Sibiu

I felt my visit to Sibiu was like walking back into the middle ages. As one of Romania’s tourism capitals, Sibiu attracts a lot of tourists seeking its wonderful medieval charm, excellent views of the surrounding landscapes, great food, and stunning parkland. Out of all the places I visited in Romania, this city was my favorite. I’m a sucker for medieval cities, and as an added bonus, the city’s historical centre was recently renovated in 2006 and looks spectacular. And, while it may attract the crowds, they don’t deter from the many sites in the city. Make this place a stop on your Romanian travel itinerary. This travel guide can help you decide what to do.

Typical Costs

Hostel prices – Hostels in Sibiu cost between $13-25 USD per night for a dorm room. A private room will be around $50 USD for a single or double.

Budget hotel prices – Budget hotels in Sibiu start around $30 USD per night and can range up to $75 USD.

Average cost of food – When staying in Sibiu, you should try the local dish, “Ciorb”, a sour soup which has different variations with meatballs and/or vegetables. You can expect to pay $4-8 USD for a casual meal, $9-15 USD for a mid-range dinner, and around $5-6 USD for fast food. Groceries are going to be your best value, with a week costing just about $40 USD.

Transportation costs – The city is easily walkable and there’s not one major site you can’t get to by walking. However, if you do need to venture outside the medieval city limits, the local public transport operator, TurSib, offers reliable services. A bus ticket costs less than $0.50 USD< so this is your best option. In a pinch, taxis are only about $1 USD per mile, so you won’t break the bank.

Money Saving Tips

Walk the city – Like many old medieval cities, Sibiu has a compact historical center. It’s easy to walk around this city, and you shouldn’t need to rely on public transportation unless you’re making a day trip outside the city core.

Eat out during lunch – Although food in Romania is inexpensive in general, you can save more money by cooking your own dinners and eating lunches out. A lunch menu in Romania typically consists of three courses (soup, main, dessert), and can cost as little as $4-7 USD.

Top Things to See and Do

Explore the Old Town – Sibiu is filled with buildings that were built by German settlers and merchants during the Middle Ages, as well as corner cafes, interesting secluded lanes, and churches. There are plenty of historic sights to see and cobbled squares in which to take a breather.

Visit the Brukenthal Museum – This is considered by many as the second-best museum in all of Romania. There are over 1,090 paintings by a range of artists with much of the work dates back to the 15th century. Six different museums are housed across the city, with the main museum costing $6 USD to enter, a bit expensive by Romanian standards. Check into the featured exhibit schedule to see if something peaks your interest.

Stroll through Huet Square – Also known as the Piata Huet, this square is home to a series of Gothic-style buildings and the grand Evangelical Cathedral. Some of the main attractions here include the Samuel von Brukenthal Gymnasium and the city’s only fully-German school.

Take in the Sibiu Jazz Festival – Held for a week every May, this festival was resurrected in 2005. It isn’t a very large production, but for those of you that are jazz enthusiasts, or just want to attend a festival, it is something fun and inexpensive to do.

Explore the Citadel of Sibiu – During the Middle Ages, this was the best fortified citadel in all of Europe. The Stairs Passage is beautiful and the towers and bastions provide great views of the city. If you happen to be here around dinner time, visit the Golden Barrel, the oldest restaurant in Romania (it’s pricey though).

Unwind at Balea Lake – A worthwhile day trip from the city. Many people come here to hike, or to ski during the winter.

Visit Radu Stancu State Theatre & The Philharmonic – The Philharmonic was founded in 1949 and has regular productions in Romanian.

Explore the Open-Air Museum – The Astra National Museum Complex is an open-air museum, showcasing old restored buildings and homes from Romania’s history. Check out the old mill, wander through the streets, and buy some traditional handicrafts. The museum lies a couple of miles south of Sibiu.

Trek the Cindrel Mountains – The Cindrel Mountains are just 10 miles from Sibiu. You can arrange multi-day trek tours here. The difficulty level is medium, and the altitude averages around 3500 feet. If you love the outdoors and are up for a challenge, this could be just what you need.

Learn some local history – The Sibiu History Museum is located within city hall. It offers a deeper understanding of the city’s history, starting back in the Neolithic period. You can also find a collection of artifacts from the Middle Ages and Baroque periods here.

Admire the Orthodox Cathedral – The Holy Trinity Cathedral in Sibiu is the second-largest orthodox cathedral in the country. It was built in the early 20th century, and modeled after the Byzantine-style Hagia Sofia cathedral in Istanbul. The exterior has been done in red and yellow brick, and the painting on the interior is stunning. It’s worth a quick peek.

Take a day trip to Ocna Sibiului – Ocna Sibiului is a small town in the area of Sibiu, known for its saline lakes. Spend some time wandering the old center, and then if the weather is nice, swim or enjoying the spa activities. The town is 10 miles from Sibiu, and can be reached by train.

Cross the Bridge of Lies – This is a small bridge that’s probably not worth going out of your way for, but it’s a nice stop if you’re wandering around the town. The bridge was rebuilt in the late 19th century on the site of an old wooden one. The new version was Romania’s first forged iron bridge.