This calm Romanian town sits beneath the Carpathian Mountains, known for its fresh urdă cheese, local trout dishes, and nearby waterfalls. Orchards and vineyards dot the surrounding hills.
Buzău lies in southeastern Romania between the Carpathian Mountains and Bărăgan Plain. Walk through the 189-hectare Crâng oak forest, explore the gray bubbling craters of Berca Mud Volcanoes, or paddle a kayak on Siriu Lake while mountain peaks tower above you. The city's 1873 railway station connects you to Bucharest, Moldova, and the Black Sea coast, making it an accessible base for exploring the region's medieval cave settlements and mountain trails.
Getting to Buzău
Trains run frequently from Bucharest to Buzău, taking 2-3 hours. The 1873 railway station connects to Brașov, Galați, and Constanța. To drive from Bucharest, follow the DN2 (E85) highway north for 100 kilometers. Within the city, 10 bus routes connect residential areas with the railway station and industrial zones.
Exploring the UNESCO Geopark
The Land of Buzău received UNESCO Geopark status in 2022, becoming Romania's second recognized geopark. At Berca, watch as natural gas pushes through the earth, creating small craters that bubble with cold mud. Walk through the cave settlement complex of Aluniș - Nucu - Ruginoasa, where 80 kilometers of medieval monastic ruins spread across the landscape.
Water Activities on River and Lake
During spring, melting snow turns the Buzău River into fast-moving rapids for rafting. Paddle a kayak on Siriu Lake, created by a 100-meter-high dam, with mountain slopes rising on all sides. Many visitors come here to fish and swim in the clear waters during summer.
Mountain Sites
Eagle's Lake sits at 1,420 meters in the Buzău Mountains, with water 2.5 meters deep. Snow and storms make winter access challenging. The Casoca Waterfall drops 17 meters and lies 10 kilometers from Siriu Dam. Both locations require sturdy shoes and basic hiking experience to reach.
City Parks and Museums
Walk through the 10-hectare Crâng forest park, part of a larger 189-hectare oak forest that remains from the ancient Codrii Vlăsiei woods. The Buzău County Museum displays archaeological artifacts from prehistoric settlements and medieval trading posts in its distinctive 1930s building in the city center.
Industry and Agriculture
The city's factories produce metallurgical equipment, plastics, and railway components in the southern industrial zone. In the surrounding hills, you'll see vineyards and orchards. The region also has active salt mines and oil wells, particularly visible in the southern part of the city.
