COUNTRY: ROMANIA
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE: TWIN CITIES OF APULUM

The city of Alba Iulia, with its historical significance and impressive surroundings, is one of the most attractive destinations in Romania. The trails of the past are visible at every step, through ancient Roman remains, spectacular medieval citadel, beautiful cathedrals and remarkable exhibits in the National Museum of Unification. The spirit of Roman era is also present through the annual Roman Apulum festival. Lovers of nature shouldn’t miss nearby Trascau Valley, with the uniquely shaped Sekler’s Stone Mountain and the village of Rimetea (tentative list of UNESCO).

toilet
Yes
dostupnost
Yes
Info center
Yes
Guiding
Yes
parking
Yes
Restaurant
Yes
Ticket buying
No
Best time to visit
All Year

About Destination

The city of Alba Iulia is one of the most important urban centers of Romania, a place of monumental historical significance, associated with the Great Union of 1918 and the coronation of the first monarchs, King Ferdinand I and Queen Mary.

Its ancient medieval center, situated in the middle of the urban city, the Alba Carolina fortress, encloses between its walls several centuries old attractions steeped in history. This spectacular fortress is the largest citadel in Romania. Do not miss a visit to the Coronation Cathedral, Saint Michael’s Cathedral, as well as the National Union Museum of Alba Iulia.

The museum is actually comprised of three buildings: the “Babylon” building, the Union Hall and the Museikon (a modern museum of old books and religious icons). The spirit of ancient Rome is present at every step through the archeological remains, replicas, as well as the Roman festival, which is held once a year.

Around the citadel there is the urban part of the city that offers green parks, accommodation, restaurants, shopping centers and additional facilities. For lovers of nature and recreation in the city there is a beautiful green area with a great view over the city. We suggest you to explore it by foot or by bike, which you can rent in the city or in the hotel.

We also recommend that you visit Trascau Valley, which is bounded by 2 mountains and just 50 km from Alba Iulia. One of the main attractions of this valley is the unique shape of Sekler’s Stone mountain and the village of Rimetea, which is on the tentative list of UNESCO

Where to sleep and eat

Hotel Transilvania****

If you are a fan of comfortable and modern hotels then Hotel Transilvania is the right choice for you. This hotel has a history of 40 years and in 2013 it was renovated to create a modern space and, thus, became the best hotel in the city and the region. The hotel has extremely comfortable and well equipped rooms, including those that feature king-size beds, carefully chosen for a peaceful night’s sleep. The furniture, high quality accessories and high-tech additions perfectly combine sophistication, space and cutting edge technology. With a capacity of 80 seats, and with state-of-the-art facilities and a modern decor, the Apulum conference room is the perfect setting for organizing corporate or private events. In the restaurant, where a very tasty breakfast is served, you can order from the range of dishes of Mediterranean and international cuisine. A special attraction of the restaurant is the exhibition of porcelain plates on the wall, presenting the history of the Alba Carolina fortress, which is located near the hotel.

Hotel Cetate Imparatul Romanilor***

Located near the Alba Carolina Fortress, the Cetate Imparatul Romanilor Hotel offers you a historic stay. The first thing you will notice as you enter this hotel is the stylishly furnished hotel lobby .

Guests have at their disposal single, double or apartment rooms that offer a comfortable space in a calm and relaxing atmosphere. Some of them are equipped with antique style furniture. Free WI-FI, and free and secure parking are just some of the facilities provided to guests.

With a capacity of 200 seats and a modular structure, the restaurant can host any type of event. Be sure to try the chicken or beef soup, which are served with sour cream, or any of the variety of pork dishes that are on the hotel’s extensive menu. The hotel has a fully equipped conference space where business meetings, seminars and conferences can be organized.

Czech In La Vizitiu Restaurant

If you are a lover of beer and delicious food then we recommend the beer hall/ restaurant Czech In La Vizitiu, located within the Alba Carolina Fortress, the main tourist attraction of the city of Alba Iulia. The beer hall and restaurant are divided into two parts, the exterior as a terrace overlooking the walls of Alba Carolina and the interior, which has several rooms.

The first room with a capacity of 40 seats is an introduction to the story of the place and is suitable for social events, especially for beer lovers who have at their disposal 6 – 7 draft beers. The second part, with 60 seats, is intended for lunch, especially specialties such as cream of beer soup, rabbit confit served with a sour cherry sauce and potatoes, mixed meat from the grill and, for dessert, Shomloi. A separate section for smaller groups of 20 people is located in the third section.

The entire interior is decorated to resemble a small brewery, with interesting exhibits related to the production and dispensing of this very popular drink. You will practically feel like you are in a small beer museum with a great selection of food and drinks, as well as the professional service.

Telna Winery

For all lovers of wine and tradition, only 15 kilometers from Alba Iulia is the Telna Winery. The history of the place is closely intertwined with that of the wines of the Alba region, the roots are deep and it is marked by exceptional events, especially from Roman times when small communities grew grape vines. In 1784, the cellar of the winery was excavated 20-25 meters below the hill that guards the mansion, today it is unique in the region. Having the shape of the letter “U”, it is not less than 150 meters long and 6 wide. Next to the cellar there is a tasting area where you can try wines made out of 3 grape sorts Ottonel Muscat, Fetească Regală, Sauvignon Blanc, all made from handpicked grapes.

HOW TO REACH ROMANIA

Alba Iulia does not have a local airport. The closest airports are located in: Sibiu (SBZ) – www.sibiuairport.ro (70km) miles southeast; Cluj Napoca (CLJ) – www.airportcluj.ro (100km) miles north; Targu Mures (TGM) – www.targumuresairport.ro (120km) miles northeast

Alba Iulia Bus Station address: Str. Iasilor 94. Daily domestic bus service from/to Bucharest and Timisoara

From Bucharest to Alba Iulia E81 (358km) or from Belgrade to Timisoara E70 (151km), then to Sarmizegetusa A1 (234km), then to Alba Iulia A1 (83km)

TOURIST INFO

Address: Aleea Capistrano 28

Tel: +40 371 337 148