Bucharest: Bear Sanctuary, Bran Castle, and Brasov Day Trip

Bucharest is the capital of Romania and is one of the most populous cities in Eastern Europe. It is also a thriving cultural hub with a rich history that dates back to the 14th century. It’s known for its beautiful architecture, amazing landscapes and outdoor attractions like the Bear Sanctuary and Bran Castle. And it’s also the perfect destination for a day-trip to nearby Brasov, a city surrounded by forests, stunning medieval fortresses and picture-perfect villages.

So if you’re looking for a day trip from Bucharest that takes you off the beaten track and through some of Romania’s most beautiful places, then this guide is for you. We’ll take you through a detailed itinerary for a Bucharest: Bear Sanctuary, Bran Castle, and Brasov day trip – from transport details to what to expect on your journey. We’ll also provide suggestions of the best places to visit during your trip and things to do in Bram Castle and Brasov. Read on for all the information you need to make the most of your day trip from Bucharest!

Day Trip Overview: Bear Sanctuary, Bran Castle & Brasov Itinerary

This day trip can be completed in one day and requires around 5-6 hours including travel time. Here’s an overview of the itinerary:

• Start off at the Bear Sanctuary in Bucharest. Get up close and learn about bears, the sanctuary’s rehabilitation efforts and its conservation programs.
• Take a scenic road trip through rolling hills and meadows to Bran Castle.
• Explore Bran Castle – home of Dracula and one of Romania’s most iconic landmarks.
• Continue onto Brasov, passing picturesque hikes and villages.
• Explore Brasov’s historic centre and take in its charming sights and sounds.
• Take a leisurely stroll through the Brasov old town and delights…
• ..or take a guided tour around key highlights including the old city centre and Black Church.
• Finish your trip back at Bucharest.

Bear Sanctuary Bucharest

The first stop on your day trip from Bucharest is the Bear Sanctuary, located just outside the city. It’s home to Romania’s largest bear population, comprising around 100 bears spread across several large enclosures.

The sanctuary was founded in 2006 by Hope Solutions Foundation with the aim of helping to protect Romania’s bear population. It was built on land acquired from the Romanian government that had been previously occupied by hunting lodges and fruit tree farms. Today, it’s home to rescued bears who have been saved from years of abuse at bear farms and other cruel situations.

Visitors can take guided tours around the sanctuary that lasts for a few hours. Along the way, an experienced guide will explain more about bear habitats, biology, and behaviour — as well as telling stories about some of the rescue bears living at the sanctuary. And you’ll have time to observe them in their natural environment and learn what goes into their daily care.

Bear Sanctuary is open to visitors from April until November but only during specific hours. For more information about timings and costs, check bear-sanctuary.ro.

Bran Castle

The second stop on your day trip is Bran Castle — widely known as “Dracula’s Castle’ and one of Romania’s most iconic landmarks. It’s situated in the village of Bran, just a short drive from the Bear Sanctuary.

The castle was built in the 14th century by Teutonic knights as part of their defence system to protect Transylvania from invading Turks. It has been associated with Vlad III Dracula — known as Vlad the Impaler — ever since his campaigns against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. And it became more closely associated with his story in the late 19th century when Bram Stoker wrote his Gothic horror novel “Dracula’. Although Stoker didn’t visit Romania or Bran Castle while writing his novel, he drew on sketches and descriptions information he could get at that time about the castle.

Bran Castle has become one of Romania’s most popular tourist attractions — attracting around 1 million visitors each year — as well as being awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2006. Visitors today can explore its corridors adorned with antique furniture, artwork, statues and furniture painstakingly collected over centuries. And its courtyard offers stunning views of the neighbouring Bucegi Mountains and Piatra Craiului National Park.

You can reach Bran Castle from Bear Sanctuary by car in around an hour depending on the traffic — it’s best to leave around midday/early afternoon if you want to make it for closing time. Castles opening times vary throughout the year so check bran-castle.com for more information before you visit.

Tickets can be bought online or at the castle itself — expect to pay around €15 per adult (depending on the season). You can make your ticket last longer by renting audio guides which cost around €8-€10 per person and provide more detailed background information about Bran Castle, Vlad III Dracula and other aspects of Romanian history.

Brasov

Your next stop after Bran Castle is Brasov — located around 2 hours away by car. But it’s worth it — mostly because Brasov is home to some stunning architecture, small towns which have been untouched by modern development, breathtaking landscapes and stunning castles like Mureșenii de Jos.

Start your time in Brasov by strolling down its cobblestone streets away from the city centre — here you will find galleries full of contemporary art, artisanal stores selling handmade items and some great restaurants offering traditional Romanian cuisine. There’s plenty going on in Brasov so if you feel up for it you can do lots of activities during your visit here — including spotting wild boars at Magura Chiriiasinii nature reserve (set aside an entire afternoon for this), go skiing at Postavaru mountain, or explore one of Brasov’s fortified churches (of which there are seven).

Other popular attractions include live music performances at local bars (3 days a week) and Mura Pereschivului village where time seems to have stood still since 1734AD. No matter what your preference is, it can be found in beautiful Brasov!

A popular option for taking in Brasov’s sights — especially if it’s your first time visiting — is to join an organised guided tour around key highlights including the old city centre and Black Church. There are several tours available depending on your interests – Grab yours now!.

And at the end of your trip don’t forget to stop at one of many of Brasov cosy cafes where you can enjoy a hot cup of local coffee whilst taking in its incredible views — it will definitely be a great way to finish off your day trip!

Final thoughts

From the Bear Sanctuary onwards, this Bucharest day trip truly allows you to experience an enchanting journey into Romania’s past, whilst taking time to discover what makes this country so special and unique; from its spectacular wildlife to its iconic landmarks – all of which can be found within a day’s journey from Bucharest! It also allows you to explore some of Romania’s most picturesque towns, including Bran Castle and Brasov – giving visitors an insight into Romania’s culture and history outside busy cities like Bucharest. Visitors are bound to take away a few precious memories and lasting impressions of this wonderful country – making it truly worth the effort!