The “heart of Transylvania” is teeming with old and new stories, happily unraveling in front of those eager to discover them. This is Cluj-Napoca – the largest Transylvanian city. Our recommendation is, if you plan to visit it, to dedicate at least one weekend to this experience. If you already decided and want to make a plan with the main activities to engage in, below you can find our proposals to help you in this regard:

Friday

Start exploring the city from Avram Iancu Square. Before reaching its current appearance and destination, this square was used for different purposes over time: soldiers training ground, pasture, and it even hosted an animal fair. Today it is a beautiful place to relax, where events, such as crafts fairs, are organized on various occasions. The main attraction in the square is the Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral behind which we find a monument erected in honour of those who dedicated their lives to fighting for the country: the “Glory to the Romanian Soldier” monument. Additionally, in this same area, you can find the Palace of Finance, the Palace of the Regional Railway, the Protestant Theological Institute, the Palace of the Prefecture and the County Council.

From Avram Iancu Square, continue your journey towards Bulevardul Eroilor (Heroes’ Boulevard). You will notice the building of the Military Circle (Cercul Militar), on the ground floor of which the “Victoria” cinema operates. On the pedestrian side of the street there are cafes, terraces, restaurants, as well as two monuments: the statue of Lupa Capitolina and the Memorandum Monument. Here you will also find the Minorites’ Church (the Transfiguration Catherdral). Stop at Olivo to enjoy a delicious breakfast and have one of the best coffees in town.

After that, advance towards Unirii Square (Union Square) – considered the km 0 of the municipality. Sitting in the heart of the square there’s St. Michael’s Church and the statue of Matthias Corvinus. Next to them you can also see the Roman remains of the city while resting on one of the nearby benches, admiring the location. Besides these, in the square’s perimeter, you will find many buildings of undeniable value: the Banffy Palace which houses the Art Museum, Jósika Palace, Rhédey Palace and Wass Palace.

The next location on our recommendation list is the Museum Square (Piața Muzeului) which houses the National Museum of Transylvanian History, the Franciscan Church, the Carolina Obelisk, the Mikes Janos Palace as well as several terraces and bars.

Central Park is the favourite location used for relaxation and unwinding by the city’s residents. That’s why this location cannot be missed. Along the park’s alleys you will walk past the Casino, the statuettes of some national personalities, the Chios restaurant and the small lake where you can hire a boat or pedal boats. In close vicinity to the park you can also see the Hungarian State Theater and the Cluj Arena, a stadium with an impressive modern architecture.

Cetățuia Park is the next destination on our list of proposals, and to reach it you will first have to cross the Elisabeta bridge. This bridge is linked to the name of Empress Elisabeta (Sissi) and has a special meaning for the people of Cluj. In time, it became the bridge of love, due to the padlocks containing love messages which were placed on it. The 237 stairs  climb that leads to the Cetățuia Park will well be worth the effort when you will see the amazing view it offers over the city. This Habsburg fortification from which the name of the Park comes from, was built between 1715 and 1735 and served as a place of defence, a checkpoint over the city, and at one point, a prison.

After walking on the plateau and “feasting”  your eyes with sights of Cluj, dine at Samsara Foodhouse, a restaurant located 1 km away. It is a vegan/vegetarian restaurant ranked among the best in town, even by people who are not necessarily followers of this lifestyle. If you are not attracted to the idea, you can opt for the Roata restaurant, where you will be able to enjoy traditional dishes.

Saturday

Start your day at Eggcetera, a favourite among the locals (and not only) when it comes to breakfast or brunch. Afterwards, visit the Hintz House aka the Pharmacy Museum, located 500 meters away. Ten minutes ‘walk away is the Cluj-Napoca Tailors’ Tower, one of the monuments in the old fortress of Cluj that has stood the test of time.

Our next recommendation is a really special place and it will be the refuge you need when you will start feeling overwhelmed by the tumult of the city: the Botanical Garden.

The astronomical observatory is the next destination on our list, a place where you can discover the secrets of the celestial sphere. If you are more passionate about art, visit Fabrica de Pensule, one of the most unique contemporary art spaces.

For food, we recommend a restaurant with a special view: Klausen Burger.

Cluj is always awake, a fact that you will discover on your own if you will wander around the locations that come alive after sunset. One such location is Piezișa street, an alley where you can find various bars and clubs where students gather and party until dawn.

Sunday

For the last morning of this stay, because you will most definitely visit Cluj again after this experience, we recommend you start it at Bujole. It is a chic place, where you can enjoy a rich breakfast and an aromatic speciality coffee.

Today we suggest you visit the Romulus Vuia Ethnographic Park, the open-air section of the Ethnographic Museum. This is the first museum of its kind in Romania and it is located in the Hoia Forest. Use this occasion to explore this internationally famous forest area, thanks to the legends related to the paranormal phenomena taking place here about which numerous theories have been launched.

Not even 40 km away from the city is Salina Turda, a location that cannot be missed if you are to visit Cluj and the surrounding areas. Here you will discover a unique underground universe, a museum of salt mining. The salt mine includes numerous spectacular galleries, mines, as well as recreational areas where you can play mini golf, bowling, pool, tennis and a lake where you can go boating and more.

To get a better idea about the culinary landscape in Cluj, we invite you to try some of our restaurant suggestions, including: Zama, Beluga, A Camponeza and the list goes on with many other options to fit any taste. We have an article fully dedicated to this topic which we invite you to read for more suggestions.

Another place you should not miss on your little trip to Cluj is Enigma. We are talking about a  pub which is unique worldwide due to its kinetic steampunk design. There are seven mechanisms that move constantly which give the impression that the decor is actually alive.