Translating as ‘big village’, Satu Mare’s name is fitting but also a bit deceptive. The capital of Romania’s Satu Mare County, and the cultural epicentre of the Satu Mare metropolitan area, it deserves more than just a brief stroll on your way to the wooden wonders of Maramureș. Located just 20 minutes from the Hungarian border, it’s a small town with a big heart, a long history, plenty of activities and so much to uncover. With its main sights sprawling out of its compact centre, Satu Mare is highly walkable but will make you want to stop at every turn. Once a fortified stronghold against invaders, today Satu Mare is a peculiar blend of Central and Western European, Slavic and Ottoman influences. And its streets, walls and people are living mementos of victories and defeats, sieges and fires, as well as an unbent spirit.
Fly to Satu Mare, Romania for:
A laid-back Transylvanian experience
Today, Satu Mare is the celebrated academic and economic centre of northwestern Romania and it has had ample time to rise to the challenge: its first mention can be found in Gesta Hungarorum, the chronicle that first documented Hungarians’ epic journey from Scythia to the the Carpathian Basin. The history of Castrum Zotmar, or Zotmar's fort, as famed chronicler Anonymus referred to it, stretches way back to the 10th century, but was already populated in the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. The Treaty of Szatmár was signed in the city, putting an end to Rákóczi's War for Independence in 1711. The former fortified medieval settlement saw an intense urbanisation streak in the 18th century, leaving the city with several buildings that are a major draw for tourists, such as the old city hall or the Satu Mare Chain Church.
Food and drink
Earthy flavours, farm-fresh ingredients, generous spicing and tried-and-tested cooking methods, handed down from one generation to the next: Romanian dishes revolve around seasonality, as well as religious and family traditions. Top favourite ciorbă is not only a soup for Romanians, it’s an entire genre. The famous local sour soup, made with pork, chicken, beef or fish, comes in dozens of varieties, but none of them misses the refreshing sourness of borș, lemon, lemon salt or sauerkraut juice. A nod to Turkey’s kofta, mici is another MVP of local’s dining table and barbecue parties. These juicy, grilled meat rolls are made of a mixture of beef, lamb and pork, spiced to perfection. Head to No Pardon Pub on Strada Corvinilor for a full-blown gastro-experience. The popular restaurant blends Romanian and Eastern European flavours with the feel of a London pub. Neck a shot of ţuică (plum brandy), Romania’s ‘white lightning’, but only ask for a second at your own risk. With a millennium-long experience in winemaking, wines made of local grape varieties will make oenophiles’ heart skip a beat. The ruby-coloured Fetească neagră, or Black Maiden, is a full-bodied red with black fruit aromas, while its sister, Fetească albă, or White Maiden, combines a light body with a tinge of apricot flavour.
Culture and entertainment
Put your walking shoes on and discover Satu Mare’s old town, situated north of the river Someș. Sadly, many historic buildings fell victim to the Ceaușescu era, but a handful of monuments have remained and are well worth a visit. Take a stroll on Strada Traian Grozăvescu that guides you to the city’s main square, Piaţa Libertatii. Make your way to the city’s treasured symbol, the 45-metre-high Firemen’s Tower, have a closer look at its copper-covered cupola and enjoy the panoramic view of the quaint streets of Satu Mare. Architecture aficionados should make Hotel Astoria and Hotel Dacia their next stops, to marvel at epitomes of Budapest Secessionist style. Relive the prehistoric, Dacian and medieval times at Satu Mare County Museum and get immersed in local culture among the myriad of folk dresses, jewelleries, and ceramics of the ethnography section. Delve into the city’s religious history, starting with the SS. Michael and Gabriel Cathedral (Catedrala Sfinţii Arhangheli Mihail şi Gavril) on Strada 1 Decembrie 1918. Built in a Neo-Brâncovenesc fashion, the Greek-Catholic church houses some of the most invaluable mementos of Orthodox culture in Transylvania, including 500-year-old Romanian-language books and Orthodox icons on wood and glass. Jewish history is also deeply rooted in the area. Boasting an awe-inspiring Moorish-style synagogue on Strada Decebal, the city has made it to the European culture route of Jewish Heritage. Erected between 1793 and 1802, the small Reformed Church, dubbed the Chains Church on Piaţa Păcii, houses an eclectic collection of 17th-century artefacts, as well as the city’s oldest bell.
Shopping and nightlife
Opened in 2018, Shopping City Satu Mare on Strada Careiului is a one-stop-shop for all shopping needs, from cosmetics to international fashion brands. Soothe your soul with a cup of freshly brewed specialty coffee at Moose Social Pub in the afternoon, then switch to craft beer or a glass of wine when the bar comes alive in the evening with concerts, chill DJ sets and open mic nights. Listen to live performances or dance the night away at MusiCat, a popular, unshowy bar on Strada Hám János with super-friendly staff and atmosphere.
Day trips and outdoors
Enjoy the peaceful greenery in the city's largest park, the Garden of Rome (Gradina Romei), starring exotic trees, like the Asia-native Styphnolobium japonicum, or pagoda tree, Pterocarya, or Caucasian wingnut, and Paulownia tomentosa, or empress tree. Then hop into a car and explore Satu Mare’s surroundings. Seek out the Merry Cemetery (Cimitirul Vesel) in the village of Săpânța, where the buried are immortalised and their lives are celebrated on bright-coloured tombstones with naïve paintings and cheeky limericks. Drive over to Baia Mare, a thriving gold-mining centre in the Medieval Ages and the largest city in the Maramureş region today. Visiting Satu Mare in May? Pencil in Sambra Oilor for the first Sunday, when the villagers of the Oas region come together for a spectacular folk festival, celebrating the age-old tradition of sending off shepherds with their herds to the mountains in style.
Satu Mare Airport
Satu Mare International Airport (SUJ) is located 14 km south of the city centre of Satu Mare, in northwestern Romania, and represents the region’s primary entry point. Domestic and international flights are conducted on quite a small scale, meaning limited facilities. Free Wi-Fi and refreshments are available at the cafe bar after the security point in the departure area.For convenience, there is an ATM in the arrivals hall. There are also easy pickup facilities by taxis outside the terminal. However, there is no public transport linking directly to the airport, so most travellers opt for a taxi or a pre-booked, private transfer to get themselves to the city centre quickly and hassle-free.
FAQs for booking flights to Satu Mare
How to get cheap flights to to Satu Mare?
Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Satu Mare flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.
When is the best time to visit Satu Mare?
The best period to visit Satu Mare is from April to October, the best time of the year for great weather conditions. More specifically, July and August are the warmest and best months to pay a visit to the city and explore its beautiful green parks, and to enjoy the exciting outdoors. But be aware that May and June are the most rainy months, which could affect outdoor activities.
If you are interested in cultural experiences, plan your visit for May to catch the colourful Sambra Oilor festival of local traditions and shepherds’ life in the Oas region. For a more peaceful experience, the shoulder months of April, September, and October bring mild weather and less bustle to enjoy some local attractions, such as the Garden of Rome with its exotic trees. For an even further investigation into the region’s history, you can visit Baia Mare an hour away or the unique Merry Cemetery in Sapanta.
How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Satu Mare flight?
As part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, we've launched a carbon offsetting scheme. Input the details of your Satu Mare flight into our travel footprint calculator to calculate your carbon emissions. You can choose to offset your emissions by making a payment supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects. You will receive a certificate in return, recognising the offset emissions.
