Harghita & Covasna: Tușnad, Sf. Ana

In the heart of the Curvature Carpathians, on the border between Harghita and Covasna, the extinct volcanic mountains preserve traces rare in all of Europe: a lake set in a perfect crater, mineral springs bursting from the ground, and mofettes releasing gases of volcanic origin. This is a land of healing waters and beech forests, with a living Székely culture and a hospitality that smells of fir wood and sparkling mineral water.

Why it's worth it Băile Tușnad, the smallest spa resort in the country, sits tucked between wooded slopes, a short walk from the region's most spectacular sight: Saint Anne's Lake, the only volcanic crater lake in Romania, cradled in the caldera of an extinct volcano. Nearby, at Covasna, the "resort of a thousand springs", the mofettes and carbonated waters have drawn visitors for treatment for over a century.

When to go Summer (May–October) is the season for forest hikes and open-air spa cures. Autumn sets the beech woods ablaze with colour, and winter hushes the resorts under snow. Because mountain weather shifts fast, check the forecast and keep the Salvamont rescue contacts to hand.

What to do The classic route climbs from the resort to the lake: Băile Tușnad – Saint Anne's Lake, with a stop at the nearby Mohoș peat bog. There are gentler forest paths too, and viewpoints over the Olt Valley. Explore all the options on the trails hub and the list of attractions, then the ideas for experiences and themed itineraries.

Thermal waters and treatment The region lives through its waters. At the thermal baths and mofettes you'll find cures for the heart and circulation at Covasna and Tușnad, while further to the north-west, at Sovata, the heliothermal Bear Lake completes the spa map of eastern Transylvania.

Getting there & where to sleep The DN12 links Sfântu Gheorghe and Miercurea Ciuc along the Olt Valley, through Tușnad; check conditions on the mountain roads page and on the map. For your stay, choose between spa hotels and Székely guesthouses, with traditional cooking at local restaurants.

Practical note: the mofettes hold heavy gases — respect the markings and do not take small children below the indicated level.