CLUJ-

NAPOCA

Cluj-Napoca, commonly known as Cluj is located in the northwestern part of Romania.

The name Cluj comes from Castrum Clus, first used in the 12th century as the name of the citadel
surrounding the city. Clus means "closed" in Latin and refers to the hills that surround the
city.With one of the most vibrant economies in the country and a population of around 330.000,
Cluj, is today a vibrant cultural and educational city. In 2015 was named the European Youth
Capital.1

Location
Cluj-Napoca is located in the central part of Transylvania, it has a surface aria of 179.5
square kilometres. The city lies at the confluence of the Apuseni Mountains, the Somes plateau
and the Transylvania plain.

Transport to Cluj
How can you reach Cluj? Cluj-Napoca has a complex system of regional transportation,
providing road, air and rail connections to major cities in Romania and Europe.

Well, we can say that you can reach Cluj by plane, by car, by bus or by train.2

By plane

1 *** http://romaniatourism.com/cluj-napoca.html, accesat 10.03.2017

2 *** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluj-Napoca, accesat 10.03.2017

 The Cluj-Napoca International Airport, located 9 kilometres in the East of the city centre,
is the second busiest airport in Romania, after Bucharest's Otopeni, handling over 1.4 million
passengers in 2015. It is located on the European route E576 (Cluj-NapocaDej), the airport is
connected to the city centre by the local public transportation company. The main airlines that
operate in Clujs airport are: Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Tarom, WizzAir.

By train

Cluj-Napoca Rail Station, located about 2 kilometres in the North of the city centre, is
situated on the CFR-Romanian Railways Main Line 300 (Bucharest Oradea Romanian
Western Border) and on Line 401 (Cluj-Napoca Dej). CFR provides direct rail connections to
all the major Romanian cities and to Budapest. The rail station is very well connected to all parts
of the city by the trams, trolleybuses and buses of the local public transportation company.

By car

Cluj-Napoca is linked on three different European routes (E60, E81 and E576). At
a national level, Cluj-Napoca is located on three different main national roads: DN1, DN1C and
DN1F. The Romanian Motorway A3, also known as Transylvania Motorway (Autostrada
Transilvania) which is currently under construction will link the city with Bucharest and
Romania's western border.

The recommended route from Bucharest to Cluj Napoca is:

Bucharest Braov Sighioara Trgu Mure - Cluj (E60)

The recommended route from Budapest to Cluj Nappoca is:

Budapest - Debrecen Bor - Oradea - Cluj (E60)3

By bus

The Cluj-Napoca Coach Station (Autogara) is used by several private transport

companies to provide coach connections from Cluj-Napoca to a large number of locations from
all over the country.

3 *** http://romaniatourism.com/cluj-napoca.html, accesat 12.03.2017

 Daily domestic bus service from/to:
Alba Iulia, Arad, Baia Mare, Bistria, Braov, Bucureti, Cmpeni, Horezu, Hunedoara, Iai,
Oradea, Mangalia, Piatra Neam, Reghin, Satu Mare, Sebe, Sibiu, Sighetu Marmaiei, Trgu
Lpu, Trgu Mure, Vatra Dornei.

Climate
Cluj-Napoca has a continental climate. The climate is influenced by the city's proximity
to the Apuseni Mountains, as well as by urbanisation.

Winter temperatures are often below 0 C . On average, snow covers the ground for 65
days each winter. In summer, the average temperature is approximately 18 C (the average for
July and August), despite the fact that temperatures sometimes reach 35 C to 40 C in mid-
summer in the city centre. During spring and autumn, temperatures are between 13 C to 18 C ,
and precipitation during this time tends to be higher than in summer.

The city has the best air quality in the European Union, according to research published in 2014
by a French magazine and air-quality organization that studied the EU's hundred largest cities.4

Accomodation
In the last three years have increased the number of accommodation units in the Cluj-Napoca
city. There are options for all budgets, including a newly opened 5 star hotel.
Cluj-Napoca has many pensions and hotels with cheap prices, mid-range hotels and
expensive hotels. Hotels and pensions which have cheap prices are Cluj Pension, Hotel Cristal,
Mioval Pension. Mid-range hotels are represented by Olimp Hotel, Belvedere Hotel, Escala
Villa- Hotel etc. The hotels with expensive prices are Ramada Hotel, Opal Hotel, Sun Hotel,
Opera Plaza, City Plaza.5
The rooms in the mid-range hotels have air-conditioning, mini bar, tv,Wi-fi internet acces,
private bathrooms.6 The expensive hotels have rooms with safe deposit-box, air-conditioning,

4 *** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluj-Napoca#Transport, accesat 12.03.2017

5 *** http://wikitravel.org/en/Cluj-Napoca, accesat n data de 10.03.2017

6 *** http://www.hotel-olimp.ro/despre-hotel-cluj.html, accesat n data de 10.03.2017

two bathrooms, mini-bar, hairdryer, two LCD tvsetc. The hotels have pool, gym, sauna, spa,
restaurants.7
The price for a room is between 80 RON at cheap hotels and pensions and 1.100 RON at
expensive hotels.89

Attractions
Cluj-Napoca and the surroundings of the city has many palaces and fortresses, but the most
popular palaces and fortresses are Banffy Palace, Szeki Palace, Teleki palace, Cluj Fortress,
Cetuia.
Currently Cetuia is definitely one
of the most visited tourist attractions in
Cluj known for its historical value and
wonderful panoramic view.10

7 *** http://www.cityhotels.ro/Camere/Descriere-si-tarife.html, accesat n data de 10.03.2017

8 *** http://www.pensiuneamioval.ro/preturi-cazare-ieftina-cluj/, accesat n data de 10.03.2017

9***https://booking.cityhotels.ro/Book/BookingEngine.aspx?hotelId=1866&language=ro,accesat n data
de 10.03.2017

10 *** https://cluj.com/locatii/cetatuia-cluj/,accesat n data de 12.03.2017

 Cluj fortress is one of the best attraction in the city, where you can find Croitorilor
bastion which is one of the few that remained intact until today.11
Banffy Palace is the first and most beautiful secular baroque building in Transylvania.12

Also the city has a lot of historical churches, museums, architectural monuments, parks and
green areas.
Matia Corvin's Equestrian Statue is another important attraction which should be
included in a trip. It is on the list of
UNESCOs memorial statues on the
fifth place.13
Cluj-Napoca City Hall was built at
the end of 19th century and has a
baroque viennese style facade and a
corner tower with a clock that
impresses the tourists with its
strength and sobriety.14
The Botanical Garden is certainly one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cluj. It covers an
area of 14 hectares with varied landscapes and has an impressive collection of plants brought
from all over the world. It's considered one of the most beautiful and rare botanical gardens in
Southeast Europe.

11 *** http://www.one.ro/lifestyle/timp-liber/10-locuri-musai-de-vizitat-in-cluj-12940126, accesat n

data de 12.03.2017

12 *** http://orasulcluj.ro/unde-iesim/obiective-turistice/palate/, accesat n data de 12.03.2017

13 *** http://www.visitclujnapoca.ro/en/atractii-turistice/grupuri-statuare/matia-corvin.html, accesat n

data de 12.03.2017

14***http://www.visitclujnapoca.ro/en/atractii-turistice/monumente-si-complexe-
arhitectonice/clujnapoca-city-hall.html, accesat n data de 12.03.2017
 The Museum Square of Cluj was the first medieval market. The tourist can admire a lot
of Gothic buildings, including Matthew House, the birth place of Matthias Corvinus and the
Baroque buildings.15
The Central Park is a welcome break from the rush of the city. The middle of the park has a small
lake and the Chios Casino.
The travelers should also visit The Romulus Vuia National Ethnographic Park, The
Babes-Bolyai University Museum and The National History Museum Of Transylvania.16

Local food and local drinks

Cluj cuisine has suffered throughout history Austro-Hungarian influences. Cluj

is famous for its cuisine. The most known dishes are: bulz, cabbage "a la
Cluj", gula, papana, bean paste with smoked meat.

Cabbage a la Cluj is quite similar to sarmale and is easy to prepare.

It is made with pork, rice, onion, cabbage, tomato sauce, cream and bacon.
Transylvanian Bulz is another delicious food. It is prepared with hominy, milk,
cheese, cream and eggs.1718

15*** http://www.one.ro/lifestyle/timp-liber/10-locuri-musai-de-vizitat-in-cluj-12940126, accesat n data

de 12.03.2017

16 *** http://wikitravel.org/en/Cluj-Napoca, accesat n data de 12.03.2017

17 *** http://www.clujlife.com/2016/11/20/typical-romanian-food-everyone-try-cluj/,
accesat n data de 14.03.2017

18 *** http://traditiidinromania.ro/retete/retete-din-transilvania/bulzul-ardelenesc.html, accesat n data de

14.03.2017
 Transylvanian vegetable soup with pork is a dish which is found in Cluj
and contains tarragon, which gives a very special flavor to the soup.

Bean paste with smoked meat is a culinary delight but also one of the
Romanian traditional food, specific region of Transylvania. Bean paste with
smoked meat is served especially on the occasion of December 1st.

Papana is a typical Romanian dessert made from sweet cow cheese. It is served with
fruit jam, soft cheese and powdered sugar.19
Gula is a traditional Transylvanian dish. It is made with pork, potatoes, carrot, garlic, pepper,
tomatoes, onions, cream.20
Nsal is a special cheese from Cluj. It has a soft texture and is made from cow's milk , a
taste flavored, spicy and with a very strong
specific smell.21
Plinca is a traditional drink in
Transylvania. It can be prepared with plums,
apples, pears, cherries, quince, blueberries.22
Some restaurants in Cluj-Napoca with
romanian food are: Casa Ardeleneasc,
Maimua Plngtoare, Red House, Roata.23

19 *** http://www.clujlife.com/2016/11/20/typical-romanian-food-everyone-try-cluj/,
accesat n data de 14.03.2017

20 *** http://traditiidinromania.ro/retete/retete-din-transilvania/gulas-din-carne-de-porc.html, accesat n

data de 14.03.2017

21 *** https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nsal, accesat n data de 14.03.2017

22 *** http://silverhand.ro/bauturile-noastre-traditionale-chiar-si-departe-de-casa-savureaza-o-tarie-
romaneasca/, accesat n data de 14.03.2017

23 *** http://wikitravel.org/en/Cluj-Napoca, accesat n data de 14.03.2017

Transportation

Public transportation is provided by CTP ( Public Transport Company of Cluj Napoca),

performing a rate of 4 RON (88 euro cents) for a ticket. CTP operates 42 bus lines within the city
and 22 bus lines to municipalities in the metropolitan area, 7 trolleybuses and tramway lines.
Although there is no operator input, the tickets can be bought at booths specially designed.
Tourists can also buy tickets via SMS.

At a price of 1.19 RON (33 euro cents) per kilometer tourists can travel anywhere they
want, with companies which have obtained a permit from the country (Atlas, Diesel Rapid,
Diesel Taxi, Pritax, Nova Terra & Fan, Pro Rapid). They are not hard to find, most are brand cars
like Dacia SuperNova or Logan Solenza, colored in yellow. Firms practice higher rates at night
(1.39 RON). Likewise tourists should pay attention to the taxi company because it might charge
them pocket fees, they should avoid ghost taxi firms, because this companies practice much
higher rates. (Honest drivers sit quietly in their cars, they do not compel tourists to choose their
taxi). 24

The price and value for money

Cluj-Napoca has a variety of hotels, for every taste, so the tourists can be satisfied and
they dont have to pay an excessive amount of money. The same thing applies to caffe - bars,
shopping centers and also when it comes to public transportation.

For example, if a couple chooses to spend the Easter holiday at Sun Garden Golf and
Spa Resort, for three days, with all the facilities included the price will be 350 . The price is
suitable because besides the five star hotel accommodation, it includes the transport and
breakfast at the resort.

Each room of the resort is equipped with a 32-inch LCD, minibar, free broadband
Internet, room service, cable/satellite TV channels, coffee / tea maker, complimentary bottled
drinking water, daily housekeeping service, hair dryer, in-room safe and international direct-line

24 *** http://wikitravel.org/ro/Cluj-Napoca, accesat 11.03.2017

telephone. The services are more than enough for a person to feel safe and enjoy its free time,
and the price is suitable for all the facilities that the tourists can use in Cluj-Napoca.25

Dinner out in town is also a pleasant experience and does not cost a fortune; for example
at the restaurant Barraca tourists can eat lamb chops, drink wine and have a delicious dessert for
50 . 26

Of course, the public transportation taxes or the entrance fees at various locations are not
included, but in Cluj this taxes are not high at all, besides students get 50% discount and children
under age of 12 have free entrance.

The key - seeling points

Cluj knows how to live beautifully, people know how to enjoy life, the beauty of Cluj
comes from the positive energy that the city emanates. If 10 years ago, the only type of tourism

25 *** http://sungardenresort.ro/vacanta-de-paste-la-sungarden/, accesat 11.03.2017

26 *** http://www.baracca.ro/list/baracca-ro.pdf, accesat 11.03.2017

that brought visitors to Cluj was the business tourism, now things have changed.The city has
now become one of the most visited cities in Romania.

Cluj-Napoca has been the European Youth Capital in 2015, and from that point
restaurants and pubs that were noticed by their originality by major international publications,
there was a massive investment in the airport and the once old salt mine (Salina Turda) was
modernized and it became the most popular tourist attraction in Romania.

Cluj-Napoca is also the host of the biggest festival in Romania: Untold. Young people's
interest was so great that in 2015 and 2016, Untold organizers had to arrange a campsite for
spectators, because all the hotels and guesthouses in the city were booked.

Incidentally, in Cluj is organized the largest film festival in Romania, TIFF, the European
Festival of Film Comedy Comedy Cluj, the second largest music festival from Romania,
Electric Castle, jazz festival Jazz in the Park, or the most important festival of photography in
Central Europe, Romania Photo Festival.

Cluj will host in 2017 the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships and the
European Karate Championship. 27

At the end we will present a series of facts that make Cluj-Napoca the heart of
Transylvania ;

From Cluj tourists can easily reach all major cities of Europe;

Cluj is one of the best places in Europe to start a business in IT;

Cluj in love with art, films and music.

27 *** http://www.romanialibera.ro/special/investigatii/de-ce-a-devenit-clujul-polul-turistic-al-
transilvaniei-437262, accesat 12.03.2017
 Group 402

Giura Andreea Georgiana

Rusu Ioana Adriana

Sifaki Anna - Maria

Bibliography

1. *** http://romaniatourism.com/cluj-napoca.html

2. *** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluj-Napoca

3. *** http://wikitravel.org/en/Cluj-Napoca
4. *** http://www.hotel-olimp.ro/despre-hotel-cluj.html

5. *** http://www.cityhotels.ro/Camere/Descriere-si-tarife.html

6. *** http://www.pensiuneamioval.ro/preturi-cazare-ieftina-cluj/

7. ***https://booking.cityhotels.ro/Book/BookingEngine.aspx?hotelId=1866&language=ro

8. *** https://cluj.com/locatii/cetatuia-cluj/
9. *** http://www.one.ro/lifestyle/timp-liber/10-locuri-musai-de-vizitat-in-cluj-12940126
10. *** http://orasulcluj.ro/unde-iesim/obiective-turistice/palate/
11. *** http://www.visitclujnapoca.ro/en/atractii-turistice/grupuri-statuare/matia-corvin.html

12. ***http://www.visitclujnapoca.ro/en/atractii-turistice/monumente-si-complexe-
arhitectonice/clujnapoca-city-hall.html
13. *** http://www.clujlife.com/2016/11/20/typical-romanian-food-
everyone-try-cluj/

14. *** http://traditiidinromania.ro/retete/retete-din-transilvania/bulzul-ardelenesc.html

15. ***http://traditiidinromania.ro/retete/retete-din-transilvania/gulas-din-carne-de-porc.html
16. *** https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nsal
17. ***http://silverhand.ro/bauturile-noastre-traditionale-chiar-si-departe-de-casa-savureaza-
o-tarie-romaneasca/
18. *** http://sungardenresort.ro/vacanta-de-paste-la-sungarden/
19. *** http://www.baracca.ro/list/baracca-ro.pdf
20. *** http://www.romanialibera.ro/special/investigatii/de-ce-a-devenit-clujul-polul-turistic-
al-transilvaniei-437262