Polovragi Cave
Polovragi, Romania
A limestone cave at the mouth of the Olteț gorge, visited on short guided tours along lit passages. The Polovragi Monastery stands at the gorge entrance; the forest road into the gorge is narrow.
Polovragi Cave (Peștera Polovragi) lies in the gorge of the Olteț River in the Parâng Mountains in Gorj County (Oltenia, Romania), near Baia de Fier. The entrance is on the left side of the gorge, about 200 m beyond its mouth and only 5 m from the road. The large cave portal serves as a car park. The cave is 10,350 m long in total and stays cool all year at 8 to 9 °C, so bring a jacket.
The guided route is about 900 m long and tours start every 30 minutes, usually once a minimum of about four people is reached; otherwise you may sometimes explore on your own. The cave is also called Peștera lui Zamolxe: the god of the Geto-Dacians is said to have lived here, and a throne-like stalagmite is named “Zamolxe’s Chair”.
The cave is usually open daily in summer and during school holidays, but not always outside the main season (as of October 2026). Contact the operator by phone or e-mail before you travel.
- Nearest town
- Polovragi, Romania
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 45.2061, 23.7805
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Romania: Vignette needed for motorways. Buy the e-vignette online before you drive on motorways. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Texas GlampingCampsite12 km from Polovragi Cave
- Trei StejariCampsite17 km from Polovragi Cave
- CampingCampsite18 km from Polovragi Cave
- loc de 2 corturiCampsite18 km from Polovragi Cave
- HuluzuCampsite18 km from Polovragi Cave
- Wild campCampsite21 km from Polovragi Cave
All campsites in Romania · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Polovragi Cave?
Polovragi Cave is in Polovragi, Romania, at GPS 45.2061, 23.7805. It is about 9 km from Novaci.
Can you camp near Polovragi Cave?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Texas Glamping, about 12 km away; within 25 km there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Polovragi Cave?
Polovragi Cave is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Transalpina and the monasteries of Oltenia.
What is there to see near Polovragi Cave?
Places worth a stop nearby: Horezu Monastery (18 km), Transalpina, Urdele Pass (28 km), Cozia Monastery (44 km) and Sarmizegetusa Regia (59 km).
When is the best time to visit Polovragi Cave?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)