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The Union Square with the Saint Michael Church

Cluj-Napoca (Romanian), Kolozsvár (Hungarian) or Klausenburg (German) is the capital of Cluj county and the unofficial capital of the historical region of Transylvania . The city, with 310,243 people, is very pleasant, and it is certainly a great experience for those who want to see urban Transylvanian life at its best. Along with fine dining, excellent cultural activities, a wonderful historical legacy and a great atmosphere, the city will certainly not disappoint those who add it to their travel itinerary. What's more is the fact that Cluj (as it's called for short) is so easy to access and get around.

Understand

Talk

The official language is Romanian, a Romance language. Most educated people born after about 1970 will speak reasonably good English and will likely be proficient in one or more second Romance languages; most educated people born before about 1970 will speak reasonably good French and Italian. Hungarian is a common language, spoken by the relatively large Hungarian minority. The Roma people (Gypsies) speak their native Romany, as well as Romanian. Beyond that, as in any major city, there will be a smattering of other languages.

Get in

Getting to Cluj-Napoca is easy due to its position and its status as a major Transylvanian city.

By train

Cluj-Napoca Central Train Station
International trains at the Cluj-Napoca Railway station.
  • 1 Cluj-Napoca railway station (Gara Cluj-Napoca). The main train station serving Cluj-Napoca. There are a couple of others which are of no interest to the traveler.

As with many other Transylvanian cities, the train is the easiest way to reach Cluj. (Because it is an important Romanian railway hub.) There are 4 trains daily to Bucharest and 4 trains daily to Budapest (via Oradea). There are train connections to most Romanian or Transylvanian cities, including fast InterCity connections to Oradea, Arad, Timisoara, Brasov, Sighisoara, Ploiesti and Bucharest.

On a few routes like Cluj-Napoca - Oradea or Cluj-Napoca - Târgu Mures, you can find private companies like Transferoviar grup, which offer cheaper tickets.

Important to know, that in Romania there are three kind of trains.

  • Regio - This is the slowest but cheapest way to go somewhere. The Regio trains stop at every station.
  • InterRegio - The InterRegio trains is much faster than the Regio. Because it is very comfortable many international trains are InterRegio. The ticket is more expensive than the Regio ticket but affordable.
  • InterCity - The fastest and the most comfortable way to travel but the ticket is very expensive.

By plane

Cluj-Napoca International Airport

Another alternative is to fly to Budapest Ferihegy Airport and then shuttle to Cluj-Napoca. The shuttle takes six to eight hours to make the travel. Many companies travel this route. You can find shuttles from early morning till late night. Reservations have to be made in advance, make sure you leave at least two hours between your flight arrival and the departure of the shuttle, to account for any flight delays. Prices are around 60 to 80 lei (€25).

Car rental by Avis, Budget, Europcar and several local providers (PHP rent a car, Go Rent a car Cluj, 321 Rent a car Cluj, rodna Trans, Hermin, Eco rentacar - Inchirieri auto Cluj) is available, as well as on request by Hertz.

City transfer

  • The Airport of Cluj-Napoca has transport connections to downtown Cluj-Napoca. To get there, travelers can choose between car rentals, taxi, limo service and public transport (bus line 8 running from 5:30AM till midnight, 3.5 lei for two travels). For the public bus, you need to exit the airport, turn right at the main street and walk to the next bus stop. There is a ticket machine. One way to the city center costs 2 Lei. (11/2015) You are not allowed to buy tickets from the driver.
  • Also, WizzAir company introduced a bus-shuttle to the center of fixed price of 15 lei (about €4).

By car

A3 Motorway near Cluj

Cluj-Napoca has good road connections. European road E60 links it to Bucharest and Brasov to the south, Oradea and Budapest to the west, through Bors customs. E81 leads to Zalau and Satu Mare to the north, Brasov and Bucharest to the south. E58 links Cluj-Napoca to Dej, Bistrita, Baia Mare and Vatra Dornei.

By bus

Cluj-Napoca can be reached by bus from Bucharest, major cities in Romania, most cities in Transylvania, and a number of major cities in Europe.

OrangeWays has modern buses that circulate between Budapest and Cluj-Napoca. You can catch a bus to Cluj-Napoca from the Nepliget bus station in Budapest.

On demand bus to Cluj Napoca from Budapest by Eurobusways

Get around

By public transport

Cluj route map

Public transport in the city is possible by means of 25 bus lines, 7 trolleybus lines, and 3 tram lines, all operated by the RATUC company (Regia Autonomă de Transport Urban de Călători). For most lines servicing the city center you won't need to wait more than 15 minutes. The tariff is 4.0 lei (about €0.85, or US$1.20) for two travels. Tickets can be bought for cash only at special booths at most stops, identifiable by the RATUC logo and possibly the text "Bilete si Abonamente" (meaning "short and long-term tickets"). Be careful to correctly punch an unused half of your ticket once in the vehicle, ticket control is relatively common and the fines are sizable.

Transport in the Cluj-Napoca metropolitan area is covered by many private bus companies, one of the most important is FANY which provides numerous daily connections to neighboring towns and villages.

By taxi

Taxis are relatively more expensive than in other parts of Romania, but still cheap, and very convenient. The tariff is around 2.25 lei (€0.50/US$0.70) per kilometer, and the same is applied as start fee. All the respectable companies charge the same price. Typically you won't pay more than 13 lei (€3) for a travel between the city center and some point in the suburbs. Payment is always done in cash, and paying by credit card is not possible. It is customary, though not mandatory, that the sum is rounded up to 0.5 lei multiples (e.g., if the meter shows 3.2 lei you will probably be expected to pay 3.5 lei, leaving the extra 0.3 lei as a tip). If you do not have exact change, the driver might keep this tip himself when paying back the change. If he tries to keep too much (like rounding from 3.5 to 5 lei, for example), do ask for the change.

Palace of Justice & National Theatre in Avram Iancu Square

Taxi cabs come in all shapes and colors, they are identified by the company logo on the sign on top of the car, which will also be placed somewhere on the car body. Taxis cluster around important locations in the city, and clusters are usually no more than 1 kilometer apart. Take care to always use respectable companies, such as Atlas, Diesel Rapid, Diesel Taxi, Pritax, Nova, Terra & Fan, Pro Rapid. There might be underground, "shark" drivers as they are called, which try to exploit unknowledgeable strangers by overcharging. You should avoid them as they charge at least several times the normal fee. They mostly hang around the train station and the airport. Shark drivers might sometimes "helpfully" offer a ride themselves; you won't see a usual driver do that. Usually shark drivers' cars are marked TAXI and nothing else. Search for name of company on the door of car! Respectable firms typically have several cars parked at each station; that's an easy way to identify them. Elseway, the price per kilometer is sometimes displayed on the cab door. It should be no more than 2.25 lei.

Building in downtown Cluj

Cabs can also be phoned in. You typically need to give a name, and wait for the number of the car to be relayed to you. Cars will arrive after a period on the order of minutes.

It may happen that you will be driven around on a longer route if you don't know the city. This may happen even with respectable firms. You can't do much to help that, unless you are able to read a map very well, especially if you're easy to spot as a foreigner. The best thing to do is to appear confident, jump in the car and state your destination unhesitantly as if you knew exactly where it was.

Some of the taxi companies in Cluj-Napoca:

  • Nova Taxi - (0264) 949, +40-745 151000
  • Diesel Rapid - (0264) 946
  • Atlas Taxi - (0264) 969
  • Diesel Taxi - (0264) 953, +40-744 646663, +40-745 381532, +40-722 859093
  • Pritax - (0264) 942, +40-744 159720, +40-788 550000
  • Pro Rapid - (0264) 948
  • Terra Fan - (0264) 944
  • Clima&Confort Taxi - (0264) 943, +40-742 012280, +40-723 012280, +40-768 347379, +40-264 422224, +40-364 310673

By car

Cars can be rented from the numerous operators throughout the city. Many small tourism agencies also act as intermediaries for renting cars, and you might be able to get better rates there. You can find such agencies scattered throughout the city centre.

See

The area around the Union Square is a must see for the visitor, with the Teleki and Banffy Palaces (the latter now housing the National Art Museum), the Franciscan Monastery, the first Unitarian Church in the world, the Piarist Church, the Mirror Street (Iuliu Maniu Street - a unique architectural accomplishment dating back to the late 1800s) and Matthias Corvinus' place of birth, a former 15th Century hotel now home to the Visual Arts Academy. Smaller streets around the Square can take you into splendid inner courts, old houses and isolated Churches.

Squares and streets

  • 1 Union Square (Piața Unirii). Where you can find St. Michael's Church, the National Art Museum, the Statue of Matthias Corvinus and the roman ruins.
  • 2 The Museum Square (Piața Muzeului). A 2 minute walk from the Union Square, is home to the Franciscan Monastery (a combination of Baroque and Gothic architecture dating back to the 14th Century), the Transylvanian History Museum and the old Obelisk of the City, offered to the city as acknowledgement of its statute by the Austrian Emperor Franz Ferdinand in the 19th Century. You can have a nice coffee right by the Obelisk, as during daytime the surrounding bars and cafes have outdoor seating.
  • 3 Eroilor Avenue (Bulevardul Eroilor). Is linking the two main squares - Union Square and Avram Iancu Square.
  • 4 Iuliu Maniu Street (Strada Iuliu Maniu).

Churches

  • 5 The Orthodox Cathedral (Catedrala Ortodoxă).
  • 6 St. Michael's Church (Biserica Sfântul Mihail). This Gothic architecture piece is one of the most valuable in Transylvania. Its murals date from the 15th century, and the 50m neogothic tower was built in 1860.
  • 7 The Reformed Church (Biserica Reformată de pe Ulița Lupilor). Built between 1486-1516, is a very important piece of gothic architecture.
  • 8 The Franciscan Church (Biserica Franciscană). Built between 1260 and 1290
  • 9 Calvaria Church (Biserica Calvaria). A small Benedictine abbey surrounded by defensive walls, Calvaria Church was built starting in the 9th-10th centuries.
  • 10 Bob Church (Biserica Bob). It is the first Greek-Catholic church that was built in the city of Cluj, while it was part of the Austrian Empire.
  • 11 Piarist Church (Biserica Piariștilor). Completed in 1724, it was the province's first baroque church.
  • 12 Cock Church (Biserica cu Cocoș). Designed by the famous architect Kós Károly.

Museums

  • 13 National Art Museum (Muzeul Național de Artă), Union Square nr. 30.
  • 14 National Museum of Transylvanian History (Muzeul Național de Istorie a Transilvaniei), Str. Constantin Daicoviciu nr. 2.
  • Emil Isac Memorial House, Emil Isac nr. 23
  • 15 Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania (Muzeul Etnografic al Transilvaniei), Memorandumului nr. 21. 20lei for adults.
  • 16 Pharmaceutical Museum (Muzeul Farmaciei).
  • 17 Zoology Museum, Clinicilor nr. 5-7.

Galleries

  • 18 Fabrica de Pensule. Old paintbrush factory. Now the building is filled with art galleries and artists' studios.
  • 19 Galeria Arte, Str. Vasile Alecsandri nr. 1.
  • 20 Galeria Horeb, Str Târnavelor nr. 4. In the basement of what is probably the ugliest church in Cluj (it was built in 1984, during the very strict communist regime, so the church had to look like a communist apartment building), Galeria Horeb opened in 2009. It has around two exhibitions per year.
  • 21 IAGA.
  • Lateral ArtSpace (inside the Paintbrush Factory).
  • Plan B (inside the Paintbrush Factory).

Parks

  • 22 The Central Park (Parcul Central). A welcome break from the rush of the city. The middle of the park hosts a small lake and the Chios Casino, from the terrace of which you can rent rowboats and hydrobicycles to circle the small island in the centre of the lake.
  • 23 Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden (Grădina Botanică Alexandru Borza), Str. Republicii nr. 42. It spreads over 14 hectares and contains among others a small Japanese garden, greenhouses for ecuatorial and tropical plants, a small water course through its middle, and a tower which can be climbed to get a better view of the garden arrangements.
  • 24 "Romulus Vuia" Ethnographic Park (Parcul Etnografic "Romulus Vuia"), Tăietura Turcului (You can take the buses 26, 27, 28 from the train station). Mondays closed. 6 lei adults, free for children.
  • 25 The Fortress Hill (Dealul Cetății). The Transylvania Hotel (also known to the locals as Belvedere) was built on top of the hill, and besides the great view offers a good restaurant as well. The hill can be climbed by stairs from the centre of the city. On the way you will also find a large iron cross monument. A walkway circles the crown of the hill just below the Hotel, offering a nice view to the city.
The panorama view of Cluj at night from the Cetatuia Hill.
  • 26 Central Cemetery (Cimitirul Central).

Notable buildings

  • 27 The Tailors' Bastion (Bastionul Croitorilor). It is very well preserved, alongside with the corresponding section of the medieval wall
Tailors' Bastion
  • 28 Matthias Corvinus House (Casa Matei).
  • Palace of Justice, Calea Dorobantilor nr. 2
  • Babeş-Bolyai University, Str. Mihail Kogălniceanu nr. 1B.
  • 29 Old Casino (Cazinoul Vechi). Located in the Central Park, built at the end of the 19th century, restored in 2012.
  • 30 The City Hall (Primăria).
  • 31 The Hintz House (Casa Hintz). Was the first pharmacy in Cluj. Currently houses the Pharmaceutical museum.
  • 32 Bánffy Palace (Palatul Bánffy). Built between 1774 and 1775, currently houses the National Art Museum
  • 33 Cetățuia Fortress (Fortăreața Cetățuia). Used to hold a stronghold, as its name implies. People were also jailed there. Not much of the old fortress remains, but The Fortress Hill is worth climbing, for the view.

Statues

  • 34 Statue of Matthias Corvinus (Statuia lui Matei Corvin). The statue is always climbed by tourists, although officially this practise is not allowed.
St. Michael's Church, with the statue of Matthias Corvinus.

Around Cluj

Building in downtown Cluj
  • Someșu Rece fortress
  • Cuzdrioara fortress
  • Bologa fortress
  • Gherla fortress
  • Liteni fortress
  • Gilău castle
  • Bocskai castle in Aghireșu
  • Banffy castles in Bonțida, Răscruci and Borșa
  • Beldi castle in Geaca
  • Haller castle in Coplean
  • Kemeny Banffy castle in Luncani
  • Kornis castle in Mănăstirea
  • Teleki fortress in Luna de jos
  • Beliș agrotouristic village with the Fântânele lake

Do

  • 1 Lucian Blaga National Theatre (Teatrul Național Lucian Blaga).
  • 2 Romanian National Opera (Opera Naţională Română). Housed in the same building as the National Theatre
  • 3 Hungarian State Theater (Teatrul Maghiar de stat), Emil Isac nr. 26-28.
  • 4 Hungarian Opera (Opera Maghiară). Housed in the same building as the Hungarian State Theater
  • 5 PUCK Puppet Theatre (Teatrul de Păpuși PUCK).
  • 6 Tranzit House (Casa Tranzit). An old synagogue converted into an arts center.

Buy

  • 1 Oser. Flea market held every saturday from morning 'till noon.

Books

  • 2 Anticariat Academic.
  • 3 Anticariat Röser, Strada Matei Corvin nr. 3.

Shopping malls

  • 4 Iulius Mall.
  • 5 Polus Center.

You can also visit Sora Shopping Center, Central and Galeriile Ferdinand (very expensive). At a lower budget you can find lots of cool clothes in Piata Marasti (shopping center).

Eat

Kurtoskalacs - Transylvanian pastry

Cluj dining is some of the best in Romania. Ranging from traditional Romanian, Hungarian and Transylvanian (a combination of the previous two) to Italian (very good Italian food), Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Middle Eastern, American and International Cuisine, the city can offer great dining for all tastes. Fancy restaurants are available as well as local fast food shops and a few international chains (McDonald's, Pizza Hut).

Budget

  • Academia More - Pizzeria, Clinicilor st. 9A. Pizza & pasta, sports bar. Near University campus and downtown, with biggest summer garden in Cluj-Napoca (+400 seats). Pizza delivery also available: 0040-264-590823, 0040-745-983100. Big groups reservations.
  • 1 Agape. Cafeteria-style restaurant with good Hungarian and Romanian food.
  • Elite Pizza. The oldest pizza place in town. Pizza delivery also available: 0040-264-597.
  • 2 Vărzărie. One of the few restaurants that Cluj had during the communist times. Today the food is pretty much unchanged and the place still maintains a bit of the old atmosphere. They serve simple and cheap Romanian food. Varză à la Cluj is a must try local specialty.

Mid-range

Franciscan church of Cluj
  • 3 Aroma (on the Feleacu hill). International cuisine with a great view
  • Beijing, Str. A. Iancu nr. 12-14. Chinese eatery.
  • 4 Bistro Viena.
  • Bolero - International.
  • 5 Bricks.
  • 6 Camino.
  • Casa Ardelenească, Bd. 21 Decembrie 1989 no. 5 (in the Sora Shopping Center). Traditional Romanian menu, popular with the locals, and decorated with local art.
  • 7 Casa Vikingilor. International cuisine with huge portions.
  • Chicago's - American fare.
  • Ciuleandra, inside the Best Western Topaz Hotel. Specializing in Romanian/Transylvanian food.
  • 8 Club Italia.
  • Don Mario - Mediterranean Cuisine
  • Fahid - Middle-eastern cuisine.
  • 9 Fair Play, Piața 14 Iulie. Well known for serving the best tripe soup in Cluj.
  • Hao Yi - Chinese.
  • 10 Kaja Tanya.
  • 11 Klausen Burger. A restaurant & brewery with a view.
  • 12 La Piazzetta. A bit kitschy decor, but good pizza.
  • 13 Livada.
  • Maestro - International.
  • 14 Maimuța Plângătoare. Traditional Romanian and Hungarian.
  • Marco Polo, in the City Plaza Hotel. Japanese food.
  • Marty Caffe, +40 264 591212. Str. Victor Babeş nr. 39. International.
  • 15 Mint Bistro.
  • Pizzeria Michelangelo, +40 264 596969. Str. Memorandumului nr. 6. Romanian, Pizza,Restaurant.
  • Panoramic. International cuisine on the Cetatuia with a great view from above downtown.
  • Pizza Y - International.
  • Red House - Transylvanian/Hungarian.
  • 16 Roata. Romanian food.
  • 17 Samsara Foodhouse. Vegetarian / vegan / raw vegan restaurant with a nice atmosphere.
  • 18 Shanghai, Calea Turzii nr. 42, +40 264 442027, +40 264 431444, +40 727-833.453. Located near a residential neighborhood a few kilometers from the city center, Shanghai has one of the most varied selections of Chinese dishes.
  • 19 Tokyo. Japanese.
  • 20 Twelve, str. Constanța 12.
  • 21 Vila Tușa.

Splurge

  • 22 Baracca, Str. Napoca nr. 8A, +40 732 155177. Very good Mediterranean food with French cuisine influence, great atmosphere. This restaurant changes its menu every 6 months, in collaboration with a Chef from France.
  • 23 Casa Boema.
  • 24 El Toro Steakhouse. Argentinian steakhouse
  • 25 Fragment.
  • Matei Corvin Intim, +40 264 597497. Str. Matei Corvin nr. 3. International cuisine. This restaurant frequently receives national and international celebrities.
  • Topaz, +40 264 414066. Str. Septimiu Albini no. 10 (inside the Best Western Topaz). Refined menu of international selections in an elegant atmosphere.
  • 26 Via. Located in a wonderfully restored old house.
  • 27 ZAMA.

Drink

Art bar in Cluj

Cluj has a vibrant night life, guaranteed by the over 60000 University students living here. There are bars, cafés, clubs for all preferences and budgets.

  • 1 Boiler Club (inside the Paintbrush Factory - Fabrica de Pensule). Closed down, but they announced they are looking for a new location.
  • 2 Bulgakov. They have nice Hungarian food.
  • 3 Casa TIFF.
  • 4 Coffee O'Clock.
  • Corvinus - Str. Memorandumului - A pub popular with the Hungarian community.
  • 5 Diesel, Piața Unirii no. 17, +40 264 598441. One of the oldest and most expensive clubs in Cluj-Napoca. Cosmopolitan events on three floors with some of the most popular groups in Romania.
  • 6 Euphoria Biergarten.
  • 7 Flowers Tea House, Str. Emil Isac nr. 11.
  • 8 Flying Circus Club. Mostly rock music. Every night they are open they broadcast a movie around 20.00. Entrance is free including popcorn.
  • 9 Insomnia (opposite the cinema, next to the bookstore in Piața Unirii. Enter the alley and go upstairs.). Bohemian and ever changing decor and nice personnel. Also serve light meals.
  • 10 Janis la stuf (Janis), 19, Piata Unirii, +40736365807. Bar and club. Open every day until very late. Special discounts: From 21.00-22.30 unlimited beer for 7 lei (8 lei on Friday and Saturday). Sometimes free shots for students.
  • Kharma, +40 722 365342. Piaţa Păcii nr. 1-3. Nice decor and good DJs.
  • 11 Koffer Books & Coffee.
  • 12 The Jack Pub. The smallest pub from the town.
  • 13 L'Atelier, Str. Memorandumului, 1st floor. Also known colloquially as the cardboard place. A relaxed café-bar with furniture made from cardboard and scrap materials. Music ranges from jazz to alternative rock.
  • 14 La Cizmărie (a bit hard to find, because there is no sign outside!).
  • 15 La Gazette. A place to meet students and to get to know new music, especially electronica.
  • Molotov Pub, Str. Virgil Fulicea nr. 13, +40 756 393785. A popular place situated in a medieval house, in the historical center, close to Matei Corvin House. They have a very good coffee and tea specialties, and the famous, personal, recipe of the 'Molotov Cocktail'. Bhoemian and challenging decoration.
  • 16 Mozart Cafe.
  • Obsession, +40 264 591831. Str. Republicii nr. 109. The biggest club in town.
  • 17 Old School.
  • Oscar - A good after-hours haunt.
  • 18 Qui One Quint tea room, Str. Cișmigiu nr. 1 (look for the subtle sign on the building, go to the basement). Well hidden tea house, decorated with vintage furniture.
  • Stone, Str. Gheorghe Fulicea nr. 17, +40 264 408167.
  • 19 Papillon.
  • 20 Samsara Chill-Out & Tea House. Samsara is a place to relax. They serve different kinds of tea and wine in a relaxing atmosphere. There are 3 rooms with different styles. The place is very busy in the evening, so make a reservation or come early.
  • Umbra de Noapte, str. Georges Clemenceau 7. It's a place where you can meet with friends or relax and read dark literature or international magazines. Enjoy varieties of coffee and tea specialties, soft drinks, beer, wine, spirits; Romania's largest variety of absinthe; nonalcoholic, alcoholic and absinthe-cocktails as well as season-specials like iced coffee and fresh ice tea in summer or spiced wine and spiced coffee in winter. Dimly-lit atmosphere; listening to dark music (mainly Gothic, Darkwave, EBM, Industrial, Horrorpunk, Gothabilly, Medieval).
  • 23 Yolka.
  • 24 Zorki Photo Cafe, Str. Ion Rațiu nr. 10. Cafe-bar with jazz & alternative rock music. Regular photo exhibitions. Sometimes small, acoustic concerts.
  • Zorki Off the Record is located in the basement under Zorki. Where concerts sometimes happen. You can grab a beer or a glass of wine.
  • VERTIGO Espresso Social Bar, 9 Unirii Square Cluj Napoca. A visionary design and futuristic lighting which challenges the borders of imagination. A setting that appears to be cut out of an OP Art expo – a place where spirit meets style, where energy becomes conversation.

Sleep

The last three years have seen a boom in the Cluj lodging scene. There are lodging options for all budgets, including a newly opened 5 star hotel. Other than that, you can find something that suits your needs.

Budget

  • Do - Re - Mi, only between July and August, Str. Braşov nr. 2-4, +40 264 186616.
  • Meteor, Eroilor nr. 29, +40 264 591060. In the commercial center of Cluj, close to important economic and administrative sites.
  • PAX, Station Square nr. 1-3, +40 264 432927.
  • 1 The Spot Cosy Hostel, Piata 14 Iulie, nr 25 (15-minute walk away from the city centre), +40758350037. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Opened at the end of 2014. The hostel is a cozy place and includes a nice garden. 62 lei.
  • Sport, George Cosbuc nr. 15, +40 268 593921.
  • 2 Transylvania Hostel, Str Iuliu Maniu 26, +40 264 443266. A comfortable hostel in the city center with a friendly knowledgeable staff. Large social areas including a lounge, a game room, a guest kitchen and an outdoor terrace.
  • Vlădeasa, Regele Ferdinand nr. 20, +40 264 594429.

Mid-range

  • Belvedere (ex. Transilvania), Călăraşilor nr. 1-3, +40 264 432071. Facilities include a pool, gym, conference rooms. Nice view, on top of Fortress hill close to the city center.
  • Best Western Hotel Topaz, Septimiu Albini nr. 10, +40 264 414021. Quiet area close to the city center. Besides its own restaurant, also contains the Ciuleandra Romanian-food restaurant.
  • Olimp, Observatorului 82-86, +40 264 595900. Facilities include WiFi, conference room.
  • Pensiunea Orient, str. Caisului nr. 22, +40 731 996746. A place furnished in oriental style, inspired by a trip to Morocco, approx. €35 for a double room, Wifi included
  • Victoria, 21 Decembrie 1989 nr. 54-56, +40 264 591441.
  • Villa-Hotel Escala, 33 Crisan Street, +40 264 444002. 444.062. Facilities include Gym and pool.

Splurge

  • Agape, Iuliu Maniu nr. 6, +40 264 406523. Set in the city center a few minutes walk from the statue of Matthias Corvinus.
  • Casa Albă, Emil Racoviţă nr. 22, +40 264 432277.
  • Deja Vu, Ion Ghica nr. 2, +40 264 354939.
  • Onix, Septimiu Albini nr. 12, +40 264 414076. Situated in the center of the city, the Onix has 3 and 4-stars rooms and suites, all of which have a jacuzzi, PCs with Internet access, air-con, cable television, minibar, and telephone.

Stay safe

Cluj-Napoca is in general a safe city. Even after dark, it is safe to walk through the city center and some of the other neighbourhoods. To be on the safe side, unless you know exactly where you're going and how to get there, suburbs should be avoided at night, especially the neighbourhoods of Manastur, Marasti, and Iris, and the train and inter-city bus station areas.

You should, as always, take care of your belongings and pockets. In the unfortunate event that your wallet is stolen or lost, it is likely that it will resurface after a while, but without the money and credit cards (so be sure to call your credit card company and lock the credit card as soon as you notice it's missing).

Emergency numbers

As throughout the rest of the European Union, the police, ambulance, and fire department are reachable at the number 112.

Go next

  • Brașov. There is only a daily bus to Brasov early in the morning 6h30am that leaves from Autogare North(at the other side of the bridge next to the train station). Another option is to get a minibus (at 11h30, 14h45 first one) from same Autogare to Târgu-Mureș (20 lei) and take another minibus there to Brașov (at 14h20 and 16h20).


This city travel guide to Cluj-Napoca is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.