Oradea, the largest town in the Romanian province of Crisana, has become in time an important commercial center. Its development has been favored by its position at the intersection of the roads that link West, Central and South East Europe. Situated just 12 km from the border, Oradea is the main gateway to Romania from Western Europe.

The period of Austrian domination was beneficial in every respect for Oradea. It was then that the Orthodox Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God was built. It is known as the church with the moon (since the steeple houses a clock with a mechanism that also shows the phases of the moon) and it's characterized by its baroque and neo-classical architecture. Also from this period date the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, one of the most impressive baroque monuments in the country, the Roman Catholic Episcopal Palace, the Roman catholic Church of St Ladislas, the Synagogue, the Palace of the Chamber of Commerce, the Town Hall, the Theatre, the Palace of Justice, and the Apollo, Ulman and the Black Eagle Palaces.

In the immediate vicinity of the city (8-10km) there are 2 renowned spa resorts: Baile Felix and Baile 1 Mai.