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For a first visit, stay in the Old Town (Centrul Vechi) or right on its edge: the main sights, the Tâmpa cable car and most restaurants are within walking distance, and bus 4 runs there from the train station. Șchei, just south-west of the walls, is quieter and a little uphill; the area around Livada Poștei is the bus hub for the airport and Poiana; stay near the station only for early or late trains; and choose Poiana Brașov, 12 km up the mountain, if you’ve come to ski or hike.
The areas at a glance
Walking times are to Piața Sfatului and are estimates from the map.
| Area | Best for | Walk to Piața Sfatului | Buses | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town (Centrul Vechi) | First visits, short stays, no car | 0–10 min | Bus 4 stops at Biserica Neagră; Livada Poștei is at the edge | Weekend and event noise near the square; limited car access |
| Șchei | Quieter nights, guesthouses, walks into the hills | 5–20 min, uphill on the way back | Bus 4 (Piața Unirii, Tocile); bus 50 (Solomon – Piața Unirii – Patria) | Steep, narrow streets; tight parking |
| Livada Poștei and the civic centre | Bus connections, larger hotels, arriving by car | 5–10 min | Start of bus 20 to Poiana; airport bus A1; many city lines | Busy roads and traffic noise |
| Near the train station | Early or late trains, one-night stops | About 3 km; take the bus | Bus 4 to the centre; A1 to the airport | Not a sightseeing area; you’ll ride the bus every day |
| Poiana Brașov | Skiing, hiking, spa hotels | 12 km by road | Bus 20 to Livada Poștei | Quiet evenings; depends on the bus or a car |
Old Town (Centrul Vechi)
The Old Town is the medieval walled city: Piața Sfatului, the Black Church, Strada Republicii and the streets running off them, with the walls, towers and bastions around the edge (see five landmark buildings). Accommodation here is mostly small hotels, guesthouses and apartments in old buildings.
Who it suits: almost everyone on a first visit of one to three nights, and anyone without a car. You can walk to the sights, to the lower station of the Tâmpa cable car and back to your room between outings.
Getting around: bus 4 from the train station stops at Biserica Neagră, inside the Old Town, and continues to Piața Unirii in Șchei (RATBV). Livada Poștei, on the northern edge, is where the airport bus A1 and bus 20 to Poiana stop.
Noise: Piața Sfatului hosts the Christmas market in December and outdoor events and concerts through the year (see what’s on in Brașov). Streets with bars and terraces can be loud on weekend nights. If you’re a light sleeper, ask for a room facing a courtyard.
Parking: much of the Old Town is pedestrian or has restricted car access. If you’re driving, ask the property before you book whether it has parking or where the nearest public car park is.
Check before booking: many old buildings have steep stairs and no lift; ask if that matters to you.
Șchei
Șchei is the historic Romanian quarter, outside the walls to the south-west, reached through the Șchei Gate and Catherine’s Gate. Its main sights are the St Nicholas Church and the First Romanian School museum (see our museums guide), around Piața Unirii. The streets climb into the valley between the hills, and accommodation is mainly guesthouses and apartments.
Who it suits: travellers who want quieter evenings but still want to walk into the Old Town, and walkers: the trails to Pietrele lui Solomon and the old road up to Poiana start at the top of the district.
Getting around: bus 4 serves Piața Unirii and Tocile, and bus 50 runs from Solomon (at the top of Șchei) through Piața Unirii to Star and Patria (RATBV timetables).
Downsides: the walk back from the Old Town is uphill and on cobbles or uneven pavements in places, and the streets are narrow, so parking is tight.
Livada Poștei and the civic centre
North of the Old Town, the area around Livada Poștei, the Town Hall, Bulevardul Eroilor and the Central Park is the city’s administrative centre and its main bus interchange. It has more of the larger, modern hotels.
Who it suits: anyone who wants the airport bus and bus 20 to Poiana on the doorstep, people arriving by car who want a hotel with its own parking, and business travellers.
Getting around: Livada Poștei is the starting point of bus 20 to Poiana Brașov and a stop on airport bus A1, bus 4 and many other city lines (RATBV). The Old Town is a short walk south.
Downsides: the boulevards carry heavy traffic, so ask for a room away from the street.
Near the train station
Brașov’s railway station (Gara Brașov) is in the newer part of the city, about 3 km north-east of Piața Sfatului. It’s a residential and commercial district rather than a sightseeing one.
Who it suits: a one-night stop before an early train, or a late arrival.
Getting to the Old Town: bus 4 leaves from the station terminal (Terminal Gara) for Livada Poștei, Biserica Neagră and Piața Unirii. On weekdays it runs from 05:23 to 23:24, every 9–18 minutes for most of the day; at weekends from 06:30 to 22:15, roughly every 13–27 minutes (timetable valid from 7 September 2026). Airport bus A1 ends at the station too. A single ticket costs 5 lei and lasts 90 minutes; a 3-day pass is 50 lei (RATBV fares).
For trains to and from Bucharest, see Bucharest to Brașov.
Poiana Brașov
Poiana Brașov is the city’s mountain resort, at about 1,020 m and roughly 12 km by road from the centre, with hotels, villas and the ski lifts on Postăvarul.
Who it suits: skiers in winter (see skiing near Brașov), hikers in summer, and anyone after a hotel with a pool and spa.
Getting around: bus 20 runs between Poiana and Livada Poștei every 20–30 minutes, with the last bus down at 23:59 (RATBV). Without a car you’ll be planning around it.
Downsides: evenings are quiet and the choice of restaurants is small compared with the city, and outside the ski and summer seasons some services may be closed.
Further out: apartments in residential districts
Short-term rental apartments are also listed in residential districts such as Tractorul and Astra. They can work if you have a car or don’t mind the bus: bus 2 links Tractorul with Livada Poștei, and buses 14, 24 and 28 link Astra with Livada Poștei (RATBV routes). Check the distance to the nearest stop before you book.
Prices and when to book
Booking.com alone listed about 1,870 places to stay in Brașov when we checked on 10 October 2026, from rooms in family guesthouses to large hotels, so there is plenty of choice outside the busiest dates. Room rates vary a lot with the date, so compare a midweek night with a Saturday before you book.
These are the periods when demand is highest, so book early:
| When | Why | Areas affected |
|---|---|---|
| December, especially weekends | The Christmas market in Piața Sfatului | Old Town and Șchei first |
| New Year’s Eve | Celebrations in the city and in Poiana | Everywhere |
| Ski-season weekends | Skiing in Poiana Brașov | Poiana, then the city |
| The Sunday after Orthodox Easter | The Junii parade through Șchei and the Old Town | Old Town and Șchei |
| Summer weekends and festival dates | Festivals and concerts; see what’s on | Old Town and Livada Poștei |
How to choose a place
- Check the map pin, not the name. “Old Town” or “Centre” in a listing name doesn’t guarantee the location. Measure the walk to Piața Sfatului yourself.
- Ask about parking if you drive, and whether it’s on site, nearby or a public car park.
- Ask about stairs and a lift in old buildings, and about luggage drop-off if the street is pedestrian.
- Ask which way the room faces if you’re staying near Piața Sfatului, a busy street or a boulevard.
- Read the cancellation terms carefully for December and ski-season dates.
How many nights you need depends on your plans; see how many days in Brașov. For getting in from the airport, see the Brașov airport guide.
FAQ
What is the best area to stay in Brașov for a first visit?
The Old Town or its edges, including the area around Livada Poștei. You can walk to the main sights and the Tâmpa cable car, and the airport bus and bus 20 to Poiana stop at Livada Poștei.
How far is the train station from the Old Town?
About 3 km. Bus 4 runs from the station terminal to Livada Poștei, Biserica Neagră and Piața Unirii, every 9–18 minutes on weekdays; a ticket costs 5 lei.
Should I stay in Poiana Brașov or in Brașov?
Stay in Poiana if skiing or hiking is the main reason for your trip. For sightseeing, restaurants and day trips, stay in the city and take bus 20 up to Poiana for the day.
Where should I stay in Brașov without a car?
In the Old Town, around Livada Poștei or in lower Șchei. Everything in the centre is walkable, and the airport, Poiana and station buses all stop within a few minutes’ walk.
When is accommodation in Brașov hardest to find?
December weekends during the Christmas market, New Year, ski-season weekends and the Junii weekend after Orthodox Easter.
Sources
- RATBV: line 4 timetable, line 20 timetable, A1 airport line, all routes, fares, checked 10 October 2026
- Booking.com: Brașov city page (number of listed properties), checked 10 October 2026
- Wikipedia: Poiana Brașov (altitude)
