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Timişoara

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Timişoara [1] is a university city and industrial center in western Romania. It is often described as the most cosmopolitan city in Romania.

Downtown Timisoara
Downtown Timisoara

[edit] Understand

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

The city is served by Romania's third-largest airport, Traian Vuia International Airport [2], located 10km away from the city center. It is the hub of Romania's second-largest airline, Carpatair [3]. There are regular flights from/to numerous major European and domestic destinations:

Express Bus line 4 links the airport with downtown Timisoara (fare: 2.5 RON, tickets available at the parking ticket pay desk inside the terminal); car hire is also available.

[edit] By train

There are direct trains daily from Budapest (a 5 hours trip), Belgrade (4 hours), Vienna (8 hours) and Munich (15 hours) [9]. Naturally, there are also numerous trains to Bucharest and most major towns in Romania [10].

[edit] By car

Belgrade (Serbia) is 150 km away ( a 2 1/2 hour drive).

Budapest (Hungary) is 286 km away ( a 3.5 hour drive).

[edit] By bus

The bus terminal [11] (Autogara) lies two hundred meters to the south of the North Railway Station (Gara de Nord).

  • Every day there is a bus to Vršac, just over the border with Serbia, approx 2 hours, leaving at noon. From Vršac there is a many buses further into Serbia.

It is also easy to share a taxi in the direction of the border (Cenad), leaving at Calea Sagului.

[edit] 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. Unfortunately 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 0.6 and 0.3€ 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 10-20 Lei (about 3-6€). 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 travelling on two wheels (be it a bicycle or a motorcycle).

[edit][add listing] See

Piaţa Unirii
Piaţa Unirii
  • Piaţa Victoriei (Victory Square or Opera Square). It's the symbol of the Romanian revolution. Here you can find The Metropolitan Orthodox Cathedral, The Opera House, The City Hall, The Philharmonic, The Banat Museum and beautiful palaces built at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.  edit
  • Piaţa Unirii (Union Square). With its beautiful palaces and all the coffee houses it is the old city's center. Here you find The Catholic Dome, The Baroque Palace (now a beautiful art gallery), The Serbian Church and other important buildings.  edit
  • Piaţa Libertăţii (Liberty Square). Located between Piata Unirii and Piata Victoriei is a small square with old buildings. Here you can find the old City Hall and the beautiful St. Nepomuk's Statue.  edit
  • The Bastion. Part of Timisoara's old defensive walls. The Bastion is located near Piata Unirii, it has been recently renovated.  edit
  • Parks. Timisoara is known in Romania as the City of Parks. Important parks you can visit are: Botanical Park (near Piata Unirii, it's the most beautiful park in Timisoara), Rose Park (near Piata Victoriei), Central Park (near Piata Victoriei, just behind the Metropolitan Orthodox Cathedral), Children's Park (near the Student Campus) and other.  edit
  • Piaţa Traian (Traian Square). This 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 Timisoreana brewery and the Setup Venue Club.  edit
  • The Village Museum. Located near Padurea Verde (The Green Forest). Here you can discover the Romanian tradition.  edit
  • The Zoo. Located in the same area as The Village Museum, it's a small zoo, but your children will love it.  edit
  • The Museum of the Revolution, Ungureanu 8 (Just west of Unirii square), [12]. A great museum to visit to better understand what happened in the short seven days during which Romania got its independance. free.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

Enjoy nice coffee products in Piata Unirii (Union Square) or Piata Victoriei (Victory Square). Taste the week-end nightlife by dancing all night long at Club The Note or D'Arc, or their summer locations, River Deck or D'Arc terrace on the shores of Bega Channel. Eat a great pizza or pasta at Da Toni, enjoy a nice beer at Bierhaus (you can find around 50 types of beer there), eat tasty Romanian food at Club XXI, don't miss the cocktails at River Deck or Club The Note. If you like shopping, Iulius Mall is the place to visit. Enjoy a nice walk in the Botanical Park. Timisoara is a very cosmopolitan city and if you ask around you can enjoy all kinds of activities.

  • Centre culturel français, Bd Loga, [13]. The French and Francophile communities of Timisoara frequent the local CCF which organizes exhibits, concerts, and various events.  edit
  • Rent a Bike in Timisoara (tBike), Circumvalatiunii Street, ☎ 0724282453, [14]. 24. Explore 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. 25 ron.  edit

[edit] Learn

Universitatea Politehnica Timisoara (Polytechnic University) and Universitatea de Vest Timisoara (West University) are the most important universities in the area.

The Tibiscus University in Timisoara offers 8 specialities and has the only private Design Faculty in Romania.

[edit][add listing] Buy

In Timişoara you can buy everything, from well known brands to Romanian products. The important shops are located in the city center. If you want an authentic adventure visit Piata Aurora or the Brancoveanu shopping area, but be careful and keep a close eye on your valuables. Police won't help you at all.

  • Piaţa Victoriei. The center of the city, with many shops.  edit
  • Iulius Mall, [15]. One of the biggest shopping malls in Eastern Europe. You can find many Romanian and international brands and a Cinema City multiplex there.  edit
  • Bega Shopping Center, (near Hotel Continental). The first important shopping mall in Timisoara.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

If you want to eat in Timisoara, you can find places for every budget. Because Timisoara was and still is a very cosmopolitan city, the local cuisine is influenced by Italian, Serbian, Hungarian, German, Turkish and Arabic cuisine.

[edit] Budget

  • Pan Rusovan, (near Piata Victoriei). Well known for its sandwiches and burgers.  edit
  • Da Toni Pizza, (on Strada Daliei in the university district). Italian cuisine in a down to earth environment. The price for a pizza ranges from 5 to 10 €. Friendly home delivery service is also available.  edit

  • Godfather Pizzeria, (near Piata Victoriei). Renown for its signature dish, the fold your own Calzone.  edit
  • Napoleon, (in the Student Campus). A good place to eat a pizza or a hamburger.  edit
  • Timisoreana, (near the beer factory). Known for its barbecue meals and cold local beer.  edit
  • Ready's, (in the center of the Student Campus). A Greek restaurant with big portions.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

  • D.A.F. Junior, Str. Gloriei, Nr. 5 (in the Eastern suburbs), ☎ 0256/395998, [16]. Romania 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.  edit
  • Club XXI, (in Piata Victoriei). Well known for the Romanian cuisine.  edit
  • Pasta e Basta, (near Piata Unirii). Well known for very good Italian food, but is more expensive than Da Toni.  edit
  • Tinecz, (in Calea Aradului). Very popular restaurant in Timisoara.  edit
  • Sabres. Sea food restaurant.  edit

[edit] Splurge

  • Aquarium, Piata 700, City Business Center (Go into the ground floor of the City Business Center and take lift to 6th floor.), ☎ 0356/170380, 0728444618, 0770422716 (fax: 0356/170380). Arguably 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 €  edit
  • Casa cu Flori, (near Piata Libertatii). International cuisine.  edit
  • Marele Restaurant Chinezesc - Chinese Restaurant, (near Piata Badea Cartan, on Simion Barnutiu Street). Best Asian restaurant in Timisoara. A meal will usually cost you around 10-15 €.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit] Clubs

  • D'Arc Club, Piata Unirii, [17]. A well known club located at the basement of an old building, is notorious for the Thursday Night Party and for being overcrowded. No entrance fee.  edit
  • Club The Note, [18]. Probably the second best club in Timisoara. Well known for it's cocktails, weekend parties and concerts with famous guests. For a reservation you need to call days in advance. Entrance fee around 3€.  edit
  • River Deck, [19]. This 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. Entrance fee around 3€.  edit
  • Taine, Str. George Cosbuc nr.1, [20]. Alternative Music and Rock can be found here.  edit
  • Night Club Shark House, Str. Mures nr. 48, ☎ 0734088075, [21]. Girls.  edit
  • Setup Venue, Str. Pestalozzi nr. 22, [22]. A cross between a concert / music venue and a club, this transformed industrial warehouse space hosts weekly alternative music events from urban electronic and hip hop to alternative, hardcore rock and rockabilly. Popular Dubstep & Drum'n'Bass artists and djs are often guests here.  edit
  • Papillion Cafe, Piata Unirii, [23]. 24/7.  edit
  • Jazz Office, General Traian Doda, no 1 (near the Timis County Court), ☎ 0744888345, [24]. 18-04. Jazz only; closed on Mon; live music - Thu/Fri/Sat; books and culture magazines available for on site reading; free WiFi. Espresso - 6 lei (1.5 EUR), beer - 6 lei (1.5 EUR).  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

  • Freeborn Hostel, Str. Patriarh Miron Cristea Nr. 3 Ap.1 (formerly Asanesti), ☎ +40743438534 (), [25]. Clean, cozy, friendly hostel in the centre of Timisoara. One minute walk from main attractions, cafes, restaurants, clubs and parks. Free WiFi, internet, Wii console, fully equipped kitchen, hair dryer, large lockers in the room. 10€ (shared) or 15€ (private).  edit
  • Hostel Costel, Str. Petru Sfetca nr.1 (former Vidra), ☎ +40724213631 (), [26]. Family like atmosphere, nice kitchen, big garden and friendly (party) people. 11€ (shared) or 15€ (private).  edit
  • Casa Leone, B-dul Eroilor (Southeast of University), ☎ +40(0)256-292621, [28]. Free WIFI, lovely garden, they speak good English, German, Hungarian, French, German, Italian. Double room 35€ with breakfast included.  edit
  • Directia Taberelor, str. Mihai Eminescu nr. 3, ☎ +40(0)256-490469. Youth budget accommodation, very central. 50 RON/night.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

  • Hotel 2000. It has a swimming pool, but there's no water in it.  edit
  • NH Timisoara, Strada Pestalozzi 1/a. 300115 Timisoara, ☎ +40 256 407 440, [29]. Modern hotel has 80 well-furnished rooms, a relaxation center and state-of-the-art meeting rooms. Rooms from 65€.  edit
  • Hotel Valentina, Str. Mehadia, [30]. Friendly staff. Special rates for various occasions or length of stay. 40€.  edit

[edit] Splurge

  • Hotel Continental. The best known hotel in Timisoara.  edit
  • Hotel Elysee. The only 5 star hotel in Banat. It's located near Timisoara, in Sacalaz.  edit
  • Hotel La Residenza, str.Independentei 14, ☎ +40256401080, [31]. Shakira stayed here for her concert.  edit
  • Vila Americana, Str. Avram Imbroane 74 (Green Forest), ☎ +40733550844, [32]. checkin: 14:00; checkout: 12:00. Four-star villa close to the Green Forest with apartments and pool, visited by diplomats and officials. 50. (45°46'31.19N,21°15'47.44E) edit

[edit] Get out

Jimbolia is a small town 40 km west of Timisoara on the border with Serbia. It provides visitors with several interesting cultural and recreational attractions.

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