About Sovata
Sovata is a spa and climatic resort of national importance, at the foot of the Gurghiu Mountains in the Târnava Mică valley, at about 500 m. The whole town stands on a body of salt, and in its north-eastern part, Sovata-Băi, the salt dissolving and the ground collapsing have formed a group of salt lakes: Lake Ursu, Aluniș, Negru, Roșu, Verde and Mierlei. The salt water, the sapropelic mud on the lake beds and the clean air of the surrounding forests are the resort's healing factors, and it is open all year.
The salt waters were used for bathing as early as 1715. The first licensed bath, Ghera, was approved in 1876, and since 1884 Sovata has been officially recognised as a spa. Lake Ursu formed in 1875, and in 1901 the Lower and Upper resorts merged into one. Between the two world wars Sovata became the best-known salt-bath resort in the country and one of Queen Marie's favourite resorts; in 1952 it was declared a town, and the large hotels were built between 1960 and 1980.
What you can see
Entry to the resort is free. The paths of the "Lake Ursu and the woods on salt ground" nature reserve link the lakes to one another, through oak and beech forest growing on salt. The Salt Trail (Drumul Sării), laid out in 2015, passes the Salt Mountain, where the salt comes to the surface in sharp ridges, and has a 28 m observation tower. Among the hotels, old wooden villas with turrets and fretwork balconies survive. The treatment centres use the salt water and the mud for rheumatic, gynaecological and neurological conditions. About 2 km from Lake Ursu is Lake Tivoli, a leisure lake with boats, and marked trails lead from the resort to the surrounding peaks, as far as Saca peak (1,777 m).
In winter you can ski on the Aluniș slope, ~8 km from the resort, below the Repas plateau: a run of ~1.2 km served by a chairlift and a beginners' area with a drag lift, groomed with a piste basher and a snow cannon.
Good to know
The ski lifts only run in the snow season. The lidos on the lakes open in summer only.
Information verified on 3 November 2026.
- A walk along the reserve's paths, from Lake Ursu to the Aluniș, Roșu and Verde lakes.
- The Salt Mountain on the Salt Trail, where the salt breaks the surface in sharp ridges.
- The view over the resort and the surrounding forests from the 28 m observation tower on the Salt Trail.
- A day's skiing on the Aluniș slope, with its chairlift, below the Repas plateau.
- The resort's old wooden villas, with turrets and fretwork balconies.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Târgu Mureș take the DN13 (E60) to Bălăușeri, then the DN13A to Sovata: ~56 km, about 1 hour 10 minutes. From Sighișoara it is ~71 km (~1 hour 30 minutes), also via Bălăușeri. From Odorheiu Secuiesc, come along the DN13A through Corund and Praid: ~48 km, about an hour; Praid Salt Mine is ~10 km away. In town, the Sovata-Băi resort is in the north-eastern part, reached by Strada Trandafirilor. The Aluniș slope is ~8 km from the resort, below the Repas plateau.
- Where to park
In the resort area, parking on public land is paid, at the roadside machines. The hotels have car parks for guests.
- Fees & discounts
Entry to the resort, the reserve's paths and the Salt Trail are free. The lidos, the procedures at the treatment centres and the Aluniș ski lifts are paid separately; at the slope, single rides and day passes are sold. Prices may change from one season to the next.
- Rules
The lakes and the surrounding forest are a nature reserve: do not pick plants, do not leave litter and only go into the water at the lidos. The salt water stings the eyes and must not be swallowed; if you have heart or blood pressure problems, ask a doctor before bathing or taking treatments. On the slope, follow the markings and safety rules, and on the longer trails in the Gurghiu Mountains keep to marked paths and be equipped for the mountains.
- Facilities
Treatment centres in the hotels, with hot baths, mud wraps, electrotherapy and physiotherapy · lidos on the salt lakes, in summer · Salt Trail with information points, toilets and an observation tower · tourist information centre · Lake Tivoli leisure lake, with boats, in summer · ski slope with a chairlift and a drag lift, accommodation at the top of the slope
Frequently asked questions about Sovata
How much is a ticket to Sovata?
Admission to Sovata is free. More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Sovata?
Opening hours at Sovata: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Sovata take?
A visit to Sovata takes about 3½ – 4 hours (lakes, the Salt Trail and a bathe).
Can you visit Sovata with kids?
Yes, Sovata is suitable for children (beginners' slope).
Where can I park at Sovata?
There is paid parking at Sovata (paid, on the resort's streets). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Sovata?
Sovata is located at Sovata-Băi resort, around the salt lakes (Strada Trandafirilor), Sovata, Mureș County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Sovata?
The best season for Sovata: All year round (lakes in summer, skiing in winter).
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