Nicknamed the “City of Roses”, Targu Mures features Romanian and Hungarian influences, from traditional cuisine to international art, museums and historic architecture. It’s also a short drive from wine tasting and saltwater baths in the countryside.
Things to do in Târgu Mureş
Life in Targu Mures centres around the main Piata Trandafirilor square, which boasts street-side cafes, coffee lounges and live-music venues. On the south side of the plaza you’ll find the Culture Palace with spectacular stained-glass windows depicting Hungarian legends.
The Culture Palace also houses some of the city’s best museums, including the Ethnographic and Folk Art Museum and the History Museum. You’ll discover everything from craft-guild artefacts to Roman relics and exhibitions chronicling Neolithic cultures. To see contemporary art, walk over to the Ion Vlasiu Painting Gallery or Nagy Imre Painting Gallery.
Stroll the city streets to view landmarks and historical buildings devoted to the arts, including art schools and workshops at the Baroque-style Apollo Theatre and the Old Prefecture Building from the 1700s. The Palffy House, built in 1640, hosts the Music School belonging to the University of Theatrical Arts of Targu Mures.
Within 30 minutes’ drive, you can sample local wines made from vineyard grapes near Cetatea de Balta. The small village hosts wine-tasting at Jidvei Winery inside Bethlen Castle. Less than an hour east of Targu Mures, you can soak in saltwater baths at the Praid Salt Mine.
Getting around Târgu Mureş
Targu Mures Airport is less than 15 kilometres from the city centre and has car rentals, taxis and shuttles. Buses operate throughout downtown, which is also pedestrian-friendly.