Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca (Cluj for short) is very pleasant university town located in Romania’s northeast and a big stopping point for people coming west from Hungary. The city dates back centuries, and there are a lot of historical churches, museums, and ruins (especially on Cetatuia hill) to visit. Because of the university here, there are a lot of affordable restaurants and a very happening nightlife in the city. I really liked the couple of days I spent here and, while not as historic and medieval as many of Romania’s other cities, if you’re looking for a city with atmosphere in Romania, this place is it.

Typical Costs

Hostel prices – There are not a lot of hostels here, but dorms tend to cost between $14-20 USD per night. A single private room is around $20-45 USD and a double $45-80 USD.

Budget hotel prices – Budget hotels in Cluj cost between $30-80 USD per night for a double room.

Average cost of food – Like the rest of Romania, food in the city is very affordable. Most small meals cost around $5 USD. Fancier meals with a drink can cost around $15 USD. Groceries will cost around $40 USD for a week’s worth of food. A half liter bottle of beer will cost under $2 USD.

Transportation costs – Public transport in the city is possible by means of bus, trolley bus, or tram. Tickets are $1 USD. Taxis are relatively more expensive than in other parts of Romania. The tariff is around $1 USD per mile. Typically you won’t pay more than $3 USD for a travel between the city center and some point in the suburbs.

Money Saving Tips

I didn’t find that Romania offered any amazing ways to save. There wasn’t really any one thing that I found and was like, “Wow! This is going to be great! My budget is saved!” Outside the generic couchsurfing/stay in hostels/cook/eat local money saving tips that can apply anywhere, the city is cheap enough. You don’t really need to do anything special to save money.

Top Things to See and Do

Wander the Alexandru Borza Botanic Gardens – This garden is covered in beautifully-manicured, shaded lawns. It is host to an amazing Japanese garden, as well as a rose garden that features over 600 different varieties and an observation tower.

Explore the Museum of Zoology – This museum features hundreds of jarred and stuffed animal specimens, all displayed in an interesting array of exhibits. This is definitely one of the more fascinating museums out there. Not for the faint of heart.

Revel in the nightlife – Cluj is a town full of youthful, college types, which means there are plenty of places to go at night for a good time. The weekends are pretty lively, as the drinks flow freely and the resident DJs spin late into the night. Don’t worry, nights out are cheap here.

Check out the Pharmaceutical Museum – This is a really interesting and quirky attraction. The building used to be the home of Cluj’s first (and Romania’s fourth) apothecary. There are tons of interesting bottles, filled with weird things like 18th century aphrodisiacs and ground mummy dust. The museum only has three rooms.

See St. Micael’s Church – This 14th-century building is considered the finest example of Gothic architecture in Romania. The church itself is huge and dominates Piata Unirii. There is also a neo-Gothic tower, which tops the Gothic hall.

Catch an opera – Opera is pretty popular throughout Romania. There are several places in Cluj where you can catch a show. The Hungarian State Theatre & Opera is close to the river and hosts Hungarian plays and operas. Tickets must be purchased in advance. The National Theatre Lucain Blaga is another place to see a performance.

Visit the Synagogue of Deportees – One of three remaining synagogues in Cluj, this grand Moorish-style building was built is 1987. It was erected in the memory of the 16,700 Jews that were deported to Auschwitz, from Cluj, in 1944. This is a wonderful historical sight to check out.

Tour the National Art Museum – Housed inside of the baroque Banffy Palace, this museum has about 24 rooms through which to walk. One of the prized exhibits is a church altar from the 16th century.

Shop at the Central Market – Located behind the Complex Commercial Mihai Viteazul shopping center on Piata Mihai Viteazul, this is a great place to walk around and enjoy the colorful sights. Many local pick up fresh produce here and you can find a wide variety of foods if you feel like cooking up your own meal.

Climb Cetatuia Hill- Also known as fortress hill, this spot offers some fantastic views of the city. The name refers to an 18th-century fortress that was constructed at the peak of the hill and was also used as a prison. The climb is 200 ft.

Walk through Union Square – Union Square, known as Piata Unirii in Romanian, serves as a great example of the wide range of architectural styles in the town. Here, you can find buildings in the Gothic, renaissance, neoclassical, and baroque styles. The square contains Banffy Palace, St. Michael’s Church, the Pharmacy Museum and Hotel Continental. The latter served as the local Nazi headquarters during the war.

Admire the Calvinist Reform Church – This beautiful late Gothic-style church was constructed in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The church is situated on Kogalniceanu Street. In front, lies a statue of St. George slaying the dragon.

Visit the Ethnographic Museum – The Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania has been around since 1922 and aims to preserve the culture and history of the region. It’s a small but interesting museum which will give you good insight into typical rural life.