Hi,
Years ago I visited Brasov, Sibiu and Sighisoara and found all 3 of these places beautiful, ‘must-see’ kind of destinations. I also visited Timisoara, which I thought had the potential to be of the caliber of Brasov, Sibiu and Sighisoara but needed to be cleaned up before I’d consider it a must-see. In any case, I have never been to Cluj-Napoca, Târgu Mureș and Oradea. This is subjective, but do you think any of these are big must see kind of places (like Brasov, Sibiu and Sighisoara are) or more ‘only if you are in the area’ kind of places or nothing special? I appreciate your opinions.
Charlie
Opinions on Cluj, Târgu Mureș and Oradea
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TM is a fairly modern, good-sized city. I was there to inspect the renovated synagogue in 2005...same reasons for Cluj. I ony drove through Oradea enroute to Hungary back in pre-Ceausescu time. Most of my travels through Romania came during the regime, a few before, and two more recently(all by auto), which was more of an adventure back in the dark days of Nicolai...
Charlie: I would recommend both the Maramures(h) region and the fresco'ed churches region of Bukovina above any of the three cities you mention. You can fly into Cluj, rent a car and drive north to Sighetul (and its Merry Cemetery) area to begin transit through colorful, rural Maramures(h). Onward and eastward over Prislop Pass to the frescos in and around Voronets, to Radauts and Suceava. I think you can still get a flight from Suceava back to Cluj or Bucharesht for return flight westward. I have scanned pics of Maramures(h) and Bukovina if you're interested.
Stu
Hi,
You said, "TM is a fairly modern, good-sized city." Is it modernized or modern, like communist-looking as opposed to pretty and historic looking?
We just returned from a visit to Romania, and I agree with Stu. The Maramures was the highlight of our trip with Bucovina not far behind. We did stay in Cluj for two nights, and it was alright but really just a staging ground. IMO Cluj lacks the charm of a Sighisoara or even a Brasov. For us, the Romanian countryside was by far the best part of our trip.
charlie:
No, Tirgu Mures(h) is a very appealing looking small city..clean and inviting. Nothing at all like gray, bleak commie-inpsired architecture. If you've been to Bras(h)ov, there is a similarity between the two. Brashov's main square is quite nice looking IMO.
Hi again,
Could you tell me the time durations from Oradea to Cluj and Cluj to Tirgu Mures and what means of transportation should be used? Also, how much time do you recommend in these 3 places to see all the sights and move along?
Oradea to Cluj takes slightly under 3 hours and is best done by train.
Cluj to Targu Mures takes around 2 1/2 hours and is best done by bus.
You could stay a day, even two, in Cluj. A few hours are enough for the other two cities.
flat4,
Thank you for that information.