Cluj-Napoca, often referred to as the Heart of Transylvania, is a lively and modern city located in northwestern Romania. Known for its vibrant culture, excellent educational institutions, and stunning architecture, Cluj-Napoca offers a unique and dynamic experience for those who visit. To discover the best areas to stay in Cluj-Napoca, look no further.
Accommodation Options in Cluj-Napoca
Founded by the Romans in 121 AD, Cluj-Napoca boasts significant historical attractions such as St. Michael’s Church, Cluj-Napoca Central Park, and the impressive Banffy Palace. The city’s growing tourist industry is evident by its numerous accommodation options—from luxury hotels to budget options—offering something for every traveler’s taste and budget.
In addition to its rich past, Cluj-Napoca is home to other fascinating sites like the Botanical Garden, Turda Salt Mine, Cluj Arena, and Hoia Baciu Forest—an eerie woodland internationally renowned for its paranormal activity. The city has established itself as an important cultural and educational center in Romania, housing institutions like Babes-Bolyai University with over 50,000 students enrolled.
Continue reading this post to discover more about Cluj-Napoca’s enticing atmosphere and uncover the best areas to stay while exploring this remarkable Romanian city.
What’s the Best Area to Stay in Cluj-Napoca?
With its well-preserved medieval buildings, charming streets, and lively squares filled with cafes, restaurants, and bars, you will never run out of things to do. Centrally located, it offers easy access to landmarks like St. Michael’s Church, Cluj Art Museum, and Central Park while being close to public transport for exploring the city further.
Find available accommodation in Cluj-Napoca’s Old Town.
Best Hotels in Cluj-Napoca Old Town
- Best 5-star hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cluj – City Plaza
- Best 4-star hotel: The Square Hotel
- Best 3-star hotel: Hotel Belvedere
- Best budget hotel: Hotel Transilvania
- Best B&B: Guest House 1568
- Best serviced apartments: Rex Nest
- Best hostel: Kollege Hostel
Best Areas to Stay in Cluj: District by District
1. Cluj Old Town (Centru)
The best area for tourists in Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca’s Old Town boasts rich history, stunning architecture, lively atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, and numerous cultural attractions.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Cluj-Napoca:
- Heart of the city
- Best area for sightseeing
- St. Michael’s Church
- Piata Unirii
- National Museum of Art
- Connected by tram and buses
The Historic Centre of Cluj-Napoca, also known as Centru, is an ideal area for travelers to stay while visiting this Romanian city. Centru is home to numerous attractions and landmarks, including the statue of Matthias Corvinus, St. Michael’s Church in Piata Unirii, the National Museum of Art, and the Franciscan Monastery.
Piata Unirii serves as the heart of the city and is the site of significant landmarks and events. The medieval St. Michael’s Church stands tall here, while the adjacent square hosts cultural events throughout the year. The museum-filled streets in this central district are teeming with history. Strada Iuliu Maniu, known as the “mirror street,” showcases unique 19th-century architecture.
Cluj’s city center is home to the National Museum of Art and the Transylvania Museum of History. Additionally, this area offers a mix of terraces, bars, and clubs.
A wide selection of accommodations is available in this area.
Getting around Cluj-Napoca from the Old Town is made easy by an extensive network of transportation options. The city’s main tram line connects Centru with other parts of Cluj-Napoca, such as the central station. In addition to trams, electric trolleybus lines and buses serve this area.
Best Hotels in Cluj-Napoca Old Town
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cluj – City Plaza
Centrally located on a quiet street in Cluj-Napoca close to the main historical landmarks, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cluj offers a fitness area, including a swimming pool with panoramic views and free high-speed WiFi.
The Square Hotel
Well located in the center of Cluj-Napoca, The Square Hotel provides free WiFi throughout the property and a shared lounge. Popular points of interest nearby include Cluj-Napoca Franciscan Church, The Museum Square, and the National Museum of Transylvanian History.
Hotel Belvedere
Set on Cetatuia (Fortress) Hill, overlooking Cluj-Napoca, this property offers free access to the sauna, gym, and indoor pool. Hotel Belvedere also provides free WiFi and free private parking.
Hotel Transilvania
Benefiting from a central position on the oldest street of Cluj-Napoca, the historical Hotel Transilvania offers cozy rooms with free WiFi.
Guest House 1568
A 2-minute walk from Banffy Palace, Guest House 1568 features 3-star accommodations in the Cluj Napoca City Centre. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, full-day security, and private check-in and check-out, along with free Wifi.
Rex Nest
Rex Nest is located in Cluj-Napoca and features air-conditioned accommodations with a balcony. The property is 300 yards from the city center and a 3-minute walk from the Transylvanian Museum of Ethnography.
Kollege Hostel
Located in Cluj-Napoca, Kollege Hostel provides air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The property is close to several well-known attractions.
2. Cluj-Napoca Railway Station
Best-connected area to stay in Cluj
With train connections to Bucharest and the rest of Transylvania, the Cluj-Napoca Railway Station area is great for travelers touring the region.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Cluj-Napoca:
- Relatively central
- Great transport connections
- Budget and midrange hotels
The Cluj-Napoca train station (Gara Cluj-Napoca) serves as an important railway junction in the northwest region of Romania and is situated two kilometers north of Piata Unirii, on the northern shore of Somesul Mic. This station handles approximately 100 passenger trains daily, including national services operated by Caile Ferate Române.
Cluj-Napoca station connects with several cities, providing services to Budapest (Hungary) and Vienna (Austria). As the most important transportation hub in Transylvania, travelers can enjoy direct connections to cities like Sighisoara, Brasov, Targu Mures, and Sibiu.
The area surrounding Gara Cluj-Napoca offers some of the most affordable accommodation options in this Romanian city.
Gara Cluj-Napoca is well-connected by public transit lines, including trams, buses, and taxis.
Best Hotels near Gara Cluj-Napoca
Villa-Hotel Escala
Villa-Hotel Escala is close to the historic center of Cluj-Napoca. It offers homey, decorated, air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi internet access.
Hotel Seven
Hotel Seven is centrally located in a tranquil residential zone in Cluj-Napoca, near the train station and within easy access to the tourist spots and major attractions. WiFi is free of charge throughout the property.
Pensiunea Junior
Located in Cluj-Napoca, Pensiunea Junior welcomes guests with an on-site snack bar. Free WiFi is featured throughout the property, and free private parking is available on-site.
3. Zorilor
Modern university district in Cluj-Napoca
Zorilor is one of the best areas to stay in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Cluj-Napoca:
- Business hotels
- Astronomical Observatory
- University area
- Shopping centers
- Botanical gardens
Zorilor is situated a few kilometers south of the city center. The area is known for its eclectic mix of large building complexes, single-family homes with landscaped gardens, and green spaces. Its location near the university area lends it a lively atmosphere.
A noteworthy attraction in Zorilor is the Babes-Bolyai University Astronomical Observatory, which offers stunning views of Cluj. Additionally, the neighborhood is bordered by the picturesque Botanical Garden, Hasdeu Campus, Manastur Cemetery, Jewish Cemetery, and Buna Ziua neighborhood.
As part of the university area of Cluj, Zorilor boasts a lively nightlife scene. Renowned hotels, shopping centers, and nightclubs can be found within its vicinity. The neighborhood also encompasses the modern Sigma complex comprising the Sigma Shopping Centre and the Sigma Business Centre.
Best Hotels in Zorilor, Cluj-Napoca
Hotel Meridian
Located in the center of Cluj Napoca, with easy access to the main landmarks of the city, Hotel Meridian features air-conditioned accommodations and a restaurant with international cuisine.
Lol et Lola Hotel
Located in a quiet and green courtyard in the center of Cluj-Napoca, Lol et Lola Hotel offers rooms with different designs, an electric vehicle charging station, and free WiFi.
Vila Siago
Located in Clui-Napoca’s historic center, Siago Hotel offers air-conditioned accommodations with a plasma TV and free Wi-Fi.
Pension Verona Centru
Pension Verona Centru enjoys peaceful surroundings next to the Alexandru Bogza Botanical Garden and is a 5-minute walk from downtown Cluj Napoca.
4. Gheorgheni & Intre Lacuri
A modern area to stay in Cluj-Napoca
The Gheorgheni and Între Lacuri districts offer shopping, dining, and leisure facilities.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Cluj-Napoca:
- Relatively central
- Iulius Mall
- Connected by bus
Gheorgheni and Între Lacuri are located southeast of Cluj-Napoca. They’re known for their contrasting architectural styles and green areas.
Între Lacuri is one of the oldest and most refined neighborhoods in Cluj-Napoca. Its name translates to “between lakes,” and it is characterized by charming low houses with gardens and elegant mansions that have been transformed into cafés and terraces.
In contrast to Între Lacuri, Gheorgheni is a product of the communist era, mostly built during the 1960s under Ceausescu’s regime. This district features multi-story concrete buildings surrounded by vast green spaces, showcasing the architectural ideals of its time. Despite its utilitarian design, Gheorgheni maintains a lively atmosphere.
The convergence of both areas can be found around Iulius Mall, one of Romania’s largest shopping centers with over 250 stores.
The eastern districts of Gheorgheni and Între Lacuri are mainly accessible via bus. Hotels in this area range from budget-friendly options to mid-range and boutique accommodations, providing different choices without mentioning specific names.
Best Hotels around Iulius Mall, Cluj-Napoca
Univers T Hotel
Completely refurbished in 2020, the Univers T Hotel is located on Gheorgheni Lake. It offers free internet access and free access to a fitness center. All stylish rooms at the Univers T Hotel feature air-conditioning and a flat-screen cable TV.
Residence iL Lago
Located in Cluj-Napoca, Residence iL Lago offers free WiFi. All units have a flat-screen TV. Some units feature a terrace and/or balcony with lake or city views.
Ares ApartHotel
Ares ApartHotel features a fitness room and air-conditioned accommodations in Cluj-Napoca, a 19-minute walk from EXPO Transilvania.
