Timisoara is the third largest city in Romania, and it’s one that’s rich in culture, heritage, and history. Although many people who visit Romania base themselves out of Bucharest or Transylvania, taking a drive to the western side of the country is well worth your time too. There are a lot of things to do in Timisoara, both in the old town and throughout the rest of the city. In 2023 it was even named the European Capital of Culture.
In ancient times, Timisoara was once part of the Roman Empire. By the Middle Ages the city had grown into an important and bustling city due to its strategic location at the crossroads of major trade routes. The city eventually came under Ottoman rule in the 16th century before it was absorbed by the Hapsburg Empire over 150 years later. After WWII, Timisoara fell under communist rule but in 1989 it became the starting point of the revolution in Romania.
And that’s just a very small summary of the history of Timisoara! As you can probably guess, Timisoara is a culturally diverse city. There are a lot of interesting things to do in Timisoara for people of all interests, which is why it needs to be in everyone’s Romania itinerary.
Things to do in Timisoara
Piața Unirii
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Timisoara is Piața Unirii (Union Square). Designs for this square were drawn up in the 18th century and it was built to highlight the Baroque aspects of the open space. There are several important buildings to take note of here, including the Timisoara Art Museum located inside a Baroque palace, the Serbian Cathedral, Saint George’s Cathedral, Brück House, and the Serbian Community House. Walking around this historic square is one of the top things to do in Timisoara.
Saint George’s Cathedral
A stand-out feature of Piața Unirii is Saint George’s Cathedral. This Roman Catholic cathedral was built in the 18th century at the request of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles VI. It’s still one of the most important buildings in Timisoara and it’s a beautiful spot to take photos during the day. If the doors are open when you visit, feel free to take a look inside too.
Admire Brück House
On one side of Union Square you’ll find a row of colourful houses that are among the most photographed buildings in the city. The house that’s located farthest to the left is Brück House. It’s a unique 20th century Art Nouveau building and it was built on the site of a pharmacy that stood here in the 19th century.
Over 100 years have passed since it was built, and there’s always been a pharmacy located on the ground floor. If you go inside the pharmacy today, you can still see some of the original furniture from the 19th century version.
Timisoara Art Museum
Sitting directly next to Brück House is the Timisoara Art Museum. It’s located inside the Baroque Palace, which is a stunning 19th century building that was originally lived in by the local governor. Today, visitors can enjoy the museum’s collection of European and Romanian art, as well as several temporary exhibitions.
Look out for the Eyes of Timisoara
Before you leave Union Square, don’t forget to take a look at the rooftops. The Serbian Community House is a great example of where you can see what are known as the Eyes of Sibiu in Timisoara. These eyes come from the Saxon period and are predominantly found in Transylvania. They were originally intended as ventilation windows for attics. Later stories were told about how these eyes are actually spying on people walking along the streets. It’s one of the more unusual things to do in Timisoara but it’s definitely one you should look out for.
Find some unique statues
Timisoara is known for its arts and culture, so it goes without saying that there are plenty of unique statues and art installations dotted around the city. You’ll find a lot of statues in the old town, so it’s very easy to add this activity to your list of things to do in Timisoara. As you make your way further into the newer parts of the city, you’ll find even more modern looking pieces of art to admire.
Liberty Square
A short walk from Union Square will bring you to Liberty Square. It was the centre of medieval Timisoara in Ottoman times, and would have been where the main mosque, the bathhouse, and the bazaar stood. By the 18th century it was used as an assembly point for troops, and it wasn’t until 1848 that it was given its current name. It’s a unique square to walk around and you’ll often find musicians and other artists performing here.
National Romanian Opera House Timisoara
Overlooking Victory Square is the National Romanian Opera House Timisoara, housed within the Palace of Culture. It was established by royal decree in 1946 but the building itself dates back to 1871. The original facade was almost completely destroyed by two separate fires, so only the sides now remain. Seeing a performance here is one of the best things to do in Timisoara if you’re interested in the arts.
Victory Square
Once you’ve explored Union Square and Liberty Square, your next stop should be Victory Square. You can reach this square by using Strada Alba Iulia if you’re already in Liberty Square, which is often decorated in colourful umbrellas.
Victory Square is perhaps the most important square in the city, as it marks the site of the 1989 Revolution. This is also where Timisoara was named the first free city of the communist regime in Romania. It’s a very nice square to walk around, and you’ll find numerous shops and restaurants here, as well as several historic buildings at either end of the square. Walking around Victory Square is one of the top things to do in Timisoara if you’re visiting the city on a budget.
Metropolitan Cathedral
At the far end of Victory Square, sitting opposite the opera house, is the Metropolitan Cathedral. This cathedral was built in the 1930s and it boasts a unique mixture of architectural styles. It’s known for being the religious centre of the Banat Region, and it’s just one of the many free attractions in Timisoara to visit. This is an active place of worship, so if you do decide to go inside please make sure you’re respectful and quiet.
Visit a few more museums in Timisoara
As well as the Timisoara Art Museum, there are several other important museums in Timisoara that you can add to your itinerary. The Museum of the 1989 Revolution is quite interesting and a must-visit if you want to learn more about this period of the city’s history. The Communist Consumer Museum was unfortunately closed during our trip to Timisoara, but it has very positive reviews online.
If you’ve rented a car in Romania, I’d highly recommend driving to the Banat Village Museum. It’s a large open-air museum where you can walk through traditional homes and immerse yourself in village life in the region.
Maria Theresia Bastion
Many people won’t have this on their list of things to do in Timisoara, but Maria Theresia Bastion should be worth considering. It’s the largest part of the former bastion of Timisoara’s fortress remaining. It was completed in 1734 and its original purpose was to act as a storehouse. When the fortress was being destroyed in the 20th century, this section was kept in place since it didn’t hinder the further development of the city.
Take a boat ride along the Bega River
Visiting Timisoara in the summer or autumn is the perfect time to enjoy a relaxing boat ride along the Bega River. If you don’t want to pay for a tour boat ride, you can use the newly established public water boats instead which travel for 7 km along the river. You can find more information about their schedule and stops online.
Walk through Roses Park
Another example of the best free things to do in Timisoara is to walk around Roses Park. We visited in the autumn so there weren’t too many roses left, but in the spring and summer the park is full of vibrant colours. Roses Park sits along the banks of the Bega River too, so the whole area is nice for a casual stroll, away from the busier city centre.
Grab a hot drink from Ovride Specialty Coffee
There are a lot of cafes and coffee shops in Timisoara to choose from. We stopped by Ovride Specialty Coffee which is located between Liberty Square and Victory Square. The drinks here are reasonably priced and they have other options such as matcha lattes and teas as well. The staff here were very nice despite us arriving near their closing time.
Walk through the old town at night
One of the best things to do in Timisoara at night is to stroll through the old town. Many of the streets have lights dangling between the buildings which makes the old town look even more magical when the sun goes down. I’d recommend walking along Strada Vasile Alecsandri and Strada Eugeniu de Savoya which both run parallel with one another. They’re both lined with cafes and restaurants so it’s a good area to grab a bite to eat.
Places to eat in Timisoara
Casa Bunicii Unirii
You can’t visit Timisoara without trying at least one restaurant that serves traditional Romanian food. Casa Bunicii Unirii is located less than a five minute walk from Union Square. The beautiful modern interior of this restaurant in Timisoara is paired with an equally appealing menu. It’s centred around traditional food that you’d find in your grandma’s kitchen, but with a slight modern twist.
You’ll find starters such as Hungarian goulash and cheese croquettes on the menu, and both are excellent choices. I really enjoyed the chicken breast served with dill sauce and mashed potatoes, which I’m told is a known dish from this region. They also have a very nice selection of desserts, including the popular papanasi and some unique variations of other traditional desserts. Casa Bunicii Unirii is one of the best places to eat in Timisoara, so you won’t want to miss it.
WISE
Victory Square is full of places to eat, but if there’s one place you need to try in this area of Timisoara it’s WISE. It has an incredible menu that’s based around Italian food, but you’ll also find dishes from other parts of the world here too. They’re very well known for their cocktails, so I’d recommend ordering one of those to start your meal.
We visited WISE for dinner and noticed a lot of customers eating either pasta or burgers. However, we opted for a different approach and tried the schnitzel and beef fillet with truffle. Both were cooked to perfection, and we could even hear the schnitzel being freshly flattened as soon as the order was sent to the kitchen.
You’ll also want to try one of their desserts before heading back to your hotel. Either the lava cake or the tiramisu are great options. This was one of our favourite dining experiences during our trip to Romania and we’d gladly come back next time we visit Timisoara.
Pastakio
If you want something quick and cheap to eat, you should head over to Pastakio. This small but delicious takeaway restaurant in Timisoara is located just outside of Union Square. Their menu is based around freshly prepared pasta, and you can customize the toppings, sauce, and pasta shape if you want. I’d suggest checking out their website before ordering in person because they often have discounts if you order online and pick up.
Neața Omelette Bistro
One of the most popular places for breakfast in Timisoara is Neața Omelette Bistro. It’s located along Strada Vasile Alecsandri and they have a very large menu with eggs as their main ingredient. We had mixed reviews about this restaurant but overall it’s not a bad spot for a quick breakfast. Do some research beforehand though, because some of the dishes are quite small compared to others of a similar price range.
Where to stay in Timisoara
Elysium Residence
If luxurious and high-tech apartments appeal to you while you’re travelling, there’s no better place to stay in Timisoara than Elysium Residence. The entire apartment is integrated with Alexa, so you can control the lights, curtains, TV, and audio system just by speaking. It’s the only smart-home hotel system apartment of its kind in Timisoara, and it’s located in the middle of Union Square.
The apartment has two suites and they can be closed off from one another for more privacy. In total, you’ll have two bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two living rooms. Each room also has a smart TV attached to the wall. Suite No. 1 even has a large round table in the bedroom so you can easily “work from home”. We also found a PlayStation with a couple of games in one of the drawers that you’re free to hook up to one of the TV’s and use.
Having the use of three bathrooms is great if you’re travelling as a small group. Two of the bathrooms feature a walk-in shower, and the third solely has a toilet and sink. Guests will find Rituals care products in all of the bathrooms, and the entire apartment is equipped with a Sofitel room fragrance system. Fresh slippers are also provided for guests to use as the apartment has a no-shoes policy.
One of my favourite rooms in Elysium Residence is in Suite No. 2. This is where you’ll find a Nespresso coffee bar, luxury teas, and a free minibar that’s stocked with lots of drinks and snacks. All of the rooms in both suites are also equipped with a digital wall display where you can access music and radio stations that play throughout the apartment.
And if all of this hasn’t already impressed you, maybe the view will. Elysium Residence is located in the centre of Union Square, and it includes a balcony where you can sit outside and enjoy the view below. There’s no other view like it in Timisoara and it’s a key feature of this apartment which makes it very popular with visitors throughout the year. You’ll find the apartment inside the yellow building next to Brück House, so it’s incredibly easy to find.
In total, each suite can sleep up to four people, so you can have eight guests staying at one time. The suites are connected through a passage door but they can also be used independently. You’ll pay for the entire apartment though, and access is granted through a pin code on the day of your arrival. Anyone who enjoys staying in luxury accommodation while they travel won’t want to miss this incredible apartment in Timisoara.
>> Find out more about Elysium Residence and its availability <<
Is Timisoara worth visiting?
Timisoara sits very close to both the Hungarian and Serbian borders, in western Romanian. Because of its location, it’s often neglected by visitors who want to base themselves out of Transylvania or Bucharest. We decided to take a three hour detour to visit Timisoara after staying in Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu, before heading back to explore other parts of Transylvania such as Brasov and Sighisoara.
There are a lot of things to do in Timisoara, and it’s a very important city in terms of the history and culture of Romania. It should be visited at least once as there are many unique day trips from Timisoara you can go on too.
If you have any questions about things to do in Timisoara, where to eat in Timisoara, or where to stay in the city, please feel free to reach out. You can get in touch via email or by dropping me a comment below. Remember to give me a follow on Instagram and TikTok too where you can find more helpful travel tips and inspiration about where to explore next.
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