Bihor County

A journey in a beautiful area centered around Oradea

Daniel Onea, 30.01.2020, 14:28

Today we travel to the northwest of Romania, to Bihor County. Starting in Oradea, historic cosmopolitan city, built around a fortification, we would like to present to you some rural destinations.

Oradea is an old city, with surprising architecture. It lies only 13 km away from the border with Hungary, at a relatively equal distance from Vienna, Prague, and Bucharest. This city with narrow medieval streets is the perfect romantic destination. The buildings here, which do not aim to impress by size or opulence, have always been recognized for their beauty. The predominant style is Art Nouveau, according to our guide, Adrian Dubere, coordinator of the National Center for Tourism Promotion and Information:

“The most important buildings are found in Union Square, such as the Black Eagle Palace, a masterpiece in the Art Nouveau style. In fact, the entire Union Square is full of newly renovated historic buildings, such as the Greek Catholic Palace, the Mayors Palace, but the most important one is Black Eagle. In Union Square, close to this palace, we have the Moon Church. It has a system that displays the phases of the moon. Actually, at some point Oradea was meridian zero. Even the maps made for Columbus had their point of reference as Oradea. The maps were made by a great scholar of his time. Then, the meridian moved to France, then to Greenwich, where it remains. Moving on in the city, we reach the Fortification of Oradea, which has been renovated and opens its gates to tourists through the museum of the fortification, with plenty of activities there, as well as in the city, making sure that tourists have plenty of opportunities to have a good time.”

In the center of the city you can also find the beautiful buildings of the State Theater and the Philharmonic. On weekend nights, shows are being held here that carry forward the cultural tradition of this old city. Music is universal, while theater plays are staged in both Romanian and Hungarian. On hotter days, beer gardens await you with great offers, according to Adrian Dubere:

“The pedestrian center of Oradea, with its renovated buildings, awaits you with great coffee, traditional ice cream, and traditional foods that showcase the multicultural nature of the area. We have a great range of traditional recipes originating in Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Germany, a veritable invasion of tastes. The most important event is the Easter Fair in April. Local producers will be present, with special areas for kids, made specifically for Easter celebrations. We will also have events built around March 1 and Womens Day.”

If we venture outside Oradea, we come across a famous spa, which should be your first stop when visiting the county of Bihor. Here is Adrian Dubere, with the National Center for Tourism Promotion and Information:

“The first place I would recommend is Baile Felix, with its excellent curative waters. You can find things to do no matter what age you are. After taking a relaxing bath, we can go to Padurea Craiului, an oasis of tranquility. There, tradition blends with nature, and is perfect for family outings. If you are a trekker, Vartop Vacation Village is a great destination, and for skiers we have the Piatra Graitoare slope. We have great B&Bs, with something fo reveryone. If you are a wine connoisseur, you should head for Valea Ierului, with its rich vineyards. If your interest lies in old traditions, such as the bugle violin or traditional furniture, you should head to Beius Country. Craftsmen there keep these traditions alive, and you can watch them at work. Your next stop should be the Cris Gorges, where they have master potters. Now we are in winter, but if you visit in spring or summer, the Apuseni Nature Park is a great destination. The Piatra Craiului reserve also has awesome trails, including great bike trails. It is the perfect place for the entire family.”

Bihor County is the ideal destination for people who want to witness a true multi-ethnic display. The communities of Hungarians, Germans, Italians, or Slovakians live side by side in harmony, presenting to tourists pieces of history along with customs and traditions, with events being held annually in all the towns and villages they inhabit. Here is Adrian Dubere once again:

“All the tourists who visit our National Center for Tourism Promotion and Information can get information on lodging and transportation. They can also get a tourist guide for Bihor County, as well as a map. Tourists can get visual cues in order to be able to travel wherever they want, to the wooden churches, to nature reserves, to Vartop Vacation Village, to Padurea Craiului, as well as the city of Oradea. In addition to fliers, you can also get a list of all economic agents involved in tourism. We can also put you in touch with licensed tourist guides who can take you wherever you wish to go. You are eagerly awaited to Bihor County or Oradea, with plenty of destinations with historical and cultural significance, and great landscapes and great food.”