Sibiu

Sibiu was built by German Saxon settlers in the 12th century, and that heritage never fully left. Walk the streets and you'll notice the architecture feels closer to Bavaria than Bucharest. The city's most iconic quirk are the "houses with eyes" — those distinctive attic dormer windows that stare down at you from rooftops all over the Old Town.

Locals take quiet pride in a long list of Romanian firsts: the country's first hospital (1292), first pharmacy (1494), first brewery (opened on Strada Turnului in 1717), and the oldest museum in Romania, the Brukenthal, which opened in 1817. Sibiu held the title of European Capital of Culture in 2007, and the investment from that era still shows in the well-maintained squares and cultural venues. The city has a Saxon-Romanian fusion personality — orderly and a bit formal on the surface, warm once you get past it.

Don't expect the loose chaotic energy of Bucharest here. Sibiu moves slower, and that's entirely the point.

Tipping is expected. Around 10% is standard, 15-20% for good service. Round up rather than leaving coins..

Handshake on meeting someone. Eye contact matters — avoiding it reads as rude or evasive.. Bring a small gift (flowers, chocolates, wine) if invited to someone's home.

Showing up empty-handed is considered bad form.. Dress modestly inside churches. The Lutheran Cathedral and Holy Trinity Cathedral both attract tourists, but locals are actually using them — act accordingly..

Cash is still king outside the center. Many smaller restaurants, market stalls, and village shops don't take cards, so carry some RON.. Don't try to exchange money on the street.

Ever. ATMs are reliable and everywhere in the city center.. Romanians appreciate any attempt at their language, even badly pronounced.

Don't worry about perfection — just try.. A 10% PIN is usually required for card payments over 100 RON (~$22). Know your PIN before you go..

Tap water in Sibiu is generally safe to drink. Locals mostly drink it without issue.

Sibiu is genuinely safe. Crime against tourists is rare, and solo travelers — including solo women — consistently report feeling comfortable day and night. That said, a few things to know.

Pickpockets do operate in crowded tourist areas, particularly during the big summer festivals when Piata Mare is packed. Keep your bag in front of you during FITS and the Medieval Festival. If you're renting a car, note that rental vehicles are specifically targeted for break-ins more than local cars — lock everything and check that your insurance covers theft before signing.

Avoid unlicensed taxis at the train station and airport; use the Uber app or an official taxi dispatcher instead. The cobblestones in the Old Town get slippery in wet weather and genuinely treacherous in winter — wear shoes with actual grip. Roads outside the city, especially mountain routes toward the Transfăgărășan, can change conditions fast at altitude.

Bring a jacket even in July if you're heading up into the Carpathians.

The Old Town is small enough that you'll walk almost everything. Most of the major sights — Piata Mare, Piata Mica, Huet Square, the Bridge of Lies — are within easy walking distance of each other. Sibiu has 20 city bus routes and no trams or metro.

A single bus ticket costs about 40 cents, bought at kiosks, newsstands, or via the 24Pay app. Validate your ticket immediately on boarding or risk a fine. Bus #13 from the train station gets you to the ASTRA Museum.

Bus #1 or #5 connects the airport to the city center in about 20 minutes for around €2. Uber runs reliably and a cross-city ride rarely exceeds €4. If you want to tackle the Transfăgărășan Highway (open June-October), rent a car — full-day rentals start around $46/day (130 RON).

Guided tours run $46-69. For other Romanian cities, trains connect Sibiu to Brașov, Bucharest, and Sighișoara (via Mediaș), though the rail network is old and slow. Buses to Cluj-Napoca are often faster and more comfortable than the train for that specific route.