The 15 things to do in Cluj-Napoca

Visit Cluj: what are the best things to do and see in the second city of Romania?

Regardless of the time 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 , diurnal life, student life... When you have toured the city (only in a short weekend), go explore the surrounding area. Take a small trip in the mountains 1 to 3 hours drive, or stay close to the city and visit the local attractions (natural and architectural).

With one of the most dynamic economies in the country and a population of about 330 000 inhabitants, Cluj is today a dynamic cultural city of the Romania . The six public universities (and 5 private) located here also make Cluj Napoca the city with the largest percentage of student population in the country.

So this is what you should not miss in this city full of treasures.

1. Spend the afternoon on Piața Unirii

Piața Unirii is the main square of Cluj. This is the place where the most things are happening in the city, it is also part of guided city tours which will allow you to discover the history of Cluj. With its baroque and Gothic buildings, from the Renaissance to the neoclassical, the square allows direct access to the Saint-Michel church and Palace Banffy . On the side of the church is an equestrian statue dating from 1902 and representing Matei Corvin the sovereign of the 15th century.

In the southwest corner of the square stands Continental Hotel , built in 1895 in an eclectic style combining Renaissance, classical and baroque. During the Second World War, the hotel was served as a German military headquarters in Transylvania. If you cross the square, you can visit the House Hintz the first pharmacy of Cluj (1573-1949) now Museum of Pharmacy.

2. Randomly explore the alleys of Cluj

From the Piața Unirii and throughout the city centre, you will encounter fragments of medieval ramparts, towers and Roman ruins. If you have time for a long walk through history, you can go looking for these vestiges.

The best preserved wall of the medieval city is located on the Street Potaissa . Walking through the streets will also allow you to fall on many religious buildings like the Church Sf. Petru și Pavel , or buildings of the old city like Tailleurs bastion .

3. Climb up the fortress hill

“ Fortress Hill » in English (or Dealul Cetatuia) offers one of the most beautiful panoramas of the city and the surrounding hills, rivers and even mountains. A 5-minute walk from the city centre, you'll need to climb to the top. It is one of the four fortresses of the old town of Cluj, formerly Austrian, with buildings built between 1715 and 1735, and which were used as a prison.

4. Raise time at Ethnographic National Park

Still in the heart of Cluj, a little further north of the city, nestles the National Ethnographic Park Romulus Vuia . A veritable green setting of 75 hectares, it also houses the first free-air museum in Romania erected in June 1929, the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania . If the Second World War marked the site considerably, it has since been restored/revised in part, sheltering two areas in which there are houses, wooden church, craft shops, ovens and other mills... In short, a real reconstruction of the peasant life in Transylvania, from the 17th to the 20th century.

Today, the Park is a parenthesis out of time. Locals as tourists like to stroll around, that tonight to appreciate its green setting or to discover otherwise part of Cluj’s history.

5. Spread in the Botanical Garden

This is one of the city’s flagship rendezvous. The botanical garden Alexandru Borza, located near the old town, takes you to discover the flora of the world. Built in 1872, it now houses no less than 11,000 varieties of plants on 14 hectares. As a result, a green class around the giant lotus to the palm trees, passing through the Japanese garden and the rose garden that promise everyone a true tour of the world of nature.

6. Discover local specialties

Cluj Napoca is also a true culinary culture. Influenced by various Hungarian, Armenian, Roma, Saxon or Hebrew populations, the South cuisine of Transylvania holds its recipe in its cosmopolitan origins. From cheese to meat, to cabbage varieties, sweet sweet sweetness and of course wine, local gastronomy is a must in regional culture, so it would be a shame not to experience it! Simple curious or great gourmets, all these specialties are to discover the time of a City Tour Gastronomique connecting the useful to the pleasant: a cultural visit of the city that will enjoy your taste buds as much.

7. Visit the Turda salt mines

Turda salt mine is today a true museum of the history of salt exploitation. The excellent condition of the compartments of mining and equipment used for the transport of salt, as well as the care with which the mine was designed for tourism, transformed it into a legendary place. The ever higher number of tourists (1.5M per year) from different destinations in the world to visit it is a confirmation of its historical and tourist value.

The modernization of the mine has made Salina Turda one of the most beautiful sites in Transylvania. Over. your exploration , don't miss the Rudolph Mine and Theresa Mine 35 minutes drive south of Cluj.

8. Go back to the medieval era at Banffy Castle

This castle was nicknamed the Petit Versailles before the Second World War because of its beautiful gardens and its very beautiful 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, retired to Oradea so that Cluj could be saved. The German troops, allegedly allied, burned his castle to punish him.

Today, Banffy Castle is rebuilt by volunteers from several European architectural faculties. Thanks to their efforts, you can judge the greatness that the castle once had. Various medieval events are organized in the castle during the year, such as reconstructions of the time and sword fighting between the medieval clubs of the country. This is worth a visit (30 minutes north of Cluj) to enjoy a pleasant afternoon and enjoy a medieval atmosphere.

9. Spend the day in Cheile Turzii

One of the favorite places of the premises to picnic and enjoy the outdoors are the Gorges de Turda (Cheile Turzii).

The area is a natural sanctuary, with an amazing landscape: steep cliffs, vertical walls (valued by climbing enthusiasts), wild vegetation and caves. The path between the cliffs is easily accessible and very well maintained. Don’t forget to admire the beauties that stand at 80 meters above your head as well as the little water that has been washed there. To access the site, there are 10 km from Turda, including buses and taxis.

10. Enjoy the site of the Lake of Tarnita

Twenty kilometers outside Cluj (West), is the Lacul Tarnița a lake formed by a dam. Built between the mountains during the communist era, it was built to produce electricity and facilitate the distribution of fresh water for Cluj.

It is an ideal place for fishing and waterskiing in the summer and for its picturesque autumn landscape when the red, brown and yellow leaves are reflected on the water. Discover the dam, walk, swim or enjoy a meal by the water... The lake of Tarnita promises you above all a relaxing and nature parenthesis in a real green setting.

11. Play the pilgrims at the Nicula Monastery

The monastery of Nicula 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 estimated that these tears were a warning of the difficult period that would fall on monastic life and the Orthodox Church of the whole of Transylvania in 1700. Even today, faithful come on pilgrimage, but also many tourists come to observe the icons painted on glass and wood.

12. Dive into the mysterious Hoia Baciu Forest

Hoia-Baciu Forest (Hoia Forest) is located near Cluj-Napoca and has the local nickname Bermuda Triangle of Romania since a shepherd and his two hundred sheep disappeared.

Most people who live close to the forest are afraid to enter it, thinking that those who go there will never return. The forest gained a reputation when a photographer took a picture of a strange object in the sky, and legends say that we hear noises and voices.

So go check for yourself, what do you think?

13. Enter the legend of Dracula

In the footsteps of Transylvania, those of comte Dracula . A cult character of the work of Bram Stocker - which would be inspired by Vlad ✱epeș or Vlad III Drăculea, Prince de la Valachie and among others, blood killer nicknamed "L’Empaleur"- Count Dracula echoes a legendary myth, until his famous Bran Castle .

Between myth and reality so, Bran Castle is a must in Transylvania. It is therefore unquestionably to discover during your stay in Cluj Napoca, city of departure of the guided tours . However, be reassured: if you expect a dark decor, it is nothing. Dressed with a very beautiful architecture and much less imposing than in the collective imagination, the castle contrasts a little with the faint purpose of history that made it known. That said, it remains very popular with tourists, whether for the cliché to which it echoes or for the hidden it reserves.

Surrounded by mountains, Bran Castle has an exceptional natural setting in which visitors enjoy hiking.

14. Adapt your activities to the seasons

In summer, go to the resort of Cojocna to swim and relax. Salt Resort Cojocna is also a very popular spa to offer a relaxing parenthesis in the middle of nature.

In winter, if you don't know where to ski , you can choose the ski resort Băişoara (summer, mountain hikes are just as good), or closer, the descent (or slope) of Feleac Cluj.

15. And all possible free activities in Cluj

• Listen to a traditional folk music concert
• Visit and enjoy one of the local museums (at certain hours)
• Drink clean, healthy and delicious water in a public fountain
• Take a walk in the parks of the city filled with flowers
• Enjoy a hike through the forest
• Admire the incredible architecture and interior design of cathedrals and churches
• Attend a rock concert with big names (more times a year)
• Listen to Hungarian music and discover traditional handicrafts (August for the Hungarian Festival)
• Watch an outdoor movie (TIFF Festival – end of May beginning of June)
• Use sports facilities for a training session
• Mount up a medieval tower and enjoy the view (Saint-Michel church in summer)
• Visit theobservatory of astronomy (Str. Cirese)
• Attend an art exhibition featuring local artists and their works

How to get to Cluj?

To go to Cluj, nothing like the airway. At the start of France, several cities offer a direct flight to Romania (average 2h30 from Paris), and the prices are worth a visit! Regardless of the company or city of departure of your choice, you will find a cheap flight on our partner's website Ulysses .

Where to stay in Cluj

From the center to Gheorgheni, Cluj-Napoca benefits from several neighbourhoods in which you can stay. Whatever your expectations, you will discover in each of them a cultural heritage rich in history. To find the ideal hotel, think about this Compare hotels who, according to your wishes, will offer you the best offers of the moment.