Hidden Gems Places To Visit in Transylvania, Romania

1. 5.0 Wooden Churches of Maramures (99 reviews)
   - visiting Maramureș with our excellent guide, Cornelia Lupsa
   Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
   
   
   My wife and I scheduled a one-day tour with Cornelia and had a wonderful and memorable time. Cornelia is pleasant, sociable, very knowledgeable, and energetic. We spent about 11 hours with her, and visited the Merry Cemetery in Sapanta, the Museum of the Victims of Communism and of the Resistance in Sighet, Elie Wiesel’s childhood home in Sighet, the woodcarving shop of Teodor Barsan in Barsana (he was at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 1999), the wooden church in Ieud, which is a UNESCO monument, a peasant museum in Ieud, traditional water-powered installations in Sarbi, and the wooden church in Budesti, which is also a UNESCO monument. We highly recommend Cornelia for your visit to Maramureș. See more..
   
2. 5.0 Muzeon - Storytelling Jewish History Museum (34 reviews)
   - My Muzeon experience
   Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour History Museums
   
   
   Muzeon is an interactive and innovative Jewish History Museum that tells stories of the Jewish community in Cluj, Romania. At Muzeon you get three audio guides telling three different life stories, recorded in three languages: Romanian, English, and Hungarian, interactive exhibits, and virtual reality. See more..
   
3. 4.5 Teatrul de Stat Oradea (97 reviews)
   - Don’t miss a play while in Oradea
   Architectural Buildings • Theaters
   
   
   The Oradea State Theater is absolutely gorgeous both on the outside and in the inside. If you end up visiting Oradea and you are lucky enough to catch a play in that timeframe, make sure you buy tickets. I bet you won’t regret it! See more..
   
4. 4.5 Stephen's Tower (95 reviews)
   - Just perfect
   Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Observation Decks & Towers
   
   
   I live in Baia Mare and the tower is one of the first memory of an historical monument i ve seen . Since then i ve traveled a lot but the Stephan tower is still one of my favorite place. The tower is like an emblema for the city,sourounded by a park and an outdoor museum recently developed by the historians,an old church and an ortodox church ,filled with old trees and a bell s expo it s just the one place you must see if you are in Baia Mare. See more..
   
5. 4.5 Muzeul Consumatorului Comunist (95 reviews)
   - travelling back in time, really special
   Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums
   
   
   The Communist Consumers Museum is designed as a typical Romanian apartment from that era, with a living room, children's room, kitchen and hallways. It displays on shelves, in closets and drawers most of everything that Romanians could buy before the revolution of 1989, from toys to vinyls, TV and radio sets to bicycles, kitchen attire and much, much more. After traveling through time in the museum, one can also enjoy a nice relaxing time in the upstairs bar: Scart Loc Lejer. See more..
   
6. 4.5 Oradea City Hall (94 reviews)
   - Oradea City Hall and Surroundings.
   Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Government Buildings
   
   
   The City Hall Palace and Tower THE BUILDING IS THE WORK OF ARCHITECT RIMANÓCZY KÁLMÁN JR., WHO IN 1896 WON THE PROJECT CONTEST FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN OF THE CITY HALL. THE SOLEMN INAUGURATION MEETING OF THE LOCAL COUNCIL WAS HELD IN THE NEWLY-BUILT PALACE ON THE 10th OF JANUARY 1904. THE CITY HALL TOWER With a height of about 50 m and 4 main levels, three of which have observation decks, the City Hall Palace Tower is also hosts the clock announcing the exact time in Oradea. The mechanism of the clock, called the "mother clock", strikes every hour and plays Iancu's March. The local watchmaker Mezey Dezső built the mechanism in the early twentieth century, in 1904. The clock survived two world wars, while the roof and wall of the tower survived the two great fires of 1917 and 1944. The watch dial retains even today bullet holes from gunfires shot during the Second World War. The second level was also the observation point of the city firefighter on duty. Fires were announced by ringing a bell, depending on the area where the fire started. In the daytime, a red flag was unfurled in the direction of the fire, while at night an electric projector was used. See more..
   
7. 4.5 City Hall (92 reviews)
   - Lovely at night
   Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   Definitely a must see if you are visiting Arad, especially during the night when it lights up. We visited yesterday and it was very nicely arranged and had a very big Christmas three in front of it. Om the left side you can see a nice light up tunnel which leads to the Christmas fair organized in the "Mihai Eminescu" Park which is also a must see. See more..
   
8. 4.5 Bears' Cave (85 reviews)
   - A unique place
   Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Caverns & Caves
   
   
   Three corridors: the Bear, the Emil Racovita and the Candles corridor takes us to the Candles, the spaghettis, the Emil Racovita and the Bones halls. The 45 minute visit begins with the Bears corridor where were founded several bear (Ursus Spelaeus) bones that haven't lived on Earth for over 100 000 years. The cave is visited annually by 200 000 visitors. See more..
   
9. 4.5 Parcul Etnografic Naţional “Romulus Vuia” (83 reviews)
   - Nice for stroll
   National Parks
   
   
   There is a small fee to get in. It is nice to stroll around and see the different traditional Romanian buildings. It took about an hour to me to visit the whole ground. This place is good to combine with the Hoia forest next to it. It is not a must-do, but good entertainment. See more..
   
10. 4.5 Bruck House (80 reviews)
    - Beautiful
    Points of Interest & Landmarks
    
    
    One of Timisoara's must visit place, definitely you need to make a stop to see it and admire it. On the group floor there is a farmacy with vitage furniture that's worth checking out also. See more..
    
11. 4.5 Lacul cu nufer (78 reviews)
    - Very nice lake
    Spent 2-3 hours Parks
    
    
    Definitely one of the top attractions in Baile Felix, the water lilies and lotus flowers are very beautiful and they also have turtles and fishes in the ponds. Entry is free. One attraction not to be missed while visiting Baile Felix. See more..
    
12. 4.5 Opera Româna House (76 reviews)
    - Cheap opera tickets, great ambience
    Operas
    
    
    We decided to start a 3 day visit by a visit to the opera. The English version of the website gave the essential details and allowed us to book online. We only had to print the tickets at home and bring them. We were sat in B category seats ( wanted A category but had sold out) which had a fantastic view for just 39 lei (£6) each! Make sure you stand on the balcony in the interval, a great view, particularly at night, and the place where Romania declared independence. See more..
    
13. 4.5 Mineralogy Museum (73 reviews)
    - Great museum
    Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums
    
    
    For those who are interested in mineralogy it's a must see. Very interesting collection of minerals from the area. See more..
    
14. 4.5 Densus Church (71 reviews)
    - A great and unique monument
    Religious Sites
    
    
    One of the oldest church from Romania, not so well known worth to take a visit here. The monument is on the list be included on UNESCO heritage. Raised in XIIIth century, this monument is built with stones from the ruins of Ulpia Traiana Sarmisegetusa. Great and valuable mural paintings from 1443 make this church unique. Worth to see it! See more..
    
15. 4.5 The Roman-Catholic Cathedral (70 reviews)
    - Nice church
    Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
    
    
    It's a beautiful catholic church located in the center of Oradea. The grounds are also nice and well kept. Worth stopping by. See more..
    
16. 4.5 The Neolog Synagogue Zion (64 reviews)
    - Short visit
    Wednesday: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites
    
    
    In 1878, the Jewish community builds, on the bank of Crișul Repede river, a monumental synagogue with 1000 places, dominated by a huge central dome. The project was designed by Busch David in a neo-Moorish style and executed by Rimanoczy Kalman (the father). The interior fresco belongs to the Kosice painter Horovitz Mor. The interior and exterior decorations are of Moorish inspiration. See more..
    
17. 4.5 Iulius Park (53 reviews)
    - Relaxing
    Spent 1-2 hours Parks • Gardens
    
    
    The park looks great this time of the year. You can enjoy the beauty of nature as you walk around the lake. Highly recommended for those who want to avoid the noise of the city for awhile. See more..
    
18. 4.5 Cetatea Soimos (49 reviews)
    - Soimos Fortress
    Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
    
    
    High above the river Mures (west of Romania, district: Arad, city called Lipova) on a cliff lies the Fortress of the Hawk; in Romanian it is called "Cetatea Soimos", because "soim" means "hawk". The fortress was already mentioned in the year 1278.Nowadays the proud fortress has become a ruin. You can go there by trian, by car, motorcycle. It is not difficult to arrive there. Many tourists climb up to the fortress, for playtime, for a picknick, for the beautiful overviews, for a dangerous climbing on the walls. Not far away there is a great franciscan monastery called Radna Monastery. From the fortress you can go by walk. Local people are very nice and kind. See more..
    
19. 4.5 St. Anthony of Padua Church (48 reviews)
    - Very beautiful
    Churches & Cathedrals
    
    
    One of the biggest buildings in the centre of Arad, the Catholic Church is probably also the most beautiful building in Arad, with its splendide facade (interesting: on the facade there is a copy of famous Pieta) and tower. The church is also worth a visit inside, because it is as beautiful as the outdoor part. See more..
    
20. 4.5 Parcul Copiilor (41 reviews)
    - nice park ... with playgrounds for kids.
    Playgrounds
    
    
    As the name is saying this park is dedicated for the kids, however for the parents its also a nice place. Several playgrounds for kids, electrical go-carts and several other attractions are available. For the parents it can be a great picnic spot - relaxing in the shade while the kids are playing. Pay attention - no dogs allowed and no bicycles - entrance is free of charge so if you are looking for a stroll or jogging it can be ideal , but no dog walking or bicycling through the park. See more..
    
21. 4.5 Arboretumul Simeria (35 reviews)
    - A lovely walk in a birdsong filled forest
    Nature & Wildlife Areas
    
    
    A big forest filled with multiple varieties of plants, flowers trees, shrubs and bushes. Most of them have little name plaquered so you know what you are looking at. During your walk you are accompanied by the lovely song of different type of birds. Highly recommend this for anyone visiting the area: families, children, no matter who. Not a difficult path and you can choose how much you visit. Possibilities for picnics and all in all a great experience. Especially if you are a plant lover. See more..
    
22. 4.5 Valiug Lake (30 reviews)
    - Beautiful
    Bodies of Water
    
    
    We enjoyed every minute spent at the lake. One can fish, swim or rent a boat...or, as my wife and me did- we walk all around the lake, enjoyed the view and a great picnic. See more..
    
23. 4.5 Cerna Valley (30 reviews)
    - Awesome experience
    Geologic Formations
    
    
    Incredible place near Timisoara, you have so much to see here. Over 33 hiking routes, over 700 caves and several beautiful waterfalls, just take a look at the photos. See more..
    
24. 4.5 Darvas- La Roche House (28 reviews)
    - A must see in Oradea
    Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • Architectural Buildings
    
    
    Darvas-La Roche House, built between 1910 and 1911, adorned with numerous Viennese elements, with essential geometrical shapes, with white stone plate ribs and ceramic corner studs with metallic enamel, giving it a distinctive appearance. Today is the most beautiful Art Nouveau Museum. See more..
    
25. 4.5 Clocota Waterfalls (28 reviews)
    - Very beautiful waterfall !
    Spent < 1 hour Waterfalls
    
    
    A very beautiful waterfall which offers a splendid site, situated close to Geoagiu Bai town centre. The road towards the waterfall is not difficult and the scenery is very relaxing, truly a wonder of nature that deserves to be visited. See more..
    
26. 4.5 Peștera Bolii (28 reviews)
    - Nice cave
    Spent < 1 hour Caverns & Caves
    
    
    Very nice cave, was really surprised to find it, it's pretty large and it only costs 10 lei per person. There are some nice drawings on the cave walls, to assemble some famous drawings from caves in France and Spain, done for a movie shooting. But it also has a nice picture drawn naturally which resembles the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area. See more..
    

What's a Hidden gem?

We call places hidden gems that are new, extremely good, but are not that popular yet - you should check them out. The criteria is to have a rating of 4.5 or more and more than 20 reviews and less than 100 reviews.