Day-by-Day Itinerary
Settle into Cluj and explore the historic heart of the city, discovering its main square and Gothic landmarks.
Morning
Arrival and hotel check-in
Arrive at Cluj-Napoca International Airport and transfer to your accommodation in the city center. Take time to settle in, freshen up, and get oriented with a gentle walk around your neighborhood. Pick up a local SIM card if needed and grab a coffee at a nearby café to start acclimating to the local rhythm.
2-3 hours
$15-20 (airport transfer)
Lunch
Romanian traditional
Mid-range
Afternoon
Begin at Piața Unirii, Cluj's main square, surrounded by colorful baroque buildings. Visit the impressive St. Michael's Church, a 14th-century Gothic masterpiece with a soaring neo-Gothic tower. Admire the equestrian statue of Matthias Corvinus, the Renaissance king born in Cluj. Wander through the surrounding pedestrian streets, browsing bookshops and artisan stores while getting your bearings in the city.
3 hours
$5-10
Evening
Dinner and evening stroll
Dine at a restaurant along Eroilor Boulevard, then walk through the illuminated city center and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Cluj's café culture
Where to Stay Tonight
City Center (near Unirii Square) (Mid-range hotel or boutique guesthouse)
Central location provides easy walking access to major attractions and restaurants for your first days exploring Cluj
Exchange currency at exchange offices (casa de schimb) rather than ATMs for better rates, and always have some cash as smaller establishments may not accept cards
Day 1 Budget: $70-85
Dive into Cluj's cultural offerings with museum visits and explore one of Europe's finest botanical gardens.
Morning
National Museum of Transylvanian History
Explore this comprehensive museum housed in a baroque palace, showcasing artifacts from prehistoric times through the Roman occupation of Dacia to medieval Transylvania. The archaeological collection includes Roman statues, medieval weapons, and folk art. The exhibits provide essential context for understanding the region's complex multi-ethnic history and cultural heritage.
2-3 hours
$5-8
Lunch
A café in the historic center serving light meals and local pastries
Café fare and Romanian sweets
Budget
Afternoon
Cluj-Napoca Botanical Garden
Visit one of Southeast Europe's largest botanical gardens, featuring over 10,000 plant species across 14 hectares. Explore the Japanese garden, the Roman garden with archaeological ruins, and impressive greenhouses with tropical and desert plants. The garden offers peaceful walking paths, a small lake, and beautiful seasonal displays. It's a local favorite for relaxation and nature photography.
2-3 hours
$3-5
Evening
Dinner and drinks in the student quarter
Head to the area around Piezișă Street for affordable restaurants and lively bars popular with Cluj's large student population
Where to Stay Tonight
City Center (Same accommodation as Day 1)
Continue enjoying central location for easy city exploration
Many museums in Cluj are closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly if your itinerary shifts
Day 2 Budget: $60-75
Explore Cluj's artistic side and climb to the city's best viewpoint for panoramic sunset views.
Morning
National Art Museum and city architecture walk
Visit the National Art Museum housed in the baroque Bánffy Palace, featuring Romanian and European art collections. Afterward, take a self-guided architecture walk to admire Cluj's eclectic buildings: the Art Nouveau Darvas-La Roche House, the Orthodox Cathedral with its Byzantine domes, and the neo-baroque National Theatre. The city's architectural diversity reflects its Austro-Hungarian heritage.
3 hours
$8-12
Lunch
A modern bistro in the city center offering contemporary Romanian cuisine
Modern Romanian fusion
Mid-range
Afternoon
Hike or take a taxi to
Cetatuia Hill, site of a 19th-century fortress offering the best panoramic views of Cluj. The walk up takes about 30-40 minutes through residential areas and forest paths. Explore the star-shaped fortress ruins and enjoy 360-degree views of the city and surrounding hills. The area is popular with locals for jogging and picnics.
2-3 hours
$0-5
Evening
Sunset viewing and dinner
Stay on Cetatuia for sunset, then return to the center for dinner at a traditional restaurant serving sarmale and mici
Where to Stay Tonight
City Center (Same accommodation)
Maintaining central base for Cluj exploration
Wear comfortable walking shoes for the Cetatuia hike, and bring water as there are no facilities at the top
Day 3 Budget: $65-80
Experience the otherworldly underground chambers of
Turda Salt Mine and explore dramatic limestone gorges.
Morning
Take a morning bus or organized tour to this spectacular underground attraction. Descend into massive salt caverns that have been transformed into a unique leisure space with an underground lake, amphitheater, and Ferris wheel. The Rudolf Mine section features stunning stalactites and historical mining equipment. The constant 10-12°C temperature and salty air create a surreal atmosphere in these cathedral-like chambers dating back to Roman times.
3-4 hours
$15-20 (including entrance)
Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends; tickets can be purchased on-site
Lunch
A restaurant near the salt mine serving traditional Transylvanian dishes
Romanian traditional
Budget
Afternoon
Travel to nearby
Turda Gorge, a spectacular limestone canyon with towering 300-meter cliffs. Hike the main trail through the gorge, passing caves, rock formations, and diverse flora. The circular route takes you through dramatic scenery with opportunities to spot rare birds. The gorge is one of Romania's most impressive natural monuments and offers excellent photography opportunities.
3-4 hours
$3-5 (entrance fee)
Evening
Return to Cluj for dinner
Relax after your active day with dinner at a cozy restaurant in Cluj's
old town, perhaps trying local wines from the Transylvanian region
Where to Stay Tonight
City Center Cluj (Same accommodation)
Return to your Cluj base for the night
Bring a light jacket for the salt mine as it's cool underground year-round, and wear sturdy shoes for the gorge hike
Day 4 Budget: $75-95
Experience Cluj like a local by exploring markets, residential neighborhoods, and alternative cultural spaces.
Morning
Central Market (Piața Centrală) exploration
Visit Cluj's bustling central market where locals shop for fresh produce, cheeses, meats, and traditional products. Browse stalls selling everything from seasonal fruits to homemade pickles and smoked meats. Interact with vendors, sample local cheeses like telemea and caș, and observe daily life. The market provides authentic insight into Romanian food culture and is excellent for picking up picnic supplies or edible souvenirs.
2 hours
$10-20 (for purchases)
Lunch
A small eatery near the market serving fresh, home-style Romanian cooking
Home-style Romanian
Budget
Afternoon
Mănăștur and Gheorgheni neighborhood walk
Explore residential neighborhoods beyond the tourist center. Walk through Mănăștur to see communist-era apartment blocks that house most Cluj residents, then visit Gheorgheni with its parks and local cafés. Stop by the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania if interested in traditional folk culture, crafts, and village life. These areas show contemporary Cluj life beyond the historic center.
3 hours
$5-8
Evening
Alternative cultural scene
Explore Cluj's vibrant alternative culture at venues in the Fabricii or Mărăști areas, featuring independent galleries, craft beer bars, and live music venues
Where to Stay Tonight
City Center (Same accommodation)
Continue with your established base
The market is busiest and most vibrant on Saturday mornings; arrive before 10 AM for the best selection
Day 5 Budget: $55-70
Discover rural Transylvania by visiting traditional villages, experiencing local life and pastoral landscapes.
Morning
Village of Sic (Szék) visit
Take a bus or rent a car to visit Sic, a traditional Hungarian village about 45 minutes from Cluj, known for its salt lake and preserved rural character. Walk through the village to see traditional houses, the fortified church, and observe agricultural life. The small salt lake offers therapeutic bathing opportunities. The village provides a glimpse into rural Transylvania largely unchanged by modernization.
3 hours
$5-10
Lunch
A family-run guesthouse in the village serving home-cooked Hungarian-Romanian dishes
Traditional Hungarian-Romanian
Budget
Afternoon
Cojocna village and countryside
Continue to nearby Cojocna, another village with thermal springs and rural charm. Walk through the countryside, observing traditional farming methods, horse carts, and pastoral scenes. Visit the small thermal bath if time permits. The rolling hills and traditional lifestyle offer excellent photography and a peaceful contrast to city life. Interact with locals if possible to learn about village traditions.
3 hours
$5-10
Evening
Return to Cluj
Head back to Cluj in the early evening and enjoy a relaxed dinner at a restaurant specializing in grilled meats and local wine
Where to Stay Tonight
City Center Cluj (Same accommodation)
Return to your Cluj base
Bring cash for village visits as card payments are rarely accepted outside cities; a few Romanian phrases will be warmly received
Day 6 Budget: $60-75
Take a slower pace with spa treatments, park relaxation, and enjoying Cluj's café culture.
Morning
Spa and wellness experience
Enjoy a relaxing morning at one of Cluj's wellness centers or hotel spas. Indulge in treatments like massages, thermal baths, or traditional Romanian therapies. Many facilities offer saunas, steam rooms, and relaxation areas. This break provides recovery from active days and is perfect for recharging before the second week of exploration.
3 hours
$30-50
Book spa treatments 1-2 days in advance for better availability
Lunch
A healthy café or bistro offering fresh salads, smoothies, and light Mediterranean fare
Healthy contemporary
Mid-range
Afternoon
Central Park (Parcul Central) leisure time
Spend a leisurely afternoon in Cluj's Central Park, a large green space popular with locals. Rent a paddleboat on the lake, walk the tree-lined paths, or simply relax on the grass with a book. The park features a casino building (now a cultural venue), playgrounds, and numerous benches. Observe local life as families picnic and students gather. Stop at a park café for ice cream or coffee.
2-3 hours
$5-10
Evening
Casual evening and early dinner
Enjoy an early dinner at a terrace restaurant, then perhaps catch a performance at the National Theatre or simply stroll through the illuminated
old town
Where to Stay Tonight
City Center (Same accommodation)
Continue with your established base
Sunday afternoons in Central Park feature live music and cultural events during summer months
Day 7 Budget: $70-90
Venture into rural western Transylvania to discover one of Romania's most beautiful traditional villages.
Morning
Depart Cluj early and travel west toward
Huedin, a small market town serving as a gateway to rural Transylvania. The journey passes through rolling hills and traditional villages. Stop at roadside stalls selling local honey, cheese, and handicrafts. The drive itself offers scenic views of the Transylvanian countryside with hayfields, small farms, and traditional wooden gates.
2-3 hours
$15-25 (car rental or tour)
Renting a car is recommended for flexibility in this rural area
Lunch
A simple restaurant in
Huedin serving hearty Romanian country cooking
Romanian traditional
Budget
Afternoon
Continue to
Rimetea (Torockó), one of Romania's most picturesque villages, set beneath the dramatic Piatra Secuiului (Szekler Stone) mountain. Walk through streets lined with traditional white houses with green trim, characteristic of this Hungarian-speaking community. Visit the small museum, the Unitarian church, and hike partway up the mountain for spectacular views. The village has won European preservation awards for maintaining its traditional character.
3-4 hours
$5-10
Evening
Overnight in
Rimetea or return to Cluj
Consider staying overnight in a village guesthouse for an authentic experience, or return to Cluj if preferred
Where to Stay Tonight
Rimetea village or Cluj (Traditional guesthouse in Rimetea or return to Cluj hotel)
Staying in Rimetea offers authentic rural experience; returning to Cluj maintains your established base
Rimetea is extremely quiet in the evening with limited dining options; arrange dinner with your guesthouse in advance if staying overnight
Day 8 Budget: $65-85
Explore the caves, gorges, and traditional villages of the beautiful
Apuseni Mountains.
Morning
Scărișoara Ice Cave
Visit the spectacular Scărișoara Ice Cave, home to one of Europe's largest underground glaciers. Descend into the cave to see massive ice formations, frozen waterfalls, and ice columns that are thousands of years old. The cave maintains sub-zero temperatures year-round, creating a frozen wonderland. The ice block is estimated to be over 3,500 years old and reaches depths of 26 meters.
2-3 hours
$8-12
Lunch
A mountain guesthouse serving traditional Moți (mountain people) dishes like bulz and ciorbă
Mountain traditional
Budget
Afternoon
Apuseni villages and landscapes
Drive through the
Apuseni Mountains, stopping at traditional villages like Albac or Arieșeni. The landscape features limestone plateaus, wooden churches, and pastoral scenes with shepherds and hay stacks. Visit a local household to see traditional crafts or cheese-making if possible. The Apuseni region preserves ancient Romanian traditions and offers stunning mountain scenery distinct from the more famous Carpathians.
3-4 hours
$10-15
Evening
Return to Cluj
Drive back to Cluj in the evening and enjoy dinner at a restaurant you've discovered during your stay
Where to Stay Tonight
City Center Cluj (Return to your Cluj accommodation)
Back to your established base for the final days
Bring warm clothing for the ice cave even in summer; temperatures inside are around -1°C year-round
Day 9 Budget: $70-90
Visit the atmospheric ruins of a baroque castle and explore the village hosting Romania's largest music festival.
Morning
Leisure morning in Cluj
Enjoy a slower morning in Cluj. Sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast at a local café, and perhaps revisit a favorite spot or shop for souvenirs. Browse the artisan shops around
Unirii Square for traditional crafts, ceramics, or Romanian design products. This relaxed start prepares you for the afternoon excursion.
2-3 hours
$10-15
Lunch
A restaurant in Cluj center before departing for Bonțida
Your choice based on preferences
Mid-range
Afternoon
Bánffy Castle (Bonțida Castle) exploration
Visit the romantic ruins of Bánffy Castle, a baroque palace that once rivaled
Versailles in grandeur. Though damaged during World War II and the communist era, ongoing restoration reveals its former magnificence. Explore the partially restored rooms, walk through overgrown gardens, and admire the baroque architecture. The site hosts the Electric Castle music festival annually. The atmospheric ruins offer excellent photography and historical intrigue.
2-3 hours
$5-8
Evening
Return to Cluj for evening activities
Head back to Cluj and explore the evening food scene, perhaps trying a restaurant you haven't visited yet or enjoying drinks at a rooftop bar
Where to Stay Tonight
City Center Cluj (Same accommodation)
Continue with your Cluj base
The castle grounds are atmospheric but partially ruined; wear appropriate footwear and watch your step in unstable areas
Day 10 Budget: $60-75
Journey to the medieval Saxon town of Bistrița, gateway to Dracula country and Bram Stoker's inspiration.
Morning
Travel to Bistrița and
old town exploration
Take a morning bus or drive to Bistrița, a historic Saxon town mentioned in Bram Stoker's Dracula. Explore the medieval center with its Evangelical Church featuring a 75-meter tower, one of Transylvania's tallest. Walk along the preserved medieval streets, admire the colorful townhouses, and visit the Coopers' Tower and Sugălete Street, the narrowest street in Romania. The town blends Saxon, Hungarian, and Romanian heritage.
3-4 hours
$10-15 (transport)
Lunch
A traditional restaurant in Bistrița's
old town, perhaps trying Saxon specialties
Saxon-Romanian traditional
Mid-range
Afternoon
Bistrița museums and Livada area
Visit the local history museum to learn about Saxon settlers and the region's multi-ethnic past. If time permits, drive or take a taxi to the Livada area on the outskirts where the fictional Golden Krone Hotel from Dracula was supposedly located. The surrounding Bârgău area offers beautiful forested landscapes. Return to explore more of Bistrița's churches and squares before heading back.
3 hours
$8-12
Evening
Return to Cluj
Travel back to Cluj in the evening and enjoy a relaxed dinner, reflecting on your journey through Transylvania's diverse towns
Where to Stay Tonight
City Center Cluj (Same accommodation)
Return to your Cluj base
Bistrița is less touristy than other Transylvanian towns, offering a more authentic small-town Romanian experience
Day 11 Budget: $70-85
Enjoy nature and outdoor activities at the reservoir in the hills above Cluj.
Morning
Hiking around Tarnița Lake
Travel to Tarnița Lake, a large reservoir in the forested hills northwest of Cluj. Choose from several hiking trails around the lake and through the surrounding forests. The area offers peaceful nature walks with views over the water and hills. In warmer months, the lake is popular for swimming, kayaking, and picnicking. The forest trails provide opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy fresh mountain air.
3-4 hours
$5-10 (transport)
Lunch
A lakeside restaurant or pack a picnic lunch to enjoy by the water
Grilled fish and Romanian dishes
Budget
Afternoon
Water activities or continued hiking
Spend the afternoon enjoying the lake environment. Rent a kayak or paddleboard if available and the weather is suitable, or continue exploring hiking trails through the beech and oak forests. The area around the dam offers good viewpoints. This is a popular weekend destination for Cluj residents seeking nature, so you'll experience local leisure culture. Relax by the water before returning to the city.
3 hours
$10-20
Evening
Return to Cluj for final evenings
Head back to Cluj and enjoy dinner at one of your favorite discoveries from the trip, or try a final new restaurant
Where to Stay Tonight
City Center Cluj (Same accommodation)
Your established Cluj base for final nights
Tarnița is busiest on summer weekends; visit on weekdays for a quieter experience, and bring insect repellent for forest hikes
Day 12 Budget: $55-70
Revisit favorite spots, shop for souvenirs, and enjoy Cluj's cultural offerings one last time.
Morning
Souvenir shopping and revisiting favorites
Spend your final full morning shopping for Romanian souvenirs and gifts. Browse shops for traditional ceramics from Corund, embroidered textiles, local honey, artisan chocolates, and Romanian wines. Visit craft markets if available. Revisit your favorite café for one last coffee and pastry. Take time to photograph any spots you missed or want to remember. Perhaps buy some Romanian books or music to take home.
3 hours
$30-60 (purchases)
Lunch
Return to your favorite restaurant from the trip for a farewell meal
Your choice
Mid-range
Afternoon
Cultural activity or relaxation
Choose a final cultural activity based on your interests: visit any museums you missed, attend a concert or performance if available, or simply relax in a park or café watching Cluj life pass by. Consider visiting the Tailors' Bastion or other small sites you haven't yet explored. Alternatively, enjoy a final spa treatment or massage to conclude your trip feeling refreshed.
3 hours
$10-30
Evening
Farewell dinner and evening
Enjoy a special farewell dinner at an upscale restaurant, toasting your Transylvanian adventure with local wine. Take a final evening stroll through the illuminated
old town
Where to Stay Tonight
City Center Cluj (Same accommodation)
Final night in your Cluj base
Many artisan products make excellent gifts: look for Transylvanian pottery, natural cosmetics, and locally produced spirits like țuică or pălincă
Day 13 Budget: $80-110
Final morning in Cluj before departing, with time for last-minute activities depending on your flight schedule.
Morning
Leisure breakfast and final walk
Enjoy a final Romanian breakfast at your hotel or a favorite café. Depending on your departure time, take a last walk through the
old town, perhaps visiting the market one more time or sitting in
Unirii Square to soak in the atmosphere. Pack your souvenirs carefully and check out of your accommodation. Reflect on your two weeks exploring Cluj and Transylvania's cultural and natural treasures.
2-3 hours
$10-15
Lunch
Quick lunch at the airport or a café near your hotel before departure
Light fare
Budget
Afternoon
Airport transfer and departure
Transfer to Cluj-Napoca International Airport for your departure flight. The airport is about 20-30 minutes from the city center. Arrive with sufficient time for check-in and security. Take one last look at the Transylvanian landscape as you depart, already planning your return visit to explore more of Romania's diverse regions.
Variable
$15-20 (transfer)
Book airport transfer the day before or use ride-sharing apps
Evening
Departure
Depart Cluj with memories of historic cities, mountain adventures, traditional villages, and warm Romanian hospitality
Where to Stay Tonight
N/A (N/A)
Departure day
Save some Romanian lei for airport purchases or tips; exchange remaining currency before security as exchange rates beyond security are typically poor
Day 14 Budget: $40-60