Coffee, art and history . . . the Romanian city of Timisoara has it all for the perfect break
WORDS: DANIELLA THEIS IMAGES: PHIL WILKINSON, ALAMY, MERCURE, SHUTTERSTOCK
When travelling, it is worth venturing off the beaten track sometimes – and a weekend spent in Romania’s southwestern city of Timisoara was a perfect reminder of that.
After a three-hour flight leaving London on a cold Friday morning, and a quick 20-minute journey from the airport, the taxi dropped us off at our accommodation, the beautiful Mercure Hotel Timisoara. We didn’t linger there long, though, and instead went out exploring.
The city was named the European Capital of Culture this year – and it did not take long to see why.
The historic town centre was less than a 20-minute walk away from our hotel, and the second I stepped on the cobbled streets along Piata Unirii (Union Square), I instantly understood why some people refer to Timisoara as “Little Vienna”.
Many buildings resemble the Austrian city, but this should not distract from what makes Timisoara unique. The city’s charm, best taken in through walking, was what made it magical.
I was blown away by the public art displays – one being a sea of umbrellas, dubbed “Instagram Alley” by residents. It was also fascinating to learn about the city’s cultural and historical significance.Timisoara’s streets were lit up by electric street lighting 1884 – a first for mainland Europe.
Before dinner at the hotel’s adjacent restaurant, we stopped to try the Romanian aperitif pálinka. A strong fruit brandy, the shots certainly warmed us up after being outside for most of the day!
Day two started at the beautiful Orthodox Cathedral. The grand building towers over the city centre. Its gold-cloaked interior is even more impressive than its exterior, and absolutely worth the visit. The church is generally open to visitors – just ensure you don’t disturb those attending worship.
In the afternoon, we rode the tram around the city’s boundaries. We passed by the place where people cut the tram lines during the Romanian revolution, and through the city’s many green areas and parks.
Our evening ended with wine tasting, followed by dinner.
Enjoying the perfect panoramic view at the Sky Bar restaurant, with the illuminated Orthodox Cathedral in the distance, I did have a bit of a heavy heart at the thought of leaving the next day.
