This Romanian city centers around its famous salt mine with underground lakes and a Ferris wheel. Its 12th-century fortress and Roman ruins tell stories of ancient civilizations.
Turda sits in Romania's Transylvania region, where you can descend 120 meters underground to ride a Ferris wheel in an old salt mine, row boats on a subterranean lake, or walk through the 917-meter Franz Josef Gallery. Above ground, you'll find the 16th-century Reformed Church and can hike past limestone caves in the Cheile Turzii gorge.
Salina Turda Salt Mine
The main chamber extends 120 meters underground, with mining galleries now transformed into entertainment spaces. A 20-meter Ferris wheel operates in the Rudolf Mine chamber, alongside mini-golf courses, bowling lanes, and an underground salt lake with rowing boats. The mine stays at 10-12°C year-round, and many visitors come for the salt-rich air that helps with respiratory conditions. In the 112-meter Iosif Mine chamber, your voice will create powerful echoes that bounce through the isolated space.
Getting to Turda
You can drive from Cluj-Napoca to Turda in about 35 minutes via the E81 route. Buses leave regularly from Cluj-Napoca's corner of Piaţa cel Ştefan Mare and Strada Ion I. C. Brătianu, taking around 30 minutes. In Turda, catch bus 17 to the salt mine's entrance, or walk 1.2 kilometers. Look for the bus stop at the city's main five-way intersection.
Turda Gorge (Cheile Turzii)
The gorge cuts through limestone rock for nearly 3 kilometers, with walls rising 300 meters high. You can climb the vertical walls or follow several marked trails through the gorge. The limestone cliffs support more than 1,000 plant species, and multiple caves dot the rock faces. Some trails require basic climbing abilities, while others follow easier paths along the gorge floor.
Salt Mine Details
Visit between 9 AM and 7 PM daily (last entry at 6 PM). Enter through the Franz Josef Gallery, a 917-meter tunnel leading to the main chambers. Stop at the Crivac Room to see Europe's only preserved medieval salt extraction machine. The Theresa Mine chamber rises 90 meters high and contains a lake where you can take boat rides. Salt formations cover the chamber walls. Bring a warm jacket - the temperature stays cool even in summer.
Weather and When to Visit
Summer temperatures in Turda reach 30°C, while winters drop below freezing. The nearby Apuseni Mountains affect local weather patterns and create clear seasonal changes. The salt mine gets crowded on weekends and during summer. You can comfortably visit the mine in any season thanks to its stable temperature and humidity. Plan gorge hikes between spring and fall when trails are dry and accessible.
