov), Corvin (Hunedoara), Banffy (near Cluj) and Bethlen Haller (near Jidvei). Sturdza sits up in Moldova near Iasi, and the Royal Castle in Savarsin is out west near Arad.

NOTE: For some castles, the hotels I offered are in the nearest airport town, as there were no places to stay right near them (some are in very remote villages).

Let’s have some fun!

Check out this map where you can visualize all the castles that I’ll talk about in this post:

Place	Location	Why	Link
Peles Castle	Sinaia	Romania’s grandest royal palace and its crown jewel (closed Mon-Tue, timed tickets)	Official site
Bran Castle	Bran (near Brasov)	Marketed as Dracula’s Castle; also a Queen Marie / royal-family museum	Official site
Corvin Castle	Hunedoara	Romania’s largest medieval Gothic fortress, with drawbridge and towers (open daily)	Google Maps
Cantacuzino Castle	Busteni	Nevermore Academy from Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’; open daily	Official site
Banffy Castle	Bontida (near Cluj)	Baroque/Neo-Gothic castle that hosts the Electric Castle festival (open days + events)	Official site

1. Peles Castle & Pelisor Castle – crown jewels of castles

Often thought of as the crown jewel of Romanian Castles, Peles is an architectural masterpiece set in Sinaia, a mountain town located a 2h drive from Bucharest, the capital.

The castle was built as the Royal Family’s summer residence and features 19th-century architecture. All 160 rooms are beautifully decorated with unique furnishings, European art, stained-glass windows, and stunning woodwork.

I have visited the castle a couple of times, and I am always in awe of its beauty and grandeur.

You can take a tour of Peles or visit on your own. Either way, I recommend booking your tickets in advance (here’s the website) as this place is always packed with tourists.

Right near Peles Castle, on the same vast grounds, you’ll also find Pelisor Castle, which was built for the Royal Heirs to the throne of Romania, Prince Ferdinand and Princess Marie.

I personally like Pelisor more, as it has something special that sets it apart. It also feels more intimate and has many interior decorations by Queen Marie.

As of 2026, Peles and Pelisor are open Wednesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and they use timed-entry tickets (adult entry is around 100 RON for Peles and 30 RON for Pelisor). Check the official Peles Castle site for current hours and timed tickets before you go.

PRICE: from US$10

How to get to Peles Castle

The closest airport town to Sinaia is Bucharest, the capital, and below I’ll include all the ways you can get to Sinaia from Bucharest.

By car

You can rent a car in Bucharest and get to Sinaia in 2h (max 3h if there’s traffic). This is a great option if you want to visit other parts of the country.

By train

You can take a direct train from Bucharest North Train Station (map) and get there in approximately 1h 30min. You can get your ticket, which costs around US$10, from this website.

By tour

If you’re in Romania for a short time, check out this tour from Bucharest, which includes a visit to Peles Castle, Dracula’s Castle, and a stroll through Brasov’s Old Town (another tourist city in Transylvania). The tour costs US$25, and it lasts the whole day.

Where to stay near Peles Castle

Luckily, there are lots of accommodations near Peles Castle! I’ve included a short list of the best ones, for each price right below:

For those who are just taking a day trip from Bucharest or Brasov and are staying there, I’d recommend reading our post with the best areas to stay in Bucharest and the top places in Transylvania:

• Luxury: Chalet Royal – a dreamy, rustic chalet set a 20 min walk away from Peles Castle, that offers cozy rooms with wooden furnishings, a spa center and free parking.
• Mid-range: Hotel Alexandrion Experience – this modern hotel has 2 on-site restaurants, modern rooms, and a great location, just a 30-minute walk from Peles Castle.
• Budget: Hotel Stavilar – set on the grounds of Peles Castle, just a 10-minute walk away, this hotel comes with a restaurant and family rooms.

Find more hotels

2. Bran Castle – alleged home of Count Dracula

By far one of the most popular castles in Romania!

Bran Castle is set in Transylvania, in the Bran commune, and it rose to fame thanks to Bram Stoker’s Gothic horror novel, Dracula.

Although most of the stories linking Bran Castle to Dracula are just stories, the castle has earned the name Dracula’s Castle and has kept it ever since.

At one point, the Castle used to be one of the royal residences, and that’s why there’s a small museum inside the attraction dedicated to Queen Marie and the royal family.

You’ll definitely have a great time exploring this place, and might even get the chills while visiting certain parts of the castle (I know I did).

I’d recommend booking your tickets in advance for this place as it gets lots of visitors, especially in the summer months (June to August). Here’s their website.

PRICE: from US$15 

How to get to Bran Castle

The closest airport town is, again, Bucharest, and below I’ll briefly outline the main ways to get from the capital to the attractions.

But I’d also recommend reading my post on how to get from Bucharest to Bran Castle, which includes plenty of useful information.

By bus

If you want to take the bus from Bucharest, you can buy your tickets on this website. The buses leave from this station (map), but definitely double-check the location on their website. They will drop you at this bus station (map) in Bran, which is about a 20 min walk from the Castle.

There is no Uber in Bran commune to get from the station to the castle, but you can check for some local companies on this website.

The bus ticket costs US$55, and the journey takes around 3h 30min.

By car

As always, the easiest way to get somewhere is by car. You can rent a car from Bucharest, and you’ll get to Bran Castle in 3 h or more, depending on the traffic.

By tour

You can take the same tour I recommended for those visiting Peles. This tour costs US$25 and lasts the whole day.

Where to stay near Bran Castle

Here are some of the best accommodations near Bran Castle, for all budgets:

If you are staying in the capital and taking a day trip to Bran, check out our post with the ultimate places to stay in Bucharest:

• Luxury: Conacul Törzburg – a stunning place that offers rooms with Castle views, an on-site restaurant, and a great location just a 10 min walk away from Bran.
• Mid-range: Zara Chalet – this rustic accommodation is located a 10-minute walk from Bran Castle and offers a spa center and cozy rooms with balconies.
• Budget: Casa Din Bran – located less than a 5-minute walk from Bran Castle, this place offers complimentary breakfast and free parking.

Check the rates

3. Corvin Castle – ultimate fairytale castle

This castle reminds me of the ones that I read about in stories and legends as a kid. It looks so amazing!

Corvin Castle is located in Hunedoara, a town a 2h drive away from both Timisoara and Cluj-Napoca (both home to international airports).

Dating back to the 15th century, the castle is set atop a rocky cliff, offering some impressive views of the surrounding lands. It is also one of the largest castles in Europe, with many towers and cool chambers to explore.

You can get your tickets from this website, and I’d recommend buying them in advance.

PRICE: US$10

How to get to Corvin Castle

The closest airport town to Corvin Castle is Cluj-Napoca. Below, I’ll include the main ways to get there from Cluj.

By bus

There’s a bus from Cluj-Napoca to Hunedoara (home town of Corvin Castle), and you can check for tickets on this website. The journey lasts around 3h, and the ticket costs US$15. 

By car

Rent a car from Cluj-Napoca, and you’ll arrive at the castle in approximately 2h and 30 min.

By tour

I found this amazing tour from Cluj that includes visits to Corvin Castle, the Turda Salt Mine, and the town of Alba Iulia. The tour lasts all day and costs US$108.

Where to stay near Corvin Castle

Below you’ll find a list of the top places right near the Castle, but if you’re staying in Cluj or other towns in the region, and just taking a day trip, check out our post with the top hotels in Transylvania to find your dream hotel.

• Luxury: Werk Hotel & Spa – set just a 10-min walk away from the Castle, this amazing accommodation offers bright rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and
• Mid-range: The Corner House – this historic building boasts apartments with family rooms and a balcony, just a 10-min walk away from the Castle.
• Budget: Curtea Veche – located a 10-min walk from the castle, this place has a restaurant and a bar.

Check the  rates

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4. Sturdza Castle – Moldova’s hidden jewel

Located in Miclauseni, a small town in Moldova, a region in the Northern part of the country, this castle will make you feel as if you’ve arrived in some fairy tale!

Although not very big, the castle’s Neo-Gothic style and gorgeous surroundings will make you fall in love with this place.

The property belongs to the Sturdza family, a well-known family from Moldova, of whom you can learn more about during your visit.

PRICE: US$5

How to get to Sturdza Castle

Here are all the ways you can get to the castle, from Iasi, the largest airport town near it:

By bus

There is a bus that you can take from Iasi to Miclauseni, and once you get there, you can just walk to the castle since it’s a very small village. Here’s the website from where you can check the routes. The ticket costs US$4, and the journey lasts around 1h to 1h 20 min.

By car

Rent a car from Iasi, and you’ll be there in 1h 20 min.

Where to stay near Sturdza Castle

Since Miclauseni is a super small village, there are no hotels near the castle, except for one set right on the castle grounds, which I included below.

PRO TIP: I’d recommend contacting the accommodation using the phone number on their website, since their page isn’t translated.

The best option would be to book a hotel in Iasi, the largest town (which has an airport), and then take a bus or rent a car to reach the castle.

• Luxury: Hotel International Iasi – this amazing hotel features an indoor pool, 2 on-site restaurants, and modern rooms.
• Mid-range: Hampton By Hilton Iasi – simple, yet cozy rooms in a hotel that offers free parking and an airport shuttle.
• Budget: Casa Macrina – set on the castle grounds, this accommodation offers family rooms with comfy beds.

Check here for more options

5. Iulia Hasdeu Castle – with unique symbolism

There are many stories surrounding this mini-castle, which was built by Bogdan Petriceicu Hașdeu (a famous Romanian writer) for his daughter, Iulia, who died very young.

Many of the stories say that Hașdeu built the mini-castle with the plans from Iulia that he’d learned about during his spiritism sessions. Once you get there, you’ll see many symbolic images, and the place does have this “unusual” vibe.

There are audio guides that you can rent out if you want to learn more about the Hașdeu family and the history of the castle, which is set in Campina, around 2 hours away from Bucharest.

PRICE: US$3

How to get to Iulia Hasdeu Castle

If you’re based in Bucharest during your holiday, you can easily get to the castle. Here are the main ways you can do so:

By train

You can take a direct train from Bucharest North Train Station (map) and get there in approximately 1h to 2h (depending on the route). You can get your ticket, which costs around US$5, from this website.

By car

You can rent a car from Bucharest and get there in 1h 40 min.

Where to stay near Iulia Hasdeu Castle

I’ve included a short list of hotels below that are right near the castle. If you’d prefer to stay in the capital and just take a day trip, here’s a post with the top places in Bucharest:

• Luxury: Hotel Oscar – set a 20-minute walk from the Castle, this hotel offers modern rooms, a restaurant, and a bar.
• Mid-range: Pensiunea Oscar – feel at home in this cozy accommodation set a 15 min walk away from the castle that has a restaurant.
• Budget: Villa Nina – a super affordable villa that offers a big yard and different rooms with a private bathroom, just a 10 min walk away from the castle.

Check the rates

6. Banffy Castle – Transylvania’s treasure

If you’re in Cluj-Napoca, you can’t leave without visiting this amazing castle, which, although it hasn’t been rehabilitated to its former glory, still looks incredible!

If you’ve ever been to the famous festival Electric Castle, then you already know the place, since the festival takes place on the castle’s grounds.

The castle boasts a mix of Baroque and Neo-Gothic architecture, and it has belonged to the Banffy family since 1387, when they received it as a gift from King Sigismund of Luxembourg.

PRICE: US$3

How to get to Banffy Castle

The castle is located in Bonita, a small village near Cluj-Napoca. The best option is, of course, to stay in Cluj and get to the castle from there. Here are the main ways:

By car

It takes around 40 min to get from Cluj to Bontida with good traffic (up to 1 h with heavy traffic).

By bus

You can take the bus from Cluj-Napoca to Bontida village, and it’ll take you around 40 min to get there. The bus will leave you near the Castle, and from there you’ll just have to walk. You can buy your tickets, which cost around US$2, from this website.

Where to stay near Banffy Castle

There are no hotels near the castle, so the best option would be to stay in Cluj-Napoca. Here are 3 amazing hotels for all budgets:

• Luxury: Hotel Platinia – a gorgeous hotel that offers family rooms, an airport shuttle and a complimentary breakfast.
• Mid-range: Golden Tulip Ana Dome Hotel – enjoy your stay in this accommodation that has a restaurant and a bar on-site.
• Budget: Carpe Diem Cluj – centrally located in Cluj-Napoca, this place offers apartments with a flat-screen TV and a small kitchen.

Find availability

7. Cantacuzino Castle – with a romantic vibe

If you’ve watched the TV series Wednesday on Netflix, you might recognize this place, located in Busteni, just 2 h away from Bucharest, the capital city.

In the TV series, the castle’s exteriors were slightly transformed and used as the iconic Nevermore Academy. Since then, the number of visitors has doubled!

If you see some pics, you’ll get why! The castle is surrounded by green hills and mountains, and it also has a garden filled with pathways, little fountains, and statues.

The castle belonged to the Cantacuzino family, and its architecture combines Gothic and Art Nouveau elements.

You’ll also find a restaurant on-site (map) where you can grab a bite and some coffee.

Definitely buy your tickets in advance, because since Netflix filmed here, everyone wants to visit this place. You can get the tickets from this website.

PRICE: US$17

How to get to Cantacuzino Castle

As I said earlier, the closest big city to the castle is Bucharest. So you can easily visit it as a day trip from the capital. Below you’ll find all the ways you can get there:

By train

You can take a direct train from Bucharest North Train Station (map) to Busteni Train Station (map) and get there in approximately 2h. From the station, you just have to walk 20 min, and you’ll arrive at the castle. You can get your ticket, which costs around US$10, from this website.

By car

Rent a car from Bucharest, and you’ll arrive there in 2h.

Where to stay near Cantacuzino Castle

Since Busteni is a touristic town, I decided to offer you some hotels set there. Check them out below:

• Luxury: Kayus – set a 20 min walk away from Cantacuzino, this hotel offers rooms with balconies, an outdoor hot tub, and a restaurant.
• Mid-range: Moon Resort – you’re going to love these bungalows that offer incredible mountain views and a terrace.
• Budget: Pensiunea Clasic – simple and affordable hotel with family rooms and free parking.

Check current rates

8. Bethlen Haller Castle – for wine lovers

Built between 1560 and 1624 after the models of the castles in the famous Loire Valley, this amazing place should definitely be on your list of things to see while in Romania.

Like most castles, this one has a rich history, and while visiting, you can learn all about the Bethlen family, who built it.

Bethlen Haller Castle is also linked to the Jidvei Winery, which is only a 10-minute drive away. So while you’re here, why not do some wine tastings and even visit the wine cellars?

You can check all the offers they have on their website; some also include lunch and other cool things.

NOTE: You can book rooms to stay in the Castle; however, they’re only available to groups of at least 20 people. But if you’re traveling with a group, then you can definitely complete the form on their website, and they’ll probably reply with the prices.

PRICE: from US$9

How to get to Bethlen Haller Castle

The closest airport town to the castle is Sibiu, which is a 1h 30 min drive away.

Cluj-Napoca (another airport town) is also 2h away by car. Another option is Sighisoara, which doesn’t have an airport, but it’s also a touristy town and is 1h away. You can easily rent a car from either of those places and head to the castle.

For public transport, you can take the train from Sibiu or Sighisoara to the Castle for a day trip (the journey takes about 3h 30 min). However. I wouldn’t recommend it, as the trains aren’t very reliable in Romania. Especially in smaller towns like the place where the castle is set.

You’d risk trains being canceled or other disruptions. However, if you don’t mind taking the risk, you can check for train tickets here.

Where to stay near Bethlen Haller Castle

Since there are no hotels near the castle, I included below a short list of the best accommodations in Sibiu, the nearest airport town to Bethlen Haller Castle.

• Luxury: Noblesse Boutique Resort – a great hotel near Sibiu’s Historic Center that offers breakfast, free parking and family rooms.
• Mid-range: Apartment Green – such a stylish apartment that has a kitchen, a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi.
• Budget: Lumiere House Sibiu – this cool place has spacious rooms and a great location near the Historic Center.

Check prices here

9. Royal Castle in Savarsin – for history lovers

Located in Arad County, Savarsin is one of the residences of the Romanian Royal Family and a gorgeous place to visit!

NOTE: The Royal Castle is open to the public only from the 1st of May to the 1st of October, so if you want to visit, make sure it’s during those months. You can check for more information on their official website.

The extensive grounds are home to the castle, the royal park, alleys, a tea house, and some cemeteries.

NOTE: You can only visit the royal park by booking in advance; call 0770 562 822 or email [email protected].

How to get to the Royal Castle

To visit the castle, you’ll probably need a car. The closest airport town to Savarsin is Timisoara; however, it’s a 4h 30min train ride away, so a day trip wouldn’t really be possible.

And unfortunately, there are no hotels near the castle where you could spend the night if you were coming from Timisoara by train.

However, if you rent a car, you can get from Timisoara to Savarsin in 1h 30 min, which is super fast!

PRICE: US$6

Where to stay near the Royal Castle

Since Timișoara is the closest big town (with an airport) I decided to offer you a list of hotels located there, as there are no accommodations right near the castle.

• Luxury: Atlas Hotel – a great hotel that offers modern rooms, complimentary breakfast and free Wi-Fi.
• Mid-range: Hotel Timișoara – this accommodation has an indoor pool, a restaurant and a bar.
• Budget: Hotel Serenity Timișoara – an affordable hotel that has cozy rooms, 2 restaurants and a bar.

Find available dates

🏰 Largest castle:	Corvin Castle
🧛 Iconic castle:	Bran Castle
👸 Unique Castle:	Peles Castle

FAQs about Romanian castles

Final thoughts on Romanian castles

Already in love with all these Romanian castles? I know the feeling!

Luckily, you can now start planning your trip and visiting all your favorites!

For each castle, I included the best hotels near the castle (or the closest airport town) and offered you a short list of ways to get there.

I’d also recommend reading the posts we have about Romania on our website, as we have some cool guides and itineraries to help you plan this trip.

And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop me a comment below. Since I’m from Romania and live here, I can surely help you!

Happy exploring,

Victoria

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