On the site of collapsed ancient salt mines, eight salt lakes have formed — some of the saltiest in Europe. Ocna Sugatag has been renowned for centuries for its therapeutic properties.
8 salt lakes
Lake Gavril (30 m deep) and Tăul Fără Fund (33 m) rank among Europe's saltiest lakes — beneficial for rheumatic, dermatological, and respiratory conditions.
Spa resort
Ocna Sugatag has a traditional spa centre offering salt baths, physiotherapy, massage, and other treatments.
Pools at guesthouses
Several guesthouses in Ocna Sugatag offer private salt-water swimming pools, accessible to both guests and day visitors.
Guesthouses with salt-water pools
How the lakes were formed
Salt was mined at Ocna Șugatag for centuries — the settlement is first recorded in documents in 1355, and its economic life revolved around the salt mines. In 1950, massive infiltrations of fresh water made mining impossible and the mines were closed. Over time the ceilings of the old mines collapsed, the cavities filled with water and the salt in their walls dissolved into it. That is how today's lakes were born: not man-made pools, but collapsed mines filled with water and salt.
The resulting salt concentration is among the highest in the country, and the water holds you up effortlessly — a sensation few people forget.
Where you can swim
Besides the salt-water pools at many of the guesthouses in Ocna Șugatag, there are other places where you can enjoy the resort's salt water.
Lacul Sărat Tourist Complex, right next to Lake Gavril, has indoor and outdoor pools with salt and fresh water, including heated pools, as well as jacuzzis, saunas and a salt room.
Lacul Bătrân Complex offers something special: here you can swim directly in a natural salt lake or choose the salt-water pools, including a heated one.
The Ocna Șugatag open-air pool is another option for those who want to enjoy the salt water the resort is known for.
Opening hours, prices and available facilities may vary with the season, so we recommend checking them before your visit.
Tips for a salt-water bath
Very salty water is not like pool water: get in gradually, stay in for 15–20 minutes and take breaks in the shade. Don't put your head under, and avoid the water if you have fresh scratches — it stings badly. After bathing, rinse off with fresh water, otherwise the salt stays on your skin. It is not suitable for people with decompensated heart conditions or open wounds; for treatments, ask the resort's balneology doctor for advice.
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