Castelul Bran

Bran Castle has guarded the pass between Transylvania and Wallachia for centuries, perched on a rock exactly where the corridor narrows. Marketing turned it into "Dracula's castle", although the link to Bram Stoker's novel is purely literary rather than historical — and once you look past that layer, what remains is a genuine fortress, with narrow stairs, an inner courtyard and rooms restored in Queen Marie's time. Its 4.3 Google rating from over a hundred thousand reviews says everything about how visited it is.

Which is exactly why the hour you arrive matters more than anything: early morning or close to shutting time spares you the queue and the crowded courtyards.

Good to know Bran is the bridgehead for the whole Rucăr–Bran corridor: a few kilometres away begins Piatra Craiului National Park, with the Zărnești Gorges as a gentle introduction to limestone, and in winter there is skiing at Cheile Grădiștei – Fundata. See the rest of the Bran – Moeciu – Fundata region, guesthouses in the area and restaurants — the local cooking, all cheeses and smoked meats, is worth a stop in itself.