Romania tries to promote itself in various ways to foreign tourists, and one of them is through the spa resorts and the natural resources that can be used for treating various diseases. Around 70 percent of Romania's medical tourism is covered by spa resorts, but unfortunately not all these resorts have received the needed attention during the recent years. More investments are required to attract tourists. However, the natural resources are in place and can be used in these resorts. We've listed the 30 main spa resorts in Romania. If we've missed an important one, let us know.

editor@romania-insider.com

1. Vatra Dornei in Suceava county

Therapeutic use: heart diseases; degenerative rheumatic affections; abarticular rheumatic affections; peripheral neurological ailments; associated affections like breathing, endocrine, digestive, gynecologic, metabolic, nutrition affections, professional diseases, neurotic asthenia.

Resources: Hypo tonic or hypersonic, carbogaseous, chlorosodic, bicarbonated mineral waters; mofettes; fortifying and stimulating climate, sulphur mineral waters.

Location: 110 km from Suceava, 83 km from Bistrita. At an altitude of 802 meters.

What else to see in the area: Dendrology Park; Runcu chalet; Suceava City (Bucovina National Museum, Village Museum; Scheia citadel, the ruins of Stephan the Great Princely Court, Zamca citadel-monastery), the town of Baia (the ruins of the Catholic Cathedral, the White Church founded by Stephan the Great), Campulung Moldovenesc: departure point for trips in Rarau -Giumalau Mountains, to Pietrele Doamnei, Rarau Chalet, Slatioara secular forest (natural reservation); Falticeni and Gura Humorului towns; monasteries: Voronet Monastery, Humor, Dragomirna, Putna, Sucevita, Moldovita, Arbore.

2. Oglinzi in Iasi county

Therapeutic use: mainly for relaxation

Resources: waters with chlorine-sodic of high concentration; calm climate, highly ionized air.

Location: 3 km north of Targu Neamt and 2 km from Neamt Citadel

What else to see in the area: Monasteries Varatec, Agapia, Neamt, Sihastria, Stanca, and the cave of Saint Theodora from Sihla village and Sihla Monastery.

3. Sangeorz Bai in Bistrita – Nasaud county

Therapeutic use: Digestive diseases, diskinesia, chronic cholecystitis, chronic hepatitis; nutritional and metabolic diseases (diabetes, obesity); associated ailments like rhinitis, sinusitis, allergies.

Resources: Sparkling mineral waters containing bicarbonate, chlorine, sodium, magnesium, bromine, iodine; mineral spring mud; mofette; tonic climate.

Location: In the northeastern part of Bistrita Nasaud county, on the southern foot of Rodna Mountains

4. Sovata in Mures County

Therapeutic use: Gynecologic diseases (ovarian insufficiency, secondary sterility), Degenerative, inflammatory and abarticular rheumatism, Post traumatic sequels, Peripheral neurological affections (paresis), Endocrine ailments (hyperthyroid), Cardiovascular affections (varicosity ulcer).

Resources: Chlorosodic mineral waters from the helium-thermal lake, Saproelic mud from the lake, Fortifying bio-climate.

Location: 51 km from Targu Mures

What else to see in the area: Praid (the salt mine, the salty mountain; the Mining Museum), Targu Mures city, Sighisoara citadel.

5. Baile Felix in Bihor County

Therapeutic use:Inflammatory rheumatic affections (rheumatic polyarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis), degenerative rheumatic affections (cervical, dorsal and lumbar spondylosis), posttraumatic affections, peripheral and central nervous system affections, associated diseasses (nutrition, metabolic, endocrine diseases), gynecologic diseases.

Resources: Thermal mineral waters containing: bicarbonate, sulphur, calcium, sodium, silicium; moderate continental climate

Location: northwestern side of Romania, in Crisurilor plain, 9 km from Oradea and 659 km from Bucharest

What else to see in the area: Oradea (the museum of Tara Crisurilor, Romano-Catholic Cathedral, Oradea citadel's ruins, the Episcopal Orthodox Cathedral), Biharia (the vestiges of Biharia citadel), dendrology park in Batar, the Bears' Cave in Chiscau, 1 Mai baths: natural reservation with thermal lotus, from the tertiary era, unique all over Europe, Meziad Cave, Padis Plateau: natural reservation with spleens phenomena unique in Romania (Boghii Rocks, Burning Fire Glacier, Goldenness Valley, Ponor Citadels, "The Lost World plateau, Radesa citadels), Stana de Vale: departure point for trips to Apuseni Mountains, The Hell Valley (waterfalls: Iadolina, The Devil's Mill, Lesu accumulation lake),  Vadu Crisului: departure point for trips to Padurea Craiului Mountains, Crisul Repede Gorge, Vadu Crisului caves.

6. Turda in Cluj County

Therapeutic use: Pre-arthrosis, rheumatism, degenerative rheumatism, peripheral nervous system affections, gynecologic diseases.

Resources: Therapeutic mineral mud, hyper-saline chlorine-sodium mineral waters.

Location: in the eastern part of Turda city, at an altitude of 360 m, 30 km away from Cluj -Napoca.

What else to see in the area: Turda Salt Mines, Turda Zoo, Cheile Turzii Chalet, Cheile Turzii Reservation in Trascau Mountains, At 1385 m altitude, Muntele Baisorii Alpin Hotel, at an altitude of 1,385 meters

7. Baile Calacea in Timis County

Therapeutic use: Degenerative rheumatic affections (cervical spondylosis, arthrosis, poliarthrozis, coxarthrozis), urinary canals diseases

Resources: climate and the mineral and thermal hypotone waters

Location: in the Vingai Plain in western Romania, 38 km north of Timisoara and 30 km nort of Arad city.

What else to see in the area: Timisoara, Lugoj, Recas (for wine testing); horse riding center in Izvin, natural reservation at Satchinez, monasteries in Radna, Sag, Bodrog.

8. Buzias in Timis County

Therapeutic use: Cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system affections, nutritional and metabolic diseases, neurotic asthenia, psychic disorders, endocrine ailments, kidney diseases

Resources: Mineral waters, Strong ionization of the air with negative ions.

Location: 34 km from Timisoara and 23 km from Lugoj. Buzias is 180 km from Hungary and 97 km from Serbia and Muntenegru.

What else to see in the area: Timisoara, Lugoj, The ruins of the feudal citadel "Marginea", The Ethnographic Museum of the Svabi

9. Moneasa in Arad County

Therapeutic use: Abarticular rheumatic affections, degenerative rheumatic affections, peripheral neurological affections, nutritional, metabolic ailments, gynecologic diseases.

Resources: Mesothermal mineral waters containing: bicarbonate, magnesium, calcium, sodium and oligominerals, fortifying bio-climate (ionization).

Location: western side of Romania, on the Moneasa River, at the foot of Codru Moma Mountains, at an altitude of 290 meters, 110 km from Arad.

What else to see in the area: the city of Arad with the citadel, the Serbian Church, the History Museum; Varsau Plateau (the Bats` Cave and the Crystals` Cave), the town of Lipova, Bodrog monastery, one of the oldest clerical building in Romania

10. Geoagiu Bai in Hunedoara County

Therapeutic use: Degenerative, inflammatory, abarticular rheumatic affections, posttraumatic affections, gynecologic diseases,peripheral nervous system ailments, dermatological diseases, asthenia neurosis, professional diseases, kidney diseases, endocrine, nutritional and metabolic affections.

Resources: Mesothermal mineral waters, fortifying climate.

Location: southern side of Apuseni Mountains

What else to see in the area: Hunedoara, Huniazilor Castle, Sarmisegetusa Ulpia Traiana Museum,  Hateg, Strei and Densus churches, Orastie, Deva

11. Olanesti in Valcea county

Therapeutic use: kidney and urinary tract affections, digestive diseases, liver diseases, breathing affections, metabolic and nutritional diseases, dermatological diseases, degenerative rheumatism, arthrosis, neurotic neurasthenia, professional disease, endocrine affections.

Resources: Mineral waters containing: sulphur, chlorine, iodine, bromine, sodium, calcium, and magnesium, Oligo-mineral springs, hypotonic springs and isotonic springs, climate.

Location: northeastern part of Oltenia

What else to see in the area: Turnu Monastery, Stanisoara Monastery; Cornetu Monastery, Turnu Rosu Olt River Gorge, Pons Vetus Roman ruins in Caineni, Village Museum in Bujoreni, "Petrache Poienaru Memorial House (the inventor of the fountain pen), in Benesti, The Bats` Cave -access: from Bistrita Monastery yard, Arnota Monastery in Costesti

12. Baile Herculane in Caras Severin county

Therapeutic use: Locomotion apparatus and nervous system diseases, sequels after locomotion apparatus trauma, breathing problems, chronic gynecological disorders, incipient diabetes mellitus, heavy metals intoxication, digestive diseases, eye problems, overweight syndrome

Resources: The thermal mineral waters are chlorosodic, bicarbonate with sulfur or calcium or with brome-iodine-sulphur. The air is rich in negative ions.

Location: 5 km from the main route, which links Bucharest to the western part of the country. The resort belongs to "Cerna Valley- Domogled" National Park.

What else to see in the area: Hercules bronze statue, the museum of the spa, The Imperial Roman Baths in the basement of the Roman hotel, the cabins where Emperor Franz Iosef and Empress Elisabeth treated their affections, Herculane Railway Station built in Austrian baroque style, the hunting house of Emperor Franz Iosif, A casino built in 1913, Tismana Monastery.

13. Govora in Valcea County

Therapeutic use: chronic rhino-sinusitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, mycosis, breathing diseases, gynecological, endocrine and professional diseases.

Resources: The hypo-tonic mineral waters contain sulfur, chlorine, iodine, bromine, sodium, and bicarbonate, the climate.

Location: lower Carpathian Mountains, on the river Hinta valley, 20 km from Ramnicu Valcea.

What else to see in the area: Govora Monastery, Horezu Monastery, Turnu Monastery, Pons Vetus Roman ruins in Caineni, Turnu Rosu Olt River Gorge, Cetatuia Hermitage

14. Calimanesti – Caciulata in Valcea County

Therapeutic use: Digestive diseases, liver diseases, kidney diseases, metabolic and nutrition diseases, inflammatory rheumatic affections, peripheral neurological affections, breathing affections, gynecologic, dermatological, cardiovascular, professional diseases, neurasthenia.

Resources: Mineral waters with different concentrations, chemical content and temperatures. The hypo tone mineral waters contain: sulphur, chlorine, bromine, sodium, calcium and magnesium; Mild, temperate-continental climate

Location: on the Olt Valley, 21 km from Ramnicu Valcea

What else to see in the area: Turnu Monastery, Stanisoara Monastery, Cornetu Monastery, Pons Vetus Roman ruins from Caineni, Arnota Monastery in Costesti, Village Museum in Bujoreni, The Wooden Church in Albac, Valea Cheii and Cheia Stramba Mountain, Cozia Mountains - 17,000 ha natural reservation.

15. Ocnele Mari in Valcea county

Therapeutic use: affections of the locomotion apparatus, arthritis, arthrosis, diseases of bone and muscles, gynecology diseases, post inflamatory or post surgery disorders.

Resources: The salted mine have influenced the composition of the mineral waters used in the bath pools. The mineral waters contain Chlorine, Bicarbonate, Iodine; Sapropelic mud.

Location: on the right side of Olt river, 18 km from Ramnicu Valcea

What else to see in the area: archeological Reservation Buridava Dacica 2 km to the south; various geological forms in the area

16. Pucioasa in Prahova county

Therapeutic use: Degenerative, inflammatory, abarticular rheumatic affections; peripheral nervous system diseases, post traumatic diseases, breathing problems

Resources: mineral waters, sedating curing climate

Location: in the Ialomita Valley, 21 km far from Targoviste, 45 km from Sinaia resort, 100 km from Bucharest.

What else to see in the area: Targoviste city ( the old Residence of Vallachia, the Princely Court museum, the Printing Press and the Romanian Book Museums).

17. Sinaia in Prahova county

Therapeutic use: Neurosis, endocrine-metabolic diseases (hyper-thyroid, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, obesity), chronic breathing diseases, high blood pressure; peripheral and cerebral circulation disorders, chronic rheumatism, chronic peripheral neuron affections

Resources: fortifying, tonic climate, with fresh air, deprived of dust and allergic factors, rich in ultraviolet rays and negative ions; mineral waters from "Valea Cainelui" spring

Location: at the foot of Furnica Mountains, on a plateau nearby Prahova Valley, on the right side of Prahova River, on the southeastern side of Bucegi Mountains.

What else to see in the area: Peles Castle Museum, Sinaia Monastery, George Enescu Museum, Sinaia Casino, Medieval castle in Bran, museum in Campina, Cheia monastery.

18. Slanic Prahova in Prahova county

Therapeutic use: degenerative rheumatism, inflammatory rheumatism, post-trauma locomotion affections,chronic infectious and allergic breathing affections, chronic gynecologic diseases, peripheral cardiovascular problems, dermatological diseases.

Resources: ozone, salt lakes, sapropelic mud, salt mine

Location: central part of Prahova County, between Prahova and Teleajen valleys, 44 km from Ploiesti.

What else to see in the area: Unirea Salt Mine, The Green Mountain, Valenii de Munte, Sinaia, Busteni mountain resorts,

19. Bazna in Sibiu County

Therapeutic use: locomotion affections, year-mouth-nose diseases; endocrine,affections caused by stress; and neurological affections

Resources: concentrated mineral waters, chlorinated, with sodium, hyper-tonic; healthy climate

Location: north part of Sibiu, 15 km north of Medias.

What else to see in the area: the fortified churches of Biertan, Mosna, Valea Viilor; Bethlen Castle in Cetatea de Balta, Santa Margareta Fortified Church in Medias, Sibiu City, Sighisoara citadel.

20. Praid in Harghita County

Therapeutic use: Asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic kidney disease, chronic sinusitis, pulmonary emphysema, silicosis I or II, respiratory infections

Resources: Stimulating climate, rich in ozone, micro-climate of deep salt mine.

Location: Central part of Romania, on the River Tarnava Mica

What else to see in the area: Salt Mine and the Salt Mountain, the Salt Mine Museum, Bolyai Library, Sighisoara citadel

21. Baile Tusnad in Harghita County

Therapeutic use: central nervous system, the urinary system, cardiovascular diseases and associated diseases, digestive aliments, stomach, chronic gastritis, enterocolitis, diskinezia, Hypertiroidy, Basedow illness, Tumor formations, acute articular rheumatism, cardiac insufficiency, thyroidal affection

Resources: Carbo-gaseous, chlorosodic, bicarbonated mineral waters, fortifying and stimulating sub-alpine climate, with cool summers.

Location: on a gorge of the Olt river, in the southern part of Ciuc Depression, between the Harghita and Bodoc mountains, 30 km from Miercurea Ciuc,

What else to see in the area: Miercurea Ciuc, the Red Lake (115 km), Santa Ana Lake (20 km), Mohos preserve, Balvanyos.

22. Balvanyos in Covasna County

Therapeutic use: heart diseases, neurasthenia, rheumatism; the sulphuric grota and the moffets are a natural viagra

Resources: sulfuric and calcium waters, mineral waters

Location: 20 km from Targu Secuiesc and 40 km from Miercurea Ciuc

What else to see in the area: Begyenko cave, Gyilkos cave, Balvanyos Citadel, Village Museum in Cernat, Sf. Gheorghe, Brasov,

23. Slanic Moldova in Bacau county

Therapeutic use: Digestive canal affections, liver diseases, metabolic and nutritional disease, kidney affections, peripheral neurological affections, post-trauma diseases, associated ailments, cardiovascular diseases.

Resources: Hypertonic, oligomineral or hypotonic mineral waters containing: sulphur, sodium, and chlorine, bicarbonate; salt mine microclimate, (Tg. Ocna Salt Mine); Mofette gas. Sedative climate.

Location: the eastern slope of the Eastern Carpathians

What else to see in the area: Bacau ciy, Buhusi city, Ciolpani Monastery, Runcu Monastery, Ghica Palace in Comanesti, Moinesti city, Onesti city, the Stone Bridge, Parincea Monastery, Bogdana Monastery, Poiana Uzului lake and dam, 30 hectare reservation at Casin.

24. Covasna resort in Covasna county

Therapeutic use: Cardiovascular affections, dermatological diseases, ailments of the digestive canal and its attached glands, endocrine affections, gynecologic diseases, locomotion ailments, nutrition diseases,  ailments linked to the aging process

Resources: chlorosodic, bicarbonated mineral waters; fortifying and calming climate.

Location: 31 km from Sfantu Gheorghe and 60 km from Brasov.

What else to see in the area: The Orthodox church, The Devils' Swamp- monument of nature, the Fairies' Valley, the Unitarian fortified church (Attila Citadel), Varghis Gorges and Poiana Narciselor (natural Reserve).

25. Lacu Sarat (Salty Lake) in Braila county

Therapeutic use: Degenerative rheumatism, Inflammatory rheumatism, post-trauma affections, peripheral neurological affections, gynecologic diseases, dermatological, endocrine or professional diseases

Resources: mineral water from the lake, which contains sulphur, chlorine, sodium, magnesium, sapropelic mud, which is extracted from the lake, Stimulating steppe bio-climate.

Location: East of Romania, in the northern side of Baragan Field, 5.5km far from Braila city

What else to see in the area: Danube Delta, Black Sea Coast resorts, Cocosu Monastery, Enisala Citadel, Macin Mountains, Galati city, the wooden monastery in Lacu Sarat.

26. Amara in Ialomita County

Therapeutic use: degenerative rheumatism, inflammatory and articulator rheumatism, post-trauma affections, peripheral neurological affections, post trauma sequels, gynecologic diseases, dermatological, endocrine or professional diseases.

Resources: Amara lake's water contains sulphur, chlorine, sodium, magnesium and some bromine; the mineral waters come from hypo tone springs which contain sulphur, bicarbonate, sodium, magnesium; the sapropelic mud, which is extracted from the lake

Location: central part of Baragan plain, on the northwestern side of Amara Lake, 7 km from Slobozia city

27. Eforie Nord in Constanta county

Therapeutic use: Degenerative rheumatism, inflammatory rheumatism, abarticular rheumatism, post-trauma diseases, nervous system diseases, gynecologic diseases, dermatological or breathing affections, associated ailments: cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic, nutritional and professional diseases

Resources: Concentrated salty water from Techirghiol Lake, Seawater; sapropelic mud from Techirghiol Lake, Climate specific to the sea zone, rich in saline aerosols and solar radiation.

Location: on the Romanian Black Sea beach, between the sea and the Lake Tekirghiol, 14 km from Constanta

What else to see in the area: Constanta city, Adamclisi Museum Complex, Murfatlar Monasteries Complex, Cernavoda: Archeological vestiges from Hamangia, Gumelnita and Cernavoda cultures, Anghel Saligny bridges and viaducts, Rasova: the ruins of the Roman fortification Flaviana, Histria Citadel, Mangalia: Callatis Citadel` s vestiges, Ostrov: the ruins of "DerventRomano-Byzantine citadel, Limanu cave, spelean reservation.

28. Saturn in Constanta county

Therapeutic use: Degenerative rheumatic affections, orthopaedic affections, anemia; joint problems caused by nutrition diseases, breathing affections, dermatological diseases, metabolic ailments, gynecologic diseases

Resources: Sapropelic mud from Techirghiol Lake, seawater, sulphurous mesothermal waters; marine bioclimate, rich in saline aerosols and solar radiations

Location: on the Black Sea Coast, 41 km from Constanta, at the same latitude as the French city Nice.

What else to see in the area: Constanta city, Adamclisi Museum Complex, Murfatlar Monasteries Complex, Cernavoda: Archeological vestiges from Hamangia, Gumelnita and Cernavoda cultures, Anghel Saligny bridges and viaducts, Rasova: the ruins of the Roman fortification Flaviana, Histria Citadel, Mangalia: Callatis Citadel` s vestiges, Ostrov: the ruins of "DerventRomano-Byzantine citadel, Limanu cave, spelean reservation.

29. Mangalia in Constanta county

Therapeutic use: Degenerative rheumatic affections, Sequels after osteo-articulator system trauma, abarticular affections, Joint problems caused by nutrition disease, osteo-articulator tuberculosis sequels; locomotion problems, central and peripheral nervous system affections: cerebral concussion peripheral nerves paresis or paralysis, poliomyelitis sequels, breathing affections, dermatological affections, metabolic affections, gynecologic diseases, digestive diseases, kidney diseases

Resources: Sapropelic mud from Techirghiol Lake, seawater, sulphurous mesothermal waters; marine bioclimate, rich in saline aerosols and solar radiations

Location: on the Black Sea Coast, 54 km from Constanta

What else to see in the area: Constanta city, Adamclisi Museum Complex, Murfatlar Monasteries Complex, Cernavoda: Archeological vestiges from Hamangia, Gumelnita and Cernavoda cultures, Anghel Saligny bridges and viaducts, Rasova: the ruins of the Roman fortification Flaviana, Histria Citadel, Mangalia: Callatis Citadel` s vestiges, Ostrov: the ruins of "DerventRomano-Byzantine citadel, Limanu cave, spelean reservation.

30. Borsec in Harghita county

Therapeutic use: digestive diseases, kidney stones, liver stones, obesity,

Resources: seven mineral water springs with calcium, magnesium, sodium, lithium

Location: 186 km of Brasov, 125 km of Miercurea Ciuc

What else to see in the area: Ice Cave, Owls Citadel, Lacul Rosu, Bicaz Lake, Secu monastery, Agapia monastery, Varatec Monastery, Neamt Monastery

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Photoxpress.com)