You booked your flight tickets, your luggage is ready and you are looking forward to going on vacation. The established destination is Timișoara, the “Little Vienna” of Romania. The technical details are fine-tuned, but something seems to be missing. You certainly do not want to lose precious time allocated for your weekend getaway and you want to make the most of your little break. To come to your aid we compiled a list of suggestions for efficiently organizing your stay in Timișoara. We prepared a program that you can follow with confidence, to ensure that you will spend a successful weekend:
Day 1
Start your day with a good coffee at Cafe Opera, in Victoriei Square. After you take your dose of energy, start walking to discover the buildings in this perimeter. Head to the Metropolitan Cathedral, which holds the status of symbol of Timișoara. In this area, you will notice several buildings that host various cultural institutions such as: the Romanian Opera, the National Theater, the Capitol Cinema, the Banat Village Museum. After wandering around the area head towards Cathedral Park behind the building and opposite you will see the Central Park.
Then head to Liberty Square (Piața Libertății), whose shape started to come alive in 1734. Here you can see the former town hall, the Military Circle, the Monument of St. John Nepomuk. On Marașești Street you’ll find the Citadel Synagogue, a Moorish-style building that was erected in 1865.
After that, head to Piata Unirii (Union Square), an area beautified by the multitude of architectural jewels surrounding it.
The Roman Catholic Cathedral, or St. George’s Cathedral which dates back to 1774 is located here. This is a representative building for the Baroque architectural style. The interior is made in rococo style and you will get the chance to see an impressive organ, a replica of the one in the Suplice church in Paris.
Going forward, you will see the Baroque Palace, an important historical monument that today houses the Art Museum. It includes both national and area-specific works and elements of European art.
After the artistic foray, head to the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, and near it you will see the headquarters of the Serbian Orthodox Episcopate. In the same perimeter you will also notice the Bruck House – an eclectic monument, which combines Art Nouveau and Secession styles. The Theoretical High School “Nikolaus Lenau” is another impressive building that was erected in 1761 and which originally housed the magistracy and a theatre. In the heart of the Square is the Plague Column or the Monument of the Holy Trinity which is meant to commemorate the end of the epidemic that lasted from 1731 to 1738, an epidemic that ended the lives of over 1000 Timisoara residents.
After this walk, you should take a lunch break. In the vicinity of Union Square you will definitely find something to fit your taste, regardless of your culinary preferences.
After a well-deserved rest, head to the Maria Theresia Bastion. This is a special place in the city as it is the only part of the former fortress that has withstood the test of time. The Bastion has been renovated and is now a passageway.
The next proposal for this day is Huniade Castle, inside which you will find the Banat Museum. The building dates from 1447 and is the oldest in Timișoara.
The last proposals are the Rose Park and the Children’s Park. For dinner, you can return to Victoriei Square, to the Timișoreana restaurant. Among the goodies you can opt for here are: tripe soup, beef soup, beef stew with polenta, smoked pork with cabbage, sarmale and more. This restaurant is famous for its cuisine but it also has a great ambiance and hospitable staff.
Day 2
Start your day with a tasty breakfast and a coffee at Bistro M.
Today we suggest you visit the Banat Village Museum which is located 5 km from the city centre. To get there, you can take the trolleybus 11, bus 46 and trams 1 or 2. The museum covers 17 hectares, so you will spend a lot of time wandering through the small village organized in an authentic way, like in the old times.
The walk on the alleys of the museum will bring you in contact with the history, the characteristic architectural elements, the daily work tools, and many other defining aspects of the Banat life.
After getting acquainted with everything the museum universe has to offer, return to the city and dine at Fabrica de Bere, where you can enjoy traditional dishes and fresh Timișoreana beer.
Next, we suggest you try the ExitGames experience. It is a place to experience escape room games: Horror Hospital, Bank Robbery, The Ring, Mr. Bean and others. You must be a group of 2-6 people, and the price is 75 lei /person.
For dinner, we recommend you go to Casa Bunicii restaurant.
If you are eager for even more fun, go on a night out in town. The Drunken Rat Pub, Scârț Loc Lejer, The Irish Pub and BeerCraft are some of the proposals in this regard.
Day 3
Today is about rest, peace, and relaxation.
Have breakfast at Neața Omelette Bistro, then get ready for the spa. For your last day of relaxation in Timisoara, we recommend you visit Tresor Le Palais Spa, considered one of the most luxurious spas in the city. Here you can enjoy top facilities such as an indoor pool, sauna, jacuzzi, and relaxation rooms, all in a 5-star atmosphere. The spa is located in an elegant setting, offering holistic relaxation services designed to give you a complete relaxation experience.
A visit to Timișoara wouldn’t be complete without a scenic boat ride along the Bega River. The journey, starting from either the Mihai Viteazu or Ardealul stations, takes you on a relaxing trip through the heart of the city, stopping at nine different stations along the way. Tickets are conveniently purchased onboard the boat, making for a hassle-free experience.
For the little ones, a special treat awaits on the Pirate Ship. This fun-filled-themed ride lasts around 40 minutes and adds an adventurous twist to the journey, turning it into an imaginative experience that children are sure to love.
After wandering the city, we suggest you continue with a culinary treat at La Calul Alb restaurant.
Thus, your weekend will be a successful one, full of activity, but also relaxing, so that you will not end up more tired than when you came. After all, we are talking about a vacation, and relaxation should be the main goal of the trip, right?