17 Outstanding Things to do in Oradea, Romania

In this article, you will find all the best things to do in Oradea (Romania) – a hidden gem of Central Europe – as well as practical information about visiting Oradea that will help you plan your trip to this amazing city.

---

Oradea is one of my favorite places to visit in Romania. Not only does the city, known as the Art Nouveau capital, boast stunning architecture that resembles a fairy tale, but it also has a vibrant yet laid-back atmosphere, which makes Oradea such a lovely place to explore. I honestly can’t recommend visiting Oradea enough, and I’m always surprised how few people know about this outstanding city.

So far, I’ve been to Oradea three times, and with each visit, I fell for this place more and more. It’s amazing how, over the years, the city has changed. Historical buildings have been renovated to their former glory, and the multicultural vibe is still very much present. Oradea has an undeniable charm that is difficult to resist. Even though I know Oradea fairly well by now, I’m sure I will return there again, that’s how amazing this place is.

Located right at the border with Hungary, you can easily visit Oradea from both within Romania and abroad. There are trains and buses connecting the city with numerous destinations in the region, and there is also a local airport you can fly to.

If you are looking for a wonderful city break destination that is still undiscovered, Oradea is your answer. Since this is one of the largest cities in Romania, there are plenty of various Oradea attractions and activities to suit every taste. You can spend one full day exploring the place and enjoying all the great things to do in Oradea, but even with more time there, you will not be bored.

Here’s your Oradea travel guide!

Things to do in Oradea, Romania

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

Wander along the pedestrian Calea Republicii

The main pedestrian street in the center of the city, Calea Republicii, is where you should start your Oradea sightseeing. The street is lined with stunning Art Nouveau houses and palaces, as well as numerous cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating, making it such a pleasant place to stroll along.

Calea Republicii has been one of the most important streets in Oradea since the late 19th century, which is why you will find some of the most impressive palaces here, such as the Moskovits Palace, Rimanóczy Palace, and Apollo Palace, to name a few. Still today, this is a favorite place for locals and tourists to hang out, with a vibrant atmosphere and beautiful architecture around.

Fall in love with Art Nouveau architecture

Oradea is known as the capital of Art Nouveau architecture, and it’s no wonder, as the city has over a hundred buildings in this style, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Recently, many of them have undergone renovations and are now more beautiful than ever.

If you are not familiar with this style of architecture, Oradea is a great place to learn more about it. The buildings are colorful, with distinctive soft curves and rich details, such as floral motifs or stained-glass windows. Admiring them all is like a living textbook of Art Nouveau architecture.

You will find spectacular buildings in this style all over central Oradea. Some of the best ones are located along Calea Republicii, the Black Eagle Palace, and close to the theater. They are all so impressive, it’s impossible to miss them.

Visit beautiful synagogues

In the past, Oradea had a large Jewish community. Still today, there are a few synagogues, three of which you can visit during your trip to Oradea: Zion Neolog Synagogue, Orthodox Synagogue, and Aachvas Rein Rein Synagogue. They date back to the late 19th century and are all beautifully restored to their former glory.

Inside, in addition to the impressive interior, you can also learn more about the history of the local Jewish community. The Zion Neolog Synagogue is also frequently used for various cultural events.

Explore Black Eagle Passage

Probably the most jaw-dropping Art Nouveau building in the city and the unofficial symbol of Oradea is the Black Eagle Passage, located at Union Square and named after the flying eagle that can be seen on the stained-glass window at the entrance.

Built in 1908, the building is rich in decor, and its funky design can impress everyone. In the past, the place used to house a hotel, two cinemas, ballrooms, a casino, cafes, shops, and a bank.

While the place is stunning from the outside, you can also explore it inside. Inside the Y-shaped passage, with entrances on three sides, you will find a few restaurants and bars, open until late at night. When wandering around the place, pay attention to all the details around and look up to see the impressive glass ceiling, too.

If you are looking for even more restaurants and cafes, the pedestrian Strada Vasile Alecsandri that runs next to the Black Eagle Passage is full of them.

Visit the fortress

One of the witnesses to the long history of Oradea is the local fortress, which is among the few bastion forts in Romania. It dates back to the 11th century, but its major reconstruction, where five bastions were built, took place in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

The Oradea fortress has a distinctive pentagonal shape, with the main gate leading into it. Inside, you can find sixteen buildings; in the past, they were home to the local garrison.

Today, some of them serve as cultural institutions, including the Oradea City Museum. The landmark is also used for numerous events, fairs, and festivals. While visiting the fortress, be sure to take a walk around the surrounding park, a lovely green space in the city.

Visit the Baroque Complex

Near the train station in Oradea, you will find the so-called Baroque complex, one of the largest sites of that kind in Southeast Europe. Its main point is the grand palace, built in the 18th century as a copy of the Belvedere in Vienna.

What makes it even more special and impressive is the number of windows in the building – there are exactly 365 of them, located in a hundred rooms. Be sure to visit the palace inside as well, as its stunning Baroque interior will definitely impress you.

Next to the palace, there is the Roman-Catholic Cathedral. It might not look very exciting from the outside, but inside you will also find a beautiful Baroque decor. The entire complex is surrounded by a well-kept park in the English style, which is a pleasant place.

Even if the Baroque complex is located a bit away from the center of Oradea (approximately a 20-minute walk), it’s definitely worth taking a slight detour when exploring the city.

Admire the diverse architecture at Union Square

One of the most important places in Oradea is Union Square (Piața Unirii), also known as the Small Square. It was built in the 18th century, when the “New Town” of Oradea was created. This is such a wonderful, peaceful place that looks like the real-life version of the architecture textbook.

Buildings surrounding the square were designed in various styles, and you can find examples of Baroque, Classicist, Eclectic, Historian, Secessionist, Romantic, and Neo-Romanian architecture here. Right in the middle of the square, you can see the statue of King Ferdinand of Romania.

See the Moon Church

One of the significant buildings you can find at the Union Square is the so-called Moon Church (“Dormition of the Mother of God” Cathedral) from the late 18th century. What makes it special is the mechanism placed on the church’s tower. The globe may appear somewhat random at first, but its colors (half-golden, half-black) show the lunar phases.

The interior of the Moon Church is also worth visiting, as it is an excellent example of an Orthodox temple, featuring an interior rich in decor and beautiful paintings.

See the city from above

Another important building at Union Square, which catches the eye immediately, is City Hall. Its grand building, built in the early 20th century, was designed in the eclectic style.

One of its biggest attractions is the tower that you can climb to admire a beautiful panorama of Oradea and its surroundings. There are three different levels that serve as viewpoints; the highest one is almost 50 meters above the ground (access to this one is limited to only five people at the same time).

Along the way to the top, you can admire the clock mechanism from 1904 that plays the song “Iancu’s March” on the hour. The entrance to the tower is located at Str. Tudor Vladimirescu, a short walk along the river from Union Square.

Visit Țării Crișurilor Museum

One of the greatest museums in Oradea is Țării Crișurilor Museum, located a short walk away from the center. Home to over 450,000 artifacts, you will find a great collection (one of the largest in Romania) of archaeological, historical, ethnographic, and artistic items there.

This is a great place to learn more about Western Romania, its history, and culture. The exhibitions of Țării Crișurilor Museum are hosted in a beautiful building from the late 19th century, which only adds to the atmosphere and value of the place. While you are there, you can also relax in a lovely park surrounding the museum.

Learn more about Freemasonry

Oradea was the first place where I found a Freemasonry temple open to visitors (not that I was actively looking for one before). Located across the street from the Țării Crișurilor Museum, the small yet peculiar building has been home to the Freemasonry movement since 1902.

Inside, you can learn more about this old organisation (especially its local branch) as well as see the Temple (with all its intriguing symbols), the Reflection Hall, and the Office of the Master of the Lodge. Unfortunately, most of the documents are in Romanian, but it’s not difficult to decipher their meaning. This is such a quirky place to visit, one of my biggest surprises in Oradea.

Admire art nouveau design at Darvas-La Roche House

One of my favorite things about Oradea is the abundance of art nouveau architecture all over the place. But there’s more to this style than just the grand palaces in the center. Hidden in one of the back streets, you can visit the Darvas-La Roche House. It might look a bit inconspicuous from the outside, but this house is one of the hidden gems of Oradea.

Inside, you can see a beautifully restored Art Nouveau house with features and decor that represent this distinctive style. There’s vintage furniture, stained-glass windows, and numerous everyday items—all of them designed with the best Art Nouveau principles in mind. The museum offers a glimpse into the high-society life of the early 20th century and is an excellent addition to the city’s impressive collection of Art Nouveau buildings.

See the State Theatre

Like many cities in the former Habsburg Empire, Oradea also has an impressive theater building, dating back to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The grand State Theater, situated in the heart of the city, was built in the eclectic style.

While it’s stunning from the outside, its interior is even more jaw-dropping. The “Queen Mary” Theater (as that’s another name for the place) has a rich cultural offer, so you can attend one of the events there to see its beauty. You can also visit the place on a random day, as long as there are no special events or activities happening there.

Go on a ride on a vintage tram

A few times per year, you can see a vintage tram on the streets of Oradea, offering rides in the old-fashioned style to locals and tourists. The tram starts at Unity Square and travels around the city, returning to its starting point.

If you happen to see it during your trip to Oradea, don’t hesitate to go on a ride. It costs only a few lei (the tickets can be bought onboard), but this can be a great addition to your overall Oradea experience.

Enjoy green spaces

Oradea has some great green spaces that are perfect for relaxing during your sightseeing. Besides the already mentioned parks near the fortress, Baroque Complex, and Țării Crișurilor Museum, you can also find two nice parks in the center, along the river: the Liberty Park and Urban Central Park. Both are wonderful, relaxing green oases in the heart of the city.

Hike to the Mushroom Hill

Another viewpoint, offering a great panorama of Oradea, is the Mushroom Hill – Dealul Ciuperca. You can reach it on foot (around half an hour from the center) or by car. Besides the viewing platform with a vista of Oradea right in front of you, there is also a restaurant offering a wide variety of food and drinks. The best time to visit Mushroom Hill is around sunset, when the light is soft and the city looks most beautiful.

See modernist architecture

Oradea is more than just stunning art nouveau architecture. If you enjoy modernism (as I do), you will find some of the great buildings in that style in Oradea as well.

Two of the best ones, located right in the center of the city, are at Calea Republicii 18 (the main pedestrian street) and the House of Culture and Syndicates in the Urban Central Park; there is also an interesting building of the shopping center Crisul on the way to the train station.

Visiting Oradea – practical information

How to get to Oradea

With the location right at the Hungarian-Romanian border, reaching Oradea by train or bus isn’t too difficult. There are direct domestic trains from Bucharest (14 hours), Cluj-Napoca (under 4 hours), Timisoara via Arad (4 hours), Brasov (11 hours), or Sibiu (8 hours).

You can also take the international train from Budapest to Oradea, which takes less than 5 hours, but some connections require a change along the way. There’s nothing to worry about, though. Even if the first train is delayed, the following one will wait for passengers. That’s how I traveled to Oradea last time, and despite the train from Budapest being a bit behind schedule, the connection onwards to Oradea was secured.

Oradea also has a small local airport with direct flights to Bucharest, London, and Warsaw.

How to get around Oradea

Most of Oradea attractions are located in the city center, within walking distance from each other. A few places, such as the Baroque Complex and Mushroom Hill, are a bit further away, but still reachable on foot (it’s a maximum of half an hour’s walk). If you need to use public transport, there’s a network of trams that can take you around the city.

How many days for visiting Oradea

You can see all the major Oradea sights in one day, but to get a better feel of the city and enjoy it to the fullest, I recommend staying there a bit longer. This way, not only will you experience all the best things to do in Oradea, but you will also have time to wander around, admire all the Art Nouveau gems properly, or spend some relaxing time in numerous great cafes.

Where to stay in Oradea

Since Oradea is getting more popular among tourists, there are some good accommodation options to choose from. Here are the recommended ones:

• Ivana Hotel (9.5/10)
• Astoria Grand Hotel (8.2/10)
• Caro Boutique Hotel (9.0/10)
• 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.

---

---

For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you:

• Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
• Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions – just click here!
• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Romania too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

---

LIKED IT? PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!

---