10:00

Ștefan Tower

Reach the center on foot, by bus or by taxi and set aside about 60–90 minutes for the tower, taking in its architectural details and its relationship with the surrounding buildings; if access is allowed, you can also consider climbing it for a view over the rooftops of Baia Mare. The exterior visit usually does not require a ticket, while any access costs should be considered roughly in the range of 0–20 RON: check availability, access methods and prices on official channels before you go.

The ability to climb may depend on conditions and accessibility: check the latest official information.

11:30

Liberty Square

From Ștefan Tower, reach the square with a walk of a few minutes and spend about 1–2 hours appreciating its urban space, historic facades and the details of the buildings that frame it. Stop for a coffee and have lunch nearby, budgeting roughly 10–25 RON for a drink and 35–80 RON for a simple meal; in the afternoon you can return to the square for a more leisurely stroll and end the day with dinner in the area. For any interior visits or events, check opening hours, access and tickets in advance on the official websites.

Wear comfortable shoes and leave room for a break: the itinerary stays entirely in the center.

10:00

Mineralogy Museum

Spend about two hours at the collection, paying particular attention to the minerals and specimens connected to the geological and mining history of the region. The museum is located on Bulevardul Traian; from the center it can be reached on foot in about 15–20 minutes, or by taxi with a short ride. Allow roughly 10–30 RON for admission, if applicable, and check the official website for prices and visiting conditions.

To enjoy the specimens at a relaxed pace, set aside extra time for the mineralogy rooms and check any photography rules before you go.

14:00

County Art Museum Baia Mare Artistic Center

After the visit, reach the center on foot in about 15–20 minutes; include a lunch break of about an hour along the way or in the central streets, budgeting around 35–70 RON for a simple meal. Then devote about two hours to the works and exhibition materials that present the Baia Mare Artistic Center and its painting tradition, paying attention to the landscapes and the different styles of the artists. Allow roughly 10–30 RON for admission, if applicable, and check the official website for opening hours, tickets and any temporary exhibitions; with the remaining time, you can stop in the center for a coffee or dinner, around 20–50 RON.

The museum is in a central area: allow for lunch and any breaks, without planning additional visits as compulsory stops.

10:00

Firiza Lake

From Baia Mare, reach the lake in about 20–30 minutes by car or taxi; allow 2–2,5 hours for a walk in the accessible areas and to enjoy the view over the reservoir and the wooded slopes. Follow local signs and do not assume that swimming or shoreline access is allowed in every section. Visiting the landscape is generally free, but budget around 0–20 RON for any local parking or access fees, to be checked on site.

Wear shoes suitable for trails or uneven ground and bring water; check trail conditions before venturing away from the accessible areas.

15:00

Șurdești wooden church

After a lunch break along the way, allow about 50–70 minutes by car from Firiza Lake, depending on the route and traffic. Spend 45–60 minutes at the church, taking in the porch, the wooden decorations and the slender bell tower; it is a UNESCO-listed stop on the wooden churches route of Maramureș. For any entrance fee or contribution, consider around 10–30 RON, but do not take it for granted: check the official website or local contacts for visiting arrangements and tickets.

After the visit, return to Baia Mare in about 30–45 minutes and set aside the evening for dinner; to reach the church without a car, arrange a round-trip transfer in advance.

08:45

Plopiș wooden church

From Baia Mare, reach Plopiș by car in about 45–60 minutes, for a journey of about 30 km; allow extra time for road conditions and for finding your way around the village. Spend 45–60 minutes at the church and in the cemetery setting, observing the wooden structure, the roofline and the handcrafted details; access inside may depend on local availability. For the visit, budget around 0–20 RON for a donation or contribution, to be checked on site.

Before departure, check access arrangements on official channels or with local contacts; bring cash in lei for any contributions.

12:45

Memorial to the Victims of Communism

From Plopiș, continue by car toward Sighetu Marmației, allowing about 1 hour and 45 minutes–2 hours for a route of roughly 80–90 km, depending on the road chosen and traffic. After a simple lunch break along the way or upon arrival, set aside about 2.5–3 hours for the visit: the cells, objects, and exhibition materials help explain political repression in communist Romania and the prison’s history. Budget approximately 20–50 RON for the ticket, to be checked on the official website; for the return to Baia Mare, allow about 1 hour and 15 minutes–1 hour and 30 minutes by car.

The itinerary is packed with content: if you have limited time, choose a few sections and check entrance fees and visiting arrangements in advance.

10:00

Merry Cemetery of Săpânța

From Baia Mare, reach Săpânța by car or with a driver: the journey is about 75–85 km and can take roughly 1 hour and 30–45 minutes, depending on the route and traffic. Set aside about 1 hour and 15 minutes for the painted graves, observing the colors, carved motifs, and short texts in Romanian that recount episodes from the lives of the deceased. Plan on roughly 5–10 RON for admission, if required, and check the official website for any fees and visiting conditions.

It’s a good idea to leave early and bring cash in RON; ask before photographing people or restricted areas.

11:45

Peri-Săpânța Monastery

Reach the monastery from the cemetery with a short local transfer of just a few minutes by car, or on foot if the route and conditions allow it. Dedicate about 45–60 minutes to the complex and the soaring wooden church, paying attention to the carved decorations and the landscape setting; dress respectfully and check the official website for any access rules. Admission may be free or accompanied by a donation: allow roughly 0–20 RON.

After the visit, you can stop for lunch in the village, budgeting about 40–80 RON per person, and head back to Baia Mare in the early afternoon; the return usually takes about 1 hour and 30–45 minutes.

09:15

Bârsana Monastery

Depart Baia Mare around 07:30: by car, the trip takes about 1 hour and 30–45 minutes, depending on the road and traffic; plan on roughly 75–80 km. Set aside 1 hour and 30 minutes for the complex, taking in the wooden buildings, roofs, and carvings while respecting the prayer areas. Fuel for this leg may cost around 35–60 RON per car; check official channels in advance for any visiting arrangements or required contributions.

Wear clothing appropriate for a religious site and leave some flexibility for any services or access restrictions.

12:15

Ieud Deal Church

From Bârsana, drive to Ieud in about 45–60 minutes, covering roughly 30–35 km; local roads can make the journey longer. Spend 45–60 minutes at the church and its surroundings: admire the wooden structure and decorative details, avoiding photos or access where not permitted. After the visit, allow about an hour for lunch in Ieud or along the way; fuel for the transfer and the return trip to Baia Mare may be around 55–90 RON per car, while lunch can cost about 45–90 RON per person. The drive back to Baia Mare takes roughly 2–2 hours and 30 minutes.

Check the official visitor information before departure: access to a church may depend on services or local availability.

08:30

Mocănița steam train in Vișeu de Sus

Leave Baia Mare around 05:30 by car: the trip to Vișeu de Sus can take about 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending on the road and traffic. Arrive early at the Mocănița station and devote the whole morning and much of the afternoon to the rail journey: the tourist route follows the Vaser Valley and can last several hours, to be confirmed on the official website along with departure times and ticket availability. Bring water and a snack or packed lunch; as a rough guide, expect about 100–180 RON for the ticket and 25–50 RON for food and drinks.

The next part of the plan assumes you’re back at the station by early afternoon. If the train returns late, skip the waterfall and do not try to make up time by driving fast.

15:45

Cascada Cailor (Horses' Waterfall) in Borșa

From the station, drive to the Borșa tourist area, about 45–60 minutes away. To keep to schedule, check in advance on the official website or with the operator whether the chairlift is running and can get you closer to the trail: from there, you’ll still need to walk on mountain terrain, with duration and conditions to be checked on site. Without the chairlift, the hike takes longer and may make it unrealistic to get back to Baia Mare by evening; bring hiking shoes and water. Budget roughly 30–60 RON for any lift service and 0–20 RON for access or services, if applicable.

The estimated drive back to Baia Mare is about 2 hours and 30 minutes, but this varies with road conditions, weather, and traffic. If the rail connection is delayed, visit the waterfall on another day.