Cluj-Napoca

Welcome to Photo Romania Festival!

Photo Romania Festival was created in 2010, and since then has brought photography in the spotlight of Romanian cultural life. In just four years it has succeeded to enlist Cluj-Napoca in a worldwide network of high-class photography festivals, and to create the first photography museum in Romania.

Have a pleasant stay in Cluj-Napoca and enjoy our festival!

Romanian language basics:

Romanian is a language similar to Italian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese since it comes from the same Latin roots. Understanding Romanian should be easier for speakers of these languages, but in Cluj-Napoca you can easily find English speakers willing to help you find your way.

Hello: Buna ziua, Servus

Good afternoon: Buna ziua

Good morning: Buna dimineata

Good night: Buna seara

Yes: Da

No: Nu

Ok: Bine

When? Cand?

What is? Ce este?

Where is? Unde este?

Please: Va rog

Excuse me/Sorry: Scuze/Imi pare rau

How much is it? Cat costa?

Thank you: Multumesc

Currency and exchange

The Romanian currency is LEU (plural LEI)

Exchange rates are: 1 EUR – around 4.5 LEI and 1 USD – around 3.2 LEI

You can find the exchange rates for every day here

The exchange offices (CASA DE SCHIMB VALUTAR) offer almost the same rates as banks and usually show their rates on boards outside, on the street. Make sure the exchange office operates with 0% commission fees. An ID card is required for the exchange.

If you have a card you can simply cash money from the ATMs all over the city, near banks and major shops.

Major credit cards like Master Card, Visa, and American Express are accepted in hotels and shops.

Banks

Banca Comerciala Romana:                         10-12, Baritiu St.
Banca Transilvania:                                     36, Eroilor Boulevard           
BRD – Groupe Societe Generale:                  81-83, 21 Decembrie 1918 St.            
ING Bank:                                                   9, Eroilor Boulevard
Volksbank:                                                 18, Regele Ferdinand St.
Raiffeisen Bank:                                          16, Union Square

Public transportation

Cluj-Napoca has an efficient public transportation system, which operates from 5:00 to 23:00 (5:00 to 22:00 on weekends). A two-trip ticket, (valid for buses, trolley buses, and trams) costs 4 LEI and can only be bought from CTP ticket stands in bus stations.

Post office

The main post office is located on 33, Regele Ferdinand St. and it is open from 7:00 to 20:00 on weekdays and from 8:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. The post office is closed on Sundays.

Taxi

It is advised to take a company taxi. You should check if the car belongs to a legitimate taxi company, especially if you are in the airport, railway station, clubs, and restaurants. The average price is 2.25 LEI + a 2.25 LEI starting fee. You should note that the price changes to 2.50 LEI after 22:00.

NAPOCA Taxi:             0040 264 953

DIESEL Taxi:               0040 264 946

PRITAX:                      0040 264 942

NOVA:                         0040 264 949

Shopping:

Iulius Mall: 53-55 Alexandru Vaida Voievod Street; open from 10:00 to 22:00

Polus Center: Floresti, 452-500, Avram Iancu Street; open from 10:00 to 22:00

Hotels:

• Grand Hotel Napoca
• Hotel Capitol
• Hotel Capitolina
• Hotel Central
• Retro Hostel

Best spot in Cluj-Napoca, recommended by Photo Romania Festival

Bars:

Photo Romania Terrace – Central Park Casino Building 

Jaxx – The Rock Garage – 25, Emil Isac St. 

Shto – 6, Memorandumului St. 

Yolka – 21, Union Square 

Londoner – 5, Emil Zola St. 

The Soviet – 2, G. Clemenceanu St. 

Demmers Tea House – 9, Union Square 

Beams – Piezisa St. 

Restaurants:

Corso – Union Square

Marty – 39, Victor Babes St. 

Pig and Pepper – Ion Ratiu St. 

Shanghai – 42, Turzii St. 

Places of interest:

The National Art Museum: 30, Union Square. This is one of the most representative baroque buildings. It is known by locals as “Banffy Palace”.

Saint Michael Church: 16, Union Square. This is one of the most beautiful monuments of the Gothic style in Transylvania, built in the 15th century.

Matei Corvin’s House: 6, Matei Corvin St. This 15th century gothic style house is thought to have been the place where the Hungarian King Matei Corvin was born in 1440.

The Botanical Garden: 42, Republicii St. This is one of the most complex botanical gardens in South-Eastern Europe and was founded in 1920.

The Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania: 21 Memorandumului St. The only ethnographical museum in Romania that unfolded its activity continuously since it was founded, in the 1920s.

The Tailors Tower: Baba Novac St. Southern end. Recently restored historical building. Hosts exhibitions and cultural events. It is one of the few fortification towers that were part of the Old City of Cluj and are still in place.

Romanian National Theatre & Opera House: 24 Stefan cel Mare Square  It is a baroque-rococo building, erected in 1906. 

Hungarian Theatre: 26-28 Emil Isac St. The building hosts the oldest Hungarian theatre company Opera House from 1792.

The Protestant Church: 21 Mihail Kogalniceanu St. Founded by the Hungarian King Matei Corvin, the church was built in Gothic style during the second half of the 15th century. In front of the church you will see one of the most beautiful statues in Cluj.

The Minorits Church: 10, Eroilor Boulevard. The construction of the building started in 1776, with the support of Queen Maria Theresa.

We hope you will have a wonderful time in Cluj-Napoca, the heart of Transylvania.