13 Perfect Things to Do in Sibiu, Romania

In this article, you will find all the best things to do in Sibiu (Romania) – a popular destination in Transylvania and a wonderful place to explore – as well as practical information about visiting Sibiu that will help you plan your trip to this amazing city.

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Sibiu is one of the most popular places to visit in Romania, and it’s no surprise, as the city is the prettiest, with a laid-back atmosphere and idyllic charm. I fell under its spell right away, too.

During my first trip to Sibiu, back in 2010, I was enchanted by the beautiful Old Town, its quirky houses, and the vibe of the place; it felt like time had stopped there. Since then, I have had the chance to visit Sibiu a few more times, and with each trip, I have loved the place more and more.

You can spend one day in Sibiu – that’s what I did when I was in the city for the first time. That should be enough to see all the Sibiu attractions.

However, you can also spend some more time there, just as I did during my next trips, and enjoy Sibiu – one of the best cities in Romania – to the fullest. Wander aimlessly around at a slow pace, walk not only the main streets but also some random lanes in the back, sit down for a coffee or three, relax, and feel the vibrant atmosphere of the city. There are so many great things to do in Sibiu that you will not be bored.

After visiting Sibiu and getting to know the city better, I really see why it was named one of the top idyllic places to live. It’s simply too good and too pretty to be true! If you’re looking for a charming yet vibrant and beautiful yet fascinating place to visit, Sibiu is your answer!

Here’s your Sibiu travel guide!

Things to do in Sibiu, Romania

Below, you will find all the best things to do in Sibiu, in no particular order.

Admire houses with eyes

When wandering around Sibiu Old Town, after a few minutes, you might feel a bit uncomfortable, like someone is constantly watching you. Look up and you will see why.

Sibiu is known as the city where houses have eyes. The peculiar mix of German and Hungarian influences in Sibiu resulted in a distinctive kind of architecture, characterized by small windows built in the attic for cooling purposes. Some of these houses were built as early as the 15th century.

The result is terrific; it’s as if the house is alive and is looking at you. Some sources claim that they were designed in this manner to instill fear in people. After a while, you get used to that feeling and will actually appreciate this quirky style that makes Sibiu so special.

Climb up the Council Tower

For the best panoramic view of Sibiu, you need to climb the Council Tower, located between Piata Mica and Piata Mare (the entrance is on the side of the smaller square). It’s not too high, but it’s enough to get you out of breath when going up. Fortunately, the view is worth it!

You can see the red rooftops of the Old Town, as well as some of its main landmarks, along with the rest of the city and the surrounding area. This is such a lovely view and a great insight into the years of history of Sibiu. On the downside, you admire the city and the landscape around through the window that might not be the cleanest…

Visit Brukenthal Museum

One of the most impressive buildings on Piata Mare, the main square of Sibiu, is home to the Brukenthal Museum, the oldest museum in Romania. It was founded in 1790 (and officially opened in 1817) and hosts a large exhibition of over a thousand works, including those by some of the well-known European painters. Besides art, you can also find there collections of books, minerals, engravings, and numismatics.

While the exhibition at the Brukenthal Museum is truly impressive and will surely delight every art lover, it’s worth visiting the museum for the building itself. In the 18th century, the palace belonged to Samuel von Brukenthal, the governor of the Grand Principality of Transylvania, a territory within the Habsburg Empire.

Visit the cathedral

On one of the main squares in the Old Town – Piata Huet – you will find the impressive Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral towering above the area. Originally from the 14th century, this is the most famous Gothic landmark in Sibiu.

The cathedral is beautiful both outside and inside, so be sure to see its interior as well. You can also climb the 73-meter-high tower (unfortunately, there is no elevator) to admire the panorama of Sibiu from another perspective.

If you are lucky with the schedule, you might also attend the organ concert that takes place in the cathedral – the Sauer Organ from the early 20th century, with its 78 registers, is the largest instrument in Transylvania.

Piata Huet itself is a charming, small square surrounded by beautiful buildings, with the overwhelming cathedral at its center and pleasant green areas surrounding it. It’s a good spot to sit down for a bit and enjoy the atmosphere of the place.

Wander around the Old Town

One of the best things to do in Sibiu is to simply wander around the Old Town and discover all its wonders and hidden gems. And there are many of them!

You will find a maze of picturesque, winding lanes lined with centuries-old houses (some of which are a bit neglected, but that only makes them even more charming). If you look closely, you might even spot old German writing on the walls—a testament to Sibiu’s multicultural past.

You will find the most impressive houses on Strada Nicolae Balcescu, the main pedestrian street in the Old Town. There are also some very picturesque corners, such as the passages connecting the Lower and Upper parts of the Old Town, some of which still retain remnants of the old city walls.

Be sure to check the yards, too. This was probably one of my favorite attractions in Sibiu, and the reason why the city has stolen my heart. Every time I saw a gate open, I had to peek inside to see what kind of gems I might find there.

While the main streets are busy with crowds walking by, life in the yards goes slowly. Some of them feature houses that you enter through a balcony or small gardens the locals have created for themselves, while others host bars and restaurants. Each yard seems to have a soul and a different story behind it.

Enjoy the Main Square

The heart of Sibiu is Piata Mare – a large square surrounded by some of the most important buildings in the city. Besides the already mentioned Brukenthal Museum, you will also find the City Hall and the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church there, which is worth visiting inside as well.

The square is also packed with numerous cafes and restaurants where, on a warm day, you can sit outside and watch people go by (or watch the pretty houses that watch people). This is also the location for numerous events, including the annual Christmas market in Sibiu.

Visit the Small Square

Only a few steps away from the Main Square, you can visit the Small Square – Piata Mica. Of all the Sibiu squares, I enjoyed this one the most. It’s not too big, but also not too small. It’s surrounded by even more colorful houses with eyes (mainly from the 14th to 16th centuries).

Even though it has some cafes and restaurants around, always full of people, it still doesn’t feel overwhelming. The place is simply cozy and welcoming, perfect for relaxing a bit after all the walking around. In the past, this place was used as a craftsman’s market, and you can still find some stands around where you can buy souvenirs and artisanal items.

Walk across the Bridge of Lies

On the side of Piata Mica, you will find the so-called Bridge of Lies – the first iron bridge ever built in Romania (the date 1859 is inscribed on the bridge). There are three legends connected to the bridge’s name, all of which involve it either as a lie detector or the place of death for liars.

It’s a beautiful structure, decorated with Neo-Gothic motifs and Sibiu’s coat of arms on one of the arches. The place looks especially picturesque in the evening, when it has a somehow mysterious vibe.

Visit the Orthodox Cathedral

One of the most stunning sacred places to visit in Sibiu is the Holy Trinity Cathedral, located on the edge of the Old Town. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century, and its design was clearly inspired by Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, with a notable touch of local Transylvanian architecture.

The cathedral, with its tall towers, is impressive from the outside, but once you step inside, you will see the true beauty of the place. The walls are covered with beautiful frescoes, and the iconostasis and chandelier are stunning with their fine details and golden touches.

It’s only a short walk to the Holy Trinity Cathedral from the main square, but the place is definitely worth the little detour.

Find the remnants of the Old Town walls

Back in medieval times, after the Tartar invasion in 1241, Sibiu was fortified with a 4 km long wall, featuring 39 defense towers and five bastions to protect the town. Since the Sibiu fortification was made of red brick, the city used to be known as the “Red Citadel”.

Even today, you can still find remnants of this impressive structure in a few places around the Old Town. The most significant part with the towers is located along Strada Cetatii, near the City’s Theater. However, you will find the most picturesque spot is along the Stairs Passage, where you can still see impressive arches between the walls and nearby buildings.

Enjoy the cafe and culinary scene

Like any other city with a strong Austria-Hungary legacy, to my utter joy, Sibiu is big on the cafe scene.

The most typical place, resembling the old times, is Cafe Wien. It looks like it moved here straight from Vienna and is a cousin of the famous Cafe Hawelka, with small round tables, classic wooden chairs, and plush sofas. If this didn’t convince you to visit, then the view should. While the place is big, it is somewhat claustrophobic inside; the outdoor terrace offers a fantastic view of the lower town.

However, Sibiu also has some more modern cafes to visit. My favorites were The Refresh, Pardon Cafe, and Hug the Mug, but there are so many more options to choose from!

The same goes for restaurants – you’ll find plenty of excellent ones all over the Old Town. My favorite spot to grab something to eat is at Piata Mica – not only is the square a charming place, but it’s also a perfect location to sit outside and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere around.

Visit the Astra Museum

Visiting the Astra Museum was one of my favorite things to do in Sibiu. This ethnographic museum is one of the largest open-air museums in Europe and, in fact, consists of four different branches: the Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization, the Museum of Universal Ethnography, the Museum of Transylvanian Civilization, and the Museum of Saxon Ethnography.

Located approximately 6 km from the center, the Astra Museum is vast, spanning an area of 96 hectares. You need a few solid hours to explore the place and see all it has to offer, including over 400 objects of traditional architecture from the Transylvania region, as well as some interesting technological monuments. You will find numerous houses and barns, a church, a few mills, and so much more there!

What I especially loved about the Astra Museum was how diverse the exhibition was and how interesting everything was. Since the museum is situated in the heart of the Dumbrava Sibiului Natural Park, it also serves as a great escape from the bustling center, offering a chance to relax in the picturesque surroundings.

Go for day trips

While Sibiu is a wonderful city to explore, it also serves as a great base for discovering the nearby attractions in Transylvania. Some of the best places to visit near Sibiu are:

• the epic Transfagarasan Road with its spectacular views
• numerous fortified churches from medieval times, especially UNESCO-listed ones in Calnic and Valea Viilor
• Salina Turda salt mine with its underground attractions
• Alba Iulia – an underrated citadel city
• the impressive Corvin Castle in Hunedoara
• Sighisoara – the most charming town in Transylvania
• and so many more!

If you are not traveling around by car, here are the recommended tours you can take from Sibiu:

• Exclusive Tour on Transfagarasan, Balea Lake, Balea and Capra Waterfalls
• Exclusive tour: Sighisoara, Medias and Biertan tour from Sibiu
• From Sibiu: day trip to Dacian Fortress, Hunyadi Castle and Alba Iulia Citadel
• Exclusive Tour: Corvin Castle, Alba Iulia and traditional villages from Sibiu

Visiting Sibiu – practical information

How to get to Sibiu, Romania

Sibiu, a city with around 135,000 inhabitants, is situated in the Transylvania region in the heart of Romania. You can reach it by direct train from Bucharest, Oradea, Brașov, Sighișoara (via Mediaș), or Budapest. From cities like Cluj-Napoca or Alba Iulia, it’s more convenient to take the bus as there are direct connections.

Sibiu also has a small local airport with flights to/from numerous destinations in Western Europe. They are operated by the low-cost airline Wizz Air.

How to get around Sibiu

Most of Sibiu attractions are located within the Old Town (Upper and Lower parts), which is relatively compact and easy to get around. The only place where you need to take a city bus is the Astra Museum. You can reach it by bus no 13, departing from in front of the train station. You can use contactless payment on the bus to pay for the trip.

Where to stay in Sibiu

Sibiu is a popular tourist destination, offering a wide range of accommodation options. Here are the recommended ones:

• Casa Wagner (9.6/10)
• Hotel Am Ring (8.8/10)
• Althof Apartments (9.6/10)
• Craft Inn – Boutique Hotel (9.7/10)
• and many more!

Further reading

I published many articles about Romania that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 25 Best Places to Visit in Romania
• 23 Great Things to Do in Bucharest, Romania
• 10 Awesome Places to Visit on Day Trips from Bucharest
• 15 Best Things to Do in Brasov, Romania
• How to Get from Bucharest to Brasov
• Visit Sinaia, Romania – home to the amazing Peles Castle
• 9 Great Things to Do in Cluj-Napoca, the Vibrant City in Romania
• Why you should visit Timisoara, Romania
• and many more!

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in the Balkans and ask your questions there.

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• Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
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• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Romania too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

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