64,000
#103.6 km²
Alba
west-central Romania
Alba Iulia is the symbolic heart of Romania—home to the Alba Carolina Citadel and the city where the 1918 Great Union was proclaimed. For international students, it’s a compact, affordable university town with a distinctly relaxed pace, anchored by “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia (UAB) and a growing IT/creative scene.
The historic core blends seamlessly with bike- and pedestrian-friendly boulevards, reliable local buses, and fast regional rail links. UAB’s English-taught tracks (notably Computer Science and Business Administration) and a dedicated international office make onboarding straightforward.
As a county capital in central Transylvania, Alba Iulia offers big-city essentials without big-city prices—think lower rents, short commutes, and quick weekend escapes to Apuseni or Șureanu Mountains. Latest official demographic data (RPL 2021) places the municipality at ~64k residents, confirming its mid-size, student-friendly scale.
Alba Iulia sits in the central Transylvanian Plateau, on the first terrace of the Mureș River. Official municipal data lists the coordinates 46°04′17″N, 23°34′23″E, elevation ~330 m, and area 103.65 km². It’s roughly 100 km from Cluj-Napoca, with direct road links toward Deva and Arad. The local climate features warm summers, long autumns, and mild winters, with an average annual temperature of ~10°C and ~650 mm precipitation.
Specification | Details |
|---|---|
Population | 64,000 |
Area | 103.6 km² |
County | Alba |
Region | west-central Romania |
Timezone | EET (UTC+2) |
Climate | Temperate continental |
Average Temperature | Summer ~20–28°C, Winter often around –3–5°C (annual mean ~10°C) |
Monuments | The “Custozza” Monument, Horea, Closca and Crisan Obelisk, Union Monument |
Alba Iulia’s higher-education ecosystem centers on “1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia (UAB)—a public university with growing internationalization: a Preparatory Year in Romanian, English-taught Computer Science, and Business Administration (BA/MA). Dedicated International Relations teams support admissions, Erasmus+, and residence logistics.
Subject | Cost |
|---|---|
Accommodation | €180–€450 |
Food & Groceries | €160–€240 |
Transportation | €8–€30 |
Utilities | €40–€90 |
Entertainment | €50–€100 |
Healthcare | €10–€30 |
Total Monthly | €450–€940 |
Transportation | Status |
|---|---|
Metro (Metrorex) | No |
Bus/Tram/Trolley (STB) | Yes |
Taxi/Ride_hailing | Yes |
Emergency Contacts
Options | Cost |
|---|---|
University Dorms | €60–€95 – Shared rooms, campus-adjacent |
Private Student Dorms | €150–€250 – Modern amenities, limited stock |
Shared Apartments | €180–€270/room – 2–4 students, furnished |
Studios | €250–€420 – Independent living |
Host Families | €300–€450 – Meals/cultural immersion (limited) |
University dorms allocate before semester start; consult UAB housing & admissions pages.
One cinema, theatre seasons, seasonal festivals in the Citadel, and frequent outdoor events spring–autumn (municipal listings).
International food options are increasing near campuses
Spring (Mar–May):
Summer (Jun–Aug):
Autumn (Sep–Nov):
Winter (Dec–Feb):
Expect hearty Transylvanian flavors—sarmale, ciorbă, mămăligă, and pork/grill specialties—balanced by a lively café culture in the Citadel. Student budgets stretch far with daily “meniul zilei” lunches.
Popular: 5-a-side football, basketball, running/cycling along the river, weekend hikes; winter: bus trips to Șureanu ski area.
Grab a pastry/coffee (~€3) near Cetate; bus to campus (student pass), lectures in UAB’s central buildings.
Lunch menu (€6–€8), study in library/common spaces; museum visit with student ticket.
Dinner with friends (€7–€12) or cook at home; walk the Citadel bastions; budget cinema night.
Citadel events, day trips to Apuseni/Șureanu, or train to Cluj/Sibiu for concerts.
