Deva

Deva is the county seat and biggest city of Hunedoara County, Transylvania, Romania. It sits on the left bank of the Mureș River at 187 m elevation. The city is dominated by the Citadel Hill, a protected nature reserve, and is known for the Fortress of Deva perched atop it. Deva is considered the gymnastics capital of Romania, hosting the national training centre.

By Plane

The nearest commercial airports are Sibiu International Airport (SBZ), about 130 km east, and Timișoara Traian Vuia Airport (TSR), about 160 km west. Both offer domestic and European connections.

By Train

There are direct international trains from Vienna (9½ hr), Prague (17 hr) and Budapest (6 hr). Eight trains daily from Timișoara, seven from Bucharest, five from Cluj-Napoca and Brașov. Check timetables at infofer.ro.

By Car / Road

From Arad take E68. From Timișoara take E70 to Lugoj, then to Făget and E68. From Bucharest take A1 to Pitești, then E81 to Râmnicu Vâlcea and Sibiu, then E68 to Sebeș, Orăștie and Simeria.

You can reach almost all objectives on foot. Taxis include Astral Taxi (+40 254 234-567), Taxi Onix (+40 730 036-545), City Taxi (+40 254 211-111). Public bus costs 2.5 Lei (cash to driver) but runs infrequently. A cable car runs to the fortress.

• Fortress of Deva (Cetatea Devei) — mid-13th-century fortress atop Fortress Hill, accessible by foot (113 steps from the city park) or cable car. 10 lei. 08:00–20:00.

• Museum of Dacian and Roman Civilisation (Muzeul Civilizației Dacice și Romane) — Hunedoara County Museum housed in the Magna Curia Palace, a 16th-century Renaissance residence.

• Printing Museum — a small museum in the town typography, with items that operated until 1990.

• Franciscan Monastery — 18th-century Baroque monastery built by Bulgarian Catholic colonists.

• Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral — built 1861, with 17th-century icons and a carved oak iconostasis.

• Bejan Forest — 103-ha nature reserve with oak species, guesthouse, athletic fields and playgrounds.

• Synagogue — 19th-century synagogue, renovated 2003–2004.

• Ride the cable car to the fortress for panoramic views of the city and Mureș Valley.

• Walk the Bejan Forest nature reserve trails.

• Catch a performance at the Art Theatre or visit the Patria Cinema.

• Restaurant Capriccio Deva, Bulevardul 1 Decembrie 1918 14, +40 354 109 537 — Italian cuisine, daily 11:00–23:00.
• Pizzeria Veneția, Bulevardul Iuliu Maniu 6, +40 254 211114.
• Pizza Play, Str. Mihai Eminescu 124, +40 254 224 000.

• John's Club Cafe, Str. Mihai Eminescu nr. 2, +40 254 233511, 10:00–04:00.
• Fischer's Pub, Unirii Square nr. 8, 08:00–04:00.
• Koson Cafe, Bulevardul 1 Decembrie 1918, +40 254 223 639.
• Amigo Cafe — coffee shop daily 07:00–23:00.

• Hotel Deva, B-dul 22 Decembrie nr. 110, +40 254 211290 — 120 rooms, restaurant, bar.
• Hotel Sarmis, Str. Maresal Averescu nr. 7, +40 254 214 731 — 102 rooms, restaurant, bar.
• Motel Maestro, Calea Zarandului nr. 1, +40 254 212821 — 20 apartments from €45.
• Vila Paradis, Aleea Crisului nr. 1A, +40 729 902 265 — 8 studios, €35–45.
• Hotel Wien, Str. Calea Zarandului 55, +40 254 233330 — doubles €65–75, fitness centre, conference room.

• Auchan, Calea Zarandului nr. 87 — hypermarket, 07:00–21:00.
• Carrefour Express, Bd. 22 Decembrie nr. 37, +40 354 130 912.
• Metro Cash & Carry, Calea Zarandului, +40 374 115 555, 06:00–22:00.
• Maxxa Shopping Center, Str. M. Eminescu nr. 93 — outlet mall.
• Local produce at the market in Unirii Square.

• Hunedoara — 20 km, home of Corvin Castle.
• Hațeg — 43 km south.
• Orăștie — 33 km east.
• Retezat National Park — 40 km south.
• Simeria — 10 km east.