The 24 Best Things to Do in Sibiu, Romania

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I’m fairly certain that every article written on “the best things to do in Sibiu” was thrown together in an hour by someone who has never set foot in this city. They are all the same, and all kinda useless.

Spending two minutes on a bridge or walking through a square isn’t what I’m looking for when I’m trying to make plans!

I’m guessing you’re here for the same reason… because you’ve already checked the central squre and obvious spots off your list, but are still looking for more things to do in Sibiu.

Well, get your explorin’ shoes on because this list of 24 awesome things to do in Sibiu, Romania will help you plan a jam-packed itinerary for your stay!

 

View of colorful Sibiu from the Lutheran Cathedral – don’t worry, this is on the list! 

 

The Best Things to do in Sibiu, Romania

This low-effort list starts with the best things to do in Sibiu, Romania that are right outside your front door, and covers sites located in or near the city center that you can mostly visit on foot. 

 

1. Rent a Bike and Ride Through the Sub Arini Park

We rented bikes from Ivelo in the city center and it couldn’t have been easier or cheaper.

The cost is only 28 lei / 7 usd to rent two bikes for three hours. The park was just a couple minutes ride down the street and if you’re really adventurous can even go all the way to ASTRA Museum or the small town of Cisnadioara.

 

2. Take a Sibiu Food Tour

There are plenty of different options to get a true taste of Sibiu. Transylvanian Taste offers a walking food tour for 35 euros, or you can check out options at Eat Local starting at 17 euros each.

 

3. Rest a Vespa Scooter

If you don’t want to rent a bike, a vespa is always another (faste and more fun) option.

You can get them here for 150 lei / 38 usd for three hours, 200 lei for a day, and 350 lei for two days. The company also shares different routes around the city to help you get the most of your trip.

 

4. Visit the ASTRA Museum

This is the one of the largest outdoor museums in the world and has a large lake and recreated Romanian villages scattered across the grassy landscape.

Take a few hours to see the windmills, farms, and houses, or even enjoy Romanian craft beer in their beer garden! Entrance costs 17 lei  / 4 usd per person.

 

5. Climb the Church Tower for Awesome Views

Admiring this gorgeous city is one of my favorite things to do in Sibiu.

The Lutheran Cathedral is closed for renovations, but you can still climb the tower. It only costs 4 lei / 1 usd per person, and the views are absolutely beautiful. Definitely a must to capture a perfect Instagram pic of the city.

 

6. Explore the Romanian Craft Beer Scene

Drinking my way through a new city is one of my absolute favorite past times.

Use my guide to craft beer in Sibiu to grab some new brews to-go from the shops or visit the pubs and bars serving the best that Romania has to offer.

 

7. Check Out The Sibiu Calendar of Events

Lucky enough to be in town for one of their famous music festivals or the Christmas market?

Take a minute to look at the events calendar from the Sibiu Tourism Board to see what’s coming up next.

 

8. Tour the First Brewery in Sibiu

If you’re interested in connecting with the local culture in an unconventional way, considering touring Urban Brewery, Sibiu’s first craft beer brewery.

It’s definitely a unique thing to do in Sibiu and the owner Adrian is super nice and always happy to meet new travelers passing through. Shoot him a message on their website to set one up and get to know a little more about how beer is made.

 

9. See a Play or Show

This calendar from Tourism Sibiu has everything you need to know to get some more culture in your life. Find theater, film festivals, concerts, and more to change up your night out.

 

10. Eat Like a Local

Every traveler wants to avoid overpriced meals and mediocre food.

Be sure you’re only eating the best that Sibiu has to offer by sticking to this list of 6 Sibiu Restaurants that the Locals Recommend (I tried them all too, for quality control of course).

 

Blue, my favorite pup that we met while volunteering at Sibiu Animal Life on an easy half-day excursion from the city

 

The Best Half Day Trips Around Sibiu, Romania

These half-day trips from Sibiu may require a little more planning ahead and a little more room in your budget, but you should definitely consider adding them to your itinerary while you’re here!

 

11. Volunteer at Sibiu Animal Life

Volunteering is always a great thing to do in Sibiu. I really don’t do it enough, so I was excited to spend a day at Sibiu Animal Life shelter this weekend.

Daniel and I met Andrea, the amazing owner who started the shelter 12 years ago, and she told us all about the history and challenges that come along with being one of the only no-kill shelters in the area.

Of course, we also played with the dogs, took way to many pictures, and walked them with her in the woods behind the shelter.

Sibiu Animal Life is really clean, nice and well-run, and located only 15 minutes from Sibiu by car. This is a perfect way to see some cute pups while also doing good!

 

12. Go on a Horseback Ride

Villa Abbatis is located about an hour drive from Sibiu and offers horse and history tours for 110 euros per person. They’re usually 6 to 8 hours long and include lunch and visits to small towns and fortified churches as well.

If you’re not too confident in your horse riding skills you can also check out Pension Ferma Brandusa in Avrig, where you can book shorter and more lowkey rides starting at only 50 lei / 10 euros each.

 

13. Eat lunch at Palatul Burkenthal

This palace is in Avrig along with the horseback riding, so they’re perfect to combine into a half-day trip.

Daniel and I didn’t go but throwing on a summer dress and eating good food in the ornate gardens sound like a perfect weekend activity in my book. It’s located 30 minutes away from Sibiu.

 

14. Paraglide over the Transylvanian Countryside

Want to cross a heart-pounding adventure off your list of things to do in Sibiu?

If so, multiple companies offer paragliding in and around the city. The tour company Sibiu Reisen charges 70 euros for the activity and Air Adrenaline starts at 53 euros.

However, you can explore other options and prices in the city as well.

 

15. Take a Hike at Paltinis Resort

The Paltinis Resort draws in skiers in the winter and hikers in the summer.

Whatever time of year it is, it’s always worth a visit from Sibiu. The resort sits up in the mountains about 45 minutes from the city and if you don’t have a car use this website to find the bus pricing and schedule.

 

16. Explore Castelul de Lut

This house is every childhood fairytale come to life. Just look at these photos to see for yourself.

The entrance fee is 5 lei / 1.25 usd per person and it’s located about an hour drive from Sibiu.

 

17. Visit the Small Town of Cisnadioara

Daniel and I visited Cisnadioara on a day trip to Corvin Castle, but it’s only about 15 minutes from Sibiu and easy to get to anytime. While there take in the lovely view from the fortified church and relax while wandering the winding streets of the old village.

 

18. Road Trip on the Transfagarasan Highway

Unfortunately, this ultra-scenic road trip is only open from July to October.

Once it starts to snow in the Carpathian Mountains it gets too dangerous and the road is closed again until next summer. If you’re lucky enough to be here during the right time, rent a car and enjoy the gorgeous views from the second highest road in the country.

 

19. Ride the Cable Car to Balea Lake

The Balea Lake cable car takes you to, you guessed it, Balea Lake.

A ride on the cable car costs 30 lei / 7.50 usd per person each way, and at the top of the mountain you’ll find lodges, restaurants, hiking trails and mountain views. In the winter, there’s even an ice hotel!

You can take this bus to the cable car for 31 euros round trip and in the summer months when Transfagarasn highway opens up you can skip the cable car and drive or take the bus all the way to Balea Lake.

 

20. Swim at the Ocna Sibiului

This small resort is one of the most refreshing things to do in Sibiu in the summer.

Visit to swim in the salty lakes, get a mud treatment, or just to soak up the sun and chill out for a bit. Entrance is 15 lei / 3.75 and it’s a 20 minute drive from Sibiu.

 

Corvin Castle is one of the best day trips from Sibiu

 

The Best Day Trips from Sibiu, Romania

These adventures are for those really trying to get out of the city. Renting a car does make these easier, but they can be reached by public transport as well.

 

21. Visit Sighisoara

Sighisoara is like a tinier version of Sibiu. The main draw is the historic center built inside an old citadel, but the town is mostly a place to just do nothing and chill.

A trip here includes wandering the streets, taking some pictures and day drinking at a cafe in the sun.

Buses and trains both run from Sibui to Sighisoara, and your best bet is to walk to the station at Autogara 1 (about 10 minutes from the Sibiu center) to check the schedules beforehand.

 

22. Don’t Miss the Corvin Castle

Corvin Castle is an ancient and imposing fortress located an hour and a half from Sibiu in a town called Hunedoara. Read my full write up of the day trip here for exact details on the price, transport options, and more.

 

Bran Castle in Brasov, Romania – we spent a whole weekend in the charming city and had a blast!

 

The Best Weekend Trips from Sibiu

Running out of things to do in Sibiu? There are also plenty of great weekend trips from the city and plenty of ways to get to them. You can:

• Rent a car starting at 29 euros a day
• Download the BlaBlaCar app and catch a ride for ~7 euros
• Take a bus or train from the Autogara 1 Station, which usually costs around 4 to 8 euros depending on the destination.

 

23. Brasov + Bran Castle

Daniel and I spent an amazing weekend in Brasov and combined it with a visit to Dracula’s Castle (aka Bran Castle) as well. Brasov is like a bigger version of Sibiu and just as beautiful.

The town is famous for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer and is worth a visit in any season. If you want to go check out my full write up to see all my transport, accommodation, pricing, and itinerary suggestions as well.

 

24. Cluj-Napoca + Turda Salt Mine

Cluj is the second biggest city in Romania. It’s two and a half hours from Sibiu and easy to reach by train or bus.

While there, definitely don’t miss a quick visit to the Turda Salt Mine! The giant underground mine has been repurposed and now hosts a theme park, lake, pools, and plenty of activities to fill your day. 

 

Bonus: Where to Stay in Sibiu

The central histroic part is Sibiu is the most beautiful part of the city and the best place to stay during your visit.

The Great Central Apartment is one of the top-rated accomodations in Sibiu with a 9.9 out of 10 review score on Booking.com along with Casa Blanca and the For You Apartments Gold and Silver and many others.

All three of them are less than $100 per night, but if you’re looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, Alex Apartments also have good reviews and offer a standard studio for two for only $24 per night as well.

 

Cross Sibiu Off Your Romania Bucket List With This Guide!

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Sibiu, Romania this exhaustive list definitely has you covered.

Get your heart racing with paragliding, go hiking in the nearby mountains, visit a fairytale castle, volunteer, or just eat and drink your way through the city in the sun. Whatever you’re into, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Sibiu.

Ready to go? Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights to Sibiu and then explore accommodation like unique stays on Airbnb or the top-rated hotels on Booking.com to plan the perfect night, weekend, or long-term stay in the city.

 

This article is part of the Seriously Sibiu series. Read the rest below:

14 Best Instagram Spots Around Sibiu, Romania

How to Take a Day Trip to Corvin Castle & Cisnadioara from Sibiu

How to Volunteer in Sibiu at the Sibiu Animal Shelter

6 Sibiu Restaurants the Locals Recommend

The Complete Guide to Craft Beer in Sibiu

Top 3 Sibiu Bars for Day Drinking in the City

Then, explore the complete Romania Series for more insider tips on what to see, do, eat, drink, and discover in the country.