Surely you’ll agree with us that exploring a new city is something truly special! And to make the most of it, you have plenty of options. In Cluj, you can visit any of its museums to uncover the best stories and secrets of this region. That’s why we’ve compiled our list of 5 must-visit museums, each one a reference in different fields of knowledge.
Muzeul Etnografic al Transilvaniei (The Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania)
This is Romania’s first ethnographic museum and boasts nearly a century of history. Inside, it is divided into two distinct sections: the Reduta Palace section and the Romulus Vuia Park section, the latter being an open-air museum.
The Reduta Palace section is located at 21 Memorandumului Street. A witness to many historical events, the museum features an exhibition called “Folk Culture of Transylvania” (18th-20th centuries) and a permanent display where you can see and touch objects used by local peasants in their time.
Visiting hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 17:00)
- Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Admission fee:
- Adults: 6 lei per person (€1.20)
- University students (with ID) and pensioners: 3 lei (€0.60)
- Children: 1.5 lei (€0.30)
Open-Air Museum
The open-air section is located on the outskirts of the city, in the national ethnographic park “Romulus Vuia” (Tăietura Turcului Street). Here you will find, among other things, several representative houses from various regions of the country, craft workshops, wooden churches, and other architectural gems.
From the city center, you can easily reach it by public transport. You can take bus lines 26, 27, 28, 30, or 41 to the “Piaţa 14 de julio” station or line 37 from Mihai Viteazul Square to Tetarom Industrial Park.
Visiting hours (always check in advance as it varies depending on the time of year):
- Winter hours (from October): Wednesday – Sunday: 09:00-16:00 (last entry at 15:00)
- Summer hours (from March): Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 17:00)
- Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Admission fee:
- Adults: 6 lei per person (€1.20)
- University students and pensioners: 3 lei (€0.60)
- Children: 1.5 lei (€0.30)
Poarta de su’ Feleac
This is the first private ethnographic museum in the country and has become a true symbol of Transylvanian peasants. If you visit, you’ll see the homes of three major ethnic groups: Romanian, Saxon, and Hungarian.
In addition to ancient relics, traditional costumes, and old photographs, you’ll enjoy an authentic traditional experience: the museum’s owners allow visitors to sit at the table to eat Romanian dishes while dressed in folk costumes. Another place where you’ll truly feel like a local!
The museum is located about 4 km from the city, in the Colonia Sopor district, No. 20. We recommend taking a taxi or driving to get here, as the nearest bus stop is 2 km away.
Visiting hours:
- Daily: 10:00 – 16:00 (November 1 – March 31)
- Daily: 09:00 – 18:00 (April 1 – October 31)
Free admission.
Note that the museum’s owners recommend that tourist groups call to schedule an appointment at least a day in advance to adjust visiting hours if necessary. You can contact them at the following numbers:
- 004 0766-529550 (Căpuşan Gheorghe)
- 004 0765-900707 (Căpuşan Rodica)
Zoology Museum
The museum houses more than 300,000 unique specimens: from corals, starfish, and tropical butterflies to eagles, kangaroos, and felines of all sizes. As it is affiliated with Babeș-Bolyai University, its facilities are within the Faculty of Biology (Clinicilor St. 5-7). When planning your sightseeing route, don’t overlook this place: it’s the second-largest museum in Romania in terms of unique specimens on display.
Visiting hours:
- Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 – 16:00
- Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 – 14:00
Admission fee:
- Adults: 6 lei (€1.20)
- Reduced fee (students, children, pensioners): 3 lei (€0.60)
Botanical Museum of Babeș-Bolyai University
Located at Republicii St. No. 42, within the Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden, you’ll find a herbarium with more than 655,000 sheets of herbs from around the world. The museum’s collection is incredibly extensive and also showcases various minerals, fossils, and photos of all the plants found in the garden. But it doesn’t stop there!
You can also enjoy a complete tour of the botanical garden. Here, among other attractions, you’ll see the Japanese Garden, the greenhouses, the rose garden, and even the Roman Garden, where you’ll find Roman relics and statues. A real treat for all your senses!
Visiting hours:
- Daily: 10:00 – 18:00
Admission fee:
- Adults: 15 lei (€3.20)
- Students: 5 lei (€1)
- Pensioners: 10 lei (€2)
Muzeul Național de Istorie a Transilvaniei (National Museum of the History of Transylvania)
In this list of museums, we couldn’t leave out one of the city’s most important: the National Museum of the History of Transylvania. As one of the oldest in Romania, it houses a truly priceless collection of objects that recount over 600,000 years of history. You can visit the remains of a Roman sarcophagus or delve into the first exhibits from the Dacian era.
It’s located on Constantin Daicoviciu Street, right next to the university library.
Visiting hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 16:00
- Saturday – Sunday: Closed
Admission fee:
- Adults: 10 lei per person (€2)
- Reduced fee (students, children, pensioners): 5 lei (€1)
Some More Museum Options to Visit in Cluj-Napoca
- Art Museum (Unirii Square No. 30): featuring great paintings from the Renaissance to contemporary times.
- Pharmacy History Museum (Unirii Square No. 28): a visit through the origin and evolution of Romanian pharmacy, located in a 16th-century building.
- National Museum of Romanian Literature (Horea Street No. 8): a must-visit for all literary enthusiasts, where you can explore the history of Romanian literature.