Ever added a place to your travel itinerary last minute and it turned out to be your favourite spot? That was Sibiu for me. We spent a week road tripping through Transylvania. The moment we reached Sibiu, I was hooked.
To be fair, I was already in high spirits before we arrived. Sibiu was our first stop after leaving Cluj Napoca. The closer we got to Sibiu, the more beautiful the scenery. Gently rolling green hills, snow capped mountains and a clear blue sky. It felt like we could have been in many different parts of Europe, but if it felt like anywhere, the Swiss Alps would be the best comparison.
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A German town, surrounded by a Swiss landscape in Romania
Our time in Sibiu was short and sweet. We spent all afternoon and evening exploring the old town. Then a few extra hours the next day. There were so many beautiful things to see and do. Stunning German architecture, large open squares and pastel coloured homes. Whilst we wish we could have spent more time wandering the quaint streets, the town is small enough to pack the highlights into one day.
Whilst the surrounding landscape is reminiscent of Switzerland, once in the old town, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re in Germany. And that’s for good reason. Sibiu is an old Saxon town, founded by German settlers way back in the 12th century. There are reminders of this German history throughout the town. Wandering the streets, you’ll likely hear a lot of German being spoken as well.
The old town of Sibiu is broken into levels: Upper Town and Lower Town. You’ll definitely want to explore both sections, as there are lots of things to do in these areas of Sibiu.
If you’re travelling through Transylvania, I highly recommend a stay in Sibiu. Here’s my list of the top 12 things to do in Sibiu.
Top things to do in Sibiu, Romania
#1 Look up at the homes with eyes
Homes with eyes? Really? Oh yes!
It might require a little bit of imagination, but once you see it, you can’t stop staring.
Up in the roofs of the homes in Sibiu lies quite a unique feature. The window like openings appear to look like eyes staring right back at you. Not every building has this feature, but you will see them all over the Upper and Lower towns.
The simple explanation is that the eyes are actually ventilation shafts. However, don’t let that spoil the fun!
#2 Check out the Big Square (Piata Mare)
The Big Square, known locally as Piata Mare is located in the centre of Sibiu. When we arrived at our hotel, we were given some rough directions for the old town. We set off without looking at Google Maps and found our way to the Big Square. All roads seem to lead here.
The Big Square (sometimes called the Grand Square), is the largest of 3 main squares in the Upper Town. It houses some of the most important historical buildings in the city. There are some cafes and restaurants dotted along the edges. Every time we passed through the square, there was a hive of activity.
If you’re a fan of pretty pastel buildings, you’ll love this square too. The Bank of Transylvania lies in this square. With its soft peach and yellow tones, it’s the most pretty bank I have ever seen.
#3 Visit the Roman Catholic Church in the Big Square
Located in the Big Square, the Biserica Romano-Catolica is worth a visit. Step inside the church to see the beautiful ornate decorations. Stained glass windows adorn the sides of the church. It’s free to enter. There was a service in progress when we visited, so we stayed for a little while taking in the ambience.
#4 Head to the top of the Council Tower
From the Big Square, it’s just a short walk over to the Council Tower. For a very small entry fee, you can climb the steps of the 13th century tower. It will provide you with a panorama of the city and impressive views of the Big Square. Do this early to get a good sense of the layout of the city you’re exploring.
There are 7 floors in total up a narrow stairwell.
Tickets at entry: The Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului) || 30 mins || 2 lei
#5 Little Square
The Little Square (Piata Mica) is the home to the Council Tower. When we visited, it was filled with temporary buildings that were being dismantled. Sibiu had just hosted an EU meeting. Still, the square is filled with more cafes and restaurants to rest (especially if you’ve just climbed the stairs of the Council Tower!).
#6 Bridge of Lies
The Bridge of Lies is a small iron bridge dating back to 1859. From the bridge, it provides a fantastic view of the Lower Town. There’s a set of stairs next to a fading grand old green building (with some incredible ‘roof eyes’ too). Make your way down here to get a different perspective of the bridge from below.
Why is it a “Bridge of Lies” though? We were told the legend is that if a person walks over the bridge telling a lie, the bridge creaks. We had a go and had no luck! One of those old wives tales no doubt!
#7 Huet Square and the Evangelical Cathedral
Back up in the Upper Town, the highlight of Huet Square is the domineering 14th century Evangelical Cathedral. Its spire can be seen from all over the town.
When we visited, the church was closed for restoration works. It is possible to climb the tower, but given our short time in the city (and the fact we had just climbed the council tower) we opted out of this activity.
When walking around Huet Square you may also notice all the old German buildings, most notably the Brukenthal College. This is a German school, still in operation today. It dates back until at least 1380 and is the oldest German school in Romania.
#8 Make your way down Stairs Tower (Turnul Scarilor)
From Huet Square you’ll come across the Stairs Tower. It’s an arched passageway from the 13th century that leads down to the Lower Town. It’s a really picturesque spot, so don’t forget to grab a photo here before heading down the stairs.
#9 Explore the Lower Town
The Lower Town is filled with old residential buildings and is perfect for a leisurely stroll. We spent some time here walking through the quaint little streets. There are plenty of locals here just going about their daily business.
Here you will find cute pastel coloured buildings, many that appear to have seen better days. Yet, the crumbling facades are quite captivating. Walking through the Lower Town there are a few small local squares, and plenty of homes with the iconic eyes!
#10 Visit the Orthodox Cathedral (Holy Trinity Cathedral)
By Sibiu’s standards, the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral is a baby. Built in 1904, it was built for the local Romanians to have a place of worship in the centre of town. Whilst it’s a grand building on the outside, it’s the inside that saw my jaw drop on entry.
A massive chandelier drops in the middle of the cathedral. Every inch of the wall is painted with intricate religious scenes. Light peaks through from the stained glass windows.
Entry is free, so don’t miss out.
#11 Walk along the city walls
On Strada Cetatii lies a section of the old city walls. A few towers remain, including the Carpenters Tower (Turnul Dulgherilor). Whilst you can’t access the towers, it’s a pleasant walk on either side of the wall. On Strada Cetatii you’ll even find a few brightly coloured buildings.
#12 Try the local favourite: Covrigi
If you’re walking along the main shopping street in Sibiu, you’ll notice a whole lot of bakeries. They’re offering up the local treat called covrigi. It’s similar to a German pretzel, and they have a range of different toppings. It’s a quick and cheap snack, perfect for road trips too. Don’t leave without trying the local favourite.
How do I get to Sibiu?
We drove to Sibiu as part of our one week road trip through Transylvania.
If driving is not up your alley, Sibiu is accessible by train too. There are direct trains from a number of cities, including Brasov and Bucharest.
Sibiu is also home to an international airport. Given the city is so beautiful, you might even contemplate just visiting for a short stay from mainland Europe. Check out Skyscanner for flight options. Budget airlines like Wizz Air have some flights to Sibiu direct from London Luton airport.
Where to stay in Sibiu?
We stayed the night at the Republique hotel. It was the perfect option for our road trip, given there was ample free parking right out the front of the hotel. It was a 10 minute walk to the entrance of the old town. With comfortable furnishings, a free breakfast and a low price, it was the best value hotel stay we’ve had on our entire year long trip.
BOOK NOW: Republique Hotel, Sibiu || From €48
If you’re looking for something a little different, there are a range of other accommodation options, from international hotel chains to boutique stays.
Where to from Sibiu?
If you haven’t yet checked out our one week road trip itinerary for Romania, you can do so here.
If you like the sound of the Swiss-like countryside, you can check out our Switzerland guides here.
