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EuropeRomaniaBrașov County

Zărnești

Brașov County, Romania · Europe

About Zărnești

Zărnești works well as a base: 10 minutes from Poiana Mărului, 20km from Transbucegi.

Zărnești is a town located in Brașov County, Romania. With a population of 24,926, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Zărnești sits in Romania, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Bucharest time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Zărnești to your route.

About Zărnești

Zărnești (Romanian pronunciation: [zərˈneʃtʲ]; German: Molkendorf, Zernescht; Hungarian: Zernest) is a town in Brașov County, Transylvania, Romania, with a population of 21,624 as of 2021. It administers one village, Tohanu Nou (Neu-Tohan; Újtohán). The town is located near the Piatra Craiului Mountains, which are

Read more part of the Southern Carpathians mountain range. Its close proximity to these mountains make it a common start point for tourists and hikers wishing to explore the Piatra Craiului National Park.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Zărnești

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Zărnești?

Zărnești offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Zărnești?

Plan your road trip to Zărnești with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Zărnești as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Zărnești located?

Zărnești is located in Brașov County, Romania, Europe. The coordinates are 45.5609 latitude, 25.3179 longitude.

What is the population of Zărnești?

Zărnești has a population of approximately 24,926 people, making it a town in Romania.

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Quick Information

Population
24,926
Continent
Europe
Country
Romania
Region
Brașov County
Timezone
Europe/Bucharest
Coordinates
45.5609, 25.3179

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Romania

Police
112
Ambulance
112
Fire
112
Driving side
right

Rovinieta (road tax sticker) required for all national roads.

Full driving guide for Romania

Tags

EuropeRomaniaBrașov CountyTown

Worth the detour from Zărnești

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

castle

Bran Castle

A fortress in Transylvania popularly associated with the legend of Count Dracula, perched on a cliff between Wallachia and Transylvania.

6 km · about 10 min drive

mountain pass

Rucăr–Bran Pass

Historic corridor road (DN73) between Brașov and Câmpulung, cresting at Fundata (~1,290 m) with pastoral villages, limestone ridges and views of the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului massifs.

13 km · about 25 min drive

famous road

Transbucegi

Alpine road (DJ713) snaking up the Bucegi Mountains past Bolboci Lake toward the 2,000 m plateau near the Babele rock formations, with sweeping hairpins and dramatic Carpathian views.

20 km · about 25 min drive

photogenic

Bucegi Sphinx

A wind-carved rock at 2,216 m on the Bucegi plateau that in profile forms a giant human face, beside the mushroom-shaped Babele formations. Reached by cable car from Bușteni or a hike from the Transbucegi road.

21 km · about 25 min drive

landmark

Brașov

A stunning medieval city ringed by Carpathian peaks, centered on Council Square and dominated by the massive Gothic Black Church.

23 km · about 25 min drive

cathedral

Black Church, Brasov

Largest Gothic church between Vienna and Istanbul, named for soot damage in a 1689 fire, in central Brasov.

23 km · about 25 min drive

castle

Peleș Castle

A Neo-Renaissance palace in the Carpathian Mountains, one of the most stunning castles in Europe and a former Romanian royal residence.

28 km · about 35 min drive

cafe

Balea Lac Mountain Cafe

A remote alpine cafe at the summit of Romania's Transfagarasan Highway beside Balea Lake, atop what Jeremy Clarkson called 'the best road in the world.'

55 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near Zărnești

  • Right hereRucăr–Bran PassHistoric corridor road (DN73) between Brașov and Câmpulung, cresting at Fundata (~1,290 m) with pastoral villages, limestone ridges and views of the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului massifs.
  • 20 kmTransbucegiAlpine road (DJ713) snaking up the Bucegi Mountains past Bolboci Lake toward the 2,000 m plateau near the Babele rock formations, with sweeping hairpins and dramatic Carpathian views.
  • 55 kmTransfagarasan ViewpointThe summit of Romania's spectacular mountain highway, called 'the best road in the world' by Top Gear, with views of Balea Lake and the Fagaras range.
  • 55 kmTransfăgărășan HighwayRomania's spectacular mountain road crossing the Carpathians - 'best road in the world' per Top Gear
  • 55 kmBâlea LakeA glacial lake at 2,034m crowning the Transfăgărășan, reached by car in summer or cable car in winter.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Zărnești.

Poiana Mărului

🇷🇴 Romania

5 km awayPop. 3,315

Tohanu Nou

🇷🇴 Romania

5 km awayPop. 1,393

Bran

🇷🇴 Romania

6 km awayPop. 5,177

Moieciu de Jos

🇷🇴 Romania

7 km awayPop. 2,222

Sohodol

🇷🇴 Romania

8 km awayPop. 1,825

Moeciu de Jos

🇷🇴 Romania

9 km awayPop. 4,680

Șimon

🇷🇴 Romania

9 km awayPop. 1,312

Râşnov

🇷🇴 Romania

11 km awayPop. 15,253

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence