Complete Oradea Travel Guide: 15 Things to do in Oradea

What if I told you there’s a place in the world with fairy-tale houses painted in gelato colours at every corner, where specialty coffee never costs more than 2€, and life runs at a slower pace? You’d probably want to know where this magical place is, right? Well, that place, dear friends of the rising sun, is Oradea in Romania. Below, you’ll find my extensive travel guide, complete with a list of 15 things to do in Oradea.

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Just 10km from Hungary’s eastern border lies Oradea, a destination that can be challenging to reach but is well worth the effort. During my 3½-day stay, I marvelled at its abundant architectural beauty and history. Extensively restored between 2015 and 2019, Oradea now shines like a new penny and should not be overlooked when you travel through Europe.

How Do I Know of Oradea?
The top thing to do in Oradea is to experience its high concentration of Art Nouveau buildings. Although not yet UNESCO-certified, the town is part of the Reseau Art Nouveau network based in Brussels. In 2023, as Brussels celebrated Art Nouveau exuberantly, they also honoured member cities of the network with free exhibitions. At Halles Saint-Géry, the photography series “Nymphs of the Palaces” by Larisa Birta showcased Oradea’s rich heritage, and I was instantly captivated by the town’s artistic uniqueness.

Oradea Travel Guide Insights

• Comparable in size to Nijmegen, Osnabrück or York.
• Oradea was the religious centre of Romania, laying the groundwork for its culturally rich population.
• Even though Romania and Hungary belong to the Schengen Zone as of March 2024, there are still border checks in place. These can take up to 1h. 
• Romania is one hour ahead of central Europe.
• Further travel to Serbia is not possible from Romania.
• The bus station is a bit outside of town in a residential area. You can walk it in the daytime but I wouldn’t do so at night or in the rain. 
• Mondays are their Sundays. Expect many businesses to be closed.
• The local currency is the Romanian Lei, and cash is preferred. It’s best to exchange some money before you arrive. There are a few ATMs in Union Square where you can withdraw cash.
• Only basic English is spoken, even amongst younger generations. But fear not, the Romanians are extremely accommodating and friendly. 
• When I researched restaurants and cafes on Google Maps, I often found many restaurants permanently closed upon arrival. To avoid disappointment, make sure to have a few alternatives in mind. Since Oradea isn’t yet overrun by tourists, there isn’t a regular update of information online.
• Other art nouveau cities easily reachable from Oradea are Timișoara and Satu Mare.

The Touristic Offering

• The touristic focus is on local visitors from Romania and Hungary, hence why there is a limited offering for international visitors. There is no physical tourist information in town and I personally found the official Visit Oradea website too fluffy and generic. 
• When I reached out to the team, they often ignored my requests and only sent short and unhelpful replies. 
• Oradea promoted free walking tours and an Oradea Pass in 2023 (Oradea Loves You campaign), but there is no updated information regarding these offerings for 2024. 

15 Things to do in Oradea

The activities in Oradea I’ve listed are those I enjoyed the most during my visit. I’ve compiled all my research, impressions, and travel adventures to create this complete Oradea travel guide. I hope it offers useful insights for your trip planning or simply inspires you to explore Romania’s most beautiful town.

Let Oradea’s Architecture amaze you

Oradea, known as Romania’s most beautiful city, owes its reputation to a wealth of architectural styles such as eclecticism, neoclassicism, and Hungarian Secession art nouveau. These styles emerged following a devastating fire in 1836, and as a result, nearly 50 historical buildings grace the Old Town today.

While most of these highly artistic buildings are not open to the public and can only be admired from the outside, you can stroll through the Black Eagle Arcade or visit the Darvas House. Extensively restored between 2015 and 2019, these buildings now shine vibrantly, transforming a walk through the city centre into a visual delight.

Must-see landmarks include the Füchsl Palace, Black Eagle Arcade, Hotel Astoria, Palace Moskovits, Apollo Palace, Rimanoczy Sr Palace, Stern Palace, and Poynar House. There are too many to list them all, so I’ve highlighted my favourites: the Deutsch K.I. glassware shop (now Mesopotamia), the Adorjan House, and the Stern Palace.

Deutsch K Ignac Glassware & Porcelain Store: This exquisite building was once owned by one of Oradea’s wealthiest residents, the Deutsch family. Originally from Moravia in the Czech Republic, the family had reached their third generation by the time they successfully operated their glass and porcelain business in 1877. They were the second most significant company in production and sales within the Habsburg Empire (with Roth in Budapest leading the industry). The building has undergone extensive restoration, enhancing its intricate floral ornaments and graceful rounded shapes, including the charming smaller heart-shaped windows at the top.

The Adorjan House: Architects Komor Marcell and Jakab Dezső designed this ensemble of several properties under one unified façade for attorney Adorján Emil. Drawing inspiration from Ödön Lechner’s innovative designs, the architects incorporated elements of Lechner’s stylistic language into the façade. The outcome is a cohesive front adorned with lavish ornaments and stylized motifs of the peacock’s tail feathers.

Stern Palace: This is another residential house in the Hungarian Secession style, built for the chemist and engineer Miklós Stern and designed by the same architects as the Black Eagle Palace. Once again, the architects drew inspiration from Lechner’s influence and style for the decoration, creating a delightful aesthetic with a vibrant yellow colour and playful floral ornaments inspired by Hungarian folklore.

Stroll along the Riverside

The Old Town is divided by the Crisul Repede River, and along its banks runs a scenic promenade inviting you to stroll beside the tranquil waters. There are several restaurants along the way, a cycling path, a romantic park, and there will also be a viewing platform with seats in future.

Have an Ice Cream in front of a Dream House

Oradea’s main street, Calea Republicii, impresses with stunning architecture, eateries, and cafes. As you stroll along, I recommend fetching a cold treat – there are plenty of ice cream parlours to choose from. I went with Bianco Milano, right outside the Moskovits Palace.

Climb the City Hall Tower

Next to the City Hall stands the bell tower, a historic neoclassical building. Visitors can climb its 250 stairs (approximately 50 metres) to enjoy a 360-degree view of Oradea. As you ascend, you can read about various historical periods of the city. However, I found the information plates overwhelming due to the dense text, small font, and poor coloration, making them tiring to read. The tower is open every day except Monday, and entrance costs 10 Lei (2€).

Fun Fact: The bell plays the patriotic Marșul lui Iancu at every full hour.

Count all the Churches

Oradea used to be the religious centre of Romania, attracting various religious communities to settle and establish their churches here. To this day, the population is diverse including Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Jewish congregations. Notable churches worth visiting include the two synagogues, Resurrection Cathedral, the Greek-Catholic Episcopal Church, and the Baroque Roman Catholic Church. Although I’m not particularly interested in churches and religion, I looked for a connection to the Camino de Santiago. Online research suggested Oradea is part of the Romanian Camino, but I couldn’t find any information or way markers onsite.

Explore the Coffee & Brunch Culture

Oradea has a thriving coffee and brunch culture with numerous cafes and brunch spots. As part of the former Habsburg Empire, Oradea always drew inspiration from European capitals like Paris and Budapest. International cuisine and artists frequently visited, bringing a global flair to the city. Today, this influence is evident in the many ultra-modern cafes and brunch restaurants that exude a big-city vibe and serve high-quality specialty coffee.

Find out more in my Oradea Coffee Guide.

Have Local Pastries for Breakfast

While researching, I discovered the dessert shop “Dessertopia,” conveniently located just around the corner from my accommodation. Eager to try their pastries, I went for their signature pistachio croissant. This fresh croissant, filled to the brim with pistachio cream and finished with a white chocolate drizzle, tasted heavenly. The shop is quite small, more like a local bakery, so you won’t be able to sit and have a coffee there.

Pistachio Croissant 21Lei (4.10€)

Flanere on Strada Vasile Alecsandri

Strada Vasile Alecsandri, located between Oradea’s two most important areas, Park Decembrie and Piata Unirii, has existed since the 18th century. Initially, the house rows were designed to be one story tall to provide uniformity. Although this street has been reconstructed several times, it still retains its historic charm with many interesting buildings.

Today, Strada Vasile Alecsandri is Oradea’s picturesque food mile and is perfect for flanering. One uber-stylish restaurant sits next to cocktail bars and cafes. Every business is instagrammably-pretty and even the fast-food chain Mesopotamia occupies a beautiful Art Nouveau building.

The atmosphere here is busy but luckily doesn’t reach Porto or London-level busy with a laid-back and sophisticated flair. A visit in Summer offers an ideal time to sit outdoors, enjoying the warmth, good food, and company until dusk—an essential aspect of the European lifestyle.

Indulge in Casual Dining

Oradea is certainly not short of restaurants, yet I found the dining scene heavily focused on Italian cuisine, burgers and sushi. I would have loved to try a Romanian restaurant but didn’t notice one during my visit. I have now done some research for my “next time in Oradea” and I would like to try Rosecas, Piața9 Cetate or Allegria. 

During my recent stay, I dined twice at Eat It, a casual Italian restaurant. One evening, I enjoyed pasta, and on another occasion, I ordered duck fillets in blackberry sauce with parsnip puree – a culinary dream experience. For dessert, I went with the Semifreddo Sour Pistachio, featuring a crispy almond biscuit base topped with sponge cake soaked in syrup, creamy pistachio mousse, and sour cherries. It offered the texture of ice cream and a delightful taste adventure using my favourite flavour combination of pistachios and sour cherries.

Dinner: around 95 Lei (20€)

Night Time Walk around Town

Oradea is exceptionally well-maintained and safe for solo travellers. If you have the chance, I highly recommend bringing your best camera with a nighttime mode and letting the illuminated buildings enchant you once more. While the city is stunning during the day, at night, the lit-up buildings add another layer to the city’s magical charm.

Visit Romania’s only Art Nouveau Museum

Similar to the Art Nouveau Museum in Riga, visiting the Darvas House is a must when you’re in Oradea. During the turn of the century, the rise of the bourgeoisie led to the expression of their high social status through refined architecture. The Darvas House, originally belonged to the wealthy local entrepreneur Imre Darvas, exemplifies such a private home.

Cultivated and educated, Darvas had a keen interest in European arts, architecture, and travel. Between 1910 and 1912, he commissioned the Vago brothers to design and construct his house in a prime location overlooking the river and synagogue.

The villa is exquisitely maintained and radiates beauty, captivating visitors even if they aren’t avid Art Nouveau enthusiasts. While paying homage to Wagner and Hoffmann, it retains its own distinct style and character. The interior features geometric and substantial forms reminiscent of the Art Nouveau and Romanticism styles of Northern countries. Visitors are free to explore the entire house and its lavish backyard. Pay particular attention to the entrance and the small details throughout the house, which make it a true Gesamtkunstwerk.

Tickets cost 15 Lei, 3€

Learn about Oradea’s Past at The Fortress

In the 11th century, King Ladislaus the Holy constructed a cathedral dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary, laying the foundation for Oradea’s existence and city development. He was buried on-site, and after his sanctification in the 12th century, the complex grew and became a pilgrimage site. Throughout history, the fortress underwent multiple expansions, destructions, conquests, and reconstructions, maintaining its significance as a political, cultural, and scientific centre.

Today, the star-shaped complex typical for mediaeval European fortresses accommodates the city museum, a hotel, restaurants, an event venue, and cafes. The permanent exhibition covers a wide range of topics about Oradea, including the school system, coffee culture, religion, and sieges. While extensive, the exhibition is not always well-curated. Plan to spend around 2 hours exploring, focusing on areas of particular interest to avoid information overload. One highlight not to miss is the Griffin room, constructed in the Renaissance style and adorned with intricate decorations when the fortress was repurposed as a Princely Palace.

Ticket: 25 Lei, 5€

Relax in Union Square

The Union Square, part of the New Town developed between 1714 to 1740, functions as a cultural focal point bringing city administration, entertainment, and religious activities together in Oradea. This huge square is inevitable – relax at one of the many restaurants or cafes, enjoy sightseeing, or simply engage in people-watching. Its tidy layout and carefully tended flower beds make it perfect for observing life and lingering. Throughout the year, several events such as the Christmas markets and public performances are held in the square.

Stay in an Apartment instead of a Hotel

I researched endlessly where to stay in Oradea. The city has only a handful of modern business hotels and the official tourist website was unhelpful as many listed hotels were already outdated and closed. At first, I considered Hotel Glory but decided against it due to its residential location far from public transport.  Eventually, I came across an apartment listed on booking.com by FlatWhite Properties Oradea. They offer several excellent apartments across town, some with kitchenettes, all in prime locations at very affordable rates.

Upon arrival, I must admit I encountered the Romanian cliché of dead cockroaches on the stairs leading up to the apartment, which didn’t leave the best first impression. These were removed the next morning never to be seen ever again. Once inside the apartment, I had entered a completely different world. It was light, airy, friendly, safe, incredibly modern, and tastefully decorated. My room was gorgeous, and the location was quiet for a good night’s sleep. The WIFI was fast, and the FlatWhite staff were helpful and quick to respond to any of my requests, ensuring I had a pleasant stay overall.

I would book the *Central Park apartment in Oradea in a heartbeat again. 

Marvel at every Detail of the Black Eagle Palace

The Black Eagle Palace stands as the pride of the town due to its arcade as a masterpiece of the Secession Style. Historically situated in a prime location, its origins trace back to The Eagle Inn, which began as a humble inn and later evolved into Oradea’s busiest hotel by 1835.

A design competition in 1903 aimed to reconstruct the building, with the winning entry in Hungarian Secession style, initially delayed due to high costs. Finally realised in 1907, the arcade, modelled after Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, now houses cocktail bars, banks, and shops. All intricate ornaments from Hungarian folklore and floral decorations throughout the arcade are meticulously hand-painted.

How to get to Oradea?

Now comes the catch: even though Oradea in Romania is only 240km from Budapest airport, it is not easy to reach with public transport in 2024. Set at least an entire day for travelling aside and plan to stay for at least three days to make up for the invested travel time. 

By air: Oradea has an “international” airport, but that definition is very generous. So far there are only three international connections, to Warsaw, Heraklion, Antalya and Bucharest Otopeni. I have no information if more connections will be added in future. 

Other airport options would be Budapest Ferenc (240km) or Cluj-Napoca (160km). 

By train: there are limited services from Budapest Keleti or Kelenföld. Only a handful of direct connections leave from Budapest which are at inconvenient times and other connections can take up to 8h. An alternative would be to fly into Cluj-Napoca and take the train from there. But again there are only a handful of inconvenient connections for the 3 1/2h journey to Oradea. 

By bus: Oradea is served on the Flixbus route 961 (Vienna Erdberg to Sibiu). Fly into Budapest airport and take the bus from there. The average ticket costs around 30€ one-way, but when booked early in advance the ticket can cost around the 20€ mark.

Alternatively, you can fly into Cluj-Napoca and fetch a bus to Oradea from the auto bus station. Make sure to check the schedule on Autogari.

Making of “15 Things to do in Oradea”

• Researched onsite and in town
• Paid my own expenses for travel, experiences and additional information

FAQs about 15 Things to Do in Oradea

I understand this post is quite detailed, and you may have a few quick questions about the 15 things to do in Oradea. Feel free to consult any section for more information on your trip. If you have any questions or need assistance, please get in touch. 

Is there lots to do in Oradea? 

There are plenty of things to do in Oradea to keep you busy for three days, but I wouldn’t stay longer than that. The number one reason for a visit is the art nouveau heritage, but you can also experience the dining scene, coffee culture, visit churches, delve into history at the fortress or the Baroque Palace, and hike to nearby Mushroom Hill for a panoramic city view. Oradea, also recognized as a spa town, offers facilities and an Aqua Park in Băile Felix.

How many days should I consider for an Oradea visit?

When planning a visit to Oradea in Romania, consider that public transport is currently not the easiest. You need at least a full day of travel to reach the city. To compensate for such a time-intensive arrival, I suggest you stay at least 3 full days in Oradea.

I’m still indecisive if I should visit Oradea?

Pro
+ Not overrun by tourist crowds yet
+ Treasure trove of beautiful architecture, good food and friendly locals
+ Pristine city with manicured Old Town and restored buildings
+ Coffee and food of high quality at low costs
+ Solo travel friendly and super safe

Contra
– Requires some intensive planning and preparation 
– Some areas such as as the outskirts and auto bus station don’t make for a nice first impression
– No straight forward travel to Oradea
– Outdated or missing information on businesses, such as hotels & restaurants
– Tourist Information is literally non-existent and requests handled poorly

Thanks so much for reading. If you’ve enjoyed my 15 Things to do in Oradea travel guide and would like to support my blog & research, you can do so via Buy Me a Coffee.

Till next time,

Carolin

More content travelling the Danube region will come soon. In the meantime, you may also enjoy reading:

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