Suceava County is situated in the north-eastern part of Romania, at a distance of 450 Km from Bucharest, occupying a surface of 8553.5 km2 (which represents 3.6% of the country’s territory), the second county as size in the country.
The population of Suceava County is about 700,000 inhabitants.
From a tourist point of view, this area is known as Bucovina. When we say Bucovina, we say history, museums, monasteries, traditions and customs, folk crafts, but also beautiful landscapes and hospitable people.
Once the capital of Moldova Region (from 1388 until 1565), Suceava is an excellent starting point for trips to the many historical, cultural and natural attractions travelers can enjoy in the Bucovina region. Suceava is also the gateway to visiting the painted Monasteries of Bucovina. Located in the Carpathian foothills, you’ll encounter 48 monasteries built by Stefan cel Mare Voievod. For each of his victorious battles in the 14th and 15th centuries, he built churches and monasteries through Moldova region. These famous monasteries with exterior paintings made with vegetal colors are known wide world as true masterpieces of medieval art and architecture.
Descendants continued his work and today, you can experience four-dozen of these exceptional structures, which are among the most fascinating sights in the country.
The most important painted monasteries of Bucovina are: Putna, Moldoviţa. Suceviţa, Voroneţ, Probota, Sf. Ioan cel Nou Suceava, Arbore, Râşca, Pătrăuţi, Dragomirna, Slatina, Humor.
Seven of them are on the UNESCO World Heritage List: Arbore, Moldovita, Humor, Pătrăuţi, Sf. Ioan cel Nou Suceava, Probota, Voronet – also known as the “Sistine Chapel of the East”,
Suceava City is the biggest city of Bucovina. It has a population of about 114,500 inhabitants. Suceava city has some noteworthy attractions of its own, to be seen, like:
- Mirăuţi Church (Biserica Mirăuţi) – the oldest church in Suceava;
- Princely Court (Cetatea de Scaun) of Stefan cel Mare Voievode;
- Princely Inn (Hanul Domnesc) – one of the oldest buildings in Suceava, where you can visit the Bucovina Ethnographic Museum;
- Zamca Monastic Complex founded by Armenians exiled in Moldova;
- Bucovina History Museum (Muzeul de Istorie) – the hall of the Throne is a re-creation of Stefan cel Mare ‚ s court with furniture, weapons and costumes;
- Bucovina Village Museum (Muzeul Satului Bucovinean) – an open-air museum featuring a collection of 80 buildings representing the history and design of Bucovina’s rural architecture.
How to reach Suceava
Suceava is easily accessible from Bucharest (Bucuresti) by plane (1 hour), train (approximately 6 hours) and car (6 ½ to 8 ½ hours depending on traffic conditions).
By air
Suceava Stefan cel Mare International Airport
Tel.: 0230 529 999
Email: office@aeroportsuceava.ro
Website: www.aeroportsuceava.ro/index_en.html
The airport is located 9 miles from the city.
Airlines with service to Suceava: Carpat Air ( www.carpatair.com) , Tarom (www.tarom.ro).
By bus
Suceava Main Bus Station (Autogara Suceava)
Address: Str. Vasile Alecsandri 2, Suceava; www.autogari.ro
By car
The fastest route from Bucharest to Suceava is via E85: Bucuresti – Urziceni – Buzau – Focsani – Bacau – Roman – Falticeni – Suceava
By train
Suceava Station – Burdujeni (Gara Suceava)
Address: Str. Nicolae Iorga , nr. 7
Tel: 0230 523 987
Suceava North-Station – Itcani (Gara Suceava Nord)
Address: Str. Garii, nr. 8
Tel: 0230 517 117
Schedules for domestic routes: www.infofer.ro
International trains from / to Suceava: www.romaniatourism.com/transportation.html
SNCFR’s Advance Booking Office (Agentia de Voiaj SNCFR Suceava)
Address: Str. Balcescu, nr.8
Tel: 0230 214 335
Public Transportation
Several bus and maxi routes connect Suceava’s main areas and tourist attractions.
Taxi companies
- Alyoda: 0230 533 333
- Cristaxi: 0230 522 222
- Eurotaxi: 0230 511 116
Opening a bank account
If you choose to open a bank account in Romania, you should do so at once. Banks will require the following documents:
– a passport or identity card
– an address in Suceava
You may choose from the following banks in Suceava:
– TRANSILVANIA Bank – 56 Stefan cel Mare str., Tel.: +40230 220470
– RAIFFEISEN Bank – 2, Nicolae Balcescu Str., Suceava; tel. 0230 – 522506
– BANCPOST Bank – 6, Nicolae Bălcescu Str., tel. 0230 – 214744
– CEC Bank – Str. Universitatii, nr. 52; tel: 0230 222 946
– VOLKSBANK Romania – Str. Marasesti, nr. 44, bl. T1; tel: 0230 551 791
Mobile phones
If you wish to use a mobile phone in Romania, you should know that there are three competing networks:
- ORANGE
- VODAFONE
You can buy a local number and calling credits in many shops. The logo of the network(s) is usually displayed outside.
Telephoning Suceava from Abroad
International Access Code +40 (country code) +230 or 330 (area code) + telephone number
Rent a car
In Suceava cars can be rented from the following car rental companies:
- Autonom
Address: Str. Nicolae Balcescu, nr. 2 and Suceava Airport
Tel: 0230 521 101 or )748 295 660
Email: suceava@autonom.ro ; website: www.autonom.ro
- EuroCars Romania
Address: Suceava Stefan cel Mare International Airport (Salcea)
Tel: 0727 37 37 99
Email: office@eurocars.ro; website: www.eurocars.ro
- Icar
Address: Str. Vasile Alecsandri, nr. 10, Suceava
Tel: 0230 523 553
Email: icar@icar.ro ; website: www.icar.ro/en/index.php
- Rent – Mar – Cars Fly & Drive – tel.: 0230 512322; 0723 192 051;
0748 160 145; email: mariancucos@yahoo.com