Overview

Oradea is a charming and historic city, one of the largest and most important in Romania. The city is often overlooked by tourists, however, it is the city of the young, of health, and relaxation and won first place in Reader’s Digest as “The Most Beautiful City in Romania” in 2014 and one of the most liveable cities in the country. Decorated with colorful art nouveau, Viennese, and Hungarian Secession architecture and beautiful riverside it is the perfect destination for a romantic, relaxing break.

Oradea is the city of 100 churches including three synagogues, the biggest Baptist Church in Eastern Europe, and the Church of the Moon. The city is also home to acres of green spaces making it the green capital of Romania. The river Crisul Repede crosses the city and features a long promenade with beautiful views. There is a pleasant mix of architecture, culture, and charm in Oradea with its romantic baroque architecture from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and it is a great starting point to visit other Romanian cities as well as parts of Europe.

Things to see and do

The best way to get acquainted with Oradea is to stroll along the pedestrianized Strada Republicii which is lined on both sides by endless Sucessionist buildings housing plentiful cafes, quaint shops, and galleries. Piata Republicii is one of the two main squares in the city followed by Piata Unirii which lies on either side of the River Crisul Repede with several charming bridges linking the two areas. Wander along the street and take in the ambiance of the city followed by a stroll along the long promenade that runs along the river banks, where the larges Parcul Central is located.

The Oradea Citadel is a must-see and the city’s main historic attraction dating back to the 13th century boasting a five cornered bastion enhanced structure that was expanded in the 18th century. A crumbling fortress and home of the city’s university art department and the host of many of the city’s medieval festivals where visitors can witness Knights of the Round Table costumes, medieval music, and the best archers in the region.

The city is filled with historic, religious, and medieval attractions including the spectacular Art Nouveau “Black Vulture Palace dating back to the early 1900s. The Palace includes an arcade mall, a hotel, restaurants, bars, and a casino. The Moon Church is another fantastic attraction in the city recognized for its unique mechanical lunar phase indicator

Make a day trip to Apuseni Nature Park in the stunning Apuseni mountain ranges just south of the city. The park features one of the most interesting cave systems in the country, with underlying limestone and over 400 caves waiting to be explored. There are tours and activities offered in the region including trail running, trail biking, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, and more.

Oradea is famous for its thermal springs and is home to the famous Balie Felix Resort established in the 18th century, Romania’s largest health resort. The thermal waters are rich in oligo minerals, which are great for treating arthritis and other ailments. Everyone should visit here at least once in their lifetime for the therapeutic benefits, there are 15,000 square meters of pools, spa treatments, aromatherapy, paraffin packing, hydrotherapy, and anti-aging treatments to rejuvenate the body and mind.

Wander around the charming city and absorb the stunning architecture featuring a rich mixture of Baroque, Art Nouveau, Viennese, and Secession style buildings dotted around the sprawling avenues and bustling squares. There are many beautiful historical buildings expressed in the city’s decorative arts, design, and architecture which are remnants of the Austro-Hungarian Era. The city is also a cultural center featuring a state theatre, puppet theatre, philharmonic orchestra, regional library, and museums.

Food and Nightlife

The dining options in Oradea are plentiful with many high-rated restaurants serving up local cuisine as well as other continental options such as Italian, Mediterranean, Romanian, Middle Eastern, Chinese, and Asian options. Oradea is known for its Transylvanian food and this type of cuisine can be found in many of the local authentic restaurants especially in the Old Town area.

Some local dishes to try when dining in Oradea, Old cheese from the local shepherds, pear brandy, fruit cakes, and traditional Romanian dishes such as “Sarmale” the national dish pork-stuffed cabbage rolls, “ciorba” soup which is often eaten with most meals, and “mamaliga” which is polenta with crumbled cheese and sour cream. Be sure to try some sweet Romanian treats like “clatite” or crepes served with jam or Nutella and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

The city of Oradea offers some unique nightlife options in the amazing art nouveau town with some fun authentic places to visit. Most of the nightlife in Oradea revolves around the Black Eagle Palace and the surrounding area. There are restaurants, bars, clubs, and pubs where visitors can enjoy a drink and a nice laid back or lively atmosphere.

Lord’s is a fun authentic pub located in the heart of the city, one of the best pubs in Oradea with live music and great vibes along with early opening hours where you can grab a fresh cup of coffee in the morning and a drink in the evening and hang out until the wee hours. The Black Eagle Pub is a favorite for the locals with really good music and a great drinks menu including classic beers on tap, get there early it gets very crowded in the evenings. Queen’s Music Pub, situated by the City Hall, serves up delicious food including famed brick oven pizzas, and special daily menus. Green Pub is a great location for a fun night out, a pub during the day, and a club in the evening, the pub offers Karaoke night on Wednesdays and some great cocktails.