https://au.trip.com/travel-guide/destination/valcea-123924/?curr=USD
Valcea
"Cozia" Monastery
Cozia National Park
Cozia AquaPark
Zăvoi
Photos
Valcea

Valcea independent travel guide (2025): top things to do, popular tourism attractions, itinerary planning, accommodation, food, transportation, weather, and more - everything you need to know (updated July 2025) | Trip.com

About Valcea

Valcea Local Experiences Map

View Local Experiences on Map

Popular Destinations

More Popular Destinations
Voineasa

Voineasa

Ramnicu Valcea

Ramnicu Valcea

Costesti

Costesti

Municipiul Ramnicu - Valcea

Municipiul Ramnicu - Valcea

Calimanesti

Calimanesti

Muereasca de Sus

Muereasca de Sus

Gantulei

Gantulei

Maciuceni

Maciuceni

Things to do in Valcea

What to Do

Looking for things to do in Valcea? We provide up-to-date info on everything from must-see scenic spots to local hangouts.
View More
"Cozia" Monastery

"Cozia" Monastery

3.9
This user hasn't left any comments yet
Cozia National Park

Cozia National Park

3.5
This user hasn't left any comments yet
"Natural scenery"
Cozia AquaPark

Cozia AquaPark

3.4
This user hasn't left any comments yet
Zăvoi

Zăvoi

3.4
This user hasn't left any comments yet
"Natural scenery"
Ski Resort Transalpina

Ski Resort Transalpina

3.4
This user hasn't left any comments yet
Ostroveni Aqua park

Ostroveni Aqua park

3.3
This user hasn't left any comments yet
Ceramica Pietraru

Ceramica Pietraru

3.3
This user hasn't left any comments yet
Turnu Monastery

Turnu Monastery

3.3
This user hasn't left any comments yet
One Tree Monastery

One Tree Monastery

3.3
This user hasn't left any comments yet
Mircea cel Batran Park

Mircea cel Batran Park

3.3
This user hasn't left any comments yet

Where to Stay

Discover the most popular places to stay in Valcea, complete with recommendations from fellow travelers and special hotel offers
View More
Hotel 5 HILLS DRAGASANI

Hotel 5 HILLS DRAGASANI

4.8/5This user hasn't left any comments yet
Felix Pension

Felix Pension

4.7/5This user hasn't left any comments yet
Hotel Tisa

Hotel Tisa

4.2/52 Reviews
Complex Balnear Cozia - Corp Caciulata

Complex Balnear Cozia - Corp Caciulata

4.4/5This user hasn't left any comments yet
Zan Hotel

Zan Hotel

4.0/51 Reviews
Vila Phoenix

Vila Phoenix

4.7/5This user hasn't left any comments yet
River Hotel & Spa

River Hotel & Spa

4.8/51 Reviews
Hotel President

Hotel President

4.3/51 Reviews
Hotel Dada Termal

Hotel Dada Termal

4.6/5This user hasn't left any comments yet
Forest Retreat&Spa

Forest Retreat&Spa

4.5/52 Reviews

What to Eat

Want to eat like a local? Don't miss out on these top Valcea dishes and foodie spots.
View More
Catchy Gourmet Street Food

Catchy Gourmet Street Food

This user hasn't left any comments yet
Avg. USD4/person
"Fast Food"
Restaurant Queen

Restaurant Queen

This user hasn't left any comments yet
Avg. USD65/person
"Western-style"
Obelix Pitta Gyros

Obelix Pitta Gyros

This user hasn't left any comments yet
Avg. USD11/person
"Western-style"
OK Street Pub

OK Street Pub

This user hasn't left any comments yet
"Bars/Bistros"
D'amici

D'amici

This user hasn't left any comments yet
"Western-style"
Old City Garden

Old City Garden

This user hasn't left any comments yet
"Western-style"
L'Accademia del Gusto

L'Accademia del Gusto

This user hasn't left any comments yet
"Western-style"
Union Pub

Union Pub

This user hasn't left any comments yet
"Bars/Bistros"
Terasa Camelot

Terasa Camelot

This user hasn't left any comments yet
"Western-style"
Restaurant Simfonia

Restaurant Simfonia

This user hasn't left any comments yet
"Western-style"
ZOOMSERIE

ZOOMSERIE

This user hasn't left any comments yet
"Coffee Shops"
Cofetaria Arkadia

Cofetaria Arkadia

This user hasn't left any comments yet
"Bakeries"

Valcea Moments: Through Travelers' Eyes

Post
Nestled in the heart of Romania's Oltenia region, Horezu is a town that captures both the spiritual and the artistic soul of the country. Known for its UNESCO-recognized monastery and centuries-old ceramic tradition, Horezu is a destination where history, craftsmanship, and culture intertwine beautifully.

⛪️ The Horezu Monastery – A Spiritual Masterpiece
Built at the end of the 17th century by Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu, Horezu Monastery is a true jewel of Romanian Orthodox architecture. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the monastery is an exceptional example of the Brâncovenesc style – a harmonious blend of Byzantine, Renaissance, and Baroque elements.
Visitors are greeted by an atmosphere of peace, surrounded by intricate frescoes, sculpted stone columns, and traditional Romanian motifs. The monastery was not only a place of worship but also an important cultural and educational center. Today, it continues to be a living place of monastic life and a destination for both pilgrims and art lovers.

🗿Horezu Ceramics – A Living Tradition of Clay and Creativity
Just a short walk from the monastery, the town’s ceramic workshops carry on a centuries-old craft. Horezu pottery is famous throughout Romania and beyond for its unique style, hand-made and hand-painted using natural pigments and traditional tools. At the Horezu Ceramic Workshop, visitors can observe artisans shaping clay on the potter’s wheel, a skill passed down through generations. Each piece – whether a bowl, plate, or decorative object – features traditional motifs such as the "Horezu rooster", spirals, or stylized trees, often in earthy reds, greens, browns, and creams. No two items are exactly alike, which makes each creation a true work of folk art.
The workshop also offers interactive experiences, allowing guests to try their hand at the potter’s wheel and understand the patience and skill behind each ceramic piece.

📍How to Get There
Horezu is located in Vâlcea County, southern Romania, approximately 200 km northwest of Bucharest

🚗 By car: The most convenient way to reach Horezu is by car. From Bucharest, take the A1 highway to Pitești, then follow the DN67 road through Râmnicu Vâlcea. 
🚉By train and bus: You can also take a train to Râmnicu Vâlcea, the nearest major city, and from there, catch a local minibus to Horezu. The bus ride takes about 1.5 hours. 
🚍By guided tour: Several travel agencies offer day trips or weekend tours from Bucharest and Sibiu that include Horezu Monastery and the ceramic workshops, often combined with other nearby attractions like the Polovragi or Bistrița Monasteries.

Nestled in the heart of Romania's Oltenia region, Horezu is a town that captures both the spiritual and the artistic soul of the country. Known for its UNESCO-recognized monastery and centuries-old ceramic tradition, Horezu is a destination where history, craftsmanship, and culture intertwine beautifully. ⛪️ The Horezu Monastery – A Spiritual Masterpiece Built at the end of the 17th century by Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu, Horezu Monastery is a true jewel of Romanian Orthodox architecture. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the monastery is an exceptional example of the Brâncovenesc style – a harmonious blend of Byzantine, Renaissance, and Baroque elements. Visitors are greeted by an atmosphere of peace, surrounded by intricate frescoes, sculpted stone columns, and traditional Romanian motifs. The monastery was not only a place of worship but also an important cultural and educational center. Today, it continues to be a living place of monastic life and a destination for both pilgrims and art lovers. 🗿Horezu Ceramics – A Living Tradition of Clay and Creativity Just a short walk from the monastery, the town’s ceramic workshops carry on a centuries-old craft. Horezu pottery is famous throughout Romania and beyond for its unique style, hand-made and hand-painted using natural pigments and traditional tools. At the Horezu Ceramic Workshop, visitors can observe artisans shaping clay on the potter’s wheel, a skill passed down through generations. Each piece – whether a bowl, plate, or decorative object – features traditional motifs such as the "Horezu rooster", spirals, or stylized trees, often in earthy reds, greens, browns, and creams. No two items are exactly alike, which makes each creation a true work of folk art. The workshop also offers interactive experiences, allowing guests to try their hand at the potter’s wheel and understand the patience and skill behind each ceramic piece. 📍How to Get There Horezu is located in Vâlcea County, southern Romania, approximately 200 km northwest of Bucharest 🚗 By car: The most convenient way to reach Horezu is by car. From Bucharest, take the A1 highway to Pitești, then follow the DN67 road through Râmnicu Vâlcea. 🚉By train and bus: You can also take a train to Râmnicu Vâlcea, the nearest major city, and from there, catch a local minibus to Horezu. The bus ride takes about 1.5 hours. 🚍By guided tour: Several travel agencies offer day trips or weekend tours from Bucharest and Sibiu that include Horezu Monastery and the ceramic workshops, often combined with other nearby attractions like the Polovragi or Bistrița Monasteries.

PassportVibes
PassportVibes
1
Maldar Mansion

Maldar Mansion

UnRO
UnRO
2
View More

Best of Valcea

Popular Luxury Hotels Near Valcea

View More

Top 10 Cultural Hotels near Valcea

View More

Top 50 Premium Hotels near Valcea

View More

Top 50 4-Star Select Hotels near Valcea

View More

Other Recommended Cities

Bucharest

Bucharest

Brasov

Brasov

Constanta

Constanta

Iasi

Iasi