Sibiu

About Sibiu

Named the European Capital of Culture in 2007, Sibiu (German: Hermannstadt) is the most elegant city in Transylvania. Its historic centre is built around three concentric squares — Piața Mare (Large Square), Piața Mică (Small Square), and Piața Huet — each layered with baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture. The city's most photographed feature is the 'eyes of Sibiu' — distinctive dormer windows with arched eyebrows that gaze out from the rooftops, a Saxon architectural quirk that gives the old town an almost sentient character.

The Brukenthal National Museum, housed in the baroque Brukenthal Palace on Piața Mare, is Romania's oldest museum, founded in 1817 by Baron Samuel von Brukenthal, the Habsburg governor of Transylvania. Its permanent collection spans six galleries: European painting (Brueghel, Van Eyck, Titian, Cranach the Elder), Romanian art (Grigorescu, Luchian, Pallady), and a lavish period-rooms wing. Admission is 25 RON, but visit on Wednesday for the discounted rate. Just off Piața Mică, the Bridge of Lies (Podul Minciunilor) — built in 1859 — was Romania's first cast-iron bridge. Legend says it creaks and groans when someone tells a falsehood while crossing; in reality, the metal contracts and expands with temperature changes, but the fable has endured for generations.

Sibiu's Evangelical Cathedral, a 14th-century Gothic hall church with a soaring 73-metre tower, dominates Piața Huet. For 10 RON you can climb the 197 spiral steps to the top for sweeping views over the city's red-tiled roofs and, on clear days, the Făgăraș Mountains on the southern horizon. Outside the city centre, the ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization sprawls across 96 hectares of the Dumbrava Forest — one of Europe's largest open-air ethnographic museums. Its 400+ relocated structures include watermills, windmills, pottery workshops, fortified farmsteads, and wooden churches from every Romanian province. Entry is 25 RON; budget at least three hours to explore properly. The Lower Town (Orașul de Jos), reached via the Passage of Steps (Pasajul Scărilor), rewards wanderers with narrow cobbled lanes, pastel-coloured guild houses, and quiet courtyards where laundry flutters above flower-filled window boxes.

🗓 Best Time to Visit

May–September is the prime window for Sibiu. June brings long daylight hours and the Sibiu International Theatre Festival (odd-numbered years), which transforms every square into a performance venue. September offers crisp air, golden foliage in the Dumbrava Forest, and smaller crowds. December is magical — the Christmas market in Piața Mare is one of Romania's finest, with mulled wine, handicraft stalls, and the scent of grilled sausages filling the square. Spring (April–May) and autumn (October) are quieter, with mild temperatures ideal for walking tours. July and August can be hot (30°C+) but the shade arcades of Piața Mare and the ASTRA Museum's woodland paths offer relief. Winter (November–March) sees fewer tourists and lower hotel rates, though some attractions reduce hours and the Bridge of Lies can be icy.

🍽 Food & Drink

Sibiu's restaurant scene punches well above its size. For a classic Romanian meal in an atmospheric 15th-century cellar, Crama Sibiul Vechi (Strada Sebastian Hann 3) serves hearty plates of mici, sarmale, and grilled meats — mains run 40–80 RON. La Cuptor (Strada Nicolae Bălcescu 16) specialises in wood-fired oven dishes: slow-cooked pork shoulder, stuffed peppers, and their signature mămăligă with sour cream — 30–60 RON. B17 Restaurant (Piața Mică 17) offers modern European cuisine on a terrace overlooking the square — try the duck confit with plum sauce or the grilled trout — 45–90 RON. Kombinat Gastro Shop (Strada Tipografilor 5) is Sibiu's coolest casual spot, with artisanal sandwiches, craft beer, local cheese plates, and excellent flat whites — 25–50 RON.

Local specialities to hunt down: pomana porcului (pork stew with polenta), ciorbă de burtă (tripe soup), and cozonac (walnut-filled sweet bread). For drinks, try Palinca de Sibiu (a double-distilled plum brandy unique to the region) or a glass of Fetească Regală from the nearby Târnave vineyards. The weekly farmers' market on Strada Păunescu Voinicu sells local cheeses, cured meats, and honey.

🚗 Getting There & Around

By car: Sibiu sits at the junction of the A1 motorway (linking it to Bucharest, 5 hours east) and the DN1 to Brașov (2.5 hours). Parking is available at several guarded lots just outside the historic centre — roughly 5 RON/hour. By train: Sibiu Railway Station (Gara Sibiu) connects to Bucharest (5–6 hours, from 80 RON), Brașov (3 hours), and Cluj-Napoca (3.5 hours) via CFR InterRegio trains. By plane: Sibiu International Airport (SBZ) has direct flights from London Luton, Munich, Vienna, and Bucharest, served by Wizz Air, Lufthansa, and TAROM. A taxi from the airport to the centre costs about 30–40 RON. On foot: The historic centre is compact and pedestrianised — the three squares, the Bridge of Lies, and the Lower Town are all within a 15-minute walk of each other. Public buses (Transmixt) run from the outskirts to the centre — a single ticket is 3 RON.

🏨 Best Hotels in Sibiu

Sibiu offers accommodation across every budget. Hermanns Hotel (Strada Nicolae Bălcescu 12, ★★★★) occupies a restored 18th-century palace in Piața Mică, with elegant rooms overlooking the square — doubles from 450 RON/night. Continental Forum Sibiu (Strada Nicolae Bălcescu 1, ★★★★) is a reliable mid-range option on Piața Mare with a rooftop terrace — doubles from 350 RON/night. Ibis Styles Sibiu (Strada Leipzig 1, ★★★) offers modern budget rooms by the railway station — doubles from 220 RON/night including breakfast. For a unique stay, Casa Luxembourg (Strada Mitropoliei 20) is a boutique guesthouse in a Saxon burgher house with just five rooms, a courtyard garden, and homemade breakfasts — doubles from 300 RON/night. The nearby village of Cisnădioara (15 minutes by car) has charming guesthouses starting at 150 RON/night for those seeking a rural base.

🍽 Where to Eat in Sibiu

Sibiu punches above its weight for dining. For a memorable splurge, Crama Sibiul Vechi (40–80 RON) serves traditional Transylvanian recipes in a historic cellar — their cârnați de Pleșcoi (spicy sausages) and ciorbă de potroace (giblet soup) are exceptional. La Cuptor (30–60 RON) is the go-to for affordable wood-fired meals; arrive before 13:00 for the weekday lunch special (around 25 RON for a two-course meal). B17 Restaurant (45–90 RON) leans modern European — their grilled octopus starter and slow-roasted lamb shoulder are highlights. For casual bites, Kombinat Gastro Shop (25–50 RON) does outstanding banh mi–style sandwiches and sourdough toasties with local ingredients, plus natural wine by the glass. For dessert, Piața Mare Gelato serves artisanal gelato (8 RON per scoop) with flavours like lavender-honey and sour cherry. Vegetarians will find good options at Kombinat and B17, though traditional menus lean heavily on meat.

🎯 Things to Do in Sibiu

🏛 Brukenthal National Museum — Piața Mare 4. Romania's oldest museum, with European and Romanian art in a stunning baroque palace. 25 RON (Wed discount). Allow 1.5–2 hours. 🌉 Bridge of Lies — Free. Cross Romania's first cast-iron bridge and test the legend. Most magical at sunset. 🏰 ASTRA Open-Air Museum — Str. Pădurea Dumbrava 16. 96 hectares, 400+ relocated structures. 25 RON. 3+ hours recommended. ⛪ Evangelical Cathedral Tower — Piața Huet. Climb 197 steps for panoramic city views. 10 RON. 🚶 Lower Town Walk — Start at Pasajul Scărilor and wander the cobbled lanes past guild houses, artisan workshops, and hidden courtyards. Free. 🎭 Museum of Hunting and Arms — Piața Mică 1. An eccentric but fascinating collection of over 5,000 hunting trophies and antique weapons — 12 RON admission. 🏔 Day Trip to the Făgăraș Mountains — Sibiu is the gateway to Romania's highest alpine range. The Transfăgărășan Highway (45 minutes by car) and Bâlea Lake make an unforgettable day trip. ☕ Cafe Culture — Sibiu has an excellent speciality coffee scene. Try Maya Coffee (Strada Avram Iancu 1) for pour-overs and Soul Pub (Strada Șelarilor 5) for craft beer and live acoustic music.