12 Things To Do In Sighisoara, Romania’s Real-Life Fairytale

Are you looking for some fun things to do in Sighisoara?

We stopped by the very charming town of Sighisoara during our two-week road trip around Romania in the Summer.  This is a helpful guide on things you can do in Sighisoara based on what we learnt during our travels.  

But first, why visit Sighisoara?

Sighisoara (pronounced see-gee-shor-uh) is home to one of the best-preserved medieval citadels in Europe, where people still live to this day… 800 years later! 

Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city attracts people from all over the world who come to get a glimpse of a bygone era that they’ve only ever heard about in books or seen on TV.  

Once you step through those fortress walls, it really does feel like you’ve entered a fairytale kingdom!

Most tourists only visit Sighisoara as a day trip from Sibiu or Brasov.  Our goal is to convince you that it deserves more of your time!

Things to Do in Sighisoara: Top Attractions

The top attractions in Sighisoara are located inside the historic city walls and are easily explored on foot.  

There are several ways you can enter the citadel.  

We recommend starting at Stradela Cetatii.  From here, you’ll stroll by some photogenic colourful houses before arriving at our first attraction. 

1. Sighisoara Clock Tower

The Clock Tower is the main entrance to the citadel.  

At 64 metres tall, it is visible from almost anywhere in town but is most impressive up close.  

It was built in the 13th century as the principal defense tower.  Since then, it has served as the Town Hall and, today, houses the Museum of History.  

You can visit the museum and climb to the top balcony for panoramic views of the town and surrounding area.  Just remember that no photos are allowed until you reach the viewing platform or you risk receiving a fine. 

Open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, except Mondays.  Admission costs 20 RON. 

2. Citadel Square

After the Clock Tower, follow the buntings of triangle flags along Strada Turnului to Citadel Square. 

During the medieval times, this used to be where markets, witch trials and public executions were held.   

Thankfully, today, it’s just the place where you can go to relax and have a good meal 🙂 

We enjoyed some evening drinks at Casa cu Cerb which has an outdoor terrace, but there are several other cafes and restaurants to choose from.    

3. The Covered Staircase & Church on a Hill

From the Citadel Square, continue slightly uphill along Strada Scolii until you reach a wooden covered stairway known as the Scholar’s Staircase. 

The stairway was built in 1642 to protect students from bad weather on their way to the school at the top.  

Take a moment to admire the 176 steps from the bottom.  When we visited mid-morning, the sun shone through the cracks between the wooden panelled walls, creating lightning shapes on the ground. 

There’s often a musician busking at the end of the staircase, so make sure you have some loose change on you.  We try to support local street performers or artists whenever we can.  

At the top of the hill, you will find Biserica din Deal, a 500-year-old church, and its attached cemetery. It’s a very peaceful place.  You can pay 10 RON to go inside the church, but we preferred to stay outside and admire the lovely views of the town and surrounding landscape. 

4. Sighisoara’s Medieval Guild Towers

As you walk around the cobblestoned streets of Sighisoara, you’ll likely stumble across a medieval tower or two.  

These were part of the town’s fortified defense system, which originally were made up of 14 towers, but today, only 9 are left standing.  

Unlike the Clock Tower, the remaining defense towers were named after the guilds that built and guarded them: Tinsmith, Tanner, Ropemaker, Butcher, Furrier, Tailor, Bootmaker and Ironsmith.  

You can’t go inside all of the towers, but they are nice to look at from the outside. 

We liked the Bootmakers Tower because it’s next to a pretty garden with a viewpoint overlooking the modern lower part of the town.  

⚡️ TIP: There is no free walking tour in Sighisoara like the other cities in Romania that we visited.  But for 10 euros, Questo offers a really fun way to explore the city with this self-guided puzzle-solving experience: Medieval Sighisoara: Defend the Fortress.

More Things to Do in Sighisoara

5. Vlad Dracul House

Sighisoara is also famous for being the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the real-life inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula.  

Vlad Dracul House, or , is now a restaurant serving both local and international cuisine.  For an extra 10 RON, they’ll even show you the room where Vlad was born in 1431.  

We didn’t visit because it looked a bit touristy-trappy.  Plus, as long-term travellers, we have to prioritise where we spend our money!

But despite all the cheesiness, some online reviews have mentioned that it can be a lot of fun. How many people can say they’ve had “vampire wine” in Dracula’s house? 

Tourist trap or a ball of laughs?  You’ll just have to come out and find out for yourself.

6. Sighisoara’s Lower Town

Travelling for me is not just about the place, it’s also about the people and their way of life.  You’ll only get to experience the more authentic side of Sighisoara if you venture beyond the citadel walls to the Lower Town.  

We suggest starting at Piata Hermann Oberth, a lovely garden just outside the citadel.

Head towards Strada Octavian Goga (aka Umbrella Street).  Here you’ll find several cafes and restaurants. 

⚡️ TIP: The coffee at Atelier is really good! 

Continue along Strada Morii until you reach the river and see the white Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in the distance.  

From here, choose left or right, and complete the loop around the citadel.  It’s certainly not as charming as the historic centre, but it’ll give you a better understanding of the town.

7. Belvedere Viewpoint

Sighisoara Citadel is situated on top of a hill, and as we’ve already established, there are many viewpoints from within the old city walls.  

But in our opinion, the best panoramic view of Sighisoara is located on a hill outside of the fortified city.  

The Belvedere viewpoint is a short and easy 15-20 minute walk from the citadel.  

At the top, there is a sign highlighting noteworthy landmarks in Sighisoara’s skyline. From there, you can choose to walk a little further, all the way up to the radio tower for an even better view. 

Pack a picnic.  Come for the sunset. 

8. Breite Oak Tree Reserve 

The Breite Oak Tree Reserve, located 4 km from Sighisoara, is home to over 500 ancient trees up to 800 years old.  

You can reach the nature reserve from the town centre on foot. 

The starting point for the hike is a short walk from the city citadel. Then, follow the red and white trail markers uphill through the forest towards the reserve.   You’ll know you’ve arrived once you’ve reached a flat clearing. 

The hike is considered easy and can be completed in an hour one-way.

⚡️ TIP: Romania has the largest population of brown bears in Europe.  While it’s unlikely you’ll come across a bear if you stick to the marked trail, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.  We recommend reading these bear safety tips before you go.

Day Trips from Sighisoara

While most of the main attractions within the historic citadel can be seen in a day, We still recommend staying at least one night in Sighisoara.  

Firstly, your experience will be very different because, once the daytrippers are gone, you can fully appreciate its charm without the crowds. 

Secondly, there are some interesting places that are easier to visit from Sighisoara than Sibiu or Brasov. 

Below is a list of places you can visit within an hour’s drive from the centre of Sighisoara:

9. Biertan

• Travel time: 30 mins by car
• Why visit: Biertan is a charming village with a 15th-century fortified church on top of a hill.  The church is a UNESCO heritage site.  Inside the church grounds, you can visit the church and several other buildings, including the “marital prison” where couples wanting a divorce were once confined until they ironed out their issues.  Ungerlus Restaurant and Casa Dani are the few places in the town you can go for lunch.  

⚡️ TIP: In total, 7 medieval fortified churches in Transylvania are UNESCO-protected. It is also possible to visit the ones in Sachiz and Viscri in 45 minutes or less from Sighisoara. 

10. Medias

• Travel time: 40 mins by car
• Why visit: Medias is one of Transylvania’s hidden gems. If you like Sibiu but not the crowds, Medias is a great place to spend the day.  Highlights include St Margaret’s fortified church, the Trumpeter’s Tower and a museum dedicated to the life and work of Hermann Oberth (the father of modern space travel).  King Ferdinand I Square is a pretty place for lunch and coffee. Plus, it’s super easy to get to from Sighisoara as there is a direct train.  Check train schedules here.

11. Rupea

• Travel time: 50 minutes by car
• Why visit: Rupea is famous for yet another medieval fortress on a hill.  But what makes the Rupea Citadel different from the one in Sighisoara is that it’s older, bigger and uninhabited.  The fortress is also less integrated with the lower town and is situated at a higher elevation, so the panoramic views from the top are stunning.  Open daily between 9:00 am and 8:00 pm.  Admission costs 15 RON.

⚡️ TIP: Sachiz, Viscri and Rupea are located along the same route, so it’s possible to visit all three on the same day.

12. Transylvanian Wineries

• Travel time: 30 – 60 minutes by car
• Why visit: Sighisoara is surrounded by the Tarnave wine region, one of the oldest in Romania.   The region has ideal climate conditions for white wine production, notably the Feteasca Alba and Feteasca Regala varieties.  Andrei Winery Richis 140 and Petry Estate Winery are the closest wineries to Sighisoara.  Crama Jidvei and Villa Vinea are more famous but are a bit further away from the town.  

⚡️ TIP: For the most optimal driving time, We suggest visiting the wineries in the following order: 1) Andrei Winery Richis 140, 2) Crama Jidvei or Villa Vinea, and 3) Petry Estate Winery.  

Visiting Sighisoara: FAQs

How do you get to Sighisoara?

✈️ Plane: Sighisoara isn’t the easiest place to get to by plane.  The closest airports are located in Targu Mures, Sibiu and Brasov which are at least an hour away.  Also, the connections to these airports are quite limited.  We suggest flying into Cluj International Airport or Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport and then making your way to Sighisoara by car or public transport.  Check flights on Skyscanner.

🚘 Hire car:  You can easily hire a car from Cluj-Napoca and Bucharest airports.  We think it’s the best way to explore Romania.  We use Discover Cars to search for the best deals.  The earlier you book, the cheaper it’ll be.  

🚙 Private Transfer: Booking a private driver is not the cheapest option, especially if you’re coming from Cluj-Napoca or Bucharest airports.  But if money isn’t a problem, a reliable company you can use is Day Trip.

🚍 Bus: You can book a direct 6:30 am bus from Cluj to Sighisoara with AXI Tours.  A one-way journey takes 3 hours and costs 60 RON.  The Sighisoara Bus Station is a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk to the citadel.  There is no direct bus from Bucharest to Sighisoara.  

🚊 Train: There is a 4-hour direct train from Cluj-Napoca to Sighisoara and a 6-hour direct train from Bucharest to Sighisoara.  You can book tickets on the CFR Calatori website.  The Sighisoara Train Station is next to the Bus Station.

When is the best time to visit Sighisoara?

Like most places in Romania, Sighisoara is an all-year-round destination.  The best time to visit depends on your travel preferences.

Summer (June-August) is the busiest time of the year.   There is the Sighisoara Medieval Festival at the end of July, where people come to experience a fun weekend of food and music dressed as knights and princesses! 

The weather is most pleasant and crowds more manageable during Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November).  Also, Easter in Romania is a big deal, and this year, the Sighisoara Easter Fair takes place between April 11th and 23rd.  

In Winter (December-February), the town is covered in snow.  Apart from the Christmas markets, which usually take place from the end of November to the first week of January, the town is much more quiet.

How many days do you need in Sighisoara?

We only stayed in Sighisoara for 1 night, and looking back, we wished we had stayed longer.  

We drove from Sibiu and stopped by Biertan on the way, so by the time we arrived in Sighisoara, we were so exhausted!  

We recommend at least 2 nights in Sighisoara if you’re driving.  

This gives you one day to rest, one day to explore and one day to do a hike or do a day trip before you move on to your next destination.

⚡️ TIP: Although there is accommodation inside the citadel, we recommend staying somewhere outside of the old city walls because it can be difficult to find parking.  We stayed at Pensiunea Joker, which had free parking and was a 10-minute walk to the Clock Tower main gate. 

How do you get around Sighisoara?

Sighisoara is a very walkable city both in and around the historic citadel.

The citadel is situated on a hill, so some areas require a walk uphill. 

If you have mobility issues, then you can hop on the Tourist Train at Piata Cetatii. In Summer, it runs every 30 minutes and takes you on a 15-minute tour around the town.  Tickets cost 10 RON. 

If you plan on doing day trips, we recommend renting a car for the most flexibility.   You can search for car rentals using Discover Cars – just remember to double-check reviews of the car rental agency on Google before you book.

Cycling is also a fun way to explore the nearby villages.  You can rent a bike at the local Rent A Bike Shop or organise a bespoke bike tour with Transylvania Cycling. 

Uber and Bolt weren’t available in Sighisoara yet when we visited in the Summer of 2024.  Alternatively, we found this local taxi service with 5-star reviews on Google.

Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Sighisoara

So, is Sighisoara worth visiting?

Yes!  In our opinion, you cannot come all the way to Transylvania without visiting this quintessential medieval fairytale town. 

If you can, try to stay overnight. If you’re driving, we recommend at least two nights.  

Many companies offer day trips to Sighisoara from Brasov and Sibiu. But anyone who tells you that one day is enough in Sighisoara hasn’t explored it properly.  

Check out my other Romania Travel Guides 😊

• Romania Itinerary: 13 Places To Visit For First Timers
• 15 Things To Do In Bucharest, Romania’s Underrated Capital
• 3 Days In Bucharest: An Itinerary For Exploring Romania’s Capital
• 19 Things To Do In Brasov, My Favourite City In Romania
• 10 Things To Do In Sibiu, Romania’s Capital of Culture
• 5 Easy Trips From Bucharest: Places To Visit (< 1 Hour)
• 15 Things To Do In Cluj-Napoca, Romania’s Most Liveable City
• Transfagarasan Highway: Everything You Need To Know