Bistrița is the capital city of Bistrița-Năsăud County, located in the northern Transylvania region of Romania. The city is situated along the banks of the Bistrița River.
As of 2021, the city has a population of 78,877 inhabitants and administers six surrounding villages: Ghinda, Sărata, Sigmir, Slătinița, Unirea, and Viișoara. A project is currently underway to establish a metropolitan area consisting of the municipality of Bistrița and three surrounding localities, which would result in a combined population exceeding 91,600 inhabitants.