It draws over 200,000 visitors a year, according to Wikipedia, and is 16 km from Ștei, with guided tours every day.
About the place
The cave was opened on 17 September 1975, when blasting at the marble quarry broke into it; the first person down was the miner Traian Curta. Cavers from the Speodava club in Ștei explored it, followed by the Emil Racoviță Institute and the Crișana Museum, and it opened to visitors on 14 July 1980. It is over 1,500 m long on two levels; visitors see the upper level, 488 m, with the Bones Gallery, the Emil Racoviță Gallery and the Candles Gallery. The cave bear died out about 15,000 years ago; inside it is 10 °C all year.
The official site gives daily hours 9 am–6 pm, public holidays included, with the last entry at 5 pm. Tours are guided in Romanian, take about 45 minutes and start with at least 3 people. Tickets cost 40 lei for adults and children; there is no online booking, and groups of over 20 get one free leader per 10 paying visitors. Photos and filming need written permission from Apuseni Natural Park. From the car park you walk 15–20 minutes up a paved slope.
Good to know
- Come in the morning; the last entry is at 5 pm.
- Bring a jacket: it is 10 °C inside with 97% humidity.
- No food, pets or pushchairs inside; the climb from the car park is not wheelchair accessible.
Opening hours
| Monday | 09–18 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 09–18 |
| Wednesday | 09–18 |
| Thursday | 09–18 |
| Friday | 09–18 |
| Saturday | 09–18 |
| Sunday | 09–18 |
Hours may change on public holidays. Check before you go.