In this article, you will find all the best things to do in Timisoara (Romania) – a vibrant and underrated city in Central Europe – as well as practical information about visiting Timisoara that will help you plan your trip to this amazing place.

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When I visited Timisoara for the first time, back in 2015, the city took me by surprise, so much so that it quickly found a solid spot among my favourite destinations. I knew I would return there eventually, and even if it took me more years than I expected, my second trip to Timisoara was equally enjoyable.

The city, still a bit rough around the edges, is full of stunning architecture in various styles (including some of the most beautiful Art Nouveau palaces I’ve ever seen), has a vibrant and multicultural atmosphere, and is a cool place to spend quality and enjoyable time. Timișoara also played a very important role in modern Romanian history, and you can feel its significance when wandering around. In 2023, the city held the title of European Capital of Culture, and you can still enjoy numerous cultural sites and events when visiting the city today.

If you are looking for a beautiful, interesting, and not overcrowded place that is the quintessence of Central Europe, consider Timisoara. You might be enchanted with the place, just like I was.

Here’s your Timisoara travel guide!

Things to do in Timisoara

Below, you will find the best things to do in Timisoara in no particular order.

Visit the Timișoara Orthodox Cathedral

One of the most distinctive buildings in Timisoara is the Orthodox Cathedral, standing tall and proudly at the edge of the Old Town. It is one of the most important places in the city, the seat of the Archbishopric of Timișoara and the Metropolis of Banat.

The Cathedral’s history dates back to the early 20th century, when, after gaining independence from the Habsburg Empire, local authorities attempted to reintroduce Orthodoxy (in Austria-Hungary, Catholicism was the dominant religion). After establishing the Bishopric of Timișoara, it was decided that a new place of worship was needed, hence the decision to build a cathedral.

The construction started in 1936, and ten years later, the new Cathedral was consecrated. The stunning, colorful building features 11 towers; the main one stands at a height of 90.5 m, making it the second-tallest church in Romania. The design of the Cathedral was inspired by the neo-Moldavian style, incorporating elements of Renaissance, Ottoman, and Byzantine architecture.

The interior of the building is as impressive as its exterior and features numerous interesting elements, including the iconostasis, which was carved and gilded in 22-carat gold. Even if you are not a religious person, don’t miss the Timișoara Orthodox Cathedral as it’s a real architectural and artistic beauty.

Marvel at the Victory Square

Across the street from the Cathedral, you will find the Victory Square – the heart of the city, surrounded by impressive palaces from the early 20th century (when the center of Timisoara was redesigned). This place, formerly known as Opera Square until 1990, is the location of the Opera House on one of the square’s edges. This is one of the most important historical sites in the city, as it is where Timisoara was proclaimed the first city to be free of communism in Romania on December 20, 1989.

Besides the Opera House and the Cathedral, you can find other important places and institutions here, including cinemas, art galleries, numerous shops and cafes, and the regional museum. All the major events in Timisoara take place at Victory Square, and the place is bustling with life all year round.

The pedestrian promenade that starts at the Opera House and goes towards the Cathedral on the right is called Corso. This is where the local high society used to go for a walk in the past, to be seen. On the other, left side, is Surogat, which was designated for younger people and workers to spend time at.

When wandering around Victory Square, besides the majestic architecture, you can also see interesting monuments and sculptures (such as the one dedicated to those who lost their lives fighting for independence in 1989, or the replica of the Capitoline Wolf). This is one of the most important places to see in Timisoara.

Walk under the colorful umbrellas

Once you are done exploring Victory Square, continue your sightseeing in Timisoara to Liberty Square. A short walk between the places is one of the most charming ones in the city. The pedestrian Alba Iulia street is full of colorful umbrellas hanging above the sidewalk, creating such a stunning scene.

There are so many of them, covering the whole stretch of the street and giving a much-needed shadow on a sunny day. Of all the umbrella streets I’ve seen around the world, the one in Timisoara is the most beautiful and my personal favorite.

Discover the Liberty Square

Another important square in Timisoara is the Liberty Square. Located in the heart of the Old Town, this is the second-oldest square in the former fortress area, where you can find some of the oldest landmarks of the city: the Garrison Command, the former Chancellery of War, the Old City Hall, and the Military Casino. On the last one, you can still see the original features of the Baroque architecture.

In the middle of Liberty Square, take a look at the St. Mary and St. John of Nepomuk Monument. It was erected in 1756 to commemorate the victims of the Great Plague of 1738 and is a fine example of Baroque architecture from that time.

Fall in love with the Union Square

The oldest and most beautiful square in Timisoara is the Union Square. It is also known as Dome Square, as this is where you can find the St. George Cathedral (Roman Catholic) from the early 19th century.

Union Square is also like the textbook of the Baroque architecture of Timisoara, as you will find some of the most impressive buildings in this style here, including the Serbian Orthodox Episcopal Palace, the fairy-tale-like Brück House, another Plague Column, or the monumental Baroque Palace (home to the Art Museum). The square and surrounding buildings were recently renovated and look more stunning than ever.

Visit the National Museum of Art

While you are at Union Square, you can visit the National Museum of Art, located in the beautiful Baroque Palace (it’s impossible to miss it). The building itself dates back to the mid-18th century, when it was the residence of the local governor and one of the representative places in Timisoara, visited by rulers (such as Franz Joseph), people of culture (like Franz Liszt), and other important figures.

The art museum, as part of the Museum of Banat, was established in Timisoara in 1872, but it found its home in the Baroque Palace only in 1984 and has been an independent institution since 2006. It houses a collection of several thousand artifacts, including works of European and Romanian art, as well as contemporary art.

When planning a visit here, be sure to double-check the opening hours, as the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and on other days, it opens a bit late.

Wander around the Old Town

The Old Town in Timișoara may not be very large, but it’s perfect for wandering around. Most of the streets are pedestrian or have very limited traffic, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely stroll surrounded by beautiful Art Nouveau architecture. This part of the city is the most picturesque, featuring stunning buildings from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Exploring this area is an absolute joy. The Old Town in Timisoara is very well-maintained, with buildings that have been recently renovated. All the small details and tweaks make it even more enjoyable. I bet exploring this part of the city will be among your favorite things to do in Timisoara.

See the remnants of Timisoara Fortress

The area where the Old Town of Timisoara is currently located was a fortress in the past; you can even see its distinctive shape when looking at the map. The first written records of the fortification in this place date back to the 13th century.

After the fortress was taken over by the Habsburgs in 1716, the site underwent major reconstruction, making the place even grander. Eventually, as the city grew and the fortress was no longer needed, the site was demolished at the end of the 19th century, making way for grand palaces to be built in its place.

But a small part of the Timisoara fortress remained – the Theresia Bastion. It was named after the Empress Maria Theresa and built between 1732 and 1734. Today, it is home to restaurants, bars, and commercial spaces. You will also find two exhibitions of the Museum of Banat there. The Theresia Bastion is located only a short walk away from Union Square, so you can easily incorporate it into your Timisoara itinerary.

Visit Timisoara Revolution Memorial

The communist regime in Romania, led by Nicolae Ceaușescu, was probably the cruelest one in the Eastern Bloc. Eventually, in December 1989, the system began to fall apart, and the revolution started in Timisoara before spreading into the rest of the country. These were very impactful but violent days, with over a thousand people deceased in the country, but eventually, communism in Romania collapsed.

If you would like to learn more about the 1989 Revolution in Romania, and especially in Timisoara, there is a memorial center located only a short walk away from the Old Town. The exhibition is well-organized, beginning with the background of Ceaușescu and his cult, and then focusing on the Cold War, the Revolution itself, and how it was presented in both local and international media. There is also a part of the memorial that commemorates the victims.

It’s a rather somber place to visit, but I believe it’s essential to learn more about those events to better understand Romania and its history.

Explore the areas outside of the Old Town

While the majority of Timisoara attractions are located in the Old Town, the neighbourhoods that are a bit further away are equally interesting. It’s worth taking a short tram ride to places like Elisabetin or Fabric and exploring these areas as well. You will find there beautiful Art Nouveau architecture (although not as grand as in the historical center), interesting landmarks, charming parks, and a vibe that is more laid-back than in the heart of the city.

Discover the multicultural past

Timișoara, like most places in the former Habsburg Empire, used to be a multicultural city. Still today, you can find remnants of this diverse past, especially in the local places of worship. There are temples of various religions, including synagogues (the largest and most impressive one is in the Old Town) and churches (Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Greek Catholic). With its location at the crossroads, Timișoara still has a significant Hungarian, German, and Serbian minority living in the city, with numerous cultural institutions reminding us of the rich legacy of the place.

Find interesting modernist buildings

Even if the strongest asset of Timisoara is its Art Nouveau architecture, fans of more modern styles, especially Modernism and Brutalism, will also find some interesting sites here.

Two buildings that are easiest to find (considering they are located within the Old Town) are Hotel Continental (near Civic Park) and the multifunctional building on the corner of Victory Square and the Umbrella Street. But the further from the Old Town you go, the more modernist buildings you will most likely find.

Discover the Botanical Park

Located at the edge of the Old Town, you can visit the Botanical Park. It’s a lovely area which opened in 1986 and is home to 218 species, divided into eight sectors, showing flora from all over the world.

The entrance is free of charge, and it’s a perfect place to discover, especially in the springtime, when all the vegetation begins to bloom. But even if you are not here at the best time, it’s still worth stopping here, especially since it’s such a short walk from the Old Town to the Botanical Park.

Relax in the parks

The Botanical Park is the most interesting of the green spaces in the center of Timișoara, but there are also other nice areas where you can relax in pleasant surroundings. You will find most of the parks along the Bega River, and there is also a nice Civic Park in the Old Town.

Some of the most interesting ones are Anton von Scudier Park (Central Park, across the street from the Cathedral), where you will find the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, and Roses Park, which – as the name indicates – has some well-kept rose gardens.

Enjoy the culinary scene

Timisoara boasts a vibrant culinary scene, with the Old Town teeming with numerous restaurants serving a diverse range of dishes from both local and international cuisine. You will also find many cafes and pubs there, where you can stop for a casual drink.

All these places are packed with people and create a vibrant atmosphere that makes Timisoara so much more likable. But that’s not surprising as the city has a strong culinary and especially drink legacy. Timișoara is where the oldest brewery in Romania was founded (in 1718); the city is also the birthplace of Francesco Illy, who invented the espresso machine.

Visiting Timisoara – practical information

How to get to Timisoara

Timisoara is well-connected with other Romanian cities as well as destinations abroad. You can reach here by direct domestic train from Bucharest, Oradea, or Arad. There are also a few daily international trains to Budapest (5 hours) and beyond to Vienna.

Timisoara also has a local airport with flights to numerous destinations all over Europe and within Romania. A low-cost airline, Wizzair, is present here, making Timisoara an affordable destination for a city break.

The only issue is reaching Timisoara from Serbia – even if the border is only around 70 km away from the city, there are no direct connections.

How to get around Timisoara

Most of Timisoara attractions are located in the Old Town, within an easy walk from each other. Those a bit further away can be reached by public transport; Timisoara has a good network of trams, trolleys, and buses that cover the city.

How many days for visiting Timisoara

You can easily cover all the best things to do in Timisoara within a day. However, I recommend staying there a bit longer to enjoy the place fully. Timisoara is such a charming place, perfect for strolling around the picturesque Old Town, relaxing in one of the many cafes, trying delicious food, and attending cultural events. Being there is a real treat.

Where to stay in Timisoara

Timisoara has become a popular destination among tourists; hence, there are some good accommodation options to choose from. Here are the recommended ones:

• Old Town Hotel (9.1/10)
• Opera Hotel (9.3/10)
• ATLAS Hotel (9.5/10)
• and many more!

Further reading

I published many articles about Romania that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 25 Best Places to Visit in Romania
• 23 Great Things to Do in Bucharest, Romania
• 10 Awesome Places to Visit on Day Trips from Bucharest
• 15 Best Things to Do in Brasov, Romania
• How to Get from Bucharest to Brasov
• Visit Sinaia, Romania – home to the amazing Peles Castle
• 9 Great Things to Do in Cluj-Napoca, the Vibrant City in Romania
• Why you should visit Timisoara, Romania
• and many more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in the Balkans and ask your questions there.

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