Arad

Understand

There is an intact Vauban-style fortress and an interesting old town with a great number of historic buildings. Most of them date from the Habsburg era, ranging from Baroque to Art Nouveau. While some have been renovated, others are left in a state of dilapidation. The city's cultural life is marked by a Philharmonic Orchestra, several theatres and a museum complex. The latter is particularly interesting for history buffs, as it showcases evidence from various eras of human history that have been discovered in this area. The Arad county wine route starts a few kilometer east of the city.

Getting there

By train 1 Arad Central Railway Station (Gara Arad), Piața Gării 8–9 (2 km north of the city centre). The interior is modernised; few facilities within but lots of fast food places, small supermarkets, and a currency exchange just outside on the main boulevard. (updated Jul 2023) There are five direct trains a day to Budapest Keleti, taking 4 hr 30 min, fare 100 lei. (This includes an hour waiting at the border; there's also a one-hour time switch between Romania and Hungary.) The last direct train is at 15:30, but there's a 17:00 indirect route taking six hours. The 01:00 train is a through-service to Vienna. There are only two direct services to Bucharest, both overnight, 11 hr. The best daytime connection is via the midday train to Timișoara. For Transylvania, take the mid-afternoon train running through Deva (3 hr) and Sibiu (6 hr) to Brasov (10 hr). There are two direct trains to Iași (one daytime 14 hr, one overnight 17 hr) via Cluj Napoca. There's one other direct and two indirect services to Cluj Napoca (5-6 hr).

By bus 2 Arad Bus Station (Autogara Transdara - Atlassib), Aurel Vlaicu Bvd (in the Atrium Centre, 200 m west of the railway station and 2 km north of city centre). (updated Jul 2023) Arad is on the main highway E68 between Budapest and Bucharest. There are buses every hour or two to Timisoara (60-90 min); change there for Bucharest. Buses run every 30 min to Budapest, the fastest in only 2 hr. For Transylvania, four or five buses run daily to Deva (3 hr), Sibiu (5 hr) and Brasov (8 hr). There are four buses to Cluj Napoca (4-6 hr).

By plane 3 Arad Airport (ARW IATA) (4 km west of the city). Only an occasional charter flights. (updated Mar 2024) The nearest international airport is Timisoara (Traian Vuia, TSR IATA) 40 km south, with 6 or 7 flights a day to Bucharest, and other European destinations. Budapest (BUD IATA) airport 230 km north-west has more extensive connections.

Getting around

Most sights, eating and accommodation are a short walk from City Hall. Buses and trams run along the main strip here, Bulevard Revolutiei. At its north end this curves west into Calea Aurel Vlaicu, with the bus and railway stations. Taxis and car hire are readily available.

See

1 Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral (Catedrala Ortodoxă "Sfânta Treime"), Bulevardul Revolutiei. Built in 1992-2006, the interior was re-plastered & repainted in 2018, with wooden scaffolding filling the northern part near the iconostasis. The murals at the southern part, by the entrance, look very fresh. (updated Apr 2018) 2 Lutheran Church (Biserica Roșie, "Red church"), Bd. Revoluției 61. Built in 1906 from red bricks (hence the nickname), Gothic Revival style. (updated Oct 2018) 3 Administrative Palace (Palatul Administrativ), Bd. Revoluției 75. Impressive city hall, built in 1876 in Renaissance Revival style. (updated Oct 2018) 4 Neumann Palace (Palatul Neumann), Bd. Revoluției 78/str. Horia (across the city hall). Representative building created for a very rich industrialist in 1891–92, eclectic style. Today it houses a number of shops as well as the private Vasile Goldiș University. The former ballroom was converted into an auditorium for 200 students. (updated Oct 2018)

5 Cultural Palace & Museum (Palatul Cultural & Complexul Muzeal), Piaţa George Enescu 1 (by City Hall). Museum Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. Imposing cultural complex, dating from 1911-13, in an eclectic style mix of neoclassical, Gothic and Renaissance elements. The museum has three divisions: fine arts, natural sciences, and archaeology/history. The philharmonic orchestra (filarmonia) has regular concerts: the box office is in the Ioan Slavici Theatre. 2 lei. (updated Apr 2018) 6 Moise Nicoară National College (Colegiul Național "Moise Nicoară"). Stately school building, built from 1869–1873 with Renaissance and Baroque elements. It was thoroughly refurbished after 2010 and made one of Romania's best equipped schools. (updated Oct 2018) 7 St. Anthony of Padova Church (Biserica Sf. Anton de Padova). Roman Catholic cathedral built in 1904 in neo-Renaissance style. (updated Apr 2018)

8 Ioan Slavici Classical Theatre (Teatrul Clasic „Ioan Slavici”). Elegant neoclassical theatre building, completed in 1874

Do

Just east of the Palace is the Mures river, with a promenade for strolling, and a children's play-park. Football: FC UTA Arad play soccer in Liga 1, the top tier. Their Francisc von Neuman Stadium (capacity 12,700) is 500 m west of the railway station. 1 Mureș Floodplain Natural Park. (updated Jan 2020)

Buy

Try to avoid shopping in the city center—quite expensive. The city has 2 market areas where you can buy fruit and basic foodstuffs, plus some days of the week there are also more affordable markets than in the city center, where prices are similar to any European country, in other words expensive. Arad has several shopping centers on the outskirts of the city, there are A MAKRO that in Romania is called METRO, BILLA, although the city is well supplied, due to its proximity many Romanians go to neighboring Hungary to shop where they are even cheaper, in the towns across the border.

Sleep

Budget Alexander, 175 Calea Radnei (3 km east on Hwy 7 towards Deva), ☏ +40 728 009 656. A little guesthouse with some flowers outside. $32. Arad, 9 Bvd Decebal (corner of Str 1 Dec 1918), ☏ +40 257 280 894. Central, with restaurant, cleaning variable. (updated Feb 2018) Ardealul, 98 Bvd Revoluţiei (on midtown Bvd), ☏ +40 257 280 840. Nice old building, needs a makeover. (updated Feb 2018) Lotus, 8 Str. Nicolae Ştefu (central, off Str Banu Maracine), ☏ +40 723 319 313. Good value for 2-star. €25. (updated Feb 2018) Pensiunea Mioriţa, 127 Calea Radnei (3 km east on Hwy 7 towards Deva), ☏ +40 745 326 254. Small clean place. (updated Feb 2018)

Mid-range Best Western Central Hotel, 8 Str Horia (downtown 2 km from rwy station), ☏ +40 257 256 636. 3-star, reliable chain choice. The building is set back from the street so it's quiet although central. Big comfy rooms, good breakfast. Mezzanine lift so you always need to go half a flight of stairs to get in, same again to get out. €65. (updated Apr 2018) Coandi, 47 Calea Romanilor (just north of river bridge Podul Traian), ☏ +40 257 287 777, [email protected]. 3-star. (updated Feb 2018) Iris, 1 Str. Capitan Ignat, ☏ +40 357 409 682, [email protected]. Central, with adjacent restaurant. (updated Feb 2018) Hotel Darosy, 2C