Targu Jiu Travel Guide: Brancusi, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Targu Jiu is one of Romania’s hidden gems, the city where Romania’s famous sculptor Constantin Brancusi left many of his works, being born in a nearby village.

I visited this city recently with my family, hopping in the car and driving for about 1.5 hours from Drobeta Turnu Severin.

I was really impressed with the central areas we visited during our day trip. It was a pleasant surprise to see how nicely the city has grown since I last visited, many years ago.

So let’s find out more about Targu Jiu in today’s article: top things to do and see, where to stay (hint: an AMAZING hotel!) and some personal impressions about this overlooked destination in Romania.

How to Get to Târgu Jiu

One of the reasons why this city is a hidden gem is the fact that connections to other major cities are limited. Because of this, driving is usually the best option, although there should be buses that have it as a destination too.

If you are flying, the closest major hub is Craiova International Airport, which is about a two-hour drive away, and which also has a direct train to Targu Jiu.

You can also reach the city by car from Bucharest in around four hours. As you can see, it requires a bit of planning to get here, but this is exactly what makes the city feel like a tourist’s gem instead of an overcrowded trap.

Where to stay in Targu Jiu?

Without a doubt, the best hotel in Targu Jiu is Hotel Anna. You must check it out – while it’s a three-star hotel, it offers a lot more than most I have visited in Romania, no matter their star rating.

Amazing room designs, all of them soundproofed, comfortable, large beds, extremely clean and with very friendly staff. This is difficult to find, no matter the cost, but Hotel Anna is actually fairly priced!

It’s also located close to the city center and the main attractions, right across the street from a supermarket. I am sure you’ll love this place, even though it doesn’t look like much from the outside. Trust me, it’s great!

Click here to check out Anna Hotel in Targu Jiu

Top Things to See and Do in Targu Jiu

For a short visit of a weekend or even a full day, Targu Jiu has a lot to offer, especially if you’re into nature and art.

I also think it’s an excellent place for expats to settle in if they’re looking for a quiet, but beautiful spot. It felt very chill and laid back during our Sunday visit, and I doubt it gets too insane at any given moment of the day or night.

I told you that Romania’s greatest sculptor, Constantin Brancusi, lived here, so you can check out some of his art for free in various places in the city.

Targu Jiu has some of the most important works of Constantin Brancusi on display, for free: the Kissing Gate and the Table of Silence can be seen in the Constantin Brancusi park in the center of the city, while the Endless Column is just 10 minutes away in the Endless Column Park.

Because of this, I am actually surprised that Targu Jiu doesn’t make it on many (if any) lists of cities to see in Romania – especially since it has more to offer than just the said sculptures.

Check them out below, as we saw them during our visit:

In the center of the city you can also find a nice pedestrian street with a lot of green areas, surrounded by shops, bakeries and pubs.

Strangely, restaurants are not as many as one would expect in this somewhat touristy area, but there are at least a couple of good options, so you won’t go hungry.

Or if you have some extra time on your hands, you can hop into a car and drive a few kilometers to the nearby village Cornesti where this insane-looking Castle-Restaurant (named Perla Restaurant) awaits:

We just stopped for a photo: I initially thought, when I saw it from afar, that it’s a real castle and I was surprised with its great condition.

But when we got there and saw it was a restaurant, we decided against entering, as we had just eaten and had no reason to fill our bellies even more.

In the central area that we spent most of our time in, things looked really nice. A lot of options when it comes to shopping and sightseeing, plus you have the Jiu river going right through the middle of the city and offering great views as well.

Targu Jiu is also spread on a larger area, so I doubt that it ever gets too crowded. There are many beautiful homes away from the city center, with nice gardens and pretty quiet too.

It did seem very chill and laid back – it could be the fact that it was a Sunday that we visited, but I doubt it gets too insane at any given moment of day or night.

Things to know about Targu Jiu

This city existed even when the Dacians roamed the lands, even if it was just a small village back then. It is situated near the beautiful Jiu river – hence its name which translates as Jiu’s Fair – and close to the Carpathian mountains.

Around 73,000 people call it home today, so it is a decently-sized city. Historically, many of the people living here were coal miners, as the surrounding areas are rich in deposits.

Recent years have seen numerous layoffs, and coal mining is becoming less popular as other job opportunities take its place.

This is also where Constantin Brancusi, the founder of modern sculpture and one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century, had spent some of his life and created some of his most important works.

Best Day Trips: Hobita & Transalpina

If you have a car, you can explore around the city, like the Hobita village which is just 24 kilometers away. This is Brancusi’s actual birthplace, and you can visit his memorial house to see where the famous sculptor grew up.

And if you love driving, Târgu Jiu is the perfect gateway to the Transalpina, one of Romania’s most amazing roads – the one you probably know already from photos showing amazing roads in the world.

Starting in the nearby town of Novaci, this is the highest paved road in Romania and offers some of the most spectacular mountain views in the entire country. Just keep in mind that it’s a difficult drive and it’s not always open – during the winter, especially when heavy snows are expected, the road is closed.

Conclusion

Those looking for cities in Romania that are not as popular as the major ones, but are still charming and have a lot to offer – both for long term living and a quick visit of 1-3 days, Targu Jiu is a hidden gem you should discover.