Cluj-Napoca is a city in northern Romania that serves as the capital of the Cluj județ (county). The mediaeval capital of Transylvania is located in the Someșul Mic River valley some 200 miles (320 kilometres) northwest of Bucharest. The city is built on the ruins of an old Dacian village called Napoca, which the Romans turned into a municipium. The city was famous as Culus in the Middle Ages, as noted down in papers from 1173, but by the beginning of the 15th century, it was famous as Cluj (might be from Castrum Clus, a small fortification dating from 1213). The city has also been recognized as Klausenburg in German and Kolozsvár in Hungarian. It grew into a vibrant economic and cultural centre, and it was recognized as a free town in 1405. Cluj became the capital of the separate principality of Transylvania after its establishment in the 16th century. The city, along with the rest of Transylvania, was consolidated into Romania in 1920. In 1974, Napoca was given the city's name.

When to Visit Cluj-Napoca

Summer is here! (June through August)

The weather is fairly pleasant, with acceptable high temperatures. These months receive the greatest precipitation, averaging 5 to 8 days each month. Because June to August is the busiest for tourists in Cluj-Napoca, hotels and other accommodations may be more expensive than normal.

Springtime (March through May)

The combination of humidity and temperatures makes this season feel mildly cold. High temperatures range from (24.3°C) to (9.8°C), with higher temperatures in the latter months. Rainfall is rather common, with 4 to 8 days of heavy precipitation each month. Spring is the second busiest season for tourism, making it an ideal time for anyone searching for things to do.

Autumn (September through November)

The daily maximum temperatures in the fall vary from (24.8°C) to (8.1°C), which will feel cool due to the humidity and wind. It rains or snows frequently: 4 to 5 days each month. Because of the weather, tourism is rather quiet during these months, therefore hotel rates may be reduced.

During the winters (December through February)

The temperature in Cluj-Napoca is simply too chilly this season of the year to be pleasurable for warm-season visitors. On average, it rains or snows four to five times per month. These are the slowest periods of the year for travellers.

Good to Know About Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca is situated in northwest Romania, in the heart of Transylvania. It is the fourth largest city in the country, with a population of around 300.000 people. Furthermore, it is one of Romania's major university cities, making it a popular destination for students.

Because of its popularity among youngsters, it was awarded "European Youth Capital" in 2015, and there are student pubs on every corner. It's not just one of the hippest cities for young people, but it's also one of the most inexpensive since Romania is one of the inexpensive nations in Europe to live in. Aside from its status as a lively and thriving college town, its roots trace back over 2000 years. Even during the Roman Republic, the city was one of the most significant in the eastern section of the country. Even hundreds of years later, in the 18th century, it was still the largest city in Transylvania.

At the time, the province was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As a result, it retained its unofficial designation as the region's capital.

What to do in Cluj-Napoca

Central Park Simion Bărnuțiu

Central Park is a big public city park established in the heart of Cluj-Napoca. It was founded in the nineteenth century and is situated on the southern bank of the Someşul Mic River. The Park is presently home to the University of Arts and Design as well as the Babeş-Bolyai University's Chemistry Faculty.

Grădina Botanică "Alexandru Borza"

The Cluj botanical garden is stunning, with far more to see and do than in many other botanical gardens. Aside from the more "botanical" locations (greenhouses, etc.), there is also a tower to climb, with fantastic views over the garden and Cluj in general, as well as a lot of variety in the gardens themselves.

Rex Matia Corvin Statue

The Matthias Corvinus Monument is a landmark in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. This historic monument, designed by János Fadrusz and dedicated in 1902, honours Matthias Corvinus. It is included in Romania's National Register of Historic Monuments under the designation. After the sculpture was cast in bronze at the ore foundry, a tiny plaster replica was created and transported to the World Exhibition in Paris. The plaster sample was given the Grand Prix, the World Expo's top honour.

Lake Tarinta

Lake Tarnița is a reservoir in Cluj County, Romania, west of Cluj-Napoca, between the localities of Râşca, Mărişel, and Gilău. It is a famous tourist site, covering around 215 acres, with a length of approximately 9 km and a maximum depth of more than 70 m. The reservoir receives water from the Someșul Cald River. This gorgeous man made lake is located about 10 kilometres in a gorge in the Apuseni Mountains, amid a magnificent setting, and has great potential for taking quality time here.

Parcul Etnografic Naţional “Romulus Vuia” 

The Transylvanian Ethnographic Museum is located in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. With a nearly 100-year history, the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania is one of Romania's first and greatest of its type. It features two exhibition portions, one of which is located in downtown Reduta Palace (21, Memorandumului Street), and the other in the open-air Romulus Vuia Park in Hoia Forest on the city's north-west side.

Corvin Castle and Alba Carolina Fortress 

Corvin Castle is Romania's most impressive Gothic-style castle, and many regard it as "one of the seven marvels of Romania." That's one of Europe's biggest castles and an essential component of Romanian history. Corvin Castle is also Transylvania's largest mediaeval castle, exceeding even the enigmatic Bran Castle and the regal Peles Castle. It was named for John Hunyadi, the man who ordered its construction, and his descendant, Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungarian from 1458 until 1490. The halls are all rectangular in design, and their walls are lavishly adorned with marble.