Sibiu
A Saxon-founded old town with medieval walls and eyebrow dormer windows, with mountain trails and UNESCO fortified churches within reach.
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Sibiu sits in central Romania, in Transylvania, on the Cibin River about 275 km north-west of Bucharest. Saxon settlers founded the town in the mid-12th century, and in the High and Late Middle Ages it was the chief cultural and administrative hub of the Transylvanian Saxons. Many old buildings have eyebrow-shaped dormer windows, which is why the city is nicknamed the Town with Eyes. The historic centre keeps its medieval fortifications in very good condition and ranks among Romania's best-preserved historic sites.
Sights in the historic centre include the Grand Square, the Upper Town and Lower Town, the Brukenthal National Museum and the open-air folk museum in Dumbrava Forest. The city is also a base for the Făgăraș Mountains, about 20 km away, and for the UNESCO-listed fortified churches at Biertan and Valea Viilor. Late spring to summer suits sightseeing and hiking, since summers are cool. Allow a full day for the old town and museums, then add a day for a mountain or village trip.
Sibiu in five
- Stay in the Upper Town for a short visitThe Large Square, the Little Square and the Liars' Bridge sit within a few minutes of each other, and the Lower Town drops steeply below. Sleeping in the Upper Town keeps every walk short.
- Visit the Brukenthal museum on its own scheduleBrukenthal Museum is Sibiu's main art collection in a Baroque palace on the Large Square. Check its official page for seasonal hours and ticket options before you build a rain-day plan.Brukenthal Museum
- Reserve a half day for the ASTRA open-air museumThe ASTRA museum sits in a forest park outside the center and holds rural houses and mills from across Romania. Check hours and seasonal events on its official site before you go.ASTRA Museum
- Check the Transfăgărășan before you drive itThe high section of the Transfăgărășan road closes for winter and reopens only when the snow is cleared. Check the CNAIR traffic announcements before building a day around it.Renting a car abroad
- Pair Sibiu with Brașov or Cluj-NapocaSibiu sits between the two bigger Transylvanian cities. Brașov is the better base for castles; Cluj-Napoca adds a university city with a lively evening scene.Transylvania planner
Things to do in Sibiu
See all attractions in Sibiu
Need to know
- Airport
- Sibiu International (SBZ); Bucharest and Cluj are alternatives
- Getting there
- CFR trains and buses from Brașov, Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca; see cfrcalatori.ro
- Getting around
- Walkable center; taxis or ride apps to ASTRA and Cisnădioara
- Best base
- The Upper Town around the Large Square
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 days; 3 with the mountains
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh3°Low-4°Cold, snowJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low-2°ColdFebruaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low1°CoolMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh15°Low5°SpringAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°GreenMayRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green
- JuneRain14 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°WarmJuneRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Warm, festivalsJulyRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, festivals
- AugustClear9 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°WarmAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- SeptemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh22°Low11°Mild, quieterSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- OctoberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low2°Cool, grayNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, gray
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low-1°Cold, marketsDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, markets
Average daily high and low in Sibiu, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Sibiu
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
6
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 96%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 90%
Sibiu
10:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°6°90%Monday: Rain. High 8°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Tue9°5°35%Tuesday: Rain. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Wed9°6°40%Wednesday: Rain. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 40%.
- Thu9°4°5%Thursday: Fog. High 9°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Fri9°2°5%Friday: Fog. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat9°-1°4%Saturday: Fog. High 9°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun9°-1°2%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 9°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 07:29 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.782 RON
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Cisnădioara fortified churchshort drive southA hilltop Romanesque church above a village, reached on a steep path from the road.
- Alba Iuliaby road or trainThe Alba Carolina citadel is a bastioned fortress town that fits a half day on the road toward Cluj-Napoca.
- Brașovby road or trainThe base for Bran Castle and the Black Church; allow a night rather than a day return.Read the guide
Before you go to Sibiu
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Rules for Sibiu, checked
- Entry rules depend on your passport. Check them with the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you book.Source
- Declare cash and goods above the legal limits at customs on arrival. Check the current limits with Romanian customs before you travel.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Romania.
- Tipping waiters is customary. Check the bill first, since some restaurants add a service charge.
Plan around Sibiu
The larger Saxon base, to the east
Read the guideTransylvania plannerWhich Saxon towns and fortified churches to combine
Read the guideCluj-Napoca travel guideA university city to the north of Sibiu
Read the guideRenting a car abroadCover and deposits for mountain driving
Read the guideBest eSIM for EuropeData for mountain roads and train apps
Read the guideAll of RomaniaEntry rules, trains, bears and where to base
Read the guideSibiu FAQ
How many days do you need in Sibiu?
One full day covers the Large Square, the Little Square, the Liars' Bridge and a museum. A second day adds the ASTRA museum or a village excursion. A third day suits the mountains with a car.
Is Sibiu worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you prefer a smaller center than Brașov. The old town is compact, quiet in the evening and well kept, and fortified churches and mountain roads are a short drive away.
Should Sibiu be your only base in Transylvania?
Choose Sibiu if you want quiet streets, museums and easy access to villages. Choose Brașov if Bran Castle, Sinaia and the rail link to Bucharest matter more. On a week-long trip, a night in each beats a rushed day trip.
Can you reach Sibiu without a car?
Yes, by train and bus from Brașov, Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca. Villages and mountain roads are far easier with a rental car. Check current timetables on cfrcalatori.ro.
When is the best time to visit Sibiu?
May to June and September to October are warm and quieter. December has Christmas markets in the Large Square. July and August are lively but hot, and the mountains are best in summer.