Discover Bihor
Bihor County enchants its visitors with natural beauty, exceptional architecture and the liveliness of its cities and villages populated by welcoming people.
Located on the North-Western border of Romania, the County of Bihor opens as a gate to numerous natural and cultural treasures. These are concentrated in a number of touristic areas of attraction within the county, each of which is visited annually by tourists from all over the world.
Bihor is the perfect destination for an active holiday: it offers picturesque mountains fragmented by wild gorges, complemented by thermal springs and wide plains with meandering rivers. An atmosphere of tranquility is inspired by the sight of traditional wooden churches which rise above the villages, or by a stroll in the public gardens or amongst the palaces of Oradea. No tourist will leave Bihor without a tale to tell, whether it will be about the legends of the lands, the stories of the local people, the traditions and crafts from a time long forgotten, or the delicious foods they have discovered.
The variety of these touristic attractions with their specific infrastructure satisfy diverse preferences and offer possibilities for relaxation, wellness, adventure and cultural discovery. For those with a passion for hiking there are plenty of marked trails in the mountains of Bihor, Vlădeasa, Pădurea Craiului and Codru-Moma. Some of the most picturesque trails cross the Padis Karst Plateau, the Boga Valley, Sighiștel Valley, Crișul Repede Gorges and Iad Valley. Those seeking adrenaline can find it in rafting, kayaking and canyoning on the Crișul Repede or Crișul Negru rivers. Up in the mountains, visitors can conquer the via ferrata or zip line, while the bravest can attempt an alpine climbing trail. A fascinating world of the underground can be explored by the speleotourism enthusiasts, as Bihor Country is home to the highest density and widest variety of karst formations in Romania.
For those with a passion for culture, there is much to discover in terms of architecture with historical value. Of particular interest is the city of Oradea, a Secession treasure full of palaces which are protected as cultural heritage.
In the rural areas there is a timeless atmosphere, both in the mountains and on the plains. Traditional architecture, customs and crafts give the land its identity. Some of the traditional occupations include shepherding (in villages surrounding the mountains), pottery (white pottery in Vadu Crișului and red pottery in Leheceni), wood carving (with craft objects such as the dowry chest of Budureasa), braiding objects using straw, cattail, husk and twigs (specific to the villages in Ier Valley and Barcău Valley), making jewelry with beads (necklaces with red, white, black and green beads or geometrical motives specific to Drăgoteni, Giulești and Beiuș), or Easter eggs dyed with wax (Drăgoteni, Lazuri de Beiuș, Budureasa) and painting religious icons on glass and wood (Beiuș, Roșia, Budureasa) and finally playing the trumpet violin (Budureasa, Finiș, Lazuri de Roșia).
Access to the touristic destinations in Bihor is possible by air, road and train. The International Airport of Oradea offers connections to the capital, Bucharest, and to various European destinations.
