Cheap Flights To Cluj-Napoca

This is the unofficial capital of Romania's Transylvanian region and one of the country's most visited destinations. You will find a wealth of history as well as a welcoming atmosphere and fine dining and although you won't see many vampires you can visit Gothic-style castles and fortresses.

The history of Cluj-Napoca stretches right back to before the Roman conquest of Dacia. Excavations have found human settlements in the region dating back to the Neolithic Age some 6,000 BCE making it the oldest settlement discovered so far in Transylvania. The Romans named the city Napoca and ever since it has flourished as a cultural and religious centre. Today it is one of the most populous cities in the country and the economic hub of the Cluj region in north-west Romania.

Visit the local Transylvanian History museum to find out the fact from the fiction or wander around the Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park to unwind and people watch. The city is easy to walk around and the winding narrow street and tucked away courtyards make Cluj-Napoca a delight to expore.

Things To Do in Cluj-Napoca

The charming historic heart of Cluj-Napoca is just the right size for exploring on foot. You'll discover narrow streets with hidden inner courtyards, old houses and tucked-away churches while parts of the medieval wall can still be seen near Union Square. Look out for the mounted statue of Matthias Corvinus right in the city centre.

• A former stronghold

Fortress Hill used to protect the city before it became a prison. Not much of it remains now but the Transylvania Hotel is a pleasant place to enjoy a coffee or drink before walking the path around the crest of the hill and enjoying the views of the city below.

• A park with a past

Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park is a calm oasis just outside the city where buildings from the surrounding region have been reconstructed and preserved. Wander through artisan homes and wooden churches filled with traditional furniture and textiles.

• A cultural heart

Museum Square is where you'll find a cluster of museums. In between visiting the Franciscan Monastery, the Transylvanian History Museum and the Obelisk of the City enjoy a coffee and spot of people watching during the day or return in the evening for the area's nightclubs and restaurants.

Calendar Of Events

This city is known for its vibrant cultural scene that happily embraces both traditional and contemporary music and art. Classical concerts, jazz extravaganzas, puppet shows and film festivals all fill its annual events calendar.

• Transylvania International Film Festival: dozens of locations around Cluj-Napoca are used as venues for local and international screenings. Buy a festival card and sit back to watch up to 35 films of your choice.

• Untold Festival: Over four lively days in August this festival brings together an explosive mix of house, EDM and dubstep sounds and is the largest music event in Romania. Tip: book hotels well in advance, this is always a sell-out occasion.

• Transylvania Jazz Festival: The smooth sounds of jazz wash over the city in early December. Since this event started over a decade ago it welcomes some of the best jazz names in Europe.