Visiting Cluj: what are the best things to see and do in Romania’s second-largest city?
No matter when you visit Cluj-Napoca, there will always be something special on the menu for you: festivals, concerts, exhibitions, monuments, museums, history, old and new architecture, nightlife, daylife, student life… Once you’ve seen the whole city (easily in a short weekend), go and explore the surrounding area. Take a trip to the mountains 1-3 hours away, or stay close to the city and visit the local attractions (natural and architectural).
With one of the country’s most dynamic economies and a population of around 330,000, Cluj is one of Romania’s most dynamic cultural cities. The six public (and 5 private) universities located here also make Cluj Napoca the city with the highest percentage of student population in the country.
Here’s what you don’t want to miss in this city of treasures.
1. Spend the afternoon in Piața Unirii
Photo credit: Flickr – Dennis Jarvis
Piața Unirii is Cluj’s main square. It’s the place where most of the city’s action takes place, and it’s one of the places on the guided city tours that take you through Cluj’s history. With its Baroque and Gothic buildings, from Renaissance to neoclassical, the square provides direct access toSaint-Michel Church and Palais Banffy. On the side of the church stands a 1902 equestrian statue of Matei Corvin, the 15th-century ruler.
In the southwest corner of the square stands theHotel Continental, built in 1895 in an eclectic style combining Renaissance, Classical and Baroque elements. During the Second World War, the hotel served as German military headquarters in Transylvania. If you cross the square, you can visit Maison Hintz, Cluj’s first pharmacy (1573-1949), now the Pharmacy Museum.
2. Explore Cluj’s alleys at random
Photo credit: Flickr – Bogdan Pop
From Piața Unirii and throughout the town center, you’ll come across fragments of medieval ramparts, towers and Roman ruins. If you have time for a long walk through history, you can go in search of these remains.
The best-preserved section of wall in the medieval town can be found on Potaissa Street. Strolling through the streets, you’ll also come across numerous religious buildings, such as theChurch of Sf. Petru și Pavel Church, or old town buildings such as the Tailors’ Bastion.
3. Climb to the top of the hill fortress
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Ana Maria Catalina
The » Fortress Hill » (or Dealul Cetatuia) offers one of the finest views of the city and surrounding hills, rivers and even mountains. Just a 5-minute walk from the city center, it takes just as long to climb to the top. It’s one of four fortresses in Cluj’s old town, formerly Austrian, with buildings constructed between 1715 and 1735, and once used as a prison.
4. Step back in time at the National Ethnographic Park
Photo credit: Flickr – Bogdan Pop
Still in the heart of Cluj, a little further north, nestles the Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park. This 75-hectare green setting is also home to Romania’s first open-air museum, the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania, erected in June 1929. Although the Second World War left its mark on the site, it has since been partially restored/revisited, and now houses two sectors featuring small houses, a wooden church, craft shops, ovens and mills… In short, a true reconstruction of peasant life in Transylvania, from the 17th to the 20th century.
Today, the Park is a timeless haven. Locals and tourists alike enjoy strolling through the park, whether it’s to appreciate its verdant setting or to discover a different part of Cluj’s history.
5. Stroll through the Botanical Gardens
Photo credit: Flickr – Cristian Bortes
It’s one of the city’s highlights. The Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden, on the outskirts of the old town, takes you on a journey of discovery of flora from all over the world. Built in 1872, it now houses no fewer than 11,000 varieties of plant over 14 hectares. On the program: a green class from giant lotuses to palm trees, not forgetting the Japanese garden and the rose garden, which promise to take you on a world tour of nature.
6. Discover local specialities
Photo credit: Wikipedia -Yuval hoffman
Cluj Napoca is also a veritable culinary culture. Influenced by Hungarian, Armenian, Roma, Saxon and Hebrew populations, the cuisine of southern Transylvania draws its recipe from its cosmopolitan origins. From cheese to meat, cabbage varieties, sweet treats and, of course, wine, local gastronomy is an essential part of the region’s culture, so it would be a shame not to experience it for yourself! Whether you’re just curious or an avid gourmet, all these specialities are waiting to be discovered on a Gastronomic City Tour that combines the useful with the pleasurable: a cultural visit to the city that’s just as enjoyable for your taste buds.
7. Visit the Turda salt mines
Photo credit: Flickr – Reeve Jolliffe
Today, the Turda salt mine is a veritable museum of salt mining history. The excellent condition of the mining compartments and the equipment used to transport the salt, together with the care with which the mine has been developed for tourism, have transformed it into a place of legend. The ever-increasing number of tourists (1.5M per year) coming from all over the world to visit the mine is a confirmation of its historical and touristic value.
Modernization of the mine has made Salina Turda one of the most beautiful sites in Transylvania. As you explore, don’t miss the Rudolph Mine and Theresa Mine, a 35-minute drive south of Cluj.
8. Go back to medieval times at Banffy Castle
Photo credit: Flickr – Cristian Bortes
The château was nicknamed « Little Versailles » before the Second World War, due to its magnificent gardens and fine architecture. The Lord of Banffy was one of the generals of the Hungarian armies during the war. He sacrificed his 500-year-old family castle to save the city of Cluj. After losing the city of Turda, Banffy decided not to move the front line to Cluj and, instead, retreated to Oradea so that Cluj could be saved. German troops, supposedly allies, burned down his castle as punishment.
Today, Banffy Castle is being rebuilt by volunteers from several European architecture faculties. Thanks to their efforts, you can see just how grand the castle once was. Various medieval events are held at the castle throughout the year, including period re-enactments and sword fights between the country’s medieval clubs. It’s well worth the detour (30 minutes north of Cluj) to spend a pleasant afternoon enjoying the medieval atmosphere.
9. Spend the day at Cheile Turzii
Photo credit: Flickr – Sergiu Bacioiu
One of the locals’ favorite places to picnic and enjoy the great outdoors is the Turda Gorge (Cheile Turzii).
The area is a natural sanctuary, with a stunning landscape of sheer cliffs, vertical walls (popular with rock climbers), wild vegetation and caves. The path between the cliffs is easily accessible and very well maintained. Don’t forget to admire the beauty 80 meters above your head, and the little waterfalls that have coiled there. To reach the site, you’ll need to travel 10 km from Turda, where buses and cabs are available.
10. Enjoy Lake Tarnita
Photo credit: Flickr – Cinty Ionescu
Twenty kilometers outside Cluj (west) lies Lacul Tarnița, a lake formed by a dam. Erected between the mountains during the Communist era, it was built to generate electricity and facilitate the distribution of fresh water to Cluj.
It’s an ideal spot for fishing and water skiing in summer, and for its picturesque autumn landscape when the red, brown and yellow leaves reflect on the water. Discover the dam, take a walk, go for a swim or enjoy a meal by the water… Above all, Lake Tarnita promises you a relaxing, natural break in a veritable green setting.
11. Play pilgrim at Nicula Monastery
Photo credit: Flickr – Bogdan Pop
The Nicula monastery is an important destination for pilgrims, and famous for its icon painted by the priest Luca d’Iclod in 1681.
The monastery owes its success to the « miracle » that took place in 1699, when the icon of the Mother of God began to shed tears for 26 days in a row. It is believed that these tears were a warning of the difficult times that were to befall monastic life and the Orthodox Church throughout Transylvania in 1700. Even today, pilgrims and tourists alike come to admire the icons painted on glass and wood.
12. Dive into the mysterious Hoia Baciu forest
Photo credit: Flickr – Cristian Bortes
The Hoia-Baciu Forest, near Cluj-Napoca, has been known locally as Romania’s Bermuda Triangle ever since a shepherd and his two hundred sheep disappeared there.
Most people who live near the forest are afraid to enter it, believing that those who do will never return. The forest gained notoriety when a photographer took a picture of a strange object in the sky, and legends say that noises and voices can be heard.
Check it out for yourself, what do you think?
13. Enter the legend of Dracula
Photo credit: Flickr – Marysia P
In the footsteps of Transylvania, those of Count Dracula. A cult character in the works of Bram Stocker – who is said to have been inspired by Vlad Țepeș or Vlad III Drăculea, Prince of Wallachia and, among others, bloodthirsty killer nicknamed « The Impaler » – Count Dracula echoes a legendary myth, right down to his famous Castle Bran.
Somewhere between myth and reality, Bran Castle is a must-see in Transylvania. It’s a must-see during your stay in Cluj Napoca, the starting point for our guided tours. But rest assured: if you’re expecting a gloomy setting, it’s nothing of the sort. Dressed in beautiful architecture and far less imposing than most people imagine, the castle stands in stark contrast to the gloomy history that made it famous in the first place. That said, it remains a popular tourist attraction, both for the cliché it echoes and for the hidden treasures it holds in store.
Surrounded by mountains, Bran Castle offers an exceptional natural setting in which visitors can enjoy hiking.
14. Adapt your activities to the seasons
Photo credit: Facebook – Salt Resort Cojocna
In summer, head to the seaside resort of Cojocna for swimming and relaxation. The Salt Resort Cojocna is a popular spa for a relaxing break in the heart of nature.
In winter, if you don’t know where to ski, you can choose the ski resort of Băişoara (in summer, mountain hiking is just as good), or closer by, the Feleac descent (or slope) in Cluj.
15. And all the free activities available in Cluj
Photo credit: Flickr – Donald Judge
- Listen to a concert of traditional folk music
- Visit and enjoy one of the local museums (at certain times)
- Drink clean, healthy, delicious water from a public fountain
- Take a stroll through the city’s flower-filled parks
- Enjoy a hike through the forest
- Admire the incredible architecture and interior design of cathedrals and churches
- Attend a rock concert with big names (several times a year)
- Listen to Hungarian music and discover traditional crafts (August for the Hungarian Festival)
- Watch a film outdoors(TIFF Festival – late May to early June)
- Use sports facilities for a workout
- Climb to the top of a medieval tower and enjoy the view(Saint-Michel church in summer)
- Visit theastronomy observatory (Str. Cirese)
- Attend an art exhibition featuring local artists and their work
How to get to Cluj
There’s no better way to get to Cluj than by air. From France, several cities offer direct flights to Romania (allow an average of 2h30 from Paris), and the fares are well worth it! Whatever your choice of airline or departure city, you’ll find a cheap flight on the website of our partner Ulysse.
Where to stay in Cluj
From the center to Gheorgheni, Cluj-Napoca boasts several neighborhoods in which to stay. Whatever your expectations, you’ll discover a cultural heritage rich in history in each of them. To find your ideal hotel, use this hotel comparator to find the best deals available.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Cluj-Napoca,ro