Arad may not be the most popular place to visit in Romania, but it’s definitely worth stopping there, especially when traveling between Timisoara and Oradea or Hungary. It’s a good place to explore for a few hours and enjoy all the best things to do in Arad.
I’ve been there twice, and each time, I was really impressed with Arad attractions and the lack of tourists there. If you’re looking for an underrated yet pleasant and charming city to visit in Romania, Arad might be a good option for you. Here’s a little overview of what to see in Arad and how to plan a trip there.
Where is Arad, Romania
Arad, a city with around 150,000 inhabitants, is situated in the western part of Romania, near the borders with Hungary and Serbia. Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is 580 km away from Arad. Other nearby interesting cities are Timisoara (60 km), Oradea (115 km), and Szeged in Hungary (100 km).
Why visit Arad
The history of Arad dates back to the 5th century BC when the first settlements were established on the banks of the Mures River. Over the years, the city was part of different countries, including the Kingdom of Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and (since 1920) Romania. The multicultural influences are very well reflected in Arad’s grand architecture and attractions. Today, Arad is also an important cultural center of western Romania and a beautiful city to explore.
What to see in Arad
The majority of the most important Arad landmarks are located in the center, along the main avenue, Bulevard Revolutiei, with the Synagogue and House with a locked log on one end and the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral on the other. Since the sights aren’t too far from each other, you can easily walk between them; there is also a tram line running along the main street that you can use.
The rapid development of Arad took place in the second half of the 19th century and the early 1900s; hence, the architecture you can admire in the center is mostly from that period, with some amazing Art Nouveau buildings that are surely impressive.
Start your Arad sightseeing at the end of Bulevard Revolutiei, where you can find the House with a locked log. This is one of the oldest secular buildings in Arad, dating back to 1815 when it was built for a merchant from Vienna. The original brass-coated log is currently placed in the Museum of Art to prevent it from being stolen, but the house itself is a nice landmark in Arad. Across the street from it, there is a neoclassical building of the Synagogue, built in the first half of the 19th century.
A short walk further, you will find a pleasant Avram Iancu square, with the monument to the Unknown Soldier in the middle and the beautiful neoclassical structure of Ioan Slavici Classical Theatre (built in 1874). The square is surrounded by some lovely Art Nouveau townhouses, typical of Austria-Hungary cities (you will find similar buildings all over Central Europe).
On the other side of the theater, along the Bulevard Revolutiei, the building that catches your attention right away is the grand St. Anthony of Padova Church. The neo-Renaissance cathedral from the early 20th century is beautiful both from the outside and inside.
From this point on, the Bulevard Revolutiei is the beautiful, well-maintained main avenue, featuring elegant Art Nouveau and eclectic-style houses and palaces, as well as green space right in the middle. The most impressive building here is the town hall, the architectural masterpiece and probably the most stunning structure in Arad, dating back to 1876 and built in the Renaissance Revival style.
After seeing the Administrative Palace (the town hall), it’s worth taking a bit of a detour from the main avenue. Only a short walk away, you can find another impressive building – the Cultural Palace. This architectural gem, a mix of neoclassical, Gothic, and Renaissance elements, is today home to the local museum. Be sure to visit the building inside, as it’s even more beautiful than its amazing exterior.
On the other side of the Bulevard Revolutiei, across the street from the town hall, you can find some of the best examples of art-nouveau architecture in Arad. The palaces are rich in decoration and, with their grandness, could easily be built in fancier cities in the region (like Budapest). Unfortunately, some of them desperately need renovation, but even in their somehow decayed state, you can see the true beauty.
There are two more important religious sites still along the Bulevard Revolutiei. The first one is the Lutheran Church, also known as the “Red Church” due to the color of the bricks used in its construction. The building was designed in the Gothic Revival style and built in 1906.
The most impressive sacral place in Arad is actually the newest addition to the city’s landmarks. The Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral was completed in 2006, and the paintings inside were recently restored in 2018. Still, the effect is breathtaking.
Visiting Arad – practical information
How to get to Arad
Arad is well-connected by train with other cities in Romania. You can travel directly from Timișoara, Oradea, Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest, Sibiu, or Brașov (some of these routes are available as overnight trains if you want to save time). There are also five direct trains per day to Budapest. You can also use the bus to reach Arad; there are connections from the same cities as by train.
How to get around Arad
The train station is located approximately 2 km away from the center. There are trams connecting the train station with Bulevard Revolutiei (look for the trams in the direction of Piața Romană). The fare is cheap; you will find the ticket machines at the tram stops.
How much time for visiting Arad
Since all the Arad attractions are located not far from each other, within walking distance, you can easily see them in a few hours. However, Arad is a pleasant city with some great cafes and restaurants, so you might want to stay there for at least a day to fully enjoy the place.
Where to stay in Arad
If you decide to stay overnight in Arad, there are some good accommodation options to choose from. Here are the recommended ones:
Further reading
I published many articles about Romania that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:
If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in the Balkans and ask your questions there.
Travel Resources
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