The White Tower rises dramatically on the hillside above Brașov's old town, a whitewashed medieval bastion that instantly catches your eye. It's the highest defensive point of the historic Brașov fortifications, and one of the best short hikes to combine history with a great view.

Perched on the slope of Dealul Romurilor, separated from the city walls by the Graft stream, the tower once connected to the fortress via a movable bridge and wooden palisades. Today the climb rewards you with sweeping views over Brașov's red rooftops and the old town below — especially beautiful at sunset or in golden autumn light. In summer, expect company since it's close to the city center, but early mornings and winter visits offer a quieter, moodier atmosphere among the thick stone walls.

How to get there

• From Brașov old town — short, steep walk, approx. 15-20 minutes, easy to moderate difficulty
• Combine with a visit to the nearby Black Tower (Turnul Negru), part of the same fortification line

Good to know

• Built in the second half of the 15th century (1460 or 1494, depending on the source)
• Height ranges from 14 to 20 meters, with walls up to 4 meters thick
• Now houses a branch of the Brașov County History Museum, with occasional exhibitions
• Protected as a historic monument (LMI code BV-II-m-A-11294.05)

Fun fact: to give the guards a clear line of sight, the hillside was deliberately kept free of forest until the end of the 19th century — which is exactly why the view from up here is still so impressive today.