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Voykit pocket guide · Romania
Uricani
Spend a half‑day in Uricani for a quick walk to the Retezat foothills, then head to nearby Petrosani or Deva; no overnight needed unless you want mountain lodging.
Uricani is a small town at the western edge of the Jiu Valley, mainly known for its coal‑mining past and proximity to the Retezat National Park. The town itself offers limited sights, but the surrounding mountains provide short hikes and gorge views. A few hours suffice for a town stroll and a brief nature walk; an extra night is only justified for staying in a mountain lodge.
- Country
- Romania
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (snow in the mountains)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- RON
- Money
- Currency is the Romanian leu (RON, plural lei); Romania does not use the euro. About 5 lei to €1 in 2026 — check the live rate.
- Daily spend
- Budget 30–45 RON excl. bed · Mid 45–80 RON excl. bed · High 80 RON+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Orange, Vodafone and Digi sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at the airport; Digi is the cheapest. Passport ID is required to register a SIM — check.
- Emergency
- Police / ambulance / fire / mountain rescue 112
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Standard European round two-pin; Schuko (F) sockets take C plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: About 10%, left in cash even when paying by card.; Café or bar: Round up or leave a few lei.; Taxi or Bolt: Round up; app tips optional.; Guesthouse host or driver-guide: RON 20–50 per day for good service.; Hotel porter: RON 5–10 per bag.
- Water
- Tap water in cities is treated and generally safe; many locals prefer bottled mineral water (apă plată = still, apă minerală = sparkling). Avoid untreated wells in villages.
- Toilets
- Use cafés, malls, museums and fuel stations; some stations and parks charge RON 1–3. Village and monastery toilets can be basic — carry tissues.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | 5–8 RON |
| Traditional Romanian meal | 15–30 RON |
| Bottle of local wine | 12–25 RON |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | 30–45 RON |
| Entry to Cheile Buții | 5 RON |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SBZ · Sibiu International Airport
- about 2 h drive from Uricani
Typical fares
- Car from DN 66A to Cheile Buții
- ≈15 min, 5 km (3.1 mi), fuel ~5 RON (check)≈15 min, 3.1 mi (5 km), fuel ~5 RON (check)
- Taxi Uricani → Petrosani (10 km)
- ≈30–45 RON
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is reached by DN 66A (27 km (17 mi) branch). Walk to nearby trails; no public transport within the gorge, so use a car or taxi.The town is reached by DN 66A (17 mi (27 km) branch). Walk to nearby trails; no public transport within the gorge, so use a car or taxi.
See and do
Known for
- Retezat National Park access
- Cheile Buții gorge
- Valea de Pești lake
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cheile Buții gorge | Local road from Uricani, about 15 min drive; walk from parking | ≈30 min total |
| Valea de Pești lake | Drive 20 min on DN 66A, then short walk to lake | ≈45 min total |
| Retezat National Park – peak Custura (2 282 m) | Drive to trailhead 30 min, then 2 h hike | ≈3 h |
Sleep
- Complex Turistic Cheile Buții
- Lodges in the gorge, price 162 RON per night
- Pensiunea Retezat
- Valley hotel with pool; price check
- Pensiunea Fish Valley
- Country inn near Valea de Pești; price check
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Scuzaţi-măskuzaţi-mă |
| Thank you | Mulţumescmulţumesc |
| How much is it? | Cât costă?kət ˈkostə |
| Where is the toilet? | Unde este toaleta?ˈunde ˈeste toˈaleta |
| Can I pay by card? | Pot plăti cu cardul?pot ˈpləti ku ˈkardul |
| Help! | Ajutor!aˈʒutor |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and eye contact; 'bună ziua' by day, 'bună seara' in the evening; avoid: First names with older people before they offer them
- Visiting a home: Take shoes off at the door; bring flowers (an odd number), chocolate or wine; avoid: Even numbers of flowers — they are for funerals
- Churches: Cover shoulders and knees; women may cover their hair in monasteries; stand quietly at the back during services; avoid: Crossing in front of the altar area or photographing people praying
- Conversation: Food, football, travel in Romania and family are safe topics; avoid: Dracula as the country's identity, calling Romanians Slavs, and careless talk about Roma or Hungarians
- Hospitality: Accept at least a taste of what you are offered; thank the host by name; avoid: Refusing all food and drink outright
- Queues and transport: Give seats to older people and parents with children; avoid: Loud phone calls in train compartments
Scams and watch-outs
- Coal‑mining area can be dusty in summer.
- Mountain trails may be icy in winter; check conditions.
Generally safe; watch for sudden mountain weather changes and occasional stray dogs near the mines.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Uricani yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Retezat National Park access
- Cheile Buții gorge
- Valea de Pești lake
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Uricani, revision 5329613 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5329613
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Uricani
La această adresă, vă rog
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / ambulance / fire / mountain rescue112
US consulate in Cluj‑Napoca (check address); Romanian embassy in Washington, D.C.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/uricani). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.