Best Things To Do And See In Cluj

Cluj-Napoca is the capital city of Cluj county, however, people refer to the city as Cluj as well, as it is shorter, thus we will do the same in this article.

Cluj is the unofficial capital of Transylvania. It’s a hip city, as it is one of the most important student hubs in Romania, it is filled with history, beautiful architecture, it’s home to plenty of music, film and cultural festivals and, last but not least, it is the birthplace of varza à la Cluj, but we will get to that later.

If you are considering a visit to Transylvania, by all means, you have to pass by Cluj and spend at least a night. The contrast between Cluj during the day and Cluj at night is mesmerizing and we can’t recommend enough that you try to experience both.

Best things to do in Cluj

Take a hot air balloon ride

While this might come as a surprise, you can actually take a hot air balloon ride and explore Cluj from above. We promise that the view is breathtaking.

Admire the city from the tower of St. Michael’s Church

St. Michael’s Church is a Gothic-style, Roman Catholic church and it is the most imposing church in the city. If you are a fan of heights, you can admire the city from the tower of the church.

Try the local food

We mentioned earlier varza à la Cluj. It is the star dish of the city and if you are into pickled cabbage and minced pork meat, you will absolutely love it.

Enjoy a day in the downtown squares

Unlike other cities, Cluj is home to several downtown squares, the main one being Piata Unirii, which translates to Union Square. It is interconnected to several other smaller squares, all being equally charming. 

Imagine cobblestone streets, filled with restaurants, bars, street musicians, local vendors, boutique shops, basically everything you need to keep you entertained.

Visit the botanical garden

The botanical garden of Cluj was first established in the 19th century and today acts not only as a tourist attraction but also as a research center for the local university.

It is home to more than 10,000 species of plants and some of the main attractions are the Japanese Garden, the Rosarium, and our favorite, the giant waterlilies. 

Take a walk in the Central Park

Located on the shore of the Somesul Mic River, the Simion Bărnuțiu Central Park in Cluj is one of the largest green areas in the city. 

Established also in the 19th century, the park includes a Casino, a restaurant, several coffee shops, and a lake where you can take boat trips and enjoy the surrounding views.

Visit Transylvania Ethnographic Museum

While this museum is actually a park, it is nothing short of impressive, for both those who love spending time outdoors and those passionate about history.

Explore workshops, some dating to the 18th century, and learn more about the local crafts, such as wood carving, wool and clay processing, and extracting sunflower oil.

Witness history through houses and churches some more than 300 years old. 

Take a hike to Cetatuia Hill (Dealul Cetatuia)

Some 20-25 minutes walk from Unirii Square, will take you to Cetatuia Hill, which is actually a citadel, built between 1715 and 1735 and which today acts as a place to relax and enjoy the view of Cluj from further away. 

Right at the top, there are several restaurants and coffee shops where you can take a break if you decide to reach the hill hiking.

The best day trips from Cluj

Turda Salt Mine

Turda salt mine is half an hour away by car and a must-visit site if you find yourself in Cluj. Turda Salt Mine is the world’s most spectacular natural underground formation, shaped by people. 

Asides from its breathtaking beauty, the salt mine has health benefits as well, among the most-known, helping with respiratory issues, such as asthma.

It is more than 120 meters deep, which means you need to wear a jacket if you visit, holds more than 38 million tons of salt, and offers plenty of entertainment, such as underground river boat trips, sports, movie screenings, making it a great destination for people of all ages, including families with kids.

Tarnita Lake

Tarnita Lake is an artificial lake, formed after building a dam on the Somesul Cald river, that crosses through Cluj County.

Beautiful year-round, during the summer months you’ll be able to do much more than just enjoy the views. Whether you want to swim in the lake, take a boat ride, do kayak, or just have a picnic next to the lake, you’re guaranteed to be stunned by the beauty of the place.

Turda Gorges

If you are into outdoor sports, you must visit Turda Gorges. 

The limestone rocks that give shape to the gorges were formed more than 150 million years ago and today they are home to more than 1000 species of plants and animals, among which you can witness the wild boar, deers, wild rabbits, foxes, and, of course, snakes.

Probably the most stunning sites are the ones you cannot see from afar, and those are the 60 caves that lie under the gorges.

Some of the activities that can be done on or near the gorges are hiking, paragliding, zipline, climbing, or biking.

Haunted Hoia Baciu Forrest

As the name gives it away, The Hoia Baciu Forrest is one of the most known places in the world that record paranormal activity.

Whether you believe in these things or not, the forest is picturesque enough to be worth a visit.

In recent years a biking park has been added to the forest, along with areas for other sports such as paintball, airsoft, and archery.

If you are not into haunted places and just want to enjoy the sites that the city has to offer, we invite you on a walking tour of Cluj hosted by our local tour guide.

You can watch the video here.