While Sibiu, Romania is located smack dab in the middle of the country, the city — established well over thousand years ago by Saxon settlers — is rich in Germanic architecture, with buildings designed to act as meeting places for regional trade.
Today, because of the maintained integrity of many of these buildings, and because the city is very friendly to pedestrians interesting in touring the area or just enjoying its offerings, it has become a great spot for tourists to visit.
What do we recommend specifically? Here are three recommendations:
Old Town Sibiu
The “Old Town” area in Sibiu is a favorite place for both locals and tourists, featuring lots of great restaurants and entertainment venues, most of which are bustling during the summertime weather. On top of the food and entertainment itself, the aesthetics and architecture of many of the buildings in Old Town are a feast for the eyes themselves, as they reflect much of Romania’s rich history. While the streets are narrow and almost always filled with people, it’s a wonderful area to sit down, enjoy something from any of the numerous cafes on the street, and do some world-class people watching. To really maximize your cultural intake of Sibiu, we recommend hopping on Google and finding out if there are any holidays or festivals that coincide with your travel. During those times, you’ll find tons of live music and art demonstrations taking place amidst all the buzz that’s already there.
Muzeul Civilizatiei Populare (ASTRA National Museum Complex)
The Muzeul Civilizatiei Populare, as it’s known locally, is one of the best ways for visitors to get a true sense of what life was like in Romania in the not-too-distant past. While it’s officially referred to as a museum, think of this as more of a tour through an old Romanian village. Those who have been there before recommend that you devote upwards of three hours to get a good look at all the wooden farm houses, artisans cottages, mills, churches, and more, which were part of Romanian village life. The on-site curators do an excellent job of providing their commentary of what you’re seeing and how it was a part of Romanian village life, and actually encourage participation in the recreation of some of the traditions performed there.
Turnul Sfatului (The Tower of the Council)
Ranked among one of the top “must do” items when visiting Sibiu, The Tower of the Council is located right in the middle of the city, connecting its two main squares. Throughout the town’s history, the tower has been used as everything from a gate tower, a grain deposit, a fireplace, a prison, to even a museum of natural sciences. Today, it’s mostly used as an observational post, where tourists and locals can go up seven stories and take in an aerial view. With a low entry cost, it allows you to really take in the full splendor of Sibiu. However, to enjoy said view, it does require walking up seven flights of stairs, which may limit those with impaired or limited physical ability.
More Stories
Towns To See Outside of Paris
Tips if Traveling to Paris
Krka & Hvar Croatia Perfect Family Desitnation