Sibiu has one of the most picturesque medieval old towns in Europe, with plenty to see and do throughout the city.
But Sibiu is also conveniently located near some other awesome places to visit, making it a great homebase for day trips.
From castles to countrysides escapes, here are the best day trips from Sibiu.
Corvin Castle
Transylvania is known for its dramatic castles. From Sibiu, you can take a day trip to two of the country’s most famous: Corvin’s Castle and Bran Castle.
Legend has it that Bran Castle was the home of Dracula. This alone attracts massive crowds, so unless you’re big into Dracula lore, I suggest prioritizing visiting Corvin’s Castle (also known as “Hunedoara Castle”).
For me, Corvin’s Castle is the more spectacular of the two anyway. Plus, it’s an easier day trip from Sibiu at just 90 minutes each way vs. two hours to Bran.
At 7,000-square-meters, it’s one of the largest castles in Europe, housing more than 50 rooms. You can use the numbered signage to guide you through each room or make use of the optional audio tour provided.
The recreations of different forms of torture that occurred within the castle’s walls were particularly striking.
Transfagarasan
The Transfagarasan has been referred to as one of the most scenic drives in the world.
I’d heard this claim many times before my trip to Romania and wondered whether it would live up to the billing.
After spending two days driving the Transfagarasan and hiking around the mountains it cuts through, I can confidently say that it lives up to the hype. The sweeping switchbacks through the valleys on each side of the mountain pass are breathtaking.
Around Lake Vidraru, you will likely see bears roaming along the road. We couldn’t believe just how many there were – at one point we saw three bears within only a couple of miles. You can slow down to grab some pictures or a video, but make sure to stay in your car.
The main stop along the Transfagarasan is Balea Lake, a gorgeous glacial lake.
Balea Lake acts as the trailhead for several hikes up the mountain peaks. There are numerous vendors selling souvenirs, drinks, and snacks along the road here as well.
If you’re looking to hike near Sibiu or along the Transfagarasan, I recommend the Balea Lake to Capra Lake hike. It’s perfect for intermediate hikers and offers stunning panoramic views of the Carpathians.
Transalpina
The Transalpina might not get the international attention that the Transfagarasan gets, but it’s not far behind as one of Eastern Europe’s most scenic roads. In fact, it’s the highest road in Romania, reaching 2,145 m at Urdele Pass.
The Transalpina is closer to Sibiu than the Transfagarasan, making it more convenient to visit as a day trip. The beginning of the road is only about 45 minutes from Sibiu, and you can spend as much time driving it as you’d like.
Its setting is similar to the Transfagarasan: sweeping switchbacks, wide-open valleys, and panoramic views can be found while driving the Transalpina. Park your car wherever there’s a pull-off for pictures or a picnic, or find a trail that suits your ability starting from the roadside.
The Transalpina gets less visitors than the Transfagarasan, so you rarely have to worry about congested roads, too.
Ocna Sibiului
If you’re into thermal baths and hot springs, Sibiu is a great base for visiting the Ocna Sibiului baths, where you can enjoy a dip in natural saltwater lakes, mud baths, and a heated spa.
The therapeutic waters of Ocna Sibiului are perfect for travelers looking to relax and unwind after days on the go.
Located just 20 minutes from Sibiu’s city center, the lakes are super easy to reach, even without a car. Trains run frequently between Sibiu and Ocna Sibiului, and once you arrive, it’s only a short five-minute walk to the property. If you’re up for making more out of your visit, you can stay the night at one of the guesthouses or hotels surrounding the water.
Salina Turda Salt Mine
Located about two hours north of Sibiu is one of Romania’s most unique attractions – the Salina Turda Salt Mine.
Romania actually has six notable underground salt mines open to the public. However, Salina Turda is different from the average mine. It boasts multiple floors to explore, with an elevator to bring visitors up and down. I mean, where else can you find an underground lake, and better yet, an underground amusement park? It’s no wonder Business Insider deemed Salina Turda one of the 25-best hidden gem attractions in the world in 2013.
This is a particularly great option for families with young kids, though adults will be equally amazed here as well.
Transylvanian Fortified Villages
Looking for a bit of rural tourism? Head to one of Transylvania’s seven fortified villages, most of which are 1-2 hours from Sibiu.
These villages are as authentic as they can get. The majority of locals still work in farming, woodworking, or blacksmithing. If you choose to stay overnight, you’ll be woken up by the sounds of chickens, cows, and horses roaming the streets in the morning.
Initially settled by Saxons (Germans) between the 11th and 14th centuries, many of these villages can be spotted from a distance by their landmark fortified church.
I visited Viscri, which is the most well-known of the Transylvanian villages. Honestly, I thought the Viscri Fortified Church was even cooler than Corvin’s Castle. Though less grand, there were no tourists, and it had a much more rustic and intimate feel to the grounds.
Our two-night stay was fantastic, filled with farm-to-table meals, biking through the countryside to other villages, and roaming the quiet gravel streets. Other activities include shadowing a blacksmith and a cooking class (so I’ve heard). You can reach out to one of the many guesthouses in Viscri to see if they can arrange an activity, or a tour agency in Sibiu. We stayed at Viscri 125 and thought it was wonderful.
Sighisoara
Sighisoara is a small city near many of these smaller villages. About 2.5 hours from Sibiu, it might seem too far for a day trip, but Sighisoara is commonly viewed as one of Romania’s must-see places, so it’s really worth seeing.
Sighisoara’s Citadel (Upper Town) is elevated above the rest of the city and is truly one-of-a-kind. The Clock Tower was one of the coolest buildings I saw in Romania. The narrow, cobblestone streets tucked between colorful row houses felt straight out of a fairytale. And the views of the city and countryside below from the Citadel were wonderful as well.
However, people don’t just go to Sighisoara for its charm. This is the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the figure that inspired Dracula. This alone attracts numerous people to the city for the Dracula-lore, which you’ll see throughout the city. There are Dracula-themed restaurants, bars, shops, and museums.
I wasn’t so much into this, but I still appreciated that the city has more to offer than just Dracula-themed activities. It was a perfect spot for a half-day trip.
Since we were in a bit of a time crunch, we could only dedicate half of a day to this charming medieval city, but that was actually enough to see almost all of the best things to see in Sighisoara.
Brasov
OK, so maybe Brasov warrants more than a day trip from Sibiu. This is an incredibly picturesque city that is worth exploring for multiple days like I did.
But if for whatever reason you don’t have the time, it’s still worth visiting for the day from Sibiu. You can either take a 3-hour train or drive 2 hours to get between Brasov and Sibiu. Both are quite easy and scenic, as the route is direct and runs just north of the mountain range.
Since Brasov has more than double Sibiu’s population, it’s a busier city. There’s much to see and do in Brasov, but if you only have one day, I recommend:
- Visiting the historic Black Church
- Grabbing a cup of coffee at CH9 Specialty Coffee just below the Black Church
- Walking up Black Tower (Turnul Negru) and White Tower (Turnul Alb) for unbeatable views
- Walking along the lively Strada Republicii (Republic Street)
- Hanging out in Council Square
- Stopping at Aftar Stube or Juno Wine Garden for a beer or glass of wine, respectively
- Wandering through Sub Tampa Park
If you can, I strongly encourage staying for at least one night in Brasov, if not two or three, as there’s much more to experience here. Brasov has many wonderful hikes in and near the city if you can devote time for it.
In-Summary: Day Trips From Sibiu
There’s really no shortage of things to do around Sibiu within reasonable driving distance. It’s an ideal homebase for travelers exploring Transylvania.
- If you want to see another city, go to Brasov.
- If you want to see the mountains, they’re right on your doorstep and accessible via the Transalpina or Transfagarasan.
- If you want to experience something truly unique, head to Salina Turda Salt Mine.
- And if you want a taste of what life is like in the countryside, head to one (or multiple) of the fortified villages.
Check out my guide on how to get from Sibiu to Bucharest if you’re headed back to the capital to conclude your trip.
