Top 15 Things To Do On A Visit In Sibiu, Romania

1. Explore old buildings along Stairs Passage

Walking on the Stairs Passage, a 13th-century walkway linking the Lower Town and Upper Town, is like stepping back in time. The route features arcades and two staircases, connecting some of the oldest structures in the ancient citadel. While strolling, you will come across the famous 14th-century Evangelical Church, 17th-century houses along Alexandru Odobescu Street, and more. On the south end of the pathway is Sibiu’s oldest building and restaurant, which is closed permanently.

Stairs Passage

Address: Pasajul Scărilor, Sibiu 550191, Romania

Website: Stairs Passage

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

2. See the historic Turnul Dulgherilor

This historic tower, standing at 66 feet (20 meters) on the old citadel’s third fortification, is a must-see for history buffs. Turnul Dulgherilor was among the towers constructed to protect the ancient city along with the fortifications after the Tartars’ invasion around the mid-13th century. The striking architectural piece is built entirely of stone and brick. The base is circular, and the upper part has a shape of an octagonal prism, covered by tiled roofs. Although it has undergone some renovations over the years, including in 2008, it’s still worth the sight.

Turnul Dulgherilor

Address: Strada Cetății, Sibiu 550160, Romania

Website: Turnul Dulgherilor

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Mon)

3. Check out famous artists’ emblems at Sibiu Walk of Fame

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Sibiu Walk of Fame, although inspired by the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, has a bit of a different charm and personality. It was established in 2013 to commemorate the International Theatre Festival of Sibiu’s 20th anniversary. The walkway, thought of as connecting the past with the future, runs from Romania’s first theater to where a future theater will be built in Barracks 90. It celebrates the artistic and cultural personalities who aided the development of the city to its present glory. You will see the emblems of these icons and learn about their unique, fascinating stories.

Sibiu Walk of Fame

Address: Strada Cetății, Sibiu 557260, Romania

Website: Sibiu Walk of Fame

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

4. See the old Chapter House

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Chapter House, an ancient building used for Sibiu church administration, dates back to the 14th century. The structure, perched along the citadel’s first fortification, was purchased by Sibiu Chapter in 1449 after which it was refurbished in the same year. It’s the longest-standing house in Sibiu-Hermannstadt. Today, you will find a Viennese coffee house on the lower level, while the upper floor is used by the Sibiu District Consistory of the Evangelical Church AB.

Chapter House

Address: Piața Albert Huet 4, Sibiu 550182, Romania

5. Unwind at Dumbrava Sibiului Natural Park

Photo is only for illustrative purposes

Dumbrava Sibiului Natural Park, which used to be a promenade in the 18th century, was declared a protected natural site in 2000. The area features a wide variety of fauna and flora, three lakes, a forest spot divided by Trinkbach River, and an open-air museum—ASTRA National Museum Complex, one of the parks’ main attractions. In the museum, you will find ancient Romanian workshops and homes from the pre-industrial period. Even if you’re not interested in history, the park allows you to appreciate the charming Sibiu landscape.

Dumbrava Sibiului Natural Park

Address: Calea Dumbrăvii, Sibiu, Romania

6. Appreciate ancient buildings at Piata Albert Huet

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This square is known to be in the old city’s center along the first fortification that dates back to the 12th century. After the precinct became obsolete with the Upper Town’s support structures, many buildings were constructed on its grounds. Today, the Evangelical Church’s bell tower, soaring 73.3 meters (240 feet), is Piata Albert Huet’s landmark which is visible from every part of the city. Here, you will also find other medieval properties such as the parochial house, one of the oldest in the city, and Samuel von Brukenthal High School, which still maintains its old charm.

Piata Albert Huet

Address: Piața Albert Huet Sibiu, Romania

7. Buy souvenirs at Pacea Shopping Gallery

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

What’s a visit to this city without experiencing its sophisticated shopping scene? Shop until you drop in this shopping center, located in a three-floor building, formerly occupied by Pacea Cinema. The bustling place is filled with stores offering all kinds of goods, including souvenirs, electronics, kitchenware, and even animal products. Many of the shops are owned and operated by the Chinese, meaning the items are very affordable.

Pacea Shopping Gallery

Address: 550159, Strada Nicolae Bălcescu 29, Sibiu 557260, Romania

Website: Pacea Shopping Gallery

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 8pm; Sat: 10am - 8pm (closed on Sun)

8. Visit Piața Mare and Piața Mică

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

With a characteristic feature of the city Sibiu, Turnul Sfatului, a walk around the Big Square would lead you to one of the most elegant and historic places in Romania. As you go further, you will find a beautiful Catholic church opened in 1733. You could also visit the Brukenthal Palace which is now a museum. The whole lane has a neo-renaissance makeover with houses such as Casa Haller and Casa Filek.

Piata Mica, also known as the small square, is quite different from Piata Mare as the place is more peaceful and tranquil compared to the neighboring areas. You should not miss the Old Town Hall and the artistic loggias along the way. Finally visit the oldest building Casa Artelor built in 1320.

Piața Mare

Website: Piața Mare (Romanian only)

Piața Mică

Website: Piața Mică (Romanian only)

9. View the city from the highest tower in the town, The Council Tower

It is one the famous monuments of Sibiu located near the City Hall. Currently, it has seven floors after several phases of reconstructions of the Tower. The ground floor has an enormous vaulted passage. The access to the upper floors is through a small door and the spiral stairs with 141 steps lead to the upper floors. The City Tower has a history that dates to 1224 and has additional realistic features from the Renaissance period.

The Council Tower (Turnul Sfatului)

Address: Piața Mică 1, Sibiu 550182

Website: The Council Tower

10. Visit the Orthodox Cathedral, the Catholic Church, and the Evangelical Cathedral from the Historical Center

1/3 Sibiu - looking toward Orthodox cathedral

2/3 The Evangelical Cathedral

3/3 Camil Iamandescu-Biserica Romano Catolica din Sibiu

Located in the central part of the town, it is a symbol of Orthodox faith. After a lot of effort to build the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, it is a representation of greatness in architecture and beauty of it. Many tourists travel to discover and understand the secrets of Orthodox faith.

The Catholic Church was inaugurated in 1733 and expresses the early Viennese baroque style with simple exteriors and decorative interiors.

The enormous Gothic church is over 73 meters high and the view from the top is worth the steep climb. Comparatively modest to Orthodox Cathedral, you should not miss the large Evangelical Cathedral.

The "Holy Trinity" Orthodox Cathedral

Address: Strada Mitropoliei 33, Sibiu 550179

The "Holy Trinity" Catholic Church

Address: Piața Mare 3, Sibiu 550163

The Evangelical Cathedral

Address: Piața Albert Huet FN, Sibiu 550182

11. Take some time to visit the famous Brukenthal National Museum from the Old Town

The whole Brukenthal National Museum is divided into six different areas with individual programs. Furthermore, they fall into five beautiful buildings such as history museum, pharmacy museum, nature museum, weapon and hunting museum. It one of the oldest institutions of the 18th century and some of them even has courtyards where you could rest between the exhibition hall.

Brukenthal National Museum

Address: Piața Mare 4 - 5, Sibiu 550163

Website: Brukenthal National Museum

12. Visit the Astra Museum of the Traditional Civilization

It is Europe’s largest open-air ethnographic museum which runs in the space of 4 kilometers with spectacular scenes in Dumbrava Sibiului Nature Reserve. You can learn a lot about Romanian lifestyle while taking a walk in the park where you will find churches, mills, traditional homes and monuments along the way. They also offer you the facilities of boat rides, carriages and horse sled rides. During summer, it also hosts many fairs, workshops and musical performances.

Astra Museum of the Traditional Civilisation

Address: Parcul Natural Dumbrava Sibiului, Strada Pădurea Dumbrava 16-20, Sibiu 100302

Website: Astra Museum (Romanian only)

13. Take a walk in the Citadel Park

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The beautiful park has a magnificent landscape where you can take a walk or relax. It is simple yet centrally located in Sibiu. As you walk by, you can see the old walls and historic towers on the route. You can also see the Carpenter’s Tower built by the Saxons which stands tall.

Citadel Park

Address: Bulevardul Corneliu Coposu, Sibiu, Romania

14. Visit the Museum of Steam Locomotives

The trains in the museum have their own history and range from 1885 to 1959 from Europe and America. It is a railway museum suitable for both children and adults. The whole experience is enjoyable and the museum has a collection of steam locomotives, trains and engines. There are many types of locomotives to observe and seven of them are active and are used in different trains.

Museum of Steam Locomotives

Address: Strada Dorobanților 22, Sibiu 550231

15. Visit the House of the Journeyman

Near the Lutheran Cathedral, you can find the House of Journeyman and the Stairs Tower. It is one of a kind as many traditionally dressed journeymen come to participate in various crafts in the month of August. There are various exhibitions taking place and in this area, you can find out the story behind the Brotherhood and their tradition.

House of the Journeyman (Casa Calfelor)

Address: Piața Albert Huet 3, Sibiu 550182

The historical heritage of Sibiu

Although the medieval heritage is the most prominent through the streets, buildings and churches of the old town, we should not forget that the city of Sibiu also has some important things from recent centuries that deserve to be taken into consideration when visiting the place.

Also, if you come to Sibiu and need some information, don’t hesitate to contact me on the links below.