In this post, we’ll cover the 10 best things to do in Sibiu, this magical city in the heart of Transylvania, Romania.
Hi there,
I’m so happy to have you here! Whether you are already planning a trip to Sibiu or are simply curious to learn more about what this city has to offer, you have come to the right place!
As I’ve lived in Sibiu all my life, who better to give you the best travel tips for this wonderful city, than me?! 😉
Sibiu is this incredibly picturesque, medieval town, located right in the center of Romania, in the heart of Transylvania.
The mix of beautiful Germanic architecture in the old town, the rich history, and its impressive cultural events (such as the International Theater Festival) makes me SO proud to call this city my home town!
Is Sibiu Worth Visiting?
If you’ve been wondering “Is Sibiu worth visiting?” The simple answer is: hell YEAH! 😀 I would definitely recommend including it on your Romania travel itinerary.
Ranked 8th in Forbes list of Europe’s Most Idyllic Places to Live, Sibiu and its surroundings are one of the most-visited areas of Romania, both by foreign and local tourists.
But don’t take my word for it, just have a look below and see for yourself. 😉
10 Amazing Things To Do in Sibiu, Romania
1. Visit The Grand Square & Council Tower
Let’s start your (virtual) tour right in the city center, in Sibiu’s Grand Square (Piata Mare, in Romanian).
As you stand in the middle of it, you will find yourself surrounded by impressive, colorful, 13th century-old buildings, in beautiful Germanic architectural style. You will see here the City Hall (the yellow building) as well as one of the biggest museums in the country, Brukenthal Museum, to its left.
You might also get the feeling of being “watched”. Move your gaze up, to the roofs of the buildings and you’ll notice most of them have eyes. The windows of their attics have been designed in such shape to get the light in the most optimal way. This is why Sibiu is also called “The City with Eyes”.
Then head over to the Council Tower and climb the stairs all the way up, for some gorgeous views of the city center from above.
2. The Small Square & Liar’s Bridge
Let’s now walk under the Council Tower and cross into Sibiu’s Small Square (Piata Mica).
A more quiet place, this square (which isn’t really square in terms of shape) is a great place for a relaxing coffee or lunch in the city. There are plenty of beautiful cafes and restaurants all around, as well as many historical buildings.
The 16th century Casa Luxembourg, the Pharmacy Museum, or the Old Town Hall are just a few examples.
Next to Casa Luxembourg, you will find the Liar’s Bridge. There are many legends connected to it: some talking about soldiers promising their loved ones they will come back for them, others talking about deceiving merchants, and many more. It’s generally said that whatever is promised on that bridge is a lie, so watch out. 😉
3. Visit Huet Square & The Evangelic Church
One of the oldest squares in Sibiu is Huet, which dates back to the end of the 12th century. You can go down from here through the Stairs Passage into the lower town or walk around and visit the impressive Evangelic Church (The Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Mary).
I highly recommend climbing up its 73m high tower for some amazing views of the city and its surroundings. Inside you can also visit the basement which hosts the tombs of former mayors and other important historical figures, built inside the walls.
4. Walk on the Fortress Street – Sibiu’s Most Beautiful Street
Next let’s have a walk along the old fortification walls, Sibiu’s best-preserved medieval defense system, on Fortress Street (Strada Cetatii).
It is considered to be the most beautiful street in Sibiu and lies from the Opera House all the way to the last tower. This is also a great place for a coffee in the sun, as you will find beautiful cafes and restaurants at the beginning of this street.
5. Visit Brukenthal Museum
Brukenthal Museum is Romania’s first national museum and actually, the first one in Central Europe opened in 1817. It was the home of one of Transylvania’s most important personalities of the time, Baron Samuel von Brukenthal.
Inside you’ll be able to admire a variety of paintings collections from both Romanian and foreign artists. It is the only museum in Romania to own works by Van Eyck, Memling, and Titian.
6. See the ASTA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilisation
One of the best things to do in Sibiu
This will be truly an unforgettable experience! You will discover how Romanians used to live and work ages ago, what their houses used to look like, their gardens, and the ingenious tools created to make life easier.
One of the best parts is that this is an open-air museum and the views of the lake and mountains are gorgeous.
This museum and park are huge, so I would definitely reserve at least half a day if you want to see it all. You will also find here several, really nice, authentic restaurants that serve delicious Romanian food.
7. Step inside the Orthodox Cathedral
Sibiu’s Cathedral is also an impressive site to visit during your stay in the city. Located on Mitropoliei Street, the Basilica was built in a Byzantine style and was inspired by the majestic Hagia Sophia.
8. Walk through the lower town (Orasul de Jos)
A walk through the lower town should definitely be on your list of things to do in Sibiu. Simply go down the stairs from Huet Square or the Small Square and you will find yourself in the lower part of the city (Orasul de Jos).
This is one of the oldest areas of the city, with cobbled narrow streets and historical buildings. Beautiful, quiet, and charming.
9. Find the secret statue in Piata Mare
Not a lot of tourists know about this one, so this is your special treat reading this Sibiu guide of the best things to do designed by yours trully. 😉
You can find the statue of Saint Nepomuk, which was previously displayed inside of the Large Square, now hidden away in the inner courtyard of the Roman Catholic Church.
10. Try the traditional Romanian cuisine
This is of course one of the must-dos when you are traveling to Sibiu. There are plenty of restaurants that serve authentic food, especially from the Transylvania region, so make sure to try “mititei” (little sausages), “sarmale” and for dessert, definitely “papanasi”.
Some of the restaurants to check out: Hermania, Kulinarium, or Camara Boierului by Hilton.
3 Unforgettable Day Trips From Sibiu
Sibiu is perfectly located close to the Fagaras mountains (the highest in Romania) and other beautiful cities of Transylvania so there are lots more to explore in the area.
Here are some of the best days trips you can do from Sibiu:
1. Balea Lake & Transfagarasan
If you’re a nature lover, Romania should definitely be on your travel list as it has SO much to offer. The Carpathians mountains are perfect for exciting hikes during summertime or skiing in winter.
Right at the top of the Fagaras mountains (the highest section of the Carpathians), at 2.034m high, you will find Balea Lake, a glacier lake with stunning views and ice-cold water. You can reach it by car during the summer season (a 1,5h drive from Sibiu on the famous Transfagarasan road) or via cable car during wintertime.
2. Rasinari & Paltinis
Curious to see what a typical Transylvanian mountain village looks like? Then hop in the car and drive to Rasinari. Walk on the narrow, winding streets in the city centre and then continue your trip further into the mountains.
After another 30 minutes drive, on super sharp curves and serpentines, you will reach Paltinis.
Paltinis is the highest and oldest mountain resort in Romania (at 1.440m altitude). It is located in the Cindrel Mountains and can be easily reached during a beautiful 30-minute drive from Sibiu.
I can highly recommend spending one or 2 relaxing days exploring the nature of this area. There are plenty of hikes you could take, with gorges views of the Fagaras Mountains in the distance, as well as other family-friendly activities (ex. tree climbing adventures at Arka Park or skiing during winter at Arena Platos).
3. Brasov, Cluj or Sighisora
With Sibiu as your base for a trip to Transylvania, you can easily explore some of the larger cities nearby. Brasov, Cluj or Sighisoara are other incredibly beautiful places to visit in Romania and each of them can be reached in aroud 1,5-2 hours drive from Sibiu.
So there you have it: my top best things to do in Sibiu! I hope this was useful and remember to bookmark this page (or save the pin) for your next trip to Romania!
Happy travels! 🙂
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