Top Things to Do in Targu Mures, Romania: A Local’s Guide

You’re going to learn about the best things to see and do in Târgu Mureș, Romania, from my friend Cristina, who lived here for 10 years (and counting) and decided to share her thoughts on this lesser-known – but pretty amazing Romanian city.

Getting advice from a local is always better, as people who lived there for years had more time to explore not only the main attractions but also the unique places off the beaten path – and I’m happy to be able to give that to you.

If you are looking to visit the famous region of Transylvania, Targu Mures is a great place to start with, as it’s located right in the heart of the country (and the well-known region).

There are plenty of things to do here, but vampire hunting is not on the list. Instead, we’ll look at the modern side of the city, from the best wine spots to the most interesting tourist attractions.

Best things to see and do in Targu Mures, Romania

You will be pleasantly surprised to find out that Targu Mures combines various styles of architecture into something unique, due to the multiple influences that shaped it over time – specifically the strong Hungarian heritage mixed with Romanian culture.

So while there aren’t a ton of things to keep you busy for months, you will still be entertained with what the city has to offer. So let’s discover its secrets!

The Palace of Culture

This incredibly beautiful building will catch your eye when you are walking the streets of the city, no matter how many times you’ve seen it before.

It is a stunning Art Nouveau representative and it is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. The building doubles up as a museum, with several exhibition rooms and a concert hall.

However, the real reason you are here is the Hall of Mirrors. This room is the crown jewel of the palace.

It features giant Venetian mirrors on both ends and spectacular stained glass windows that depict Szekler legends (important Hungarian heritage). If you are a fan of art, I definitely suggest you check them out. It’s a memorable experience you can’t get anywhere else in the region.

Imperial Inn Hotel & Spa

Tired after a long day of walking around the city? Then you need to visit one of the best SPAs in the area, the Imperial Inn Spa. Here you can enjoy several types of saunas – dry or wet – and leave your body in the hands of the expert masseurs to come out fully revitalized.

This place looks like it came out of a dreamland luxury holiday destination, but the prices are reasonable.

The hotel was renovated in 2022, so it’s still fresh and new. I recommend spending at least a couple of hours here to get pampered properly – or, even better, spend a few nights here, to have everything just minutes away.

Click here to check prices for your dates

The Medieval Citadel

The city, like many others in Transylvania (and throughout Romania), features an amazing citadel built in the 17th Century. It has a rich history, but we will focus on the experience.

You can enjoy the newly renovated Citadel, following the original plan, and take a stroll on its streets. It feels peaceful inside, a total break from the city noise.

Within the Medieval Citadel, you will find several towers which used to house various guilds, but make sure you don’t miss the Reformed Church sitting right in the center.

It’s the oldest building in the complex and adds to that “time travel” feeling. You can visit the location for free (within visiting hours) and even set up a picnic here to relax.

I suggest climbing the stairs that go alongside its walls for some photos – the view of the city from up there is fantastic.

The Teleki-Bolyai Library

If you love books or history, this is non-negotiable. The Teleki-Bolyai Library is one of the oldest and most beautiful libraries in Romania, similar to the Carturesti Carusel- one of the main attractions in Bucharest’s Old Town area.

It feels like walking into a movie set, with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves holding thousands of rare volumes.

It also houses a museum dedicated to the Bolyai mathematicians (father and son), who are local legends in the world of geometry. It’s right in the center, near the Citadel, so it’s easy to add to your walking tour.

The Status Quo Ante Synagogue

While walking through the city center, you shouldn’t miss this architectural masterpiece either, no matter if you’re into churches of not.

The Synagogue in Targu Mures is known for its intricate details and stunning interior, but it’s still relatively quiet compared to other tourist spots, which makes the experience even more special.

Even if you only have 15 minutes, step inside to admire the design. And if you like spiritual buildings, I recommend taking a look at my article listing Romania’s best monasteries.

The Cornești Plateau & The Zoo

If you plan on visiting Targu Mures with a kid, or if you just want the best view in town, you need to head up to the Cornești Plateau. This is the highest point in the city, situated atop a hill that overlooks the entire area.

The main attraction here is the Zoo. It is huge, and you can witness over 80 species of animals, from birds to felines and much more.

The prices vary from around 7 Euros for an adult and around 3 Euros for children, and there are special offers for groups and families. Yup, Romania is affordable! Make sure to double-check the prices, though, on the Zoo’s official website – where you can also book them online.

But the Plateau is more than just the Zoo. It features a dense oak forest with a professional tartan running track if you want to get a workout in.

There is also a small tourist train (Mocănița, also known as Transylvania’s Mocănița) that circles the forest – great for kids or tired legs, as well as for those looking for an old school train riding experience.

I definitely suggest checking this area out for the fresh air and the panoramic selfie spots, at the very least, though.

Complex Weekend

If you’re visiting Targu Mures during the summer, you can enjoy one of the places most locals go to relax after a long day at work: Complex Weekend.

Here you can find six outdoor pools, as well as an Olympic pool, which is covered, so it can be used during winter too. It also has seven water slides, 6 playgrounds for children, and a huge lake surrounding the entire area – and perfect for kayaking.

You will not only find the pools here, but also tennis courts and other sports fields. In this complex, there are small cabins next to the water which you can rent to spend the night, and several good restaurants with decent food.

Overall, if you want to feel like a local (and meet tons of locals too) this is the go-to place during the hot summer days.

The entrance fee is low at 20 lei per person (around 4 Euros) for an entire day (check updated prices on their official website), but you should get there early if you want to find a “good spot” next to some trees. That shade will save your life during the hot mid-day sun!

Best places to eat in Targu Mures

After all that exploring, you want to treat yourself with an amazing meal. While you will definitely be able to get that at one of the hotels and complexes recommended above, there are at least a couple of dedicated places you should visit.

La Rotonda 2.0

This is the top recommendation on this list, as it is basically the only place that has a legit Italian menu and some dishes that will leave you wanting to come again very soon.

In Targu Mures, this is definitely my favorite place to eat, as the prices are fairly good for the average Romanian consumer (which means not too expensive, yet not crazy cheap either). But the food is always PEREFECT.

It moved recently from its previous location (where it was known as Soul Bistro), but the food’s quality remained the same. To make sure you do end up at the right place, I am marking it for you here on Google Maps.

Taverna Diavolului

I think this place has a perfect name for your visit in the heart of Transylvania: The Devil’s Tavern.

ut worry not! The food is heavenly – and so is the service. You can eat a huge variety of dishes, both from the local cuisine and international. You can either enjoy your time on the nice terrace when the weather is nice or in the cellar. A solid experience with great food.

Check out their Facebook page, where you can see the menu (and more mouth-watering photos).

Căsuța Bunicii

We’re now moving away from devils and vampires to Grandma’s Cottage (this is what “Căsuța Bunicii” means.

This is a perfect place for those looking for a perfect, authentic Romanian culinary experience.

Sarmale, mamaliga, mititei, soup serverd in bread and much, much more… basically, all the best Romanian dishes you can think of can be had here. Absolutely amazing, in a truly beautiful place.

A bit away from the center, but definitely worth it. Check out the place’s Facebook page to see what I mean.

Top Things to Do near Targu Mures

I really can’t help but also mention some of the best things to do around the city – these are at most one hour away and they’re totally worth the trouble of getting there.

Campu Cetatii Trout Farm

During the weekends, I love going to this place as it is relaxing: the road is nice (about one hour drive away from Targu Mures), the food is amazing, and you can fish.

Here you can come with the family and enjoy a big dinner (I recommend trout, as that’s the restaurant’s special).

You can rent a fishing pole and try to catch your own dinner, or just stroll along the farmland and lakes. You can’t get food fresher than this!

During summer, this place gets crowded because it’s cheap and portions are big, so I suggest making a reservation. Check out their Facebook page for more details.

Villa Vinea Winery

This winery is situated just a few kilometers away (about half an hour drive) and here you can enjoy the beautiful picturesque landscape and pair it with a great Romanian wine as well.

While you’re here, you can enjoy a casual wine tasting, and for the typical wine lovers, you will find that these wines have a distinct taste as well due to the location and climate.

Overall, if you are just looking for an inspiring experience outside of the busy city life, take the short trip here and you will have a good time guaranteed.

Sighisoara Medieval City

If you have an extra free day to spend and you already visited all the attractions in Targu Mures, you can hop on a bus or car and head over to the medieval city of Sighisoara, which is one hour away from the city.

When I say medieval city I don’t just say it like that – every year, there is a medieval festival, which is exactly what you might’ve imagined!

Sighisoara is a beautiful city, filled with all of the beautiful features of the old days: a fortress, a citadel, narrow streets, and of course, beautiful old buildings which make for great Instagram photos!

This is also one of the best known and most important attractions in the country, so make sure to check it out if you have the chance!

Sovata Resort

Sovata is famous for Bear Lake (Lacul Ursu), a unique heliothermal lake (it gets warm from the sun but retains heat due to the salt). Floating in the salty water here is a bucket-list experience.

These would be my favorite things to do in Targu Mures! Now, each person might be interested in other things, so if you are curious in particular about the churches or some best restaurants or so, just let me know and I’ll do my best to help!