To say that Romania is a salt-rich country would be an understatement. With a salt mining history spanning over 2000 years, visiting salt mines in Romania makes sense.
Dacians were mining for salt even before the Roman conquest and later became Rome’s supplier, making it such a commodity that some of the soldiers’ wages were even paid in salt. Fast-forward to medieval times, when it was considered ‘white gold’ and had become crucial in trade.
After it was proven that the air in salt exploitations had health benefits, former and some still operational mines are now main attractions, hosting spas, wellness centers, crafts and play areas, and museums. Although there are enough man-made reasons to wonder at the salt mine excursions, the natural beauty and the underground landscapes will still primarily take your breath away.
What to Expect in a Romanian Salt Mine
Although the idea of a salt mine is generally the same – an extensive underground salt exploitation, each of the most popular mines in Romania has its attractions. However, if we were to break it down into one formula to know better what to expect, it would look like this:
- An impressive underground excavation, usually accessible by car or lift, depending on the specific structure of each mine.
- Guided tours and museums, along with a whole range of activities, spanning from leisure activities for regulars who come in as often as possible to take in the salty air and to lounge, catch up on some reading, and even spend time with friends, to more exciting activities for one-time visitors of all ages. You will find an amusement park, boat rides, spas, pool tables, and more if the space allows.
- The temperature inside most salt mines in Romania is a steady 12- 13 degrees Celsius or 53- 55 degrees Fahrenheit, regardless of the season. If you are visiting in summer, bring some warm clothes. Also, note that everything around you will be made of salt, including the floor, which may have polished patches from all the people walking over it every day, not to mention rough spots. Comfortable flat shoes, preferably laced, are recommended.
- It’s best to avoid taking food inside, as it might alter the air quality in the mine. Of course, one small snack would not, but hundreds of people having picnics in the same enclosed space would. Water and soft drinks are not a problem.
Health Benefits of Visiting Romanian Salt Mines
You might wish to visit the salt mines in Romanian for a fun and different experience, but you will hear the locals raving about the fantastic health benefits of salt therapy. Also known as halotherapy, the procedure implies breathing in air infused with tiny salt particles. Salt contains sodium chloride, manganese, calcium, and sulfate, and the mineral-rich cocktail you breathe in just by being inside a salt mine is beneficial for respiratory health.
This type of therapy is more prevalent in Eastern Europe, where there are salt lakes where people go for wet salt therapy and leave the resorts rejuvenated. While dipping into salty water is good for the joints, bones, and overall health, the main benefits of dry salt therapy and spending time in salt mines are on the respiratory front and for stress relief.
You will notice people undergoing specific medical treatments in some wellness centers located in salt mines. Some immediate reactions to dry salt therapy are clearing the sinuses, reducing inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, and reducing mucus production. Conditions such as asthma and other lung problems may improve long-term.
Now, let’s see which are the most interesting and popular salt mines to visit in Romania.
1. Salina Turda
It is believed that salt exploitation in Turda began during the Roman occupation when the settlement was called Potaissa. Unfortunately, the caving in of the more significant medieval mining works completely erased the traces of the earlier miners. The Middle Ages also saw the start of salt mining in a form closer to today’s definition of this activity. In 1271, the Turda Salt Mine was mentioned in official documents as an essential salt supplier for the entire region.
Today, the mine is one of the most appealing tourist attractions for locals and international tourists.
A visit to the Turda Salt Mine is a unique experience for visitors of all ages. Where else can you ride a Ferris Wheel at 42 meters underground? Yes, you read that right. An amusement park is built in the Rudolph Chamber. Beautiful light installations hang overhead, and you can take in the salty air while you bowl, play some sports, play billiards, or play tennis. Children have their playground with slides.
Right below this level, you can see the Theresa Mine Lake and rent a boat to go on a ride. Have you ever imagined rowing in an enclosed space, deep underground, surrounded by artificial light and the smell of salt heavy in the air? This would be your chance.
Less active visitors can visit the museum, enjoy a show in the amphitheatre, or opt for salt therapy in the therapy rooms. The guided tours of the different chambers are both educational and entertaining. The Echo Chamber is the kids’ favorite. The shaft is 115 meters deep, and due to its shape, the sound reverberates and is repeated up to 20 times.
Cluj Top Attractions: Turda Salt Mine, Alba Iulia Citadel & Rimetea Village
Start from: Cluj-Napoca (pick-up)
Visiting hours are Monday through Sunday, from 9 AM to 5 PM; the last entry is at 4 PM. Fees are 60 lei for adults on weekends and legal holidays and 50 lei from Monday through Friday. Children, pensioners, people with disabilities, and groups get discounts. The individual tariffs for each activity are mentioned on the website.
Remember to bring a jacket and comfortable footwear. The main chamber has a lift, but there are also stairs—all 13 flights. Depending on your physical condition, the stairs may be challenging, but they are excellent exercise.
If you want to complete the experience with some wet salt therapy, the Durgau Lakes are the perfect place. Located outside the mine but in the same complex, the Ocnei and Rotunda lakes near the mine were formed on the location of caved-in former salt mines. The chlorosodium mineral water in these lakes is good for treating rheumatic diseases and peripheral circulation disorders.
Access to this recreation area for bathing is 25 Lei a day for adults and 15 Lei for children and pensioners. This is a great day trip from when you are visiting Cluj, in the West of the country, as it is only 46 minutes away.
2. Slanic Prahova Salt Mine
The Slanic Mine in Prahova County dates back to the 17th century when salt deposits were first noticed. The modern exploitation sites opened around 1852 and have a specific trapezoidal chamber profile, making every visit impressive.
Some might even refer to the Slanic Mines as the Unirea Salt Mine. It opened in 1943, underneath the original chambers dug in the 18th century. Due to its exceptional natural conditions and strong aerosols, the mine has been open for tourists since 1970.
Only 100 km away from Bucharest, this is an ideal day trip from the capital. You will go down a narrow mine shaft via bus. There is no other way of getting in or out of the mine. The journey toward the chambers might be a bit problematic for claustrophobic visitors, so make sure to take this into account. Once you reach 208 in-depth, you are left to explore.
One of the things that impresses people the most is the size of the chambers. The space was generous enough to construct a small history museum and several sports fields (football, volleyball, handball, tennis), a children’s playground, a karting area, and other leisure facilities. Salt sculptures, surrounded by elements specific to Dacians and Romans, can be admired in the Unirea mine and the Genesis hall. They are tributes to the Dacian and Roman leaders, Decebal and Traian.
A visit to Slanic Prahova is most beneficial for people with respiratory problems. The microclimate inside the “palace of salt” is unique. The air has a very high salt concentration and no vegetal or other allergens.
The mine is closed to visitors from Monday to Wednesday. It opens from Thursday to Sunday at 9 AM. The last bus leaves at 15:30, and the last bus leaves at 16:30. Tickets cost 45 to 55 Lei, and they can even be purchased online in advance on partner websites.
3. Praid Salt Mine
Around 400,000 people visit the Praid Salt Mine annually, many for health benefits and relaxation. The mine, some 120 meters deep, boasts an extended leisure area with medical treatment areas, a playground, a chapel, a coffee shop, small gift shops, and even a restaurant. There is plenty of room and space to sit back, relax, and breathe healthy, salty air.
The Praid Swimming Pool is another popular destination for people who visit the salt mine. A dip in the salty waters is beneficial for joints and circulation. However, as it is an exclusively outdoor pool, it is only open in summer and when the weather allows it.
The mine is accessible by bus (two shuttles every hour), and there are another 200 steps to climb until you reach the main chamber. People suffering from tuberculosis, claustrophobia, elevated blood pressure, and acute respiratory diseases, among other conditions, should skip this visit.
The average temperature inside the mine is 16 degrees. Ticket prices vary between 45 and 55 Lei. Animals of any kind are strictly forbidden. Praid is located in Harghita County, one hour from Targu Mures City and one hour and a half away from Miercurea Ciuc.
4. Ocnele Mari Salt Mine
The Ocnele Mari Salt Mine is located in Valcea County, 8 km from Ramnicu Valcea and less than 3 hours from Bucharest. I strongly recommend a visit here because we found evidence of salt exploitation as early as the Neolithic, continuing into the Iron and Bronze Ages, and even later, in Dacian times. The Buridava Dacian fortress was located in the area, and its ruins can be visited.
The chamber became a tourist attraction in 2009 when exploitation ceased, and it was opened to the public. It has volleyball, basketball, football, tennis courts, pool tables, mini-golf, playgrounds for children, and even a skating ring. The place is designed for relaxation and exercise. When you have an appetite, you can try the restaurant or grab a snack from the store.
The average temperature in the Ocnele Mari Salt Mine is 13 – 15 degrees Celsius, and the air humidity is 50%. Access is made by bus, and there are two shuttles every hour. The ride takes about 10 minutes.
Visitation is usually possible Monday through Sunday, from 10 AM to 4 PM on weekdays and 5 PM on weekends. However, the schedule may be subject to change, so I recommend checking the website, which keeps updated schedule information. Ticket prices vary between 45 and 55 Lei.
5. Cacica Salt Mine
The Cacica Salt Mine in Bucovina, Suceava County, has a rich history. But is it worth the 2-hour car ride from Iasi or the 7-hour car ride from Bucharest? I’ll let you decide.
This is one of the oldest salt mines, as exploitation started in the 15th century. A visit to the Cacica Salt Mine is like a trip back in time. You must go down a long flight of wooden stairs covered in salt to gain access inside the mine. The staircase dates back 200 years, and it is surprisingly sturdy. The first thing you will notice is the Saint Varvara Chapel, built by the miners for protection while they are inside the mine. It was created in 1806, and miners would pray for protection upon entering the mine and give thanks upon leaving. An Orthodox Chapel was later created as well.
Other main attractions include the Brine Lake (Lacul Sarat), which has a small raft covered in salt in the middle. Miners dug the lake for the brine, and the small boat transported participants to events held inside the mine. What type of events could be held inside a mine? Balls, because the Cacica Salt Mine has a dance hall at a depth of 37 meters. The large room has chandeliers and three balconies sculpted directly into the salt.
Visitors can also visit the machinery museum, work out at the gym, play football, and spend some time in the Echo Room at the end of the tour. This vast, 44-meter-deep room was once used as a storage facility.
Apart from salt, the mine has an odd smell: petrol. If you get easily nauseous, you should reconsider this trip or at least decide once you are there, as you can feel it outside. Also, note that the smell lingers on clothes after visitation.
The mine is open year-round from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Sunday. Tickets cost 5 to 10 Lei.
6. Targu Ocna Salt Mine
The Targu Ocna Salt Mine is located in Bacau County, four hours away from Bucharest. It is 240 meters deep in the ground. The mine promises visitors the best conditions for relaxation, sports practice, and respiratory issues treatments provided by the staff. The main attraction is the Saint Varvara Church, built in 1992 and the only one in Europe made entirely of salt.
Children can access fully equipped playgrounds, and adults have pool tables, slot machines, and recreation areas. For more excitement, you can visit outside and spend some time at the outdoor saltwater swimming pool.
The visiting hours are 7 AM to 5 PM daily. Company buses provide access. The ticket price is 18 Lei for adults and 9 Lei for children.
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Salt mines in Romania are places where visitors can learn more about how this valuable resource gets from the mine to our tables. The history of exploitation and how it influenced nearby communities is just as appealing.
In addition to the health benefits and leisure and sports facilities, each visit makes for a great day trip accessible from most of the prominent Romanian cities.
