Ialomicioara Monastery and Cave
Ialomicioara Monastery and Cave
Ialomicioara Monastery and Cave
4.5
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2 within 3 miles
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17 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
65 reviews
Excellent
49
Very good
14
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
travelbuni01
Plant City, FL179 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Maybe because we didn't stop and read any warnings on the only road up there (because we can't read Romanian), but after driving 3 crazy twisty turny Mountain hours, the darn road was closed to the monastery and cave. We could of probably left the car and hiked the rest of the way (driving wud have taken 35mins), but we weren't prepared. The inn where the road before where the road is closed isn't too helpful, but they serve food and drinks and we saw people hiking in other directions. Wish I would have known. Maybe the news is on the website? The inn will sell you the food and drink or pay 2 Lei to pee! Or have a picnic like we did. I rated it 5 because it's our fault for not being able to read Romanian or consulting their website. I had no idea this wud be in the middle of the Carpathian mountains! At least I can saw I came, I saw, I conquered the Carpathians!
Written July 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David R
London, UK339 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
Allow a whole day to see several places of interest. Recommend accessed from the main roads by 4WD vehicles and local driver (can be hired at a reasonable price in Busteni, for example) at this time of year because the snow has not completely melted in a few areas and the winding dirt roads are not yet in the best condition. Very pretty area, lots of rapids and waterfalls. The cave was worth a visit but be very careful...not for the elderly or faint hearted as some of the passageways do not comply with western safety standards. Hey, sometimes it is worth a little risk, what can I say?
Written May 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graham A
Lancaster, UK42 contributions
Mar 2013 • Family
As mentioned, health and safety considerations may not be a priority but as long as visitors take care there is no problem. Shoes with good soles are essential as there are some quite slippy sections and staircases. That said the experience is well worth the effort, the low lighting is just adequatea but certainly adds to the mystery. There are no guides available (November 2011) but the route is not difficult to follow although it is advisable to stick to the pathways. Combine this with a stay at the nearby Hotel Pestera and a walk up to the Sphinx rocks. You won't be disappointed.
Written February 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen S
New York City, NY5,892 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
We arrived to the entrace in 4 wheel drive jeeps.The way to the cave was beautiful, there was water flowing along the way, flowers, trees and lots of steps going up, then going down and then going up again. Only the fit should try it.
It is a beautiful place to visit
It is a beautiful place to visit
Written May 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vtc2017
Miami, FL1,761 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
This is a must visit place if you are in the area. In front of the cave is a small church that can be visited too. The entry fee is $2 which in my opinion is way to small compare with the beauty of the cave. The round trip is 1 and 1/2 mile and takes from one hour up to half a day based on how many pictures you take. You don’t have a guide but the path is marked and lit well. This is one of the few caves in the country that has a waterfall and you can see it. The temperature is around 6 degrees Celsius and humidity 80-100%. They provide helmets for free at the entrance which I recommend, some passages are narrow and around 3 feet tall.
Written May 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon P
Heidelberg, Germany7 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Getting to the cave from Sinaia or Busteni involves a long but scenic drive into the middle of nowhere but for us it was very much worth it. You can go further into the cave than any other we have visited and highlights included a waterfall, large cavern and numerous 'snottites' as well as a beautifully decorated chapel. Even the setting surrounding the cave at an elevated position in the valley wall is fairly spectacular with tall pines, a river an md when we were there lots of birds nesting in the cliff face. It looked rather like something out if Lord of the Rings or similar.
It is important to note however that fully visiting the cave requires squeezing through a lot of low and/or narrow tunnels (perhaps not ideal for the claustrophobic), though in a rare display of safety consciousness helmets are provided free of charge. Visiting the cave costs just 10 lei per person at the time of writing which we thought was brilliant value even for Romania.
It is important to note however that fully visiting the cave requires squeezing through a lot of low and/or narrow tunnels (perhaps not ideal for the claustrophobic), though in a rare display of safety consciousness helmets are provided free of charge. Visiting the cave costs just 10 lei per person at the time of writing which we thought was brilliant value even for Romania.
Written June 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Horhew
Bucharest, Romania1 contribution
Jun 2016 • Friends
I don't know what other caves you've seen, but this is a place that will surely impress you. You will surely remember it for a long time. It is big enough to spend at least 1 hour inside it and trust me, there is a lot to see. Some of the rooms are incredible, the cave goes both horizontally and vertically, so you will have to climb a lot of steps. Which is great. Top notch lighting inside, excellent price (was ~2 euro when I went), plus the cave is situated in a very scencic area. If you visit Sinaia or Busteni, GET TO THE CAVE! 5/5
Written April 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eyal Asher
Hod Hasharon, Israel4,083 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
Water flows all around.
Everything is green and beautiful.
And the cave is worth a visit.
Inside the cave there are special paths for walking.
Bright and beautiful cave.
Water flows inside the cave .
Not so suitable for small children.
A place worth visiting.
If you are in the area, do not miss
Everything is green and beautiful.
And the cave is worth a visit.
Inside the cave there are special paths for walking.
Bright and beautiful cave.
Water flows inside the cave .
Not so suitable for small children.
A place worth visiting.
If you are in the area, do not miss
Written May 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
georgeconstantin
Bucharest, Romania68 contributions
Sep 2014 • Family
It is actually Ialomicioara - the cave name is Pestera Ialomita (like the river Ialomita).
There is a saying that this cave was used by old monks since XV century. The wooden church burned early on XIX century but was re-build.
There is easy access to it from Busteni via cable cars, return trip is about 22 Euro/person.
There is a saying that this cave was used by old monks since XV century. The wooden church burned early on XIX century but was re-build.
There is easy access to it from Busteni via cable cars, return trip is about 22 Euro/person.
Written October 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Indygoflow
Saint Julian's, Malta188 contributions
Aug 2019
I thought i's a tiny little cave but it's actually quite big!
It's a very safe cave with plenty of handrails.
You will spend there around 1hr.
It's a very safe cave with plenty of handrails.
You will spend there around 1hr.
Written September 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Добрый день,можно ли пройти пешком до монастыря, и какое расстояние/сложность если идти от верхней станции подъемника Буштени- Бабеле?
Written August 14, 2019
Radu Hello
? how difficult was te road d? thank you 'Noahow far was the drive from sinaia
Written July 29, 2019
I believe I read that one can get to the cave/monastery by cable car. Is that from Sinaia or Busteni? Thanks for any info!
Written July 7, 2017
123456
Sinaia, Romania
You have to take the cable car from Busteni - Babele to then Babele - Pestera. Then you have to walk 1 km to the cave/monastery.
Written July 8, 2017
We will be at Ialomicioara Monastery and Cave from 7 to 11 December we would like to know if it will be open for a winter visit. There is an email?
Written October 24, 2016
I haven't been able to find any official sites for the cave or monastery that would list hours and days of operation. I guess the best thing to do is go to the visitors' center in Busteni as soon as you arrive and ask. Dress warm as it will be very cold in the area and the visit of the cave can last 1 to 2 hours.
Written December 6, 2016
My wife and I are visiting Romania in September 2016. We will not have a car. Should we stay in Sinaia for a couple of nights? Is there enough to do? Should we just go from Bucharest to Brasov and do day trips? The cave monastery is at teh top of the cable car..right? Did you see the Sphinx rocks?
Anything else we should know about Romania please feel free to educate us.
thanks very much
Pete Whitehead
Calgary Canada
Written May 30, 2016
Dear Friend
I would recommend at least one night in Sinaia.
Very nice town.
If you do not have a car you can go up the mountain with the cable car.
The landscape is amazing.
But I think you should take a trip with a local driver who travels with you in all of the important sites in the area.
You can get such a driver, close to the cable car building.
He will take you up the mountain, to an amazing lake named Bolboci .
Amazingly beautiful place and a shame to miss.
He will also take you to the cave and wait for you outside.
At the end you can also ask him to take you to Castelul Peleş.
Very nice place not to be missed !!!!!!
The whole trip takes about 4 to 5 hours and is inexpensive.
Best regards,
Eyal
Written June 1, 2016
Sarò a Sinaia in Settembre. Come si arriva al monastero? esistono mezzi pubblici?
Written May 29, 2016
I got lost here..
where is the cave & how do we get there?
Is it close to Bolboci lake?
Thanks !!
Written March 4, 2016
Hello,
Is taking the cable car the best way to get to "Lalomicioara" ?
I will have a rental car, but not even sure if driving there is an option.
I am not having a lot of luck finding much information directions, times it is open etc.
Any information you have, or could point me to, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Written October 8, 2015
I drove there but I'm a Romanian and the roads are kind of narrow and bumpy here and there but they are paved roads so it is your decision ( I would recommend the cable car). From the cable car it is easy to find it and it takes only 20 min. walk.
Visiting hours are 9:00 - 18:00 Tue-Sun. Monday is closed.
Written October 9, 2015
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