Maramureș, the traditional Romanian region where the past comes to life with every step you take.

Maramures is not only a place frozen in time, where the rythms of daily life remain intertwined with nature, but also a place of rich traditions, that are still being passed down through generations.

I’ve been so eager to show you the soul of Romania.

Getting to Maramureș

Renting a car is the most convenient way to explore Maramureș, especially if you want to visit multiple attractions.

There are not many local busses and some areas are very remote (less well-mantained roads) which can make it hard to explore the area.

The Closest airport to Maramures is located in Cluj-Napoca and it’s the easiest way to rent a car from there.

Accommodation in Maramureș

You can easily find accomodation, I would definitely recommend you to stay in a Traditional Guesthouse, it’s an amazing way to immerse yourself in the culture and experience the warm hospitality of the locals.

You can find a variety of accommodations, from Farm Stays, Camping, Mountain Cabins to Apartments and Hotels.

During our short visit we decided to stay in Breb.

Breb is one of the most pictoresque villages in Maramures, and there are lots of traditional guest houses.  King Charles also has proprieties in this village and Breb is definitely worth the visit.

You can also stay in Săpînța, Poienile Izei, Ieud, Mara. 

And if you’re looking for hotels, you will find them in Sighetu Marmației (which is a town in Maramureș), Baia Mare, Borșa, or Târgu Lăpuș.

Maramureș Itinerary

We only stayed 2 full days in Maramureș but I think we made the most of it.

Here’s our itinerary:

First day in Maramureș – Arrival

We spent the morning visiting family in Cluj and we arrived in Maramureș late. We only visited one wooden church that was on our way to Breb.

Șurdești

The Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, Șurdești. Built in 1721, it’s one of thr 8 wooden churches in the region included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The church was closed, since we arrived late, but you can peak inside through the windows.

There are 8 wooden churches in this area that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, these are located in Bârsana, Budești, Desești, Ieud Deal, Plopiș, Poienile Izei, Rogoz and Șurdești.

Tip: Plan the activities and your itinerary and then check to see which UNESCO churches are on your way. 

Day two in Maramureș

I wanted the second day to be more active and go for a hike. 

Here is the full itinerary for day two:

The Bârsana Monastery

Located in Maramureș, in Bârsana village, the old church here is included in the Unesco Heritage list.

It’s importance is both cultural and historical. The church was built to show gratitude for protection during the plague of 1710. Inside the church you will find old frescoes with baroque and rococo influences.

The monastic complex consists of several buildings and includes the old wooden church, living quarters for the nuns and a museum.

The Bârsana Museum

The small museum is arranged on three levels. On the ground floor you’ll find religious objects, 500 year old Bibles and icons.

The second level presents traditional Romanian objects, folk costumes and other historical items related to the traditions of the region. 

On the third floor you’ll find a shop that sells traditional objects.

Borșa

Borșa is a small town in the eastern part of Maramureș. The easiest way to get to Borșa from the Bârsana Monastery is by car (approximately 1h and 30min drive)

Here is where we parked our car and went to take the chairlift. The chairlift takes you up the hill and you can admire the town and the view of the Rodna Mountain.

We only got one way up and decided to hike back.

The Horses Waterfall

The Horses Waterfall, or Cascada Cailor is the highest waterfall in Romania.

The waterfall has a height of 120m and is located in Rodna Mountains at 1300m.

Cascada Cailor also has an interesting legend. It is said that this was the favorite place for locals to keep their horses, due to the rich pastures and beauty. However these horse heards were often attacked by bears that cornered then on the cliff. The horses had no chance of survival and fell prey to the bears. That’s why the place is now called the “Horses Waterfall” (Cascada Cailor)The entire area is so beautiful, and there’s a canyon behind this waterfall.

Keep in mind that the chairlift you take from Borșa will not take you directly to Cascada Cailor. You will have to hike for 30-40 min.

Also you have the option to buy a one way ticket to the hill or a round trip. We only bought one way and went back hiking. Which I would totally recommend if you enjoy spending time in nature. The hike back is easy as well and the views are worth it.

Prislop Pass

Sotuated at an elevation of 1.416m it’s one of the most beautiful alpine roads in Romania.

The road connects two historical regions in Romania: Maramureș and Bucovina and is only 7 minutes away from Borșa.

On the way you will also find spring water, and it’s a must to stop your car here.

Ieud Deal

Ieud is another historic village in Maramureș. The voievode Bogdan rebelled against the Hungarian king and founded here the Princcipality of Moldova between 1363 – 1366.

The wooden Church dates back to 1718, when it was built to celebrate the last invasions of Tartars, who were defeated in 1717.

Breb

We returned to Breb at the end of the day and decided to explore the village. Some shops that sell traditional clothes were still open and found one of King Charle’s propriety in Breb.

There’s so much more to Maramureș.

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