The bears of Romania: where they live and how to see them safely

Romania has the largest brown bear population in the European Union, far more than any other EU country. For many foreign travellers, the chance of seeing a bear in the wild is one of the reasons they come to Romania.

At the same time, bears are turning up more and more often near people: by mountain roads, in resorts and even in the suburbs of some towns. Below you will find how many bears there are, where they live, where you can see them safely and how to behave if you meet one.

In short

• How many: roughly 10,600 to 12,800 brown bears, according to the genetic study completed in 2025.
• Where: all along the Carpathian arc, most of them in the Eastern and Curvature Carpathians.
• Where to see them safely: at the Libearty sanctuary in Zarnesti and from hides with licensed guides.
• The golden rule: never feed a bear and never go near one.

How many bears live in Romania

To find out how many bears live in the country, the "Marin Dracea" National Institute for Forestry Research carried out a genetic study based on about 24,000 genetic samples collected in the field. Its results, presented in 2025, put the population at roughly 10,600 to 12,800 brown bears.

The study also showed that the bears' range has grown considerably over the last decade: bears now live across almost half of the country, including areas where they had not been seen for a long time. Because of their high numbers and incidents with people, the authorities approved quotas of almost 1,000 bears a year for 2026 and 2027, for prevention and emergency interventions, a decision that has sparked debate between the authorities, local communities and animal protection organisations.

Where most bears live

Brown bears live throughout the Carpathians, but the highest densities are in the Eastern and Curvature Carpathians, in large beech and fir forests. The best-known bear areas are:

• Harghita, Covasna and Mures, in the Szekler Land, with vast forests and many bear-watching hides;
• Brasov County, including around the city and in Poiana Brasov, where bears often come into inhabited areas;
• the Prahova Valley, in Sinaia, Busteni and Azuga, where bears are often seen at night by the bins;
• the Fagaras Mountains and the Transfagarasan, especially on the southern slope, between Lake Vidraru and Balea;
• Vrancea, Buzau and Neamt, in the Curvature and Eastern Carpathians.

The genetic study calculated densities by area and county, but the detailed county figures have not been published in full. So the list above shows the areas known for large numbers of bears, not an exact ranking.

In Brasov County alone, for example, the gendarmerie was called out about 1,160 times for bears in 2025, compared with 770 the year before, and most calls came from the city of Brasov and Poiana Brasov.

The bears of the Transfagarasan

The best-known place where tourists see bears is the Transfagarasan, on the southern slope. The bears here have got used to being fed by drivers and wait by the roadside. For them this is dangerous: a bear that links people with food becomes bold and aggressive, and often ends up being relocated or shot. The authorities have announced the relocation of some bears from this area to the Zarnesti sanctuary.

If you are driving that way, read our Transfagarasan guide too.

Where you can see bears safely

The Libearty bear sanctuary, Zarnesti

In Zarnesti, near Brasov, lies the Libearty sanctuary, considered the largest brown bear sanctuary in the world. More than a hundred bears rescued from captivity live here: bears kept for years in small cages at restaurants, petrol stations or circuses, and bears moved out of conflict areas. They live in large forest enclosures, and visitors can see them on guided tours, from paths and platforms. Opening hours, tickets and visiting conditions are on the sanctuary's official website; check beforehand whether you need to book.

Bear-watching hides

In Harghita, Covasna and Brasov there are hides in the forest from which you can watch wild bears in the evening, with a licensed guide, from a distance and without disturbing them. Choose only licensed operators who don't feed the bears for show and who respect the rules of the protected areas.

How to behave if you meet a bear

• Don't feed bears, ever. Feeding wild animals is illegal and fined.
• Stay in the car if you see a bear by the road, with the windows up, and drive on slowly.
• Don't go closer for photos, however gentle the bear may look.
• On trails, make noise: talk, use a bell, so the bear hears you from afar and moves away.
• If you see one up close, don't run and don't stare it in the eye; back away slowly, facing it.
• When camping, don't keep food in the tent and don't leave rubbish outside; store it in the car or a closed place.
• Call 112 if a bear enters an inhabited area or seems aggressive.

If you want to camp in the mountains, choose designated sites and follow the rules above; see also the top 20 camping spots in Romania.

How to get there from Dracula Land

The Libearty sanctuary in Zarnesti is about 152 km from Gherghita, roughly three hours, via the A3, the DN1 through the Prahova Valley and then Rasnov. It combines very well with a day at Bran Castle, a few kilometres away, and Rasnov Fortress.

Where to stay

For day trips to Zarnesti, Bran, the Prahova Valley or Bucharest, choose accommodation near Dracula Land, close to the A3 motorway, and leave in the morning to catch the best visiting times at the sanctuary.