Fab things to do in Brasov with kids or without
Last summers and winters we were lucky enough to spend few weeks in Brasov with kids. My native city remains charming but also got quite sophisticated in the last 10 years : gourmet and chic restaurants in Brasov and around and many children friendly; well maintained charming German looking centre town with cobbled streets and colourful houses; beautiful mountains with many treks to be explored; medieval fortresses and towers and century old churches, many playgrounds and mostly well maintained. My childhood hometown so I am biased, but Brasov is delightful, so here are here our top things to do in Brasov with kids or without: from fun day trips, restaurants, cultural gems, active mornings or chilled evenings.
The Black Church is the most associated image with Brasov, a great starting point for exploring and a cultural highlight for our eldest. It must be the history of fire (1689) that excited his imagination or may be the Gothic architecture that delighted his eye since he was 3 years old.
We are talking regularly about it as well as Turnul Alb and Turnul Negru.
White Tower Brasov
The main square and various strolls around Poarta Ecaterina, Schei and Parcul Central Nicolae Titulescu filled many fun days of playing and sightseeing.
Surrounding mountains are no less than 5 (Bucegi, Piatra Craiului, Postăvaru, Ciucaș, Piatra Mare), so one should not really miss out of the top things to do in Brasov, some hiking rails. With young kids or simply easy treks we recommend Tampa and Curvy Road Trail (Serpentinelor) that takes less than an hour or simply the cable car ride. To quote the young explorers and our grannies: ‘Greu pe munte’/ Difficult trekking & climbing. Luckily around we found lots of pebbles, flowers, sticks and other distractions. Another option from Poiana Brasov is Postavaru (1799m) and for young the little trek from the Cable car to the top would do. Our 3 years old young explorer was less enthusiastic about the scenery in the summer and rather overwhelmed by the hike; luckily the next year and ski season was way better.
For nature lovers and active souls, Parc Aventura is a wonderful option just by Noua lake and park. It could be a full adventurous day out and we found that even our almost 4 years old fell in love with the aerial treks and tricks. Sadly we found it terribly popular August 2018 and impossible to get in on 3 consecutive days.
Poiana Brasov is always stunning and fun and summer adventures have to include trampoline, playgrounds and running around.
Horseriding just before Poiana Brasov with Spiritul Cailor is a delightful option both summers and winters.
Things to do in Brasov: Poiana Brasov and horseriding
Yaz is a great low key chilled day by the water – wakeboarding, SUP and kayaking or simply lieing on big pillows, soaking in some great views and an aperol – Harman based (20min drive from Brasov city centre and delightful.
There are some good food options but one is also close by Fish 4 Life – further 7 minutes drive for a proper fish feast. But by far our kids favourite spot has been Dinoparc, Rasnov. Natural History Museum in London is cool, but Rasnov is at a different level. Outdoors, in a beautiful forest and on a top of a hill. A short trip with a little train, also very exciting. There’s also a chilled coffee place & restaurant serving good wine and salads with chill out music and beautiful views over the forest – much appreciated after a fast paced, intense and fun day in here.
For kids above 5 years old and loving hikes, we warmly recommend Sapte Scari/Seven Ladders Canyon: part of Piatra Mare range, which forms part of the Southern Carpathian Mountains; the valley of the canyon is very picturesque, cool looking mini waterfalls on the way up the valley (Jurassic Park anyone?!); whilst the platform and ladders will take you up through some epic gorges.
Tamina waterfall is another hike and day out we loved with friends; watch out for the bears and enjoy the trekking!
The restaurants we are fond of in Brasov, no particular order:
Kasho lounge, next to the playground in Livada. Good pizzas, salads, soups, aperols & frapucinnos. Next to the playground, so you could keep an eye on the kids playing and next to beautiful trees.
Trattoria Dei Frati, Piata Enescu. If Piata Sfatului/ Cetral square feels touristy, this little mews is nice, airy even when there’s over 30 C degrees. Good salads, pasta, lemonade.
Trattorian Artisan Food. Next door to Dei Fratti, great pizza and bites, nice terrace and funky inside.
Bistro del Arte. Same little mews, French cuisine. Amazing duck and good aperols.
Bistro Ma Cocotte. Playing area next to the terrace.
Le Sommelier for a great selection of sophisticated fine Romanian wines on lovely pedestrian cobbled street Diaconu Coresi.
Le Sommelier
Recommended hotel? We tested in February 2021 Belvedere for 1 night: stunning views over Schei and the old city, generous suite, good cuisine but perhaps slightly overcomplicated. Wine, service, hotel and swimming pool very nice though!
We liked less in terms of activities – Paradisul Acvatic. The big swimming pool felt very busy and grounds very crowded. Especially for myself with the 2 little monkeys, felt very outnumbered. The slides and the inside bits not quite appropriate as well for a 3 years old. So not quite the paradise claimed or advertised.
The restaurants we really liked nearby Brasov, in order of proximity:
Dambu Morii. Swimming pool, playground and soft play area. River and green lovely grounds as well. Or next door Trei Stejari.
Sura Dacilor, Poiana Brasov. Rustic and lovely as many years ago.
Coliba Haiducilor, Poiana Brasov. An institution when it comes to traditional Romanian food and kind personnel.
Fish for life has next door a working farm: geese and ducks, goats, sheep and chicken that our boys loved feedings. Next door there are 2 trampolines, swings and a pond – our kids have been so mesmerized for few hours. The food is great – best tarama salad; trout baked in maize, fish soup.
Zabola Estate: a gorgeous piece of royal Transylvania: our friends raved about its wine, ghosts and bears; we loved its authenticity, Sunday long lunch and stroll around its frozen lake.
For more about Brasov fresh powder and skiing – check out our article on Romania ski holidays and 7 reasons to go for it . For more on Romania travel check our post on Road trip Romania : 10 days itinerary, whilst for more Transylvania inspiration head here. Looking forward to going back and exploring further this summer!
Travelling to Romania during the pandemic (February 2021 & August 2021). Being fully vaccinated and travelling from UK to Romania was easy, just a couple of extra forms and tests. The travelling guidance all good (thanks universe!) the latest UK Foreign travel advice in here just in case.
22 comments on “Fab things to do in Brasov with kids or without”
Leave a Reply
Looks like a wonderful trip! 🙂
It was indeed, warmly recommending Brasov & surroundings 😉 And thanks for stopping by!
Hi to you my Romanian citizen, I am so proud of your work and presentation of our gorgeous country, ( just saying the truth, here…hehehe.)
Please can you also advice what type of acomodation is best suited for a family with kids, all ages, from a baby up to 10 years old in my case. We are going there for 6 days but wish to visit and stay next to mountains as well. More like getting 2 in one, short holiday in Brasov and surroundings.
Keep up the good work and stay blessed.❤👌
Thank you, some of our favourite options are in Poiana Brasov: Teleferic or Ana hotel both have kidsclubs, spas, swimming pools, plagrounds etc. If you are after a flat or self catering, check Hotel Alpin or Rizzo Boutique hotel. We stayed with Rizzo Boutique Few years ago and we wrote about in the ski article on Poiana – have a look if it suits? For Sinaia we like a lot Ioana hotel, similarly we have an article about. Warm greetings from London & enjoy summer in Brasov & around!
Ok you’ve got me hooked, those views with the mountains and those lovely looking restaurants who wouldn’t want to visit? What’s more it looks like there are plenty of green spaces and child orientated activities to make the city a bit of everything for all the family. I love the photos and can see why you look forward to returning here.
Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
Pleasure linking into your posts Fiona, despite living in London we are #countrykids at heart! Romanian Carpathians are magic, I will dedicate shortly a couple of articles for people who know less Romania – they are gems, still authentic in so many places and so affordable! X
It looks like a wonderful trip and such a beautiful area. Plus lots of good food! #countrykids
Thanks Caro! Warmly recommending Romanian Carpati & Transylvania – it is extremely beautiful, very affordable and still authentic in many places! I wrote this post last year when I was on my maternity leave, just arrived the other day for a shorter holiday this time round. Thanks a lot for stopping by!
How lovely to be able to spend so much time in your hometown, discovering both new and old places! #CountryKids
Thank you Sara, lovely as you say, this year we are about to wrap up just a week in Brasov and it feels short! Also need to put together an itinerary for people less familiar with Romania, Transylvanian and Carpatian beauties!
Wow lots to see and do here… great fun for the whole family #CountryKids
Yes, we discovered even more this week and will write shortly about! About to leave this morning sadly and heading to Bucharest. Thanks a lot for stopping by!
Pingback: Romanian itinerary: 7 days with or without kids | zenbabytravel
Pingback: Ski family holidays Romania & 7 reasons to go for it - zenbabytravel
Such useful tips – and sounds like somewhere which should definitely be on my Romania wishlist, very child-friendly (and enough to keep me happy too) Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Hi Cathy, yes Transylvania is absolutely superb – I reckon this summer I should emphasize more the castles and the architecture !
Pingback: Road trip Romania with kids or without: 10 day itinerary - zenbabytravel
Pingback: Poiana Brasov skiing and apres skiing with a baby - zenbabytravel
Pingback: Bucharest with kids in the summer - Zenbabytravel
Pingback: Romanian wine regions - retreat at best of Romanian wineries : Ceptura Dealu Mare - Zenbabytravel
Pingback: 15 wonderful things to do in Transylvania - Zenbabytravel