A mountain town at the foot of Bucegi Mountains, with cable car access to Babele rock formations. Popular base for hiking trails and winter sports.
Bușteni sits at the base of the Bucegi Mountains in Romania's Prahova Valley, where mountain peaks rise to 2,505 meters. You can take cable cars to see the Sphinx rock formation, hike to the 15-meter Urlatoarea Waterfall, or explore the early 20th-century Cantacuzino Castle. At night, look up to see the 25-meter Heroes' Cross illuminated on Caraiman Peak, visible throughout the valley.
Getting to Bușteni
The town lies 135 kilometers north of Bucharest along DN1 national road. Trains run regularly between Bucharest (1.5 hours) and Brașov (40 minutes). The central train station connects to most parts of town by foot. Local taxis operate throughout Bușteni.
Mountain Trails and Routes
Red, blue, and yellow markings guide you through the Bucegi Mountains trail network. Walk the red-dotted trail for 2.5 kilometers through pine forest to reach Urlatoarea Waterfall. The trek to Cabana Mălăiești mountain hut takes 5-6 hours, while reaching Omu Peak requires 6-7 hours of hiking. From the town center, take the cable car to the Bucegi plateau to see the Sphinx and Babele - distinctive rock formations shaped by wind over thousands of years.
Winter Activities
The Kalinderu ski area operates from December through March. The main slope runs 2,000 meters with a 500-meter vertical drop. Beginners can practice on separate, gentler slopes. You'll find equipment rental shops at the base of the slopes, where you can rent skis, snowboards, boots, and protective gear.
Historical Buildings and Monuments
Walk through the 1911 Cantacuzino Castle to see its original furniture and artwork, or dine in its restaurant. The Heroes' Cross stands at 2,260 meters on Caraiman Peak, built between 1926 and 1928 to commemorate World War I soldiers. Its 25-meter structure includes electric lights that illuminate the cross at night.
Day Trips Around Bușteni
Take a 15-minute train ride south to Sinaia to visit the 19th-century Peleș Castle and its Orthodox monastery. Travel 40 minutes north to Brașov to explore its medieval Black Church and Council Square. The surrounding Bucegi Natural Park covers 32,663 hectares, where you might spot brown bears and wolves, or find edelweiss flowers growing in alpine meadows.
