Odorheiu Travel Guide, Romania

Odorheiu, Travel guide – Location

Odorheiu travel guide presents some information over this small city located in central Romania, close to Baia Mare and Satu Mare..

Odorheiu, Travel guide – Geography

The 660 years old city is placed at the eastern side of the Transylvanian Basin at the Harghita Mountains feet, surrounded by picturesque forested hills at an average elevation of about 470m. The local topography is extremely attractive for tourists due to its variety and beautiful sceneries.

The general climate is temperate continental with cold and frosty winters and warm summers. Winters are quite long with almost 160 days of frost and late frosts sometimes occurring even in June. The average temperature in January is of -4ºC and in July of 10ºC with often foggy days.

The city is crossed by Tarnava Mare River, a water flow coming from the Harghita Mountains which transforms on its way from a quick mountain river into a slower hilly area one and creating an ideal fishing spot.

Odorheiu, Travel guide – Flora and Fauna

Local flora and fauna is rich and varied, distributed according to topography. Like every other city, in Odorheiu Secuiesc one can admire predominantly cultivated ornamental plant species, especially in the parks, public garden along the roads and alleys and also in the main crossroads. Besides these cultivated species the city still preserves some of its original flora represented by holms, hornbeam, linden and ash trees. Along the Tarnava Mare River vegetation is represented by species of poplar, alder and hydrophilic plants.

Fauna is just as diverse represented by few species of deer, squirrels, hare, weasels, pigeons, pheasants cuckoos and more. The waters of the river abound in pickerel, barbell and carp.

Odorheiu, Travel guide – Transport

The city is strategically located at important railroads and crossroads, and accessible by all means of transport. Most of the tourists arrive here by bus or car sometimes prefering the train, Odorheiu Secuiesc being an important rail terminal. Because the city is small there are not too many options regarding the public transport. Here tourists can only travel by bus or taxi or they can rent a car from one of the local companies.

The nearest airport is located in Targu Mures 80km away, the Transylvania International Airport, and transfer is made by regular bus routes.

Odorheiu, Travel guide – Population and Economy

Odorheiu Secuiesc is a small city with only 42.000 inhabitants, according to the 2002 census, and a dominating Hungarian population. Besides the Romanian and Hungarian population the city also houses small communities of Rroma and Germans.

The main economic activities in Odorheiu Secuiesc are connected to the textiles industry, wood industry, tourism and commerce.

Odorheiu, Travel guide – Cuisine

Cuisine in this part of Romania is heavily influenced by the Hungarian one and has as main ingredients the meat, especially beef and pork, beans, red peppers, lots of other vegetables and diary products. Soup is one of main dishes here and is very consistent, being prepared almost always with fresh or smoked meat, sour cream and flavored with parsley, dill or tarragon. Some of the most popular soups here are the potatoes soup, cabbage soup, the gulas and beans soup, all having in common the smoked meat and numerous spices. A good meal does not stop here but continues with a nice stew, snitel, which is pork or veal meat covered in a mixture of flour and egg and fried in oil, polenta or with a delicious desert. The most appreciated deserts here, besides the numerous types of cakes, are the pancakes. Served with jam, fruit syrup, sweet cheese or with cottage cheese, pancakes are the best choice on any occasion.