Covasna.
Flight from TLV
2h 44m
Best season
מאי–ספט
Avg temp
12°
Currency
lei RON · 1=₪0.672
Time zone
אותו זמן כמו ת״א
Language
רומנית; הונגרית נפוצה מאוד באזור
Plug
C / F · 230V
Visa
אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה של עד 90 יום בתקופה של 180 יום
Safety
יעד רגוע ובטוח בדרך כלל; בטיולי יער יש להיצמד לשבילים ולפעול לפי הנחיות מקומיות בנוגע לדובים
Overview
🇷🇴Covasna
🇷🇴Romania
Covasna is a tranquil Carpathian spa town in Transylvania, surrounded by forests and renowned for its mineral springs and mofettas, chambers filled with naturally occurring carbon dioxide used in local wellness treatments. Israeli visitors come mainly for a restorative spa break, walks through the Valley of the Fairies and a ride on the narrow-gauge Mocănița steam train, rather than for nightlife or shopping. Highlights nearby include the Fairies' Fortress viewpoint and day trips to Saint Anne Lake and the Tinovul Mohoș nature reserve. It is especially well suited to mature couples, nature lovers and travelers seeking mountain air and a slower pace.
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Where to stay
Where to stay in Covasna
Each area and who it suits best.
Covasna Town, Center and Tineretului Park
This is the most convenient base for Covasna itself, with Tineretului Park, mineral-water springs, and the Mocanita railway close by. Hotels such as Caprioara Spa & Wellness Resort and Hotel TTS Spa & Wellness work especially well for a relaxed spa break. Evenings are extremely quiet, and dining and entertainment choices are limited.
Comandau
A secluded mountain village above 1,000 meters, surrounded by forest and trails in the Bretcu Mountains, with rustic guesthouses and access to the historic Inclined Plane railway site. Winter brings snow and cabin atmosphere, while summer suits hiking, cycling, and off-road excursions. Prices are reasonable, but the road is winding, nightlife is virtually nonexistent, and a car is essential.
Sfantu Gheorghe City Center
The county's most urban base, centered on Piata Libertatii, Elisabeta Park, and the Tamasi Aron Theatre, with cafés, pubs, and restaurants missing from Covasna town. Panorama Boutique Hotel and B The Hotel offer modern comfort, while Sepsi Value Centre is useful for shopping. Evenings are livelier, but Covasna town is around 40 minutes away and nightlife is modest compared with Bucharest or Brasov.
Balvanyos and Saint Anne Lake
This is the region's romantic, upscale side: Balvanyos Resort sits deep in the forest, with an extensive spa and convenient access to Saint Anne Lake and Mohos Peat Bog. Mornings can be spent hiking toward the volcanic-gas Puturosu Cave, followed by the pool and hotel dining in the evening. It is among the county's pricier bases, isolated without a car and roughly 45 minutes from Covasna town.
Targu Secuiesc
A pleasant Szekler town with a distinctive central square and numbered courtyard passages, the Incze Laszlo Museum, and strong Hungarian-Transylvanian character. Small properties such as Atrium Hotel offer good value, and the town is well positioned for Zabola Estate, Bretcu, and nearby villages. It feels authentic and affordable, but most places close soon after dinner.
Zabola
Zabola Estate, near the DJ121 main road, is an aristocratic woodland property with historic guesthouses, riding, carriage outings, and guided nature experiences. Guests come to stay on the estate, not for restaurant streets or shopping. It is relatively expensive and activities may require advance booking, but for couples it is far more distinctive than a standard town hotel.
Year-round weather
Year-round weather in Covasna
Temperature averages
Real climate dataינו
5°
-2°
Cool
פבר
5°
-3°
Cool
מרץ
11°
2°
Cool
אפר
14°
5°
Cool
מאי
17°
8°
Recommended
יונ
24°
14°
Excellent
יול
26°
16°
Excellent
אוג
26°
15°
Excellent
ספט
22°
11°
Excellent
אוק
15°
7°
Cool
נוב
9°
3°
Cool
דצמ
5°
0°
Cool
Most pleasant weather: יונ · יול · אוג · ספט
Peak season for Israelis (when everyone goes): מאי · יונ · יול · אוג · ספט. July and August are the peak months thanks to pleasant mountain weather and Israel's summer school holiday, while June and September offer quieter trails and better value. Spa and wellness visitors also arrive in spring and autumn, when the town is especially peaceful.
Based on a 3-year average · measured in Covasna · Open-Meteo
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Things to do
Things to do in Covasna
On the map
Covasna on one map
Every spot travelers love — tap a pin for photos, opening hours, navigation and booking.
Suggested plan
A perfect Covasna itinerary
Day by day, so you can picture the whole trip.
- 1
Day 1
Arrival and Covasna Orientation
Leave Otopeni by 11:00 when possible to reduce exposure to Bucharest outbound traffic, then drive north via the Brasov region to Covasna town. After check-in, walk through Tineretului Park and see the mineral-water features and Balta Dracului, the mofetta site associated with the area's volcanic gases. Have dinner at the spa hotel or prepare food in your apartment, then finish early with the pool or sauna.
- 2
Day 2
Mocanita and the Comandau Mountains
Begin at Covasna's Mocanita station before 09:00, but only after confirming the previous day that the heritage train operates on your date. Continue by car to Comandau, stop at forest viewpoints, and visit the area around the remains of the Inclined Plane, once used to move rail wagons between elevations. Bring a kosher picnic because village food options are limited and inconsistent. Return to Covasna before dark, particularly in winter when fog and ice can greatly slow the road.
- 3
Day 3
Saint Anne Lake, Mohos, and Balvanyos
Leave by 08:00 for Lacul Sfanta Ana to arrive before day groups and before summer parking fills. Walk to the volcanic lake and join a guided visit to the Tinovul Mohos reserve if access is open, as entry to the peat bog is controlled. In the afternoon continue to Balvanyos and follow the forest trail toward Pestera Puturoasa only in accordance with local instructions, avoiding prolonged exposure in gas-accumulation zones. Pre-book a treatment or spa entry at Balvanyos Resort, and dine there only if kosher certification is not required.
- 4
Day 4
Targu Secuiesc and Zabola Estate
Spend the morning in central Targu Secuiesc, exploring the numbered passage courtyards around the square, then visit the Incze Laszlo Museum for an introduction to Szekler culture. Buy local pastries or picnic supplies only as your kosher requirements permit, and continue to Zabola Estate in the afternoon. Pre-book an estate tour, riding session, or carriage outing in the woodland park, since not all activities accept walk-ins. Stay for golden hour among the trees, then return to Covasna or splurge on a night at the estate.
- 5
Day 5
Sfantu Gheorghe, Culture, and Shopping
Drive to Sfantu Gheorghe in the morning and begin at the Szekler National Museum, then walk through Elisabeta Park and around Piata Libertatii and the Tamasi Aron Theatre. For lunch, choose a central café if kosher certification is not needed, or picnic with supplies from Kaufland; this is also the best day to replenish packaged groceries. In the afternoon, stop at Sepsi Value Centre for practical shopping, but do not expect a luxury-brand selection. Check the theatre schedule for a performance or concert, generally the county's strongest cultural evening option.
- 6
Day 6
Spa, Mineral Water, and Return to Bucharest
Reserve the final morning for the spa at Caprioara or Hotel TTS, or take another relaxed walk through Covasna's park. If interested in mofetta treatments, book them only through a medical facility or accredited hotel rather than attempting independent exposure, as carbon-dioxide therapy is unsuitable for some people. Leave for Bucharest at least six hours before the flight, adding another hour on Sundays, during snow, or in peak summer traffic. For an early departure, spend the final night near Otopeni rather than risk a pre-dawn mountain drive.
Quick game
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What's your Covasna travel type?
Question 1 of 5
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Budget
How much does Covasna cost?
Real ILS price ranges, so you know what to expect.
Return flight from TLV
₪700-1,700 (to Bucharest)
4-5 night package
₪2,200-4,200 per person
Mid-range hotel night
₪260-480 per room
5★ hotel night
₪650-1,250 per room
Restaurant meal
₪45-90 per person
Local beer
₪9-16
Coffee
₪7-13
Short taxi ride
₪12-28
Rental car per day
₪120-260 (before fuel)
Day spa access
₪90-220
Daily budget per person
₪280-620 (excluding flight)
Family, 5 nights
₪8,500-14,500 (family of 4)
Good to know
Good to know before Covasna
Getting around
From the airport
Covasna has no international airport, so most Israelis land at Bucharest Otopeni: a rental-car drive takes roughly 3-3.5 hours, with fuel and road costs usually around ₪120-180 each way. A private transfer to Covasna town costs approximately ₪650-950 per vehicle, while an official airport taxi or app car may reach ₪750-1,100. By public transport, take the airport train to Bucuresti Nord, continue by train to Brasov, then use a local train or bus toward Sfantu Gheorghe and Covasna; allow 5-7 hours and about ₪55-110 per person in total. Bolt and Uber are useful mainly inside Bucharest and should not be relied upon for the long onward journey.
Need a car?
Yes, a rental car is close to essential for most Israeli travelers because Saint Anne Lake, Balvanyos, Comandau, Zabola, and the villages are widely scattered and poorly connected. A couple staying only at a Covasna spa can manage with a transfer, and a family based in Sfantu Gheorghe can use city taxis, but a car saves hours on a five-day touring itinerary. In winter, choose a vehicle with compliant winter tires; travelers unfamiliar with ice may prefer a local driver for the mountain day.
Tips
Download Bolt for rides in Sfantu Gheorghe, but in small towns and villages ask the hotel to call a taxi and carry Romanian lei. Parking is generally free at hotels and rural attractions, while central Sfantu Gheorghe has marked paid zones. Confirm Covasna's Mocanita service and Mohos access in advance because both are seasonal and weather-dependent; in winter, do not trust standard map estimates on forest roads.
Kosher & Jewish
Chabad / community
There is no active Chabad house in Covasna, Sfantu Gheorghe, or the county's smaller towns, and no regular tourist minyan. The nearest practical Chabad presence is in the historic-center area of Brasov, which may offer prayers and pre-booked Shabbat meals depending on the season; contact it directly for the current address, times, and meal venue. Shabbat-observant visitors should not rely on a spontaneous trip from Covasna, as the drive to Brasov takes roughly 75-90 minutes.
Kosher food
Covasna County has no certified kosher restaurant, and spa-hotel kitchens are not kosher. Kaufland and Lidl in Sfantu Gheorghe, and occasionally larger supermarkets in Targu Secuiesc, may stock packaged products bearing kosher certification, along with tuna, pasta, fruit, and vegetables, but selection is inconsistent. Kosher-observant Israelis usually stock up in Bucharest or Brasov, book an apartment or guesthouse with a kitchen, and bring utensils or prepared meals; a vegetarian restaurant dish should not be assumed kosher.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance for Covasna 🇷🇴
A hospital day in Covasna can cost thousands. Full coverage with Hebrew support.
- Medical + hospital 24/7
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage
- Gadgets & pre-existing conditions
Currency & rates
Live rateCurrency & rates
Quick conversion at today's rate
Convert
You get
67.2
1 RON
₪0.67
100 RON
₪67.2
1,000 RON
₪671.7
Source: exchangerate-api · updated Sep 13 · refreshes daily
Visa & documents
Visa & documents for Covasna 🇷🇴
What you need before you fly
- אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה של עד 90 יום בתקופה של 180 יום
- Passport valid 6 months
- Travel insurance, leave details for a quote
Local tips
Good to know about Covasna
- 💳The currency is the Romanian leu, and cards are accepted at Clermont Hotel, Hotel Căprioara and most restaurants, but keep RON 100–200 in cash for taxis, stalls and villages around Comandău.
- 🚗The drive from Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport to Covasna usually takes about three hours, and a rental car is preferable to trains if you also plan to visit Valea Zânelor, Comandău and Lake Sfânta Ana.
- 🏨Choose Clermont Hotel for a full spa complex and forest views, while Hotel Căprioara is better for staying centrally near Balta Dracului and the treatment facilities.
- 🫁Book mofetta therapy in advance through the hotel’s medical center and disclose high blood pressure, heart conditions or pregnancy, as the natural-gas rooms are not suitable for every guest.
- 🚂Do not rely on old photos of the Covasna–Comandău Mocănița: confirm with the local tourist office whether it runs on your date and prepare a backup visit to Planul Înclinat.
- 🌙Covasna has no meaningful casino or club scene, and evenings center on quiet hotel bars; for a proper urban night out, head to Sfântu Gheorghe or Brașov and leave the unnecessary party outfits behind.
- ✡️Covasna has no permanent kosher restaurant or Chabad House, so kosher-observant travelers should book a room with a refrigerator and stock up in advance; the nearest practical Jewish services are in Brașov, roughly a 75-minute drive away.
- 🥾Even in July and August, evenings in Valea Zânelor can be cool and wet, while the road to Comandău is snowy in winter, so bring a warm layer, rain jacket and shoes with grip rather than spa clothes alone.
- 📱Orange and Vodafone generally provide good coverage in town, but reception weakens in the forests toward Comandău, so download an offline map of Covasna County and activate your eSIM in Bucharest.
- 🤝A tip of around 10% is customary in restaurants when service is not included, and opening with the Hungarian “Jó napot” is warmly received in Covasna, where many residents belong to the Hungarian-speaking Székely community.
מאיה רוזן
Senior agent · Greece for 12 years
"Covasna is not another polished spa town, but a quiet, green place where you can actually feel your body slowing down. I love starting the morning beside Balta Dracului, the bubbling volcanic pool in the heart of town, then heading to Valea Zânelor, the Valley of the Fairies, surrounded by Carpathian forest and the impressive remains of the old inclined railway. Israelis fall for the combination of distinctive mofetta treatments, well-priced spa hotels and an authentic Transylvanian atmosphere, without crowds or pressure to chase attractions."
Loves
My secret is to reach Valea Zânelor at around 8:30 on a weekday, while the air is still cool and the forest feels almost private, and walk toward the Planul Înclinat area before the day visitors arrive. Afterwards, I return to Covasna for local mineral water and a freshly made kürtőskalács, keeping in mind that the pastry is generally not kosher-certified.
Skip
The most common mistake is treating a hotel or treatment-center mofetta like an ordinary sauna; the natural carbon dioxide requires screening, strict timing and medical supervision. I also never plan around Covasna’s Mocănița railway without confirming first, because operations are irregular and sometimes limited to special events.
Boutique pick
At 8:00 I would begin with an easy walk around the central park and Balta Dracului, continue at 9:30 with a spa treatment or supervised mofetta session at Hotel Căprioara, and stop at 12:30 for a simple lunch of vegetable soup, trout or mămăligă. The afternoon belongs to Valea Zânelor and the remains of Planul Înclinat, followed by a return at 18:30 to the pool and saunas at Clermont Hotel. I would end the day early with tea facing the forest, because Covasna’s magic lies in its quiet rather than in hunting for a nightclub.
Client stories
What returning travelers say about Covasna
"We started the morning with a green walk through Valea Zânelor and ended with a mofetta treatment at Hotel Caprioara, a combination unlike anything we had experienced on another holiday. Covasna was exactly the quiet couples’ escape we wanted, with mountain air and spa time instead of another crowded city."
Noa and Ido, Tel Aviv
Couple · 3 nights · September
"The kids could not stop talking about the Mocănița train ride and Comandău’s old inclined railway mechanism. Covasna gave us a genuine day of outdoor adventure without long queues or noisy theme parks."
Michal and Uri, Modi'in
Family with children · 4 nights · August
"We climbed to the ruins of Cetatea Zânelor and then stopped to see the bubbling water of Balta Dracului in central Covasna. There are no parties here, but for friends who enjoy trails, driving, and Carpathian scenery, it was a refreshing change."
Roi, Shahar and Matan, Haifa
Friends · 2 nights · June
"We visited the Sándor Kőrösi Csoma Memorial House in Chiuruș and spent a relaxed afternoon at Clermont’s pools and treatment facilities. We loved that Covasna let us travel at an easy pace while still feeling that we had discovered a very special corner of Romania."
Rachel and Yossi, Jerusalem
Older couple · 4 nights · October
FAQ
Common questions about Covasna
Do Israelis need a visa to visit Covasna?
Israelis do not need a visa for a short tourist visit to Covasna and Romania, which is part of the Schengen Area, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Bring a valid passport and check before departure whether any new European travel registration requirements have taken effect.
Are there direct flights from Israel to Covasna, and how long does the journey take?
Covasna has no airport, so travelers usually fly nonstop from Tel Aviv to Bucharest in about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours, followed by a 3 to 3.5-hour drive. Brașov Airport is closer, but it generally has no regular nonstop service from Israel, making Bucharest the practical option.
When is the best time to visit Covasna, and when is peak season?
The most pleasant time in Covasna is May through October, with green trails in the Fairy Valley and comfortable weather for spa and mofetta treatments; peak season is July and August, during Romania’s school holidays. September and October are especially scenic and quiet, while winter is mainly for snow, spa time, and a slower atmosphere.
How many days should you spend in Covasna?
Two to three nights are enough to enjoy Covasna without rushing, including a spa session, Balta Dracului, the Fairy Valley, and a Mocănița train ride when operating. Families or travelers seeking a slower wellness break can stay four nights and add Comandău and Saint Anne Lake.
How do you get around Covasna, and is a rental car necessary?
Central Covasna, Balta Dracului, and the main hotel area are walkable, but a rental car is almost essential for Comandău, the Fairy Fortress, and Saint Anne Lake. Regional public transport is limited, and ride-hailing apps should not be relied upon in the evening.
How much does a holiday in Covasna cost?
A three-night break in Covasna typically costs about ₪1,400–₪2,800 per person sharing a double room, including flights to Bucharest, a rental car, a good hotel, and meals, but excluding expensive spa treatments. Spa hotels such as Caprioara Spa & Wellness Resort or Clermont can raise the price on popular weekends, especially in July and August.
Is Covasna safe for Israeli travelers?
Covasna is a quiet spa town and generally safe, with little to worry about beyond normal care with phones and wallets. Drivers should watch for narrow roads, fog, and animals around Comandău, while forest hikes are best avoided alone after dark because bears inhabit the Carpathian region.
What are the must-see attractions in Covasna?
Covasna’s essentials are the Balta Dracului gas spring in the center, Valea Zânelor, the Dacian ruins of Cetatea Zânelor, and therapeutic mofettas using naturally occurring carbon dioxide. If the operating schedule allows, add the narrow-gauge Mocănița railway and Comandău’s historic inclined plane.
Does Covasna have nightlife, casinos, kosher food, or a Chabad house?
Covasna has no meaningful nightlife or full-scale casino, and evenings usually revolve around a hotel bar, spa, and quiet dinner; the town also has no kosher restaurant or Chabad house. Kosher travelers should stock up in Bucharest, where Chabad and organized kosher options are available, then book a kitchenette in Covasna or arrange suitable meals with the hotel in advance.
Is Covasna better for families or couples, what should you pack, and what can it be combined with?
Covasna particularly suits couples seeking spa time and nature, as well as families who enjoy trains, forests, and road trips, but it is less appealing to teenagers seeking nightlife. Pack walking shoes, a warm layer, and a rain jacket even in summer, and combine Covasna with Brașov, Bran Castle, Sinaia, or Saint Anne Lake.