Cantacuzino Castle (Castelul Cantacuzino)

There are three different admission packages for Cantacuzino Castle (Castelul Cantacuzino). The complete ticket includes access to the castle, art gallery, and sculpture exhibition, while the others include the sculpture garden and either the castle or art gallery. Cantacuzino Castle is a popular stop on castle tours of Transylvania, which typically combine it with Gothic masterpieces such as Peles Castle, hailed as Romania’s most beautiful castle, and Bran’s Castle, which inspired Bram Stoker’s spine-chilling tale.

• Guided tours of the complex are only in Romanian, but the audio guide is available in English.

• A high-end restaurant serves fusion cuisine at the castle—it's best to book in advance.

• You can buy ceramics, bookmarks, and magnets at the castle's souvenir shop.

The closest major town to Cantacuzino Castle is Brasov, which is a 1-hour drive via the DN1 and E60 roads—there’s free parking on site. You can also take bus No. 1730 from Brasov train station to Busteni for a journey that takes about an hour. From there, take a 20-minute walk to the caste.

The castle is open year-round (excluding public holidays) from late morning until early evening from Monday through Thursday. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the complex stays open an hour later. When you book, you’ll receive a time slot to ensure the complex never gets too crowded.

As well as having striking architecture and an opulent interior, the nearby Peles Castle has another claim to fame—it was the first European castle to be powered by electricity. Guided tours of the Romanian royal family’s former summer residence reveal antiques, artworks, and elaborate carvings, and they shed light on the rich history of the palace.