Ranked as one of the most beautiful castles not only in Romania but in Europe as well, Corvin Castle (Ro: Castelul Corvinilor or Castelul Huniazilor) is a must-visit for anyone exploring the country.
While it’s not the easiest to reach, particularly if you land in the capital (it’s a 5-hour and a half drive from Bucharest at minimum), the castle will definitely not disappoint, more so if you have an interest in history and architecture. So read on to find out how to visit Corvin Castle in Transylvania.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Check my full disclaimer here.
Where is Corvin Castle located?
The medieval castle of Corvin (also known as Hunyadi Castle or Hunedoara Castle) is located in the city of Hunedoara and is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Its history begins in the 15th century, when Iancu de Hunedoara (John Hunyadi), Transylvania’s Voivode at the time, decided to transform an old fortress into an impressive castle.
Built in a Renaissance-Gothic style, the imposing structure has tall towers, bastions, an inner courtyard, and numerous windows and balconies decorated with stone carvings. It proudly sits on a cliff above the small Zlasti River.
How to get to Corvin Castle?
If you visit Romania, more often than not you will begin your journey in the capital, Bucharest. Therefore, if you want to visit the castle you’ll have to choose between renting a car, public transport or a tour.
By car
The easiest way to visit the castle is by car. As I already mentioned the driving time starts at around 5.5 hours from Bucharest, but it can take longer if there’s traffic ahead (which is often the case) and depending on which route you take.
There are 3 ways that you can choose from if you want to cross the Carpathian Mountains into Transylvania:
- Prahova Valley (approx. 6h 40m): It’s usually the most crowded and has quite a few tight twists as you get close to Brasov. This route is also a bit longer.
- Olt Valley (approx. 5h 30m): This is my recommended passage! You’ll drive on the highway from Bucharest to Pitesti, and then again from Sibiu until you almost reach Hunedoara. This valley has milder turns than the other two crossings and the landscape is absolutely stunning as you’ll drive through the highest mountains in Romania: Carpatii Meridionali.
- Jiu Valley (approx. 6h 20m): There’s usually a bit less traffic on this route than on the other two. However, as you cross the mountains the road is more winding than Olt Valley, so you’ll have to drive slower.
By public transport
There’s a direct train from Bucharest Gara de Nord (the main train station in the capital) to Deva, but I should warn you that the journey takes about 9.5 hours. You can check the itinerary and buy tickets from here.
Then, from Deva, you can then take a local bus (or even a taxi) to Hunedoara. Buses leave from Deva Bus station (Ro: Autogara Deva), located fairly close to the train station.
By tour
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of planning your own trip, then you can book a tour:
- Day Trip to Corvin Castle and Alba Carolina: if you land in Cluj, then this day trip is ideal for you. You will also visit the stronghold of Alba Iulia, a city of utmost importance in Romanian history since it was the place where the union of Transylvania with Romania (previously formed when Wallachia united with Moldavia) was declared. This event is regarded as the Great Union and it’s celebrated every year on the 1st of December as the National Day of Romania.
- This 8-Day Explore Transylvania Tour from Bucharest is perfect if you want to visit some of the best sights in Romania without planning anything. If you’d like a shorter stay, then this Transylvania 6 Days Private Guided Tour is also a good option.
- If you plan to stay for a few days in Brasov, then this Corvin Castle and Sibiu Private Tour is a great idea for a day trip.
- In case you want to visit Transylvania for just a few days, you can check out this 4-day or 3-day tour.
When it’s the best time to visit the castle?
Since Corvin Castle has gained quite a bit of popularity in recent years, it is better to visit it during the week, as soon as it opens. This way you will have it mostly for yourself.
This is especially important if you want to take a picture alone on the bridge that goes up to the main gate.
Admission to Corvin Castle
You can buy admission tickets to Corvin Castle both on-site and online. I’d recommend the 2nd option to avoid potential queues. However, you should know that there’s an additional 10% commission if you buy the tickets online.
On-site | Online | |
---|---|---|
Adult | 45 RON | 49.76 RON |
Student | 11 RON | 12.19 RON |
Retired | 23 RON | 25.38 RON |
Child (0 – 6 yo) | Free | Free |
Photo | 10 RON | |
Video | 23 RON | |
Guided Tour (Romanian) | 50 RON | |
Guided Tour (English, French, or Hungarian) | 80 RON |
Corvin Castle is open every day from 9 AM to 8 PM, except Monday when it opens at noon. Pets are not allowed inside.
Where to stay (close to the castle)
I highly recommend Vila Corviniana, a beautiful 4-star property, located extremely close to the gothic castle.
There’s free parking available if you arrive by car (like I did) and the decor will make you feel like a medieval prince/princess. During my stay there I also ate at their restaurant and I can confirm that the food is very tasty.
Other good options are Curtea Veche or Corvin Guesthouse.
In conclusion, if you are looking for an amazing sight to visit in Transylvania, then Corvin Castle should be at the top of your list.
With its imposing structure, beautiful architecture, and rich history, this is one attraction you will not want to miss while in Romania. And I hope this travel guide will help you plan your visit.
Happy travels~
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE