Bistrita Travel Guide, Romania

Bistrita, Travel Guide – Location

Bistrita is the capital city of the county with the same name and is located in northern Romania within Bistritei Basin, 66 miles from Baia Mare and 138 miles from Oradea.

Bistrita, Travel Guide – Topography and Climate

Bistrita lies on a plain area in Bistritei Basin at an average elevation of 356m and is surrounded by a series of low hills, the highest being Cetate Hills (686m). The city and its surroundings are part of a larger topography unit called The Transylvanian Plateau comprising the entire central area of the country surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains.

Bistrita travel guides state that the climate is temperate continental with four seasons characterized by important differences in temperature and humidity. Summers are hot and humid and winters are very cold with important amount of snow. Temperatures vary according to season but the two extremes ever encountered here were 37,6ºC in summer and -33,8ºC in winter. The best time of the year to visit Bistrita is spring or autumn when it is neither too hot nor too cold.

The hydrographic network within the city is represented by the Bistrita River and its tributaries and the rich underground freshwater supply. The river receives two small tributaries here the Ghinzii Stream and Jelnei Stream, both having intermittent water flows according to season.

Bistrita, Travel Guide – Flora and Fauna

Bistrita is a city with numerous green spaces, public parks and gardens which create a fresh and inviting atmosphere in the city. One of the most beautiful parks in Bistrita is located near the city’s medieval fortress occupying about 7 hectares of land. Numerous species of trees, some of them even hundreds of years old like the maple trees, sycamores and carobs can be admired along the shady alleys of this wonderful park. The local flora is also represented by the cultivated species especially fruit trees and vines growing on the sunny surrounding hills.

The local fauna is also present with numerous species of mammals, birds and aquatic species.

Bistrita, Travel Guide – Population

The city houses about 80.000 inhabitants most of them Romanians, and small communities of Hungarians, Roma and Germans. The number of inhabitants keeps decreasing due to low birth rate and migration which determines a slow but continuous aging of population. The German community, once very present here, diminishes year after year due to continuous migration of its ethnics to Germany. The minority communities are not the only ones migrating; the Romanians leave their hometowns in search of better paid jobs abroad.

Bistrita, Travel Guide – Culture and Arts

Bistrita is an active city with important cultural events organized by artists, actors, writers and held in some of the city’s art galleries, museums, culture houses and memorial houses.

Even if the city does not have a proper theatre, many theatrical shows are organized here gathering numerous spectators each time. The main hosts for such events are the “George Cosbuc” City Cultural Centre and the Union Cultural House, both offering great shows performed by actors from all over the country. Art exhibitions are also present in Bistrita, some of the most frequent locations for such events being the U.A.P. Art Gallery, the C. Baba Plastic Arts High school Gallery, the Arcade Galleries and more.

Bistrita, Travel Guide – Transports

Bistrita has a good transport infrastructure being accessible by car on the E576 road, by train or bus. There is no local airport here, the nearest one being the Targu Mures International Airport located 86 km away. From the airport to Bistrita you can travel by bus or you can rent a car from the many local companies.

Within the city the car would be the best option due to the flexibility and comfort it offers any time of the year. Another option would be taking a taxi which is not very expensive or traveling by public buses which offers regular routes to any part of the city.

Bistrita, Travel Guide – Festivals

Whether they are in summer or winter, the traditional or modern festivals held in Bistrita animate the city’s life turning it into a cultural capital for a few days. Some of the most representative festivals here are the Folk Bistrita Festival, the Poetry Festival, the National Theater Festival, the Folklore Music Festival “Nunta Zamfirei”, the National Satire and Humor Festival and many other.