About Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu”
At a glance: Parks and gardens in Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County. Ticket: Free. The visit takes 1 – 1½ hours. Information verified on 11 October 2026.
Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu”, called the Big Park (Parcul Mare) by locals and Sétatér in Hungarian, stretches between the Someșul Mic river to the north, Iuliu Hossu street to the south, Cluj Arena to the west and the Hungarian State Theatre to the east. The site was a marshy grove, leased in 1827 by a women's charitable association for strolling, and the park was officially founded in 1838. Around 1865 a park association laid out the avenues, dug the lake and built the music pavilion; the Summer Theatre opened in 1874, and the skating pavilion and kiosk, both by the Cluj architect Lajos Pákey, date from 1896–1897. The ensemble is a listed historic monument (LMI code CJ-II-s-B-07243).
What you can see
The axis of the park is a wide avenue between old trees, crossed by a water channel with small wooden bridges. On the bank of Lake Chios stands the Casino, an eclectic, Viennese-inspired palace built at the end of the 19th century to Pákey's plans; after several uses (ethnographic museum, art school, hospital, restaurant), it was restored with EU funds and has worked since 2012 as an Urban Culture Centre, with exhibitions, concerts, films and festivals. On the lake you can go out in a rowing boat or pedal boat, and on the bank stands the former skating pavilion, now with a restaurant. Nearby are the music pavilion, the artesian fountain and statues of writers and composers: Liviu Rebreanu, George Coșbuc, Octavian Goga, Sigismund Toduță, Nicolae Bretan.
Good to know
In August part of the park is closed for the Untold festival: in 2026 the festival ran from 6 to 9 August, with traffic restrictions in the area until 17 August, and the organisers relaid the lawn afterwards; some locals call for a wider revitalisation. In 2011 the avenues were concreted and several centuries-old trees disappeared, which caused protests.
- The central avenue between old trees, with its little wooden bridges over the water channel.
- The Casino on the lakeside, Lajos Pákey's eclectic palace, now an Urban Culture Centre.
- A rowing-boat or pedal-boat ride on Lake Chios.
- The music pavilion in the middle of the park, a venue for open-air concerts.
- The statues of Cluj writers and composers along the avenues: Rebreanu, Coșbuc, Goga, Bretan.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the park is right in the centre of Cluj, ~1 km from Piața Unirii, between Cluj Arena and the Hungarian Theatre; the centre is congested, and the easiest way is to leave the car in a nearby public car park and walk. From Cluj-Napoca railway station it is ~2 km.
Public transport: the “Parcul Central” and “Cluj Arena” stops are nearby, served by trams and buses (check the current routes on the CTP Cluj website); during Untold the stops are suspended. From Piața Unirii it is a 10–15 minute walk.
- Where to park
The park has no car park of its own. In the area you park on the street, paid by zone, or in public car parks around the centre; spaces fill up quickly at weekends, in good weather and during events at Cluj Arena.
- Fees & discounts
Entry to the park is free. A boat or pedal-boat ride cost 24 lei for adults and 13 lei for children aged 4–14 in April 2026 (30 minutes; children under 4 free with an adult). Prices can change, so check at the landing.
- Rules
Follow the signs in the park: dogs on a lead only, do not walk on the lawn in marked areas, do not throw litter into the lake. On boat rides a life jacket is worn, provided by the operator.
- Facilities
paved paths · benches · lake with boats and pedal boats · lakeside restaurant · Casino (cultural events) · music pavilion
Frequently asked questions about Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu”
- How much is a ticket to Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu”?
- Admission to Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu” is free (public park, no ticket). Entry to the park is free. A boat or pedal-boat ride cost 24 lei for adults and 13 lei for children aged 4–14 in April 2026 (30 minutes; children under 4 free with an adult). Prices can change, so check at the landing.
- How long does a visit to Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu” take?
- A visit to Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu” takes about 1 – 1½ hours (a stroll with a stop at the lake).
- Can you visit Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu” with kids?
- Yes, Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu” is suitable for children (boats on the lake, wide avenues).
- Where can I park at Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu”?
- There is paid parking at Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu” (on the surrounding streets). The park has no car park of its own. In the area you park on the street, paid by zone, or in public car parks around the centre; spaces fill up quickly at weekends, in good weather and during events at Cluj Arena.
- How do I get to Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu”?
- Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu” is located at Iuliu Hossu street, opposite the Casino, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County. By car: the park is right in the centre of Cluj, ~1 km from Piața Unirii, between Cluj Arena and the Hungarian Theatre; the centre is congested, and the easiest way is to leave the car in a nearby public car park and walk. From Cluj-Napoca railway station it is ~2 km. Public transport: the “Parcul Central” and “Cluj Arena” stops are nearby, served by trams and buses (check the current routes on the CTP Cluj website); during Untold the stops are suspended. From Piața Unirii it is a 10–15 minute walk.
- When is the best time to visit Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu”?
- The best season for Central Park “Simion Bărnuțiu”: April – October (boats from April, leaves in autumn).
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