A visit to Sibiu is like experiencing life in the Middle Ages. Awash in aristocratic elegance, the city has a distinctively medieval design with its tall brick walls encompassing the fortified center and archer towers. It’s also filled with ancient town squares along cobblestone streets. This city simply has everything you want in an old European city but without the crowds, not to mention all the things to do in Sibiu, Romania will make you feel like you are in the land of King Arthur. Check out the following recommendations:
The first museum from Romania and Central Europe, the Muzeul National Brukenthal was established in the palace of Baron Samuel von Brukenthal, the governor of the province, in the late 18th century. This imposing building boasts majestic Baroque architecture and a heavenly courtyard; inside, you’ll find galleries housing about 1,200 artworks belonging to the main European schools of painting. The museum is the only one in Romania possessing works by Memling, Titian, and Van Eyck. The galleries also include collections of books, coins, and engravings.
The Council Tower is one of the most significant symbols of the city. Built in the early 13th century, this historic white monument was once used to defend the entrance gate into the second precinct. Today, the structure is the result of several constructions with the building having been elevated and incorporated into a group of other structures. If you ascend to the observation deck, you’ll enjoy the impressive panoramas of the ancient Romanian city of Sibiu, as well as the Fagaras Mountains and beyond.
Located in the heart of Transylvania in Sibiu, the ASTRA National Museum Complex showcases restored buildings and houses from Romania’s past. This open-air ethnographic museum is one of the biggest in Europe; windmills, churches, and traditional homes are among the 400 monuments on site. As a living museum, it also hosts many traditional events and exhibits of folk costumes, ceramics, and embroideries. Visitors can enjoy other activities like horse carriage or sleigh rides, sailing on the lake, and having an enjoying walk through the alleys.
The Bridge of Lies, considered one of the most important symbols of Sibiu, was built in the late 19th century and is the first cast-iron bridge in Romania. The bridge is also the first without any pylons, which is why it produces sounds that started four legends passed down from generation to generation. Depending on who you ask, its name originates from tricky merchants or young lovers swearing their love, but they say when you tell a lie upon it, the bridge will creak or make noises as you walk.
First mentioned in documents in 1411 as a cereal market, the Large Square is the historic center of Sibiu. As its name suggests, it’s the city’s largest square, being 142m long and 93m wide - typical of squares in the Renaissance. It has gone through several name changes but has since returned to its original name in 1990. Colorful Baroque houses line the square, so it’s worth to take some time to visit and marvel at the structure to fully appreciate the hustle and bustle of this place.
Sibiu Zoological Garden is one of the most visited attractions in the city. The oldest zoo in the country, it was opened in 1929 at the initiative of a Hungarian engineer after finding some foxes while working to repair a dam near Sibiu. Currently, more than 260 animals from 63 species live here, including lions, zebras, tigers, jaguars, lynxes, lemurs, wolves, pumas, deer, and buffaloes. You can also find numerous species of reptiles and birds, as well as a majestic 600-year-old oak tree growing by the entrance.
Located 4km away from the city center and stretching over 960 hectares, Dumbracea Sibiului Natural Park is a protected area home to rich flora and fauna. You can find towering pine and oak trees and lush grass areas that make the area just perfect for nature lovers. You can also spot animals deer, wild boar, and foxes, and sometimes smaller animals like squirrels. In the lower part of the forest, you’ll find more than a hundred species of flowering plants, including the rare rattlesnake root.
The Lutheran Cathedral of Saint Mary is one of the city’s most distinctive buildings and the country’s tallest cathedral. Famous for its Gothic architecture, the church boasts impressive pointed roofs and 73.34m high steeple looming over Piata Huet. The four turrets on the steeple was once a sign to let foreigners know that the town had the right to sentence to death. The cathedral also once served as a burial site for Sibiu’s aristocracy, and the original tombstones now form an eerie gallery.
Founded in 1856 according to the design of engineer Wolfgang Seifried, Sub Arini Park is one of the oldest parks in Romania. It covers an area of approximately 22 hectares and is home to numerous tall trees and trails winding through the forested area. With its green alleys, wide lawns, a stream, and playgrounds equipped with swings and slides, the park is a great place for families looking for a picnic spot and nature lovers who just want to find a quiet place to walk.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral is the second largest orthodox cathedral in Romania. Inspired by the iconic architecture of Hagia Sofia in Istanbul as well as Transylvanian and Baroque styles, the structure boasts a neo-Byzantine edifice, central dome, and unique striped brickwork. The exterior is done in yellow and brick, and the interior is filled with colorful frescoes and richly painted ceilings. Despite going through several restorations in the last 100 years, its rustic charm remains the same - making it a must-visit place for Romanians and tourists alike.
Sibiu has always been the centre of Romania’s German minority since medieval times; even today, the Germanic feel of the area has been maintained. Noble Saxon history can be felt from every gold-embossed church and art nouveau facade. It has become the main German city in Transylvania and has become known as the Easternmost place with Western European culture.
The best time to visit Sibiu is in July to August, but best to bring rain gear as the city has a cold, temperate climate with frequent rainfall throughout the year. Some notable events include the Sibiu Jazz Festival held for a week every May (tickets are free), Sibiu International Theatre Festival in June, and Songs of the Mountains International Folklore Festival in August.
One of the best areas for accommodation in Sibiu is The Lower Town. Apart from offering budget-friendly hotels, the charming area also has a medieval vibe with its colorful houses and cobblestone streets, as well as historic structures - perfect for those who want to learn about the history of the city. For museums and lively bars, best to stay in the Center.