Mureș County, a complete European destination
Mureș County, located in the heart of Transylvania, is a versatile tourist destination capable of offering a complete experience to visitors from Romania and abroad.
Daniel Onea, 17.09.2026, 14:00
Mureș County, located in the heart of Transylvania, is a versatile tourist destination capable of offering a complete experience to visitors from Romania and abroad. From urban and architectural exploration to rural tourism and reconnecting with nature, the region harmoniously blends historical heritage with spectacular landscapes.
Dana Matic, a project manager at the Visit Mureș Association, highlights the richness of the local offer and the area’s diverse tourism potential: “First of all, I have a strong sense of local pride. What makes me proudest of Mureș County is that we have it all. Except for the sea, we possess such a wealth of natural and cultural resources that I wouldn’t even know how many days it would take to explore everything. It also depends on individual preferences: some seek active tourism, others look for family-friendly activities, while some prefer visiting castles. Key assets include our Saxon heritage, specifically the Sighișoara area, which features a network of Saxon villages with fortified churches that have been renovated and revitalized in recent years. Furthermore, on a national level, we are the county with the highest number of castles and manor houses; these are increasingly being acquired by private investors, restored, and integrated into the tourism circuit, with some being transformed into hotels or museums.”
Beyond its architectural heritage, Mureș County boasts diverse terrain that includes protected mountain areas as well as spa resorts of European significance, renowned for health tourism: “We also have a remarkable natural landscape in the northeast of the county: the Upper Mureș Valley, featuring the Mureș Gorge, and the Călimani and Gurghiu Mountains, with peaks exceeding 2,000 meters, such as Pietrosul Călimani. We have rivers, lakes, and salt waters, along with what is arguably Romania’s most beautiful resort, Sovata, home to Lake Ursu. The latter is known as the world’s largest, and Europe’s only, heliothermic lake, famous for treatments utilizing healing waters and sapropelic mud. Sovata Resort has seen tremendous development in recent years, with renovations to sidewalks, themed walkways, and viewpoints, while the air quality is excellent thanks to beneficial aerosols. Last but not least, we take pride in our local gastronomy.”
While the Sovata resort is already a well-established landmark, the other natural attractions in the northeastern part of the county offer visitors equally remarkable experiences centered on ecotourism and adventure. The Upper Mureș Valley, together with the gorge carved by the river, forms a spectacular geographical corridor flanked by dense forests and picturesque villages, an ideal area for leisurely hiking and nature observation. Complementing this landscape, the terrain rises in elevation through the Călimani and Gurghiu Mountains, both of which are volcanic massifs.
This natural diversity, combined with culinary traditions, has drawn the attention of foreign investors. As Dana Matic, a project manager at the Visit Mureș Association, explains, remote villages in the region have been transformed into hubs for niche rural tourism: “Lately, we’ve noticed a growing demand for secluded, remote locations where one can reconnect with nature. Cund is one such place, a spot that might have remained unknown were it not for a foreign investor from Germany. He fell in love with the location precisely because of its isolation and the authentic Transylvanian rural lifestyle, with its Saxon heritage. He bought and renovated several houses to create a retreat, crafting unique experiences, and he happens to be an excellent chef, too. Others followed in his footsteps, such as a young entrepreneur who trained in Switzerland and opened a workshop producing aged cheese from local milk, welcoming guests for tastings. The natural setting is stunning; you can go for carriage rides, or visit the castles and manor houses nearby.”
Beyond rural experiences, exploring the county would be incomplete without its urban and aristocratic landmarks, which offer leisure opportunities suitable for families, as recommended by Dana Matic, a project manager at the Visit Mureș Association: “The Bethlen Castle in Criș is one of the most beautiful fortified Renaissance castles in Transylvania. Another branch of the Bethlen family owns an estate in Bahnea, which has also been fully renovated and features exhibition spaces. I would also highlight the local wineries and vineyards; the ‘Fetească Regală’ wine variety was discovered in Daneș. It is also there that small entrepreneurs opened a local hilltop brewery, naming it after the number of steps in the covered staircase of the Sighișoara Citadel. Then there is Târgu Mureș, the county seat, which offers a remarkable cultural experience. It is home to at least two iconic Art Nouveau buildings constructed between 1905 and 1913: the Palace of Culture and the Prefecture. The Palace of Culture houses the county museum’s art section and the State Philharmonic. Furthermore, Târgu Mureș boasts the country’s largest and most beautiful zoo, spanning 42 hectares and home to over 150 species and 800 animals—including species unique to Romania, such as giraffes, elephants, and gibbons.”
For those planning a visit, accessing the area is very easy. Tourists can choose direct flights to “Transilvania” International Airport in Târgu Mureș, which offers regular service to and from numerous European destinations, or travel by car, as the county boasts excellent connections to Romania’s European roads and motorways. Furthermore, the region caters to every accommodation preference, ranging from charming traditional guesthouses to modern hotels (rated two to five stars) and motels.
In conclusion, the combination of well-preserved historical heritage, exceptional natural resources, and modernized tourism infrastructure transforms Mureș County into a competitive destination on the European tourism map. It is a place where tradition and modernity coexist, offering every traveler options tailored to their own expectations. (LS)
