Oradea travel guide
Oradea Tourism | Oradea Guide
You're Going to Love Oradea
Charming, historic, and relatively undiscovered, Oradea is one of the largest cities in Romania's picturesque Transylvanian region. With baroque architecture, Hungarian influences, and a beautiful riverside, the city is perfect for those looking for an idyllic stay in Romania.
Offering easy access to attractions such as the Apuseni National Park, Oradea is a great starting point for adventures in Romania.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Oradea
1. Beautiful Architecture
Romania is the meeting point of numerous cultures, and many of them have left their stamp on the streets of Oradea.
2. Health Spas
Romania is known for its health spas, and the popular Baile Felix is located right in Oradea.
3. Explore the Region's History
The Cris Land Museum and Ady Endre Memorial Museum both offer interesting looks at Oradea's art and history.
4. Great Churches
Oradea is home to mighty cathedrals, synagogues, and other religious buildings numbering 100 in total.
5. Green Spaces
Oradea is home to numerous parks and protected spaces gracing the city with trees, flowers, and plants.
What to do in Oradea
1. Renovated, Artsy And Interesting
Dating from the late 11th century and shrouded in sacred mystery and mythical legend, this city's most imposing sight is the pentagonal Oradea Fortress. A defensive bastion built for protection from Tartar, Ottoman and Austrian sieges over the centuries, the five-towered citadel was also a key religious and cultural center. It has been home to a monastery, a Roman Catholic diocese, a library, an astronomical observatory, a printing house and a college, and serves as the final resting place for royalty. With frescoed interior walls and underground channels supplied by ducts of warm water, much of the fortress has been fully restored to its former glory, hosting art exhibitions, craft fairs and a pleasant stroll through much of Central Europe's contentious history.
2. Inspired From Above
All of the world's major religions have at least a tenuous connection to paganism and Moon worship, and Oradea's Greek Orthodox cathedral in the city's center may be one of the clearest examples. Built in the Baroque style between 1784 and 1790, the Moon Church, officially known as the Assumption of Mary, features a metallic sphere in its clock that moves according to the Moon's rotation, noting the various lunar phases. At the time the cathedral was built, education and scientific research was maintained by the Church, so this curiosity was probably quite prestigious.
3. From Puppetry To Puccini
Designed in 1900 by the two Austrian architects who designed the Vienna Opera House, the State Theater represents one of Oradea's most important heritage buildings. The Theater was designed in an eclectic style with neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance exterior accents, huge, iconic columns and a recently renovated Neo-Baroque interior. It hosts a range of musical and dramatic productions, from puppetry and plays to contemporary dance and symphony orchestra performances.
4. A Past Not Forgotten
Emblematic of the Jewish community's strong contributions to Oradea since the 1500s, the Orthodox Synagogue was erected in 1905 with a grand, Moorish-style, red brick and stucco design. The house of worship was, prior to WWII, one of 27 synagogues serving more than a third of the city's 30,000 Jewish residents. The synagogue survived the war - and still serves a small Orthodox community - but an outdoor Holocaust Memorial remembers the 30,000 residents who did not.
5. A Cure For Whatever Ails You
With 120 degree thermal waters enriched with minerals and mud, Romania's largest health resort, Baile Felix, is well-known for its post-injury rehabilitation as well as its treatment for arthritis and other physiological afflictions. Spa treatments, including aromatherapy, paraffin packing, hydrotherapy and anti-aging beauty treatments, complete the overall experience.
1. Renovated, Artsy And Interesting
Dating from the late 11th century and shrouded in sacred mystery and mythical legend, this city's most imposing sight is the pentagonal Oradea Fortress. A defensive bastion built for protection from Tartar, Ottoman and Austrian sieges over the centuries, the five-towered citadel was also a key religious and cultural center. It has been home to a monastery, a Roman Catholic diocese, a library, an astronomical observatory, a printing house and a college, and serves as the final resting place for royalty. With frescoed interior walls and underground channels supplied by ducts of warm water, much of the fortress has been fully restored to its former glory, hosting art exhibitions, craft fairs and a pleasant stroll through much of Central Europe's contentious history.
2. Inspired From Above
All of the world's major religions have at least a tenuous connection to paganism and Moon worship, and Oradea's Greek Orthodox cathedral in the city's center may be one of the clearest examples. Built in the Baroque style between 1784 and 1790, the Moon Church, officially known as the Assumption of Mary, features a metallic sphere in its clock that moves according to the Moon's rotation, noting the various lunar phases. At the time the cathedral was built, education and scientific research was maintained by the Church, so this curiosity was probably quite prestigious.
3. From Puppetry To Puccini
Designed in 1900 by the two Austrian architects who designed the Vienna Opera House, the State Theater represents one of Oradea's most important heritage buildings. The Theater was designed in an eclectic style with neoclassical and Neo-Renaissance exterior accents, huge, iconic columns and a recently renovated Neo-Baroque interior. It hosts a range of musical and dramatic productions, from puppetry and plays to contemporary dance and symphony orchestra performances.
4. A Past Not Forgotten
Emblematic of the Jewish community's strong contributions to Oradea since the 1500s, the Orthodox Synagogue was erected in 1905 with a grand, Moorish-style, red brick and stucco design. The house of worship was, prior to WWII, one of 27 synagogues serving more than a third of the city's 30,000 Jewish residents. The synagogue survived the war - and still serves a small Orthodox community - but an outdoor Holocaust Memorial remembers the 30,000 residents who did not.
5. A Cure For Whatever Ails You
With 120 degree thermal waters enriched with minerals and mud, Romania's largest health resort, Baile Felix, is well-known for its post-injury rehabilitation as well as its treatment for arthritis and other physiological afflictions. Spa treatments, including aromatherapy, paraffin packing, hydrotherapy and anti-aging beauty treatments, complete the overall experience.
Where to Eat in Oradea
Oradea has many high-rated restaurants. Popular choices include Rosecas Restaurant si Terasa, with an à la carte menu of dishes like shrimp in cognac sauce, and Hanul cu Noroc, which serves pizza, soups, and stews. Low-key eateries will run about RON15 for a meal in town.
When to visit Oradea
Oradea has a fairly seasonal climate, with warm summers and cold winters. Spring and fall are the best times to visit the city.
How to Get to Oradea
Plane
Oradea is conveniently located near the Hungarian border, so the closest airport is in Budapest. Trains connect daily (see below). There is a small domestic airport near the town as well.
Train
Trains from Bucharest and Budapest arrive daily. A train ride from Bucharest will take 10 hours, but the ride from Budapest is only about four hours long and should cost approximately RON55.
Car
Oradea sits at the confluence of the E60, the E79, the E671, and the 42 from Hungary. It is very easy to access by car.
Bus
Buses from throughout Hungary and Romania connect to Oradea. A bus from Budapest costs about RON90 and takes about 4.5 hours.
Airlines serving Oradea
Where to stay in Oradea
Old Town - this area boasts giant squares, magnificent architecture, and plenty of charm.
Popular Neighborhoods in Oradea
Olosig - a riverside area known for its green parks and museums.
Decebal-Dacia - a bit removed from the center, this more relaxed area has fine architecture.
Where to stay in popular areas of Oradea
Most booked hotels in Oradea
How to Get Around Oradea
Public Transportation
Oradea has an excellent public transportation system with both light rail and bus stations throughout the city. A one-way ticket costs RON2.50.
Taxi
Taxis can be hailed all over town. The starting fare is RON2 and each mile is an additional RON4.
Car
It's quite easy to drive around Oradea. Car rentals are available at about RON180 per day for an economy vehicle.
The Cost of Living in Oradea
Shopping Streets
While Oradea does not have many large shopping centers, there are many craft stores throughout the Old Town area. A pair of jeans costs about RON140 in the city.
Groceries and Other
There are numerous grocers in the city. A dozen eggs costs about RON6, while a loaf of fresh bread runs somewhere between RON2 and RON3.