Salina Praid

4.4(13,717 reviews)Strada Minei 44, 537240 Praid, România

Praid Salt Mine, in the heart of Székely Land, is one of Romania's most visited salt mines, worked since Roman times. Visitors descend by bus through a long gallery to around 120 metres underground, into a vast, cool world where the temperature stays constant year-round. The underground space has playgrounds, a chapel, a small museum, cafés, a salt lake and even concert areas, but the main reason to visit remains the saline air, used therapeutically for respiratory conditions.

Above, in the Salt Valley, you can see the Salt Mountain, a spectacular outcrop where salt breaks the surface. Praid is an ideal outing in any weather, especially for families with children, and combines easily with the nearby resort of Sovata. Bring a warmer layer — it is cool below — and check access times, which may change by season.

Buy tickets (Tiqets)Official website View on map

Frequently asked questions

Where is Salina Praid?+

Salina Praid is located at Strada Minei 44, 537240 Praid, România, in Sovata.

Is Salina Praid worth visiting?+

Yes — it holds a 4.4/5 rating from 13,717 visitor reviews.

Do I need to book tickets for Salina Praid?+

Popular sights can sell out — booking ahead online saves queuing.

What else is near Salina Praid?+

Nearby you'll find Băile Sovata, Muntele de Sare Praid, Lacul Ursu Sovata.

Keep exploring

More of Sovata

Explore Sovata

See in Sovata

See all →

Spa

Băile Sovata

Sovata Baths is one of the most renowned spa resorts of Transylvania, built around the string of salt lakes formed on the salt massif at the foot of the Gurghiu Mountains, in Mureș County. The star of the resort is Bear Lake, the largest heliothermic lake in Europe, whose waters, heated at depth owing to differences in salinity, reach high temperatures in summer, to the delight of bathers. Alongside it, Black Lake and the other salt lakes complete the therapeutic offer, feeding treatments based on concentrated saltwater and sapropelic mud, recommended for gynaecological, rheumatic and peripheral nervous system conditions. The resort earned its fame as early as the late nineteenth century, when villas of characteristic architecture began to rise among the woods. Today Sovata combines its spa tradition with modern hotels and wellness centres, arranged beaches and walking trails. Surrounded by forested hills, it is a destination for relaxation and treatment prized in every season.

4.7(127 reviews)

Nature

Muntele de Sare Praid

The Salt Mountain at Praid is an impressive natural phenomenon in the Szekler land, a mass of rock salt emerging at the surface that bears witness to the immense salt deposits lying underground in the area, exploited since ancient times, as far back as the Roman period. At the surface, the greyish-white salt shaped by rain forms crests, grooves and curious shapes, while the water flowing among them gives rise to salty streams and small pools of brine. The phenomenon is closely linked to the famous Praid Salt Mine nearby, one of the largest in Europe, used both for salt extraction and for the therapeutic treatment of respiratory ailments. The distinctive landscape, with rare vegetation adapted to the salty soil, makes it a remarkable geological objective. Practical note: the visit combines naturally with descending into the Praid Salt Mine and exploring the nearby resort of Sovata, renowned for its salty Bear Lake; comfortable footwear is recommended.

4.5(2,430 reviews)

Spa

Lacul Ursu Sovata

Lake Ursu in the resort of Sovata is the largest heliothermic lake in Europe and the main spa attraction of this area of Transylvania. Its name comes from its shape, which recalls an outstretched bear skin, and its most important feature is the phenomenon of heliothermy: the layer of fresh water at the surface lets the sun's rays warm the deeper, saltier layers, which can reach high temperatures even when the surface is cool. The lake formed after the collapse of a salt massif, and its high salinity and therapeutic mud earned it fame as a treatment resort, especially for gynaecological and rheumatic conditions. Beach facilities, bathing areas, and treatment bases developed around it from the end of the nineteenth century. Visitors can bathe in the salty water and benefit from the properties of the mud. It is advisable to follow the resort's rules on time spent in the concentrated water.

4.5(2,092 reviews)