- Argeș
- Arefu
Arefu
The commune of Poienari Fortress and Vidraru Dam, at the southern gate of the Transfăgărășan: the road to the lake stays open in winter, the high section only in summer.
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What to see in Arefu
Things to see, picked to fill a whole day.
1Medieval fortressCetatea Poienari
The ruined fortress on Cetățuia peak, linked to Vlad the Impaler, reached by about 1,480 steps through the forest.
Căpățânenii Ungureni, pe DN7C, la circa 4 km de centrul comunei
2Arch damBarajul Vidraru
A 166.6 m arch dam on the Argeș river, in service since 1966; the Transfăgărășan runs right along its crest.
DN7C km 62, la circa 8 km de centrul comunei
3ReservoirLacul Vidraru
The reservoir behind the dam, about 10 km long, between wooded mountains, with the Transfăgărășan running along its shore.
De la baraj spre nord, pe DN7C, la 8–25 km de centrul comunei
4Alpine roadTransfăgărășanul de sud: Piscu Negru – Capra
The high section of the Transfăgărășan on the Argeș side: hairpins up the Capra valley, the Capra waterfall and the entrance to the tunnel under the ridge.
DN7C de la Piscu Negru (km 104) spre tunelul Capra–Bâlea, la 41–50 km de centrul comunei- 5Canyon trail
Canionul Valea lui Stan
A red-dot trail through a narrow canyon, with metal ladders, footbridges and cables, that loops back via Vidraru Dam.
Pe DN7C, sub Barajul Vidraru, la circa 6 km de centrul comunei
Where to eat in Arefu
Meals worth the trip.
- 1Romanian restaurant with terrace
Hanul Vrăjit
The terrace restaurant of the Spell hotel on the Transfăgărășan, with Romanian cooking and breakfast at weekends.
Căpățânenii Pământeni, pe DN7C, la 1 km de centrul comunei - 2Hotel restaurant by the dam
Posada Vidraru
The restaurant of the Posada Vidraru hotel, about 200 m from the dam, with 120 seats inside and a 60-seat terrace.
Lângă Barajul Vidraru, DN7C km 62, la circa 8 km de centrul comunei - 3Mountain lodge restaurant
Conacul Ursului
A lodge with a restaurant, bar and terrace on the Transfăgărășan, at about 1,285 m by the Capra stream, close to the road's winter barrier.
Piscu Negru, DN7C km 104, la circa 43 km de centrul comunei - 4Mountain hotel restaurant
Hotel Piscul Negru
The restaurant of the Piscul Negru hotel, above 1,200 m at the top of the Argeș valley, below the high section of the Transfăgărășan.
Piscu Negru, DN7C km 102, la circa 41 km de centrul comunei - 5Smokehouse restaurant
Transfăgărășan Treehouse Village
A restaurant in the forest by Lake Vidraru, built around a Texas-style smoker, with a large terrace and a fireplace; it also has three treehouse cabins.
Lacul Vidraru, pe DN7C, la circa 21 km de centrul comunei
Where to stay in Arefu
Places to sleep well, picked for comfort and location.
- 1Guesthouse with restaurant
Pensiunea Bella Vista
A 3-star guesthouse on the Transfăgărășan in Căpățânenii Pământeni, with its own restaurant, a terrace and rooms with balconies.
Căpățânenii Pământeni, pe DN7C, la 1 km de centrul comunei - 2Lakeside lodge
Cabana Zimbru Transfăgărășan
A lodge with a restaurant and terrace on the Transfăgărășan at Lake Vidraru, with double rooms, a chalet and a two-bedroom apartment.
Lacul Vidraru, DN7C km 73,6, la circa 20 km de centrul comunei - 3Villas with sauna
Vila N&D
A cluster of villas in Arefu village: one large villa for groups and small cabins for two or three, with a garden, barbecue and sauna.
Satul Arefu, la circa 5 km de centrul comunei - 4Lakeside hotel with pool
Hotel Valea cu Pești
A hotel on the shore of Lake Vidraru with a restaurant, a bar, an indoor pool, a jacuzzi, a spa and a tennis court.
Lacul Vidraru, DN7C km 70, la circa 17 km de centrul comunei - 5Guesthouse with pool and spa
Pensiunea Dracula & Spa
A complex on the Transfăgărășan, in two buildings on either side of the road, with a restaurant, a heated indoor pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna, a salt room and a campsite.
Căpățânenii Ungureni, pe DN7C, la circa 1,5 km de centrul comunei
Frequently asked questions
What to see in Arefu?
We recommend Cetatea Poienari (medieval fortress, Căpățânenii Ungureni, pe DN7C, la circa 4 km de centrul comunei): It is the fortress tradition links to Vlad the Impaler, restored and reopened in April 2025. Other picks: Barajul Vidraru, Lacul Vidraru, Transfăgărășanul de sud: Piscu Negru – Capra and Canionul Valea lui Stan.
Where to eat in Arefu?
We recommend Hanul Vrăjit (romanian restaurant with terrace, Căpățânenii Pământeni, pe DN7C, la 1 km de centrul comunei): It scores 4.7 on Google from about 1,390 ratings, the best score among the commune's restaurants with many reviews. Other picks: Posada Vidraru, Conacul Ursului, Hotel Piscul Negru and Transfăgărășan Treehouse Village.
Where to stay in Arefu?
We recommend Pensiunea Bella Vista (guesthouse with restaurant, Căpățânenii Pământeni, pe DN7C, la 1 km de centrul comunei): It scores 9.2 on Booking from more than 560 reviews and has a restaurant open all day, 3 km from Poienari Fortress. Other picks: Cabana Zimbru Transfăgărășan, Vila N&D, Hotel Valea cu Pești and Pensiunea Dracula & Spa.
How far is Arefu from Pitești?
About 64 km by road from Pitești.
How do you choose the places?
For each category we pick at most five places and check them: they exist, they are open and they are worth the trip. We take no money to list a place.