Founded by Transylvanian Saxons in the 12th century, Sibiu (Hermannstadt) grew into a fortified trading hub with soaring towers and pastel Baroque squares. Today, it’s one of Romania’s most photogenic cities—European Capital of Culture in 2007—where Lutheran steeples, Habsburg facades, and cobbled lanes meet a dynamic coffee scene and contemporary galleries.

Sibiu County is a dream for adventurous travelers. The legendary Transfăgărășan road snakes into the Făgăraș Mountains toward Bâlea Lake, while the ASTRA Museum preserves centuries of rural ingenuity with windmills, watermills, and wooden churches in a sun-dappled forest. In village lanes around Rășinari and Cisnădioara, time stretches as slow as the shepherd’s stride.

Practical notes: Romania uses the leu (RON); cards are widely accepted but carry small cash for markets and rural stops. Tipping ~10% is customary. Pack layers—mountains are cooler—and sturdy shoes for towers, cobbles, and trails. By air or rail, Sibiu is easy to reach, and you can cover the county on day trips with buses, taxis, or a rental car.

Sibiu

Welcome to a city of “eyes”—the iconic eyebrow dormers peering from rooftops. Sibiu’s heart spans three squares—Piața Mare, Piața Mică, and Piața Huet—stitched together by arches and the Bridge of Lies. It’s compact, walkable, and endlessly photogenic.

Top sights include the Brukenthal National Museum (among the oldest in Romania, opened 1817), the Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral with its newly restored tower, and the Council Tower for sweeping skyline shots at golden hour. Food is hearty and comforting: ciorbă soups, sarmale, and Transylvanian cheeses—balanced by a new wave of specialty coffee and modern bistros.

Where to stay (mid-range to wallet-friendly): search apartments and boutique stays near Piața Mare for easy walking access.

• VRBO picks near the Old Town: VRBO – Sibiu
• Hotels and guesthouses: Hotels.com – Sibiu

Getting to Sibiu (SBZ):

• Flights within Europe (often via Munich or Bucharest) and trains from Bucharest, Brașov, or Cluj are straightforward. Compare options on Omio (flights), Omio (trains), and Omio (buses).
• Typical times and fares: Bucharest–Sibiu by train ~5–6h (~$18–35); Brașov–Sibiu 2.5–3.5h (~$10–20); Cluj–Sibiu 4–5h (~$15–30). Inexpensive buses can be quicker on some routes.

Day 1: Old Town Icons, Museum Masters, and Sunset Towers

Morning: Arrive and drop bags. Start with espresso and a covrig (sesame pretzel) at Hug the Mug on Nicolae Bălcescu, or go for a slow-pour at NOD Specialty Coffee—bright, fruit-forward roasts and a relaxed vibe. Stroll Piața Mare’s arcades, then step into the Brukenthal National Museum for Flemish and Austrian works and a primer on Sibiu’s aristocratic past.

Afternoon: Cross to Piața Mică and the Bridge of Lies. Duck into Atrium Café under the arches for soup of the day or a light pasta, and people-watch. Climb the Council Tower for panoramic photos—the red tile roofs and cathedral spire line up beautifully. Swing by the Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral; if the tower is open, it’s another stellar viewpoint and a dose of Gothic history.

Evening: Dinner at Crama Sibiul Vechi—a vaulted cellar with live folk tunes some nights—order ciorbă de fasole in a bread bowl and tocană (stew) with polenta. For a modern twist, Hochmeister del Conte plates seasonal Transylvanian flavors (think trout, forest mushrooms, local cheese). Nightcap at Pardon Café & Bistro for wine, or craft beer at The Cotton Pub if there’s live music.

Day 2: The ASTRA Open-Air Museum, Village Life, and Hills Above Town

Morning: Fuel up at Arhiva de Cafea și Ceai—order a V60 or cold brew and a pastry. Head to the ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization in Dumbrava Forest (short taxi/bus ride). It’s vast: windmills mirrored in the lake, carved wooden churches, blacksmith forges, and working watermills. Photographers, bring a zoom for details and a wide lens for lake reflections.

Afternoon: Lunch inside ASTRA at Cârciuma din Bătrâni—try bulz (grilled polenta with cheese), slănină tasting, and papanași for dessert. Then choose your adventure:

• Rășinari & Cisnădioara loop (short drive): taste sheep cheeses in Rășinari, then climb to Cisnădioara’s Romanesque church for valley views.
• Păltiniș (mountain breezes, ~45 min drive): short forest hikes on the Hohe Rinne trails; in winter, gentle ski runs and sledding.

Evening: Back in Sibiu, dine at La Cuptor (farm-to-table; cabbage rolls with smoked pork, seasonal salads) or Syndicat Gourmet (Romanian bistro—duck leg with red cabbage is a favorite). For dessert, stop by Heiss for gelato or Super Mamma for cakes. Golden-hour shots in Piața Huet and blue-hour in Piața Mare wrap the day nicely.

Day 3: Transfăgărășan to Bâlea Lake (Epic Mountain Day)

Morning: Early start for the Transfăgărășan (DN7C). Summer/autumn (typically late June–Oct): drive from Sibiu to Bâlea Cascadă (~1.5–2h), then continue the hairpins to Bâlea Lake at 2,034 m. Winter/spring: the high road is closed; park at Bâlea Cascadă and take the cable car up to the lake. Grab a coffee at the lakeside chalet and hike short trails for mirror-like water and ridge views.

Afternoon: Picnic by the water or eat at Cabana Bâlea Lac (hearty soups and stews). Photographers: shoot the serpentine road from the classic overlook above the tunnel. If weather’s perfect and you’re efficient, continue south a bit for glacier valley vistas; otherwise head back with a stop at Cartișoara for a late lunch or at roadside stands for local cheeses and honey.

Evening: Return to Sibiu. Celebrate at Kulinarium on Piața Mica—Transylvanian platters, trout, and dumplings—or go casual at Benjamin Steakhouse & Burger Bar (great burgers; solid Romanian wines by the glass). For a mellow final toast, try Wine Not?—a snug bar pouring Romanian labels from Dealu Mare to Transylvania.

Seasonal/Logistics Tips: Check road status for the Transfăgărășan (snow closures common outside summer). Cable car queues can form on fine weekends—arrive early. In shoulder seasons, pack a windproof layer; temperatures at the lake can be 10–15°C lower than Sibiu.

Optional Viator Experiences (pair with your route before/after Sibiu)

If you’ll be in Bucharest or Brașov before/after Sibiu and want guided, adventurous days that align with this itinerary, consider these highly rated options:

• Small-group max 7 – Bears Safari on Top Gear Road – Transfăgărășan (departs Bucharest). Combines the famed DN7C, Poenari Fortress (linked to Vlad Țepeș), and wildlife viewing in the Carpathians—a curated way to experience the route with a naturalist eye.

  

  View on Viator
• Small Group Tour to Viscri Church, Sighișoara Town, Rupea Fortress (departs Brașov). A deep dive into UNESCO-listed Saxon heritage—ideal if you’re continuing east after Sibiu and want guided storytelling plus transport.

  

  View on Viator

Food & Coffee Shortlist (for easy reference)

• Coffee: NOD Specialty Coffee (light roasts), Hug the Mug (central and quick), Arhiva de Cafea și Ceai (manual brews), Luminița Coffee (tiny, friendly)
• Lunch: Atrium Café (arches and views), Cârciuma din Bătrâni (ASTRA, rustic staples), Pardon Café & Bistro (soups, salads, pasta)
• Dinner: Crama Sibiul Vechi (traditional cellar), La Cuptor (seasonal), Hochmeister del Conte (refined Romanian), Kulinarium (Transylvanian classics), Benjamin Steakhouse & Burger Bar (casual)
• Sweet Stops: Heiss (gelato), Super Mamma (cakes), Lulu’s Patisserie (eclairs)

Budgeting (approx., mid-range)

• Coffee/pastry: 15–30 RON; casual lunch: 35–60 RON; dinner with drink: 70–140 RON.
• Museums and towers: 10–60 RON; ASTRA ~40 RON; Bâlea cable car return ~70–100 RON (season-dependent).
• Intercity trains (advance on Omio): many routes under $30.

Transport add-ons while in Sibiu: For local buses/trams in town, tickets are inexpensive; taxis and rideshares are widely available. For the Transfăgărășan, consider a car for flexibility; otherwise check Omio (buses) to reach nearby villages and trailheads.

Accommodations again, for quick booking: VRBO – Sibiu | Hotels.com – Sibiu

In three days you’ll trace Saxon history in Sibiu’s Old Town, wander a world-class open-air museum, and crest the Transfăgărășan for big-mountain drama. It’s the right balance of culture, cuisine, and adrenaline—tailored for curious photographers and adventurous food lovers.

Return home with memory cards full of rooftop “eyes,” misty lake reflections, and plates that tasted like stories. Sibiu County is compact, friendly, and unforgettable—you’ll be planning your next Transylvanian chapter on the way back.