The Borsec Botanical Reserve, named in Hungarian "Hármasliget", is one of the natural reserves of national interest, with the essential role of preserving a species of shrub from the Betulacea family, also traditionally known as the dwarf birch or Betula nana, which survived here from the ice age. It is located in Harghita county, on Borsec administrative area, and consists of a swampy meadow which covers a surface of 2 ha. It is the perfect location for tourists passionate about the botanical field. Photo Source: http://www.informatii-romania.ro/

Rák Lake is located 2 km North of Porumbenii Mari at an altitude of 600 m. It formed due to a landslide at the end of the glacial period. The relief consists of Neogene sedimentary rocks, Sarmatian clay marble and sandstone. The circumference of the lake is 800 m, its length 250 m, width 150 m, the maximum depth is 7 m and the surface is 28.000 sq m, 10 ha with the adjacent land. The area is a natural reserve protected by the Law 5/2000. The lake and its surroundings are home to many rare species of plant, including the common bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris), a carnivorous plant, which feeds on small aquatic insects, crabs and mosquito larvae.

Poiana Narciselor is located in the Southern area of Vlăhiţa/Szentegyháza, near Pokol-láz, a protected area of approximately 20 hectares, one of the largest daffodil meadows in Romania, where 180-200 daffodils (Narcissus stellaris) could grow on a square meter. "Laz" in the local dialect means field and is the geological form typical of the volcanic plateau in the Harghita mountains. The daffodil is a protected plant, the most spectacular of this area, which is easy to recognize due to its star-shaped flower. It blooms from the end of April until the beginning of May. Apart from daffodils, we can also find other rare plant species such as Lady's-slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus), Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica) and globeflower (Trollius europaeus). Every year since 1976, the Daffodil Festival has been held next to the meadow.

Geologically, the Harghita-Mădăraș mountains are part of the Neogene volcanic chain Călimani-Gurghiu-Harghita mountains, with a relief consisting mostly of andesite rocks (lava and pyroclastic flows), with an altitude between 1,500 and 1,800 m. The highest peak is Mădăraş Peak (1,801 m). It is also called the Holy Mountain of the Szeklers. From the peak we have an extraordinary view of the volcanic chain: when the weather is good, we can see almost all the Transylvanian depression, the Harghita Plateau, Blatul Libanului, Gurghiu mountains, Gheorgheni mountains, Făgăraș mountains. The Harghita-Mădăraș area has been designated a Natura 2000 site in order to protect their biodiversity and maintain a favorable conservation status of their wild flora and fauna, as well as the habitats of community interest.  It is also a popular ski area. The slopes (4.5 km) are at approx. 1,500 m and 1,760 m. The ski season begins in December and could last until mid-April.

Near the Round Seat/"Scaunul Rotund" Nature Reserve there are many tourist attractions, such as: the Ice Cave, the Bear Cave, the amphitheatres of the travertine structures with special panoramic view points, the Fortress of Owls with casemates from World War II. A walk through the forest provides a true pharmacy of nature: medicinal herbs, forests fruits, mushrooms, fresh air.

Szőcs Lajos, whose family has three generations of straw hat makers, has decided to set up the first Straw Hat Museum in the country at Crişeni. The museum was established in a traditional renovated farmhouse. In the first room displays the straw hat models in the country, the middle room displays different objects of use and decoration, and the last room presents the hatter technique, all the way from straw harvesting to the finished hat. It is also possible to see and even try the largest hat in the country, with a diameter of two meters and a weight of 2.65 kg. 500 m of straw and 1.5 km of thread were used for its manufacture. In the courtyard of the Museum, the visitor can admire an extraordinary collection. More than 600 stones sculptured by nature, with special shapes such as duck, dove, cap, etc. There is also a five-meter hat in the yard. The museum can be visited daily. If it's closed, ask at the bar.

The lake St. Ana, located in the crater of Ciomatul Mare, is the only volcanic lake in Central and Eastern Europe, being the most visited travel destination of the Szeklerland.  The steep walls of Ciomatul Mare’s volcanic cone surround it, with a few higher peaks: Ciomatul Mare (1301 m), Ciomatul Mic (1238 m), Tata hill (1174 m) or Pietros peak (1125 m). Unique in Europe, the lake is at 946 m altitude, with a diameter of 1737 m and a maximum depth of 7 m. From the edge of the crater, 13 temporary brooks, which form during heavy rains, bring water and gravel into the lake.  The lake is fed by rainwater and snow melt. The process of sedimentation began on the northern and western edges, an increasingly thick layer of sludge covering the bottom of the lake. When the weather is fine, especially without wind, you can see bubbles of gas rising from the bottom of the lake, which are actually manifestations of post-volcanic activity. In the north and northeast of the lake, one can see a layer of floating peat about one meter thick. Visit to Lake Saint Anne Nature, fresh air, outdoor activities, and quality time together! Thanks to their unique natural character, Lake Saint Anne and the Mohoș Bog are ideal destinations for families and an excellent place to inspire environmental awareness in future generations. Visitors can enjoy the award-winning Vitos Chimney Cake, while the eco-buffets offer fruit juices, carbonated soft drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beers, hot chocolate, tea, and coffee. The terrace also serves a selection of family-friendly dishes, including meals that are especially popular with children. At Lake Saint Anne, all products are sold either in glass bottles or in environmentally friendly packaging. Visitor Information Visiting System for Lake Saint Anne and the Mohoș Bog PARKING • The entry terminal issues a parking ticket (for cars and coaches). • The first 3 hours of parking are free and included with the visitor ticket. • Without a visitor ticket, parking is free for the first 10 minutes. After that, the fee is RON 3 per 30 minutes for cars and motorcycles, and RON 15 per 30 minutes for minibuses and coaches. TICKET PURCHASE • Ticket prices and online ticket purchase are available at: mohos.ro • If you have not purchased your ticket online, you can buy a visitor ticket at the Knowledge Centre. • The visitor ticket is valid for one day only, on the date of issue. • The visitor ticket grants access to the entire site (Knowledge Centre, Mohoș Bog, and Lake Saint Anne). • Please keep your ticket with you, as it may be checked several times during your visit. KNOWLEDGE CENTRE • Exhibition and film screening: admission to both the exhibition and the film screening is included with the visitor ticket. • Restrooms: located on the ground floor and in the basement of the Knowledge Centre, near the screening room. • Gift shop: available in the parking area, and soon also inside the Knowledge Centre. • Terrace: refreshments are served from the food truck. • Information: if you have any questions, please ask a member of our staff. CHECKPOINT • Ticket validation (former information point): scan the QR code to validate your ticket. • After validation, you may continue your visit either to the Mohoș Peat Bog or to Lake Saint Anne. The two attractions can be visited in any order. SERVICES AT THE LAKE • Raft ride: maximum 12 people, 30-minute duration. Life jackets must be worn at all times. • Rowboat rental: available for 30 or 60 minutes. Maximum 3 people / 250 kg. • Chimney Cake: freshly baked traditional Székely chimney cake, available in both sweet and flavoured varieties. • Ice cream: locally made, available in a variety of flavours. • In winter: sledding in the area around the lake. For your safety, please follow the instructions of our staff throughout your visit. The area is under video surveillance.

Lázár Castle, built close to the center of Lăzarea/Gyergyószárhegy village, is one of the most beautiful examples of Transylvanian Renaissance architecture. The castle with battlements was one of the most attractive 17th-century noble residences in Transylvania. There are Gothic letter inscriptions from the year 1532 in the lobby, which has an ogive vault. The enclosing wall has four bastions. The entrance to the castle’s courtyard is through the gate tower on the southern side. The castle was built during the time of István Lázár, Gabriel Bethlen's playmate, later a trusted man of the Prince and the supreme royal judge of Giurgeu, Ciuc and Caşin areas. His coat of arms from 1632 is located on the wall of the bastion in the left corner, inside the courtyard. The same year marks the date when the castle was completed. In 1707, the Imperial Army burned the castle during a campaign of retaliation against the "Kuruc", who opposed the Habsburgs, as was the case of the castle's lord, Ferenc Lázár. His name is linked to the construction and reconstruction of the Knights' House. Among the outstanding personalities who visited the castle is Prince Gabriel Bethlen, whose mother was a member of the Lázár family. Mihnea Voda of Muntenia hid in Lázár Castle for a year after the Turks banished him, and Petru Rares of Moldavia spent 11 years here, between 1527 and 1538. Lázár Castle has been repeatedly burned, and in 1842 it fell into ruin, following another fire. Since 1967, the castle has undergone renovation and restoration, which is still ongoing. The ultimate goal is to recreate the former splendor of the building, as it is one of the most important Renaissance buildings in Transylvania. During the renovation, it was designated as an archaeological site. In 2013, the state returned it to the descendants of the Lázár family, which is why the fortune of the castle is still undecided. Visits on Sundays by prior arrangement! +40 745 295 925 ENTRY • adult: 35 RON • groups over 25 people: 30 RON • senior citizens: 30 RON • students: 20 RON • residents of Lăzarea/Gyergyószárhegy: 20 RON • children under 7 years: free of charge • Professional filming/photography fee: 200 RON