7 Best of Romania’s Hot Springs
Romania, a tapestry woven with ancient history, dramatic landscapes, and vibrant culture, also whispers secrets of hidden treasures. A land of captivating castles, rugged mountains, and vibrant culture, also whispers secrets of hidden treasures – natural hot springs.
These steaming sanctuaries, known as băi, beckon weary travelers with promises of relaxation, rejuvenation, and a glimpse into the country's rich thermal heritage.
Băile Herculane
Nestled in the Danubian Valley, Băile Herculane boasts the oldest Roman thermal baths still in use, dating back to the 2nd century AD! Legend attributes their discovery to Hercules himself, and whispers of emperors and warriors echo through the ancient ruins.
The inscription “Ad Aquas Herculis Sacras” from 153 AD testifies its long history. In Roman times already, aristocracy loved Baile Herculane for its healing waters.
For a modern feel, stay at Bacolux Afrodita where you can enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools and spas and their beautiful aesthetic glow. For more of a chalet feel stay at Pension Camelia with views of the mountains and river.
Baile Herculane is blessed with 16 thermal springs with different mineral characteristics.
Immerse yourself in sulfur-rich waters known for their detoxifying and pain-relieving properties. Calcium and magnesium add their melodies, promoting bone health and muscle relaxation.
Baile Herculane is the entrance to the beautiful Cerna Valley Domogled National Park offering a unique flora and fauna. You can find cirques and valleys nestled among the mountains along with sinkholes, pit caves, and typical caves. The Vanturatoaraca Waterfall features a single drop of approximately 196.85 feet (60 m). It is considered one of the most impressive waterfalls in the national park.
In May, every year, you can take part in the HCO (Herculane Climbing Open), one of the biggest international climbing competition that takes place in Romania.
Secret Tip: Skip the crowded main pools and explore the charming Peștera Claudius, a natural thermal cave offering a uniquely intimate bathing experience.
Best Time to Go: Spring (May-June) and autumn (September-October) offer comfortable temperatures and vibrant landscapes. Summer (July-August) can be crowded, while winter (December-February) brings a festive atmosphere but limited outdoor soaking.
Băile Felix
Romania's capital of Art Nouveau architecture, Oradea is located just eight miles east of the Romanian -- Hungarian border. At the turn of the 20th century, most of the town's old houses were built or re-decorated in the then-trendy architectural style from Vienna: "Secession". Richly decorated - pale pink, blue, green facades - enchants visitors. There are around 100 religious sites of different denominations in Oradea, including three synagogues and the biggest Baptist church in Eastern Europe.
This resort town nestled in the Apuseni Mountains boasts the largest thermal lake in Europe, adorned by vibrant lotus flowers. Immerse yourself in the warm, mineral-rich waters, said to have eased the ailments of Emperor Franz Joseph I.
Baile Felix area dates from the early 1600s when, monk Felix Helcher - administrator of Klosterbrucka monastery - founded a treatment centre named Felix's Baths.
Baile Felix is currently Romania's largest health spas town; over 8,000 hotel rooms welcome visitors from allover the world, year-round. Stay in Oradea at Astoria Grand Hotel only 328 feet from the State Theater and a 3-minute walk from the Moon Church.
The healing effects of the thermal waters are enhanced to the maximum, throughout the year, by the breeze coming from the Austrian Alps.
The waters are rich in sodium, potassium, and bicarbonates, known for their muscle-relaxing, skin-softening, and immune-boosting properties.
Secret Tip: Visit the AquaLand water park for a fun-filled day combining thermal pools, slides, and saunas.
Best Time to Go: Spring (May-June) and autumn (September-October) offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer (July-August) can be crowded, while winter (December-February) sees limited outdoor activities but festive events.
Lacul Roșu
This unique lake, Lacul Rosu, known for its vibrant red hue, holds a hidden geothermal gem: a natural pool fed by warm, mineral-rich waters. Immerse yourself in this breathtaking setting, surrounded by lush forests and dramatic mountain peaks.
Stay in one of the many chalets, such as the Pensiunea Hășmaș, surrounded by luxurious fir and beech forests and clear mountain waters, offering a superb natural setting for an escape to the mountains.
The lake's waters are rich in sulfur, calcium, and magnesium, offering potential benefits for detoxification, bone health, and muscle relaxation.
Secret Tip: Hike to the Șarul Dorului Waterfall, located nearby, for breathtaking views and a refreshing shower.
Best Time to Go: Summer (July-August) offers the warmest water temperatures and allows for enjoying the stunning scenery. Spring (May-June) and autumn (September-October) are also pleasant, but the water might be cooler.
Baile Tușnad
Nestled in the Hargita Mountains, this resort town boasts mineral-rich waters sourced from dormant volcanoes. Immerse yourself in the steaming pools, surrounded by breathtaking mountain landscapes.
Located in eastern Transylvania, Baile Tusnad and surroundings destination is the perfect choice for a rejuvenating cure for body and soul.
For a modern experience stay overnight at Hotel O3zone with Swedish buffet breakfast and dinner, as well as access to the swimming pool, jacuzzi, saunas and mini fitness room. For a cozy feel try the Fortuna Eco - Boutique Hotel with Finnish outdoor saunas and ski slopes within walking distance.
The town and the surrounding area are famous for their spas and mineral waters received from seven springs. Nearby is the Lake Sfânta Ana, a famous volcanic crater lake, the only one of its kind in Romania.
The waters are rich in sulfur, calcium, and magnesium, known for their detoxifying, skin-softening, and muscle-relaxing properties.
Enjoy nearby hiking and skiing, and be aware of the commonly sighted bears. Hike to Apor Tower (up to 20 minutes), Hawk Rock (up to 1h 30 minutes), and St Anne Lake (up to 4 hours).
Secret Tip: Visit the nearby Saint Anthony Waterfall for a refreshing dip after your soak.
Best Time to Go: Spring (May-June) and autumn (September-October) offer comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer (July-August) can be crowded, while winter (December-February) offers a winter wonderland experience but limited outdoor activities.
Ocna Sibiului
Dive into the unique experience of bathing in a natural saltwater lake, offering a powerful dose of minerals and a revitalizing escape. In town stay an one of the many guest houses.
Here you can find three major complex: Helios hotel and Spa (the one the pictures shown) the Ocna Sibiului Strand and the Ocna Sibiului public complex.
The first is a 4 star hotel with Spa (sauna, gym, turkish bath and inside salty pool) it is old style but nice, outside you have a salt water poll for summer, inside you can spend good time with healt treatments, mud massage and so on. During summer is the less crowdy, prices the highest. Let say that is the best solution for a week of relax and therapy for higher budget. Food is so and so.
The second one, Ocna Sibiului Strand is a restaurant and Spa, during winter you have internal salty pool (very very nice) with sauna, turkish bath and jacuzzi. Sauna is very good and two small pools with hot and cold (very cold) water are the perfect ending of your sauna! Must try! During summer you have salty lakes outside where you can swin or simply stay laying on the very salted water. Be careful the water it is not filtered as in a normal pool, seems dirty but considered the salt grade it is biologically ok, no risks, very nice feeling. Watch out during august could be crowdy, come early in the morning (08:00) or you will remain without space. This is the best solution for medium budget and facilities offered.
The third one is the "public" complex with lot of salty lakes, sandy beaches, bars and restaurants. It is open starting from May-June and become very crowdy when is hot. Is called the Sibiu sea! You can spend a full day here for very few money but be aware that is low-budget for everybody so be prepared do not expect too much.
Secret Tip: Combine your soak with a visit to the nearby Sibiu, a charming medieval town with vibrant history and culture.
Best Time to Go: Summer (July-August) offers the warmest water temperatures, but expect crowds. Spring (May-June) and autumn (September)
Baile Govora
This historical resort, once a favorite of Romanian royalty, boasts beautiful architecture and a serene atmosphere. Immerse yourself in the thermal waters, rich in sulfur, sodium, and magnesium, known for their detoxifying, muscle-relaxing, and skin-rejuvenating properties.
The first bathing facility was built between 1887 and 1889 under the leadership of the French engineer Papon de Larneigne. Equipped with 20 cabins and 2 pools, it was inaugurated on July 1, 1889. You can now stay there at Hotel Palace that features an on-site spa and treatment center, as well as an elegant restaurant with international cuisine.
The resort is located 21 km from Râmnicu Vâlcea, and can be reached on the DN67, Râmnicu Vâlcea-Horezu-Târgu Jiu. Băile Govora is the only resort in Romania where the ratio of positive to negative aeroions is equal to 1. Băile Govora is considered one of the richest resorts in iodized and brominated waters in the world, the second in Europe.
The waters of Govora contain up to 38.3 mg per thousand bromine and iodine up to 41.8 mg per thousand. Both iodine and bromine are of organic origin, resulting from the decay of small algae.
The calcium and magnesium that these waters contain in quite large quantities, i.e. calcium 15-3.3 per thousand and magnesium 0.77-1.05g per thousand, are due to sands and sandstones. Characteristic of the reservoir waters is also the presence of ammonium. These waters do not contain hydrogen sulphide, they are waters collected in wells at depths of 90 to 1860 metres.
Secret Tip: Visit the Mogoșoaia Palace, a stunning Renaissance palace located nearby.
Safety: Be aware of some inconsistencies in pool temperatures, especially in the older bathhouses.
Best Time to Go: Spring and autumn offer comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer can be hot and crowded, while winter brings limited outdoor activities.
Geoagiu Băi (Geoagiu Baths)
While in the Transylvania region, discover ancient Roman baths dating back to the 2nd century AD, offering a glimpse into the past. Soak in the sulfur-rich waters, known for their therapeutic benefits.
Located at the foot of the Metaliferi Mountains, at an altitude of just over 350 meters, on the river Geoagiu, the spa resort Geoagiu-Băi is one of the places where long time ago volcanoes erupted!
Stay nearby at the Hotel Germisara with a spa center with various therapies.
The fairytale landscape, with clean, strongly ozonated air, is completed by the miraculous properties of alkaline, slightly sulfurous, bicarbonate, magnesium thermo-mineral waters.
Thermae "Germisara", have almost the same shape as in antiquity, being dug in the "Roman embankment" (or "Roman hill"), a circular promontory with a diameter of about 100 meters, located right in the heart of the resort.
Inscriptions were discovered through archaeological excavations from the testimony of a Roman officer, who thanked the protective deities and Aesculapius (revered as a god of hot springs), especially, for the waters of these baths, which saved him from death.
Explore the nearby ruins of the Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa, a Roman city.
The waters are rich in sulfur, sodium, calcium, and magnesium, offering potential benefits for skin conditions, joint pain, and muscle relaxation.
Secret Tip: Visit the Cetățuia, a medieval fortress offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Best Time to Go: Spring (May-June) and autumn (September-October) offer pleasant temperatures and avoid peak summer crowds.
Are you traveling in other parts of Europe? Take a look at more hot springs in the United Kingdom, Poland, Albania, Serbia, Romania, Austria, Greece, Italy, and Spain.
