Situated in central northern Romania, Tirgu Mures must do's include a variety of historical and cultural activities. This city, which is inhabited primarily by both Romanian and Hungarian people, has a population of just over 150,000. It's located in the heart of the Transylvanian region of Romania, famous for its many ancient ruins, intact medieval towns and, perhaps most prominently in the minds of foreigners, Count Dracula's castle. Although the real count was not a vampire, his castle is nonetheless a beautiful and important part of the Transylvanian history and experience.

Count Dracula's Castle

Although not located within the Tirgu Mures limits proper, this castle is only a few dozen km from the city. Tirgu Mures is a popular stop-off point for people traveling in between Bucharest and Sofia or Budapest, and the castle is the most popular day trip from Tirgu Mures. A trip to the Transylvanian region would not be complete without a tour of the castle.

Protestant Church

The oldest building in Tirgu Mures is a Protestant church that was built in the 15th century. It is a beautiful monument to an earlier time and features incredible architecture and design. Most of Tirgu Mures has been rebuilt over the decades, and so this piece of historic culture remains one of the most important parts of the city.

Town Fortress

The town fortress is one of the only one of its type in all of Romania. It's unique in that it was built in the medieval period as well and still remains virtually intact. The Protestant church exists within the walls of the fortress. There are also tours and other sites to see inside of the fortress as well, making it a worthwhile stop for any visitor.

National Theater

The National Theater is the home to a variety of different cultural traditions. It's one of the best places to see a mixture of Romanian and Hungarian histories interlinked. The theater maintains an active schedule of performances; check with the Tirgu Mures tourism board for indications of shows that are scheduled for the time you're planning to visit.

Philharmonic Orchestra

Like most smaller towns in Eastern Europe, Tirgu Mures has its own philharmonic orchestra. To get a sense of the traditional classical music of this region, visit the performances that this group puts on, typically inside of the National Theater but occasionally in churches around the city.