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Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca, often referred to as the heart of Transylvania, is a vibrant city located in the northwest region of Romania. It's an essential hub of culture and education, housing the country's largest university, Babeș-Bolyai University, and is home to one of Europe's most vibrant youth cultures. It's known for its well-preserved historical sites, ranging from ancient Roman city ruins to Gothic-style St. Michael's Church, and not to forget the majestic 14th-century Corvin Castle. The city's rich cultural scene is complemented with numerous music, film and arts festivals, while the bustling cafés and nightlife consistently draw young crowds. With its perfect blend of past and present, Cluj-Napoca is a captivating destination for any traveller.

4.1 /5

Based on our research

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Safety:Very safe

Cluj-Napoca is generally a safe city for solo female travelers. The crime rate is rather low and most locals are friendly and willing to help tourists. The city is also well-lit at night and has a reliable public transportation system. However, it's always advisable to stay alert, especially during late hours and avoid less crowded areas. It's also a good idea to keep valuable items out of sight and be aware of pickpockets in crowded places.

Transport:Easy

Cluj-Napoca is quite traveler-friendly with its well-connected public transportation system of buses, trams, and trolleys. The city is also walkable, especially in the old town area with its pedestrian-friendly streets. However, some areas can be a bit hilly or have cobblestones which might be slightly challenging to navigate. A basic understanding of Romanian is helpful but not crucial, as many locals speak English.

Things to do:Interesting

Cluj-Napoca, often referred to as the 'Silicon Valley of Eastern Europe', is an intriguing mix of history, art, and modern living. It boasts an impressive roster of landmarks including the stunning St. Michael's Church, the Cluj-Napoca Botanical Garden, and the ethereal Hoia Forest. An exceptional hub for arts, it houses Romania's most prestigious film festival. With a lively food and coffee scene as well as outdoor activities hiking, you'll never run out of interesting things to do and explore. Plus, it's a hotspot for tech, startups and co-working spaces, making it an interesting destination for digital nomads as well. The only downside, as with any bustling city, would be occasional crowding and noise.

Food:Above average

The culinary scene in Cluj-Napoca is highly varied and quite delightful. You can find local authentic Romanian food that carries a lot of history and tradition as well as a mix of international cuisines, like Italian and French, to cater to the varied palates of locals and tourists. Vegetarians and vegans are not to worry as there are plenty of choices available as well. While not top of the line, the quality and diversity provided are definitely commendable.

Budget:Affordable

Cluj-Napoca is quite budget-friendly, particularly when compared to other European destinations. A decent meal at a good restaurant can usually be found for about 10 - 15 dollars and accommodation rates vary vastly depending on your selection, but you can find a reasonable one around 20 - 30 dollars per night. Public transportation also costs very little, and many of the city's sites and attractions are free to the public or have a very nominal entrance fee. Prices may ramp up during peak seasons or popular festivals. Always remember expense is really what you make it, while it's easy on the pocket, you could also spend more on high-end experiences if desired.

Solo travel experience

I went to Cluj for 3 nights in January. It was not the right time to go because it was snowing and you couldn't go outside without slipping almost every few moments. Trips from Cluj were very expensive, and public transportation was not good. I didn't really like this city, but the locals were always very friendly and helpful.

Posted: March 25, 2023

Things to do: 3/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5

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Central area is very safe for women at night, and it is generally the safest city in Eastern Europe for women. Do avoid train station area at night. Public transport is great - definitely use it to get around, parking spaces are sparse so using cars is inconvenient. Great food: Big Belly (AND cheap!!) Areas to stay in - Recommending Zorilor or Mărăști, generally safe and cheaper than central areas

Posted: February 8, 2024

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Lina

Romania

Hi ladies, I wanted to write this review about Cluj-Napoca because it is a city that completely won my heart. I’m a French student from Paris and came to Romania to do my medecine studies. That’s when I discovered Cluj Cluj is a beautiful city, with it’s fair amount of nature and buildings. There’s always an event there, always a party or some music in a parc. Due to it’s huge number of students, it a very young, social, and eventful place during all year but it’s rather empty in the summer (as all students go back to their home country). What happily shook me the most is it’s safety: Cluj is THE safest place I’ve ever been to in my entire life as a woman. I live here now so I can positively say that my fear is about a 2/10 in here I could go for a walk at 4AM if I wanted to, with my AirPods, without worrying for a minute. Everything is relatively cheap/affordable (except apartments). Most of Romanians talk/understand English Like I really really like it!

Posted: July 16, 2023

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Meet local women in Cluj-Napoca who are open to meet up for a coffee or a drink, show you around, give local advice or practice a language with.

Anna

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Hi! I’m Anna, i’m usually backpacking around the world :)

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Aliz

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Hey there! My name is Aliz, I'm a 22 years old medical student from Romania. Besides science my favorite hobby is to travel and to explore our beautiful world. Slowly but surely I want to become a part of the couchsurfing and backpacking community, I hope I will meet up a lot of traveller girlies from around the world 😊

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Stay with local women in Cluj-Napoca who offer free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. Couch surfing is a great way to meet new people, learn more about new cultures and experience destinations like a local.