Valea Lui Liman: Banat's Natural Pool Retreat in Romania

Escaping the Heat - A Weekend at Valea Lui Liman

In August 2024, after arriving in Romania, we were greeted by a heatwave with temperatures soaring to 38 degrees Celsius in Timișoara. Seeking refuge from the sweltering city, we decided to escape for a weekend to a cooler, more relaxing spot. After scouring the internet for new places to explore and avoiding crowded urban areas, we stumbled upon Valea Lui Liman—a hidden oasis packed with activities, located just an hour and a half from Timișoara and an hour from Deva.

Overall, our experience was pleasant and relaxing, with more bearable temperatures surrounded by lush greenery. However, not everything went as expected, and in the following lines, we’ll share our experiences to help you be better prepared if you plan to visit this charming discovery.

What is Valea Lui Liman?

Valea lui Liman is a tourist complex situated in a stunning natural setting in the Banat region, at the foot of the Poiana Ruscă Mountains. Here, visitors can enjoy an authentic experience of relaxation and recreation in a location that combines the beauty of natural landscapes with modern amenities. The complex offers a wide range of activities, from exploring the surrounding nature to recreational events, all in a friendly and tranquil atmosphere.

One of the complex’s attractions is the farm, which guests can visit for free. Visitors have the opportunity to interact with and feed animals such as llamas, rabbits, goats, ponies, and many more, providing an unforgettable experience for all ages.

Additionally, Valea lui Liman is home to "Dealul Dragelor," a special area featuring 30 wooden cottages, each hand-painted with traditional Romanian motifs. Each cottage bears the name of a "dragă," a term for nymphs from Romanian mythology, with names like Ioana, Sînziana, Paraschiva, etc. All of these cottages can be admired for free by visitors, offering a unique glimpse into Romanian traditions and folklore.

Activities and Attractions at Valea Lui Liman Complex

Sunday at noon, we arrived at the complex’s parking lot and were surprised to see it filled with cars. After a short walk to the reception, we learned that we had to wait until 3:00 PM to receive our room key and pool wristband. An additional fee of 30 lei was required if we wanted to use the pool before check-in. After discussing, we decided that the extra cost was an inconvenience and opted to have lunch at the restaurant and visit the animals at the complex's farm.

Restaurant

After leaving the reception, we quickly found the outdoor tables belonging to the restaurant, which has a total capacity of 90 seats, both indoors and outdoors. Some of the tables were occupied, while others had reserved signs. We found a free table inside the restaurant. After enjoying a hearty meal of soup and grilled chicken, we set off for our next activity.

What is Dealul Dragelor?

One of the most delightful discoveries at Valea lui Liman was the 30 hand-painted cottages in Romanian style, each bearing a representative Romanian name at the entrance and poetry on the back. Entrance is free, making it the perfect spot for outdoor activities like picnics and walks with children.

Farm for Kids and Adults

Valea lui Liman Complex also offers access to a farm located at the entrance of the complex, requiring a short walk from the restaurant. The farm is thoughtfully arranged with activities suitable for families and children, from a children’s trail to photo spots and swings with views of the animals. We were greeted by goats, rams, and donkeys, all well-cared for and happy for company. We didn’t hesitate to offer them all our affection.

The contact with the animals felt even more personal when we discovered that each animal has a name. We admired the ponies from a distance, as well as the llamas, which we spotted cooling off inside, away from the heat. With a total of three visits to the farm, we also had the chance to see the birds, from the spectacular peacock to chickens, ducks, guinea fowl, and the impressive emu. We discovered the rabbits and guinea pigs last, offering us one final visit to the most adorable part of the farm.

Access to the Pool

At 3:00 PM, we returned to the reception to collect our room key and pool wristbands.

Eager to secure a shady sunbed and take a refreshing dip, we quickly headed to the pool. Towels were also provided for pool use.

The pool was quite crowded, with a significant number of people for a Sunday afternoon. By 6:00 PM, the pool area had cleared out, making the last hour at the pool, under the shade of the trees, one of the most relaxing moments of the day. The pool closes at 7:00 PM, which for those staying at the complex, allows just 4 hours of pool access, with only one hour the next day, as the pool opens at 10:00 AM and check-out is at 11:00 AM. Access to the pool after this time incurs an additional cost of 40 lei per person, or 80 lei including a sunbed. Thus, our stay at the complex provided a total of 5 hours of pool time for one night’s accommodation.

Hotel Room Experience

We chose the only type of room available for Sunday night, a twin room for 230 lei.

The hotel offered by Valea lui Liman is a 3-star establishment. We were pleasantly surprised by the large bed and spacious bathroom, as well as the option of a mini-fridge in the room.

Unfortunately, the room does not have air conditioning or a fan, making it uncomfortable during hot days. Luckily, the temperature dropped to a comfortable level during the night, as cool air settled outside.

Accomodation link: https://www.valea-lui-liman.ro/

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