About Zărnești Bear Sanctuary
At a glance: Zoos and aquariums in Zărnești, Brașov County. Opening hours: Monday closed, Tuesday–Sunday 09:45 – 12:30. Ticket: 95 lei. The visit takes 1 – 1¼ hours. Information verified on 10 October 2026.
The Zărnești Bear Sanctuary, known as Libearty, has a different purpose from a zoo. It is home to brown bears taken out of captivity: from cages on restaurant terraces, unlicensed farms, substandard zoos or private households, along with orphaned cubs that could not have survived alone in the wild. The sanctuary is run by the Asociația Milioane de Prieteni (AMP), the Millions of Friends Association, and according to the association it is the largest brown bear sanctuary in the world.
It all began in 1998, when the association's founder found a bear named Maya near Bran Castle, kept in a filthy cage. In 2005, a partnership between AMP, World Animal Protection and the Zărnești town hall provided 69 hectares of oak forest, leased to the association for 49 years, and the first two bears, Cristi and Lidia, stepped onto grass for the first time. Today, according to the official website, there are more than 130 bears, and the number changes with rescues and transfers. The sanctuary receives no state funding and lives on donations, sponsorships, partnerships with NGOs and visitors' tickets.
What you can see
The visit is a guided tour only, on a laid-out forest track, at fixed times in the morning. The bears live in large areas of fenced forest, with trees to climb and pools, and choose for themselves where to be: sometimes they come close to the track, sometimes they stay hidden among the trees. You may see bears splashing, climbing or playing, and the guide tells each one's story. An electric fence runs between visitors and bears at all times. Besides the bears, rescued wolves and deer live in the sanctuary. There are no shows, and feeding the bears is forbidden: the purpose of the visit is educational.
Good to know
Places on the tours are limited, and online tickets go on sale 10 days ahead. Children under 5 are not admitted. The classic tour is 2 km long and takes about an hour and a quarter; there are also private, VIP and Super VIP tours, by reservation only. The sanctuary is closed on Mondays. Zărnești is also the gateway to Piatra Craiului National Park.
- The guided tour through the oak forest, on a 2 km forest track, with the story of each rescued bear.
- Bears splashing in pools or climbing trees, seen from a distance, in large areas of forest.
- The rescued wolves and deer, which live in the sanctuary alongside the bears.
- The bears' stories: some spent years in cages, and here they see grass, water and trees for the first time.
- Zărnești as a starting point for Piatra Craiului National Park, a few kilometres away.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the sanctuary is on the edge of Zărnești, on the road towards Piatra Craiului. From Brașov it is ~27 km on DN73A, about 45 minutes; from Bucharest ~180 km, ~3 hours.
Public transport: by train to Zărnești station, then a taxi or local bus; there are also regular buses from Brașov to Zărnești.
- Where to park
Free car park, within the sanctuary grounds.
- Fees & discounts
Classic tour, Tuesday to Friday: adult 95 lei, child (5–18) 50 lei, student (18–24) 75 lei. Saturday and Sunday: adult 100 lei, child 55 lei, student 80 lei. On public holidays that fall on a weekday the weekend prices apply. Free entry for people with a severe disability, with a certificate of permanent validity; you need proof for concessions and free entry. Personal camera or video camera: +50 lei. Online tickets are bought at most 10 days ahead, for the classic tour only, in Romanian or English (a ticket is valid only for the chosen time and language; changing on the spot costs 20 lei per adult and 10 lei per child, subject to availability). The private tour (200 EUR per group + the day's ticket), the VIP tour (200 EUR per group + 50 EUR per adult and 25 EUR per child) and the Super VIP tour (600 EUR for 8 people) must be booked at least 72 hours ahead and paid in full in advance.
- Rules
You can enter the sanctuary only with a guide, at the fixed tour times. Children under 5 are not admitted; bring a document showing their age. Do not feed the bears or other animals, do not eat in the sanctuary and do not smoke. Stay away from the electric fence, do not shout or make noise, and keep your phone on silent. Photos without flash. Stay with the group and on the track. Do not drop litter. Tours also take place in the rain, except in extreme weather: wear hiking footwear and clothes suited to the weather.
- Facilities
souvenir shop at the entrance · coffee and soft-drink machines · toilets at the entrance · free car park · limited access for people with disabilities
Frequently asked questions about Zărnești Bear Sanctuary
- How much is a ticket to Zărnești Bear Sanctuary?
- A ticket to Zărnești Bear Sanctuary costs 95 lei (100 lei on Saturday and Sunday). Classic tour, Tuesday to Friday: adult 95 lei, child (5–18) 50 lei, student (18–24) 75 lei. Saturday and Sunday: adult 100 lei, child 55 lei, student 80 lei. On public holidays that fall on a weekday the weekend prices apply. Free entry for people with a severe disability, with a certificate of permanent validity; you need proof for concessions and free entry. Personal camera or video camera: +50 lei. Online tickets are bought at most 10 days ahead, for the classic tour only, in Romanian or English (a ticket is valid only for the chosen time and language; changing on the spot costs 20 lei per adult and 10 lei per child, subject to availability). The private tour (200 EUR per group + the day's ticket), the VIP tour (200 EUR per group + 50 EUR per adult and 25 EUR per child) and the Super VIP tour (600 EUR for 8 people) must be booked at least 72 hours ahead and paid in full in advance.
- What are the opening hours of Zărnești Bear Sanctuary?
- Opening hours at Zărnești Bear Sanctuary: Monday closed, Tuesday–Sunday 09:45 – 12:30. Guided tours only, Tuesday to Sunday, in the morning, at fixed times: 9:45 and 11:00 (the official website's “Plan your visit” page, updated in October 2026; the “Visit the sanctuary” page gives 11:15 for the second tour, so check the time when you buy your ticket). The hours in the schedule are approximate: from the first tour to the end of the second. In busy periods extra tours may be added within the same time window. Closed every Monday, on the first day of Christmas, Easter and New Year. There are no unguided visits.
- How long does a visit to Zărnești Bear Sanctuary take?
- A visit to Zărnești Bear Sanctuary takes about 1 – 1¼ hours (the classic tour, guided only).
- Can you visit Zărnești Bear Sanctuary with kids?
- Yes, Zărnești Bear Sanctuary is suitable for children (not allowed under 5).
- Where can I park at Zărnești Bear Sanctuary?
- There is free parking at Zărnești Bear Sanctuary (free, at the sanctuary). Free car park, within the sanctuary grounds.
- How do I get to Zărnești Bear Sanctuary?
- Zărnești Bear Sanctuary is located at on the road towards Piatra Craiului, a few kilometres from the town centre, Zărnești, Brașov County. By car: the sanctuary is on the edge of Zărnești, on the road towards Piatra Craiului. From Brașov it is ~27 km on DN73A, about 45 minutes; from Bucharest ~180 km, ~3 hours. Public transport: by train to Zărnești station, then a taxi or local bus; there are also regular buses from Brașov to Zărnești.
- When is the best time to visit Zărnești Bear Sanctuary?
- The best season for Zărnești Bear Sanctuary: All year round (tours run in bad weather too).
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