Visiting Breaza
Breaza is a small spa town in Romania, situated at the edge of the Prahova Valley. The town's name likely comes from the Slavic word Breza, meaning birch forest. The town sits in the middle of a heavily forested landscape that offers plenty of options for hiking, cycling, or horseback riding. It is known for its air quality and numerous sulfur-rich mineral springs, which paved the way for its development as a therapeutic spa destination. It was officially designated a spa town in 1928, and became a full-fledged town in 1952 after the merger of the villages Podu Vadului and Breaza de Sus. Many notable Romanians have kept vacation homes here. Recently, the town added an 18-hole golf course, Lac de Verde, which has become a draw for affluent visitors.
A spa town in Romania
Breaza is home to several spa institutes focused on treating nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular conditions. Historically, it was frequented by figures such as Grigore Alexandrescu, Ion Ghica, and the French-Romanian poet Anna de Noailles. The princely Brâncoveanu family of Wallachia, who owned the land, drove much of its development throughout the 19th century. They commissioned several mansions and palaces, as well as an English-style garden that remains today, the Parc Brâncoveanu, filled with centuries-old trees.
Breaza is a classic example of a Prahova Valley town, characterized by houses featuring carved verandas supported by elegant wooden pillars, as seen at the maison Alexandru Bondoc. You can also visit the Sfântul Nicolae church, built in 1777 and decorated with interior frescoes. The town has maintained its traditional crafts, some of which are showcased in the small local folk art museum. The collection includes period costumes, tools, and various historical artifacts.
Castles of the Prahova Valley
From Breaza, you are well-positioned to visit the famous castles of the Prahova Valley, which sits on the historic border between Wallachia and Transylvania. You can tour Peles Castle in Sinaia, the former residence of King Carol I. Built in a German Renaissance style, it contains 160 rooms. A bit higher in elevation, near the mountain resort of Busteni, you will find the Cantacuzino Palace. It is rich in baroque ornamentation and currently serves as a museum dedicated to the classical composer George Enescu.
Heading further north, venture across the Bucegi mountain range to the village of Bran. Perched on a hilltop here is Bran Castle, which inspired the setting of Dracula in the novels of Bram Stoker.
When to visit
The best time to visit Breaza, explore the Prahova Valley, and go hiking in the Carpathians is between May and September.
How to get there
Breaza is conveniently located along the DN1 road, which links Bucharest to Brasov. It is also accessible by train, a trip that takes about 2 hours from Bucharest.
It is a small town near Bucharest located in the Prahova Valley where you can experience healthy Romanian cuisine, you can relax, and you can also visit the two most beautiful castles in Romania, Peles and Bran. Here you can go for health walks, bike rides, or go to the spa.