Go bear-watching

The Piatra Craiului National Park is ideal for all kinds of outdoor pursuits, from observing animals in the wild to guided walks and sporting activities such as climbing and caving. These are organized by various local agencies, mostly members of the Association of Ecotourism in Romania dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable tourism development. Romania is known as Europe’s last wilderness reserve, and there are lots of guided tours that take you to see brown bears in their natural habitat. Alternatively, you can visit the Libearty Bear Sanctuary in Zarnesti, a village located in the Piatra Craiului Mountains, which are part of the Southern Carpathians mountains range. One of the best things to do in Romania is bear-watching - especially brown bears of which we have the largest population in Europe.

The most popular is bear-watching, which is now offered by dozens of companies, as well as some accommodation providers, though the following come highly recommended: Carpathian Nature Tours or Discover Romania. You’ll typically be taken up to a forest hide at dusk, and although patience is key (which is why it’s unsuitable for young children), there’s about an eighty percent chance of seeing a brown bear in its natural habitat. Discover the Romanian Carpathian where over 5500 bears roam, on a wildlife-watching adventure. Admire species like lynx, wolves, and bear from a special observation hide.