DETAILS OF 72 CAMPSITES IN ROMANIA

Much of this list (in Dutch) was initially given to us and other campers by Tudor and Manette Dragai, the Romanian/Dutch couple who run the excellent Camping De Oude Wilg in the village of Carta, 45 km east of Sibiu, 3 km off the E68– see entry under Jud Sibiu. We undertand that their list was originally developed from that published by the Dutch website: www.campings-in-roemenie.nl.

We have translated the list (as best we can) and added details of other campsites we have come across. Thanks to Jane & George Swindail for their information on four sites and to Keith & Jenny Dear for another on their way back from Turkey.

Many of the best campsites are owned and managed by a Dutch/Romanian couple. The list is arranged by JUD (County), in alphabetical order, followed by the Name of the town and the Name of the campsite. We have indicated those we have visited personally with asterisks **. The Romanian for 'Campsite' is 'Popas Turistic'.

The older Romanian-run sites usually have wooden cabins to rent and are more suited to camping in tents or small vans. However, they often have a place where a larger motorhome can park and are very willing to run an electric cable to a socket somewhere around the site! There will be a fresh-water point and toilets/showers, though you may sometimes prefer to use your own. The price, where quoted (in Euros), is for a motorhome, 2 adults plus electricity. You can pay in Romanian New Lei if preferred (about 3.5 to the Euro, or 5 to the Pound). Credit cards are rarely accepted.

If you know any other good camping addresses in Romania, or you can help to update this list, please let us (Margaret and Barry) know. You can contact us through this website or email direct to: . Your contribution will be acknowledged in the website.

The Dutch site www.campings-in-roemenie.nl also lists many campsites in Romania, albeit only in Dutch and German.

JUD ALBA

**Garbova (Dutch): Poarta Oilor. E68 Sibiu-Alba Julia. At Miercurea Sibiului turn left for Garbova, 5 km. On left, entering village. Str Mihai Eminescu 573. Motel, restaurant, camping and outdoor pool. Washing and drying machines. Open all year. Heated facilities. Some English spoken; fluent in German and Dutch. (Highly recommended from our visit in 2006.) Email . Visit www.guest-house-urwegen.com. (Urwegen = Saxon name for Garbova.) Tel 0258 748001 or 0744 392503. €15 in 2006.

Note: In summer 2008 we heard that this campsite had a change of management and may be closed.

Warning: The campsite in Arad itself was closed down in 2003 and is now a tennis club! But there is a TIR lorry park on the outskirts of the city, on the left of the main road in from Timisoara: good for a safe night.

Lipova: Baile Lipova. E68 Arad-Deva. 24 km east of Arad in Lipova follow Sistarovat direction. Camping just outside Lipova at a spa. Str Lugojului 50.

Minis (Dutch): Route Roemenie. E68 Arad-Deva. At Paulis turn left for Ohioroc.

JUD ARGES

Rucar (Dutch): Panorama. E574 Brasov-Pitesti. Camping lies in a mountain pass between Podu Dambovita and Rucar. Str Brasovolui 219.

Camping Comarnic Dragos Keith Dear was kind enough to give us the following information in December 2010:  "A delightful small site useful for those traveling the treacherous Transfagarasan road.  The site seems to be financed (at least partly) by Belgians, & operated by Romanians.  All have a warm and friendly manner & we spent a long time talking to Tom, a Belgian who provides aid for a disabled children's home in a nearby village.  He and his party were here on the occasion of his wedding to a local Romanian girl, which had occurred the day before we arrived here.  The site is called 'Camping Comarnic Dragos' Tel 0248-747.044.  Site location is just west of Burlusi village which is situated on the route 73C a few Kms west of Curtea de Arges, heading for Ramnicu Valcea.  The name of the administrator is Dragos STANCU.  Cost this year was 30 Lei.  All the usual facilities, but the block is a small one.  There are electric hook-ups.  Also hardstanding at top of site, looked suitable for larger vans, but cannot be sure there would be  hook-ups there."

JUD BACAU

Darmanest (Dutch): Camperland Camping. DN12A Onesti-Comanesti. Darmanesti is 25 km north-west of Onesti. Str Calea Trotusului 272.

JUD BIHOR

Bulz: Jean en Mirela Bonka. E60 Oradea-Cluj. 70 km east of Oradea, turn off right for Bradca Bulz. Difficult access for caravans.

Spinus (Dutch): Camping 'The Vineyard'. DNI9 Oradea-Satu Mare. At Biharia turn off following Salard. After a few km, Spinus is on the right, nr 48.

JUD BISTRITA-NASAUD

Reba: Interkamp Ludwig. DN17d Nasaud-Sangeorz. 4 km east of Nasaud on the left.

JUD BRAILA

Braila: Lacu Sarat. DN2b Buzau-Braila. 7 km before Braila.

JUD BRASOV

Bran (Dutch): Camping Vampire. E574 Brasov-Pitesti. In the famous 'Dracula Castle' village of Bran. Str Sohodol 77c. (Newly open and recommended to us in 2006). Visit www.vampirecamping.com. Tel 0265 083909. €13.50 in 2006.

**Brasov: Camping Dirste. E60 Brasov-Ploiesti. 7 km south of Brasov on the left. Str Calea Bucurestilor 265. Restaurant, no laundry. Open mid-May to mid-September. (Large and easy to find. Recommended from our visits in 2003 and 2004.) Tel 0268 259080. €10 in 2004.

**Rasnov: Camping Valea Cetatii. E574 Bran-Brasov. Turn right in Rasnov for 1 km towards the castle. Very simple camping next to Hotel/Restaurant Cetati directly below castle. Open June-August. (Hotel Tel 0268 230266 – open all year).

JUD CARAS-SEVERIN

Mehadia: Hercules. N6 Mehadia-Baile Herculane. 5 km before Baile Herculane.

JUD CLUJ

Cluj-Napoca: Camping Faget. 5 km south of Cluj in the hills. From D1, turn west for 2 km at sign. Restaurant. Tel 0264 596234.

**Gilau (Dutch): Camping Eldorado. E60 Cluj Napoca-Oradea. 15 km west of Cluj, through the village of Gilau, on the right of the road. Washing machines. (A large well-equipped site, recommended from our visit in 2004. English spoken.) €12.80 in 2004.

Poieni (Dutch): Camping Roemenie. Take 172B at Poieni.

JUD CONSTANTA (Black Sea Coast)

Warning: Probably only open May-September, and very crowded in July/August.

Eforie Nord: Popas Turistic Meduza. E67 Constanta-Mangalia. 14 km south of Constanta in Eforie Nord take the first left, direction Steaua de Mare. Behind Prahova Hotel at north end of town. Noisy. Tel 0241 742385.

Mamaia: Camping Tabara. A few miles north of the popular resort at the northern end of the strip, located right on the white sand beach with excellent facilities. Approx €10 in summer 2006. Recommended by Keith & Jenny Dear on their way back from Turkey.

Mamaia: Popas Hanul Piratilor. DN39 Mamaia-Navodari. 3 km north of Mamaia, 6 km south of Navodari. Cafι, beach. Tel 0241 831454.

Navodari: Camping "S". On the coast road between Mamaia and Navodari.

Navodari: Popas 111. DN39 Mamaia-Navodari. 4 km before Navodari on the coast.

Neptun: Zodiac Vest. In the village of Neptun, 10 km north of Mangalia. Signed from DN39. 200 m from the sea, beside a lagoon.

JUD COVASNA

Ozunca Bai: Camping the Valley. This is a Dutch-run campsite, recommended by Chris Post. It is situated in the small mountain resort of Ozunca Bai at the foot of the south Hargita mountains. The village is known for its beautiful nature and mineral water spring. Their website gives much more information, including the route to the camping from Brasov, Sibiu and Miercurea Ciuc.

Covasna: Valea Zanelor. The 'valley of 1,000 springs' near Covasna, a spa town 28 km east of Sfantu Gheorghe. (Camping?)

Intorsura Buzaului: Daniel Bulgaria's Camping. DN11 north-east from Brasov for 12 km to Harman. DN10 east for 29 km to Intorsura Buzaului. Farm camping was recommended by friends in 2004.

JUD DAMBOVITA

Vizuresti (Dutch): Frans Brinkman. DN7 Bucharest-Targoviste. After 19 km at Tartasesti turn right onto DN71. In 5 km at Baldana, right to Vizuresti.

In August 2010, John and Sue Hughes report: 'Frans Brinkman. This gentleman is evidently regularly drunk. Facilities are reported as poor and the village has a large gypsy population leading to a security problem. This information was given to us by the Dutch owner of Camping Aurel.'

JUD GIURGIU

Giurgiu: TIR-Lorry Park. 10 km north of Giurgiu on right of main road to Bucharest. A safe overnight not far from the Bulgarian border crossing to Ruse. (From old Caravan Club book – uncertain?)

JUD HARGHITA

Baile Tusnad: Popas Univers Turist. DN12 between Sfantu Gheorghe and Miercurea Cuic.

Gheorgheni: Popas km4. DN12c Gheorgheni-Bicaz. 4 km east of Gheorgheni.

JUD HUNEDOARA

**Aurel Vlaicu (Dutch): Camping Aurel Vlaicu. E66 Deva-Sebes. 10 km north-east of Orastie, turn left at Camping sign into Aurel Vlaicu village. Str Principale 155. Rooms, washing machine. (Recommended from our visit in 2003. Run by Jeanette Wiskerke. English spoken. Warning: entrance through a low arch, though larger motorhomes can access the site via a lane to the back gate. This was impassable in June 2006 after severe rain!) Email or . Tel 0254 245541 or 0722 548499. €12 in 2003.

Simeria: Complex Turistic Strei. E68, 12 km east of Deva, at east end of Simeria village on River Strei. Turning signed on right by bridge. Open May-Oct. (In July 2006 we found the camping closed.)

In August 2010, John and Sue Hughes report that this campsite is now closed.

**Simeria: Villa Doerr. E68 from Deva, turn left into the centre of Simeria at sign 'Camping and Villa Dorr, 2 km' and then right at the T-junction. Guesthouse/ restaurant on right with camping field below on left. English spoken by wife of the owner/manager, Paul Doerr. Good meals.

In February 2010, John and Sue Hughes wrote to us: "We stayed here and there is now a small, newly constructed washroom containing shower, basin and toilet actually on the camping field. It was unisex when we were there but a second washroom was awaiting fitting out. All was clean and tidy. There was a barbecue area with covered seating as well as a hut to rent. We also had polarity problems with the electric supply!"

In November 2010, with the camping field closed, we stayed in a secure car park at the rear of the Guesthouse, with a hook up and use of the excellent bathroom inside the Guesthouse. We also took advantage of the restaurant for a splendid evening meal.

JUD IALOMITA

Amara: Perla. D2a Urziceni-Slobozia. Take DN2c at Slobozia, 10 km north to the village of Amara on a saltwater lake.

Slobozia: Hermes Ranch. 1 km west of Slobozia, signposted from main Bucharest road E60. Pool. (From old Caravan Club book – uncertain?)

JUD IASI

Iasi/Poieni: Stana Poieni. DN24 Iasi-Vaslui. 23 km south of Iasi on the left side of the road.

JUD ILVOF (Bucharest)

**Baneasa: Camping Casa Alba. E60 Ploiesti-Bucharest. After Otopeni (international) Airport, but before passing Baneasa (domestic) Airport, turn left onto Aleea Privighetorilor (by a Police Academy). After a few hundred metres, turn left again at the Camping sign. New campsite, 8 km north of central Bucharest on bus route. Washing machines. (Highly recommended for Bucharest, from our visit in 2003. Restaurant has traditional musicians – at a price. English spoken.) Tel 230 5203. €14 in 2003.

Branesti: Restaurant Pustnicu. 18 km east of Bucharest. DN3 east from Bucharest signposted Calarasi. Turn off for Branesti signposted Pustnicu, under carriageway. Turn right at T-junction. Restaurant/playground with hardstanding for night. Helpful English-speaking manager. Not a proper campsite. (From old Caravan Club book – uncertain.)

Cernica: Camping Cernica. 10 km east of Bucharest. Take ring road round east side of city and turn off east for Cernica. Take track towards lake on right hand side. In recreation area by lake, restaurant open weekends. (From old Caravan Club book – uncertain.)

JUD MARAMURES

Borsa: Borsa Turism. Str Pietroasei 9. Run by Belgian, Kris Velleren. Not a campsite, but Kris is a good guide to the Maramures area, offers bed & breakfast and answers email queries. English spoken. Email or . Visit www.borsa-turism.be. Tel 0262 343711.

CAPRIORA COMPLEX TURISTIC. Keith Dear was kind enough to give us the following information in December 2010: "Site to be found on a minor road leading due North from Baia Mare.  It's on the west bank of Lake Firenza.  We were told of this site by a young German couple at Carta and it was a good tip.  But it is not suitable for large oufits (like yours!) unfortunately.  The site is interestingly positioned in the maramures within a forested area.  All facilities, but again small in size.  Vans are parked on the hotel car park with hook-ups provided.  Cost this year was 50 Lei." 

Sapanta: Camping Poeni. Camping near the 'Merry Cemetery', 3 km south of Sapanta village. Open 1 June-31 Aug. Tel 0262 322228.

In October 2010, Keith Dear added the following comment on the Sapanta campsite:

“It's both lovely and awful at the same time. For a spot of light relief, a highly intelligent horse opens the gate regularly to browse the campsite pastures, and the inmates! We left in the morning after arriving the previous evening, knowing that this was a site we had greatly enjoyed previously but would probably not be returning to. The situation is that the owner has been allowed to develop a (quite decent) restaurant next to the site and has obviously lost interest in the campsite as such.

Gone is the original pleasant streamside restaurant. Practically, the ablutions block is very poor now, in desperate need of refurbishment. There is the room at the back, which combines shower and toilet with no door on either and no male/female identifier sign. At the front is a similar arrangement, where the toilet was full and no water would issue from the cistern to wash it away! The whole timber construction is highly sub-standard. Having said that, although it is unofficial, there are toilets (no showers obviously) in the new restaurant which campers can use but you have to find this out for yourself!

The surface of the campsite was waterlogged when we were there; the aforementioned horse didn't really help in this respect! Perhaps the most off-putting thing of all is the current state of the road leading to the site from the main road. This has been allowed to deteriorate very badly and is possibly the worst stretch of road we have ever come across in Romania - and that must say it all! It took an age to cover the 2 miles.

JUD MURES

Eremitu: Camping Mustang. DN153 Sovata-Reghin. 12 km north-west of Sovata turn off at Eremitu.

**Sighisoara: Camping Villa Franka. On the hill behind the railway station, by the Villa Franka Restaurant. Signed from the town centre. (Warning: Access up very steep hill, suitable for small campervans only. Not many hook-up points – arrive early to get one before the Germans! We looked, but approach road too difficult.)

Sighisoara: Camping Central. In the middle of town. Main entrance not suitable for caravans and campers, which must use the back entrance. Str 1 Dec 1916 nr 30. Signed in the town, up narrow streets with weight limit. Recommended to us, but not for larger motorhomes.

Sovata: Vass Kert. From the centre of Sovata follow Sovata Bai and Reghin. Signposted. Hungarian-run. Recommended by friends in 2006.

Targu Mures: Camping Complex Strand. At north-west end of town on the banks of the River Mures, 2.5 km from centre. Str Aleea Carpati 59. Beach, good facilities. Run by Hotel Transylvania in town centre, tel 0265 265616. (Recommended by Lonely Planet guide 2004, but we saw no signs for it as we drove through in 2006.)

JUD NEAMT

Potoci/Bicaz: Cristina. DN15. By the dam of the Bicaz Lake. North from Bicaz over the dam and then another 2 km.

JUD PRAHOVA

Busteni: Tudor Petre. E60 Brasov-Ploiesti. 30 km south of Brasov. Str mester Ureche 20.

JUD SALAJ

Bizusa Bai: Ralca. E58 Dej-Baia Mare. 40 km north-west of Dej.

JUD SIBIU

**Blajel (Dutch): Camping Benelux. DN14a Medias-Tarnaveni. 6 km north of Medias in the main street of Blajel village, on the right. Str Tudor Vladimirescu nr 87. Small swimming pool. (Recommended from our vist in 2003. English spoken.) Email . Tel 0269 851079. €14.75 in 2003.

**Carta (Dutch): Camping De Oude Wilg. E68 Sibiu-Brasov. 43 km east of Sibiu, turn left to Carta, 3km. Cross the railway, then watch for Camping sign and turn left before centre of village. Keep left and the campsite is signed 50 m along on the right. Str Prundului nr 311. Tudor and Manette Dragoi. Open all year (check before arriving in winter). Washing machine. Free WiFi. Highly recommended from our visits in 2003, 2006 and 2010, especially the complimentary liqueur. Superb 3-course dinners to order, all home-made by Tudor! Excellent English spoken. Website: http://www.campingdeoudewilg.nl/ Emai1: . Tel: 0269 521347 or 0723 186343. Winter Rate €10 in November 2010.

Saliste (Dutch): Camping Pension Salisteaanca. E68 Sebes-Sibiu, turn off at Saliste.

JUD SUCEAVA

Fundu Moldovei (Dutch): Camping de Vuurplaats (Cămine). Strada Principale 130. Owner/ Managers: Engeline and John Manshanden. Tel/ Fax: 0040230236019 or Mobile: 0040720211399.  If no reply between 1 November and 1 April, call Dutch Mobile: 0031653142107. Email: . Excellent, well illustrated website in English and Dutch: http://www.vuurplaats.eu/. GPS Co-ordinates: 47.320652 N, 25.250021 E. In the mountains, over 2,000 ft above sea level with 24 electrical hook ups. We haven't visited, but we look forward to doing so.

Ciocanesti: Tomoiaga Vladimir. E58 Vatra Dornei-Campulung Moldovenesc. At Jacobeni turn off for Borsa on DN16 for 10 km to village of Ciocanesti, Str Oita 223. (Warning: This road was in a very bad state in 2006 and we saw no sign of any camping in the village.)

**Dragomir Monastery: Camping Dragomir. Take E85 north-west from Suceava for a short distance, then turn right (north) for 5 miles along a lane to Dragomirna. The car park opposite the Dragomir Monastery offers overnight parking with hook-up, as well as a small cafι. (Recommended from our visit to the Painted Monasteries in 2004.) €6 in 2004.

Humorului Monastery: Camping a la Ferme. 5 km north of Gura Humorului, near the Red Monastery at Humor. Run by Leonard and Elena Butucea. Email . Tel 0744 959047.

Humorului Monastery: There are camping places at the three star Pensiunea Cristiana near Manastirea Humorului. The address is: Str. Stefan cel Mare, nr. 223, Manastirea Humorului, Jud. SUCEAVA Tel: +40 230 572789; +40 746 825585. Email: . The website is: http://www.pensiunecristiana.lx.ro/

Ilisesti: Tourist Hotel. 20 km south-west of Suceava on E58. Hard-standing in hotel/restaurant car park. (From old Caravan Club book – uncertain?)

**Mestecanis Pass: Mestecanis Pass Hotel. E58 Campulung Moldovenesc-Vatra Dornei. 16 km south-west of Campulung Moldovenesc, at top of Mestecanis Pass (3,636 ft or 1,100 m high). Restaurant with camping field. (Recommended from our visit in 2004. Hook-up through cabin window.) €4.5 in 2004.

**Moldovita Monastery: Camping Vila Lulu. In village of Vatra Moldovitei, on DN17A, 21 km north-east of Campulung Moldovenesc, on right. Restaurant and simple campsite. Hard-standing with hook-up inside the gate. Village 2 km from monastery (Recommended from our visit to the Painted Monasteries in 2004.) €6 in 2004.

Spataresti: Stibina. E85 Suceava-Roman. At the junction with DN2e, south of Falticeni, opposite the petrol station.

**Sucevita Monastery: Popas Turistic Bucovinean. DN17A Radauti-Campulung Moldovenesc. 3 km south-west of Sucevita Monastery, on left. Hotel, restaurant, hard-standings with hook-up. Open all year. (Recommended from our visit to the Painted Monasteries in 2004. Good meals.) Tel 0230 417000. €10 in 2004.

**Vatra Dornei: Camping Autoturist. On hillside on north-western edge of town. Take E58 from V-Dornei centre (Suceava direction) and soon turn left at ADAC Camping sign from roundabout. Follow signs up hill, 0.5 km. Restaurant. Open mid-May to mid-September. (Recommended from our visit in 2006. Good meals. German spoken.) Email . Tel 0230 371892. €8 in 2006.

JUD TIMIS

Lugoj: Ana Lugojana. E673 Lugoj-Deva. 6.5 km north-east of Lugoj.

**Timisoara: Camping International. 5 km east of city centre on E70, on the right coming from Lugoj, near the airport. Large site in forest, with good restaurant. Aleea Padurea Verde nr 6. (Recommended from our visit in 2003.) Email . Visit www.campinginternational.ro. Tel 0256 208925. €14.5 in 2003.

Tomesti: Valea lui liman. E673 (DN68a) Lugoj-Deva. A few km from Faget in the village of Tomesti

JUD TULCEA (Danube Delta)

Independenta: Camping Pelican. 38 km east of Tulcea. George & Jane Swindail visited in May 2004 and write: Camping Pelican is just outside the village of Murighiol, and attached to a hotel of the same name. A handy stop on the edge of the Danube delta, but very poor facilities and not many suitable pitches. However, in August 2008, Jennie& David Langley wrote: 'On our way out to the Danube Delta we found Camping Pelican closed. It is being renovated to provide superior accommodation, we're told, but NO camping.' But see Murighiol below!

Istria (south of Babadag). The Swindails overnighted (May 2004) on a small site close to the ruins of Histria on the shores of Lake Sinoe (beware mosquitoes). They didn't notice a campsite name but say it's obvious once you reach the archaeological site.

Murighiol  Camper Stop. In August 2008, Jennie& David Langley wrote: 'Lili & Octavian Glodian's "Camper Stop" in the village of Murighiol is a small site in their garden & still being developed. At present, one uses their own bathroom with abundant hot water, but by next year, I'm sure the camping showers will be finished. They are such a lively, friendly couple, he speaks fluent French & she fluent English, so no problems there. As well as the campsite he does Delta Tours in his small boat, he has lived on the Delta for 22 years so knows his way around!'

JUD VALCEA

Brezoi: TIR parking at km 207 on the E81 between Sibiu and Ramnicu Valcea. Jane & George Swindail overnighted here in June 2004.

Calimanesti: Europa 15a. E81 Sibiu-Ramnicu Valcea. The camping is by a restaurant on the main road at Calimanesti, on the River Olt.

JUD VASLUI

Lipovat: Capriara. DN24 Vaslui-Barlad. 5 km south of Vaslui, past Muntenii de Jos, turn right for Lipovat. Camping not signposted – ask!

JUD VRANCEA

Doaga: Baza de Agremont Doage. E85 Adjud-Focsani. At roundabout take E581 east towards Tecuci. After 6 km cross the railway line and within 100 m turn right (gravel path). 1 km to camping on the right of the path.

Please, don't forget! If you know any other good camping addresses in Romania, or you can help to update this list, please let us (Margaret and Barry) know. You can contact us through this website or email direct to: . Your contribution will be acknowledged in the website and greatly appreciated by other motorhomers.