
Praid is a Székely village in the hills of eastern Transylvania, known across Romania for its salt mine, one of the country's largest salt deposits and, for years, a major attraction that drew hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. Severe flooding in May 2025 forced the mine to close, and it remained shut at the time of writing, so check the latest news before planning a trip around it. The village itself is quiet, with a Hungarian-speaking community, pastures, orchards and wooded hills, and the long-distance Via Transilvanica hiking trail passes straight through.
Praid works best as a peaceful base for exploring the Székely Land and the so-called Salt Region around it. Sovata, a short drive away, has the lakes and spa hotels. Corund is famous for its pottery, and Odorheiu Secuiesc is the region's main town, with shops, restaurants and a lively centre. Guesthouses in the villages are the usual choice, and a car makes everything easier, because buses are infrequent and the best sights are spread out.
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One of Romania's largest salt mines, whose tourist area underground was a major attraction until severe flooding in May 2025 forced it to close. It remained closed at the time of writing, so check the latest news with local tourist information before making plans. The village around it still has a rural charm that is worth a stop.
The best-known salt lake in nearby Sovata, called Bear Lake in English, is a heliothermal lake, where warm water lies beneath a cooler, fresher surface layer. People swim and float in the very salty water in summer. It is a short drive from Praid and is surrounded by spa hotels and woodland.

A smaller salt lake in the woods near Sovata, quieter than Bear Lake and pleasant for a shoreline stroll. The area around it is also used for winter sports in the cold months.

A village in the hills a short drive away, renowned for its pottery and ceramics. Roadside stalls sell brightly glazed plates, jugs and cups, and it is a good place to find a handmade souvenir.

This is the main town of the region and a centre of Székely identity, with a walkable centre of cafés and shops. Nearly nine in ten of its people are Hungarians, and the town is a fine place to taste Székely food and see local crafts.
A small, quiet village with guesthouses and a rural atmosphere, right on the Via Transilvanica trail. It suits walkers and visitors who want peace, and it is best with a car for restaurants and sights.
A spa resort about 15 kilometres away with salt lakes, spa hotels and a wider choice of restaurants. It suits guests who want pools, treatments and a livelier atmosphere.
A pottery village with guesthouses, set in the hills a short drive from Praid. It suits travellers who enjoy crafts and rural scenery.
The largest town nearby, with shops, services, cafés and public transport links. It suits people who want everyday conveniences and a town base for exploring the region.
Late spring, summer and early autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking the Via Transilvanica and exploring the hills, with green pastures in May and June and golden beech woods in October. Summer is also the time for swimming in the nearby salt lakes at Sovata. Winters are cold and snowy, which suits spa breaks and a peaceful, white landscape, but some rural roads and guesthouses can be hard to reach. Spring thaw makes trails muddy, so bring waterproof boots.
A car is the easiest way to get around, because the villages are spread out and public transport is infrequent. Local buses run along the valley road between the villages and towns, and there are longer services to Târgu Mureș, but timetables thin out in the evening and at weekends. The Via Transilvanica trail is waymarked and passes through the village, so walkers can link stages on foot. Rural roads can be icy in winter and muddy in spring, so allow extra time.
Székely cooking is hearty, with a strong Hungarian influence. Look for gulyás, a thick paprika stew, and tokány, meat stewed with onions and peppers, as well as sarmale, cabbage rolls served with polenta known as mămăligă. Székely cabbage, a rich dish of pork and sauerkraut with sour cream, is a regional favourite. Sweet kürtőskalács, chimney cake baked over embers, is sold at stalls, and papanași, fried doughnuts with sour cream and jam, are a popular dessert. Locals often finish a meal with fruit brandy.
The mine was closed after severe flooding in May 2025, and it remained closed at the time of writing. Check the latest news with local tourist information before planning, and consider Sovata's lakes as an alternative.
Praid village is best for peace and the Via Transilvanica trail, while Sovata is best for spas and lakes. Odorheiu Secuiesc is the best choice for shops, restaurants and transport.
You can swim in the salt lakes at Sovata, shop for pottery in Corund and walk stages of the Via Transilvanica. Odorheiu Secuiesc and the Székely villages offer food, culture and craft traditions.
A car is much easier, because buses are infrequent and the sights are spread out. Hiring one in Târgu Mureș or arranging a transfer from there is the usual solution.
It is waymarked and passes through the village, but stages are long and the terrain is hilly. Plan stages around villages with accommodation, carry water and check the weather.