Timișoara
Understand
Get in
By plane
Timișoara Traian Vuia International AirportRomania's third-largest airport, 10 km away from the city center. There are regular flights from/to numerous major European and domestic destinations: Bucharest (TAROM), Munich (Lufthansa), Barcelona, Bergamo, Dortmund, Forli, London Luton, Madrid, Paris Beauvais, Rome Fiumincio, Treviso and Valencia (WizzAir), Cluj and Iași (Blue Air - late 2016), Berlin, London, Milan, Bucharest, Brussels, Frankfurt and Dusseldorf (RyanAir -as of Sept 2016). Express Bus line 4 links the airport with downtown Timișoara (fare: 2.5 lei, tickets available at the parking ticket pay desk inside the terminal); car hire is also available.
By train
The main railway station is , located on Strada Gării 2, west of the city centre. There are direct trains daily from Budapest (a 5-hour trip) and Vienna (8 hours). There are numerous trains from Bucharest and most major towns in Romania. From Sibiu, for example, it is about 8 hours (73.50 lei, Sep 2018).
Direct trains from Belgrade have been discontinued but it is still possible to travel, with a simple change in the border town of Vršac. (The bus connection over the Serbia-Romania border does not run on public holidays, so check your calendar!)
By car
Belgrade (Serbia) is 150 km away (a 3-hour drive).Budapest (Hungary) is 286 km away (a 3-hour drive).
By bus
The bus terminal lies 500 m to the west of the Gara de Nord railway station. Tickets are purchased directly from the driver, but there are timetables and an information desk inside the small hut by the entrance.Every day there is a bus from Vršac, just over the border with Serbia, ~2 hours. From Vršac there are many buses further into Serbia.
AutogennAutogenn minibuses leave every 90 min from Oradea via Arad. They arrive in the carpark next to the Medlife clinic on Boulevard Gen. Ion Dragalina, the main road going south from Gara de Nord. (40 lei, 3hr 15min)
It is also easy to share a taxi in the direction of the border (Cenad), leaving at Calea Torontalului.
Get around
You could walk most places in central Timisoara, but there is a good transportation service including trolleys, trams and buses. The majority of buses and trolleys are new. The trams are old German models, but the travel conditions are quite decent. A major problem in Romanian public transportation is respecting a schedule. Timisoara makes no exception. Some of the tram and bus stations have digital panels which list the waiting times, but they're not always accurate.
There are two types of tickets, one for the three express lines (buses) and one for the rest of the buses, trams and trolleys. The prices for one ticket are around 3 lei and 1.5 lei respectively, and you can find them at press stands in almost every station. You can also buy passes for a day, a week, two weeks or a month, on one, two or all lines.
In Timisoara there is no shortage of taxis. You can reach about any point in Timisoara by paying a fee of 15-50 lei. Don't negotiate with the driver and insist for the meter to be turned on. If you don't want to overpay avoid private taxis and call for a local taxi company (Tudo, Radio, Timisoara, Autogenn, Fan or Prompt). The taxis licensed by the City Hall have a distinctive oval black sticker on the backseat doors, while the pricier, probably scam taxis have a sign on the top of the car which only says 'Taxi' and doesn't mention the name of the taxi company. These taxis are twice as expensive, but they are also legal. If you see a taxi driver approaching and asking you for a ride, reject it, and search for a local company taxi.
If you want to rent a car there are plenty of car rental companies. They offer good priced services and all types of vehicles.
Getting around the city is also possible by bicycle, and during rush hours with fair weather is far better than getting stuck in heavy traffic. There are also dedicated cycle lanes in some parts of the city (starting from the city center). However, be mindful of potholes popping up every now and then and be extra-cautious when sharing the road with cars, as some drivers tend to utterly disrespect anyone traveling on two wheels (be it a bicycle or a motorcycle).
See
Parks
Timisoara is known in Romania as the City of Parks.
Botanical Park
Rose Park
Central Park
Children's Park
ZooIt's a small zoo, but your children will love it.
Squares
Victory SquareIt's the symbol of the Romanian revolution. Here you can find the Metropolitan Orthodox Cathedral, the Opera House, the City Hall, the Philharmonic, the Museum of Banat and beautiful palaces built at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.
Union SquareWith its beautiful palaces and all the coffee houses it is the old city's center. Here you find St. George's Cathedral (The Catholic Dome), The Baroque Palace (now a beautiful art gallery), The Serbian Church and other important buildings.
Liberty SquareA small square with old buildings. Here you can find the old City Hall and the beautiful St. Nepomuk's Statue.
Traian SquareThis is also a part of the old city, but is more quite like a separated neighbourhood, often called Fabric, due to his old factories around that used to run from old times. The buildings are beautiful, but be careful. Try not to visit the area at night and always keep an eye on your valuables. Nearby you can find Timișoreana brewery and Stefano Restaurant.
Maria SquarePlace where the anti-communist revolution started in 1989. Here you can also find an incredible statue of St. Mary and the Cathedral of the Reformed Church.
Places of worship
The Orthodox Cathedral
St. George's Cathedral
Serbian Orthodox Cathedral
Millenium ChurchBuilt in neo-romanesque style between 1896 and 1901.
Iosefin Synagogue
Fabric Synagogue
Citadel Synagogue
Notable buildings and structures
Maria Theresia BastionPart of Timisoara's old defensive walls. The Bastion is near Piata Unirii; it has been renovated.
Huniade CastleThe oldest monument of Timișoara, built between 1443 and 1447. It houses the Museum of Banat.
Decebal BridgeThe largest span bridge built on concrete beams in 1909 Europe, it became a case study in the field for its innovation.
Museums
Banat Village MuseumHere you can discover the Romanian tradition and traditional houses from different ethnic groups found in Romania.
Art MuseumAmong the permanent exhibitions, here you can see the largest collection of Corneliu Baba paintings.
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phone: +40 256 294 936address: Oituz 2BA great museum to visit to better understand what happened in the short seven days during which Romania overthrew its communist government in 1989. A 30-min video with English subtitles explains the events. Only some of the exhibits have English explanations. The thematic guided tours are available in Romanian, English, German, French, Italian, Hungarian and Serbian languages.
Military Museum
Communist Consumer MuseumThis "museum" is a collection of household items from the communist piled in several rooms in the basement of a funky cafe. Turn the lights on, and off when you leave.
Galleries
Galeria CalinaContemporary art space.
Calpe Gallery
Do
The National Theatre
Sala 2This former stable was turned into a modern performance space by the National Theatre team.
Centre Culturel FrançaisThe French and Francophile communities of Timisoara frequent the local CCF which organizes exhibits, concerts, and various events.
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phone: +40 724 282453address: Circumvalatiunii StreetExplore the city of Timisoara with a bike. There are some special bike lanes in Timisoara but they are part of the sidewalk most of the time. Overall biking in Timisoara is not that easy so be prepared to share you bike path with pedestrians and parked cars. Often there is no bike lane and you have to cycle on the main road. You should also choose the bike tours of Timisoara and Revolution from 1989.
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The German National Theatre
address: Alba Iulia Street -
The Hungarian National Theatre
address: Alba Iulia Street
Buy
Piaţa VictorieiThe center of the city, with many shops.
Iulius MallOne of the biggest shopping malls in Eastern Europe. You can find many Romanian and international brands and a Cinema City multiplex there.
Bega Shopping CenterThe first important shopping mall in Timisoara.
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Timisoara Shopping City
address: Calea Sagului 100It has many international retailers.
Flea markets
Piața Aurora
Piața Flavia
Piața Mehala
Eat
Budget
La cucina di GiordanoItalian cuisine in a down to earth environment. Home delivery service is also available.
Fast Food SultanLooks very crappy from the outside, but don't let that scare you away. This is seriously the best kebab/falafel place in town. Everything is fresh and home made. Be prepared to wait for a long time though: the owner is very slow and talks a lot with everybody that walks in.
Godfather PizzeriaRenown for its signature dish, the fold your own Calzone.
NapoleonA good place to eat a pizza or a hamburger.
Pan RusovanWell known for its sandwiches and burgers.
Ready'sA Greek restaurant with big portions.
The Sandwich Factory
TimișoreanaKnown for its barbecue meals and cold local beer.
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phone: +0723231995address: Eugeniu de Savoya 8All fresh ingredients, healthy and delicious food, good wines at decent prices, pasta fresca and big size salads
Mid-range
BioFreshDelicious vegan food.
Casa Bunicii(Grandma's House) Serves really well cooked traditional and local food.
Casa Bunicii 2This popular place opened a second location.
Club XXIWell known for the Romanian cuisine.
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phone: +40 256 395998address: Str. Gloriei, Nr. 5Romania meets Las Vegas! This surreal complex that includes bowling, bars and tennis also has a very good value restaurant with outside terrace. The dishes are enormous and lots of fusion Romanian cuisine on offer at very good prices.
DinarSerbian restaurant.
Drunken RatPub
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Marele Restaurant Chinezesc
address: Simion Bărnuțiu Street Marele Zid Chinezesc
Pasta e BastaWell known for very good Italian food, but is more expensive than Da Toni.
SabresSea food restaurant.
Suppa BarSoup restaurant.
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Tinecz
address: Calea AraduluiVery popular restaurant in Timisoara. StradivariusSerbian cuisine, with a view.
Splurge
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Aquarium
phone: +40 356 170380, +40 728444618, +40 770422716address: Piata 700, City Business CenterArguably the chicest place in the city to eat; dine with a very international business crowd whilst relaxing on an outdoor terrace with views overlooking the entire city. The steak dishes are especially recommended! A main dish and a glass of wine cost on average €12-20. Casa cu FloriInternational cuisine.
Drink
Clubs
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address: Piata UniriiA well known club in the basement of an old building, is notorious for the Thursday Night Party and for being overcrowded.
Club The NoteProbably the second best club in Timisoara. Well known for its cocktails, weekend parties and concerts with famous guests. For a reservation you need to call days in advance.
River DeckThis is Club The Note's summer location, on the bank of the Bega Channel. It's notorious for the weekend parties, but also for the excellent cocktails and the fusion cuisine. If you want to reserve a table for the weekend do it a week in advance, because this is one of the trendiest places in Timisoara.
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phone: +40 734 088075address: Str. Mures nr. 48Girls.
Bars and cafes
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Cuib d'Arte
address: str. Mărășești nr. 14Bar, café, tea house ReciprocCafé
Scârț Loc LejerNicely decorated bar/cafe with comfy couches and free Wi-Fi. The Communist Consumer Museum hosted in their basement is worth visiting too!
La CăpițeBeer garden with good events.
Sleep
Budget
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phone: +40 724 213631address: Str. Petru Sfetca nr.1 (former Vidra)A house and huge garden with lots of common places, a really big and nice equipped kitchen. Free Wi-Fi, lockers in every room and friendly hosts who can help with every question.
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phone: +40 743 438534address: Str. Patriarh Miron Cristea Nr. 3 Ap.1 (formerly Asanesti)Clean, cozy hostel in the centre. One minute walk from main attractions, cafes, restaurants, clubs and parks. Free Wi-Fi, internet, Wii console, fully equipped kitchen, hair dryer, large lockers in the room.
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phone: +40 755 149 849address: str Musicescu no 168The hotel has an accommodation capacity of 60 persons in single rooms, double rooms, triple rooms and suites. Rooms are equipped with TV, telephone and air conditioning, guests will benefit also a high speed wireless internet connection in entire hotel free of charge. The exterior parking and the courtyard parking of the hotel have non-stop video surveillance for your vehicle's safety.
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phone: +40 256-292621address: B-dul EroilorFree Wi-Fi, garden, they speak good English, German, Hungarian, French, German, Italian.
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Directia Taberelor
phone: +40 256 490469address: str. Mihai Eminescu nr. 3Youth budget accommodation, very central.
Mid-range
Hotel 2000It has a swimming pool, but there's no water in it.
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phone: +40 256 407440address: Strada Pestalozzi 1/aModern hotel has 80 well-furnished rooms, a relaxation center and state-of-the-art meeting rooms.
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Hotel Valentina
address: Str. MehadiaFriendly staff. Special rates for various occasions or length of stay.
Splurge
Hotel ContinentalThe best known hotel in Timisoara.
Hotel ElyseeThe only 5-star hotel in Banat. It's located near Timisoara, in Sacalaz.
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phone: +40 256 401080address: str.Independentei 14Shakira stayed here for her concert.
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phone: +40 733 550844address: Str. Avram Imbroane 74Four-star villa close to the Green Forest with apartments and pool, visited by diplomats and officials.