Cluj-Napoca is the unofficial capital of Transylvania and Romania's second most important economic city (321,000 inhabitants). University city (the oldest Romanian university — Babeș-Bolyai, founded 1581), the country's IT capital and host of the Untold festival (the largest electronic music festival in Eastern Europe, early August).
⛪ St Michael's Cathedral
Gothic church from the 14th–15th c. — example of Transylvanian Gothic architecture. 80 m tower. Next to it the equestrian statue of King Matthias Corvinus (1902, sculptor János Fadrusz), Hungarian and Romanian queens jointly paid for its construction.
🏛️ Old Centre
- Union Square — central square with St Michael's Cathedral.
- Museum Square — Reformed and Franciscan churches, restaurants.
- Heroes Street — pedestrian street with shops and cafes.
- House of Matthias Corvinus (Matei Corvin 6) — house where the future King of Hungary was born (1443).
- Tailors' Bastion — only remaining section of the medieval wall.
🏞️ Parks and nature
- Botanical Garden — one of Romania's largest botanical gardens.
- Simion Bărnuțiu Central Park — with lake and Casino.
- Cetățuia — historic hill with panoramic view, 18th-c. Austrian fortress.
- Turda Salt Mine (35 km) — medieval salt mine transformed into impressive underground attraction (Ferris wheel in the mine, underground lake with boats). 50 lei.
🎉 Festivals
- Untold Festival (early August) — the largest electronic festival in Eastern Europe, 400,000 people in 4 days.
- Electric Castle (mid-July) — at Bánffy castle in Bonțida (50 km), alternative music.
- TIFF (June) — Transilvania International Film Festival.
🍽️ Cuisine
Restaurants: Roata (traditional), Baracca (fine dining, Michelin star), Klausen Burger (best burger in town), Samsara Foodhouse (vegetarian).
🚆 Transport
Cluj airport (CLJ) 9 km — bus 5 lei. Trains to Bucharest 8h, Brașov 6h, Sibiu 4h. Best option from other cities: domestic flight (Tarom, Wizz, Blue Air).