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Things to do in Craiova: what to see in one day, in the centre and in the parks

The cathedral seen from the south, with the open porch on the left and the green-domed towers above the brick-and-stone façade, on a clear day
The cathedral seen from the south, with the open porch on the left and the green-domed towers above the brick-and-stone façade, on a clear day · Leontin l · CC BY-SA 3.0 ro

The sights of Craiova are easy to see in one day: the centre, with Mihai Viteazul Square (Piața Mihai Viteazul), the Craiova Art Museum in the Jean Mihail Palace, Casa Băniei and the Saint Demetrius Metropolitan Cathedral, can be covered on foot in a few hours, which leaves the afternoon for Nicolae Romanescu Park, with its lake, the suspension bridge and the Craiova Zoo, which is free to enter. The museums are closed on Mondays.

Below are the sights by area, a one-day route, what changes in winter, during the Christmas market, what to do with children and what else to see outside the city. The current opening hours and prices are on the page of each attraction; all the places in the county are on the Dolj county page and on the map.

In short

  • The sights in the centre of Craiova are a few minutes' walk from one another: Mihai Viteazul Square, the Art Museum, the Marin Sorescu National Theatre, Casa Băniei and the Saint Demetrius Metropolitan Cathedral.
  • The Craiova Art Museum, in the Jean Mihail Palace, has six works by Brâncuși, among them “The Kiss”; it is open Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–17:00, and the adult ticket costs 30 lei (November 2026).
  • Casa Băniei, considered the oldest civil building in Craiova, houses the Ethnography Section of the Oltenia Museum: Tuesday–Sunday 9:00–17:00, adult ticket 12 lei.
  • Nicolae Romanescu Park, almost 100 hectares in size and opened in 1903, has a boating lake, a suspension bridge, the Enchanted Castle and the zoo, with free entry.
  • On Mondays the museums in Craiova are closed; the cathedral, the squares and the parks stay open.
  • The Christmas market in Craiova runs in 2026 from 13 November to 3 January 2027, in Mihai Viteazul Square, with free entry.

Craiova attractions: what to see, in one table

The table brings together the sights in the city, from those in the centre to the parks, with their opening hours at the beginning of November 2026. The centre can be seen on foot; Nicolae Romanescu Park is ~3 km from Mihai Viteazul Square, that is ~40 minutes on foot or a few minutes by car.

AttractionWhereWhat it isVisit lengthNovember 2026
Mihai Viteazul Squarecentrethe central square, statue of Mihai Viteazul~30 minfree access
Art MuseumCalea Unirii 15, ~150 mJean Mihail Palace, six works by Brâncuși~1 h 30Tuesday–Sunday 10–17, 30 lei
Marin Sorescu National Theatre~600 mmodernist building from 1973one performancebox office daily
Casa BănieiStrada Matei Basarab, ~450 mhouse from 1699, ethnography~45 minTuesday–Sunday 9–17, 12 lei
Saint Demetrius Cathedralopposite Casa Bănieicathedral of the Metropolis of Oltenia, 1889–1933~20 minfree entry
Botanical GardenStrada Iancu Jianu 9, ~1.2 kmgarden of ~12.8 ha, with lakes~1 h 30hours not published
Nicolae Romanescu Parksouth of the city, ~3 kmpark of ~100 ha, lake, suspension bridge~2 h 30free access
Zooin Romanescu Parkzoo since 1906, 37 species~1 h 30free entry

Visit lengths from the attraction pages; walking distances from Mihai Viteazul Square, calculated on OpenStreetMap on 7 November 2026; adult opening hours and prices from the attraction pages (muzeuldeartacraiova.ro, muzeulolteniei.ro, ecourbiscraiova.ro), checked in October–November 2026.

The white building with a red tiled roof and the arcaded loggia on the upper floor, seen across a park with roses and thujas

Casa Băniei

Craiova, DJClosed12 lei
Museums and memorial houses

Central Craiova: Mihai Viteazul Square and the Art Museum

Mihai Viteazul Square (Piața Mihai Viteazul) is the central square, pedestrianised, with the equestrian statue of Mihai Viteazul in the middle of a fountain. On its eastern side stands the Administrative Palace, completed in 1913 in the Romanian Revival style, with a clock tower, today the seat of the Prefecture.

About 150 m away, on Calea Unirii, is the Craiova Art Museum, in the Jean Mihail Palace, built in 1898–1907 to plans by Paul Gottereau. It is worth it for two things: the interior of the palace, with the grand hall and the Hall of Mirrors, and the six works by Brâncuși, among them “The Kiss”. The museum is open Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–17:00, with last entry at 16:30; the adult ticket costs 30 lei, and on the first Wednesday of each month entry is free. In the courtyard, the “Constantin Brâncuși” Centre has free entry.

About 600 m from the square is the Marin Sorescu National Theatre, the modernist building from 1973 by the architect Alexandru Iotzu, with a glass façade and wide steps down to the boulevard. The interior can be seen at performances; the box office is open Monday–Friday 11:00–19:00 and at weekends 12:00–19:00.

Casa Băniei and St Demetrius Cathedral, in the old centre

On Strada Matei Basarab, ~450–600 m from the square, the oldest places in the city stand face to face. Casa Băniei, rebuilt in 1699 by Constantin Brâncoveanu, is considered the oldest civil building in Craiova; it has an arcaded loggia on the upper floor, and inside is the Ethnography Section of the Oltenia Museum, with the exhibitions “The Making of Bread” (ploughs, a life-size bucket water mill) and Horezu pottery. It is open Tuesday–Sunday 9:00–17:00; the adult ticket costs 12 lei.

Opposite is the Saint Demetrius Metropolitan Cathedral, the princely church of Craiova: on the site of a church rebuilt by Matei Basarab in 1651, the present one was built between 1889 and 1933 to plans by the architect André Lecomte du Nouÿ, and since 1939 it has been the cathedral of the Metropolis of Oltenia. It has exposed brick with bands of stone and three copper-clad towers; entry is free outside services. The patron saint's day is 26 October, with the procession of the relics through the centre on the eve.

The single “Muzee Dolj” ticket (30 lei for adults, valid for 15 working days) covers the sections of the Oltenia Museum, including Casa Băniei, and the Art Museum.

The white building with a red tiled roof and the arcaded loggia on the upper floor, seen across a park with roses and thujas

Casa Băniei

Craiova, DJClosed12 lei
Museums and memorial houses

Nicolae Romanescu Park and the zoo

Nicolae Romanescu Park, in the south of the city, covers almost 100 hectares. It was designed by the Frenchman Édouard Redont, on the model of the Buttes-Chaumont park in Paris, and opened in 1903. In the middle is a lake of over 4 hectares, with islands and a landing stage where you can hire boats. The suspension bridge, between two crenellated stone towers, crosses the lake towards the Enchanted Castle, today a restaurant. Entry is free.

Inside the park is the Craiova Zoo, open since 1906, with free entry, according to the operator ECO URBIS: lions, tigers, a brown bear, ostriches, peacocks, 37 species on the official list. The zoo's opening hours are not published; call 0251 411 214 before you go. In the Hippodrome area, Valea Ciutelor has a ticket (30 lei for adults, 10 lei for children) and is open daily, from October to March 10:00–16:00 and from April to September 10:00–21:00.

From Mihai Viteazul Square to the park it is ~3 km, ~40 minutes on foot; by car you can park on Bulevardul Nicolae Romanescu, next to the entrances.

The “Alexandru Buia” Botanical Garden

The “Alexandru Buia” Botanical Garden, Craiova is ~1.2 km from the square, with the main entrance at Strada Iancu Jianu 9. It covers ~12.8 hectares, with three lakes fed by the spring of the Jianu fountain, hills shaped to represent the floristic provinces of Romania and collections of roses, dahlias, irises, tulips and peonies. It is at its best in spring and summer. The operator does not publish opening hours or prices; travel guides list it as free to enter. A tropical greenhouse is being built on the garden's former sports ground, with the contract awarded in May 2026.

What to do in Craiova in one day

In the morning, start with Mihai Viteazul Square and the Art Museum, at opening time (10:00); allow an hour and a half for the palace and Brâncuși's sculptures. At midday, walk down Strada Matei Basarab to Casa Băniei and St Demetrius Cathedral, side by side, ~450–600 m from the square. In the afternoon, go to Nicolae Romanescu Park: the lake, the suspension bridge, the Enchanted Castle and the zoo need ~2–3 hours. In the evening, if you have a ticket, a performance at the National Theatre.

Choose a day from Tuesday to Sunday: on Mondays the Art Museum and Casa Băniei are closed. If you have an extra half day, add the Botanical Garden or the trip to the Roman fort at Răcari, from the section on the surroundings.

Craiova in winter, during the Christmas market

In winter, the centre of Craiova belongs to the Christmas market in Mihai Viteazul Square, which in 2026 runs from 13 November to 3 January 2027; the opening hours, attractions and parking are in its guide. For the rest of the day:

  • The Art Museum and Casa Băniei keep the same hours all year (Tuesday–Sunday), so they combine easily with the market: the museums by day, the market in the evening, when it is lit up.
  • St Demetrius Cathedral is ~600 m from the square; over the holidays the services follow a special schedule, announced by the Metropolis of Oltenia.
  • Nicolae Romanescu Park and the zoo stay open; Valea Ciutelor closes at 16:00 until March.
  • The National Theatre plays during its season; tickets are available from the box office or online.

Calea Unirii is closed to traffic around the square from 15 October 2026 to 8 January 2027, so leave the car further away and walk in.

What to do in Craiova with kids

  • The zoo in Romanescu Park, with free entry: lions, tigers, a bear, ostriches and peacocks.
  • Valea Ciutelor, at the Hippodrome: children feed deer, alpacas and pygmy goats (10 lei for children, from age 3); also there, pony rides for children aged 3–12.
  • Nicolae Romanescu Park: boats on the lake, the suspension bridge and wide paths, good for pushchairs.
  • Casa Băniei: the bucket water mill and the tools from “The Making of Bread”; the section also runs craft workshops for children. Schoolchildren pay 3 lei.
  • Mihai Viteazul Square: the fountain, and in winter the little train and the carousel of the Christmas market.

The Art Museum is better suited to older children; schoolchildren pay 7.5 lei.

The white building with a red tiled roof and the arcaded loggia on the upper floor, seen across a park with roses and thujas

Casa Băniei

Craiova, DJClosed12 lei
Museums and memorial houses

What to do in Craiova when it rains

When it rains, stay in the centre: the Art Museum needs an hour and a half, Casa Băniei three quarters of an hour, and St Demetrius Cathedral is a few steps away. The single “Muzee Dolj” ticket (30 lei) covers both museums. In the evening, a performance at the National Theatre. Romanescu Park, the zoo and the Botanical Garden are outdoors; save them for a clear day.

Places to visit around Craiova

Dolj County has few attractions with a page on the site outside the city. The nearest is the Roman Fort of Răcarii de Jos, ~31 km from Craiova (~35 minutes by car), near Răcari station, in the commune of Brădești: the most important Roman fort in the Jiu valley, with excavations resumed every year since 2003. The site is in the open air, with no visitor facilities and no published opening hours; during excavation campaigns access may be restricted. The other places in the county are on the Dolj county page.

Getting around Craiova: parking, station, airport

The centre around Mihai Viteazul Square is largely pedestrianised. You can park on the surrounding streets, for a fee; at weekends and during the Christmas market the spaces fill up quickly.

Craiova railway station is ~2.3 km from the square, about 30 minutes on foot. Craiova International Airport is ~8 km away, about 15 minutes by taxi. By car, Craiova is ~230 km from Bucharest (~2 hours 40 minutes, on the A1 to Pitești and then on the expressway to Craiova), ~110 km from Drobeta-Turnu Severin (~2 hours, on the DN6) and ~225 km from Sibiu (~4 hours).

Frequently asked questions

What are the main attractions in Craiova?
In the centre: Mihai Viteazul Square, the Art Museum in the Jean Mihail Palace, the Marin Sorescu National Theatre, Casa Băniei and the Saint Demetrius Metropolitan Cathedral. Further out: Nicolae Romanescu Park with the zoo and the “Alexandru Buia” Botanical Garden.
What to do in Craiova in one day?
In the morning the Art Museum and Mihai Viteazul Square, at midday Casa Băniei and St Demetrius Cathedral, in the afternoon Nicolae Romanescu Park with the lake, the suspension bridge and the zoo. Choose a day from Tuesday to Sunday: on Mondays the museums are closed.
How much is the Craiova Art Museum ticket?
The adult ticket costs 30 lei, pensioners pay 15 lei, schoolchildren and students 7.5 lei (November 2026). On the first Wednesday of each month entry is free, and the “Constantin Brâncuși” Centre in the courtyard has free entry.
Is Craiova Zoo free?
Yes, entry to the zoo in Nicolae Romanescu Park is free, according to the operator ECO URBIS. Valea Ciutelor, at the Hippodrome, has a ticket: 30 lei for adults and 10 lei for children.
What to do in Craiova with kids?
The zoo (free), Valea Ciutelor with deer and alpacas, the boats in Nicolae Romanescu Park, the mill and the tools at Casa Băniei and, in winter, the attractions of the Christmas market in Mihai Viteazul Square.
What to see in Craiova in winter?
The Christmas market in Mihai Viteazul Square (13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027), the Art Museum and Casa Băniei (Tuesday–Sunday), St Demetrius Cathedral and, by day, Nicolae Romanescu Park with the zoo.
How far is Nicolae Romanescu Park from Craiova city centre?
About 3 km from Mihai Viteazul Square, that is ~40 minutes on foot or a few minutes by car. You can park on Bulevardul Nicolae Romanescu, next to the entrances.

Sources

All guides