As the plane descended over Romania, I peered out of the window in anticipation. I was about to embark on a three-day city break in Timișoara, and I could not wait! This would be my first visit to Romania, and I had no idea what to expect. Would it be as beautiful as everyone said? Or would it be a total disaster? After spending 3 days in Romania, I can say with certainty that it was definitely a trip to remember!
Expectations + A City Break In Romania
I often think about how expectation influences our lives, even though I’m not sure where it comes from. It’s something that has shaped my worldview. Before I arrived in Romania, my expectations weren’t very high. My sources of information had all been extremely negative, and so I assumed that the city would be nothing more than another Eastern European cautionary tale.
Boy, was I wrong! From the moment that I arrived in Timișoara, I was so pleasantly surprised. Romania was nothing like I had imagined; it was stunning, vibrant and full of life! Everywhere you look there are breathtaking views, charming cobblestone streets and friendly locals who are always happy to help.
After arriving in Timișoara, it was easy to see that these expectations had not been misplaced. The cobbled streets wound through the historic center, which glowed with an iridescent warmth under the midday sun. Everywhere we looked there seemed to be something new to discover. From art galleries and cafes hidden away on side streets to grand squares boasting huge cathedrals at the heart of the city. It felt like a place where time stood still; almost as if nothing had changed since it was first built centuries ago.
From the second we arrived, I could tell things were different. The airport was pristine and modern, with plenty of helpful staff to assist us. We hopped in our taxi and began driving through the city – and it was beautiful! The streets were lined with lush greenery and trees,and the old buildings had been perfectly preserved. This wasn’t just another big city; this was a vibrant metropolis buzzing with life!
Exploring Timișoara’s Incredible Attractions
Timisoara isn’t necessarily on most people’s radar when it comes to city breaks, but it should be! From the second we arrived I was captivated by its beauty and charm. We spent the next few days exploring the many attractions that this city has to offer. From unique cafes and restaurants that serve up traditional Romanian dishes, to breathtaking cathedrals and grand squares, there is something for everyone here.
Timisoara, often referred to as Little Vienna because of it’s cultural atmosphere, is apparently home to the theater, museums, and art galleries. However, for the two days that we sojourned we found ourselves in local coffee shops, an empty movie theater, strolling the Piata Victoriei and Piata Libertatii.
Once settled into our hotel, we wasted no time in exploring what Timișoara had to offer. Immediately after stepping outside of our hotel, we fell in love with the city. Everywhere we looked there were stunning views, impressed architecture and friendly locals who readily and eagerly helped us tourists.
We spent our days exploring all that Timișoara had to offer, from its famous sights to its traditional restaurants and bars. We visited the impressive Piata Libertatii square, which is lined with stunning buildings and monuments, as well as the beautiful Metropolitan Cathedral and Stadionul Dan Păltinișanu – a huge football stadium where many of Romania’s top teams play.
The evenings were spent indulging in delicious Romanian cuisine at some of the city’s best restaurants and bars. One of my favorite experiences was consuming as many potato based dishes as possible. Whether it was a traditional Romanian dish such country potatoes or something more modern like french fries, I couldn’t get enough! Romanian’s just do potato the best!
A Magical Night’s Ending
All too soon, our three-day trip came to an end. So we decided to plan our last night with a night out on the town in search of a nightclub. As we began to discuss our plans for the night on a bus in the city, in that very moment as I was about to open my mouth— I saw a sign that pointed to Heaven Studio. I recalled seeing this nightclub in an in-flight magazine. Just as quickly as we picked our destination–we had plans for the night. To that club we would take a taxi late at night.
The taxi picked us up in what felt like pitch black darkness outside and drove us for quite some time on a road that seemed far too quiet and deserted even. With one of my friends quietly panicking in the back seat, I watched as the driver drove us up a narrow road. Eventually, we arrived at Heaven Studio and it was definitely worth the wait.
As we stepped out of the car, I could hear the music loud and clear and see people dancing outside in the patio. We decided to make our way inside only to find a massive crowd that seemed to be getting along just fine! There was an incredible energy in this place – one which made me feel like anything was possible. We had such an amazing time here – laughing, dancing, and having conversations with locals who were full of life and eager to share their stories with us. It may have been our last night in Romania but it ended on a perfect note.
And just as quickly as the night came to an end, out of the darkness back on the narrow road appeared a bejeweled white stallion! This was like something straight out of a medieval movie and I couldn’t believe my eyes! My last night in Romania was truly magical.
Though I was sad to be leaving Romania, I knew that this had been an experience that I would never forget. After spending 3 days in Romania, I can confidently say that it is a place worth visiting!
