City Break Cluj – How to spend a weekend in Transylvania, Romania

Piața Muzeului
For a first day, explore the old town by foot and enjoy meandering through the lovely cobbled streets and squares like Piața Muzeului (Museum Square) taking in the sights of the beautiful buildings, the sounds of people laughing, clinking wine glasses on the outdoor terraces, and the smell of freshly baked Covrigi, a traditional pretzel like bread, straight out of the oven.

Visit Klausen Burger rooftop terrace for a beautiful view over the Cluj Skyline, the perfect photo opportunity and get your bearings, sit out on a sunny day, or watch planes flying off into the sunset, the area around Piața Muzeului is the perfect place to start your Cluj adventure, a relaxing and beautiful area you won’t mind getting lost in!

Piata Uniri - The Main Square
From Museum Square, head to the main square, where you’ll find the iconic St Michael’s Church, with the highest church tower in Romania (80m), you can’t miss it! In the heart of the city, an absolutely huge square lined with bars, restaurants and museums, it’s a brilliant place to sit at one of the cafes, enjoy a coffee and watch the world go by.

If you are an art lover, check out Cluj Art Museum. Once a palace, it’s a beautiful building with a mix of modern portraits, sculptures and stunning pieces ranging from the 17th Century, blending authentic Romanian art and the modern day. Costing only 16 lei (around £3), it’s definitely worth it.

A spot of lunch?!
Around this time, with all the wandering, you may feel a little peckish. There are so many choices, but I recommend trying Sushi on Fire. It’s a cosy spot serving a fusion of traditional Japanese cuisine mixed with modern techniques. They offer a variety of sushi options, amazing bowls of steaming ramen to my absolute favourite…fried sushi rolls…it is the most delicious dish I still dream of months later!

Or a bite to eat on the go? Perfetto Pizza, also found at the main square, is a tiny pizza place serving slices of pizza as big as your head. Constantly cooking more in their huge pizza ovens, if there isn’t a flavour you like the look of (which is doubtful) there’s always one on it’s way to choose from…oh and it’s 12 lei (£2) per slice!! Cheap, delicious and you will definitely want more than one piece!

Parcul Central (Central Park)
After having a bite to eat, head towards Central Park, walking along luscious leafy tree lined paths, passing monuments and statues, stop off at Chios Social Lounge for a refreshing drink, before taking a pink swan pedalo on lake Chios. Spot the locals lounging around in hammocks, old men gathering to play chess and even the mayor marrying people in the beautiful bandstand.

If you’re into sport, keep on walking and you'll come to Cluj Arena, an impressive state of the art stadium, where Cluj’s beloved football team, U Cluj play. Check out if there's a match on whilst you're there, it's worth it just to see the U Cluj ultras....a hardcore band of fans who make so much noise, you can hear them from the other side of the city!

By now, you’re probably ready for a rest, so head back to your hotel, refresh and get ready for a lovely meal out and a drink or two.

Staying around the Old town, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to places to eat and drink. Cluj is a city that loves to be social, so you are guaranteed a great atmosphere wherever you pick.

Samsara
For the first night, I recommend Samsara. Sit outside with their sparkling fairy lights over the beautiful terrace, or inside in their beautiful restaurant, Samsara is a special place. As a meat lover, you maybe wouldn’t think to go to a vegetarian restaurant, but it is a restaurant that serves amazingly delicious food. Their spinach and mushroom lasagne is one of the best lasagnes I’ve ever had, melt in the mouth…and not a piece of meat in sight! With friendly staff, a gorgeous interior and lovely outdoor patio, Samsara is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant that serves amazing food and a lovely dining experience for everyone.

Visuin
One for the cocktail lovers….
About 5 minutes walk from the Main Square, you’ll find Visuin. The menu is extensive, but the mixologists will also make any drink to suit your taste. I like spicy, so having a gin cocktail with wasabi and a matcha dusting is something special. A very popular hangout for locals, with good music and friendly staff, Visuin sets a cool vibe for cosy cocktails.

The Brewhouse
For the craft beer fans - The Brewhouse, a lovely little taproom we discovered on the cute cobbled backstreets, with 16 taps and a mixture of specialty craft brews sourced from Romania and internationally. The staff are lovely, friendly and very knowledgeable if you’re not sure what to try, just ask and they’ll be able to help. Popular with locals and internationals, the Brewhouse is one for the beer lovers.

DOT (District of Toast)
This is the perfect place to fuel your day. Choose to sit outside on their terrace, with it’s colourful canopy of umbrellas or inside in their urban feel restaurant, DOT (District of Toast) brings you a delicious variety of brunch and breakfast options. From focaccia with guacamole and poached eggs to a breakfast burrito, with vegan, vegetarian options too, it’s a delicious way to start your day. Pair with one of their many choices of coffee, a refreshing homemade lemonade (the elderflower and ginger is my favourite) or a mimosa, it’s a lovely way to start your day.

Salina Turda Saltmine
From DOT, a trip to Salina Turda, one of the largest salt mines in Europe. Allowing for 3-4 hours for this trip, it’s a great way to spend a morning or afternoon. The best way to travel is by car, so take a taxi (uber or bolt) straight to the salt mine, it's about a 40 minute drive and approximately £20 - £25 to get there.

Enter the mine at ground level, and soon find yourself going deeper and deeper underground, it’s a cavern full of tunnels, that open up into a huge, beautifully lit underground chamber. If you’re feeling adventurous, take the 20 flights of stairs or if you’d rather just enjoy the view, take the glass lift from the top to the bottom. You’ll see below you, there’s an underground ferris wheel, crazy golf, or the chance to take a rowing boat on a lake 112 metres underground, not something you can do everyday!

A very different and enjoyable experience, it’s a brilliant way to spend an afternoon before heading back to Cluj to watch the sunset whilst sipping a cocktail or two…

C’est La Vie Rooftop and Lounge
With luxurious furnishings and a beautiful outlook over Cluj, C'est la Vie is the perfect place to enjoy a tipple whilst taking in the views. A short taxi ride or 20 minute walk from Piata Uniri, it’s one for a romantic afternoon or date night.
Looking through the cocktail menu, The Japanese Garden which they recommend as a ‘crisp afternoon refreshment’ is my favourite…a delicious starter before trying their Mandarin Delight, ‘fresh and fruity to enjoy the Sunset’, which I certainly did!
With friendly mixologists, delicious cocktails, a great looking food menu and lovely surroundings and views, I’d definitely recommend this upmarket venu as one to add to your list.

From here, there are plenty of options of places to enjoy some food or to carry on the cocktails and conversations.

Nativ
We stumbled upon Nativ whilst walking around the Old town during the day, a beautiful outdoor terrace with twinkling lights and a lovely inside. Sitting and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, the staff are so knowledgeable, explaining about all the different wines, from whites, reds, roses and even orange wine, the sommelier helped me pick a sauvignon blanc produced by Jelna Winery, 80 miles down the road.

Food wise, they pride themselves on using Romanian ingredients and sourcing all their meat and vegetables from local producers, creating a mix of traditional and modern on their menu. From locally produced cheese and meat sharing boards, to delicious juicy steaks, from beef raised in Transylvania, Nativ is a delicious experience that left us with happy stomachs and excited to see where we’d try next.

From Nativ, head back to the Main Square along my favourite street. Beautiful by day, but even more so at night, make sure you take a stroll down Strada Vasile Goldiș, with the beautiful twinkling lights creating a magical experience.

Che Guevara Social Pub
Viva La Revolucion! With a bounty of bars and restaurants to choose from in the Main Square, there is one that stands out. With a candlelit entrance and the sounds of latino music, Che Guevara Social Pub quickly became one of our favourite hangouts in Cluj.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Cuba and this felt like a little piece of Havana…the buzzing atmosphere, the quirky furniture, 1950’s lamps and subdued lighting, even having Cuban cigars on sale! In Summer, enjoy sitting upstairs, in Winter, try their cosy speakeasy style bar underground…either way, enjoying any drink with rum is a must here.

Joben
For a quirky bar, enter the mystical world of Joben, one of the coolest Steampunk themed bars in town. With gears, gadgets and moving machines on the walls, ceilings and the bar, Joben is not just a bar that serves amazing cocktails but an experience you have to try…look out for all the hats and try one or two on during your visit!

Restaurant Valachia
You can’t visit Romania without trying some traditional Romanian Food and Restaurant Valachia is a must when you come to Cluj. Welcomed by friendly staff wearing traditional costume, traditional music playing, surrounded by beautifully decorated walls and photos, Restaurant Valachia is the perfect place to visit before your journey home.

Very popular with locals, Valachia has a menu full of homemade traditional dishes to choose from, with platters, soups and stews. I recommend to start, the ‘Varza a la Cluj’ - a traditional dish from Cluj, with minced pork and beef layered between cabbage and served with sour cream. Alternatively, the Romanian Platter to share, a huge array of meats, cheeses, breads, chutneys and dips.

For mains, try the traditional beef stew and you have to try the papanasi for dessert....fluffy delicious fried doughnuts made from cheese dough and served with big dollops of jam or chocolate, they are delicious! Don't forget the palinka, also known as tuica, is a traditional drink, made by and drank by pretty much every Romanian family!

Like eating at Grandma’s house, you will definitely go home with a full and very happy stomach!

Cluj Botanical Garden
If you have a little more time in Cluj, or perhaps don’t enjoy being underground and for an alternative to the Saltmine, try the Cluj Botanical Garden. From ponds with huge water lilies and lily pads, ferns, grasses and exotic plants and flowers, it’s a lovely way to while away a couple of hours in beautiful, relaxing surroundings.

The best time to visit?
Cluj has all the seasons and is beautiful throughout the year, but we found April to June, the weather is mild and the city’s parks are in full bloom. Late November into December is lovely if you are fancying a cosy Christmas feel, with a Christmas market taking over the Main Square and festive stops for mulled wine throughout the city.

Festival season in Cluj
During May and June, there are festivals and events nearly every weekend, including Zilele Clujului (Cluj Days) at the end of May, Jazz in the Park at the beginning of June, where you can enjoy listening to live jazz whilst immersed in the replica of a traditional Romanian village.

Or how about seeing Justin Timberlake and Queens of the Stone Age in the grounds of a castle?! Electric Castle mid July is one I was lucky to go to, it’s a very mini version of Glastonbury and I can definitely recommend, there are coaches and trains from Cluj throughout the day and night to take you there and back.

For the dance fans, try Untold, which takes place in Central Park from 7th - 10th August with Armin Van Burren, Becky Hill, Post Malone, Tiesto, Martin Garrrix and more this year, it’s one to checkout if you’re into your festivals and music!

Location location location… Before we moved, we were lucky enough to stay in 3 different accommodations before deciding on where to live, so here are our 3 recommendations:

The boutique choice: Square Hotel
Beautiful, chic and if you like art, Square Hotel is for you. It's a super modern, boutique hotel with beautiful stylish rooms. Each room comes with a fridge, Nespresso machine and tea making facilities. You get a fantastic breakfast in the morning with a great selection of ham, cheese and tomatoes and choice of eggs, coffee, tea and croissants. You are right in the heart of the old town and lots of stunning cafes, bars and restaurants are literally a stone's throw away.

The well-known choice: Radisson Blu
Overlooking Central Park and next to Cluj Arena, enjoy lovely rooms, a gym, stylish bar and restaurant on site at the Radisson Blu. A 20 minute walk from the Main Square, it is a little further out, but the walk is through Central Park and the lovely cobbled streets.

The self-catering choice: Black and white Apartment by Cluj Apartments
Stylish, slick, spacious and very modern. Black & White Apartments are a home away from home. Ideal for anyone that needs a bit more space with a huge master bedroom, 2 balconies with views across the city, massive bathroom and a great size kitchen. Close to the city centre, with a supermarket and coffee shop underneath, it is ideal for anyone looking for a self-catering option.

3 different but still totally amazing experiences depending what you're looking for.

Cluj is the second largest city in Romania, but is relatively small and very walkable, which makes it a perfect getaway for a few days...I recommend taking comfy shoes!

If you do decide to use the local transport, buses are very frequent and very cheap, 2.50 lei (42p) per person per journey, just make sure you tap your card when you get on the bus (the bus operators are very on it!)

You may also see people riding scooters around the city, these are super fun to use (although Simon said I was too cautious on mine). Bolt and Lime scooters can be found on most streets. Just download the app on your phone and scan the QR code on the scooter - it will tell you how much battery life it has left and off you go! Scoot around the centre or through Central park, it’s a lovely way to see the sights and save your feet!

If you see 1+1 on any menu, it means ‘Buy one Get one Free’ - found in many restaurants and bars on food and drinks, it’s one to look out for.

You will find that nearly everyone you come across will speak perfect English, but if you do try a few words, they will massively appreciate it and definitely make them smile.

Hello = Bună ziua or Buna for short (sounds like Boona ziwa)
Bye = la revedere
Thank you = multumesc (sounds like mulchumesc)

Cluj is a beautiful city with very much a big food and drink scene, coffee shops on every corner and the best wine. I could say so much more, but hopefully this gives a good idea of what the city is like. Please go and explore and let me know how you get on and what other places you find, even message me on Instagram whilst you’re there if you need any tips and I’ll be happy to help!

Cluj still has a piece of our hearts, will you go get it back for us please?!