Wandering into Unirii Square puts you at the heart of the city. If you are putting together your list of things to do in Cluj Napoca, this is where you should start. The Church of Saint Michael looms over the square, and the statue of King Matthias Corvinus stands in the middle. The old town is compact and very walkable, making it easy to cover a lot of ground in a day. Students and locals fill the cafes, giving the whole area a slower, more relaxed energy.
- Best time
- April to September
- Where to stay
- Around the old town or near Central Park
- Perfect for
- First-timers * Culture lovers * Coffee lovers
- Don't miss
- Union Square and St. Michael's Church
Things I'd tell a friend
Some tips I picked up during my time in Cluj-Napoca.
Coffee culture is strong
The city has a strong specialty coffee scene. Casa TIFF, Tucano Coffee, and Sisters Cafe are local staples. If you enjoy good coffee, you will not run out of places to try.
Source · Checked this myself
Easy day trip base
You can use Cluj as a base for Turda Salt Mine or a night tour of Hoia Baciu Forest. Many tours return in the evening so you can still enjoy the city's nightlife.
Source · Checked this myself
Walking is the way
The city is very walkable. You do not need a car or taxi for the main sights. A good pair of shoes is all you really need.
Source · Checked this myself
Union Square and St. Michael's Church
Unirii Square is the central meeting point of Cluj-Napoca and the best place to start your walk.
- St. Michael's Church nearly 80 meters tall
- Matthias Corvinus statue in the center
- Glass-covered Roman excavation
- Continental Hotel from the WWII period
The Church of Saint Michael is a massive Gothic landmark. It lost much of its decoration in the 16th century when it was taken over by Protestants. Some frescoes were restored later, and the carved wooden lectern survived. The square itself has an open feel. On one side stands the Continental Hotel, which housed German troops during the Second World War. In the middle of the square you will find a glass-covered excavation that reveals remains of the ancient Roman city below. The square acts as a nexus between the old town, the commercial area, and the university area. It sees a constant flow of people throughout the day.
The square is the city's nexus
Union Square connects the old town, the commercial area, and the university district. You will pass through it multiple times during a visit.
Look down at the glass-covered excavations
In the middle of the square you can see archaeological remains of the Roman city of Napoca through a glass panel in the ground.
Easy walking distance
The square is in the center of the old town. It is a short walk from any part of the central area.
Come before the first tour bus arrives, that is how you beat the crowd.
Hotels around Unirii Square put you within walking distance of most major landmarks.
Hotel Transilvania
- Private Parking
- Free Wifi
- 2 restaurants
- Non-smoking rooms
- 24-hour front desk
- Room service
- Bar
- Good Breakfast
Hotel Confort
- Free parking
- Free Wifi
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
- 24-hour front desk
- Very Good Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Cetățuia Hill
For the best view of the Cluj skyline, cross the Someșul Mic river and climb this small hill.
- Panoramic view of the old town and rolling hills
- Belvedere Hotel with its 1970s communist-era interior
- Pergola Cafe at the top
- 15 to 20 minute walk uphill from the center
The hill is officially called Cetățuia Hill and the park around it is Cetățuia Park. The Austro-Hungarians built a fortress here, but almost nothing remains of it today. Later the Communist regime built the Transylvania Hotel on the same spot. It was later renamed the Belvedere Hotel. The interior today looks like a time travel to the 1970s. The walk uphill is steep, but if you are in decent shape it should not take more than 15 to 20 minutes. From the top you get a clear view of the old town with the neogothic tower of St. Michael's Church dominating the skyline. The rolling hills of Transylvania stretch out behind it.
Walk uphill from the center
The most straightforward way is to walk uphill from the center. It is steep but takes only 15 to 20 minutes.
Combine with Central Park on the way back
You can walk through Central Park on your way back from the hill to the old town. It is a pleasant route along the river.
Free access to the hill
The hill and park are open to the public at all times and there is no entry fee.
Go just before sunset for the best light over the old town.
Hotels near the base of the hill give easy access to this viewpoint.
Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Cluj - City Plaza
- Indoor swimming pool
- Private Parking
- Free Wifi
- Spa and wellness center
- Airport shuttle
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Bar
- Excellent Breakfast
Hotel Paradis
- Indoor swimming pool
- Free parking
- Free Wifi
- Spa and wellness center
- Restaurant
- Non-smoking rooms
- 24-hour front desk
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Bar
- Good Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Central Park
This elongated recreational area was turned into a park in the 19th century and is a favorite local hangout.
- Chios Lake with rowboats and hydro-bicycles
- 19th-century pavilions housing cafes and restaurants
- Three original tracks for carriages, horses, and pedestrians
- Anti-communist resistance monument at the east end
Central Park has preserved its original structure with three parallel tracks. The central one was for carriages, while the two lateral ones were for people riding horses and walking. Small wooden bridges cross the irrigation ditches. The park has a small lake called Chios Lake. In front of the Chios Casino you can rent rowboats and hydro-bicycles. At the western end of the park are the stadium and sports pavilion. An open air fair of traditional Transylvanian products sets up here. At the opposite end, near the old town, there is a monument dedicated to those who opposed the Communist dictatorship. The park is closed during the Untold Festival.
Free entry for all visitors
Central Park is a public space and entrance is free. You only pay if you want to rent a boat at Chios Lake.
Park closes during Untold Festival
The park hosts the Untold Festival and is closed during the event. Avoid visiting Cluj at that time unless you are attending the festival.
Weekday mornings are quietest if you want the park almost to yourself.
The western end of the park borders a modern hotel zone, including the Radisson Blu.
Lol Et Lola Hotel
Grand Hotel Napoca
- Free parking
- Free Wifi
- Airport shuttle
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
- Non-smoking rooms
- 24-hour front desk
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Bar
- Good Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Botanical Garden
Founded in 1872, this 14-hectare garden is a quiet escape from the city center.
- Japanese garden and Roman garden on site
- Over 10,000 plant species
- 40,000 tulips on display in spring
- Botanical museum and hothouse
The botanical garden is located about one kilometer from the center. It showcases around 10,000 plants from all over the world. The most interesting parts are the Japanese garden and the hothouse. The rose garden in front of the main building has many species. Springtime is the best time to visit, when over 40,000 tulips are on display. The garden also has a Roman garden. It is one of the most peaceful places in the city. You can check the official website for current opening hours.
Check the official site for opening hours
Hours can change with the season. The official website has the most current schedule.
About a kilometer from the center
The garden is a short walk from the old town. It is an easy walk on a nice day.
Visit in spring for the tulips
Over 40,000 tulips are planted every spring. This is the peak season for the garden.
Spring is when the tulips bloom and the garden looks its best.
Staying on this side of town puts the garden within a short walk.
Golden Tulip Ana Dome Hotel
- Free parking
- Free Wifi
- Airport shuttle
- Restaurant
- Non-smoking rooms
- Fitness center
- 24-hour front desk
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Bar
- Wonderful Breakfast
Hotel Beyfin
- Private Parking
- Free Wifi
- Airport shuttle
- Family rooms
- Restaurant
- Non-smoking rooms
- 24-hour front desk
- Room service
- Very Good Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Avram Iancu Square
This square holds the modern center of Cluj and some of its most important civic buildings.
- Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral completed in 1933
- Romanian National Opera House and National Theatre
- Statue of national hero Avram Iancu
- Old city walls visible on Potaissa Street
The square is named after Avram Iancu, a local national hero who campaigned for Romanian rights within the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the 19th century. His statue stands in the middle. The Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral is the largest Romanian Orthodox church in Cluj. It was completed in 1933, making it quite recent by local standards. Opposite the cathedral you will find the Romanian National Opera and the National Theatre. These buildings show a mix of Renaissance, Baroque, and Secession styles. Just off the square, on Potaissa Street, you can see a short stretch of the old city walls.
Connects to Eroilor Boulevard
The main shopping street Eroilor Boulevard starts here. It is a wide street where locals like to walk.
Look for the old city wall on Potaissa Street
A stretch of Cluj's old city walls survives on Potaissa Street, just off the square. Most people walk right past it.
Stop for a coffee at one of the cafes on the square and watch the city go by.
This area offers many central hotels and guesthouses.
Hotel Belvedere
- Indoor swimming pool
- Free parking
- Free Wifi
- Spa and wellness center
- Restaurant
- Non-smoking rooms
- Fitness center
- 24-hour front desk
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
Hampton By Hilton Cluj-Napoca
- Private Parking
- Free Wifi
- Airport shuttle
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Fitness center
- 24-hour front desk
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Museum Square and the Old Town
The area around Piața Muzeului holds some of Cluj's most historic buildings and its main cultural institutions.
- Matthias Corvinus House, the oldest building in the city
- Franciscan Church dating from 1260 to 1290
- National Museum of Transylvanian History
- Cluj-Napoca Art Museum with over 12,000 pieces
The Matthias Corvinus House is the oldest building in Cluj. It was built in the 15th century with Gothic influences. King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary was born here in 1443. The building has served as a residence, prison, hospital, and museum. The Franciscan Church nearby is one of the oldest still in service. It was built between 1260 and 1290 on the grounds of an earlier Catholic church destroyed by Tatar invasions in 1241. The National Museum of Transylvanian History focuses on archaeology with artifacts dating back to the Dacians. The Cluj-Napoca Art Museum sits on Unirii Square and holds over 12,000 paintings, sculptures, and decorative pieces from the 16th to the 21st centuries. The square is also where you will find Enigma Bar, the first kinetic steampunk bar in the world.
Short walk from Unirii Square
Museum Square is just a few minutes walk from Union Square. It connects directly to the old town.
Art museum tickets and hours
The Cluj-Napoca Art Museum is on Unirii Square. It has 12,000 pieces and shows Romanian art from the 16th to 21st centuries.
The Matthias Corvinus House plaques are easy to miss; keep an eye out.
Staying in the old town means you are steps from the major squares.
Hotel Capitolina City Chic
- Free parking
- Free Wifi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
- Excellent Breakfast
Meteor Central
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- 24-hour front desk
- Good Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
How many days do you need in Cluj-Napoca?
A city break of two to three days is enough to see the main landmarks. If you want to take day trips to Turda Salt Mine or Hoia Baciu Forest, add one or two extra days.
Is Cluj-Napoca walkable?
Yes. The best way to explore Cluj is on foot. The main landmarks and squares are close together in the center, only minutes apart. Taxis and ride-sharing apps like Uber and Bolt are available for longer distances.
What is the best time to visit the Botanical Garden?
Spring is the best time. Over 40,000 tulips are on display during this season, making it one of the biggest attractions in Cluj.
What is there to see in Museum Square?
Museum Square holds the Franciscan Church built between 1260 and 1290, the Transylvanian History Museum, and the Matthias Corvinus House. The Cluj-Napoca Art Museum is close by on Unirii Square.
Is Cluj-Napoca expensive?
Not particularly, though it is slightly more expensive than other Romanian cities. Hotel prices start around 30 Euro a night. Taxis cost about 4 Lei per kilometer during the day.
