- Dolj
- Craiova
Craiova
The seat of Dolj County and the largest city of Oltenia, with Nicolae Romanescu Park, the Jean Mihail Palace and the Christmas market in the centre, open from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
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What to see in Craiova
Things to see, picked to fill a whole day.
1Historic parkParcul Nicolae Romanescu
A romantic park of about 96 hectares, designed by the French architect Édouard Redont and opened in 1903, with a lake, a suspension bridge and a small castle.
Sudul orașului, la circa 3 km de centru
2Art museum in a palaceMuzeul de Artă – Palatul Jean Mihail
A palace built between 1900 and 1907 for Constantin Mihail to plans by the French architect Paul Gottereau; since 1954 it has housed the Art Museum, with a room devoted to Constantin Brâncuși.
Centru, pe Calea Unirii, la circa 150 m de Piața Mihai Viteazul
3Historic centre and Christmas marketPiața Mihai Viteazul și centrul vechi
Craiova's central square and the pedestrian streets around it, with Strada Lipscani to the south; the Christmas market is held here every winter.
Centru
4Ethnographic museum and cathedralCasa Băniei și Catedrala Sfântul Dumitru
The oldest civil building in Craiova, given its present form by Constantin Brâncoveanu in 1699, home to the Ethnography Section of the Oltenia Museum; next to it is the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Demetrius.
Centrul vechi, la circa 550 m sud de Piața Mihai Viteazul
5Botanical gardenGrădina Botanică „Alexandru Buia”
The University of Craiova's botanical garden, about 12.8 ha, founded in 1952 by Professor Alexandru Buia on the site of the former 'Fântâna Jianu' park.
Vestul centrului, la circa 1 km de Piața Mihai Viteazul
Where to eat in Craiova
Meals worth the trip.
- 1Oltenian restaurant
Casa Ghincea
A restaurant serving Oltenian food in the old centre, with two large dining rooms and a wine cellar in the basement.
Centrul vechi, pe strada Madona Dudu, la circa 300 m de Piața Mihai Viteazul - 2Mediterranean restaurant
SteSo Restaurant
A Mediterranean restaurant with open-fire dishes, seafood, pasta and pizza.
Centru, pe strada Gheorghe Barițiu, la circa 450 m de Muzeul de Artă - 3Pub and restaurant
Craft
A pub, restaurant and café a short walk from the old centre, with a covered rooftop terrace.
Lângă centrul vechi, pe strada Eugeniu Carada - 4Steakhouse and fresh pasta
Padella1895
A restaurant with steaks and pasta made in-house every day, plus wine and cocktails.
Centru, pe strada Alexandru Macedonski - 5Specialty coffee shop
Bad Habits Specialty Coffee Shop
A specialty coffee shop on the ground floor of the White House (Casa Albă), Craiova's first block of flats, built in 1926 next to English Park.
Centru, în Casa Albă, lângă English Park
Where to stay in Craiova
Places to sleep well, picked for comfort and location.
- 1Four-star hotel with spa
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Craiova
A large Wyndham chain hotel on Calea București in the centre, with a spa, an indoor pool and the Ellipse restaurant.
Centru, la circa 400 m de Piața Mihai Viteazul - 2Boutique hotel
Hotel 5 Continents
A four-star boutique hotel on Strada Mitropolit Firmilian, at the edge of the old centre, with a restaurant, a bar and a garden.
Centrul vechi, la circa 200 m de strada Lipscani - 3Hotel in an 1900 building
Hotel Splendid 1900
A four-star hotel with 24 rooms in a restored 1900 building on Strada Alexandru Ioan Cuza, in the centre.
Centru, la circa 300 m de Piața Mihai Viteazul - 4Boutique hotel
The Arlington Boutique Hotel
A four-star hotel with 16 rooms and suites, about a 10–15-minute walk from the centre.
Nordul centrului, pe strada Brazda lui Novac, la circa 1 km de Piața Mihai Viteazul - 5Hotel with restaurant
Hotel Golden House
A four-star hotel on Strada Brestei with an à la carte restaurant, a bar and a terrace.
Vestul centrului, la circa 350 m de Grădina Botanică
Frequently asked questions
What to see in Craiova?
We recommend Parcul Nicolae Romanescu (historic park, Sudul orașului, la circa 3 km de centru): It is Craiova's best-known sight and one of the largest historic parks in Romania; it has 4.7 on Google from more than 19,000 reviews. Other picks: Muzeul de Artă – Palatul Jean Mihail, Piața Mihai Viteazul și centrul vechi, Casa Băniei și Catedrala Sfântul Dumitru and Grădina Botanică „Alexandru Buia”.
Where to eat in Craiova?
We recommend Casa Ghincea (oltenian restaurant, Centrul vechi, pe strada Madona Dudu, la circa 300 m de Piața Mihai Viteazul): It is the most reviewed traditional restaurant in town: 4.4 on Google from more than 2,600 reviews. Other picks: SteSo Restaurant, Craft, Padella1895 and Bad Habits Specialty Coffee Shop.
Where to stay in Craiova?
We recommend Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Craiova (four-star hotel with spa, Centru, la circa 400 m de Piața Mihai Viteazul): It is the most reviewed hotel in Craiova: 9.2 on Booking from more than 2,000 reviews and 4.6 on Google from more than 2,600. Other picks: Hotel 5 Continents, Hotel Splendid 1900, The Arlington Boutique Hotel and Hotel Golden House.
How do you choose the places?
For each category we pick at most five places and check them: they exist, they are open and they are worth the trip. We take no money to list a place.