Cluj on a Budget: The Best Apartments for a Short Stay

Cluj-Napoca has improved a lot in the past decade, remaining one of the largest, most popular, and most beautiful cities in Romania. It is now the pounding heart of Transylvania’s tech scene, a magnet for digital nomads, and a festival capital (with Untold leading the way).

This also means that now, more than ever, it is difficult to find an affordable place for a short stay in Cluj – but I am here to help fix that. I will share the absolute best value for the money apartments in Cluj Napoca, perfect for spending some memorable days here.

If you are planning a longer stay in the city, I wrote a complete guide to Cluj, Romania – make sure to check it out if you need more info.

If not, let’s jump right into my recommendations, knowing that I looked only at affordable places in top locations, usually close to the city center.

1. Cluj Hideaway (The Best Budget Choice)

If you are looking for the absolute best value for your money, this is it. The Cluj Hideaway lives up to its name, offering a quiet, clean, and comfortable experience that is hard to beat at this price point.

The trade-off here is location versus wallet. It is about a 20-minute walk from the absolute center of the city. However, for the price difference, that walk is good for your health and your budget. highly recommended.

Check prices and availability here

2. Luxury 1-Bedroom Free Parking (Editor’s Choice)

Definitely not the winner of the most innovative name for a location, this apartment makes up for the lack of creativity in its title when it comes to quality – it’s simply fantastic!

This is a spacious 50-square-meter, 1-bedroom unit that feels modern and airy and holds an impressive rating.

But the real selling point – if you travel by car, that is – is the free parking. Finding a parking spot in central Cluj is a nightmare that can ruin your mood instantly. Having a guaranteed spot included in the price is a massive luxury in itself.

Even if you don’t drive, this place remains the top pick!

Check prices and availability here

3. Central Decent Cozy Apartment

What’s up with these name choices, Cluj Napoca? Usually, when a place calls itself “decent,” you expect it to be just okay – livable, but nothing special. They are underselling themselves massively, unfortunately, but this probably means that it’s available more often than not. And it’s your win!

Despite the name, the apartment delivers “amazing” instead: it is located right in the action, yet it offers access to a beautiful garden and terrace – a feature that is almost impossible to find in the concrete jungle of the city center.

It’s charming, incredibly highly rated, and the owners clearly care about the details.

Check prices and availability here

4. PATRU Apartment

I couldn’t have had anything else in fourth position that PATRU Apartment (“patru” means four in Romanian).

Jokes aside, this is a Hidden Gem located in a historical building, situated in an inner garden, which provides a buffer from the city noise.

You get the benefit of being ultra-central without the soundtrack of traffic and nightlife keeping you awake. The design is stylish and spotless. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like a cool local rather than a tourist passing through.

Check prices and availability here

5. Ultracentral 1BD Near House of Culture

I also managed to find a really good place on AirBnb, and I am happy to share it here.

Located near the “Casa de Cultura” (House of Culture), this apartment places you near a major landmark that makes navigation easy and keeps Cluj’s main attractions nearby.

It is on the 4th floor (but there is an elevator), which usually guarantees better natural light and views than the ground-floor units common in the old town.

It is a renovated, stylish flat that puts you within walking distance of the opera, the main square, and the best restaurants in Cluj Napoca.

Check prices and availability here

If you’re looking for more options in other cities, I have a few more articles you should consider reading:

• The Best Affordable Apartments in Bucharest (for a Short Stay)
• Best Hotels Near the Bucharest Airport
• Best Centrally-Located Bucharest Hotels
• Best Hotels in Bucharest Close to the Train Station
• Best Hotels in Timisoara
• Or, if you want to enjoy the seaside: The best hotels in Mamaia

Why Choose an Apartment instead of a Hotel?

The prices in Cluj are still very competitive compared to Western Europe, meaning you can find high-quality accommodation without breaking the bank.

This applies to hotels, too – there are great picks in the area, but this time I wanted to focus on affordability, and you get the best here by booking an apartment.

It’s worth mentioning that back in the day, I recommended Airbnb exclusively. But lately, I have pivoted almost entirely to Booking.com.

While I still double-check AirBnb to make sure there’s no better deal there, the prices on the platform have skyrocketed recently, with the chore lists for guests are getting out of hand.

Booking.com offers professional management, has plenty of individually-hosted apartments now, and their “Genius” loyalty program can score you additional discounts and goodies. For me, it works better today.

The “Untold” Warning: Cluj hosts the massive Untold Festival, as mentioned in the intro, in early August. During this week, accommodation prices triple (or quadruple), and the city is packed.

If you are on a budget and not coming for the music, check the festival dates and avoid them.

Final Thoughts

These are my top picks for now, but the market in Cluj moves fast. If these are booked, you can certainly find more options on Booking.com – just remember to filter for a score of 8.0 or higher to ensure you get a good experience.

And if you find a solid choice, don’t hesitate to share it with our readers in the comments down below!