Known as one of the most beautiful cities in Romania, Sibiu is hands down, one of my favorite cities. Its incredible medieval old town, which I never tire of exploring, features beautiful town squares, cathedrals, and churches that seem straight out of a fairytale.
Within this travel guide, you will find all the information you need to plan the perfect trip to Sibiu. From exploring its incredible medieval old town to going on day trips and visiting Corvin Castle, the largest medieval castle in Romania, here are the 11 best things to do in Sibiu for solo travelers:
- Sibiu Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Sibiu?
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11 Best Things to Do in Sibiu
- Enter Sibiu Upper Old Town from the Stairs Passage
- Check Out the View from Saint Mary Evangelical Cathedral
- Stroll Along the Bridge of Lies at Night
- Check Out Turnul Sfatului and the Small Square
- Visit The Large Square
- Be Amazed by the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church
- Learn About Sibiu and Transylvania at Muzeul Național Brukenthal
- Walk Along Nicolae Bălcescu Street
- Admire the Beauty of the Holy Trinity Cathedral
- Explore the Lower Town and Track Down Houses with Eyes
- Visit Corvin Castle and Alba Iulia as a Day Trip
- More Sibiu Activities
- What to Eat and Drink in Sibiu?
- Further Reading for Romania
Sibiu Itinerary Map
11 Best Things to Do in Sibiu
1. Enter Sibiu Upper Old Town from the Stairs Passage
First and foremost, we are going to explore the famous medieval old town of Sibiu. There are 2 sections of Sibiu's Old Town, the Upper Town, and the Lower Town, and we are going to start our journey in the Upper Town. There are several ways you can get to the Upper Town, but one of the best ways is to enter it from the Stairs Passage.
The Stairs Passage is a charming and beautiful passageway that connects the 2 parts of the Old Town together. As its name suggests, the passage is comprised of a steep flight of stairs, but it's not very long and can be done quite easily by anyone.
The stunning medieval architecture of the Old Town will come into view as you walk up the passageway to the Upper Town. You will be able to appreciate just how beautiful Sibiu is from the outside as you walk up the stairs. Once you arrive at the top, you will also be able to appreciate the incredible view over Sibiu Lower Town.
- B13 Hostel (Budget)
- Hotel Casa Luxemburg- Newly Renovated (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Maison Elysée (High-End)
- Day Tour to Transfăgărășan and Vidraru Dam (7 to 9 hours)
- Day Tour to Brasov and Bran (12 hours)
- Exclusive Tour: Corvin Castle, Alba Iulia and traditional villages from Sibiu (7 to 9 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
If this doesn't create a hell of a great first impression of Sibiu for you, I do not know what will, so when you arrive in Sibiu and are not sure where to begin exploring, start from the Stairs Passage and we will make our way across this beautiful town from there.
Where to Stay in Sibiu?
2. Check Out the View from Saint Mary Evangelical Cathedral
One of the first iconic landmarks you will encounter in the Upper Town is Saint Mary Evangelical Cathedral, a beautiful massive Gothic-style church with access to its bell tower, allowing you to witness the incredible views of Sibiu from above.
With its massive 73.34 m high steeple, it is one of the highest points you can get to in Sibiu, which makes for a great vantage point to appreciate just how beautiful Sibiu and the surrounding landscapes are.
Once you get inside, you will find yourself under an incredibly high vaulted ceiling, surrounded by intricate stained glass windows with a beautiful altar and the historic pipe organ, one of the largest in Romania.
The cathedral also houses an interesting museum dedicated to the history of the Reformation movement in Transylvania. The museum's exhibits include rare books, documents, and artifacts that offer insight into the religious and cultural history of the region.
To get to the top, you will have to climb around 200 steps which can take about 10 minutes. It is quite a workout, but the moment you arrive and see the spanning panoramic views you get from the viewpoint, all that tiredness will magically evaporate away, and leave you with the feeling of awe instead.
You can see all the tourist attractions we will be visiting in Sibiu from up here. You will also get a glimpse of the mountainous landscape surrounding Sibiu, which we will be exploring with a day trip after.
To get access to the bell tower and the museum inside, you will have to pay an entrance fee of around 10 RON (2 EUR), which is extremely cheap for what you get. The church is open between 10 to 12 AM and 5 to 8 PM, depending on the day you visit the church, so be sure to plan accordingly.
3. Stroll Along the Bridge of Lies at Night
One of the most romantic places in Sibiu is the Bridge of Lies, a beautiful bridge that spans across the small stream of the city's fortified walls that is famous for its mysterious name and legends that surround it.
The Bridge of Lies was built in the 19th century as a connection between the Lower Town and the Upper Town of Sibiu. Its name, however, is not related to its construction but rather to the rumors and gossip that were said to be exchanged about it.
The most famous local legend of them all claims that the bridge will crumble beneath anyone who utters a falsehood while standing on it. Another account suggests that the bridge was frequently traversed by dishonest merchants seeking to deceive their clients, with those caught being hurled off the bridge.
It's hard to know if the name of the bridge inspired these stories or the other way around, but what we know is that the bridge is an incredibly beautiful piece of history and a great place to check out, especially at night when the lights illuminated the bridge, creating one hell of a romantic place to stroll around in, so be sure to check the bridge out at night.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
Looking to save some costs on your travel? Why not join a shared group tour from Sibiu? Here are some activities you might be interested in:
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- Day Tour to Transfăgărășan and Vidraru Dam (7 to 9 hours)
- Day Tour to Brasov and Bran (12 hours)
- Exclusive Tour: Corvin Castle, Alba Iulia and traditional villages from Sibiu (7 to 9 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
4. Check Out Turnul Sfatului and the Small Square
After you we have crossed the bridge, you will arrive in the Small Square, one of the oldest and most picturesque town squares in the city, surrounded by beautiful 15th Century buildings as well as the striking medieval tower of Turnul Sfatului, one of the most important landmarks in the city.
Built in the 12th century, it was initially used as an observation point in case of fire. Nowadays, the tower houses exhibitions as well as provides a vantage point for an incredible view over the Small Square.
Personally, I prefer the view from the top of Saint Mary Evangelical Cathedral more as you will be able to see the square in its entirety, and the bell tower of the cathedral is a little higher, which makes for a better vantage point.
You can also spend some time and explore the Small Square, which is a popular spot for tourists and locals to hang out with the square is surrounded by a variety of cafes, restaurants, and shops you can indulge yourself.
There are several outdoor seating areas where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal while admiring the square's stunning architecture, so be sure to check it out while you are in Sibiu.
5. Visit The Large Square
Of course, if there is a small square, there also must be a large square somewhere in the city. As you walk through Turnul Sfatului, you will find yourself in the Large Square, the main town square where all the actions are in Sibiu.
Spanning over 142 meters in length and 93 meters in width, it is the largest square in Transylvania and one of the largest in Romania, with a long rich history that dates all the way back to the 14th Century when it was established as a bustling center for trade and commerce, as well as a venue for public events, and celebrations to this day.
Today, the Large Square is home to some of Sibiu's most impressive buildings, including the Muzeul Național Brukenthal, Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, and Turnul Sfatului, all of which we will be visiting on this itinerary. You can walk around the square and admire its stunning architecture or simply relax in one of the cafes or restaurants that line its perimeter.
If you are visiting Sibiu at the end of the year, you might also be able to witness the famous Sibiu's Christmas Market, which is considered to be one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, complete with concerts, Ferris Wheel, and a ton of delicious local street food you can try.
I had the opportunity to experience it when I was traveling around Romania in November, and I was blown away by just how lively the Christmas Market was despite the gripping cold that had befallen Transylvania at that time.
If you get the opportunity to visit Sibiu during the Christmas season, make sure to stop by the Large Square and experience the vibrant and festive celebrations that the city is famous for.
6. Be Amazed by the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church
While you are exploring the Large Square, you should also check out the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, one of the most notable baroque churches in Transylvania.
The church is best known for its stunning interior, which features ornate altars, beautiful frescoes, and intricate stained glass windows that will blow you away the moment you walk inside and stand in its incredibly decorated nave.
It is quite a sight to behold, so be sure to drop by here while you explore the Large Square. The church is open during daylight hours, and it is free to enter the church.
7. Learn About Sibiu and Transylvania at Muzeul Național Brukenthal
If you want to learn more about Sibiu and Transylvania, I highly recommend you check out Muzeul Național Brukenthal, an incredible museum housed in the palace of Samuel von Brukenthal, a Habsburg governor of Transylvania, who established its first collections around 1790. The collections were officially opened to the public in 1817, making it the oldest institution of its kind in Romania.
The museum is home to an extensive collection of art and artifacts that span several centuries, including paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and rare books, each divided into its own section that includes the Gallery of Old Masters, which features works by famous European artists such as Titian, Rubens, and Rembrandt, as well as the Department of Decorative Arts, which showcases exquisite pieces of furniture, textiles, and ceramics.
The museum is a wealth of knowledge and a great place to visit if you are interested in the history of Transylvania. The museum is open from 10 AM to 6 PM every day except on Mondays and Tuesdays. The entrance fee is 39 RON or 8 EUR per person.
If you want to learn even more about Sibiu, I highly recommend you go on a walking tour and take the self-guided tour and learn more about the history of what you are seeing as you walk around Sibiu. It is a great way to dive deeper into the long and rich history of Sibiu. Highly recommended if you are a history buff.
8. Walk Along Nicolae Bălcescu Street
If you are looking for a place to stroll around to shop for souvenirs or a great place to find restaurants and cafes to take a break in between your exploration, you can check out Nicolae Bălcescu Street.
The street is lined with beautiful historic buildings, many of which date back to the 16th and 17th centuries, and it is home to a wide variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
You can explore the street on foot, taking in its charming atmosphere and admiring the colorful architecture while soaking up the ambiance of the vibrant city of Sibiu.
The street is also connected with all the tourist attractions in the city, like the Lower Town, the Large Square, and more which makes for a great place to relax in between your exploration. If you are looking for a place to have lunch in Sibiu's Upper Town or just want to buy some souvenirs, be sure to drop by Nicolae Bălcescu Street.
9. Admire the Beauty of the Holy Trinity Cathedral
Located not too far from Nicolae Bălcescu Street, you will also find the Holy Trinity Cathedral, one of the largest Orthodox churches in Romania and one of the most beautiful ones you will see here.
The church is an impressive example of Neo-Renaissance architecture, with the facade dominated by a massive central dome supported by four large columns that create a grand entrance to the building.
The dome is adorned with colorful mosaics and intricate carvings, while the exterior walls are made of red brick, making it stand out from all the other churches in the city.
The interior of the Holy Trinity Cathedral is equally impressive, featuring stunning murals and frescoes that cover every inch of the walls and ceilings of the cathedral.
The murals and frescoes are so mesmerizing, you can stare at these murals forever, and you will never get bored of them. It is one of the most beautiful churches you will see here, so be sure to drop by and check out the Holy Trinity Cathedral while you explore Sibiu. The church is open during daylight hours, and there is no entrance fee to the church.
10. Explore the Lower Town and Track Down Houses with Eyes
After spending the entire day exploring the Upper Town, I also highly recommend you spend some time and walk the crisscrossing streets of the Lower Town, and spot the houses with eyes, that seem to always be judging your every move since you arrive in the city.
What are the houses of eyes, you asked? Well, it is exactly what its name suggested. Due to the way the ventilations were designed back in the day, most of the houses in Sibiu (or in Transylvania, for that matter) often have these small window-like openings in their roofs in the shape of sleazy, squinting eyes, looking out over the city.
And you will find houses with these eyes on their roofs everywhere in the Lower Town. These are not something you see every day, and it seems like it is unique to this part of Europe, so I highly recommend you spend some time and track down these houses as you explore the Lower Town of Sibiu.
11. Visit Corvin Castle and Alba Iulia as a Day Trip
For the best day trip you can make from Sibiu, I highly recommend you go and visit Corvin Castle and Alba Iulia, some of the most beautiful castles and fortifications you will see in Romania, especially Corvin Castle which is considered to be the largest and most impressive Gothic castle in the country.
Both Corvin Castle and Alba Iulia are located around 130 km away, and the best way to visit these 2 places in one day is to go on an organized tour which will pick you up from your hotel in Sibiu, take you to both places on an 8-hour trip before you are dropped back off at your hotel in Sibiu.
The first place you will be visiting is the Corvin Castle, a castle built in the 14th century by John Hunyadi, a Hungarian military leader and governor of Transylvania. It was later expanded and renovated by his son, Matthias Corvinus, who turned it into a luxurious residence fit for a king.
The castle's exterior is characterized by its imposing towers, high walls, and decorative battlements, while its interior features beautiful grand halls, elegant chambers, and ornate staircases, as well as a chapel and a dungeon you can explore.
Inside the castle, you can walk around its chambers, visit the grand Knight's Hall that was used for banquets and receptions, and a torture chamber, where prisoners were subjected to gruesome punishments, with the depiction and gruesome descriptions of the terrible practice that were rather common at the time.
You can also walk around its towers, climb up to the top of the castle, and enjoy the view of the surrounding areas. While you can spend about an hour or 2 in the castle, there is still much renovation work to be done here to make it compete with other castles in Romania. Much of the castle courtyard was under renovation still when I was there, and the locals don't seem to expect it to finish any time soon, which is a shame.
That said, the exterior of the castle is incredibly well-preserved and really captures the grandeur of the castle and its status very well. It is one of the highlights of visiting Corvin Castle, and you should spend some time and walk around the castle to appreciate its beauty.
It should take you no more than 2 hours to explore the castle before you will be taken to Alba Iulia, an old fortified medieval town known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and impressive fortifications, unlike anything you've seen before.
The city's most famous landmark is the Alba Carolina Fortress, a massive star-shaped citadel that was built in the 18th century on the site of a Roman castrum. The fortress is surrounded by high walls, moats, and bastions, and it houses a number of historical buildings and monuments, including the Coronation Cathedral, where Romanian kings were crowned in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
I really enjoyed exploring Alba Iulia and walking around its charming historic center, navigating its narrow cobblestone streets, checking out beautiful pastel-colored buildings, and indulging myself in lively cafes and restaurants.
You will have around 2 hours to explore the town which should be enough to cover the whole fortress ground and check out places like the Union Museum, the beautiful City Gate, the view from Horea, Closca and Crisan Obelisk, and so much more.
I didn't expect to enjoy the city this much as my main goal was to see Corvin Castle, so I was pretty much caught by surprise at how beautiful Alba Iulia is. If you are looking for a day trip to make, I highly recommend you spend the day visiting Corvin Castle and Alba Iulia with an organized tour. You are going to love it.
What to Eat and Drink in Sibiu?
1. Try Local Cuisine at Grand Plaza Restaurant
If you are looking for a nice local restaurant to try some Transylvania cuisine that blends Romanian traditional food with its German roots, I highly recommend you check out the Grand Plaza Restaurant, a local restaurant I like to frequent when I was in Sibiu.
The restaurant serves a wide selection of traditional Romanian dishes like Sarmale and Tochitura as well as the Transylvanian take on German dishes like schnitzel and grilled sausages, all of which are home-cooked, served in big portions, and priced affordably with many dishes costing only around 5 - 6 EUR.
It is one of my favorite restaurants in the city and one that has a family vibe that makes you feel at home when you eat here. The restaurant is open from 9 AM to 10 PM every day except on Sundays. It is truly one of the best restaurants I've tried in Romania, so be sure to check it out.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Romania
- Want to plan a trip to the Balkans, but not sure where to go? Here is the 31 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Balkans.
- For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
- For a complete itinerary of Romania, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Romania Itinerary.
- A trip to Romania won't be complete without visiting Bucharest, the capital city. If you are planning to visit this city, here are the 14 Best Things to Do in Bucharest.
- Brasov is the gateway to Transylvania, and it is home to some of the most beautiful castles in Romania, like Peles and Bran Castle. If you are looking to visit this beautiful city, here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Brasov.
- As one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in Transylvania, it is hard not to recommend visiting Sighisoara. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Sighisoara.
- The second largest city in Romania, Cluj-Napoca, is one of the best places to visit to get the real feel of what it is like to live in Transylvania. To help plan your trip here, here are the 13 Best Things to Do in Cluj-Napoca.
- Timisoara, the city of flowers, is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Transylvania. From exploring the charming town squares to soaring churches, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Timisoara.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To see all the articles about Romania, visit the Romania Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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