Sibiu
Sibiu is one of the original seven Saxon citadels of medieval Transylvania. Although extensively restored and prepared for tourism as the European Capital of Culture in 2007, Sibiu kept the charm of a small, neat and provincial town. Most of the Old City is still inhabited by locals, and many of the 17th-century homes — though some are now hotels — still have their original locks and hinges on the doors.
The city of three squares
Sibiu is built on two levels. The Upper Town holds the three great historic squares — the Grand Square (Piața Mare), the Lesser Square and Huet Square — ringed by baroque facades in ochre and terracotta, the Brukenthal Palace and the Gothic Lutheran cathedral. The Lower Town, reached by steep staircase passages and arched lanes, keeps a quieter, working character — potters, icon painters and leather workers still keep workshops along its cobbled streets.
Come and see the famous tiled roofs with eyes; visit the Brukenthal Museum, the oldest art museum in Central and Eastern Europe, opened in 1817; walk the medieval brick walls and defensive towers; listen to the stories of the German journeymen at the House of Crafts; and cross the cast-iron Bridge of Lies, where legend says the structure groans if someone untruthful walks over it.
Festivals, museums and the shepherds’ country
For its size, Sibiu has an outsized cultural life. The Sibiu International Theatre Festival in June is one of the largest performing-arts festivals in Europe, and the Astra open-air ethnographic museum — a whole landscape of relocated traditional buildings — is among the best of its kind on the continent. Just outside the city, Marginimea Sibiului is a string of prosperous shepherd villages where you can still sit down to an authentic feast: sarmale, fresh sheep cheese, polenta and tuica distilled in copper stills, a tradition passed down through generations. Our blog post on the Fagaras and Sibiu leg of a Saxon Country trip follows part of this countryside.
When to visit and how to see it
Late May through September is best — outdoor cafes, the Theatre Festival, and the dramatic Transfagarasan road into the Fagaras Mountains open for the season. December brings one of Romania’s most loved Christmas markets to the Grand Square. Sibiu is a flagship stop on our 9-day Transylvania Step by Step tour and features on the 14-day Romania Grand Tour; it also pairs naturally with the nearby Saxon Fortified Churches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sibiu worth visiting?
Yes — Sibiu was European Capital of Culture in 2007 and remains one of the best-preserved Saxon cities in Transylvania. The Brukenthal Museum (Central and Eastern Europe's oldest art museum, opened 1817), the Bridge of Lies, the tiled roofs with eyes that seem to watch the squares below, and the surrounding Marginimea Sibiului shepherd villages are all distinctive.
How does Sibiu compare to Brașov?
Sibiu is smaller, quieter and more polished — more of a cultural-festival town with a stronger museum scene. Brașov is larger, busier and better positioned for outdoor activities and as a launchpad for Bran/Peles. If you have time, do both; if you must pick one, choose Sibiu for the atmosphere and cultural depth, Brașov for the mountain access and Carpathian setting.
When is the best time to visit Sibiu?
Late May through September for outdoor cafes, the Theatre Festival (June) and walks up to the Fagaras mountains. December for one of Romania's most loved Christmas markets. April-May for spring color in the Marginimea villages.
How many days do I need in Sibiu?
One full day covers the Upper and Lower Towns, the three historic squares and the Brukenthal Museum. Two days lets you add the Astra open-air museum and a half-day in the Marginimea Sibiului shepherd villages. With three days you can also drive part of the Transfagarasan into the Fagaras Mountains.
Why are Sibiu's roofs famous?
Sibiu's old houses have narrow, eyelid-shaped attic vents set into their tiled roofs, so the buildings seem to watch the streets below. These 'eyes of Sibiu' have become the city's signature image — practical ventilation slits turned into one of the most photographed details in Romania.
