Sibiu and Brasov are two majestic Transylvanian cities that should find themselves on every Romania itinerary.
But trying to figure out which to spend more time in can be a tough decision. With Romania being a fairly large country with lots to see, you might have to sacrifice time in Brasov or Sibiu to check off all the sights on your list.
I spent two days in Sibiu and three days in Brasov, and below are my takeaways. But first, let’s learn a little bit about these two cities:
An Overview of Sibiu
Sibiu, once the trade center of Transylvania, is considered the region’s historical cultural capital. It was first settled and built by Saxons (Germans) in 1190. Many street signs and buildings are still labeled in German, and the city’s original name, “Hermannstadt,” is still evident throughout town. In fact, it remained majority German until World War II.
Today, Sibiu is incredibly well-preserved, maintaining that medieval feel throughout the historical center.
Sibiu was named a European Capital of Culture in 2007 and has been recognized by Forbes as one of the most idyllic towns in Europe. After visiting, it’s not difficult to see why. Despite its small size (about 130,000 residents) there’s a lot to see.
Old Town Sibiu is stunning. Council Tower, Saint Mary’s Evangelical Cathedral, Sibiu Orthodox Cathedral, and the Bridge of Lies are a few of the highlights. I had enough time to wander outside of the center and found other neighborhoods to be very nice as well.
An Overview of Brasov
Brasov is nearly two times larger than Sibiu population-wise, home to about 240,000 residents. While Sibiu has earned its fair share of recognition, it’s Brasov that’s most often deemed the highlight of Romania.
Brasov has the luxury of being tucked in a valley beneath lush mountains. The medieval old town in front of iconic Mount Tampa might be the most postcard-worthy sight in Romania.
There’s a lot to see and do in Brasov. Not just within the touristic area, but beyond. Adventure Park Brasov is wonderful for family-friendly outdoor activities. Poiana Brasov, about 20 minutes from the city, is the hub for skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and ziplining.
In the historical center, you have Council Square, the Black Church, Strada Republicii as a few of many sights to see.
Sibiu vs. Brasov
Now that you know some about these cities, let’s compare the two.
Food
Being almost double the size, Brasov undeniably has better dining options than Sibiu.
I was very impressed by the selection of fantastic restaurants in Brasov. The city has a handful of phenomenal Italian restaurants in particular.
A few recommendations for best places to eat, drink, and hang out in Brasov include:
- Dei Frati
- Bistro d’el Arte
- La Petit Bistro
- Mori di Sicilia
- Brunch House
- Aftar Stube
- Juno Wine Garden
- Ch9 Specialty Coffee
Still, Sibiu has enough options to eat very well for a couple days. In fact, I think my favorite meal of my entire trip was in Sibiu, at SPIC Paste de Vin. Not only because of the tasty food, but the setting underneath the Evangelical Cathedral was gorgeous.
Here’s a list of my favorite cafes and restaurants in Sibiu:
- Cafe Wien
- SPIC Paste de Vin
- Lumos
- Hug the Mug
Nightlife
Sibiu isn’t a city known for its nightlife. There are a few nice pubs open late, such as St. Andrews Scottish Pub and Music Pub. However, there’s not much of anything in the way of clubbing if that’s what you’re after.
Brasov is also not renowned for nightlife. But since it’s two times larger than Sibiu, it unsurprisingly has more in the way of late-night spots.
We had fun at Times, a nightclub in Brasov. O’Peter’s Irish Pub is another great spot for karaoke, live music, and dancing on the weekends. You’ll find that most nightlife in Old Town Brasov lives along the lively Strada Republicii.
So Brasov gets the nod for nightlife, but don’t expect it to be the highlight of either city.
Things to See and Do
As much as I liked Sibiu, there’s more to see and do in and around Brasov. Its location at the base of the mountains should make it the clear choice if you’re an outdoors-lover.
Some of the best things to do in Brasov include:
- Get your hike on by summiting Mount Tampa (the trail starts right from the city center)
- Walk to Black Tower (Turnul Negru) and White Tower (Turnul Alb) for the best views of the city
- Roam around the famous 13th-century Black Church
- Have some afternoon or evening drinks at Aftar Stube, home to the city’s best selection of beers
- Hike Seven Ladders Canyon just outside the city
- Stroll down the lively Strada Republicii at night
- Visit Poiana Brasov for mountain biking, ziplining, and more hiking
Sibiu’s got its fair share of things to see and do as well, which is why it’s fair to mention it in the same breath as such a wonderful city like Brasov in the first place. One really cool feature of Sibiu is the origin of its moniker as “The City of Eyes.” The nickname derives from its buildings in the old town have attic dormers that resemble eyelids. So unique!
Here are some of my favorite things to see and do in Sibiu:
- Walk up 12th-century Council Tower for views of the city
- Walk up Saint Mary’s Evangelical Cathedral for even better views of the city and distant mountains
- Hang out in Piata Mare (“Big Square”) and Piata Mica (“Little Square”)
- Walk across the famous Bridge of Lies
- Take in the “eyes” of the buildings
- Go for a walk or scooter ride around Sub Arini Park, just south of the historical center
- Explore the ASTRA Museum, the largest ethnographic open air museum in Romania
- Have dinner at SPIC Paste de Vin (request a table outside) for a breathtaking setting
Walkability
Brasov and Sibiu are both walkable cities. Much of each city’s historical centers are pedestrian-only, making it a breeze to get around by foot. You definitely do not need a car to explore these cities.
I’m going to give the slight nod to Sibiu, though. I was able to walk about 30 minutes south to Sub Arini Park from the center, and it was an easy walk with some nice sights along the way. The neighborhood surrounding the park was quiet and beautiful.
Uber operates in both cities and is cheap throughout Romania. Therefore, if you do want to explore places outside of Sibiu and Brasov, such as the ASTRA Museum in Sibiu and Poiana Brasov in Brasov, you can easily catch a ride.
Outdoors
Sibiu is only 30-45 minutes from the heart of the Carpathian Mountains. And still, it can’t compete with Brasov’s position as a city that’s nestled right in the mountains.
Within 20 minutes of Brasov, you can be scaling canyons at Seven Ladders Canyon or mountain biking around Poiana Brasov. If you’re visiting in winter, you can ski, too. And right in the city is the trailhead for Mount Tampa, the iconic peak behind the old town and one of many great hikes around Brasov.
My mountain biking guide told me that he relocated from Cluj – where he was raised – to Brasov because of its easy access to so many outdoors activities. He mentioned that many of his friends did the same.
It’s unfortunate for Sibiu, because it’s so close to the mountains as well, but Brasov can’t be beat in this regard.
Day Trips Nearby
Both Sibiu and Brasov have a handful of perfect day trip opportunities close by. There’s no clear winner here.
Some of the best day trips from Sibiu include:
- Transalpina
- Transfagarasan
- Corvin Castle
- Turda Salt Mine
- Viscri and the other fortified Transylvanian villages
Some of the best day trips from Brasov include:
- Sighisoara
- Sinaia (including Peles Castle)
- Viscri and the other fortified Transylvanian villages
- Bran Castle
- Transfagarasan
Overall: Sibiu vs. Brasov
Readers might not be totally satisfied with this answer: there’s no clear winner between Sibiu and Brasov.
After giving it a few months to marinate since returning from Romania, I appreciate both cities the same for different reasons.
Brasov’s location in the mountains gives it a clear edge when it comes to nature experiences and adventure activities. However, Sibiu has one of the coolest ethnographic museums in Eastern Europe, and it has its own share of Instagram-worthy settings.
The main similarity? Both cities have two of the most stunning medieval old towns I’ve seen.
If there’s one thing I can help you decide, though, it’s how much time to spend in Brasov and Sibiu.
How Much Time to Spend in Sibiu
I’d recommend spending two nights or at least 36 hours in Sibiu, particularly if you want to visit ASTRA Museum.
I spent this exact amount of time in Sibiu (two nights, 36 hours). We arrived at night on Day 1 and left early on Day 3. I could’ve used the Day 3 afternoon to really soak in and appreciate the charm that this city offers even more, but I’d also call myself a slow traveler.
If you don’t have time for two days in Sibiu, that’s OK. Just make sure you spend at least one night here, rather than simply a day trip from Brasov.
How Much Time to Spend in Brasov
Since Brasov is larger and has a bit more to see and do than Sibiu, I’d recommend three nights or at least 48 hours in Brasov.
You can check off all the sights in Old Town Brasov in one full day if you’re in a time crunch. But Cities like Sibiu and Brasov deserve extra time built in for relaxation. And if you want to take advantage of the hiking and biking opportunities, you’ll need at least a half-day for that.
In-Summary: Sibiu vs. Brasov
These two cities are compared a lot amongst those traveling to Romania. My main recommendation is to try to avoid sacrificing either city, as I think Sibiu and Brasov are two must-see places in Romania (I’d personally have both ahead of Sighisoara, which is nice for a half-day or so, but very small).
