Cluj-Napoca, nicknamed the Heart of Transylvania, is the seat of Cluj county and one of the most popular holiday destinations in all of Romania. People who want to visit this point of interest known as Klausenburg in German, Kolozsvar in Hungarian or simply Cluj in everyday language must find out which are the most beautiful tourist attractions in Cluj-Napoca in order to visit them later . This article contains the most wonderful places in the city that are worth discovering and, more than that, some of the most spectacular tourist attractions in the vicinity.
The most popular tourist attractions in Cluj-Napoca that should not be missed
Whether you are going to visit this splendid city soon, or whether you are taking this idea seriously, you must know the following information: Cluj-Napoca is one of the most important academic, economic and cultural centers in Romania, but also one of the most popular vacation places. So, in order to enjoy an unforgettable stay, you must know in advance what you can visit, so that you can only go to the places that please you.
Next, a large part of the most popular landmarks in Cluj-Napoca will be highlighted, including famous parks, superb museums, historical buildings and many others.
Tourist attractions in Cluj: 3 parks that tourists should not miss
“Simion Barnutiu” Park
On the list of the most beautiful places to visit in Cluj-Napoca is, of course, the “Simion Barnutiu” Central Park, the place where the annual Untold festival takes place, the biggest music festival in Romania. For 4 days, the park turns into a space from stories, and people from all over the world come here to have fun and dance to the most famous hits. On the other hand, it is an extraordinary decoration in the cold season, when the leaves of the trees turn copper in the fall or when the snow settles in the winter.
One thing is certain: there are extraordinary tourist attractions in Cluj-Napoca, and one of them is this park from the 19th century. Here, the people of Cluj relax, practice various sports, socialize, eat delicious dishes from street stalls or from one of the restaurants in the area and enjoy watching the ducks and swans on Lake Chios. In addition, if they wish, visitors can rent boats and take a tour of the lake with their loved ones.
Citadel Park
Another recreation place worth mentioning in this article is the Cetatuia Park in Cluj-Napoca, famous for its panoramic views of the city from the top of the hill. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, thanks to the unmistakable urban scene. Of course, in order to admire Cluj from a height, it is necessary either to climb several steps, or to move with the help of a car. After you have reached your destination, you will be able to relax on one of the excellently placed benches so that you can enjoy a delightful experience with your loved one, with a close friend or with your family.
However, if you decide to go to Cetatuia Park on your trip to Cluj-Napoca and you are looking for more places to visit, then it is worth walking a few meters to EC Garden, an area of restaurants and fast food or to one among the premises in the vicinity.
“Romulus Vuia” Ethnographic Park
Another objective in Cluj-Napoca is the “Romulus Vuia” Ethnographic Park, founded in 1927, which has both an ethnographic museum with an indoor pavilion, and a wonderful outdoor park that includes houses and other special traditional structures, once inhabited by peasants . This place is perfect for those who want to escape from the daily bustle and take shelter for a few hours in a restful and green place.
Botanical Garden
Also, tourists who have not been here before and are looking for some attractions in Cluj-Napoca must definitely go to the “Alexandru Borza” Botanical Garden. Regardless of the season in which you will visit this place, you will always have something to see, because there is a very rich flora, including a greenhouse that houses a lot of amazing exotic plants.
Moreover, the “Alexandru Borza” Botanical Garden, spread over an area of almost 14 hectares, is one of the most sublime tourist attractions in Cluj and its surroundings, being on the list of historical monuments in Cluj county since 2010, prepared by the Ministry of Culture and the National Heritage of Romania.
Other important tourist attractions in Cluj-Napoca:
In the top of the places to visit in Cluj-Napoca there are many significant buildings, among which are the following:
Assumption Metropolitan Cathedral;
Lucian Blaga National Theatre;
House of Culture of Dumitru Farcas Students;
Cluj-Napoc City Hall Palace
Regional Palace;
Rhedey Palace;
Saint Michael’s Roman Catholic Cathedral;
Matia House;
Tailors’ Tower.
In addition, in Cluj-Napoca there are many other remarkable tourist attractions, such as museums that are highly appreciated and visited by travel enthusiasts.
Among the most famous are:
Art Museum;
Pharmacy Museum;
Zoological Museum;
National History Museum of Transylvania;
Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania.
Obviously, tourism in Cluj is very developed, considering the presence of several tourist attractions in Cluj-Napoca and its surroundings, which show such great interest both among Romanians and foreigners.
The best places to shop in Cluj-Napoca
When it comes to the most popular tourist attractions in Cluj-Napoca, we should not forget the shopping centers, outlets and stores with vintage clothes that can be found on all street corners of the city.
The malls in Cluj are:
Iulius Mall Cluj-Napoca
Among the most famous malls in the city is Iulius Mall Cluj-Napoca, a shopping center located in the Gheorgheni District that includes over 100 stores, a hypermarket, a cinema, food court, a children’s play area, a fitness, an underground parking and one on the terrace. After the shopping session, those who come to this place, if they wish, can go to Iulius Park, located just a few meters from the mall, to relax in the lovely garden by the lake.
Platinia Shopping Center
Platinia Shopping Center is another mall in Cluj-Napoca. This is also the newest construction of this type in the city. Unlike the shopping center mentioned previously, it has a much better location, being located right in the city center. Even though it is smaller in size, there is a very good selection of shops with clothes, shoes, accessories, decorations for the home, but also many other places of interest for tourists, such as cafes.
LIVE! Cluj-Napoca
Another shopping center that is part of the most popular tourist attractions in Cluj is VIVO! Cluj-Napoca. This shopping center covers a generous area and is located near Cluj-Napoca, in Floresti commune.
Outlets and stores with vintage clothes are present, in a considerable number, throughout the city, especially in the center.
Other tourist spots in Cluj-Napoca that are worth visiting by tourists
When it comes to tourist areas in Cluj-Napoca, one of the most famous of them is, certainly, Piata Unirii. Located in the center of the city, the Cluj-Napoca Christmas Market takes place here every year. The wooden houses, the lights, the skating rink or the ferris wheel, the stage where concerts take place and many other festive elements create a magical atmosphere that attracts an impressive number of tourists every year. Another tourist attraction in Cluj-Napoca is Piata Muzeului, a pedestrian street full of restaurants, bistros, bars and night clubs for all tastes and budgets.
Would you like to discover the objectives to visit in Cluj-Napoca mentioned in the lines above in a timely manner? If the answer to this question is an affirmative one, then you have to take into account the way in which you will move from one place to another. An excellent idea in this sense is to use the services that Economy.Rentals makes available to clients. Renting a new or nearly new car equipped appropriately is the ideal option to quickly reach any area of the city. In addition, you can also opt for extra options depending on the need, such as:
Children’s seat: so that the little one can sit comfortably and be safe throughout the journey.
GPS: for the driver to be correctly guided to the location he wants to reach.
Snow chains. if the weather conditions are not favorable and it snows heavily.
You can either make a economy car rental over the phone, or call this service on the day you need the car. Be that as it may, the people who are part of the Economy.Rentals team are available to customers 24/7!
Top 5 places to visit in Cluj less known by tourists + tourist attractions in the surroundings
There are a lot of places to visit in Cluj-Napoca and its surroundings that, most likely, you have not heard of until now. Even if they do not enjoy as much notoriety as the places to visit in Cluj-Napoca listed previously, you must give them a chance.
Top 5 amazing places in Cluj-Napoca: locations that only locals and tourists familiar with the place know:
Piezisa Street;
Casino;
Elizabeth Bridge;
Babos Palace;
The Carolina Obelisk.
In addition, in addition to the tourist attractions in Cluj-Napoca, tourists who love nature can also venture outside the city to discover the natural beauty of the place.
Wonderful places to visit near Cluj-Napoca
Banffy Castle
One of the most famous tourist destinations in Cluj is the Banffy Castle in the commune of Bontida, nicknamed the Versailles of Transylvania, due to its impressive architecture which has undergone, over time, numerous considerable structural changes. Currently, this place is one of the most appreciated and well-known objectives to visit in Cluj, thanks to the Electric Castle festival, organized every year.
Lake Tarnita
In Cluj, the natural tourist attractions will take the breath away of any person who has the courage to explore areas unknown to them. One of these places is Lake Tarnita, a reservoir of approx. 215 ha and a length of over 8 km, located between the communes of Rasca, Marisel and Gilau, approximately 29 km from Cluj-Napoca.
Here, during the summer, the main activities are fishing, swimming, but also some favorite sports, such as kayaking and boating.
Turzii Keys
Only 35 kilometers (40 minutes) from Cluj-Napoca is a truly spectacular place: Cheile Turzii. This National Reserve, located in the Commune of Petrestii de Jos, represents a protected area in Cluj county that offers a landscape with high and steep rocks. It also contains many species of plants and animals. Moreover, some rare species can be found here, such as the rock eagle and the white carnation.
Due to the verticality of the walls, it is a favorite area for climbers. Those who want to venture into the wilderness can follow the tourist path through the Gorge. But they must be vigilant and have the appropriate equipment for such a hike full of adrenaline.
Turda Salt Mine
If your trip will extend over several days, then you must definitely go to Salina Turda, which is on the list of tourist attractions around Cluj that should not be missed.
In order to be stress-free when it comes to traveling to such a destination outside the city, tourists or people arriving in Cluj-Napoca by plane can confidently call on the rent-a-car service at the airport in Cluj Napoca of the company Economy.rentals. Thus, the car will be delivered to the airport, without additional costs. This option is ideal for those who travel on business, but also for those who want to enjoy a vacation in the Heart of Transylvania exactly as they dream, without unpleasant events related to the means of transport.
In conclusion, there are many places to visit in Cluj-Napoca, but also in the surroundings of the city that are worth exploring by tourists. Therefore, the people who will arrive here have at their disposal a lot of exceptional options to spend quality time in the company of their loved ones, from shopping sessions in the most famous shopping centers, to car rides in nature. Of course, there are many other wonderful activities and tourist attractions, ready to be discovered. Where would you like to go for the first time?
