Global Builders ROMANIA

For the second time, I lead a team to the fabulous city of Cluj, to partner with The Fuller Center Cluj to help build affordable housing the in bucolic Jucu-de-Sus.

My first trip to Romania, and first build with the Fuller Center there, was in 2023. I loved it so much, I decided to return in 2024, and again in 2025.

I was arriving after traveling ten days in Bulgaria, a couple days early before meeting the rest of my team in Cluj. My home away from home in Cluj is The Square Hotel, which I love for its location in Cluj’s Old City pedestrian zone, easy and enjoyable to navigate on foot, and close to many the things you may want to see and do.

In the area I highly recommend:

The Museum of Pharmacy – newly renovated and opened in 2024, an apothecary since 1573, the revitalized space showcases the rare heritage of history and health in Transylvania.
Salina Turda – The first document that speaks explicitly about the existence of a salt mine in Turda dates from May 1, 1271, issued by the Hungarian chancellery. It’s an amazing experience.
Piezișei Street – With nearly 100K university-aged students, the heart of the campus nightlife scene in Cluj is here. Booha Bar is fun for the young and the young at heart.
Take a guided walking tour of the Old City.

My favorite restaurants in Cluj:

Samsara – Without a doubt, my number one go-to. I love this place, and just about everyone I’ve taken there does too. The space is gorgeous and it serves the most delicious plant-based food.
C’est la Vie Rooftop Restaurant – Delicious fancy pants food with a spectacular view, on top of the Vibre Hotel.
Casa Veche – Traditional Romanian food in the heart of the Old City. The papanasi is particularly wonderful here.
Toulouse – A nice place to sit and practice the French art of Flânerie with good food on Piata Unirri.
Marty Restaurant – Several locations all with a large something-for-everyone menu.
Bistro 1568 – Yummy traditional Hungarian food, with Jewish, Saxon, Romanian, Armenian food represented too.
Ghandi – For traditional Indian food, I like this place.
La Nu Stiu Cine (Strada Vasile Goldiș, 1) – The MOST delicious ice-cream-and-toppings-packed crepes.

[Upon my return, I’d heard good things and would like to try, Zama Restaurant, Tsale Greek Taverna and Bunt Vegan. Let me know if you’ve been there!]

After the build this time I spent four days with some of my teammates in Maramureș, the historical and cultural region in northern Romania and western Ukraine, in the northeastern Carpathians mountains, with Breb village as our home base.

Check out my blog post on Maramureș.

Check my other posts on Sibiu & Sighisoara, Brasov & Viscri, Bran Castle, Pelles, Rupea, Rasnov, and Bucharest.