Update of July 2023: The path up to Poenari Citadel is STILL closed. There's a notice posted on the road near the entrance to the path, saying it's closed for renovation until 25 October 2023 (see uploaded photo). I understand from the young people working in the hotel there ("Cabana La Cetate") that there's an electrified fence around the path, keeping people safe from the bears. I suggest you contact the hotel (get their details from the Internet) after October 2023 to check if the path and the citadel are really open again. I give this review 5 stars, because I can't post it without stars.

This mystical place hidden in the mountains is not a tourist trap like Bran Castle. The views are fantastic and you hardly run into tourists on the way up the many stairs to the top. Here is the place where Count Draculae really had spent time. They are ruins but very well preserved.

It would be 5* if we were able to get up there but as the castle is in renovation till the end of the year we were not able to, even going up to some level was prohibited due to the bears being in the area. Definitely worth the visit judging by what we could see from our position though. Fingers crossed next year we will be able to see it renovated!

Its closed for nex time. Reconstruction began. On the rouad Transfagarskar Route 7C are many NOT DAGEROUS Bear :)

lots of stairs up but a nice view.

I would recommend to visit it if you have the opportunity. Bear in mind that it is only possible to visit it twice a day, at 10am and at 3pm Price is 6 ROM Environment is fantastic and it is very impressive to be in a historical place like this one. Also if you want to say that you have been in the real castle of Dracula, you have to come here! Furthermore you can also drive through the impressive Transfăgărășan

One of the lost beautiful experiences in the zone. Be aware that there are over 1400 steps to climb, there are around 3-5 organised stops with benches and progress overview - it’s worth climbing in order to see the castle and beautiful nature.

Dracula's REAL castle! Loved it, even if it's just in ruins. A few things to keep in mind when going there. There are 1480 steps up there, bring water, you'll need it! You are not allowed to walk up to the castle by yourself. A guide will take the visitors up 2-3 times a day. If you miss the scheduled times, you won't be able to get up there. Also, the time up there by the castle is limited. You're only allowed to stay there for about 30 minutes or so, less if you are among the last ones in your visitors group. You also have to pay in cash to your guide once you get up to the castle, so make sure you bring money in cash. When we were there (August 2018) it costed 6 Lei for adults and 2 Lei for kids.

1480 steps. That's what it takes to visit the Poenari Citadel (plus the entry fee, but it"s not expensive). It's worth taking every single step. The citadel is well preserved and the view is breathtaking. Also, don;t be afraid of the official Citadel guardian, he is very friendly and accepts with pleasure all pets and treats (of course, we are talking about a dog here, don't go picturing a 2m 200kg mountain of a man)

Loved the experience. The climb through the forest is a little test of endurance, with 1480 steps. But once up there, it is truly worth it for the view. There is nothing but ruins, nothing commercially overdone, but in my humble opinion, it is beautiful, and you can truly feel like walking into history.

The uphill walk is quiet, between 30 and 50 minutes depending on the pace. You have to pay 10 Lei for the walk but the view from the top is worth it. Make sure to use the bathroom before going up, there is a very simple bathroom at the top but I would not recommend it. If you walk in silence you will be able to observe the wild mice in the forest that surrounds the stairs. It is a very nice hike for the family.

(Translated by Google) The road up the stairs to the fortress (around 1400 steps ... I didn't get the 1480 in number) is not difficult - a little more demanding at first, then almost easy as the slope decreases; it takes about 20 minutes but once you reach the fortress all the effort is rewarded with a panoramic view of the surroundings, even if not much has been preserved / restored in the fortress ... annoying are the garbage thrown from place to place along the route ... the pennies thrown in the main tower ... he's really embarrassed ... but with all this it's worth seeing. (Original) Drumul pe scari pana la cetate(in jur de 1400 trepte..nu mi-au iesit cele 1480 la numar )nu este dificil - un pic mai solicitant la inceput, apoi aproape lejer pe masura ce se diminueaza panta; dureaza in jur de 20 minute insa odata ajuns la cetate tot efortul depus este rasplatit de o vedere panoramica a imprejurimilor, chiar daca nu s-a pastrat/restaurat mare lucru din cetate...deranjante sunt gunoaiele aruncate din loc in loc de-a lungul traseului...banutii aruncati in turnul principal...e chiar jenat...dar cu toate aceste merita vazuta.

I went 2 days ago after walking a lot of kms I did not find an alternative entrance to the one blocked with the signs it's in repair since 2021.. Do not go there If you want to reach the citadel ... walked in the nearby area and it was nice with a river... There were signs to before of bears... And I did see some large animal droppings. I wanted to ask a prior reviewer from 3 weeks ago but no option of reaching out... Still wondering how he got in....

A piece of history, a beautiful sight to see. Yes, ruins, but still...well preserved. There is an electrified fence to protect tourist against bears. The access is permitted between 10 AM to 6 PM. 1480 stairs to climb.

Definitely worth the stop! 3 friends and I made the stop while passing through. Over 1400 steps and it takes a while to get to the top, but it was a beautiful view.

The Castle is now open for visitors, they solved the bears problem by installing electric fences along the way up. Now lets talk about the way up... its 1480 steps, it doesnt sound like a lot, but it is. You have to be in shape to make it there in 30 minute like they've estimated. Im a couch potato and I made it up in 45 minutes with 3 stops to catch my breath. Makes me wonder how they managed to build that castle on the top of that steep hill more than 700 years ago. Its worth visiting, a nice historical place, takes you back to the dark ages.

I am rating it 5 for the beautiful drive to the Citadel but sadly I did not know that it was closed

Nice excercise for your legs (stairs). It's worth going there, ruins are not something special, but view from the top is really astonishing. Finally, it's place where Vlad Tepes really was and not just mistake of book author.

Visiting this place was a disaster for us. The stairway isn't wide at all, it pretty much is for one person only... which is virtually impossible because there are tens - if not more than a hundred - of people going both ways at the same. There is no sense of social distancing whatsoever in these troubled times. That also applies for the ruins - because they are just a bunch of ruins, there isn't much to see at all. There are over a hundred people crowded in a small space, nobody is keeping track of them, or they just don't care even if they are. What does it matter that it's outdoors when people are so close one to another. You wait your turn minutes on end just to take a couple of photos and the panorama isn't that great either. Note that climbing those 1480 steps is quite energy consuming, especially if you're not used to effort. All in all, it was really not worth visiting this and we regret doing it.

(Translated by Google) Here is the city of Vlad the Impaler. Here is the connection with Vlad the Impaler. (NO BRAN) (Original) Aici este cetatea lui Vlad țepeș. Aici este legatură cu Vlad țepeș. ( NU BRAN)

Actually disappointing to see once you've climbed the 1500 steps that it's only ruins, no more rooms or anything it's all broken down...Still the way up is funny with all these steps and the view on the summit is amazing. Be sure to wear extra clothes as the top is really cold and windy!

(Translated by Google) Poenari Fortress is beautiful but if it is not taken care of it will deteriorate over time. Some brick walls are already starting to fall. Too bad I take money at the entrance but I don't care at all. There are some binocular observation points, normal, non-functional. Otherwise, a fortress full of history. Visited in September 2020 (Original) Cetatea Poenari este superbă dar dacă nu va fi îngrijită se va deteriora cu timpul. Deja unii pereți din cărămidă încep să cadă. Păcat ca iau bani la intrare dar nu îngrijesc deloc. Sunt cateva puncte de observare tip binoclu, normal, nefuncționale. In rest, o cetate plina de istorie. Vizitat in Septembrie 2020

The view from the citadel is breathtaking but that is the only good thing about this place. The parking is not nice, the climb is hard and it will take a lot of energy and time, it's doable by children, and the citadel is in a poor very poor quality. Also there is no bathroom.

(Translated by Google) Super cool route (Original) Super mișto traseul

1400something steps to get to it. Nice view from up there but the ruin is not in that greay shape nor does it have that much information on it. So while it is lacking in presentation it’s history tends to make up for it.

Very well preserved, has a guide, you can see the entire area from this "birds' nest". Costs 10 lei per adult.

(Translated by Google) A fortress on top of a mountain that conquers you through the landscapes that it reveals to you as you climb. A place full of history that is worth visiting at least once in your life. If you are lucky not to have many tourists, you can quietly enjoy the beauty of nature that appears before your eyes. (Original) O cetate în vârf de munte care te cucerește prin peisajele pe care ți le dezvăluie pe măsură ce urci. Un loc încărcat de istorie pe care merită să îl vizitați cel puțin o dată în viață. Daca aveți norocul să nu fie mulți turiști, vă puteți hucura în liniște de frumusețea naturii care vi se înfățișează dinaintea ochilor.

Opens twice a day only and it is really crowded during this organized trips. It's nice but that's all, castle is small and not prepared to be interesting for visitors.

Yo have to go up on stairs for 30 minutes but the view is amazing!

(Translated by Google) Super place with beautiful views (Original) Super miejsce piękne widoki

The only castle of Vlad Tepes!!! An unique experience! Once you get on the top of the mountain the view is absolutely breathtaking!!🇷🇴👍

(Translated by Google) Many stairs 😜. Super. (Original) Multe scări 😜. Super.

(Translated by Google) - ticket price 10 lei adults, 5 lei children - the ascent route is arranged with stairs - The fortress is not a big deal but it is still worth visiting (Original) - pretul biletului 10 lei adulți, 5 lei copii - traseul de urcare este amenajat cu scări - cetatea nu e mare lucru dar tot merită vizitată

(Translated by Google) A beautiful experience! (Original) O experiență frumoasă!

(Translated by Google) The real castle of Dracula, little known to tourists, but very interesting. Especially 1,500 stairs up (Original) Истинският замък на Дракула, малко познат на туристите, но много интересен. Особено 1500 стълби догоре😅😅😅😅😅😅

(Translated by Google) Important tip: take plenty of water for hydration! (Original) Sfat important: luati multa apa pentru hidratare!

The second residence of Vlad Țepeș, a place of many legends. Great view from the top, 1480 stairs to worth it!

A very historical place where Vlad (really) was and built (most of it). Some informational boards along the hike that tells you some history of Vlad and the Citadel. It's a good hike up to the Citadel. 1480 steps, but it was not a problem for an untrained heavy smoker. So most people should manage the hike. Very nice view at the top. The Citadel itself is mostly ruins but nevertheless a very important historical place. I also saw a lot of wild brown bears dring south down from Transfăgărășan. A must stop if you're driving Transfagarasan Highway!

(Translated by Google) The fortress itself is not as impressive as others in Romania, but the view from above is worth the effort to climb all those stairs. At the base is a souvenir shop, and a toilet (for money). The entrance to the fortress in September 2020 was 10 lei per person. (Original) Cetatea in sine nu este la fel de impresionanta precum altele din Romania, insa privelistea de sus merita efortul de a urca toate acele scari. La baza este un magazin de suveniruri, si o toaleta (pe bani). Intrarea in cetate in sept 2020 era 10 lei de persoana.

(Translated by Google) To visit!!! (Original) De vizitat!!!

Awesome place, 1200+ stairs to the top, great view. Loved it

There is not much of the castle but the view is spectacular. It's worth to go all those 1480 stairs to understand how hard it was to build.

(Translated by Google) I recommend who can climb many steps! (Original) Recomand cui poate urca trepte multe!

(Translated by Google) This is the castle / fortress with which Vlad III of Wallachia, the historical character inspiring the myth of Dracula, really had to do (where he actually resided). Unfortunately I managed to photograph it only while I was passing by but I promised myself to come back to visit it properly. (Original) Questo è il castello/fortezza col quale ha realmente avuto a che fare (dove realmente risiedette) Vlad III di Valacchia, il personaggio storico ispiratore del mito di Dracula. Purtroppo sono riuscito a fotografarlo solo mentre ero di passaggio ma mi sono ripromesso di tornare per visitarlo come si deve.

(Translated by Google) Very nice location. A wonderful place full of emotion. (Original) Foarte frumoasa locatie.Un loc minunat plin de emoție.

Steps are great for physical activity, the citadel not very well maintainten

(Translated by Google) Superb landscape (Original) Peisaj superb

(Translated by Google) Very nice location, a perfect combination of history and nature! (Original) Foarte frumoasă locație, o îmbinare perfectă între istorie și natură !

(Translated by Google) Although it takes your breath away, it's worth the effort. There you can discover an old world full of secrets. Read the signs in front of the fortress! I'm not a very active person, but I managed to get there, to enjoy the road, to admire the view, to get lost in the story of the fortress and to count all the 1480 steps to the descent Wonderful! (Original) Desi ti se cam taie respirația, merita efortul. Acolo poti descoperi o lume veche si plina de taine. Cititi panourile dinaintea cetatii! Nu sunt o persoana prea activa, dar am reusit sa ajung acolo, sa ma bucur de drum, sa admir privelistea, sa ma pierd in povestea cetatii si sa numar toate cele 1480 de trepte pana la coborare Minunat!

(Translated by Google) They are mostly ruins. We were lucky to come across a man who told us more about the fortress and the attacks of the Turks. Maintained stairs. Panoramic coin binoculars do not work. I think it would be great to have a 3D system to look at and see on the opposite hill Ottomans attacking or simply the army. (Original) Sunt ruine in mare parte. Am avut norocul de a da peste un om care ne-a povestit mai multe despre cetate si despre atacurile turcilor. Scarile intretinute. Binoclul panoramic cu monezi nu merge. Consider ca ar da super bine un sistem 3D prin care sa te uiti si sa vezi pe dealul opus Otomani care ataca sau pur si simplu armata.

(Translated by Google) History and nature. (Original) Istorie si natura.

(Translated by Google) Unfortunately it's a ruin. (Original) Din pacate e o ruina.

(Translated by Google) The road to there is actually experience. The 1480 steps. From above you can admire the landscape and that's about it. A little of the fortress has been preserved and activities are not to be done. (Original) Drumul pana acolo e de fapt experienta. Cei 1480 de pasi. De sus poti admira peisajul si cam atat. S-a pastrat putin din cetate si activitati nu sunt de facut.

(Translated by Google) EXCELLENT 😘😘 (Original) EXCELENT 😘😘

(Translated by Google) 👍👍👍👨🦯👍👍👍 (Original) 👍👍👍👨‍🦯👍👍👍

(Translated by Google) It is a pity that it is very difficult for us to obtain correct information. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays !!! (Original) Păcat că la noi este foarte greu să obții o informație corectă. Luni și marți este închis!!!

ok

(Translated by Google) Beautiful view (Original) Priveliște frumoasa

(Translated by Google) A little effort with many steps but once arrived the view is spectacular and the history of the citadel is extraordinary, witnesses of the battles of Wallachia. (Original) Un petit effort avec de nombreuses marches mais une fois arrivé la vue est spectaculaire et l'histoire de la citadelle est extraordinaire, temoins des batailles de Valachie.

(Translated by Google) The route through the forest is very pleasant, although it requires a dose of effort and ambition, it is worth climbing to the top. I recommend that you take a bottle of water with you for hydration. (Original) Traseul prin pădure este foarte plăcut, deși necesită o doză de efort și ambitie, merită urcat până la vârf. Vă recomand să luați o sticlă cu apă la voi pentru hidratare.

(Translated by Google) Poenari Fortress, the second residence of Vlad Țepeș, positioned on top of the mountain. To be able to visit it, you have to climb 1480 stairs, and the climbing time is between 30-45 minutes. It is worth visiting, especially for the landscape that makes its mark on this unforgettable experience. (Original) Cetatea Poenari a doua resedinta a lui Vlad Țepeș, poziționată în vârful muntelui. Pentru a o putea vizita, trebuie sa urcați 1480 de scări, iar timpul de urcare este între 30-45 de minute. Merita sa o vizitați, mai ales pentru peisajul care își pune amprenta pe aceasta experienta de neuitat.

Nice view an great history lesson

(Translated by Google) Distinguished by the location, the story and the fact that you have to make an effort to get there. Deserve. (Original) Deosebita prin locul de amplasare, povestea si faptul că ești obligat să faci un efort pentru a ajunge acolo. Merita.

(Translated by Google) An extraordinary landscape is revealed to the eyes, once you manage to reach the fortress, after climbing the 1440 steps. (Original) Un peisaj extraordinar se dezvăluie ochilor, odată ce reusesti sa ajungi in cetate, dupa ce urci cele 1440 de trepte.

(Translated by Google) Physical condition and determination, worth the effort, the view is indescribable and the horizon line reaches the hat, far! (Original) Conditie fizica si determinare, merita efortul, privelistea este de nedescris iar linia orizontului ajunge pana hat, departe!