About Moneasa
Moneasa is a spa and climatic resort in Arad County, lying at 280–300 m in the valley of the river of the same name, at the foot of the Codru-Moma Mountains. Its springs are mesothermal, oligomineral waters — bicarbonated, calcic, magnesian and sodic — at 25–32 °C, used for conditions of the locomotor and nervous systems, while the sedative forest climate is the other healing factor. The resort has around 1,500 beds in hotels, villas and guesthouses.
The village is first recorded in 1597, and the springs have been used in an organised way since 1866. Change came after 1891, when the resort passed to Count Friedrich Wenckheim: at his own expense he built a railway from Sebiș, an 80 m long villa with red marble baths, a glass restaurant and a hydrotherapy sanatorium, while the nobility of the day built villas in the park. In 1896 Moneasa was granted the status of spa resort, and by the end of the 19th century it was called "the Gastein of Hungary".
What you can see
The centre of the resort is a narrow valley with the old park, the villas from around 1900, the boating lake and the open-air baths, whose three pools, 80 cm to 1.90 m deep, are fed with thermal mineral water from a spring at 31 °C. On a hill in the resort stands the Orthodox hermitage dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul.
Short marked trails start from the centre: one climbs past the ruins of the iron-smelting furnace, about 10 m tall, to the former red and black marble quarry and the viewpoint above the resort. Moneasa marble, quarried from the 19th century until the 2000s, went into the Palace of Culture in Arad and the Palace of the Parliament. Other trails lead to the Bat Cave (Peștera Liliecilor), and in the resort you can visit the Bear Grotto (Grota Ursului) with a guide, with a reconstructed cave bear skeleton.
Good to know
The resort's park has EU funding of ~1.9 million euros approved for its modernisation, with the works expected to take around two years; while they last, some of the paths may be closed.
Information verified on 2 November 2026.
- The pools of the open-air baths, fed with thermal mineral water from a spring at 31 °C, beneath the Codru-Moma forests.
- The trail past the ruins of the iron-smelting furnace to the former red and black marble quarry.
- The view over the resort's valley from the viewpoint next to the quarry.
- The Bear Grotto, visited with a guide, with its reconstructed cave bear skeleton.
- The old park and the villas built around 1900, when Moneasa was called "the Gastein of Hungary".
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Moneasa is ~20 km (~25 min) from Sebiș on the DJ 792B, which climbs up the Moneasa valley to the centre of the resort. From Arad it is ~100 km (~1 h 50) via Ineu and Sebiș; from Oradea ~115 km (~2 h), and from Timișoara ~155 km (~2 h 30).
- Rules
At the open-air baths, follow the rules posted at the entrance. Spa treatments are given after a consultation with the doctor at the treatment centre, as some procedures have contraindications. On the trails, keep to the marked paths and wear hiking shoes; the cave can only be entered with the guide.
- Facilities
Hotels, villas and guesthouses (~1,500 beds) · spa treatment centres · open-air baths with thermal mineral water · restaurants and terraces · boating lake and park · marked trails and viewpoint
Frequently asked questions about Moneasa
How much is a ticket to Moneasa?
Admission to Moneasa is free (baths and cave are paid).
What are the opening hours of Moneasa?
Opening hours at Moneasa: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Moneasa take?
A visit to Moneasa takes about 4½ – 5 hours (a day, with baths and a trail).
Can you visit Moneasa with kids?
Yes, Moneasa is suitable for children (shallow pools, easy trails).
How do I get to Moneasa?
Moneasa is located at DJ 792B, in the centre of the resort, next to the open-air baths, Moneasa, Arad County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Moneasa?
The best season for Moneasa: May – September (the baths open in summer).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Moneasa, sorted by distance.
32 km from Moneasa
Top 10034 km from Moneasa
