When visiting Romania, everyone’s first thought is Bucharest, since it is the capital and it’s easily accessible from the airport. I do also suggest that, when you visit Romania, you take the time to visit other parts of the country as well. In my opinion, it’s the smallest cities and towns in Europe that always have a special charm, especially if you are into architecture or outdoor adventure. With this in mind, I would like to highlight a small mountain town in the north of Prahova County, in central Romania, named BuÈ™teni. Here are my top three reasons why you should consider taking the day trip from Bucharest to visit Busteni Romania along with some of the best things to do while you are there.
1. The commute is easy, simple and very cost effective from Bucharest
Bușteni is located at the bottom of the Bucegi Mountains and has a maximum altitude of 2505 m. Its population consists of 8,894 inhabitants.
You can rent a car and drive there, but I suggest for you to just catch a train which only takes 1 hr 49 mins. and costs around 22 LEI (€5). It’s only 147km away. Plus, you can better enjoy the scenery while lounging on the train (vs. driving). We left from the Gara de Nord train station in Bucharest (example of the route we took on the image below). NOTE: The train direction is towards Timisoara Nord.
Optional Directions by car: It can be reached by car driving along the DN 1 road (136 Km from Bucharest, 35 Km from Brasov). Fun Fact: Bușteni literally means tree-logs in Romanian and you will definitely see much of those as you near the destination.
You might also like: A day trip to Sighisoara, Romania from Brasov!
2. There’s a popular mountain resort with spectacular views all year round
BuÈ™teni’s average altitude is 900 m. It is one of the most popular mountain resorts, offering spectacular views, with lots of year-round tourism opportunities, ranging from skiing to mountain climbing, and hiking. There are beautiful waterfalls and, as you go up higher, you can also admire the wildlife. If you are not into hiking, you can go up in the Busteni cable car then enjoy the stunning views from the top. It is the perfect panorama for photo-op opportunities or to simply relax, breathe in some fresh air, and enjoy the tranquility.
Recommended: Is Ukraine Worth Visiting? 10 reasons why you need to visit Ukraine
3. It is believed to be a sacred, special place
At the top of Bucegi Mountain, there is this natural rock formation in the shape of a Sphinx which, based on comments from locals (especially people I met on the train), is considered to be a sacred place. Many people report having felt “vibrations” when visiting this mountain.
In the past, I felt a special, spiritual connection to the Covadonga Mountain in Asturias, Spain which is why I am not surprised by hearing someone experiencing this elsewhere. Everyone connects differently to certain places. This is the magic of traveling and discovering each place for yourself.
Another Favorite: Five of the best European cities for solo female travelers
In summary, if you are into nature, adventure, exploring small towns, watching spectacular views, creating new memories, Bușteni Romania is perfect for you! A day trip to Bușteni will take you from the hustle and bustle of city life to a heavenly, outdoor escape. Have you ever visit Busteni or other towns/cities in Romania? Share your experience below.
P.S. Watch and share our #TravelTuesday Video Series in partnership with Hiplatina.com
Enjoy reading this post? Save it for later on Pinterest!
The Bucegi Mountains are always spectacular, especially during winter season. Although , some hiking trails are just for experienced hikers, the snowy landscape is gorgeous!
It truly is beautiful! I felt in love with Romania <3
Did you learn any Romanian? Quite a few years ago a woman from Romania told me that if I know Spanish, it’s not a hard language to learn.
Yes I did learn some romanian. That woman was totally right. Romanian is similar to Spanish in many ways. It is a romance language. I was surprised at how many words they use, that we use too. Many times, people only understood me because I spoke to them in Spanish and not in English.
Wow. Romania is so beautiful. It is definitely on my bucket list. I just need to find a travel buddy! I love how beautiful the nature is, but would love to experience the food and meet the locals. And well, castles are my favorite thing ever, so that would keep me busy!
I want to go back. Let’s go <3
Pingback: 15 Beautiful Castles in Europe That Would Inspire Your Wanderlust
Next time you visit Bucharest i recommend you a Helicopter Tour over Dracula’s Castle departing from Bucharest. It is a proper way to arrive at a castle when someone is on the heels:-)
Sounds wonderful. I love the idea! ha. I did visit Dracula’s castle while in Romania 🙂