Hypersaline lake
Healing mud
Balneology
Lacu Sărat
A hypersaline healing lake near Brăila — very high salinity, several times that of sea water, plus significant sapropelic healing mud for rheumatism and joints.
At a glance
Lacu Sărat is a unique spa resort in the Bărăgan lowlands, just about 5 km from the Danube port city of Brăila. Its hypersaline lake has a very high salinity — several times that of sea water — so you float effortlessly at the surface. Together with the sapropelic healing mud (rich in hydrogen sulphide), the resort is traditionally used above all for rheumatic and degenerative joint conditions. A classic open-air spa for the warm months.
Well suited for
- Rheumatism & osteoarthritis cures
- Mud & salt baths
- Rehabilitation & post-traumatic recovery
Less suited for
- Winter travel (open-air season)
- Mountain-scenery fans
01Overview & location
Lacu Sărat lies in Brăila County in the region of Wallachia (Muntenia), in the wide Bărăgan lowlands, only about 5 km from the Danube port city of Brăila. The resort takes its name from the salt lake itself — a hypersaline body of water of very high salinity, several times that of sea water. The high density of the water supports the body, so you float at the surface.
As a spa, Lacu Sărat specialises in classic balneotherapy: salt baths in the lake and full-body applications of the dark healing mud from the lakeshore. The water is surrounded by a park and open-air bathing facilities; the setting is shaped by the Danube plain, the lively port city of Brăila and the Small Island of Brăila nature reserve.
02Remedies & composition
The two natural healing factors of Lacu Sărat are the hypersaline lake and the sapropelic healing mud. The lake water is hypertonic and strongly mineralised — rich in sulphur, chloride, sodium, magnesium and bromine, with a total mineralisation of around 70–84 g/l. The black sapropelic mud from the bed and shore of the lake has a high content of hydrogen sulphide.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Water type | Hypertonic, chloride-sodium-sulphate-magnesium-bromine |
| Mineralisation | approx. 70–84 g/l (hypersaline) |
| Comparison | Several times the salinity of sea water — you float at the surface |
| Additional remedy | Sapropelic healing mud (high in hydrogen sulphide) |
Figures are for orientation only. Exact analytical values vary by sampling point, season and facility.
03Indications & contraindications
Traditionally recommended for
- Degenerative & inflammatory rheumatic conditions (spondylosis, osteoarthritis, polyarthrosis, tendinitis, humeroscapular periarthritis)
- Gynaecological, dermatological & endocrine conditions
- Peripheral nerve disorders & post-traumatic states
- Respiratory conditions
Caution / seek medical advice for
- acute inflammation
- severe cardiovascular disease
- pregnancy
- fever & infections
04Cure treatments & therapies
| Treatment | Description | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Salt bath in the lake | Bathing in the hypersaline, buoyant water | 15–20 min |
| Mud application | Full-body coating with sapropelic mud | 15–20 min |
| Mud pack & bath | Targeted on joints/back, warm | 20 min |
| Underwater massage | Targeted massage with a water jet | 15–20 min |
| Galvanic & electrotherapy | On medical prescription | individual |
| Kinesiotherapy | Movement therapy / rehabilitation | 30–45 min |
05Accommodation
Around the lake and in the nearby city of Brăila you will find spa hotels, guesthouses and holiday lodgings. Classic spa establishments offer treatment departments with mud and salt-bath applications right by the water; those seeking more restaurants and culture stay in Brăila, only a few kilometres away.
Spa hotels by the lakeWith mud & salt-bath department
Guesthouses in BrăilaClose to the city, ~5 km, more choice
Specific hotels with prices and booking links coming soon.
06Prices & opening hours (orientation)
| Service | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Day ticket, open-air pool / lake | from approx. €5–12 |
| Mud application (single) | from approx. €6–10 |
| Spa hotel night (double room) | approx. €40–80 / night |
| Medical spa consultation | from approx. €15–25 |
Guide prices, as of 2026. Prices vary by facility and season — please confirm on site.
07In the area
- Brăila (~5 km) — historic Danube port city with a fan-shaped old town
- Small Island of Brăila — nature reserve in the Danube floodplain
- Bărăgan plain — the wide steppe of Wallachia
08Frequently asked questions
Why do you float on the surface of the lake?
The lake is hypersaline — its salinity is several times that of sea water. The high density of the water supports the body, so you float effortlessly on the surface.
When is the best time to visit?
Mainly the warm months from May to September, as the lake is used as an open-air bathing spot and the mud applications take place outdoors.
How far is the nearest airport?
The nearest international airport is Bucharest, around 200 km away. The port city of Brăila is only about 5 km away.
What makes the healing mud special?
It is sapropelic mud with a high content of hydrogen sulphide. It is used as a pack or full-body application for rheumatic and degenerative joint conditions.
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