About Lake Snagov
Lake Snagov is a fluvial liman: a side valley of the Ialomița river that was gradually blocked by the river's silt and filled with water. It stretches for about 16 km in a curve through what was once the Vlăsia Forest, covers roughly 575 ha and is narrow, only a few hundred metres from shore to shore; its greatest measured depth is 9 m. Its banks belong to three communes in the north of Ilfov county: Snagov, Ciolpani and Gruiu.
For people from Bucharest it has long been the handiest place to get out onto the water. Villas, boating clubs, restaurants and jetties line the shores, and the Olympic rowing squad trains here. Much of the shoreline is private property, so free access to the water is limited to a handful of public spots, the best known being the promenade in Snagov village.
The central part of the lake, together with a strip of forest on the shore, is a nationally protected nature area managed by the National Agency for Protected Natural Areas. White water lilies grow here, pike, carp and catfish live in the water, and motorboats are subject to strict rules.
What you can see
From the promenade in Snagov village you look out over the wide lake, with the forest on the far shore and boats heading out towards the middle. The finest sight is the island of Snagov Monastery, towards the north-eastern end: the towers of the brick church rise from among the poplars above the water. You reach the island over a footbridge from the village of Siliștea Snagovului or by boat from the jetties in Snagov. The monastery is recorded as early as the 14th century, and tradition holds that Vlad the Impaler was buried here; the present church was built by Prince Neagoe Basarab. From a boat or a kayak you can see the carpets of water lilies and the reed beds of the protected area up close.
Good to know
The lake has no public beaches authorised for swimming, and the shores around the villas are private: only go in through the public access points and do not cut across gardens.
- The island of Snagov Monastery, with the church towers rising from among the poplars, seen from the water.
- The footbridge from Siliștea Snagovului, which crosses the lake to the monastery island.
- The carpets of white water lilies in the protected area in the middle of the lake, seen from a boat or a kayak.
- The promenade in Snagov village, the most convenient public spot on the shore, looking across to the forest on the far bank.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Bucharest take the DN1 towards Ploiești, past Otopeni and Balotești, and at Săftica turn right onto the DJ101B, through Vlădiceasca, Ciofliceni and Ghermănești, to Snagov village (~40 km from the city centre, 45–60 minutes depending on traffic). For Siliștea Snagovului and the monastery footbridge, stay on the DN1 as far as Ciolpani, then turn right onto the DJ101C (~8 km).
Public transport: regional buses 447 and 447B (STV) leave from Piața Presei Libere via Otopeni and Balotești and stop at "Centru Snagov" and "Poșta Snagov", a few minutes' walk from the promenade; a ticket costs 3 lei and the journey takes ~50–60 minutes.
- Fees & discounts
Access to the promenade in Snagov village and to the lake is free. Boat trips, including those to the monastery island, and the hire of rowing boats, pedalos or kayaks are offered by private operators, each setting their own prices; ask what it costs before you get in the boat.
- Rules
The lake is not a designated, authorised bathing area: the public health authorities have monitored the shore at Snagov as an undeveloped natural area with no beaches or facilities, and samples failed the bacteriological tests. Navigation is regulated by the Snagov harbour master's office: motorboats must keep at least 50 m from the shore and observe speed limits by zone, and jet skis and flyboards are banned in the protected area. Fishing requires a permit, and in the protected area it is catch-and-release only. In winter, do not walk on the ice: the prefecture bans access to frozen lakes.
- Facilities
Restaurants and terraces on the shore in Snagov village · rowing boat, pedalo and kayak hire at private bases · shops and a petrol station in Snagov
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