Best Things to Do in Alba Iulia and Around the City

Alba Iulia is included in many of our tours in Transylvania. 

Alba Iulia or ‘the other capital’ is one of the most interesting travel destinations in Romania. Its wonderful citadel has enough attractions to keep you occupied for a full day. Plus, all of Alba County is a labyrinth of ancient and medieval monuments, caves and mountains, and beautiful villages.

Our guide to the best things to do in Alba Iulia and around the city will help you explore this beautiful land. Save at least three days to cover as many places as possible.

Read also The Best Affordable Hotels in Transylvania

Visit Alba Iulia Citadel

The Citadel is the heart of Alba Iulia, its main and must-see attraction. We recommend one full day if you want to cover the entire citadel and its most famous landmarks: the Baroque gates, the Catholic Cathedral, the Orthodox Cathedral, the Unification Museum, the ancient ruins, and medieval fortifications. Of course, you can’t miss the change of guards that takes place every day, at 12 pm, in front of the third gate.

Alba Iulia Citadel

See a new kind of church

In Alba Iulia, you can see a unique contemporary church in Romania. Its architecture is distinct from any other, bold and outside the box for an Orthodox church. Also known as Noah’s Ark, the monument was inaugurated in 2015, and its daring architecture is a modern interpretation of the most important Orthodox styles. Driving is the best way to get to this church, located in the neighborhood Micesti, on Vidra Street.

Noah’s Ark Church

Enjoy wine tasting

If you enjoy wine tasting, visit the winery from Jidvei, one of the most important in Romania. The tasting takes place in the Renaissance-style Bethlen Castle, also known as Haller Castle. The monument, located 60 km from Alba Iulia, dates from the end of the 16th century but was modified between 1615 and 1624 to resemble the French castle, Chambord.

For more information, check www.jidvei.ro

Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The fortified church from Calnic, part of the UNESCO Heritage Sites of Romania, is one of the main historical monuments of the area. Only a 30 km drive from Alba Iulia, this landmark dates from the second part of the 13th century. Fortified by villagers, who added two rows of walls, a donjon tower, a gate tower, and a defense tower, the site still conserves original fresco fragments in its chapel. A visit here is one of the best things to do in Alba Iulia County.

Read more about the UNESCO Heritage of Romania

Calnic Fortified Church

Take day hikes

If you’re planning a more active getaway, then Alba Iulia is a great starting point. You have several hiking options in the Trascaului Mountains, all you have to do is decide which one or how many itineraries you want to do. A scenic option is Piatra Craivii, a massif with a maximum altitude of 1,083 meters. You have various marked trail options, and on average it should take you around five hours for the complete tour.

Walking to Piatra Secuiului

Another option is Piatra Secuiului, the iconic cliff from Rimetea, a village that looks like an open-air museum. One of the best-known images of the region, Piatra Secuiului is easy to reach from the village. If you’re looking for more intense adventures, cross Rametului Gorges following the blue triangle or blue cross trails. These are difficult routes that involve rock climbing and crossing even waist-deep water.

Read also Trekking in Romania: Get Ready for a Real Adventure

Explore the caves from the Apuseni Mountains

The nearby Apuseni Mountains are the best place in Romania for cave exploration. On a day trip from Alba Iulia, you can visit the famous Scarisoara Cave and see its 4,000-year-old glacier, the largest in Europe. You can reach the cave on foot from the beautiful village Garda de Sus, as well as the cave Ionele.

Scarisoara Cave

Relax in traditional villages

You can also opt for a day of complete relaxation in some of the most beautiful villages in Alba County. Rimetea is maybe the best example, but don’t miss Coltesti, Garda de Sus, Sagagea, Posaga de Sus, or Ramet.

Posaga de Sus

Visit medieval fortresses

On your way to Rimetea, stop in Aiud to visit the medieval fortress located right in the city center. Built by the German colonists in the early 13th century, the fortress still has nine towers, enclosing walls, parapets, bastions, a 15th-century Gothic-style Reformed church, and a Romanesque-style Evangelical Church from the 14th century.

If you’re interested in seeing more ruins, add to your list Coltesti Fortress, the ruins of Teleki Castle from Vioara de Sus, Wesselenyi from Obreja, Bethlen Castle from Sanmiclaus, and the medieval fortress from Garbova.

Read also Bucket List for History Buffs: The Medieval Fortresses of Transylvania

Coltesti Fortress

We hope our list of the best things to do in Alba Iulia and around the city will help plan a great vacation. Just remember to book your accommodation in time as Alba Iulia is a popular destination. Take at least three days to explore the city and its nearby attractions.

To find out more about all the great things you can do in Alba Iulia, check www.visitalbaiulia.com.

You can also download the app ‘Visit Alba Iulia’, available on Google Play and App Store.

Where to stay in Alba Iulia

Book in time your stay in Alba Iulia as this small town has fewer accommodation options than bigger cities from Transylvania. We warmly recommend Pension Marylou. For golf enthusiasts, Theodora Golf Club, a unique venue in Romania, is the perfect choice.