10 Things To Do In Sibiu, Romania’s Capital of Culture

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

We visited Sibiu during our two-week road trip around Romania last Summer. This is a comprehensive guide on things to do in Sibiu, based on everything we learned while we were there!

But first, why visit Sibiu?

During the 12th Century, when the Saxons arrived in Transylvania, they built seven fortified cities to defend the region.  

Over time, these cities developed into important commercial trade centres. 

Sibiu was the largest and wealthiest of them all and served as Transylvania’s Capital City twice during the Middle Ages.

Today, the historic centre of Sibiu is still very well-preserved.  People come from all over the world to experience its medieval charm, thriving cultural scene and culinary delights. 

Sibiu has been internationally recognised as a European Capital of Culture (2007), one of the top 10 most idyllic places to live (2008) and a European Region of Gastronomy (2019).  

Are you excited?  Let’s dive in!

Top 5 Things To Do In Sibiu

Sibiu’s historic centre is divided into two parts: the Upper Town and the Lower Town. 

Most of the main attractions are located in the Upper Town and are all within walking distance of one another.

1. Experience the Beating Heart of Sibiu in its Three Main Squares

Sibiu’s Upper Town is centred around not one, but three interconnecting main squares.  Visit them all to get a sense of the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

Piata Mare 

Piata Mare is the largest and most lively square.  

Sibiu hosts a variety of events throughout the year and they often take place here.  When we visited, there was a heavy metal music festival.  In December, this is where you’ll find the Christmas Markets.

This square is home to the Brukenthal National Museum, the City Hall and the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church.  

From Piata Mare, you can access Nicolae Balcescu Street – the city’s main pedestrian street that’s lined with shops and more restaurants.  

Piata Mica

My favourite square is Piata Mica.  In my opinion, it’s the most charming.

Sibiu is nicknamed the City With Eyes because its buildings often have attic windows that look like a pair of eyes on the roof.  Piata Mica is one of the best places to see these “eyes” or … perhaps the houses are the ones watching you!

The main attractions around this square are the Council Tower, the Museum of Pharmacy, the Bridge of Lies and the Stairs Tower which leads to the Lower Town.

You’ll also find artisanal market stalls selling souvenirs and handmade gifts.  

Piata Huet

Piata Huet is the smallest, oldest and most tranquil of the three squares.  

It’s dominated by Saint Mary’s Evangelical Church, the tallest building in Sibiu. 

It doesn’t have nearly as many cafes and restaurants as the other two squares, but it does have Cafe Wien – a place you go for hearty food, sunset and live piano music. 

Piata Huet provides direct access to the Lower Town via the Stairs Passageway.  

2. Climb a Tower for Panoramic Views of the City

Everywhere I travel, I always add a viewpoint to the itinerary.  Seeing a place from above helps me understand it better.  Plus it’s good exercise!

There are two places you can go in Sibiu for panoramic views of the city: 

The Council Tower 

The Council Tower, in Piata Mare, was built in the 13th Century.  It has served as an observation tower, grain storage facility and even a prison during its lifetime.  

There are 141 steps to the top for a nice view overlooking the main squares. 

Only 5 people can climb the tower at a time, so come early to avoid queuing. 

Open daily from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.  Admission costs 2 RON (cash only). 

St Mary’s Evangelical Cathedral 

Saint Mary’s Evangelical Cathedral, in Piata Huet, is a 600-year-old church with a very unique rooftop.  Its bell tower stands at a height of 75 metres, making it the tallest building in Sibiu.

7-levels of stairs (or 192 steps) take you to the top for unobstructed views of the city and surrounding area.  Just keep in mind that it’s an open staircase so you can see the bottom as you climb.

As someone who’s scared of heights, I didn’t make it all the way to the top 😔. But my partner did and the photos were amazing. 

Open to visitors daily usually between 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.  It costs 10 RON for the church or tower alone or 15 RON to visit both. 

⚡️ TIP: The church is home to the second-largest organ in Romania.  During summer, there is an organ concert every Wednesday at 6:00 pm.  

3. Strike a pose on the Bridge of Lies

The Bridge of Lies was built in 1859 and is the first iron bridge in Romania. 

It connects Piata Mica to Piata Huet.  

Legend has it that if you lie on the bridge, it would shake, exposing the lie.  FYI – I tested this theory and am happy to report that it really is just an urban myth 😜.

The bridge is a great place for a travel photo. On one side of the bridge, you have Piata Mica with its Council Tower and colourful houses with eyes as a backdrop. The opposite side overlooks the red rooftops of the Lower Town. Say cheese!

4. Walk along the Medieval Fortress Wall on Citadel Street

Sibiu’s medieval fortress was originally made up of 39 watchtowers, each one defended by a different guild.

You can see part of the original 14th-century wall and some of the remaining towers on Citadel Street.

Start at the Tinsmith’s Tower.

Walk in the direction towards the Thick Tower, which is now a concert hall. 

Next, you have the Carpenter’s Tower and the Potter’s Tower which are connected by the only remaining guard corridor in Sibiu.  

You can visit these two towers to learn more about the guilds that defended them.  Enter at the Carpenter’s Tower and exit via the Potter’s Tower.  Open daily usually from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.  Admission costs 2 RON.  

The last tower on the street is the Harquebusiers Tower.

Parallel to Citadel Street, you’ll find Citadel Park which used to be the old moat surrounding the fortress.  From the park benches, you can see the Carpathian Mountain range in the distance on a clear sunny day.  

Citadel Park is also home to the Sibiu Walk of Fame.  Every year during the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, a new star is added to honour an artist who has made a significant contribution to arts and theatre in Romania. 

Aside from the medieval wall, I think Citadel Street is one of the most charming streets in the city with its pastel-coloured buildings and quaint cafes.  

5. Explore the Lower Town

Upper Town only represents half of Sibiu’s historic centre.  To get the full picture, go beyond the main tourist areas and visit the Lower Town. 

The Lower Town (aka Orasul de Jos) is the oldest part of Sibiu. 

Historically, it was where the working class lived since the Upper Town was exclusive to the noble and rich.

You can spot the difference straight away.  The architecture in the Lower Town is more modest.  The cobblestoned streets are narrower.  It has a neutral colour palette and the chipped paint on the walls adds to its rustic charm.  

There are two ways to get from the Upper Town to the Lower Town:  

• The Stairs Passage in Piata Huet 
• The Stairs Tower in Piata Mica 

In my opinion, the Stairs Tower is the more picturesque way.   It leads you to Piata Aurarilor and my favourite place for coffee in Sibiu: NOD Prajitoria de Cafe. 

The Lower Town feels more authentic and is full of hidden gems.  The best way to explore it is to just get lost and see what you discover away from the crowds!

More Things To Do In Sibiu

6. Get to know Sibiu with a Free Walking Tour

I was so glad we did this Free Walking Tour on our first day in Sibiu. 

Our local guide, Catalin, seemed to know everything about the history of the city. It was interesting to learn about what life was like for him growing up in the city after the 1989 Romanian Revolution.  

He gave us so many recommendations on things to do and the best places to eat in Sibiu.   It helped take the guesswork out of planning our visit. 

7. Browse the medieval paintings at the Brukenthal National Museum

If you’re into art, then you may be interested in spending a few hours at The Brukenthal National Museum.

The museum used to be the home of Baron Samuel von Brukenthal, who was the Governor of Transylvania in the 18th Century.  He also happened to have really good taste in art.  

The museum features paintings from his personal collection – including work by famous artists from the 15th to 18th Centuries. 

The museum also prides itself on being the first museum in Romania.  

Even if you don’t go inside, you can admire its elegant Baroque architecture from Piata Mare. 

Open Wednesdays to Sundays from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.  Admission costs 50 lei.  

⚡️ TIP: The Brukenthal National Museum is part of a network of museums that also includes the Contemporary Museum of Art, the Museum of History, the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Pharmacy and the Museum of Hunting in Sibiu.  

If you plan to visit all six museums, then it’s cheaper to purchase a 48-Hour Ticket for 120 RON.

8. Marvel at the interior of the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral 

If you haven’t had a chance to see an Eastern Orthodox church in Romania yet, then visit this one.  

Stepping inside the church is like walking into an open art gallery.  

Every inch of the walls and ceiling is adorned with intricately painted murals.  I remember standing there in absolute awe of how amazingly talented humans can be!  

The sunlight shining through the stained-glass windows made the moment even more magical.  

It’s a nice place to photograph but remember, it’s a place of worship above all else so please be respectful.  

The Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral is located on Strada Mitropoliei, about 5 minutes walk from the main squares.  

Open daily from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm.  Free to visit.  

9. Go on a Bike Ride through Sub Arini Park and Dumbrava Forest

Sub Arini Park is a large, beautiful green area about a 15-minute walk from the historic centre.  It’s where the locals go to relax in nature.  

A fun thing to do in Sibiu is to go on a bike ride through the park.  

There’s a dedicated bike path on Aleea Mihai Eminescu starting near the Municipal Stadium.  Follow the “Emil Cioran” Cycling Route which is marked with a blue C. 

You can rent public bikes using the Sibiu BikeCity app.  Otherwise, the closest bike rental shop to the starting point is Bike Show.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can continue the scenic bike ride onto Dumbrava Forest and even Rasinari village.  

The bike loop back to the city is considered beginner-friendly and takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete.

10. Immerse yourself in Romanian Culture at the ASTRA Museum

The ASTRA Museum is the largest open-air museum in Europe.  

It’s located in the middle of Dumbrava Forest, where over 400 historic buildings that have been physically transported from across the country to recreate traditional Romanian rural life from different villages and time periods.    

The museum hosts regular workshops and events that you can participate in to further connect with Romanian culture.

There are restaurants, picnic areas, walking trails and even a lake where you can rent boats.  It’s a fun way to spend a sunny day in Sibiu.  

You can reach it by car or bus line no. 13 in 20 minutes or less. Otherwise, the walk or cycle from the historic town centre is quite nice.

Open 8:00 am – 8:00 pm between May and September and 9:00 am – 5:00 pm during off-season.  Admission costs up to 35 RON.  Click here to buy tickets.

⚡️ TIP: The museum is free to visit on the first Wednesday of every month. 

Day Trips from Sibiu 

Unlike Bucharest, Sibiu is the perfect place for day trips because there is so much to do in the surrounding area.  

I’ve compiled a list of places you can easily reach from Sibiu within 90 minutes or less by car.

Visiting Sibiu: FAQs

How do you get to Sibiu?

✈️ Plane: There are only a handful of direct connections that fly into Sibiu Airport.  If you’re not coming from London, Munich or Vienna, your best bet is to fly into Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) in Bucharest first and then either rent a car, catch the bus or train from there.  Check flights on Skyscanner.

🚘 Rental Car: When you fly into Bucharest, you’ll find many hire company booths at the Arrival Hall in Terminal 1.  Otherwise, book ahead online with Discover Cars.

🚍 Bus: Sibiu is connected to 194 cities within Romania and neighbouring countries by bus.  There are 3 local bus stations: Autogara Vest, Autogara Turnisor and Autogara Transmixt.  We use FlixBus to book bus tickets.

🚊 Train: Sibiu Main Station is a 10-minute walk from Upper Town’s Piata Mica.  You can find train timetables and buy tickets on the websites of the local railway companies:  CFR Calatori and Interregional Calatori.

How to get around Sibiu?

If you’re staying in Sibiu’s historic centre, you can get just about anywhere by walking.

We stayed in Cisnadie because accommodation was much cheaper, and it was only a 15-minute drive to Sibiu.  

If you’re also staying in the villages around Sibiu, consider hiring a car like we did.  We liked the convenience of being able to explore the surrounding area at our own pace. 

⚡️ TIP:  In Sibiu, we parked in this car park next to Citadel Street. It was super cheap – only 16 RON for half a day.  Alternatively, you can find street parking and pay online using the T Park app.

If you don’t have a car, Uber operates in the area.

Here is useful information on local bus routes and how to buy bus tickets.

When is the best time to visit Sibiu?

Summer (June-August) is a really fun time to visit Sibiu because it hosts cultural events every week.  

Keep in mind that Summer in Sibiu can get really hot!  

We were in Sibiu at the end of July, and looking back, we wished we had planned our days better.  Explore in the mornings or early evenings to avoid the hottest times of the day. 

To avoid the heat and crowds, visit in Spring (April-May) or Autumn (September-October).  

December is a lovely time to visit Sibiu for the Christmas Market in Piata Mare.  The city is covered in snow making it feel even more festive. 

How many days do you need in Sibiu?

All of the main attractions in the Upper Town and Lower Town can be visited in a day or two.  

But I recommend staying in Sibiu for at least 5 days because the city is a great base for day trips.  There’s so much to see in the surrounding area! 

Which city is better: Brasov or Sibiu?

I enjoyed visiting both cities, but my favourite was Brasov because it felt more relaxing and closer to nature.  

Brasov is located at the base of Tampa Mountain, so several hiking trails start close to the city centre.  I also found Brasov slightly cheaper in terms of accommodation.

Sibiu felt more touristy.  It was very busy when we visited at the end of July, but there was a music festival in Pica Mare at the time, so maybe my experience would have been different if it had been less crowded.  

Sibiu is a lovely place to photograph, especially the houses with eyes.

At the end of the day, it depends on your personal travel preferences.  

I wouldn’t skip either on your Romania itinerary, even if you end up visiting one for only a day.  Both are very charming and offer a different slice of Transylvanian history.  

My recommendation is to think about the day trips you’d like to take.  

Depending on where you want to go, one city may be a more convenient base than the other.  For example, Brasov is super close to Bran Castle, while Sibiu is a better location to explore the Transfagarsan Highway.  

For inspiration on things to do Brasov, check out my Brasov Travel Guide.

Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Sibiu

So, is Sibiu worth visiting? 

Yes! No trip to Transylvania is complete without a visit to Sibiu because it played such a huge role in Romanian history.  

It also felt the most lively out all of the cities we visited in Romania.  There’s always something going on in Sibiu! 

Next time, I would like to visit the city in the Winter.  The city looks so pretty covered in snow, and I am a sucker for Christmas markets!

Check out my other Romania Travel Guides 😊

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