13 Awesome Things to Do in Cluj-Napoca for First-Timers

13 Best Things to Do in Cluj-Napoca

1. Hang Out at Unirii Square

Our journey in Cluj-Napoca begins at Unirii Square, the largest public square in the city, surrounded by some of the finest architecture you will see here from the St. Michael's Church to the impressive Matthias Corvinus Statue, right at the center of the square.

The history of Unirii Square dates back to the 16th century when it was known as the Princely Square, as it was the location of the residence of the Wallachian princes. Over time, the square became a commercial and cultural hub of the region, and in the 19th century, it was renamed Unirii Square in honor of the 1859 Union of the Romanian Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, which led to the formation of modern-day Romania.

During the Communist era, the square underwent major changes starting with the demolition of historical buildings by the infamous dictator, Nicolae Ceaușescu, who wanted to build an over-the-top government building just like in Bucharest.

Ironically, the project was completed in 1997, several years after the fall of Nicolae and the Communist regime, and no one knew what to do with it. Thankfully, the city decided to partially restore many of the historic buildings here, turning them into a beautiful Old Town square once more.

Despite its troubling history, the square is probably one of the most lively places you will see in Cluj, especially in November and December when the Christmas market, which is often held at Unirii Square, is in full swing.

At the Christmas market, you will find numerous stalls selling a variety of goods, including handcrafted gifts, decorations, and traditional foods and drinks. You can enjoy a range of festive treats, such as gingerbread cookies, roasted chestnuts, hot wine, and other warm beverages, which will warm your body and your heart at the same time.

I was there in late November, and I had a hell of a time at the Christmas market here. Out of all the Christmas markets you can visit in Transylvania, this is probably the largest Christmas market you will find here, so if you are planning to visit Cluj during that time, be sure to check out the Christmas Market here.

2. Check Out St. Michael's Church

Right at the center of Unirii Square, you will find St. Michael's Church, a beautiful historic Gothic church built all the way back in the 14th Century, making it one of the oldest and most impressive churches in Transylvania.

St. Michael's Church features one of the tallest towers in the city, soaring above Cluj's cityscape at more than 76 meters (249 feet) high. The tower's height is so impressive that it can be seen from virtually any high point in the city.

Inside the church, you will find yourself in a tall and spacious nave featuring a beautifully vaulted ceiling, surrounded by several large stained glass windows, which depict religious scenes and figures, as well as intricate stone carvings, including the stone altar and pulpit.

You can also get up to the top of the tower for an incredible view of the city from above. Unfortunately, the tower is only open in the summer months so if you wish to climb the tower, be sure to plan your trip accordingly.

The church is open from 7 AM to 7 PM every day except on Saturdays, and the entrance fee to the church is free. Be sure to drop by the church before we continue on to other places in the city.

3. Check Out the View from Cetățuia Park

For the best viewpoint of the city, I have to give it to Cetățuia Park, a beautiful park situated on the site of a former fortress on a hill overlooking the entire city, offering a stunning view of Cluj and its surroundings from above.

To get to the top of the hill, you are going to have to walk to the foothill across Someșul Mic River and hike uphill from this trailhead for about 5 - 10 minutes and you will be rewarded with a clear sweeping view of the entire cityscape of Cluj.

It's more of a leisurely stroll than a hike, as you can take it slow and admire the beautiful trees, flowers, and greenery that you will come across along the way. There are also several park benches and picnic areas you can rest as you make your way up to the top.

At the top, you will find a monument with a massive silver cross adorning on top of it with park benches and a view of the city from a different angle, perfect to catch your breath after the hike.

The view from up here is especially stunning at night when the city is lighted up like a Christmas tree, creating a beautiful sea of lights. Definitely one of the best things to do in Cluj so be sure to check out the viewpoint after sunset.

4. Get Lost in the Steampunk World at Steampunk Transylvania

If you are looking for a fun and interactive modern art museum to visit in Cluj, I highly recommend you check out Steampunk Transylvania, one of the coolest museums I have ever experienced.

The museum focuses on the Steampunk subculture movement, which merges the aesthetics of Victorian-era technology and design with Transylvania's gothic and folkloric traditions. It showcases impressive works of art that ignite the imagination and will leave you in awe the whole time.

The entire museum is all Steampunk-themed, with several artworks made out of brass and copper machinery, leather, and lace clothing, to create dark and eerie imagery that was inspired by Transylvanian folklore and history.

The museum is spread out across 2 floors, and you will be guided through each one by a mysteriously-cloaked lady and a mad scientist as you interact with the exhibition.

In the museum, you can move a handle to start up a miniature-sized airship, find a secret book switch from a bookshelf to open a secret passage and use a time machine to travel back in time to whenever you want to be (exactly like this one scene in the Big Bang Theory 😂.)

If you like this kind of high-level fantasy art style, you are going to love Steampunk Transylvania in Cluj. The museum is open from 12 PM to 9 PM every day, and the ticket is around 45 RON (9 EUR). It should take about an hour in total to see everything in the museum, including the free guided tour. Definitely one of the best things to do in Cluj.

5. Learn More About Transylvania at the Museums in Cluj

If you want to learn more about the history of Cluj and Transylvania, there are several other museums in the city you can check out like the Ethnographical Museum of Transylvania, a fascinating museum featuring an impressive collection of over 90,000 objects, including traditional clothing, household items, religious artifacts, and musical instruments

Some of the highlights of the museum include the impressive collection of traditional costumes, which provide insight into the region's rich textile and embroidery traditions.

If you are into art, you can also check out the Cluj-Napoca Art Museum, a museum that housed an impressive collection of art, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts by some of Romania's most renowned artists as well as international artists.

If these museums don't seem to cut it for you and you want to dive even deeper into the history of Cluj and Transylvania, I highly recommend you go on this walking tour as well and learn more from your guide as they take you around the city.

6. Stroll Around Central Park Simion Bărnuțiu

For a large city like Cluj, it is surprising how many green spaces they have managed to preserve around the city. One of the most beautiful green spaces you should check out while here is Central Park Simion Bărnuțiu.

Covering an area of 7 hectares, the park boasts a range of trees, plants, and flowers, as well as walking trails, benches, and a handful of attractions like Cazino you can check out while you escape the bustling city and be with nature.

One of the main attractions of the park is its serene lake, home to a variety of waterfowl and other wildlife. You can rent paddle boats and enjoy a leisurely ride on the lake while taking in the beautiful surroundings.

You will also find a restaurant right by the lake where you can have a drink while admiring the beautiful scenery of the lake and all the green space surrounding the area. It is a great place to stroll around and relax, so be sure to check it out.

7. Check Out Cazino

While you are exploring Central Park Simion Bărnuțiu, be sure to drop by and check out Cazino, a beautiful well-preserved historical building constructed in the early 20th century, and it is considered a prime example of Art Nouveau architecture in Transylvania.

As you probably guessed it, the structure was originally built as a casino for the city's wealthy elite, who would gather there to socialize and gamble. During World War II, the building was converted into a hospital and later served as the headquarters for the city's Communist Party.

Today, Cazino is often used to host a variety of events, including art exhibitions, theater performances, and concerts. Even when there is no event happening, you can still stroll around and appreciate its beautiful facade, so be sure to drop by here before leaving Central Park Simion Bărnuțiu.

8. Check Out Biserica Piaristă Cluj-Napoca

There are many beautiful old buildings scattered across Cluj and one of the most prominent ones is Biserica Piaristă Cluj-Napoca, a beautiful Baroque-style church located in the southern part of Cluj's old town. The church was built in the mid-18th century as one of the first Catholic churches in Transylvania, featuring a stunning facade painted with an eye-catching orange color adorned with intricate details and ornamentation.

Inside, the church boasts a grand nave and altar, as well as beautiful frescoes, splendid sculptures, and more. This old church was also used as a blueprint for many other Catholic Churches around Transylvania, which goes to show just how well-designed the church is. The church is open from 7 AM to 7 PM every day, and it is free to enter the church.

9. Visit the Assumption Cathedral

Just southeast of Cluj's Old Town, you will find the Assumption Cathedral, another incredible church built in the 19th Century in this stunning Neo-Byzantine architectural style featuring spires and arches that make up the church's exterior.

Covering an area of approximately 2,600 square meters (28,000 square feet) and surrounded by a park that spans more than 2 building blocks, the Assumption Cathedral is the largest cathedral you will find here.

The most notable feature of the exterior is the massive cathedral's central dome which was inspired by the dome of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. If you think the dome is massive from the outside, wait until you go inside the stand right in the middle of it.

Inside, you will find a grand nave and altar, which are lavishly decorated with intricate carvings and paintings that depict scenes from the Bible and the lives of various saints.

The nave is flanked by a series of side chapels that are also richly decorated and definitely worth checking out. The museum is open from 6 AM to 9 PM every day, and there is no entrance fee to enter the church.

10. Admire the Beauty of the Cluj-Napoca Romanian National Opera

Next to the Assumption Cathedral, you will find the Cluj-Napoca Romanian National Opera, a grand building with an incredible facade, ornate decorations, and a vivid yellow exterior that catches the eye of anyone who is walking by it.

The opera house was built between 1904 and 1906 by the famous Austrian architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer, who designed several theatres and palaces across Europe in the late 19th century.

The Opera House boasts a seating capacity of over 900 people and was designed in the Neo-baroque architectural style. The foyer of the Opera House features some inflections inspired by Art Nouveau, which add to the overall beauty and grandeur of the space. It is a beautiful piece of architecture in Cluj so be sure to check it out while you are here.

11. Drop By Tailors' Tower

On the outer rim of the city, not too far from the Opera House, you will also find Tailors' Tower, a well-preserved historical monument that used to be part of the medieval fortifications of the city way back in the 15th Century when it was built.

The tower is named after the tailors' guild, which was responsible for maintaining and defending this part of the city's walls. It stands at a height of approximately 25 meters (82 feet) and has four levels, each with its own set of defensive features, including archer's windows, battlements, and crenellations.

The tower also features a spiral staircase that leads up to a viewing platform at the top, which offers stunning views of the surrounding city. Inside, you will also find a cultural space with an exhibition and a gallery where you can learn more about the history of the tower.

The tower is open from 12 PM to 4 PM every day, and it is free to enter to tower, so if you have some time in Cluj, be sure to check out Tailor's Tower.

12. Stroll Around Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden

Another tourist attraction you should visit as you explore the outer rim of Cluj's Old Town is Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden, a large long-standing botanical garden founded in 1920 and named after the renowned Romanian botanist Alexandru Borza.

The garden spans over 14 hectares (35 acres) and houses over 10,000 plant species, including rare and endangered plants from Romania and other parts of the world. You can explore the various gardens, each with its own unique theme and plant collections, including medicinal plants, orchids, and water plants.

In addition to the diverse flora, the Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden is also home to a number of ponds and streams, as well as several historic buildings, including a 19th-century greenhouse and a small castle. The garden also offers educational programs and workshops on plant conservation and biodiversity.

The Japanese Garden is a pocket of Asia inside Cluj with red-colored wooden bridges, Japanese-style pavilions, and shrines that feel like you are transported to Japan for a brief moment. It is one of my favorite gardens here.

Another of my favorite sections of the garden is the greenhouse, where you can see some of the tropical plants that you might not have expected to see in Romania, like a pond full of big lotus leaves.

Prepare for the humidity when you get into the greenhouse. I was there in late autumn, approaching winter, and the change in temperature and the humidity confused the hell out of my body 😂.

Alexandru Borza Botanical Garden is open from 9 AM to 8 PM every day, and the entrance ticket is 11 RON or around 2.25 EUR. If you are interested in the biodiversity of Romania, be sure to check the garden out.

13. Visit Turda Salt Mine

For the best day trip you can make in Cluj, I highly recommend you check out Turda Salt Mine, an underground turned recreational park located in the town of Turda, just outside of Cluj-Napoca.

The Turda Salt Mine has a long and fascinating history that dates back over 2,000 years. The first mention of salt mining in the area dates back to the Roman Empire when the salt was extracted manually from the surface.

Today, the mine has been converted into a recreational park where you can explore the various chambers and tunnels of the mine, which feature impressive salt formations, underground lakes, and even an underground amusement park.

One of the most impressive features of the Turda Salt Mine is the "Crivac" room, which houses a large wooden wheel that was used to transport salt up to the surface. The room is over 112 meters (367 feet) deep, and you can take an elevator down to explore the space.

Another popular attraction in the salt mine is the underground lake, which is illuminated by colorful lights and offers boat rides for visitors. The mine also features a mini-golf course, a bowling alley, and a Ferris wheel, all located underground, which is something you don't see every day.

To get to Turda Salt Mine, you can either go on an organized tour which will allow you to enjoy the place without having to worry about the logistics of it all, a great option for those who do not have a lot of time.

Or you can travel to Turda Salt Mine independently as I did by getting to Turda, a town located around 30 km south of Cluj-Napoca, via a bus operated by ALIS from this bus stop. The bus runs every 20 - 30 minutes from 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM every day except on Sundays, where it only runs once an hour from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM.

You can see the latest bus schedule here. Check the second table for Cluj to Turda route and check the first table for when you want to get back to Cluj from Turda. The one-way journey should take about 30 minutes and cost around 16 RON or 3.25 EUR. You can pay the bus driver when you get on.

There are 2 entrances to Turda Salt Mine. We are going to enter on foot from Salina Turda Intrarea Veche entrance which can be reached on foot from Turda Old Town in about 30 minutes or you can drop off right along the road here and walk about 15 minutes to the entrance.

Remember, there are 2 entrances, one for cars and one to reach on foot, so be sure that you also exit the same way you came in from so that you do not have to walk back even further since both entrances are on the opposite side of the mine.

You can expect to spend around 2 hours exploring the Salt Mine before you can catch the bus back from this bus stop in Turda Old Town, and you will be back in Cluj in no time. Turda Salt Mine is open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day, with the last entry at 4 PM, and the entrance fee is 50 - 60 RON depending if you visit on the weekends or not.

Further Reading for Romania

• For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
• For a complete itinerary of Romania, check out: 2-Week Backpacking Romania Itinerary.
• A trip to Romania won't be complete without visiting Bucharest, the capital city. If you are planning to visit this city, here are the 14 Best Things to Do in Bucharest.
• Brasov is the gateway to Transylvania, and it is home to some of the most beautiful castles in Romania, like Peles and Bran Castle. If you are looking to visit this beautiful city, here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Brasov.
• As one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in Transylvania, it is hard not to recommend visiting Sighisoara. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Sighisoara.
• Timisoara, the city of flowers, is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Transylvania. From exploring the charming town squares to soaring churches, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Timisoara.
• Known as one of the most beautiful cities in Romania, you can't travel all the way to Romania without visiting Sibiu. Wondering what some cool things you can do there are? Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Sibiu.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Romania, visit the Romania Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.