This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
The area of today’s Alba Iulia belonged initially to Dacia. The Romans built a Roman city after the occupation of Dacia. During the Middle Ages, Alba Iulia was a constant point of arguments between Hungary and Wallachia before it became part of Austro-Hungary. Alba Iulia is very beautiful and has many open spaces, cathedrals, and a huge fortress with guards in authentic uniforms. The Alba Iulia Fortress is the main point of interest in the city but Alba Iulia also houses the Cathedral of the Reunification of the Nation, an Orthodox cathedral, the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Michael, and the Voivodal Palace. You can finish sightseeing in a few days, as the town is not very big but if you like climbing or paragliding, you can easily spend a week as the city has very good conditions for it.
Prices are low and locals are extremely friendly so eating out is not only recommended, but it's also a must. There are enough restaurants where you can taste Romanian and Central European cuisine. If you are out late at night and you do not feel like walking home because winters can be quite cold, taking a taxi will be not expensive even if you are alone. You probably will not need public transportation in Alba Iulia as the city is small and you can easily reach anything you need on foot.
Unlike other Romanian cities of its size, which offer many hostel opportunities, Alba Iulia hostels are more limited, but they offer very good facilities and excellent services. The prices of Alba Iulia hostels are about the average for Romania and you do not need to use public transportation to get to your hostel in Alba Iulia. Most hostels in Alba Iulia are located near the Alba Iulia Fortress and are not very far from the city center.
Written by local expertz for Alba Iulia
George Traveller