Tourist attractions in Bihor

Today we invite you to join us on a trip to Bihor County in western Romania.

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Daniel Onea, 10.05.2018, 13:20

Bihor County is home to the
beautiful town of Oradea, known for its many heritage buildings, as well as to
one of the best-known spa resorts in the country, Baile Felix. Also in Bihor,
those who are passionate about Spelelology and mountain climbing can feel at
home in the Apuseni Mountains. Equally important is the fact that the county
hosts on a regular basis events reflecting the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural
character of the region.

The head of the Bihor National
Tourist Promotion and Information Center Adrian Dubere told us why both
Romanian and foreign tourists should choose Bihor county as a tourist
destination.

Adrian Dubere: They will definitely be impressed with the many tourist
attractions in Oradea, in particular the Union Square, which has been recently
refurbished, surrounded by many heritage buildings. One of them is ‘Vulturul
Negru’ (Black Eagle) Palace, emblematic for the Art Nouveau style. One landmark
is the Moon Church, which is equipped with a still functioning one-hundred
years old mechanism, which indicates the phases of the moon. Going down the
road, towards the Sion Synagogue, which has been refurbished too, one reaches
the citadel of Oradea, with its moat, museum and lots of elements
characteristic of the medieval style and art. Tourists will be very much
impressed with the many events that are hosted by Oradea: the Medieval
Festival, the Harvest Days, the European Music Open Festival. We have also
turned the Street Food Festival into tradition. In the center of the town,
around the main squares and monuments, there are lots of pubs and cafes,
particularly enjoyed by the young people, as well as clubs for them to party at
night. And also for the young people we
have lots of festivals, such as TIFF and Next, which have become famous already.

The center of Oradea is also home to the
beautiful buildings of the State Theatre and the Philharmonics. The two
buildings play host every weekend to various events, concerts, shows and
performances in both Rumanian and Hungarian. Adrian Dubere, the head of the
Bihor National Tourist Promotion and Information Center says we should also
visit the two spa resorts that are not far from Oradea.

Adrian Dubere: Not far from Oradea, one can reach, by car, taxi or bus the
‘Baile Felix’ spa, where there are treatment centers catering for all tastes
and pockets. The other resort worth visiting is ‘1 Mai’, which also has
treatment centers and aqua parks. Our spas are quite famous. There are many
events organized in this spas, to entertain both children and adults, so that
tourists are never bored.

Mr. Adrian Dubere also has
recommendations for those who are interested in an active vacation.

Adrian Dubere: ‘There are several options for these tourists. For instance, we
have the Beftia cave, located approximately 2.3 km from 1 Mai Spa. We also have
the beautiful wild areas of Padis, in Piatra Craiului massif, where nature is
impressive, with its many caves, Via Ferrata and the trekking routes of various
degrees of difficulty, fit for all ages.
For those interested in spending a quiet vacation, the holiday village
of Vartop would be the perfect place, as there tourist can enjoy tranquility
and various sports, both in summer and in winter. For instance, they can do
mountain biking, trekking, and climbing. Also, families can find here the right
places to taste the local, traditional cuisine. So, the offer is rich and able
to cater for all tastes.

Fortunately, as Adrian Dubere told us,
there are still places in Bihor country where traditional craftspeople can be
seen at work.

Adrian Dubere: In Vadul Crisului there are craftspeople who can be seen while
working, potters in particular. There will be a pottery center set up in that
area soon and tourists will be able to try this craft for themselves. Then, the
Beius area is representative for the craft of making dowry chests and there are
some craftspeople left who can demonstrate how such a chest is made. We also
have the famous horn violin, which is specific to the area. So, you can watch a
craftsman making this type of violin too. Also, one should not miss the Pie
Festival. There are other customs and traditions that we are trying to revive
through various events.

If you get to Oradea,
don’t forget that any holiday can start from the Tourist Information Center.
Here is the head of the center Adrian Dubere once more.

Adrian Dubere: The center is open every
day, Monday to Sunday, from 9 am to 5 pm, and is located in the center, near
the ‘Regina Maria’ Theatre. Our tourist information and promotion center
provides information about tourist attractions, accommodation, means of
transport, and guides that can help them discover the attractions in Oradea and
the surroundings. We have guides specializing in culture and religion. So, we
can provide tourists with all the information they need, from flights to and
from the Oradea International Airport to tourist information brochures and
other materials. We’ve welcomed many tourists at our center, many coming from
as far as Australia and Korea. We’ve also had tourists from Poland, the Czech
Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands. There are also
many people flying here from England, Spain and Italy, and we have got an
extremely positive feedback from them. They all have been very much impressed
with our culture, traditions, architecture and rich history. Also, it is a well
known fact that Transylvanian cuisine is extremely rich and diverse.

So, if you are
planning your holidays, Bihor County is the right place to enjoy cultural
diversity, history, spa treatment, breathtaking landscapes and so much more.