Once the fortified heart of the Transylvanian Saxons, Sibiu blends medieval walls and pastel Baroque facades with a young creative scene and excellent regional cooking. Its Upper and Lower Towns are stitched together by stair passages and lookout towers, while the “eyes” on its red-tiled roofs seem to watch over the squares below.

Founded in the 12th–13th centuries, Sibiu (Hermannstadt) rose as a guild city famed for craftsmen and merchants. Today you can step into that world at the Brukenthal National Museum, climb the 16th-century Council Tower, and stroll the Liar’s Bridge—each stop a bite-sized chapter of Central European history.

Practicalities: many museums close on Mondays; carry some lei (RON) for markets; tap water is generally safe; and the high Transfăgărășan road is usually closed by snow roughly November–late June (cable car to Bâlea Lake often runs in winter, weather permitting). Come hungry for sarmale (cabbage rolls), ciorbă (sour soups), and papanasi (cheese doughnuts) paired with local wines.

Sibiu

Welcome to one of Romania’s most walkable, photogenic cities. The trio of squares—Piața Mare, Piața Mică, and Piața Huet—anchor a maze of lanes that reward slow wandering. In the Lower Town, colorful houses tilt toward cobbles, while the Upper Town showcases merchants’ palaces, museums, and towers.

• Top sights: Brukenthal National Museum (Old Masters to Romanian art), the Council Tower for a skyline view, the Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral (14th century), the Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral, and the City Walls & Guild Towers along Strada Cetății.
• Don’t miss: the ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization, an open-air world of wooden churches, windmills, and lakefront farmsteads in Dumbrava Forest.
• Where to eat: Crama Sibiul Vechi for classic Transylvanian fare in a vaulted cellar; Hochmeister Delikat’essen for modern plates rooted in regional produce; La Cuptor for seasonal, farm-to-table dishes; Kulinarium for local comfort food on the square.
• Cafés and sweets: Hug the Mug (specialty coffee), Arhiva de Cafea și Ceai (cozy tea-coffee nook), Cafe Wien (Austro-Hungarian cakes with views).

Stay central. The Upper Town around Piața Mare is best for first-timers; the Lower Town is quieter and atmospheric. Browse deals and apartments on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Getting in. Fly into Sibiu (SBZ) from European hubs (often Vienna, Munich, London seasonal). For intra-Europe flights, trains, or buses, check Omio. Trains from Bucharest take ~5.5–6 hours (from ~$18–30), Brasov ~3–4 hours (from ~$12–20), and Cluj-Napoca ~4–5 hours (from ~$15–25)—search or compare on Omio Trains or Omio Buses. Intercontinental travelers can compare long-haul options on Kiwi.com. For additional rail options and fares, see Trip.com Trains. Taxis/Bolt from SBZ to the center run ~10–15 minutes.

Day 1: Old Town Icons, Towers, and Cellar Dining

Afternoon (arrival): Drop bags and stretch your legs on a gentle loop: Piața Mare’s pastel facades, a peek into Brukenthal’s courtyard, then climb the Council Tower for a panoramic first look (allow ~30 minutes; small entry fee). Cross to Piața Mică and the iron Liar’s Bridge, then drift into Huet Square to see the Evangelical Cathedral’s Gothic lines. Continue down the Passage of Stairs into the Lower Town for photos of sloping roofs and quiet alleys.

Coffee break: Refuel at Hug the Mug with a flat white or V60; or tuck into Arhiva de Cafea și Ceai for a cardamom-laced brew and Romanian biscuits. If you love strudel, snag a slice at Cafe Wien overlooking the rooftops.

Evening: Dinner at Crama Sibiul Vechi, a beloved cellar where clay pots arrive steaming—try sarmale (cabbage rolls), tocană (stew), or bulz (polenta with cheese). Prefer contemporary? Hochmeister Delikat’essen crafts duck, trout, and vegetable-forward plates with Transylvanian flair; while La Cuptor riffs on local produce and sourdough. Nightcap with a Romanian craft beer or a glass of Fetească Neagră at Pardon Café & Bistro on Cetății Street.

Day 2: Village Traditions at ASTRA, plus Forest or Fortress (Departure in the Afternoon)

Morning: Quick breakfast on the go—Romanian covrigi (warm pretzels) from a bakery near Piața Mare—or settle into Arhiva de Cafea și Ceai for a croissant and a cortado. Then head 10–15 minutes by taxi or city bus to the ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization in Dumbrava Forest. Wander lakeside lanes among wooden windmills, carved gates, blacksmith forges, and tiny churches moved here from across Romania. Allow 2–3 hours; wear comfy shoes.

Afternoon: If you’re keeping it in town before your flight/train, return for lunch at Kulinarium (try the Transylvanian platter or bean stew in bread) or the seasonal menu at La Cuptor. Pop into the Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral for gold-flecked frescoes, then stroll Strada Cetății to admire the guild towers and city walls. If time allows, step inside the Brukenthal National Museum for a curated hit of art history.

Evening: Most travelers depart this afternoon. If you’re staying a bit longer, consider a short drive to Cisnădioara to climb to the Romanesque hilltop church-fortress for sunset, or up to Păltiniș (45–60 minutes) for mountain air and forest trails. Note: the high Transfăgărășan road is typically open only late June–October; in winter, check if the cable car to Bâlea Lake is operating and weather-safe.

Where to Stay (Sibiu)

• Upper Town (Piața Mare/Mică): Best for first-time visitors—walk everywhere and enjoy postcard views. Browse apartments and boutique stays on VRBO Sibiu or compare hotels on Hotels.com Sibiu.
• Lower Town: Quieter streets and bigger spaces in restored houses—great value and old-world atmosphere.

Getting To/From Sibiu (Planning Notes)

• From Bucharest: Train ~5.5–6h, typically $18–30 equivalent. Buses ~5–6h. Compare on Omio Trains and Omio Buses; additional rail schedules on Trip.com Trains.
• From Cluj-Napoca: Train ~4–5h; bus ~3.5–4.5h. Omio Trains and Omio Buses.
• From Brașov: Train ~3–4h; bus ~2.5–3h. Omio Trains or Omio Buses.
• Flights within Europe: Check Omio for routes into Sibiu (SBZ) or nearby airports (Cluj CLJ, Bucharest OTP) and onward train/bus links. Long-haul comparisons on Kiwi.com.

Optional Add‑Ons and Day Tours (Viator)

If you’re pairing Sibiu with Bucharest or Brașov, these popular tours thread the region’s greatest hits:

• 2-Day Medieval Transylvania with Brașov, Sibiu and Sighișoara Tour from Bucharest — Ideal if you want a guided sweep that includes Sibiu’s old town.

  

  See details on Viator
• Small-group max 7 – Bears Safari on Top Gear Road – Transfăgărășan — A spectacular mountain route featuring the high passes and legends tied to Vlad the Impaler (seasonal road access).

  

  See details on Viator
• 3-Castle: Peleș, Bran (Dracula), Râșnov, Sinaia Monastery (from Brașov) — A castle-packed circuit great to combine with a transfer day toward/away from Sibiu.

  

  See details on Viator

Food & Drink Shortlist (save for later):

• Crama Sibiul Vechi — Cellar setting, folk recipes: smoky beans, pork knuckle, polenta with local cheese.
• Hochmeister Delikat’essen — Produce-led plates; book for dinner and try the Transylvanian charcuterie starters.
• La Cuptor — Casual-chic, sourdough, seasonal mains; good for lunch or light dinner.
• Kulinarium — Hearty regional dishes on a lively square terrace.
• Cafe Wien — Sachertorte, apfelstrudel, and Viennese coffee with a view.
• Hug the Mug & Arhiva de Cafea și Ceai — Specialty coffee stalwarts.
• Pardon Café & Bistro — Wines, cocktails, and desserts along the old walls.

In two days, Sibiu offers a true Transylvanian sampler: medieval squares and towers, a forested village-museum, generous cooking, and easy day-trip temptations. Whether you keep it hyper-local or bolt for the mountains, you’ll leave with cobblestones on your shoes and paprika-scented memories.