Things to Do in Sibiu with a One-Day Visit

Visitors to Romania rarely miss the chance to experience the region of Transylvania. Many head straight to Brasov or the region’s fortified churches. But one destination not to miss is the captivating medieval city of Sibiu. A quick look at the many things to do in Sibiu and its old town and you’ll see why.

Located right in the heart of Transylvania, Sibiu is a very easy place to add to your Romanian itinerary. And even just one day in Sibiu is enough to see what makes it special. During my time there, I wandered the Old Town and did a day trip to the nearby villages of Cisnadie and Cisnădioara. But if you’re just looking for the highlights, below is what to see in Sibiu.

What is Sibiu known for?

Sibiu has long played a key role in Transylvania’s history. For a time it was even the Transylvanian capital. But a much bigger part of its history has to do with the fortified churches I mentioned earlier.

Like much of Transylvania, Sibiu was settled by German settlers in the late Middle Ages. They were brought in to help bolster agriculture and help create a barrier against invasions from Asia. Sibiu even gets its name from these settlers. 

The Transylvanian Saxons named the settlement Siebenbürgen, which is German for “seven castles”. This name refers to the seven Saxon fortified citadels in the area, such as Biertan and Prejmer.

Today, Sibiu is a shining example of Transylvanian architecture and history, boasting an impressive historical old town. The old town is divided into the Upper Town, which was once the citadel with its masterfully restored houses, and the Lower Town which lies beyond the citadel’s walls.

How to get to Sibiu and get around

Thanks to its location, Sibiu couldn’t be easier to reach when in Romania. Trains and buses go from Bucharest, Cluj Napoca and Brasov to Sibiu, but buses are usually quicker thanks to the region’s mountains. Sibiu’s bus and train station are close together and are about a 15-minute walk from the historical centre.

And walking is going to be your best way to visit Sibiu. Not only are a lot of spaces pedestrian-friendly, but you won’t have many alternatives to navigate its scenic staircases mentioned below. People visiting Sibiu with wheelchairs will find the transition between Lower Town and Upper Town difficult, as well as at certain attractions such as the cathedral tower.

Where to stay in Sibiu

Look at a Sibiu accommodation map and the situation should be very clear. You have a choice between staying in the Upper Town or the Lower Town. Most accommodations in the city are either apartments or guesthouses. Hotels are either found on the city’s main square or a short walk away.

For my stay, I spent my visit at a simple private apartment and it worked well. Value for money in Sibiu is pretty good and you can get apartments and boutique hotel rooms for reasonable prices.

To help you save time when planning your Sibiu visit, here are some highly-rated places to stay:

• Kleines Hotel
• Rabbit Hole
• T House

What to do in Sibiu

The Old Town of Sibiu only makes up a small part of the modern city. And yet that’s where you’re going to spend most of your time when visiting. A walking tour is a great way to get started, but this Sibiu blog post also makes it easy to explore on your own. Among the many things to do in Sibiu, the following are the main ones not to be missed.

Visit the Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Mary

Fair to say that the Lutheran Cathedral would have to be the biggest landmark of Sibiu. Even standing in the Lower Town, its spire is visible as its wonderfully vibrant tiled roof. This 14th-century cathedral has some interesting elements, including the tombstones of important figures who were buried in the cathedral.

It is also possible to climb up to the cathedral’s roof and be rewarded with spectacular views of the city from each of the cathedral’s four turrets. In my opinion, the city view from up here is one of the top things you must see in Sibiu. I mean, boy is this a pretty city and one of the best places to visit in Transylvania.

Walk the Bridge of Lies

This picturesque bridge sits in the Piata Mica (Small Square) and is a popular photo spot for tourists. While the Bridge of Lies dates from the 19th century, it sits where a tunnel into the city used to run historically. The bridge has several legends, one of which is that the bridge has ears and if a lie is told about it, the bridge will collapse.

See the Grand Square

This large square is very much the centre of the citadel and city, surrounded by beautifully restored buildings including Brukenthal Palace, City Hall and many houses. Known in Romanian as Piata Mare, the square is a feast for the eyes and exceptionally popular.

Pop in to Brukenthal Palace

The Brukenthal Palace now hosts several art museums, with the Brukenthal Gallery said to be one of the best in Romania. Even if art isn’t your thing, it is worth popping into the palace to see its small courtyard, decked out in roses. A great spot for a photo shoot, don’t you agree?

Walk the Strada Nicolae Bălcescu

This pedestrian street runs from the Grand Square through Upper Town with plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants on it. Like the Grand Square, it has some beautiful buildings along it and some little alleyways that run off it. Stroll along Strada Nicolae Bălcescu and you’re bound to look at Romania in a new light.

Follow the Sibiu City Walls and Park

While the city walls are plainly in sight between the Upper and Lower Towns, you’ll appreciate the scale of the defences if you seek them out on the far side as well.

Slightly removed from the main sights of the Upper Town, not much of the walls remain, but what is left gives you an idea of how well-defended the city was. On Strada Cetatii you will find a stretch of wall bookended with two sentry towers.

If you head to the outer side of the wall, you’ll find yourself in peaceful Cetatii Park which runs between the layers of the city’s old fortifications. This shady park seems popular with locals and even had a line of wedding parties waiting to have photos taken when I visited.

Admire the Passage of Steps

This passage joins the Lower and Upper towns, running along the stoic buttressed walls that surround the upper town. Here you can appreciate the brickwork, the arches and just the sheer scale of the city’s walls.

Part of what makes Sibiu so interesting to visit is that even the in-between spots are landmark attractions in their own right. In that sense, the Passage of Steps is another of the Sibiu attractions that show the town is worth visiting.

Stand below the Stairs Tower

This tower gets its name from the stairway it sits at the top of providing another means of getting between the Upper and Lower towns. From the top of the stairs, you have a splendid view across the traditional rooftops of Sibiu’s Lower Town. Lined with cafes, the stairs have become one of the more iconic sights in the Sibiu Old Town.

Explore the Lower Town

Unlike the Upper Town which has seen much restoration and renovation, the Lower Town of Sibiu is less refined. This makes it a great place to wander as you realise how much work has gone into the Upper Town.

Of particular interest are the rooftops of the houses, all in a distinctly Transylvanian style that is hard to put your finger on. Since it’s far less busy than the Upper Town, it’s perfect for a meander and quite expansive too.

Have you had the chance to visit the medieval city of Sibiu, Romania? Which Sibiu things to do would you start with when visiting Sibiu? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

This article is now available as a mobile app. Go to GPSmyCity to download the app for GPS-assisted travel directions to the attractions featured in this article.