Glamping rental Urlați - 1 glamping

A Wine-Soaked Town That Even Royals Could Not Resist

Tucked into the rolling hills of Prahova County in south-central Romania, Urlați is not your typical tourist stop. It is a small town with roughly 10,000 residents, perched along the valley of the Cricovul Sărat river, surrounded by vine-clad slopes that have produced wine for centuries. Situated just 22 km from the county capital Ploiești and approximately 80 km from Bucharest (about 67 km from Henri Coandă International Airport), Urlați sits right on the celebrated Wine Route of the Dealu Mare region. If you are searching for a glamping destination that trades crowded beach resorts for the scent of sun-ripened grapes and centuries of aristocratic history, this town deserves your full attention.

Why Urlați Is Your Next Glamping Escape

Glamping in Urlați places you in a landscape where nature, wine heritage, and Romanian history converge in the most unhurried way imaginable. Here is why this corner of Romania makes a compelling case for your next trip:

• On the doorstep of Romania's premier wine country: The Dealu Mare wine region, which surrounds Urlați, sits at a latitude of roughly 45 degrees, comparable to Bordeaux and Tuscany. The vineyard zone stretches about 65 kilometres across the southern Carpathian foothills, producing acclaimed reds and aromatic whites. Booking a glamping here means stepping outside your door directly into one of Europe's most underappreciated viticultural landscapes.
• Easy access from Bucharest: Unlike remote mountain retreats that require half a day of driving, Urlați is reachable in roughly one hour from Bucharest. This makes it ideal for a long weekend getaway or even a spontaneous midweek escape.
• A genuine slow-travel destination: The pace of life here is unhurried and authentic. The town and its sixteen surrounding villages still reflect the rhythms of traditional Romanian countryside life, making it the perfect antidote to hectic city living.
• Value for money: Romania remains one of Europe's most affordable travel destinations. Your budget stretches considerably further here than in western European glamping hotspots, without compromising on the beauty of the surroundings.
• Year-round appeal: The continental climate with warm summers and relatively mild winters means every season offers something different. Summer and autumn are particularly magical, with long sunny days and the annual grape harvest painting the hills in gold and crimson.

The Town That Was Named After a Joyful Howl

The name Urlați has a wonderfully eccentric origin. According to renowned Romanian historian Nicolae Iorga, the town's name derives from the effects of drinking its wine: a bacchic "howl of joy." The area's winemaking pedigree is deeply rooted. The first documented mention of Urlați dates back to March 16, 1515, in a charter signed by Wallachian prince Neagoe Basarab. The famed ruler Constantin Brâncoveanu was so taken with the beauty and tranquility of the local vineyards that he frequently visited his personal wine cellar here. Wines from the Urlați region have been winning awards since at least 1880, when they received a gold medal from the Concordia Română society.

More Than Just Vineyards

While the wine heritage dominates the identity of Urlați, the town also holds a collection of historical and cultural treasures that many visitors overlook. The Bellu Manor (Conacul Bellu) is a stunning example of 19th-century Romanian architectural style, built by Baron Alexandru Bellu, a noted photographer, ethnographer, and art collector. The manor was donated to the Romanian Academy in 1927, and since 1953 it has functioned as a museum. Its collections span 17th to 19th century furniture, paintings by celebrated Romanian artists Theodor Aman and Ștefan Luchian, Oriental art, Japanese prints, rare books, and ethnographic objects dating as far back as the Neolithic era (around 3500 BC). In 2010, the Bellu Museum Collection won the national prize for the most beautiful museum exhibition at the International Council of Museums (ICOM) contest in Romania.

Nearby, the Jercălăi Monastery shelters a remarkable wooden church originally built in 1731. This church has had an extraordinary journey: it was relocated from Transylvania, spent decades as a royal chapel at Bran Castle at the request of Queen Marie of Romania, and was eventually moved to its current home in the Jercălăi village of Urlați. It is now a declared historical monument and a serene spot for contemplation, set among forested hills on the banks of the Cricovul Sărat.

Five Unexpected Things to Do Near Your Glamping in Urlați

1. Cycle the Wine Route on Two Wheels

   Rather than driving between wineries, rent a bicycle and ride the local cycling routes that wind through the Dealu Mare vineyards. There are marked mountain bike trails near Urlați, including the popular "Pădurea Magică" (Magic Forest) circuit of approximately 35 km. The routes meander through vine-covered hills, across the Cricovul Sărat river, and past small villages where you might encounter locals offering impromptu wine tastings or homemade meals. This is wine tourism at its most active and immersive.

2. Visit a Century-Old Winery With a Champagne Connection

   Basilescu Winery, located just outside Urlați, is one of the cornerstones of the Dealu Mare wine region. Its story stretches back over a century, when it was converted from a beer factory into a champagne operation, eventually earning the endorsement of the famous French house Maison de Champagne St. Marceaux & Co. of Reims in 1928. After being seized under communism, the winery was reclaimed in 2003 and re-established in 2008. Today it produces distinctive D.O.C. Dealu Mare wines, especially from the indigenous Fetească Neagră grape, and offers private tastings paired with local artisanal cheeses and charcuterie.

3. Step Inside the "Little Palace" of Baron Bellu

   The Bellu Manor is not just a museum; it is a time capsule. Take the guided tour to hear stories of Baron Alexandru Bellu's travels across the Ottoman Empire and Japan, reflected in the eclectic collections he brought home. The manor sits within a five-hectare park shaded by ancient trees, and includes a separate entrance watchtower housing an ethnography and photography exhibition. The calm atmosphere and intimate scale make this a far cry from crowded big-city museums.

4. Explore the Traveling Wooden Church of Jercălăi

   Few churches can claim to have been relocated three times across two centuries. The oak church at Jercălăi Monastery was built in 1731, moved from Mureș County to Bran Castle, and finally brought to rest in Urlați. The interior features valuable original paintings, and the church itself holds a revered icon brought from Jerusalem. It is a quiet, reflective stop that pairs perfectly with the contemplative spirit of a glamping holiday.

5. Taste Romania's Indigenous Grapes You Have Never Heard Of

   Forget Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for a day. The Dealu Mare region is one of the best places in the world to try grape varieties unique to Romania: Fetească Neagră (a full-bodied red capable of elegant aging), Fetească Albă (a fresh white), and the aromatic Tămâioasă Românească. Several smaller family wineries in the area, beyond the larger estates, welcome visitors by appointment and offer an intimate look at winemaking traditions passed down through generations.

Getting to Urlați and Practical Tips for International Guests

For visitors flying in from the USA, UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland, or Australia, the most convenient gateway is Bucharest's Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), located about 67 km from Urlați. From the airport, renting a car is the most flexible option, with the drive taking roughly one hour via Ploiești. Alternatively, trains run frequently from Bucharest to Ploiești (about 40 minutes), and from there local buses connect to Urlați in approximately 30 minutes.

Romania uses the Leu (RON) as its currency, and card payments are widely accepted in larger establishments, though it is wise to carry some cash for smaller shops and local markets. English is spoken in most tourist-facing venues, but learning a few Romanian phrases such as "Mulțumesc" (thank you) and "Noroc" (cheers, used when clinking glasses) will earn you warm smiles.

A Landscape Steeped in Centuries, Ready for Your Stay

Urlați occupies a rare niche: a destination with deep historical roots, world-class wine at accessible prices, stunning hilly landscapes, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, all within easy reach of a European capital. It is the kind of place where you can spend a morning exploring a 19th-century baronial estate, an afternoon cycling through sun-drenched vineyards, and an evening sampling wines that have been perfected over four millennia of viticulture.

Book a glamping in Urlați now and experience a side of Romania that most travellers never get to see.