The city's coat of arms

If there’s one city in Romania that you must visit, and that I highly recommend, it is Brașov. Strategically located in the Transylvania region, this enchanting mountain town has it all: history, culture, food, nice people and even easy access to nature just a few steps away from historic downtown. My husband and I spent seven weeks in Brașov and it has definitely made our “visit again” list.

Piaţa Sfatului (Council Square) with Tâmpa Mountain in the background.

Brașov dates back to the 13th century when German colonists were invited by Hungarian Kings to build towns, mines and work the land. Known for its medieval Saxon walls and bastions, it’s Gothic-style Black Church and cobbled stone streets in old town, this place is sure to captivate you.

The apartment-studio where we lodged at is one of the nicest and centrally located places we’ve stayed at during our Europe vacation. Not to mention that our host was extremely nice and went the extra mile to ensure our comfort. It was so convenient to open the courtyard door and step right into the historic center.

Where We Ate

There are many dining options and coffee shops in old town Brașov, we pretty much covered a little bit of everything, from street food to quaint coffee shops to vegan delicacies.

Best Overall Food – Rawdia
We were delighted with this place, all their food is plant based (with the exception of honey) with a focus on raw cuisine. They have a menu that includes appetizers, soups of the day, salads, main dishes, desserts and beverages. I personally recommend their cappuccino, made with tahini giving it a delicate roasted sesame flavor; their bread with seeds is the healthiest and tastiest bread I’ve ever had and their quinoa nori rolls are chock-full with flavor and texture—a scrumptious vegan alternative to sushi.

Favorite Coffee Houses
There were two coffee houses that we liked. Tipografia had great teas, coffee—my husband tried siphon coffee— and freshly made citrus juices, as well as a small selection of bites. Simone had the best cappuccinos, with soy milk, hands down. They also had great tea, and their peanut butter smoothie is to die for. They serve a lunch menu that changes daily from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the full menu kicks in after 6:00 p.m.

What We Did
There are many interesting things to check out in Brașov. We went to organ concerts at the Black Church, took the cable car to the top of Mount Tâmpa, climbed to the Turnul Alb and Turnul Negru—two Medieval watchtowers with panoramic views of the city, passed thru historical gates, visited museums, did a free walking tour of old town and enjoyed walks in Piaţa Sfatului (Council Square), just to name a few.

Nearby Brașov, there are many things to do as well. Like visiting stunning castles including Bran, Cantacuzino and Peleș, quaint towns like Sinaia and Sighișoara—all of these places are easily accessed via train or bus at a reasonable price.

We truly fell in love with Brașov.