Sibiu in Romania Travel Guide: Is the City Worth Visiting?

Sibiu is one of the best places to visit in Romania if you enjoy historic cities, colourful squares, medieval towers, churches and relaxed old towns. It is in Transylvania, in central Romania, and makes a great stop on a train itinerary through Romania between places like Brașov, Sighișoara and Cluj-Napoca.

The old town is the main reason to visit Sibiu. Around Piața Mare, Piața Mică and the surrounding streets, you’ll find Saxon architecture, the famous houses with eyes, historic churches, museums, towers, restaurants and cafes. I’ve visited Sibiu three times, including in winter for the Christmas market and in warmer months for slower sightseeing.

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A Brief History of Sibiu

The Historic Centre of Sibiu and its Ensemble of Squares are on the UNESCO World Heritage Site tentative list because of their historical significance. The earliest historical records of Sibiu, founded by Transylvanian Saxons, date to 1191.

From 1366, Sibiu was known as Hermannstadt and became an important centre for the Transylvanian Saxons. You can see some cool maps of the town from back then in various towers.

They founded the Saxon University in Sibiu in the 15th century, and in 1543, it was the centre of the Reformation in the region. The key architectural features of the city are the three interconnected squares of the Upper Town and the surrounding buildings.

When in the city, you can see various architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. The city also has helpful information boards in several languages near many historic buildings

Sibiu Visitor Guide

Disclosure! Keep in mind that some links in these posts are affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may earn a small commission (for which I’m extremely grateful) at no extra cost to you. Thanks for visiting!

Some helpful information to make the most of a stay in Sibiu, Romania. If you require cash, there are free ATMs in Romania.

Why Visit Sibiu?

There is a range of things to do in Sibiu, including some excellent places of interest. The old town is beautiful to explore on foot. You have options for museums, churches, and medieval towers to explore. I really enjoyed exploring the town and seeing its features. The houses with eyes really caught my imagination. I visited during the Christmas markets, which added another layer to the city and made for a fun visit. The GetYourGuide website has a choice of private tours and trips into the Transylvania countryside.

Where to Eat and Drink in Sibiu

There are many options for places to eat out or enjoy a drink. Most of these are in the city’s main squares near the top attractions. There are also some cool cafes and restaurants, most of which serve traditional Transylvanian cuisine. I enjoyed all the establishments I stopped at for refreshments during multiple stays in the city, and they enhanced my experience. My favourite is in La Cuptor in the lower town, a short walk from the small square.

Is Sibiu Dog-Friendly?

We enjoyed spending time in Sibiu with Henry, our dog, and found it fairly pet-friendly by Romanian standards. The old town is easy to explore on foot, and several cafes and bars were happy for him to sit with us outside. Finding pet-friendly accommodation was straightforward, and I found plenty of options.

We had refreshments in a few bars or cafes for drinks with Henry and found them welcoming and even offering dog water. For attractions, the Astra Open-Air Museum was one of the best dog-friendly places we visited near Sibiu.

How to Reach the City?

Sibiu train station is a short walk from the old town, which makes arriving by rail straightforward. The city is connected by train with other Romanian destinations, including Brașov, Sighișoara and Bucharest, although some routes can be slow. I found Sibiu easy to include as part of a Romania train trip.

Where to Stay

There are various accommodation options, including budget and luxury. I saw various hostels and hotels throughout the city’s main areas. Some were in rather impressive buildings. You can find these on the Booking.com website.

We visited with Henry and family members twice on a tour of Romania and found it easy to find a dog-friendly 2-bedroom apartment. We opted for the Rebreanu Suite, a short walk from the train station and the old town centre. The rooms were comfy and very spacious. Another place we stayed at was Emma Apartment, which comfortably slept 4 people.

Is Sibiu in Romania Worth Visiting?

I enjoyed exploring Sibiu and think it is well worth visiting. The towers, open-air museum, and cathedrals were highlights for me, as was the festive fun in the city’s main square. I was also impressed with the places we had food out and the bars in the old town. Over multiple stays, we also found a varied selection of places to stay. Sibiu has fast become a place I like to take guests for a break.