The unofficial capital of Transylvania and Romanias second largest city Cluj ( Kolosvar in Hungarian) is where my Transylvania tours start and end. It’s a vibrant city with lots of cultural happenings, it has been named as a Unesco city of film and holds an international film festival ( TIFF) in June. Most attractions situated within a 15 minute walk of the main square Piata Unirii
Plenty to do and see. My favourites are;
Stroll the old town
Visit the Orthodox cathedral and the market outside ( I think the market closes Monday), its touristy but there are some sellers who sell nice vintage textiles
Visit the Art Museum located in a Banffy Palace facing the main square
Visit Natura Paper, a paper making workshop housed in an another Banffy building ( enter by Che Guevara Social Club)
Visit the Ethnographic Park, You can hire an English speaking guide for around 10 euro if one is available.
Visit the Ethnographic museum, a great introduction to Transylvanian village culture
If you are in Cluj on a Sunday you might want to visit the Rooster Church, designed by Kos Karoly, interesting interior in the Arts and crafts style.
For greenery head to the Botanic Gardens, Central Pak, Fortress Hill or Hoia Baciu the “haunted forest”
Samsara Chillout Teahouse -Atmospheric tea house in a villa with a lovely garden
Roata Long established favourite serving traditional Romanian food
Zama traditional Romanian food in a contemporary setting
Che Guevera Social Club -Really fun place for a drink. Don’t sit on the pavement terrace, the inside is much more fun with different rooms leading of the central space.
Samsara – Upmarket vegan/ vegetarian restaurant with a sophisticated menu
The food market ( Piata Mihai Viteazulis) is the place to buy local cheese, meats, honey, fruit and veg.
Getting there and around. Cluj has an international airport, from outside the airport fence the airport bus 5 goes to the centre but its easier to take a taxi to your accommodation. I use the Bolt app but reliable taxi companies include Diesel, Daniel, City and Nova ( there are more but these are the ones I am familiar with) 12-15 euro to the city centre.
Cluj train station is situated about a 15 minute walk from the centre, there is a tram, buy tickets at the kiosk or from a machine. The station has left luggage lockers.
The city centres is best navigated on foot.
Places to stay. There are numerous short term rental options from the simple to the relatively luxurious. Camino Home and Siesta Boutique are popular. I would recommend staying somewhere within easy walking distance of the old Town.
For those who like a bit of green and a view The Belvedere is set on Fortress Hill and is a 15 minute walk into town, It’s dated and certainly not luxurious, the food and sometimes the service has an air of communism. There is access to the next door gym and pool and sauna. I have been staying here for years!