Craiova is the capital of Doji Country, established in central Oltenia in proximity to the eastern bank of the Jiu river. It is the 6th largest city of Romania and a political center, situated at nearly the same distance from the Danube river and the Southern Carpathians. The city has scores of important landmarks that attracts many tourists from all over the world. There are also many historical and cultural sites in the city, which make it a popular hub for tourists. There are endless things to do near Craiova and in Craiova to keep the traveler in you intrigued!
Best Time To Visit Craiova
Although Craiova can be visited throughout the year due to the favorable climate, the best time to visit is from mid of May till the end of September. The tourist crowd remains high during the start of September.
It is also the most significant city of Oltenia since the main commercial points and trading center are located here. The trading center was built in spite of a natural disaster in 1790, a plague in the year 1795 and Turkish assault in the year 1802, during which it was ruined because of fire.
This guide will walk you through some of the best things to do in Craiova.
10 Things To Do In Craiova
There is an unending list of things to do in Craiova Romania, some of which are selectively picked by us as per the popularity among travelers.
1. Nicolae Romanescu Park – Take A Stroll
Nicolae Romanescu Park is a national park in Craiova. It was formed between 1901 and 1903 by Edouard Redont who was an architect from France. It is also considered as the third largest natural park in Europe. It spreads over a sprawling area of about 23 acres, including the lake which covers nearly 10 acres of space.
The park houses many sites such as the Charmed Castle located on a hilltop, an old suspension bridge built between 1901 and 1902, Glorieta or the Belvedere dome situated at the entrance of the park, the Craiova Hippodrome which is used for athletics competitions and one of the oldest zoological parks in Romania.
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2. Craiova Art Museum – Catch A Glimpse Of Famous Artwork
Craiova Art Museum was established in 1954. It is a historical site as listed by the Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs, Romania. Being the main art gallery in Craiova, it is also the prime destination among tourists. The most visited attraction here is the art section made in honor of Constantin Brancusi which showcases the best of his works, including six early sculptures. The museum also displays a variety of paintings by master painters like Theodor Pallady, Vasile Popescu and Stefan Luchian etc.
Besides, the museum is located in the Constantin Mihail Palace, erected in 1907 based on the architecture plan by Paul Gottereau. The place was a property of the wealthiest families in Romania that includes names like Michael Constantine, president Ignacy Moscicki and Josip Broz Tito who was a Yugoslav leader. Some of the works that add charm to the palace include Lyon silk walls, Venetian mirrors, gilded stucco, and Carrara marble staircase.
3. Visit The Cathedral Of Saint Demetrius
The Cathedral of Saint Demetrius is located in the historic land of Oltenia. This Romanian Orthodox cathedral is built on the site where once a church existed in the 1490s, which was renovated in the year 1651 after having been demolished in 1889. In the same year, the construction of the new church started, which was completed in 1933. The old church held high importance in the city’s political and defensive affairs, as does the new one.
Timings: 10 am to 4 pm ( Monday to Friday)
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4. Explore Natural History At The Museum Of Oltenia
Museum of Oltenia is a multidisciplinary museum founded in 1928. It is housed in an old girls school that dates back to 1905. It has a section of natural history which was founded in 1923 and the archaeological section formed in 1915. It had been declared as one of the historical sites by the Romanian Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs. It houses various kinds of artifacts based out of donations made in the year 1908.
The ethnography section from the 15th century is located in the building on Matei Basarab street, which is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The natural history section is situated on Popa Street while the archaeology section is built in the Madona Dudu Street.
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm.
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5. Visit The Lush Craiova Botanical Garden
Craiova Botanical Garden is situated in the heart of the city that spreads over the large area. It is a science-based organization meant to preserve different kinds of plants collected from different regions in the country. These collected specimens are used by the University of Craiova students to study the subject.
The garden is used as a local park by the locals and tourist spot by the visitors. The well maintained and the lush green blanket of grass provides a great atmosphere to be enjoyed by anyone.
6. Relish A Scrumptious Meal At Epoca Steak House
Epoca Steak House is a paradise for all beef lovers. The beef here is cooked in front of you in an open kitchen. This fusion restaurant is highly recommended if you are in a mood to relax your senses by listening to sweet music while enjoying scrumptious food complemented with wine. It is the favorite restaurant among both locals and travelers due to the high-quality standards that they maintain. The selectively curated menu will end up putting one into a dilemma on selection to be made as everything in there promise to tingle those taste buds. Anything that is served here is prepared under the supervision of famous Swiss chef Jakob Hausmann with the perfect balance of herbs, spices, and sauces.
Timings: 11 am to midnight
Location: Alexandru Macedonski 51 street.
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7. Get Dazzled At National Theatre Marin Sorescu Craiova
National Theatre Marin Sorescu Craiova was founded in 1850 and inaugurated in 1973. It is a public theatre institution raised and funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Identity. The theatre was made in honor of Marin Sorescu, who was known as the man of culture and a great writer. The design of the building was given by Alexandru Lotzu, who was the famous architect of that time. The performances usually take place in the Romanian language, but sometimes the venue caters the performers from the other countries. Apart from visiting some of these renowned places in the city, there are many other things to do in Craiova Romania.
8. Go On Shopping At Prefecture Square Craiova
Prefecture Square Craiova is the city center and meeting point of the Craiova. It is an excellent resort for shopping, food, and entertainment etc. This city square is full of life and a perfect spot to enjoy during any time of the day. Many like to gather here during the evening hours due to various live events and concerts taking place on regular occasions. The best part about the site is that almost everything is at a stone throw distance. The location is also a good choice for kids and families due to the number of activities taking place.
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9. Visit The Colorful Craiova Musical Fountain
Craiova Musical Fountain is situated at the center point of the city in Prefecture Square. It makes for a great place to sit back and relax after a day full of sightseeing and other activities. Pleasant music and light effects accompany the decorative fountain. In addition to rejoice the vigor of the dancing fountains, one can choose to take a stroll around the promenade. The most appealing part of the place is the musical fountain setting, which adds charm to those lovely evenings to be enjoyed even more!
10. Visit Casa Baniei – An Architectural Wonder
Casa Baniei is the oldest historical landmark of the city which is known as the must-visit Ethnography Museum today. The beautifully constructed and well-organized museum spreads over two floors that accommodate the collection of wooden carved objects, craft tools, and equipment, costumes, textile and glass work etc. The place is highly advised for those who are traveling with kids as the site conducts a folk art workshop at free of cost.
The museum can be visited with or without a tour guide.
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm.
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With umpteen number of things to do near Craiova, the city is an excellent destination for any sort of traveler. Thus, we come to the end of our round-up of top 10 things to do in Craiova. So, when you plan your trip to this beautiful city, do not forget to bookmark this guide. If you can’t wait to see these places, contact TravelTriangle and get awesome discounts for a memorable vacation in Europe!
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