Poienari Castle
Poienari Castle
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
284 reviews
Excellent
161
Very good
82
Average
27
Poor
9
Terrible
5
Viorel Iosub
Sibiu, Romania1,589 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
Poenari Fortress, the second residence of Vlad Țepeș, positioned on top of the mountain.
In order to visit it, you have to climb 1480 stairs, and the climb time is between 30-45 minutes.
It is worth visiting, especially for the landscape that makes its mark on this unforgettable experience.
In order to visit it, you have to climb 1480 stairs, and the climb time is between 30-45 minutes.
It is worth visiting, especially for the landscape that makes its mark on this unforgettable experience.
Written October 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Achilina S
565 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
The citadel is reached by a climb of 1480 stairs (time to climb the stairs: 30 min). The view from the citadel it’s amazing. I suggest to make the effort! Excellent for a small hike. It took me about 15 min to climb - rather running than walking).
Written September 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victoria_Rodon
Houston, TX237 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
My husband and I were determined to see Vlad Tepes' real castle but had a hard time finding a good set of directions on how to get there. From Curtea De Arges take hwy 7C north. You will pass through a village called Arefu, shortly thereafter you will come to another village named Capatineni. Here you will start to see "Dracula" signs and in the warmer months likely souvenir stands (we traveled in April). The road (7C) begins to curve to the right and you will see a hydroelectric station. There is a small white cabin on the right side of the road where you will also see the Arges river. Park along the road. The stairs (1480 of them) are directly across from the white cabin and next to the hydroelectric station. You will pass another electric station somewhere around Arefu...keep going, that's not the power station you want.
You can also reach the castle from the north by taking the Transfagarasan hwy south that wraps around Lake Vidraru but that hwy is largely closed until the warmer months. (Warmer than April anyway)
Enough has been said about the castle itself...all is true. Well worth the athletic stair climb to get there.Fees are paid at the top of the climb. (5 lei per person, 20 lei to use your camera and 60 lei for video) You can take your time in climbing. There are 4 benches along the way and many landings to stop and admire the magnificent fairytale forest surrounding you. We are in our early 50's do not work out or even walk much but are in good health and do not smoke and we made it. Not recommended for bad knees or hips. Going down was a breeze..we wondered what all our huffing and puffing was about! The restaurant at the base was excellent. Poenari was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Romania.
You can also reach the castle from the north by taking the Transfagarasan hwy south that wraps around Lake Vidraru but that hwy is largely closed until the warmer months. (Warmer than April anyway)
Enough has been said about the castle itself...all is true. Well worth the athletic stair climb to get there.Fees are paid at the top of the climb. (5 lei per person, 20 lei to use your camera and 60 lei for video) You can take your time in climbing. There are 4 benches along the way and many landings to stop and admire the magnificent fairytale forest surrounding you. We are in our early 50's do not work out or even walk much but are in good health and do not smoke and we made it. Not recommended for bad knees or hips. Going down was a breeze..we wondered what all our huffing and puffing was about! The restaurant at the base was excellent. Poenari was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Romania.
Written April 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hauntingsummer
Buffalo, NY245 contributions
Oct 2010
This was my favorite, or second favorite, thing to do in Romania. This is a peice of history, still standing, that we can all experience.
Star by climbing up the steps. There are different reports on how many steps there really are to climb, but we estimated around 1400 I think.
Bring a bottle of water to make the climb, and take your time. There is breathtaking views, off the mountain, all the way up.
The higher we climbed, the snowier, and quieter it got.
Once you reach the top, you'll cross over clear bridges, and arrive at the castle ruins.
The entire castle ruins was surrounded by fog, and mist, which made it even cooler. October is a great time to go, because there is wonderful, comfortable weather, leaves changing for spactacular views, and hopefully some snow.
We spent at least a half an hour at the top looking around, exploring, taking photos, and watching the woods in the distance from over the side of the castle.
The hike to the top wasn't very long, although from the bottom, it might appear intimidating. This was an awesome, and easily accessible adventure.
I've heard that that at times there is a gaurd on the mountain, who you pay in order to access the castle, but there was nobody there, except 2 other tourists, and so this was free.
I would make sure you seek out and visit this amazing castle! Dracula lived in this fortress, and you can almost imagine it when you're up there.
Star by climbing up the steps. There are different reports on how many steps there really are to climb, but we estimated around 1400 I think.
Bring a bottle of water to make the climb, and take your time. There is breathtaking views, off the mountain, all the way up.
The higher we climbed, the snowier, and quieter it got.
Once you reach the top, you'll cross over clear bridges, and arrive at the castle ruins.
The entire castle ruins was surrounded by fog, and mist, which made it even cooler. October is a great time to go, because there is wonderful, comfortable weather, leaves changing for spactacular views, and hopefully some snow.
We spent at least a half an hour at the top looking around, exploring, taking photos, and watching the woods in the distance from over the side of the castle.
The hike to the top wasn't very long, although from the bottom, it might appear intimidating. This was an awesome, and easily accessible adventure.
I've heard that that at times there is a gaurd on the mountain, who you pay in order to access the castle, but there was nobody there, except 2 other tourists, and so this was free.
I would make sure you seek out and visit this amazing castle! Dracula lived in this fortress, and you can almost imagine it when you're up there.
Written January 3, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iki Deli / Doi Nebuni
Romania2,637 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
We’ve been to Vlad’s citadel before and liked the view from up there so much that we returned. The citadel itself is not much to see as there are just some ruins remained, but still enough to make an idea about what this imposing construction used to be.
Unfortunately we were not able to climb again the 1480 stairs (beginning of June) as the route was closed due to bears attack danger. And it’s a pity that the authorities are doing nothing for solving this situation. They are just blaming the bears and their cubes for coming to the populated areas, instead of feeding them at highs in designated shelters how it used to be the procedure years ago.
So a closed interesting attraction because of the incapacity of the area leaders.
The only interesting part of stopping here was seeing from distance on the other part of the citadel a mother bear with her two cute cubes searching for food.
Unfortunately we were not able to climb again the 1480 stairs (beginning of June) as the route was closed due to bears attack danger. And it’s a pity that the authorities are doing nothing for solving this situation. They are just blaming the bears and their cubes for coming to the populated areas, instead of feeding them at highs in designated shelters how it used to be the procedure years ago.
So a closed interesting attraction because of the incapacity of the area leaders.
The only interesting part of stopping here was seeing from distance on the other part of the citadel a mother bear with her two cute cubes searching for food.
Written July 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SunSprinter
Jerusalem, Israel107 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Unfortunately it was closed, although on google it seemed open. Tours only at 10 o'clock and 15. Look at the attached sign picture and plan your visit.
Written September 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nic&Ade
Cardiff, UK263 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
We visited Romania purely to visit this place and Bran Castle. It is an imposing structure high up on the mountain accessed by 1480 winding steps on the mountain side. The climb was ok, we stopped at various points to admire the view and on reaching the top were greeted by a guy who asked for 5 lei each. On the walk up to it you can see two impaled figures, the legend of Vlad Dracul. There isn't much to see inside the structure but the views from the top are amazing. If you read up before you go use your imagination on how it was built, the attack from the Turks on the opposite mountain, imagine the attacks coming up the mountain from all sides and how exposed the attackers would have been.....well worth it.
We drove from Sibiu to here via Ramnicu Valca and Curtea de Arges as the Transfăgărăşan road is closed November to June (thanks to the advice of forum member). The coordinates are 45°21′13.49″N 24°38′6.80″E if you can't find it in your sat nav. Obviously in the castle itself there are no facilities but there is a lovely restaurant at the foot of the mountain.
We drove from Sibiu to here via Ramnicu Valca and Curtea de Arges as the Transfăgărăşan road is closed November to June (thanks to the advice of forum member). The coordinates are 45°21′13.49″N 24°38′6.80″E if you can't find it in your sat nav. Obviously in the castle itself there are no facilities but there is a lovely restaurant at the foot of the mountain.
Written March 19, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siiri K
43 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
The castle is closed at the moment due to dangerous bears, if we understood correctly what the owner of the tourist store told us today. She didn't know how long it will be closed. You can't even climb up there.
Written July 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hoach
USA479 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
Learn the real history and story of Vlad AKA Dracula and visit his remote fortress in Romania. Visit in the warm months if you are coming from the north or you will not be able to get on the road through the mountains. The fortress itself is a bit of a walk through the hills up around 1500 steps to the summit. Once there the scenery is beautiful. There isnt much left of the fortification but you can use your imagination as to what it was and what happened there. Not far from the fortress to the north is a beautiful alpine lake. on weekends you can purchase local food and cheese from vendors who set up shop. The ride from Cluj to the fortress through the mountains is beautiful and worth it if you have the time.
Written September 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexa2502
Bucharest, Romania296 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
If you would try to see those places where Vlad the Impaler (also known as "Dracula"), the Wallachian Prince (not count like the FICTIONAL character in Bram Stoker's novel) lived, you have to see: Sighisoara (where his father had a house), Cetatea Poenari (Poenari Fortress) and Snagov monastery - where you can see his tomb.
This place was build by the villagers in only two weeks on the ruins of an older fortress. It is located on the top of a hill, so be prepared to climb all the 1,480 stairs (no elevator, so it is not recommended for those with little babies, pregnant women, seniors).
We were three brave persons and we tried our luck in one of the first days of August. It is quite a difficult task, especially if you do not like sport very much - but I dedicate my victory to the Olympic Games. :)
The view from the top of the mountain made me forget all the effort. We climbed from 1:37 pm till 2:16 pm (i.e. 37 stairs/ minute) - you are in a beautiful forest and you can admire the trees.
Please do not forget that you have to climb down the same stairs, so be prepared for some extra-effort.
The legend tells that at approx. 500 stairs you will feel something strange, we didn't - maybe because we were laughing and the evil spirits were afraid to show their presence.
Another useful tip: if you come from Curtea de Arges, then visit "Master Manole Fountain" before coming to Poenari fortress. There are three different springs: the left one - "happiness", the center - "health" and the right one - "luck:. You have to drink from each spring and then sprinkle your forehead and neck with some extra "health". The driver did not try the water and he was the only one who had "shaking knees" after this experience. Lucky man - we turned back to Bucharest following the same route and he had the chance to drink from all the springs and also he filled an emptied bottle of apple juice with "mixed cocktail"!
The fountain is across the park where you can see the Monastery Curtea de Arges.
This place was build by the villagers in only two weeks on the ruins of an older fortress. It is located on the top of a hill, so be prepared to climb all the 1,480 stairs (no elevator, so it is not recommended for those with little babies, pregnant women, seniors).
We were three brave persons and we tried our luck in one of the first days of August. It is quite a difficult task, especially if you do not like sport very much - but I dedicate my victory to the Olympic Games. :)
The view from the top of the mountain made me forget all the effort. We climbed from 1:37 pm till 2:16 pm (i.e. 37 stairs/ minute) - you are in a beautiful forest and you can admire the trees.
Please do not forget that you have to climb down the same stairs, so be prepared for some extra-effort.
The legend tells that at approx. 500 stairs you will feel something strange, we didn't - maybe because we were laughing and the evil spirits were afraid to show their presence.
Another useful tip: if you come from Curtea de Arges, then visit "Master Manole Fountain" before coming to Poenari fortress. There are three different springs: the left one - "happiness", the center - "health" and the right one - "luck:. You have to drink from each spring and then sprinkle your forehead and neck with some extra "health". The driver did not try the water and he was the only one who had "shaking knees" after this experience. Lucky man - we turned back to Bucharest following the same route and he had the chance to drink from all the springs and also he filled an emptied bottle of apple juice with "mixed cocktail"!
The fountain is across the park where you can see the Monastery Curtea de Arges.
Written August 5, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Has the fortress opened again for fall 2024? I am considering a visit.
Written September 3, 2024
Is the Castle still closed? Even closed, is it possible to get close enough to take pictures?
Written September 4, 2022
Does anyone know if entry to the Castle is closed at Easter time?
Written December 28, 2018
I was there 2 months ago and it is open only twice a day
I am sure it will be open for easter, just try to find before the corrext hours
Written December 29, 2018
Is the castle open in January and February? If so, what are the hours of operation?
Written August 12, 2018
Hi Toneyandchunk...hours are 9a to 6p generally. But last year it was closed unexpectedly by bears being in the area. The very best guy to answer this is Simion Alb from romaniatourism. Or there's a page ....VisitRomania where you'll get a correct answer. It's at fb.
Written August 13, 2018
Does anyone know if this is still closed due to the bears as of today 7/7/18?
Written July 7, 2018
Più o meno quanto si impiega a salire i 1500 gradini? pensate sia troppo faticoso per una persona che ha problemi di schiena o basta tenere un'andatura tranquilla?
Written November 29, 2017
There are many accounts here of the number of steps but how long does it take to climb them? I'm just looking for an approximate figure - is it 30 mins, 1 hour, 2 hours etc? Thanks.
Written January 1, 2017
For the most part a pleasant climb up (we had some friendly local dogs accompany us for the first part). I have COPD and climb rather slowly, but it didn't take an hour.....maybe 45 minutes. Well worth the climb and it wasn't at all crowded so very enjoyable and trail was pretty well maintained.
Written February 5, 2017
I am planning on visiting poenari castle and will want to stay in a hotel that is very close. does anyone know the closest hotel? should I look in arefu or curtea de arges? any info would be hepfil, especially if you know the area. thank you so much!
Written September 5, 2016
There are many little pensiunes after Curtea de Arges that you can stay in that are not far from the castle.
Here are 2 links:
hanulvoievozilor.eu
pensiuneserbanoiu.ro
Written September 6, 2016
beduino65
Maringa, PR
There are travel agencies in Braşov with tours to Bran Castle and Poenari Castle one day trip?
Written July 2, 2016
Can one visit the castle with public transportation?
Written March 31, 2016
Went on a weekend and didn't see any public transportation.
So not really. And from what I know there is no train near by or other ways to get there, unless you have your own car.
Written April 1, 2016
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