The Ultimate Guide to the Best Things to Do in Busteni, Romania

The Best Things to Do in Busteni, Romania

Bucharest, Romania’s capital, is an awesome city. There is a lot of history to absorb and food to consume, not to mention the diverse and beautiful architecture. So why would you want to leave? A day trip from Bucharest to Busteni should definitely be added to your Romania list. Leaving the city will give a fuller picture of the country as a whole. So why not visit a town surrounded in spectacular mountains and with loads to do. Read on to find out how easy it is to take a day trip from Bucharest to Busteni and discover the very best things to do in Busteni- including our practical tips!

How to get from Bucharest to Busteni

The easiest way to get to Busteni from Bucharest is by train. The train station is not far from the centre of Bucharest and can be found HERE. You can walk from the city centre in around 45 mins but this time we stayed in the Gare du Nord rgion of the city, only a 5 minute walk from the station.

The station is busy but not huge. We managed to located our platform relatively easily. We even had time to stop for a coffee en route. If you also have time, try Station Coffee House for tasty coffee and friendly service. It can be found here – Bulevardul Alexandru Ioan Cuza nr.49, București 011053, Romania

There are several trains from Bucharest to Busteni per day and it takes around 1.5 hours each way. It is possible to buy tickets at the station. However, to avoid the queues, buy your tickets online at CFR Călători. Our tickets cost around €10 each way but it varies depending on the type of train and the time of day. You can pay another couple of euros to upgrade to first class which is worth it if the train is busy!

The Town of Busteni

The town of Busteni is located deep into the Carpathian Mountains and sits at 850m above sea level. The scenery is spectacular everywhere you look. Many of the houses and hotels are built in a Germanic/Alpine style and the town is surrounded by mountains. Busteni is a popular resort town so there is a lot going on making it a perfect day trip from Bucharest.

Things to do in Busteni

Some of the activities in Busteni can be dependant on the time of year you visit. However, whenever you are in the town, you will find something amazing to do. If you enjoy hiking and nature you will find plenty of amazing things to do in Busteni! We usually only visit for the day from Bucharest. However, it is possible to spend the weekend, or even longer, in this amazing part of the country.

Things to do in Busteni – Ride the Cable Car

We took the Busteni Cable Car to Babele. Before our visit, we had read some pretty bad reviews about the length of time spent waiting in queues and the cost of the journey. We visited on a May weekend and shared the car with only 4 other people on the way up. However, it was uncharacteristically expensive for this area at 170lei (€35) for a return trip!

The journey took about 15 to 20 minutes each way and the scenery was stunning! The car was pretty old but well maintained and we really enjoyed the ride. At the top there are some fascinating rock formations and loads of hiking trails.

Go Hiking in the Mountains Around Busteni

There are a lot of beautiful hiking trails in and around Busteni. For the best trails appropriate for the time of year, always check the routes in advance.

We took the The Jepii Mici trail. This included the Babele and the Sphynx rock formations as well as Omu peak. We followed the yellow trail markings through the patchy snow and enjoyed some spectacular views!

Hit the Slopes

Fancy hitting the slopes? There are plenty of options for skiing and snowboarding in this part of Romania. The prices are also very low compared to western Europe with a day pass costing around €30. The slopes are usually open from December to March and there are plenty of different runs, especially for beginners.

Visit Urlatoarea Waterfall

These noisy falls are 15m tall and are a spectacular site in the Busteni area. There is a 1 hour return hike beginning at Telecabinei Street. It is a relatively easy hike with beautiful scenery. However, due to the remote nature of the trail, there is a danger of bears in the off season and relevant precautions should be taken.

Things to do in Busteni – Caraiman Monastery

This modern Monastery is a tranquil location and a beautiful place to visit in Busteni. It was founded in 1998 by Gherontie Puiu, a local priest. He was sent to the Sinaia Sanatorium due to illness. Here, he dreamed of the Virgin Mary. In his dream, she told him: “You will find a Christmas tree with six branches, next to flowing water, on a plateau where the Caraiman Cross can be seen. There you must make the Monastery!”

After the priest recovered, he dutifully went to the location described in his dream. There he did indeed find a Christmas tree and so he began construction of the Monastery.

There is also a beautiful wooden church next to the monastery.

Take a Short Train Ride to Sinaia

Jump on the train heading south from Busteni. In under 20 minutes you will arrive in Sinaia. Here you will find more amazing hiking, food, castles and fascinating history.

Things to do in Busteni – Visit the Town of Brasov

The historic town of Brasov is also within easy reach of Busteni. This time, head north and ride the train for around an hour. Brasov offers beautiful scenery, amazing food and, of course, Bran Castle.

Where to eat in Busteni

There is so much great food to sample on your day trip from Bucharest to Busteni. We spent most of our time in the hills so didn’t get much of a chance to sample the cuisine. However, Restaurant Forest comes highly recommended. And if you’re looking for a quick breakfast, stop for a crepe at Clatite Uriase Busteni for a delicious sweet treat!

The Weather in Busteni

May to September is generally pretty warm and sunny – around 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 25 degrees Celsius (77°F). July and August are the warmest with June having the highest chance of rain. Beware of thunderstorms in July and August.

The winter months are cold and often snowy – especially in the mountains. December to March are the busiest months for skiing in Busteni.

What to pack for your Trip

We have put together a convenient packing list for your day trip from Bucharest to Busteni.

• Hiking boots or shoes
• Backpack with waterproof cover
• Snacks (bars, chews, trail mix, sandwiches)
• Water bottle
• Weather appropriate clothing such as windbreaker, hiking socks, buff/hat, and fleece. Make sure to wear layers to account for the changing conditions
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
• Phone (plus power bank if required)
• Decent camera with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
• Cash
• Train tickets (if pre booked)

How long to spend in Busteni

If you are taking a day trip from Bucharest to Busteni, it is a good idea to get an early start. There is plenty to keep you entertained for a few days if you have the time. However, it is also possible to get a good feel for the area in one day.

Is Busteni expensive?

Busteni is a busy resort town. However, the prices are very much cheaper than other European resorts. For example, our train ticket from Bucharest to Busteni cost around €10 each way, a bowl of traditional soup with bread was roughly €2, the ticket to ride the Gondola cost about €.

Where to Next?

Want some more Romanian hiking inspiration? Try our post about the Hiking and History around Brasov.

Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. As a result, we would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.

Have you visited Romania or any other Balkan countries? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!

The Best Things to Do in Busteni, Romania