7 Dreamy Things to Do in Sighisoara
If these dreamy things to do in Sighişoara don’t convince you to visit, I don’t know what will!
I don’t think there is a place that was recommended to me as often as Sighişoara in the Transylvania region of Romania. And now that I’ve been there, I understand why. This is really such a charming place that has not changed much since the Middle Ages. In fact, the whole center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can easily visit the town in a day. With its cheerfully colored houses, winding streets, and nice restaurants, it’s the perfect romantic destination. Here are my tips for the perfect trip!
Romania Travel Guide
How to Get to Sighişoara
Sighişoara is a small town without its own airport. If you still want to fly, it is best to go to Sibiu (indirect) or Cluj-Napoca (direct).
You can then rent a car to continue your trip. I always rent at Sunny Cars because of the All-Inclusive formula. It’s about a three-hour drive to Sighişoara from Cluj-Napoca, 2.5 hours from Brasov, 1 hour and 45 minutes from Sibiu, and 4.5 hours from Bucharest.
By public transport, you can reach Sighişoara from Cluj-Napoca in 5 to 6 hours, from Brasov in 2.5 hours, from Sibiu it is about 7 hours (because you have to go all the way through Brasov), and 6 hours from Bucharest.
Day Tours to Sighişoara
If you’re not comfortable driving in Romania or don’t want to deal with transportation logistics, there are a few tours that go to Sighişoara:
- This 2-day tour from Bucharest also stops at Bran Castle (known as the Dracula Castle), Peles Castle, Brasov, Sibiu, and goes through the beautiful Carpathian Mountains. Check prices + details here
- From Cluj-Napoca is this full-day tour that’ll also take you to Biertan, a small village in Transylvania. Check prices + details here
- This day trip leaves from Brasov and will give you the whole day in just Sighişoara. Check prices + details here
Things to Do in Sighişoara
1. Visit the Old Center and Citadel
The old town, with its colorful streets, dates back to 1100 when the Saxons from Germany came at the invitation of the Hungarian king. The goal was to protect the borders, and so they created a city wall. It makes today’s Sighişoara one of the most beautifully preserved medieval cities in Europe.
The best thing to do in the old center is to just wander through the winding, cobblestone streets and admire the cheerful, rainbow-colored houses. It’s very charming.
2. Climb the Clocktower
One of the most important sights you don’t want to miss is the clock tower. The tower is around 64 meters high and dates back to 1556. The most striking feature of the tower is, of course, the beautifully colored roof tiles. Once it was the main entrance to the walled city, but now you can climb it for a nice view over the Sighişoara.
- Address: Strada Turnului
- Opening hours:
- Summer Weekend – 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.
- Summer Weekdays – 9:00 am to 18:30 pm.
- Mid-September – Mid-May – 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Tickets: 14 lei (~3 euros)
3. Visit the School Steps
This covered wooden staircase has 176 steps and takes you from the Old Center to the top of the hill, where there are a church, a lyceum, and a cemetery. The staircase has been there since 1642.
In the summer it offers nice protection from the sun, and in the winter it protects you from the rain and cold. The staircase was constructed to make the Lyceum accessible in the winter for students who went to school there, hence the name.
- Address: Sighişoara 545400
4. Visit the Church on the Hill
On top of the hill, is a Gothic church. The original church dates from the 13th century and over the next two centuries was restored in the Gothic style. You can visit the church and also take in the surrounding views.
- Address: Strada Cojocarilor 3
5. Walk through the Cemetery
There is a beautiful cemetery near the church. I thought it was nice to stroll through it and to look at the different tombstones. I was surprised to see a lot of them are in German, which means the city of Saxen had played a major role here.
- Address: Strada Cojocarilor 3
6. Visit the Birth House of Dracula
I have not been inside myself, but one of Sighişoara’s big “claims to fame” is the fact that Vlad Dracula was born here. There’s a memorial on the wall for you to admire. For a small fee, you can visit the room where he was born. There’s also a tourist restaurant in the building.
- Address: Strada Cositorarilor 5
7. Stroll the City Walls
Since the old center of Sighişoara consists of about three streets, you’ll get to the City Walls pretty quickly. It’s fun to follow them, take a look at the watchtowers, and enjoy the views. In general, “struinen” is the most important things to do in Sighişoara. Take your time and enjoy the surroundings.
If you want a more guided experience to the city, you may want to book a 2-hour tour. Check here for all its stops + details on costs
Where to Eat in Sighişoara
La Perla
Since we were only in Sighişoara for the afternoon and evening, we ate at one place. That was La Perla. The restaurant is officially an Italian restaurant, but it also serves some other things, such as chicken burgers, which we had (and which tasted delicious). Then we ate the traditional dessert papanaşi, which for me was too delicious:-). I always loved the decor with all its different kinds of paintings on the wall.
- Address: Piaţa Hermann Oberth 15
If you’re interested in more Romanian food and its influences, try this gastronomical walking tour.
Where to Stay in Sighişoara
Hotel Villa Franca
We stayed in this charming hotel, with spacious rooms, comfortable beds, and an extensive breakfast. Just a minute or three walk from the old town, it was really ideal.
Check the current prices here.
Prefer another hotel in Sighişoara? Find a hotel in Sighişoara here.
For more on Romania, check out these books
- A Concise History of Romania
- The Other Land of Gods: The Mysteries of Romania
- Lonely Planet Guide to Romania & Bulgaria
Anything I missed? What top things to do Sighişoara would you recommend?
General Travel Tips
- For accommodation, I always check Airbnb or Booking.com for the best prices.
- If your insurance at home doesn’t cover travel, you may want to look into SafetyWing for an affordable option.
- I always recommend checking Get Your Guide for the best tours in Europe.
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