Things to do in & around Cluj
Travel tips
Cluj-Napoca is a vibrant city with enormous potential and a rich past. A place where art, sports, drama, film, music, and education coexist together. Cluj impresses with its baroque flair paired with attractive architecture, creating a unique bohemian atmosphere. Each year, thousands of tourists visit Cluj-Napoca, primarily for three of its most well-known festivals: the UNTOLD Festival, the Transylvania International Film Festival, and Electric Castle.
*Also, check out our Cluj-Napoca trips or the Inspirock Trip Planner.
Visiting Cluj-Napoca? Don't miss out on experiencing all it has to offer! To help you make the most of your trip, we've compiled a curated list of must-do activities in this vibrant Romanian city.
Table of contents
1. Take a stroll through the city
2. Explore Cheile Turzii (Turda Gorges) by Via Ferrata
3. Take a day trip to Turda Salt Mine
4. Explore the Transylvanian Cuisine
5. Adventure in the haunted Baciu Forest
6. Things to Visit in Cluj: Cetatuia Clujului
7. Visit St. Michael Church
8. Discover the art and the culture of the city
9. Best events in Cluj
10. Explore Transylvania from Cluj
1. Take a stroll through the city
Start your travel to Cluj with a lovely city stroll. Cluj is renowned for its Bavarian atmosphere and unique cafes. Among the things to visit in Cluj is Mirror Street, where the architecture of the buildings is identical on both sides of the street.
Union Square is the largest and central square in Cluj-Napoca, home to some of the city's most significant landmarks such as the old Town Hall, the statue of Matthias Corvinus (Matei Corvin), the National Museum of Art, and Josika Palace. One of the most impressive buildings is the Opera House, built in Renaissance-Baroque-Secession styles, which also hosts the National Theatre.
For an in-depth historical tour of Cluj, we highly recommend booking a city tour. A professional guide can help you make the most out of your visit, revealing the fascinating stories behind Cluj's hottest attractions. You'll see the Matthias Corvinus House, St. Michael's Church, Museum Square, Banffy Palace, and the Romulus Vuia Ethnographic Park.
Cluj-Napoca
Nature lovers should not miss the Botanical Garden, the most popular spot for locals, spanning over 14 hectares and featuring over 10,000 plants from around the world. Additionally, you can enjoy the serene beauty of Central Park and Cetatuia Hill, two other tranquil spots away from the city's hustle and bustle.
2. Explore Cheile Turzii (Turda Gorge) by Via Ferrata
Via Ferrata in Cheile Turzii. Photo source - Lucian Rosu
Cheile Turzii, a natural reserve near the village of Cheia, just outside of Cluj, is a historic site inhabited since the Neolithic period. It is one of Romania's richest and most scenic karst landscapes, featuring steep cliffs, sharp ridges, and limestone towers.
Formed through erosion over millions of years, the Turda Gorge spans 2.9 kilometres in length and rises 300 meters high. This natural reserve is home to over 1,000 species of plants, animals, and insects, including some endangered species like wild garlic.
For adventure enthusiasts who choose to travel to Cluj and want to explore Romania’s natural wonders, the Via Ferrata route is a must-try. With a difficulty level ranging from easy to moderately difficult, the route takes about 3 to 3.5 hours, offering plenty of adrenaline-pumping excitement. Along the path, you'll be captivated by the breathtaking views of the rugged landscape.
3. Take a day trip to the Turda Salt Mine
Among the things to visit in Cluj, just like Cheile Turzii, the Turda Salt Mine is located outside the city, but we assure you the trip is well worth it. This antique salt mine houses an underground theme park, which Business Insider named one of the most beautiful underground places in the world.
Turda Salt Mine is the ideal destination to spend a pleasant day, with activities such as bowling, mini-golf, ping pong, the Ferris wheel, family picnics, and even boat rides in the underground lake. If you take a day trip from Cluj, you will also see the Alba Carolina Citadel, one of Romania's most stunning fortresses, and the charming Rimetea town, which is noted for its white-painted buildings and the phenomena in which the sun appears to rise twice.
Turda Mine Salt
4. Explore the Transylvanian cuisine
Transylvania's rich history and diverse influences from neighboring countries are evident in its local cuisine. When dining at restaurants in Cluj, you'll find a delightful mix of Romanian and Hungarian recipes.
We suggest trying two dishes named after the Transylvanian capital: Chicken à la Cluj and Cabbage à la Cluj.
Chicken à la Cluj is a traditional dish of the gardeners around Cluj, known as "hoștezeni." These gardeners were brought by the Hungarians in the sixteenth century from regions inhabited by Germanic populations. The term "hoștezeni" refers to those who lived outside the city fortifications, derived from the German word "Hochstadt," meaning periphery. Although this community largely disappeared or was assimilated during the communist period, their culinary legacy endures, with only 20 "hoștezeni" families remaining in Cluj today.
Cabbage à la Cluj, similar to the famous "sarmale," is another must-try dish. Unlike sarmale, this dish layers the cabbage instead of rolling it. The recipe dates back to a cookery book from 1695, showcasing the long-standing tradition of Transylvanian cuisine.
Explore the unique flavours of Cluj's culinary heritage and experience the rich cultural blend that defines this region.
Cabbage à la Cluj. Photo source: http://lauralaurentiu.ro
5. Adventure in the haunted Baciu forest
The mythology surrounding the Hoia Baciu forest near Cluj-Napoca begins with a shepherd who entered the woods with his 200 sheep and never left. As a result, unexpected events have continued to occur, and the number of witnesses has grown. The location is also known as the Bermuda Triangle of Romania, and individuals who have visited have described odd bodily states and light beams that cannot be explained. Some have even photographed UFOs, as was the case in 1968, which drew paranormal phenomena experts from all around the globe.
Recently, the location has caught the attention of international publications such as the BBC, The Guardian, and the Independent. A documentary featuring former BBC news presenter Peter Baker as the narrator is currently uploaded online. It objectively defines what is true and what is only a myth regarding the Baciu forest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCZ7WRhz7O8
Photo source: http://romania-insider.com
6. Things to Visit in Cluj: Cetatuia Clujului
Panoramic View from Cetatuia Cluj. Photo source: http://cluj.com
For a breathtaking view of the city, head to Cetatuia Clujului. This citadel, constructed between 1715 and 1735, sits atop a hill near the city center. From this vantage point, you can admire the splendid architecture of Cluj, while the bustling streets below give you a sense of grandeur.
Pro tip: For a truly memorable experience, linger until sunset. Watching the sun dip below the horizon from Cetatuia Clujului is an unforgettable sight.
7. Visit St. Michael's Church
If you travel to Cluj, you must check out St. Michael's Church. St. Michael's Church, built between 1316 and 1487, is Transylvania's sixth-largest church and a major tourist destination in the city. The church has witnessed key historical events, including the election of various Princes of Transylvania and the speech of Áron Márton, a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in Transylvania, who forcefully criticised Jewish deportation.
Near the chapel, there is also a statue of Hungary's famed King Matthias Corvinus.
Saint Michael Church at twilight
8. Discover the art and culture of the city
When you travel to Cluj, it's not just about visiting museums like the National Museum of Transylvanian History, the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania, or the Art Museum. There's a plethora of other things to visit in Cluj where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant world of art and culture. Take, for instance, Fabrica de Pensule, established in 2009 as a haven for contemporary art, where independent artists showcase their creations to the public.
Moreover, Cluj's artistic flair extends to its cafes. While enjoying a coffee, beer, or any beverage in Cluj Napoca, seize the opportunity to experience something truly unique. Explore the steampunk-themed Enigma Cafe, the Cuban Che Guevara Socialist Pub, or the Bas Tattoo Cafe, a former tattoo salon transformed into a cozy coffee spot.
Inside Enigma Cafe. Photo source: Enigma Cafe Cluj, Facebook
Cluj Napoca is known as the city of music festivals in Romania, with three main events that have become synonymous with the Transylvania area and Romania.
The first significant event was held not far from Cluj in Bontida, inside the courtyard of Bannfy Castle, under the name Electric Castle. It debuted in 2013, and the event has grown since then, winning the Best Medium-Sized event title at the European Festival Awards. The Electric Castle festival is ideal for those who enjoy rock music, indie, hip hop, electronic, techno, and drum and bass; bands such as The Prodigy, Skrillex, and Thirty Seconds to Mars have performed here.
Another major music festival in UNTOLD, the first edition of the festival, took place in 2015, and since then, the festival has grown to 370.000 participants in four days at the 2019 edition.
For Jazz lovers, we have Jazz in the Park, the only festival that will take place even during the pandemic restrictions. The 2020 edition, with a limited number of participants, was held in the National Ethnographic Romulus Vuia.
10. Explore Transylvania from Cluj
Cluj-Napoca Airport, Romania's second-largest, provides easy access to major European destinations. This makes Cluj-Napoca the ideal starting point for your Transylvanian journey.
The city's accessibility might serve as a starting point for exploring Transylvania's fortified gothic churches or Maramures' traditional Romanian architecture. From Cluj, you can take a multi-day trip to the Apuseni Mountains, the western portion of the Carpathians with breathtaking scenery, Roman gold mines, and caverns to discover. If you travel south, you can see the Turda Salt Mine, Alba Iulia, which includes the Alba Carolina Fortress, Corvin Castle, and Sibiu, one of Transylvania's most picturesque cities.
Cluj-Napoca guarantees a memorable journey overflowing with history, culture, and excitement. Let this guide of things to visit in Cluj inspire you to embark on your Transylvanian adventure and uncover the enchantment that awaits in Cluj-Napoca!