Top 3 most popular castles to visit in Romania

Romania is a land woven with stories and legends, and its castles stand as quiet witnesses to centuries of glory, intrigue and medieval gossip. If you dream of wandering through old stone walls, creaking floors and enchanted gardens, where the phone signal disappears without warning, here are three iconic castles you should add to your travel list.

CASTLES AND FORTRESSES

Macarie Diana

4/26/2025

Conclusion

Every castle in Romania carries its own spirit, filled with mystery, charm and a touch of time’s irony. If you want to step into another era without time-traveling or fighting dragons, follow the cobblestone paths to these iconic places. Romanian castles are ready to welcome you with living history and landscapes that linger in your memory long after you leave.

The true magic lies in how history breathes around each stone corner, waiting patiently to be discovered by you.

1. Bran Castle: between myth and reality

Sitting at the border between Transylvania and Muntenia, Bran Castle is undoubtedly the most famous castle in Romania. Everyone links it instantly to Dracula, even though Vlad Țepeș did not exactly live his vampire life here. Still, who would dare ruin a good legend? Beyond the stories, you will find stunning mountain views, fresh alpine air and that familiar sensation of catching your breath, especially after climbing all those stairs.

a castle on top of a mountain with a cloudy sky
a castle on top of a mountain with a cloudy sky

2. Peleș Castle: the jewel of the Carpathians

At the foot of the Bucegi Mountains in Sinaia rises Peleș Castle, a masterpiece that captures your heart long before it fills your phone gallery with photos. Built as the summer residence of King Carol I, Peleș impresses with richly carved details, colorful stained glass and rare collections gathered from around the world. If you lived in his time, you would hope for an invitation here, even if only for coffee in the garden or a royal selfie moment.

a large castle with towers on top of a hill
a large castle with towers on top of a hill

3. Corvin Castle: where knights whisper through stone

In Hunedoara, Corvin Castle stands tall, a blend of medieval imagination and the modern tourist’s nightmare when comfy shoes were forgotten at home. Towering battlements, dramatic wooden bridges and courtyards where even the shadows seem to whisper ancient stories create a powerful Gothic atmosphere. Every room and every dim corridor feels like it hides either a medieval secret or a ghost cat ready to jump out at the perfect moment. Whether or not chills crawl up your spine, exploring Corvin Castle feels like stepping into another world. You’ll be glad you dared to walk inside.