Things to Do in UNTOLD Festival Grounds

UNTOLD Festival happens in a former salt mine—kidding, that's nearby. The festival takes over Cluj-Napoca each August, turning Romania's biggest university city into one of Europe's top electronic music destinations. Cluj Arena and Central Park become a massive temporary city of stages, art installations, and non-stop partying that pulls hundreds of thousands from across the globe. What makes this spot special is how easily the festival blends with Cluj-Napoca's existing culture—you'll move between excellent DJ sets and medieval architecture, craft beer gardens and centuries-old churches within the same evening. The city has energy that extends well beyond festival week, with a busy arts scene, excellent restaurants, and that Central European charm that feels both familiar and foreign.

The food scene here surprised me. Traditional Romanian restaurants serve hearty dishes like ciorbă de burtă (tripe soup) and mici (grilled meat rolls), while newer spots experiment with local ingredients in creative ways. You'll find excellent pizza, good Asian fusion, and coffee that rivals Vienna or Budapest—not what you'd expect from Romania. Street food options multiply during festival season, with vendors near the grounds serving everything from langos to gourmet burgers. Prices stay reasonable compared to Western Europe. A good dinner rarely exceeds €25 per person, and you can eat well for much less at local spots.

August during UNTOLD is peak season. The entire city buzzes with energy but also crowds and higher prices for accommodation and food. Late spring through early fall offers the best weather for sightseeing, with warm days and cool evenings perfect for wandering the old town. Winter can be quite cold but has its own charm, especially around holidays when Christmas markets fill the historic center—just pack accordingly. If you're coming for the festival, book accommodation well in advance since the city's hotel capacity gets stretched thin.