Weekend Adventure: The Best of Craiova, Romania

Discover the charm of Craiova, Romania.

03 May 2023

Craiova, Romania is a charming and beautiful city known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture. As a tourist, you can explore the city's many museums, galleries, and theaters, as well as its lively markets, cafés, and restaurants. In addition, you can also take a day trip to nearby attractions such as the stunning Danube River, which offers spectacular views and ample opportunities for outdoor activities.

Save and get deals

Travel plan

Getting latest place information

Day 1

Culture, Food and Fun

Check into Hotel Articus, a cozy, modern hotel in the city center.
Start your day with a coffee and a croissant at Coffee Desk, a trendy cafe.
Stroll through Nicolae Romanescu Park, home to a zoo and botanical garden.
Visit the magnificent Craiova Art Museum, showcasing artifacts from the Paleolithic era to contemporary art.
Savor traditional Romanian dishes like sarmale and mici at Casa cu Terasa, a charming restaurant.
End your day by enjoying a cold beer at the popular "Grădina cu Bere" terrace.

Day 2

History and Architecture

Venture to the historic city center and admire the stunning architectural landmarks such as Mihai Viteazul Square and Oltenia Museum.
Learn about the city's history and view ancient artifacts at the Romanescu Park Museum.
Take a guided tour of Craiova’s unique City Hall, which includes an underground bunker from the Cold War era.
Have lunch at the historic Hotel Plaza Restaurant, where you can enjoy a traditional Romanian soup and main dish.
Visit the impressive Constantin Mihail Palace, now home to the Dolj County Museum.
End the evening with a cocktail at V Lounge & Bar, set in an elegant and chic atmosphere.

Day 3

Discovering Local Markets

Wake up early and head to the open-air market Complexul En Gros, where you can find fresh produce and traditional Romanian snacks.
Next, visit the traditional, indoor market, Piata Mare, for more unique, local products.
Stop by the "Magazinul de cafea si chicosenii" coffee shop and specialty store for some souvenirs.
Have lunch at the trendy restaurant Spoon, which offers a modern and unique take on Romanian cuisine.
Take a relaxing walk along the Jiu River and admire the scenic views.
End your trip at the stylish Montecarlo Lounge, where you can enjoy a cocktail and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of Craiova's nightlife scene.

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Craiova, Romania by plane is to fly into Craiova International Airport, which is located approximately 6 kilometers from the city center. There are several airlines that offer flights to Craiova from major European cities such as London, Rome, and Paris.

Car

Driving to Craiova is straightforward and there are several major highways that lead to the city, including the A1/E81 from Bucharest and the A6 from Pitesti. The journey from Bucharest to Craiova takes approximately 3 hours by car.

Train

While there are no direct train routes to Craiova from other European cities, it is possible to take a train to Bucharest and then transfer to a train headed to Craiova. The journey from Bucharest to Craiova takes approximately 4 hours and there are several departures per day from the Gara de Nord train station in Bucharest and the Craiova train station.

Boat

Unfortunately, there are no boat routes to Craiova as it is not located near any major bodies of water.

Bus

There are numerous bus companies that operate routes to Craiova from other cities in Romania as well as from neighboring countries such as Bulgaria and Serbia. The main bus station in Craiova is Autogara Craiova, which is located in the city center.