Here I am, sitting in the middle of a beautiful garden in our guesthouse from Hateg county right near a mountain river. Once again I have the opportunity to experience Transylvanian life and to see one of the most impressive Romanian ancient ruins! Oh, I am so excited!
Mmmm…You know what I like at Transylvania? I like the people, because they are very welcoming and friendly! the nature, because it is untamed and that there are so many things to see. Whenever we visit this part of Romania we discover new things!
This place because it is full of history: ancient ruins, medieval castles and fortified churches are just some of the things to see when visit Transylvania!
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We booked a 3 days escape in nature in the middle of one of the most beautiful and impressive landscapes of Romania. We arrived in Hateg without a planned itinerary so we decided to organize our trip on the spot.
A trip to Hateg County
Romanian ancient ruins, Transylvanian life and beautiful nature
We dedicated our first day to nature and history, therefore we found an Info point and we stopped by to find out which are the best things to do in the area. After a short conversation with the lady from the Info point we decided to head up to Lolaia Waterfall. The waterfall is very beautiful and easy to reach. From Hateg city there are about 20 km to this waterfall. We left our car in the parking spot at the end of the road and we started to walk through the forest.
The landscape is incredible and it is so quiet. All you hear are the birds singing and what nice songs do they sing! After a 20 minutes walk we reached the waterfall. We descended some steps and here it was: a beautiful and wild waterfall appeared in front of our eyes.
The sound of the water hitting the stones was very strong. The birds songs had stopped and a strong water noise replaced the serene songs. It was so calming and relaxing, we didn’t want to leave anymore, basically we stood there a while to recharge our batteries.
Loloaia Waterfall
On our way to Lolaia Waterfall we saw many sights on the road pointing other interesting places to see in the area like Romanian ancient ruins (Sarmisegetuza ancient city) or medieval fortresses. Malaiesti, Sarmizegetusa are just a few of them.
Malaiesti Fortress
We heard that Malaiesti is a very nice restored fortress so we decided to visit it. And we did not regret this! It is a place in Hateg County very close to the main road and very easy to find. On top of that, from the parking place to the fortress there are just 3 minutes walk.
The fortress is located right near a village! A village where life follows the specific rules of the Transylvanian life: simple but beautiful!
After visiting the fortress we came back to the main road and followed the signs to Sarmizegetusa Regia ruins, our last destination from that day.
Sarmizegetusa Regia – Ancient Mystical Ruins
The road to this magnificent place is good and pretty well maintained. We hardly managed to find a parking place right at the bottom of the hill because it was very crowded. From down there, we started our ascending up to the ruins. Reaching the top of the hill we discovered the archaeological site: very well arranged and guarded by a private security company.
A few years ago, these Romanian ancient ruins were the centerpiece in all kinds of unorthodox rituals. Now the place is reconstructed and you get a really good flavor of what was there in the past. There are few clues and proves about how the buildings looked like or about the exact purpose of the buildings. It is known that there were some temples, but it is not known for which Gods were built. The only thing known for sure is that the place had a very important role in the spiritual life of the community.
I consider this place from Hateg County wrapped in mystery, with a great spiritual charge. Because there are few clues about the buildings, I was somehow free to let my imagination fly away based on the reconstructions found there. It is a very interesting experience to visit this place! Visiting this place is equivalent with traveling back in time!
We left behind the villages and head up to our accommodation Pensiunea Retezat Hateg.
Where to stay in Hateg County Transylvania
In the picturesque landscapes, nestled amidst the lush greenery and the serene backdrop of the Retezat Mountains, lies a hidden gem for travelers seeking both comfort and an authentic Romanian countryside experience — Pensiunea Retezat Hateg.
Pensiunea Retezat Hateg
This charming guesthouse not only offers a peaceful retreat but also serves as a perfect base for exploring the natural and historical wonders of the region.
Facilities and Services
Pensiunea Retezat Hateg boasts an array of facilities designed to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Guests have access to free Wi-Fi across the property, ensuring that staying connected or sharing your travel experiences online is hassle-free. The guesthouse offers private parking, making it convenient for those traveling by car.
One of the highlights of this accommodation is its restaurant, which serves delicious, authentic Romanian dishes. The meals are prepared with fresh, local ingredients, providing guests with a true taste of Romanian cuisine. The outdoor terrace and garden are perfect spots for guests to relax and enjoy the scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
The guest rooms are equipped with all the necessary amenities, including comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and TVs with cable channels. The rooms are designed with a touch of traditional Romanian decor, adding to the overall rustic charm of the guesthouse.
Our Review of Pensiunea Retezat Hateg
Our stay at Pensiunea Retezat was nothing short of delightful. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm hospitality that made us feel right at home. The room was cozy and impeccably clean, with a comfortable ambiance that ensured a good night’s sleep after a day of exploring the countryside.
The food at the guesthouse’s restaurant was a highlight of our stay. Each meal was a culinary adventure, with traditional dishes that were both delicious and heartwarming. The serene garden and terrace offered the perfect setting to unwind, enjoy our meals, and soak in the breathtaking views of the Retezat Mountains.
The staff went above and beyond to accommodate our needs, providing recommendations for local attractions and hikes in the Retezat National Park. Their hospitality and the homely atmosphere of the accommodation contributed significantly to our memorable experience.
In conclusion, for those seeking a comfortable stay, excellent cuisine, and a touch of Romanian hospitality, Pensiunea Retezat Hateg is an ideal choice. It’s not just a place to sleep; it’s a place where you can experience the warmth and charm of Romanian countryside living. Our stay here was a highlight of our travels, and we highly recommend it to anyone visiting Hateg County.
My Conclusion at the end of the trip
We had a full and pretty tiring day that worth all the effort! The place is very beautiful and it has lots of things to see while you visit Romania.
In this part of Romania you can see cozy houses with traditional architecture both parts of the road.
Transylvanian life goes on day by day! No matter if it rains or if it is sunny, villagers always have something to do around their house or on the fields. I was very impressed of villagers’ life and traditions.
The way they see life and their feelings and acts about traditions is amazing. They appreciate life and what Earth gave them in a unique way, completely different then we do. I am really impressed about this part of Romania and I recommend you to visit if you have the opportunity. Nature, traditions and Romanian ancient ruins are waiting to be discovered!
Book your accommodation
We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.
You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.
Don't forget travel insurance
We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money.
When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.
Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected costs caused by medical events like illness, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.
We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.
Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.
We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.
Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.
We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.
Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.
Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.