{"id":32927,"date":"2021-12-20T12:08:35","date_gmt":"2021-12-20T11:08:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/touristear.com\/?p=32927"},"modified":"2023-09-25T09:45:33","modified_gmt":"2023-09-25T07:45:33","slug":"best-things-to-do-timisoara","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/touristear.com\/en\/best-things-to-do-timisoara\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Things to Do in Timisoara"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With its location at the crossroads of Central and Eastern Europe, Timisoara has something for everyone. However, the capital city of western Romania\u2019s Banat region<\/strong> is best known for the Romanian Revolution in 1989<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Romania\u2019s third-largest city is one of the best things to do in Transylvania<\/strong><\/a> if you\u2019re looking to stray from the typical tourist track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the city is rife with history and culture, there are plenty of things to do in Timi\u0219oara for people of all interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check Out: Guided Walking tour of the city<\/a><\/strong>. It’s pretty new, but it’s a good way to get to know Timisoara.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Brief History Of Timisoara<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Ottoman Empire<\/a><\/strong> controlled the city for 160 years, from 1674 to 1718. The Habsburg Empire conquered Timisoara in 1718. Afterward, the city was rebuilt within a citadel long since been demolished. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Historical Centre features monumental areas like the Unirii Square within those former rings of walls. There is also a wide array of Baroque and Austrian Secessionist buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timisoara became Romania\u2019s first city able to rid itself of the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceau\u0219escu<\/strong>. Then, on December 20, 1989, street protests turned into social unrest and a flurry of fighting, and the revolution was born.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Timisoara<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Since the 1989 Revolution, Timi\u0219oara has steadily risen as a major cultural, commercial, and business hub<\/strong>. In fact, it is 2021\u2019s European Capital of Culture<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Numerous wars and ethnic takeovers have marked Timisoara\u2019s history, but today it is a multi-ethnic city infused with acceptance and diversity<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to Romanians, you will also find Hungarians, Roma, Arabs, Germans, and Italians in Timisoara. An increasing number of international students also attend Timisoara\u2019s universities to study medicine and IT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check Out: Sightseeing Tours<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Things To Do In Timisoara<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Explore The Old Town of Timisoara<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since Timi\u0219oara has the layout of a fortified city, the old center is very pedestrian-friendly<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lush parks and the Bega River surround the Old Town, making beautiful, picture-perfect opportunities abundant. Many often call Timi\u0219oara \u2018Little Vienna\u2019<\/em><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Timisoara<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

When you see all the Secessionist buildings in the Old Town, it\u2019s easy to understand why. While they are in varying states of repair, they capture the beauty of a lost era perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Visit Pia\u0163\u0103 Unirii in Timisoara<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who know about Pia\u0163a Unirii in Timi\u0219oara will tell you that it is the most beautiful square in Romania<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beautiful Baroque and Vienna Secession fa\u00e7ades flank an expansive rectangular 18th-century plaza in a spectrum of pastel tones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Catholic and Serbian Orthodox cathedral borders each other on the west and east, the latter capped with a patterned roof from the 18th century.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Bushes<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Grab a table at one of the many terraces to enjoy a coffee or aperitif, people watch and take in your surroundings<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here you can enjoy the history and architecture at monuments such as the Baroque Palace, the Roman Catholic Canonic Houses, and the Orthodox Episcopal Palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Experience Living History At Pia\u0163\u0103 Victoriei<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Romania\u2019s extraordinary transformation from one of Central and Eastern Europe\u2019s most oppressive dictatorships to a flourishing democracy with a growing economy began with the Romanian revolution of 1989. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Timisoara<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Walking through Victoriei Square places you in the heart of the revolt that eventually overthrew Ceau\u0219escu\u2019s regime<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are literally walking in the footsteps of those who shouted \u2018Down with Communism!<\/em>\u2018 for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Visit Timisoara’s Art Museum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Timi\u015foara\u2019s impressive Baroque Palace, the town\u2019s art museum houses a fantastic collection of decorative arts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ormos Zsigmond started the museum, featuring 1,500 works of pottery, glassware, watches, textiles, and furniture<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ceramic items are Meissen tableware, S\u00e8vres porcelain, Zsolnay vases, and maiolica vases made in Urbino and Faenza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glasswork from Transylvania and Banat<\/strong> is part of the collection, which showcases local traditions. In addition, there are always new and exciting exhibits in the temporary exhibitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Visit The Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Timisoara<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This historic Orthodox cathedral is easily one of Timisoara\u2019s must-see religious, historical buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its boldly colored towers, built in a neo-Byzantine architectural style<\/strong>, add a sense of grandeur to the area.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Timisoara<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A lush park surrounds the cathedral, making for the perfect spot to sit and people-watch or take a break from sightseeing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Check Out A Flower Festival At Roses Park<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Timi\u015foara is a city full of color and energy that always seems to be in bloom<\/strong>. As a matter of fact, it\u2019s known as the City of Flowers<\/em><\/strong>; and Roses Park is the main reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are events and festivals here throughout the year, but the park is at its best in summer. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Timisoara,<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Timfloralis<\/em> is the most popular flower festival each year<\/strong>, though there are smaller festivals throughout the season as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another festival worth checking out at Roses Park is the Hearts Folk Festival<\/strong>, one of the most important folklore festivals in all of Europe (annually each July).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Live Through A Bygone Era At The Communist Consumer Museum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most unique museums in the city can provide visitors with a unique glimpse into life in communist Romania<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The museum resembles a small apartment filled with original artifacts from the darkest period in Romanian history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The museum, like a typical apartment, has armoires, drawers, and shelves opening up to let visitors see all kinds of items that were in use in communist Romania. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Room<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Some artifacts include old TVs and radios, bicycles and toys, school supplies, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many visitors enjoy perusing the memorabilia as they are able to learn about a way of life that no longer exists<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, others will remember and recognize items that used to be in their own homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, it\u2019s free<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Visit The Museum Of The 1989 Revolution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Timi\u015foara hosts the most comprehensive collection of information on the Romanian Revolution of 1989, containing valuable material from all over the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Romanian flag with a hole in the center (pictured above) is a symbol of the historic revolution<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the perfect opportunity to refresh your memory about the 1989 anti-communist revolution that began here in Timi\u015foara. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Romanian<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On display are documents, posters, and photographs from those unfortunate times. Following the exhibit, you\u2019re invited to watch a graphic video (not recommended for children) with English subtitles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, the \u2018December 16-22, 1989 Revolution Memorial\u2019 Association is introducing audio, video, and written materials on the bloody events, some of which will be on display for visitors to see. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exhibitions cover life under Ceau\u015fescu as well as the course of Timisoara\u2019s revolution, which ultimately ended the regime<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Experience Rural Life At The Banat Village Museum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than a century old, this open-air museum tells how medieval Saxons lived in Romanian villages<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The village museum offers a unique and fascinating insight into an enlightening period of Romanian history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The completely reconstructed village has streets, houses, and a working farm. In addition to these, the town provides a mill, school, church, and town hall. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Banat<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Some of the farms are owned by national minorities \u2013 Hungarians, Ukrainians, and Slovaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Houses have different architectural styles<\/strong>, including wood, stone, and clay constructions. Thatched roofs and shingled roofs are both common. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, they also feature wooden pillars and verandas with carved designs<\/strong>. Approximately 10,000 objects are on display in the ethnographic museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summer, folk bands perform on the open-air stage next to the National House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Sample An Array Of Banat Cuisine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Timisoara is the capital of the historical region of Banat. It boasts some of the best food in this region, with traditional Romanian fare low in fuss and high in flavor<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of its highlights include M\u00e2ncare de brozbe<\/em> cooked with rutabaga, as well as Ciolan cu varz\u0103<\/em> and Pulp\u0103 de porc la tav\u0103<\/em>, which can all be found in restaurants in the old part of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Timisoara<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Travel Insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do not forget to take out travel insurance if you are going to travel to Romania. Hopefully, you don’t need to use it, but it is better to be prepared for any eventuality or emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my case, I have Mondo’s annual insurance<\/a><\/strong>, with worldwide medical assistance with a coverage of $ 10,000,000. Also, you can use our link to get a 5% discount<\/a><\/strong> on Hey Mondo Insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing travel insurance will depend mainly on the duration and coverage of the insurance. It is best to inform yourself well to choose the best insurance available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want, you can review our guide on how to choose travel insurance<\/strong><\/a>, where you will find comparisons, opinions, and discounts.<\/p>\n\n\n