Sibiu, Romania: travel guide
Pastel gables and cobbled squares in a Transylvanian Saxon town
Superbly preserved medieval Saxon town of cobbled squares and pastel burgher houses; European Capital of Culture 2007.
About Sibiu
Sibiu is one of Transylvania's most attractive towns, founded by Saxon settlers and still arranged around a sequence of cobbled squares. Its steep tiled roofs have small oval windows that seem to watch passers-by from above.
Start in the Piața Mare and the Piața Mică, cross the Bridge of Lies between them, and climb to the Piața Huet for the church and its tower. The Brukenthal National Museum holds an important art collection, and the lanes of the lower town lead down to old city walls and towers. It was European Capital of Culture in 2007, and the cultural life shows.
Sibiu suits history lovers and slow walkers, and works as a base for the Carpathian foothills and fortified villages. Late spring, summer and the weeks before Christmas are good times to visit.
- Country
- Romania
- Currency
- RON
- Time zone
- Europe/Bucharest
- Nearest airport
- SBZ
Last updated
Top places to visit in Sibiu
Grand Square (Piața Mare)
square · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The vast historic heart of Sibiu, framed by the Brukenthal Palace, Council Tower and Baroque facades.
Little Square (Piața Mică)
square · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A cosy arcaded square linked to the Grand Square, famous for its houses with "eyes" rooftop dormers.
Bridge of Lies (Podul Minciunilor)
bridge · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Romania's first cast-iron bridge (1859), wrapped in legends that it creaks when a lie is told.
Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului)
tower · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A medieval tower between the two main squares offering the best panoramic view over Sibiu's red roofs.
Brukenthal National Museum
art · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The oldest museum in Romania (opened 1817), in the Baroque Brukenthal Palace, with a fine European art gallery.
Lutheran Cathedral of St. Mary
gothic · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
A towering Gothic Evangelical cathedral whose 73 m steeple dominates the Sibiu skyline.
Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral
orthodox · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
An early-20th-century Orthodox cathedral inspired by Hagia Sophia, richly frescoed inside.
Stairs Passage (Pasajul Scărilor)
passage · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A picturesque vaulted stairway of medieval passages linking the Upper and Lower Towns.
Carpenters' Tower & City Walls
fortification · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Well-preserved section of Sibiu's medieval fortifications along Cetății Street, with several guild towers.
ASTRA Open-Air Museum
open-air · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
One of Europe's largest open-air ethnographic museums, with traditional houses and windmills in the Dumbrava forest.
Natural History Museum Sibiu
natural-history · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A 19th-century museum with extensive zoological, botanical and palaeontological collections near the walls.
Huet Square (Piața Huet)
square · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A Gothic-flavoured square around the Lutheran Cathedral, ringed by 15th-century buildings.
Things to do
- Sibiu Old Town Walking Tour Cultural · 2 h · from RON 60 per person
- ASTRA Open-Air Museum Visit Cultural · 3 h · from RON 25 per person
- Transfăgărășan & Bâlea Lake Day Trip Nature · 10 h · from RON 400 per person
- Biertan Fortified Church Day Trip Heritage · 5 h · from RON 250 per person
- Mărginimea Sibiului Village Tour Cultural · 7 h · from RON 250 per person
- Dumbrava Forest Walk Activity · 2 h
Day trips and tours
- Transfăgărășan & Bâlea Lake 10 h · from RON 400
Where to stay in Sibiu
- Upper Town (Orașul de Sus) about RON 350 per night
The historic core around the three squares, holding nearly all sights and the best hotels.
- Piața Unirii / Bălcescu about RON 400 per night
The pedestrian shopping street with larger four-star hotels and good transit.
Hotels
- Hotel Am Ring 3-star · RON 250 to RON 400 per night
- Casa Luxemburg 3-star · RON 280 to RON 420 per night
- Old Town Hostel Sibiu RON 50 to RON 200 per night
- Continental Forum Sibiu 4-star · RON 300 to RON 520 per night
- Golden Tulip Ana Tower Sibiu 4-star · RON 300 to RON 480 per night
- Hilton Sibiu 5-star · RON 450 to RON 700 per night
Where to eat
- Crama Sibiul Vechi Romanian · about RON 75 per person
- Kulinarium European, Modern · about RON 100 per person
- La Turn Italian, International · about RON 90 per person
- Pardon Café & Bistro Italian, Mediterranean · about RON 90 per person
- Benjamin Steakhouse Steak, International · about RON 160 per person
- Weinkeller Romanian, European · about RON 105 per person
- Syndicat Gourmet French, Fusion · about RON 115 per person
Getting to Sibiu
Airport: Sibiu (SBZ)
Getting around
- Bus
- Taxi
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Unmetered / overcharging taxis
Airport & train station
Some drivers skip the meter or quote flat fares from the airport or station.
How to avoid it: Use marked taxis with a visible meter, or Bolt/Uber.
More in Romania
Frequently asked questions about Sibiu
- What are the main places to visit in Sibiu?
- Places covered in our Sibiu guide include Grand Square (Piața Mare), Little Square (Piața Mică), Bridge of Lies (Podul Minciunilor), Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului), Brukenthal National Museum.
- Where should I stay in Sibiu?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Sibiu: Upper Town (Orașul de Sus), Piața Unirii / Bălcescu.
- How do I get around Sibiu?
- Ways to get around Sibiu covered in our guide: City bus, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Sibiu?
- Scams reported to us for Sibiu include Unmetered / overcharging taxis. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Sibiu?
- The nearest airport to Sibiu has the code SBZ.