The word ‘idyllic’ is perhaps the most often used by travel guides and travelogues alike when describing the capital of Sibiu County, one of Transylvania’s most mesmerising historic regions. Most notably by Forbes magazine, which ranked Sibiu as "Europe's 8th most idyllic place to live" in 2008. Small wonder. Located in the heart of Romania, Transylvania attracts flocks of visitors every year with its quilt-like culture, breathtaking natural landscapes and medieval enchantment. A real gem of this captivating region, Sibiu amazes with old-world charm, gorgeous views of the surrounding wilderness, great food, a myriad of activities and a sprinkle of bohemian thrown in for good measure. Put your map away and get lost in its maze of cobblestone streets to find lovely piaţas, dramatic Baroque architecture, houses that gaze right through you and hidden passageways that lead to cosy cafés, dreamy bookstores and hip bistros.
Fly to Sibiu, Romania for:
An idyllic Transylvanian getaway
Sibiu is called Hermannstadt in German and Nagyszeben in Hungarian. The very fact that these names exist gives away the town’s chequered history and rich cultural heritage. The former centre of Transylvanian Saxons is home to Romania's largest German community as well as a sizeable Hungarian minority, a reminder of Transylvania’s past as part of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The city blends Romanian pride with a Germanic feel that still lingers. Use Sibiu’s Large Square (Piaţa Mare) and Small Square (Piaţa Mică) as your compass while roaming its skinny streets. Have a good look at its medieval buildings and don’t be surprised if they look back with their eyelid-shaped attic windows. Sibiu’s historical centre was beautifully renovated in 2006, cementing its position as one of the country’s main cultural and tourism capitals. So much so that Sibiu was chosen the European Capital of Culture for the year 2007, along with the city of Luxembourg.
A delicious mix of flavours and cultures
Romanian cuisine is a salute to the country’s agrarian traditions, as well as its neighbours and all the cultures that made a mark on it. It has borrowed meatballs, or perișoare, from the Balkans, musaca from the Greeks and șnițel from the Austrians, and turned them into treasured recipes starring pork, chicken, and generous seasoning. Resulting must-try dishes include ciorbă, which is not a single dish but more like a league of its own. It encompasses a whole range of soups made with tripe, calf foot or fish, and soured by lemon juice, sauerkraut juice, vinegar or borș. Another well-loved staple is mămăligă. This thick and soft, bright yellow corn-meal is as simple as it is versatile. Consumed on its own, it’s a great option for meat-, fat- and wheat-free diets, while meat lovers can pair it with cheese, eggs, sausages or even fish. Ready to give these mouth-watering dishes a go? Any restaurant in Sibiu will be happy and more than prepared to be your sherpa on your Transylvanian gastro-adventure. Try Crama Sibiană at Piaţa Mică, a cosy underground restaurant that serves up rustic Romanian fare. Or descend into the belly of a 15th-century building on Strada Alexandru Papiu Ilarian, and mingle with locals and fellow wanderers alike in wine cellar-cum-restaurant Crama Sibiul Vechi. A word to the wise: make a reservation. Be sure to knock back some home-brewed ţuică (plum brandy), Romania’s national pick-me-up. Winelovers will not be disappointed, either. Over the last ten years, Romania has invested heavily in putting local wineries and grape varieties on the map. Go for the sweet and spicy Tămâioasă Românească or the earthy Negru de Drăgășani, ripe with berry and cherry notes.
Medieval vibes, charming corners and churches galore
A fortress city built by the Transylvanian Saxons, Sibiu has a strong medieval appeal and a youthful spirit. Let it put a cast on you at one of the city’s romantic squares that both charm and guide visitors. They’re all peppered with historic monuments, as well as cafés and restaurants. Piaţa Mare, or Large Square, neighbours the country’s oldest museum, Brukenthal Museum, displaying paintings by famed Romanian and other European artists in the impressive, Baroque-style Brukenthal Palace. Cross Romania’s first-ever iron bridge at Piaţa Mica, or Small Square, just don’t lie while doing so. There are different legends about how it became known as Liar’s Bridge but none of them is good news for those who don’t speak the truth. You’ve been warned. Sibiu’s churches deserve some dedicated time on your itinerary, too. The Evangelical Church, located at Huet Square, dates back to the 14th century and rests comfortably on an even older, 12th-century sanctuary. Get atop of its 73-metre tall tower, Transylvania’s tallest, for an enchanting bird's eye view of this treasure trove of a city. Sibiu also has significance as an Orthodox centre in Romania, embodied by the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Catedrala Sfânta Treime din Sibiu). Designed after Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, the cathedral boasts Neo-Byzantine iconostasis painted by Austro-Hungarian painter Octavian Smigelschi. Visit the remnants of the thirty-nine towers that once guarded medieval Sibiu: pass by the Potters’ Tower and the Carpenters’ Tower and round off your walk by discovering the city’s Natural History Museum.
Everyday casual: shopping and nightlife in Sibiu
Want to take a piece of Sibiu home with you? Why wouldn’t you. Get down to some serious souvenir-hunting on Strada Nicolae Bălcescu, or find well-known clothing and cosmetics brands in the city’s shopping centre, Shopping City. For a night excursion, hit Piaţa Mică and, again, Strada Nicolae Bălcescu. Enjoy casual outdoor drinking at Music Pub or explore the cellar bars and upper-floor cafés for a more authentic nightlife experience. In the mood for a live gig or karaoke? Head to Imperium, a quaint, cave-like speakeasy with great concerts, karaoke and regular football game showings.
Discover rural life and The Transylvanian Alps
Take a day (or several) to leave the magic of Sibiu behind, only to fall in love again with the neighbouring villages along Mărginimea Sibiului a few kilometres later. UNESCO-listed Sighișoara is just as good a starting point as any. It’s one of the most cared-for and certainly one of the most colourful inhabited citadels of Europe. Ironically, in 1431, this tiny fairytale city gave birth to one of the most bloodthirsty villains of history, to haunt the dreams of generations to come. Home to Vlad the Impaler, aka Vlad III and Vlad Dracula, after whom Bram Stoker has moulded his immortal Count Dracula, this candy store of a city packs on a book’s worth of myths, legends and history lessons. Move on to the fortified churches dutifully watching over Sibiu, such as Cisnădie. A celebration of Gothic architecture, the Cistercian Abbey of Carta has not only shaped the region’s landscape but also its religious architecture. Getting back to the city, don’t take off your walking shoes just yet. Learn about centuries-old Transylvanian traditions in ASTRA. Nestled in the Dumbrava Sibiului Natural Park, the village museum of over 300 cottages and other buildings is a well-preserved time capsule of rural Romanian lifestyle and folk culture from the pre-industrial era. Hiking enthusiast should conquer the 2,244-metre high Mount Cindrel during their holiday in Sibiu, one of the main pastoral regions of the Romanian Carpathians, or ‘The Transylvanian Alps’, the Făgăraș Mountains.
Sibiu airport
Having recently undergone a major upgrade, Sibiu International Airport is one of Romania’s most modern airports. Get on bus no. 11, 112, 116, 117 or 118 to arrive at Sibiu city centre. Tickets can be purchased from the bus station vending machine but only in local currency. Need to do some last-minute souvenir shopping? Sibiu Airport has got you covered. Hit the duty-free shops and celebrate your finds with a cup of coffee before boarding.
Sibiu weather
Sibiu’s climate is on the moderate side of continental. Sub-zero temperatures are quite common during the winter, with the average temperature being 2.6°C in the coldest month, January. The best time to plan your Sibiu trips for falls roughly between mid-May and mid-September. Expect warm days and plenty of sunshine but pack a light jacket just in case.
FAQs for booking flights to Sibiu
How to get cheap flights to to Sibiu?
Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Sibiu flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.
When is the best time to visit Sibiu?
Sibiu, nestled in Romania’s historical region of Transylvania, boasts a moderate continental climate that makes it a year-round destination. Winters are cold with snow; the average temperature in January is 2.6°C. If you prefer to explore without the cold, the best periods in Sibiu are between mid-May and mid-September, with warm and sunny weather, although a light jacket might be needed for the cooler evenings.
While summer has the warmest months, July and August, it also comes with more tourist traffic. Preferably, spring—from March to May—is when the city is less crowded and the landscape rejuvenated; autumn—from September to November—brings cooler temperatures and fewer tourists. Starting from the first hospital to the first school in Sibiu, its history is evident in its cobblestone streets and Baroque buildings. Any time is the right time to visit this beautiful city. Avoid the peak summer months if you want to enjoy the unique cultural mix with fewer crowds.
How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Sibiu flight?
As part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, we've launched a carbon offsetting scheme. Input the details of your Sibiu flight into our travel footprint calculator to calculate your carbon emissions. You can choose to offset your emissions by making a payment supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects. You will receive a certificate in return, recognising the offset emissions.
