Băile Herculane

One of Europe's oldest spa towns, founded by the Romans around thermal springs in a dramatic river valley. Its faded Habsburg-era baths and Belle Époque architecture give it a hauntingly romantic atmosphere.

Things to do

• Soak in thermal spa waters — Băile Herculane's sulphurous thermal springs have drawn bathers since Roman times and remain the town's main attraction at the modern spa hotels.
• See the Hercules Statue — The iconic bronze statue of Hercules, cast in 1847 from cannons, stands in the central square and is the town's enduring symbol.
• Explore the abandoned Neptune Baths — Wander the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the Belle Époque Neptune Baths, a decaying Habsburg-era masterpiece by the Cerna River.
• Visit the Roman thermal baths ruins — See the remains of the ancient Roman baths, the Thermae Herculi, that gave the resort its two-thousand-year history.
• Hike to the Grota cu Aburi — Trek up to the steam cave, a natural grotto where warm sulphurous vapours rise from the mountainside.
• Walk the Cerna River promenade — Stroll the riverside promenade beneath dramatic limestone cliffs, past faded 19th-century villas and old bathhouses.
• Hike in Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park — Explore forested trails and rare flora in Romania's oldest national park surrounding the resort.
• Find the Sisters' Cross viewpoint — Climb to the Crucea Ghizelei viewpoint for a panorama over the town and the Cerna valley.

Food to try

• Ciorbă de burtă — A sour tripe soup rich with garlic and cream, a beloved Romanian comfort dish served in local restaurants.
• Trout from the Cerna — Fresh mountain trout (păstrăv) caught in the cold river waters, often grilled and served simply with polenta.
• Mămăligă cu brânză și smântână — Cornmeal polenta topped with local sheep's cheese and sour cream, a hearty Banat staple.
• Sarmale — Cabbage rolls stuffed with minced pork and rice, slow-cooked and served with polenta and sour cream.
• Țuică and pălincă — Strong homemade plum brandy from the surrounding hills, offered as a warming welcome or digestif.
• Papanași — Fried dough doughnuts topped with sour cream and forest berry jam, a classic Romanian dessert.

Local customs & good to know

• Bring water shoes and a towel — Many thermal pools and river spots have slippery or rocky surfaces, so proper footwear makes soaking safer.
• The old town is faded, not abandoned — Respect the decaying historic baths as fragile heritage; they are unstable ruins rather than safe playgrounds.
• Cash is handy in the old center — Smaller cafes, kiosks, and vendors may not accept cards, so carry some Romanian lei.
• Come for the shoulder seasons — Spring and autumn offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and the most atmospheric light on the Belle Époque facades.

Nearby

• Danube Gorges (Cazanele Dunării) — 30 km
• Bigăr Waterfall — 38 km
• Semenic Mountains — 43 km
• Tismana Monastery (Oltenia) — 47 km