The mystic Transylvania is home to many castles and fortifications built throughout time by the different peoples that crossed the land. During this day trip from Sibiu you will get an insight into the culture of these peoples by visiting three of their most representative attractions and learn how their passing through the region shaped the culture of the place.
You will start with Carolina Citadel from Alba Iulia which has a significant importance for Romanians as it was here where the three main regions of Romania united 100 years ago to form the current territory of our country. 2018 is a great year for visiting the citadel as we celebrate our Centennial, and if you want to take part at the ceremony and processions there is no better time than on the 1st of December, when we celebrate our national day.
Continue with the majestic Corvin castle, a fairytale building at the edges of Hunedoara town. You will pass over the long bridge, enter into the castle and soak up the atmosphere of the medieval Hungarian times.
The last stop of your trip will be at Calnic, a German-Saxon village which holds a beautiful fortified church. Here you will learn about the rich German heritage and the noticeable impact Germans had in Transylvania.
- Drive time: 3h30′
Price: 200 EUR/group for 1-4 persons (please contact us if the group is larger than 4 persons)
Known as “the land of the fortified churches”, Transylvania boasts with some of the most beautiful churches from across Romania and, more than that, following their uniqueness, they are now part of the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage.
You will roam central Romania in search of these fortified churches, starting with the one from Biertan village. Climb the covered stairs to get to this imposing building who watches the village and learn about the way the German-Saxons fortified their churches in order to guard them and have shelter during attacks.
Then you will be introduced to the Gypsy culture and crafts as you will visit a Gypsy coppersmith and his family.
The next stop will be at Sighisoara where you will walk on the narrow cobbled streets of this medieval citadel and climb to the church on the hill from where you will have a wonderful overview of the area.
At the end of this day trip from Sibiu you will visit the fortified church from Valea Viilor who features beautiful Gothic architecture and defensive walls and towers.
- Drive time: 3h
Price: 200 EUR/group for 1-4 persons (please contact us if the group is larger than 4 persons)
There is no place where you can witness the old way of life and traditions of a country than in remote villages where time seem like stood still and the locals do the same activities like centuries ago. Such a place is Viscri (in German Weisse Kirche “White Church”), a small village of German-Saxon heritage who draw the attention of HRH Prince Charles with its quaint beauty. Now, with his help there is an effort to preserve the beautiful architecture and the old traditions of local people.
Firstly, you will have a walk through the village and visit the fortified church who gave the name to the village. Then you will get in touch with the old practices of a German-Saxon village by visiting the blacksmith and brick-maker of the village. In the afternoon you will enjoy a horse carriage ride in the countryside and travel with it to a sheepfold (possible from May to early October). Here you will learn about the life of shepherds, see them milking the sheep and taste the cheese they make.
- Drive time: 4h
Price: 250 EUR/group for 1-4 persons (please contact us if the group is larger than 4 persons)
This day trip from Sibiu will take you to the Western part of Transylvania, at the foot of Apuseni Mountains with its splendid landscapes and karst formations.
You will start the day with a visit to Turda salt mine, a huge underground place where you will be amazed by the huge blocks of salt and alien-looking like decoration. You will not have the change to get bored as there are plenty of activities you can do here, from roaming a boat to play soft sports such as mini golf or table tennis.
Then you will be immersed into the Hungarian culture in Rimetea village, a charming place featuring white traditional houses surrounded by beautiful nature. Here you will have a walk through the village and countryside.
The last stop will be at Alba Iulia, which is home to the one of the largest Vauban citadels in Europe and a good place where you can enjoy a walk and find out the story of Romania as the country it is today.
- Drive time: 5h
Price: 220 EUR/group for 1-4 persons (please contact us if the group is larger than 4 persons)
If you are a scenic view lover there is no better place than travel on a route like Transalpina, nicknamed “the highest and most beautiful road in Romania”. The zig-zag road will take you to the high mountains where the clouds interfere with the barren peaks. After you get to the highest point of the road you will start exploring the top of mountains.
On the second part of the day you will visit one of the shepherding villages from Marginimea Sibiului where you will be introduced to the rural part of Romania and learn about the life of the shepherds.
- Drive time: 6h
Price: 250 EUR/group for 1-4 persons (please contact us if the group larger than 4 persons)
You will start this day trip from Sibiu with a ride on the Transfagarasan road, called “the best road in the world” by Jeremy Clarkson (Top Gear). You will go up until you reach Balea Lake from where you will have wonderful views of the winding road and the surrounding mountains. While up on the top you can hike to the nearby 2400 peak or take a look at Balea Waterfall.
In the afternoon you will travel to Carta where you will visit the old Cistercian monastery and find out the legends that surround the place.
- Drive time: 3h30′
Price: 200 EUR/group for 1-4 persons (please contact us if the group is larger than 4 persons)
If you have parents or grandparents who originate from the area near Sibiu we can provide help in finding information about your family and create an itinerary so you can visit the places where they once lived. Among the services we provide is research of family information at archives and parishes, interpretation services in case you don’t speak Romanian and assistance before, during and after the genealogy tour. Such a tour is usually designed to help you connect with the place where your ancestors lived therefore you could visit places of worship, cemeteries, house where they lived, school where they studied or place where they worked and we will try finding living relatives.
Price: 200 EUR/group for 1-4 persons for tour only (please contact us if the group is larger than 4 persons)
- Trip planning and assistance before, during and after the tour
- Certified English speaking tour guide (relocation and meals are included)
- Private transfer on the above itinerary by car for 1-4 persons (Ford Mondeo or similar), minivan for 5-8 persons (Renault Trafic or similar), minibus for 8-19 persons (Mercedes Benz Sprinter or similar); fuel, taxes and parking fees are included.
Why visit Sibiu
Sibiu is a great base for day trips in other parts of Transylvania, being centrally located and it is the best connected by road city in the region. It also has an airport and there are direct flights from cities in Germany, UK, Spain, Austria and other countries.
It is also a town where you can spend a full day or more, here are a few reasons:
- It was European Cultural Capital in 2007 and since then the cultural agenda of the town continuously expanded. So there is something interesting happening almost every week, some of the most interesting being: International Theatre Festival in June, Sibiu Guitar Meeting in July, Sibiu Medieval Festival in August, the Potters Fair in September, the fairy-tale looking Christmas Market in the medieval town square in December (New York Times wrote an article about it).
- In 2019 it was, together with the nearby county the European Region of Gastronomy so you can find very good, traditional but also modern food here. There are a few very good restaurants, the local markets are worth visiting and in the region, on the weekends there are brunches organized in typical villages.
- In 2021 a major European hiking event will take place in the region of Sibiu for 1 week, called EuroRando. So there are many options for hiking day trips from Sibiu as well.
So the city and region of Sibiu are a great base for day trips focused on culture, food, and nature.
Please contact us by email at info@true-romania.tours if you want to book a day trip from Sibiu.
Are you looking for something else? Check our other suggested tours focused on culture, history and traditions.
