Cluj-Napoca, Romania: An Interesting City With Nightlife

Cluj-Napoca in the Transylvania region of Romania is a lovely city to visit, with many places of interest and a good nightlife scene. The city is a university town and thus has a friendly vibe.

The city has some very nice landmarks and museums, as well as a vibrant nightlife. Cluj-Napoca Old Town has many historic sights. Its history dates back to Saxon and Hungarian rule, and this influences many aspects of the city. There are many architectural styles on display in the city, including Gothic and Baroque.

There are some great places to dine out serving an array of food types, including many doing traditional Romanian food options. The city is good value in terms of drinks and food and for cheap self-catering accommodation.

Cluj-Napoca Travel Guide

Some information from my many visits to Cluj-Napoca to help you enjoy your stay. To save money, there are free ATMs in Romania.

Why Visit?

It is a fascinating place to visit, with many unique attractions. There are many things to do in Cluj-Napoca, with options to suit most tastes. The central old town area is beautiful with some splendid architecture to see. One of my favourites is to climb to the viewpoint of the Cathedral of St Michael. Outside of the city is a fascinating outdoor village museum. During the evenings, it’s a social place with lots going on.

Nightlife

Cluj-Napoca has a vibrant bar scene and is a great place to visit for a night out. Romanian prices make it a relatively cheap place to go out for drinks in the evening. The city has a great selection of bars open late, with a variety of themes and music styles.

Some of the side streets have interesting lighting above, which looks great at night. In the evenings, another fun thing to do is join a pub quiz or try karaoke.

Where to Stay?

There are many options for places to stay in the city, from cheap hostels to apartments to hotels. The city is quite cheap by Western European standards, in my experience. During our recent visits, we have booked pet-friendly accommodation. If you prefer not to stay in self-catering accommodation, there are also many other alternatives, including hotels.

Where To Dine Out?

The central areas of the city have plenty of dining options. This includes some fantastic restaurants serving Romanian cuisine. There are options for posh meals out and plenty for more budget-friendly travellers. A top option is Shadows Bar, which does good-value food and, later in the evening, has a great nightlife vibe.

Travel To Cluj-Napoca

The city has an international airport with regular flights to and from all over Europe, including the UK. The city also has a well-connected train station which is busy for both day and night trains.

The train to Brasov is a very nice railway journey that traverses the Transylvanian plateau. Travellers can even stop off at the UNESCO heritage site of Sighisoara, the historic citadel city. Cluj would make a good Interrail destination or a stop on a tour of Transylvania.

Public Transport

Getting around Cluj by public transport is easy, with plenty of buses. Using Google Maps to plan routes was very efficient when choosing buses or the tram. To use these, just tap the bus with a payment card. They have machines near the entrances to do this. There are also taxis and Ubers available.

Food Shopping On Self-Catering Trips

The primary market in Piata Agroalimentara has a good range of stalls with some very nice food. Piata Agroalimentara has a hall dedicated to selling fresh local fruit and vegetables. Most of the produce here is fresh, in season, and locally grown.

Piata Agroalimentara also has both fish and meat stalls where you can buy protein. The fish stall stocks mainly river fish that are farmed or caught locally. There are quite a few big supermarkets in Cluj-Napoca, including Carrefour, Kaufland, Mega Image, Profi and Lidl.

Shopping

When travelling, sometimes you need to replace some items or fancy some retail therapy. The best place to head for this is Iulius Mall, which has a range of shops all under one roof. The city centre also has some shops, including boutiques, smaller food stores and specialist shops.

When Is The Best Time To Visit?

I’ve visited Cluj-Napoca in every season and spent lots of time in the city. My favourite time to visit is in the warmer summer months. It’s great to spend time outside in the city’s squares and parks, and there are many festivals taking place in the city. Autumn and spring are also pleasant if the weather is on your side.

During the winter, the snow and cold weather mean lots of indoor activities. The best part of the winter is the impressive Cluj-Napoca Christmas Markets. We enjoyed a few good fireworks displays on our visits. These usually coincide with national celebrations, including Union Day.

Is Cluj-Napoca in Romania Worth Visiting?

I’ve visited Cluj-Napoca on multiple occasions, mainly as it’s easy to reach by plane and train. We’ve spent over 2 months in the city in a variety of seasons. The city is lovely to explore, including its many tourist attractions.

The nightlife in the city is pretty special, and we have enjoyed quite a few evenings out here. Overall, Cluj-Napoca is well worth visiting for a cheap city break or as part of a larger tour of Romania. It’s also pretty dog-friendly, including many eateries in the city. The old town area makes for a great historical dog walk too. Overall, it is one of many great places to visit in Romania.