Location: Oradea
Top Things to do in Oradea
10 Free Things to do in Oradea That You Shouldn't Miss
The Baroque Palace of Oradea is simply epic. Now a museum, the 18th-century building is home to an outdoor bronze and marble statue park, Transylvanian folk art and a collection of animal remains that includes dinosaur fossils. You could spend days here, but try to make some time for other Oradea attractions, such as the beautiful Art Nouveau buildings of Str. Republicii, the astronomical clock of the Biserica cu Lună, and the Băile Felix thermal spa.
Restaurants in Oradea
1. Moon Church (Biserica cu Luna)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
This name derives from the mechanism installed in the church tower in 1793. The clock and the moon are the work of George Rueppe, an innovative mechanic from Oradea. The mechanism rotating the moon is designed to make a full rotation on its axis in 28 days, thus indicating the moon phases, depending on the daily cycle marked by the clock mechanism. Inside the Moon Church you can visit a representative museum, with particularly beautiful Orthodox church-related objects.
Reviewed By Vladimiramirela - Mississauga, Canada
The rotating moon installed in the church tower in 1793 gives this religious sanctuary its name and reputation. The mechanism is still working, enabling people to admire the diferent phases of the moon from accross the square. The church is also known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and it is a Christian-Orthodox church with intricate interiors.
2. The Roman-Catholic Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By florentinadriang - Arad, Romania
Built in Baroque style, between 1751-1779, the Roman Catholic Cathedral is located on Şirul Canonicilor Street, inside the Park of the Baroque Complex, a space that also houses the Roman Catholic Episcopal Palace. Being in a very good state of preservation, both inside and outside, the building is distinguished by its exterior monumentality and by an intelligent exploitation of the interior space. All those who step on its doorstep and enter it will feel dominated by a deep state of mystical elevation, largely due to the play of light, shadow and color, but also the special effect of the altar. The pipe organ, still functional, was donated by Empress Maria Theresa. Adorable!
3. Black Hawk (Vulturul Negru) Palace Arcade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
This ensemble of buildings is one of the monumental architectural works in Oradea and Transylvania, typical for the secession style. The architects Komor Marcell and Jakab Dezső won the contest for the construction of this complex. Two Jewish lawyers, Dr. Kurlander Ede and Dr. Emil Adorjan, decided to finance, using their own resources, the construction of a noteworthy building in Oradea. The work started in 1907, under the supervision of the civil engineer Sztarill Ferenc, and in December 1908 the building was completed. Consisting of two unequal and asymmetrical buildings, connected to a third one, placed in the middle and more isolated, the complex housed a theatre, ballrooms, a casino and offices. The Y-shaped gallery (passage) has three entrances. The Vittorio Emanuele Gallery in Milan inspired the glass-covered interior. The gallery or the Passage, as the local people know it, concentrates the most popular bars, coffee houses and pubs in the city, being the entertainment high spot of the city.
Reviewed By florentinadriang - Arad, Romania
The whole square is very well renovated, and the Black Eagle is the "jewel in the crown". Too bad a lot of space inside the palace is not rented - the costs are probably too high. Otherwise, everything is wonderful. The decorative elements, in Art-Nouveau style, have been carefully reconditioned, and the three stained glass windows, with the eagle symbol, look impeccable. Recently, a public parking lot was inaugurated on the left side of the "Black Eagle". This area must be visited step by step.
4. The Holy Cross Monastery
5. Ion C. Bratianu Park
6. Ciuperca Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
VIEWPOINT - CIUPERCA HILL ONE VIEW OVER ORADEA! If you spend a few days in the city on Crișul Repede river or you are only passing through, this is the place you should not miss. The Ciuperca Hill is one of the most famous symbols of Oradea, opening a very nice perspective over the city. WALKING TO THE CIUPERCA HILL If you are close to I.C. Brătianu park, cross it on foot and you will find a route to the Ciuperca Hill - the viewpoint of Oradea. The stone path up the hill is surrounded by a beautiful sight of trees and vegetation. You will find a waterfall along the way and if you get tired, you can rest on a bench or in the shade of a pavilion. As you continue uphill, there may be people lying in the grass and painters caught by the landscape. Now you've come to the top and the entire city is at your feet! THE CITY AT DUSK The story of the Ciuperca Hill continues at dusk, as the restaurant on top of it provides an intimate setting to romantic people, combined with refined food and a special view. The city lights in the evening are a fascinating show, but so are the shapes of the main city highlights that start to inhabit the hill, as their well hidden lights are turned on. The outdoor amphitheatre comes to complete the landscape, offering a place for meditation, shows, debates or various cultural events, with 130 seats available. Perfect for a cool summer evening spent with friends over a glass of wine!
7. Catedrala Greco-Catolica Sfantul Nicolae
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Vladimiramirela - Mississauga, Canada
The Greek-Catholic cathedral also known as the Church of Saint Nicholas, located in Unirii Square, was erected in the early 1800s in a well defined, classical Baroque style. The interior Byzantine decoration and paintings are typical for distinguising the Romanian Greek-Catholic rite in the Catholic faith. and spending until 1870. After a second fire distroying most of its roof in 1907, the restoration work included the addition of a sumptuous Baroque pinnacle, still visible today.
8. Centre de Informare Turistica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
9. Columbus Cafe Oradea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
For 15 years in Oradea, the bar inside the ship is always ready to serve you with the most high quality drinks and the retro music is not going to disappoint you at all! Come in Columbus for an authentic experience that no other place in Oradea can offer. From the moment that you enter, you feel like you are aboard an 18th Century Ship and there's always something new to explore.
Reviewed By 411c_t_linam - Oradea, Romania
This pub is apart from the others in the area by atmosphere, it's friendlier and cosier than any other bar in the city centre. The music is retro and their drinks are a good selection of beers and wines, also their spirits are pretty refined. They serve some stuff you can't see on other menus in the city. So if you have a taste for special drinks but like to hang out in a cool place with casual surroundings this is the place you should go to. In weekend nights people also do some dancing here. Besides it's the only place in town with FREE BIKE RENTAL!!!
10. Palace of Greek-Catholic Bishopric
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By florentinadriang - Arad, Romania
If you look at the palace from the side with Iuliu Maniu High School, you can already realize that, after the renovation, this palace will also look impeccable. The front, from Unirii Square, even if it is covered by scaffolding, is largely restored. I look forward to completing the work. I hope that after the renovation the Palace of Greek Catholic Bishopric Palace can be visited inside.
