- Argeș
- Rucăr și Dâmbovicioara
Rucăr și Dâmbovicioara
The Rucăr–Bran corridor between Piatra Craiului and Leaota: the Dâmbovicioara Gorge, a cave right by the road, the ruins of Oratea fortress and the plateau villages up to Ciocanu.
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What to see in Rucăr și Dâmbovicioara
Things to see, picked to fill a whole day.
1Limestone gorgeCheile Dâmbovicioarei
A gorge cut by the Dâmbovicioara river into the limestone of southern Piatra Craiului, crossed by the paved road from Podu Dâmboviței to Dâmbovicioara village.
Între Podu Dâmboviței și Dâmbovicioara, pe DJ730, la 6 km de Rucăr
2Show cavePeștera Dâmbovicioara
A 555 m cave with a single gallery, cut into the Jurassic limestone of the Dâmbovicioara valley; the first 250 m or so are fitted out and lit.
Dâmbovicioara, la 1 km nord de sat, pe drumul DC22, la 10 km de Rucăr
3Medieval fortress ruinsCetatea Oratea
The ruins of a small 14th-century stone fortress on a rock wall on Dealul Sasului, which guarded the road between Wallachia and Transylvania.
Dealul Sasului, la 1,5 km nord-est de Podu Dâmboviței, lângă DN73, la circa 7 km de Rucăr
4Mountain village and viewpointSatul Ciocanu și belvederea de pe DJ730
A small village on the plateau between Piatra Craiului and the Bucegi, above 1,000 m, with meadows, scattered houses and a viewpoint on the county road DJ730.
Ciocanu, pe platoul de peste 1.000 m, la 12 km de Rucăr
5Old Orthodox churchBiserica Suseni din Rucăr
A masonry church of 1780 dedicated to the Holy Martyrs George and Demetrius, in the Suseni part of Rucăr, a historic monument of national importance.
Rucăr, zona Suseni, la 1 km vest de centru
Where to eat in Rucăr și Dâmbovicioara
Meals worth the trip.
- 1Traditional farm kitchen
La Saivan
A family farm on Dealul Sasului, brought back to life in 2010, serving a set meal of traditional food cooked slowly over a fire.
Dealul Sasului, la est de Podu Dâmboviței, lângă DN73, la 12 km de Rucăr - 2Traditional restaurant
Restaurant Cerbul
The restaurant of the Cerbul guesthouse in Dâmbovicioara village, with home-style Romanian food: soups, polenta, pork dishes, smoked meats and cheeses.
Dâmbovicioara, pe drumul principal al satului, la 9 km de Rucăr - 3Roadside grill restaurant
La Țușpi
A grill stop beside the DN73 above the village of Podu Dâmboviței, with a terrace over the valley, soups, beans with smoked ham hock, mici, lamb and pastrami from the grill.
Pe DN73, la coborârea spre Podu Dâmboviței, la 3 km de Rucăr - 4Café and restaurant
Barloiu Lounge Cafe & Restaurant
A café and restaurant in the centre of Rucăr, a few steps from the DN73, for a coffee, a lunch of Romanian food or papanași doughnuts.
Rucăr, în centru, lângă DN73 și primărie - 5Pizzeria
Via Venetto
A pizzeria in the centre of Rucăr, on Strada Brașovului (the DN73), open until late in the evening.
Rucăr, în centru, pe DN73
Where to stay in Rucăr și Dâmbovicioara
Places to sleep well, picked for comfort and location.
- 1Glamping resort
Ursa Mică Glamping Resort
A glamping resort on the plateau near Ciocanu, at about 1,250 m, with 12 heated tents on wooden platforms, 12 bungalows, a panoramic restaurant and an outdoor spa.
Platoul de lângă Ciocanu, la circa 1.250 m, la 15 km de Rucăr - 2Guesthouse with spa
Pensiunea El Monte SPA
A guesthouse opened in 2018 in Săticul de Sus, by the Dâmbovița river, with 30 beds, a restaurant for guests, a sauna, a jacuzzi and a heated outdoor salt-water pool open in summer.
Săticul de Sus (comuna Rucăr), pe valea Dâmboviței, la 13 km de Rucăr - 3Four-star hotel complex
Aqvila Club
A four-star complex on six hectares above Rucăr, with four villas, 51 rooms and apartments, its own restaurant and meeting rooms.
Rucăr, pe versantul de lângă Strada Nae Nedelcu, la 1,6 km de centru - 4Guesthouse
Pensiunea Casa Soarelui
A small guesthouse in Podu Dâmboviței, on the road that climbs through the Dâmbovicioara Gorge, with a terrace, a garden with a barbecue and parking in the yard.
Podu Dâmboviței, la intrarea în Cheile Dâmbovicioarei, la 5 km de Rucăr - 5Guesthouse
Casa Sara
A guesthouse in the village of Dâmbovicioara, on the local road to the cave, with family rooms with private bathrooms, a terrace and views of the valley.
Dâmbovicioara, pe drumul peșterii, la 9 km de Rucăr
Frequently asked questions
What to see in Rucăr și Dâmbovicioara?
We recommend Cheile Dâmbovicioarei (limestone gorge, Între Podu Dâmboviței și Dâmbovicioara, pe DJ730, la 6 km de Rucăr): The road runs right between the rock walls, which in places are more than 200 m high. Other picks: Peștera Dâmbovicioara, Cetatea Oratea, Satul Ciocanu și belvederea de pe DJ730 and Biserica Suseni din Rucăr.
Where to eat in Rucăr și Dâmbovicioara?
We recommend La Saivan (traditional farm kitchen, Dealul Sasului, la est de Podu Dâmboviței, lângă DN73, la 12 km de Rucăr): It holds a perfect 5.0 on Google from 739 reviews. Other picks: Restaurant Cerbul, La Țușpi, Barloiu Lounge Cafe & Restaurant and Via Venetto.
Where to stay in Rucăr și Dâmbovicioara?
We recommend Ursa Mică Glamping Resort (glamping resort, Platoul de lângă Ciocanu, la circa 1.250 m, la 15 km de Rucăr): It holds 4.7 on Google from 582 reviews and is open all year; guests praise the quiet, the views and the food. Other picks: Pensiunea El Monte SPA, Aqvila Club, Pensiunea Casa Soarelui and Casa Sara.
How far is Rucăr și Dâmbovicioara from Pitești?
About 77 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.