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- Zărnești
Zărnești
The town at the foot of Piatra Craiului: the Zărnești Gorge and Plaiul Foii are a few kilometres away, and the Libearty bear sanctuary welcomes visitors all year, Tuesday to Sunday.
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What to see in Zărnești
Things to see, picked to fill a whole day.
1Limestone gorgePrăpăstiile Zărneștilor
The gorge section in the north-east of Piatra Craiului: a 1.7 km limestone corridor with vertical walls, crossed by a forest road and marked paths.
Valea Prăpăstiilor, pe teritoriul comunei Moieciu, la limita cu Zărnești; la circa 6 km de centru
2Bear sanctuarySanctuarul de urși Libearty
A 69-hectare oak and hazel forest where more than 130 brown bears rescued from captivity live; visits are guided only, in the morning.
În pădurea de lângă Zărnești, cu intrarea pe teritoriul comunei Vulcan; la 9 km de centru pe drum
3Mountain meadowPlaiul Foii
The meadow at the foot of the western slope of Piatra Craiului, at about 845 m, where the road up the Bârsa Mare valley ends and the trails to the ridge begin.
Valea Bârsei Mari, la capătul drumului, la 11 km de centru
4Mountain trail and hutFântâna lui Botorog și Cabana Curmătura
The Fântâna lui Botorog spring, on the road from Zărnești to Măgura, is the starting point for the Curmătura hut (1,470 m) below Piatra Mică.
Fântâna lui Botorog e la 3,6 km de centru pe drum (comuna Moieciu, la limita cu Zărnești); cabana e la 1.470 m, doar pe jos
5National park and visitor centreParcul Național Piatra Craiului și centrul de vizitare
The Piatra Craiului National Park visitor centre, opened in 2016 on the edge of Zărnești on the road to Plaiul Foii: an interactive exhibition about the mountain, plus information and tickets for the park.
Strada Toplița, pe drumul spre Plaiul Foii, la 2,3 km de centru
Where to eat in Zărnești
Meals worth the trip.
- 1Traditional restaurant
Casa Rustică
A restaurant serving Romanian food on the main street of Zărnești, with a dining room and a terrace.
Strada Mitropolit Ion Mețianu, la circa 500 m de centrul vechi - 2Bistro
Jimmy's Corner
A bistro in the centre of Zărnești serving chicken wings, chips, pasta, pizza and Romanian dishes, open from the morning.
Centru, strada Dr. Tiberiu Spârchez, la 200 m de Biserica Sf. Nicolae - 3Traditional restaurant with rooms
Restaurant Transilvania
A restaurant serving traditional Transylvanian food at Vila Transilvania, with views towards the Bucegi and Piatra Craiului and a large car park.
Strada Ciucaș, în nord-estul orașului, la circa 3 km de centru - 4Restaurant with terrace
Padina Craiului
A restaurant serving Romanian food on the road to Plaiul Foii, with a terrace facing Piatra Craiului and a children's playground.
Strada Toplița, pe drumul spre Plaiul Foii, lângă Centrul de vizitare, la 2,2 km de centru - 5Restaurant and pizzeria
Orașul de sub munte
A restaurant with Romanian and European dishes and pizza in the old centre of Zărnești, with a dining room and a terrace.
Centrul vechi, strada Mitropolit Ion Mețianu, la 200 m de Biserica Sf. Nicolae
Where to stay in Zărnești
Places to sleep well, picked for comfort and location.
- 1Villa with restaurant and spa
Vila Hora cu Brazi
A 3-star villa on the edge of Zărnești, towards Piatra Craiului, with the Cetiniș restaurant, a sauna, a hot tub and a small farm. The same grounds have four converted wagons to sleep in, called Nomad.
Strada Râului, spre Gura Râului, la 1,4 km de centru - 2Guesthouse with shared kitchen
Maricom Home
A 3-star guesthouse on the road to Plaiul Foii, with family rooms with private bathrooms, a shared kitchen, a garden and a barbecue area.
Strada Toplița, pe drumul spre Plaiul Foii, la 1,1 km de centru - 3Guesthouse
Șura Pietrei Craiului
A guesthouse on Strada Avram Iancu, a few minutes' walk from the centre, with a garden, a terrace and free parking.
Strada Avram Iancu, în sudul orașului, la 600 m de centru - 4Mountain lodge
Cabana Plaiul Foii
The lodge at Plaiul Foii, at about 845 m below the western slope of Piatra Craiului, with 15 rooms and a restaurant serving traditional food.
Plaiul Foii, la capătul drumului pe Valea Bârsei Mari, la 11,6 km de centru - 5Apartment
Apartament Ramonte
A one-bedroom apartment with a living room in a block of flats in Zărnești, with a fitted kitchen, a washing machine and a balcony with a mountain view.
Strada 1 Decembrie 1918, în nordul orașului, la circa 2 km de centru
Frequently asked questions
What to see in Zărnești?
We recommend Prăpăstiile Zărneștilor (limestone gorge, Valea Prăpăstiilor, pe teritoriul comunei Moieciu, la limita cu Zărnești; la circa 6 km de centru): It is the best-known gorge in Piatra Craiului and an easy walk on a forest road, fine for children too. Other picks: Sanctuarul de urși Libearty, Plaiul Foii, Fântâna lui Botorog și Cabana Curmătura and Parcul Național Piatra Craiului și centrul de vizitare.
Where to eat in Zărnești?
We recommend Casa Rustică (traditional restaurant, Strada Mitropolit Ion Mețianu, la circa 500 m de centrul vechi): It scores 4.4 on Google from more than 3,100 reviews, the most of any restaurant in town. Other picks: Jimmy's Corner, Restaurant Transilvania, Padina Craiului and Orașul de sub munte.
Where to stay in Zărnești?
We recommend Vila Hora cu Brazi (villa with restaurant and spa, Strada Râului, spre Gura Râului, la 1,4 km de centru): It scores 9.1 on Booking from more than 450 reviews, and the Nomad wagons on the same grounds score 9.8 from more than 130. Other picks: Maricom Home, Șura Pietrei Craiului, Cabana Plaiul Foii and Apartament Ramonte.
How far is Zărnești from Brașov?
About 30 km by road from Brașov.
How do you choose the places?
For each category we pick at most five places and check them: they exist, they are open and they are worth the trip. We take no money to list a place.