Cluj-Napoca, Romania: travel guide
Transylvania's student city of Gothic spires and busy cafés
Transylvania's vibrant university and tech capital, built around a Gothic old town, Baroque squares and buzzing cafe culture.
About Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca is the main city of northwestern Transylvania and a youthful one, with a large student population and a lively café and festival scene. Its centre has Gothic, Baroque and Habsburg-era buildings gathered around a wide main square.
The Piața Unirii is dominated by St Michael's church, with the Orthodox cathedral close by. The Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania introduces regional folk life, the Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden is a green retreat, and Salina Turda, a salt mine turned underground attraction, lies a short drive away.
Cluj suits city-break travellers, music and film fans, and those continuing into the surrounding hills. Late spring to early autumn is the best time to visit Cluj-Napoca, with terraces open and festivals under way.
- Country
- Romania
- Currency
- RON
- Time zone
- Europe/Bucharest
- Nearest airport
- CLJ
Last updated
Top places to visit in Cluj-Napoca
Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden
garden · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A 14-hectare university botanical garden with Japanese and Roman gardens, greenhouses and a viewing tower.
St. Michael's Church
gothic · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
A soaring 14th–15th-century Gothic church, one of the largest in Romania, dominating Union Square.
Union Square (Piața Unirii)
square · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Cluj's grand central square, ringed by Baroque palaces and anchored by the Matthias Corvinus statue.
Matthias Corvinus House
historic-house · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A 15th-century Gothic house, the birthplace of King Matthias Corvinus, now part of the art university.
Dormition of the Theotokos Orthodox Cathedral
orthodox · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
An interwar Brâncovenesc-style Orthodox cathedral on Avram Iancu Square, richly decorated inside.
Tailors' Bastion (Bastionul Croitorilor)
bastion · about 0.4 h · check the fee at the gate
The best-preserved fragment of Cluj's medieval citadel wall, a 15th-century defensive tower.
Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania
ethnographic · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Romania's oldest ethnographic museum, in the Reduta Palace, with rich folk-culture collections.
Central Park (Parcul Central Simion Bărnuțiu)
park · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The city's oldest park (1827), with a lake, casino building and riverside promenade.
Cluj Arena
stadium · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A modern 30,000-seat riverside stadium hosting football matches and the huge UNTOLD festival.
Hoia-Baciu Forest
forest · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A woodland on the city's NW edge, dubbed "the world's most haunted forest", popular for hiking and biking.
Salina Turda
salt-mine · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A spectacular former salt mine near Turda (about 30 km away), reborn as an underground theme park with a lake and Ferris wheel.
Bánffy Palace – National Museum of Art
art · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A 1770s Baroque palace on Union Square housing Cluj's National Museum of Art.
Things to do
- Salina Turda Salt-Mine Day Trip Activity · 5 h · from RON 180 per person
- Cluj Old Town Walking Tour Cultural · 2 h · from RON 50 per person
- Hoia-Baciu Haunted Forest Tour Activity · 3 h · from RON 120 per person
- Turda Gorge (Cheile Turzii) Hike Nature · 5 h · from RON 130 per person
- Botanical Garden Visit Nature · 1.5 h · from RON 15 per person
- Museum Square Craft-Beer Crawl Nightlife · 3 h · from RON 120 per person
Day trips and tours
- Salina Turda & Turda Gorge 7 h · from RON 260
Where to stay in Cluj-Napoca
- Centru Vechi / Piața Unirii about RON 400 per night
The historic core around St. Michael's Church, with most attractions, hotels and dining.
- Piața Muzeului about RON 350 per night
The cobbled Museum Square just north of Unirii — the densest cafe, bar and nightlife pocket.
Hotels
- Fullton Boutique Hotel 3-star · RON 250 to RON 400 per night
- City Plaza Hotel Cluj 4-star · RON 350 to RON 550 per night
- Hotel Opera Plaza Cluj 4-star · RON 400 to RON 650 per night
- Retro Hostel Cluj RON 70 to RON 220 per night
- Platinia Hotel 5-star · RON 600 to RON 900 per night
- Grand Hotel Italia 5-star · RON 550 to RON 950 per night
Where to eat
- Roata Romanian · about RON 75 per person
- Samsara Foodhouse Vegetarian, Vegan · about RON 65 per person
- Camino International, Brunch · about RON 80 per person
- Zama Romanian · about RON 55 per person
- Bistro 1568 Romanian, Grill · about RON 75 per person
- Marty Historic Center Italian, International · about RON 75 per person
- Klausen Burger Burgers, American · about RON 50 per person
- Via Italian, Mediterranean · about RON 80 per person
Getting to Cluj-Napoca
Airport: Cluj-Napoca (CLJ)
How visitors arrive in Cluj-Napoca
- Train from Bucharest or Budapest By train from Bucharest and Budapest · common
Cluj is a major Romanian rail hub with direct trains to Bucharest and Budapest and InterCity links to other Transylvanian towns. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Flight into Cluj Avram Iancu Airport By air from Bucharest and European cities · common
The city has its own international airport with flights from Bucharest, Budapest and many European cities. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus or car via E60 By road from Bucharest, Budapest · possible
Coaches run from Bucharest and Romanian and European cities; the E60 road comes in from Budapest and Oradea and from Bucharest and Brasov. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- City bus 5 or 8 from the airport
Public buses 5 and 8 stop on the main road just outside the terminal and run into the centre. Buy a ticket at the machine at the stop and validate it on board; drivers do not sell tickets. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Airport Express line A1E
The A1E airport express bus stops in front of the terminal and goes to Mihai Viteazu Square. Pay by bank card on the terminal inside the bus. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Taxi or Uber/Bolt
Taxis and the Uber and Bolt apps are available at the airport and suit groups or heavy luggage. Use established taxi companies rather than drivers who approach you. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Unlicensed drivers who approach you at the airport or station are best ignored; legitimate drivers do not solicit passengers. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus
Cluj-Napoca's city transport combines buses, trolleybuses and trams run by RATUC.
- Ride Hail
Uber and Bolt are available in Cluj-Napoca as an alternative to street taxis.
- Tram
Cluj-Napoca has a small tram network of a few lines alongside its bus and trolleybus routes.
- Walking
Paying
- Street taxis generally take cash only; the airport express bus takes cards on board. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Safety and scams to avoid
Unlicensed airport / station taxi overcharge
Cluj airport & train station
Touts calling "Taxi? Taxi?" use no meter or a rigged one and quote inflated flat fares.
How to avoid it: Ignore touts; order via Bolt/Uber or use a marked cab with a working meter (~2.5 RON/km).
Best time to visit Cluj-Napoca
- Jan 1°C
- Feb 4°C
- Mar 10°C
- Apr 17°C
- May 21°C
- Jun 25°C
- Jul 27°C
- Aug 27°C
- Sep 22°C
- Oct 16°C
- Nov 8°C
- Dec 2°C
More in Romania
Frequently asked questions about Cluj-Napoca
- What are the main places to visit in Cluj-Napoca?
- Places covered in our Cluj-Napoca guide include Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden, St. Michael's Church, Union Square (Piața Unirii), Matthias Corvinus House, Dormition of the Theotokos Orthodox Cathedral.
- Where should I stay in Cluj-Napoca?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Cluj-Napoca: Centru Vechi / Piața Unirii, Piața Muzeului.
- How do I get around Cluj-Napoca?
- Ways to get around Cluj-Napoca covered in our guide: City bus, Ride-hailing app, Tram, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Cluj-Napoca?
- Scams reported to us for Cluj-Napoca include Unlicensed airport / station taxi overcharge. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Cluj-Napoca?
- Average daytime highs in Cluj-Napoca run from 1°C in Jan to 27°C in Aug.
- Which airport is nearest to Cluj-Napoca?
- The nearest airport to Cluj-Napoca has the code CLJ.