Things to do and see in Sighisoara

Sighsioara, in Transylvania, is famous for being the home of Emperor Vlad, the character who inspired the novel Dracula, but it’s also a cosy fortified town of colourful medieval houses. Among the best things to see in Sighisoara are the Clock Tower, Cetatii Square and Strada Tâmplarilor, the most beautiful street.

If you want to know more about Sighisoara join us in this post where we’ll tell you the must-sees and give you the best travel tips to help you get around the area and find quality accommodation and restaurants. The city can be seen in a morning, so we’ve also prepared a section with points of interest in the surrounding area to round off the day.

What are the best places to visit in Sighisoara?

1. Dracula’s House, the best thing to see in Sighisoara

The House of Dracula is the town’s most famous attraction as this is where Emperor Vlad, the character who inspired the legend of Dracula, lived. This modest two-storey house, with a commemorative plaque linking it to the birth of Vlad Tepes in 1431, attracts hundreds of curious visitors every year. Today the building houses a restaurant, but for €3 you can visit Dracula’s room.

2. Strada Tâmplarilor, the street to see in Sighisoara

This is the most famous street in Sighisoara and is known for its charming atmosphere and well-preserved medieval architecture. There you’ll find colourful houses with wooden facades and craft shops selling traditional local products such as pottery and wood carvings. It is an ideal place to take a leisurely stroll and immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere of Sighisoara.

3. School Ladder

Officially known as “Scara Ecolarilor”, this picturesque staircase winding up the side of a small hill in the old town is a must-see in Sighisoara. The stone staircase starts at Hermann Oberth Square and leads up to the Church on the Hill. Along the way you can enjoy the historic buildings of the centre and the panoramic views of the medieval town.

4. The Clock Tower and the Blacksmiths’ Tower

Historically there were 14 towers in Sighisoara protecting the fortified city, but today only 9 remain, of which the Clock Tower and the Blacksmiths’ Tower stand out.

Located in the citadel and standing 64 metres high, the Clock Tower is one of the most beautiful and emblematic buildings in the city. At the top is a carillon with figures that are activated during the day.

Many of the towers are named after the city’s guilds, each of which was responsible for financing the construction of its tower. The most curious is the Tower of the Blacksmiths, although you can also see the tower of the shoemakers, the tower of the tailors, or the tower of the butchers.

5. Cetatii Square

Cetatii Square is the most charming corner of the whole city. Located in the centre of the historic centre, this space hosts the colourful buildings that once served as guild houses and was once used to hold craft fairs, the market and public executions. Today it is a very touristy place full of bars, restaurants and shops.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Sighisoara

1. The Fortified Church of Biertan

Less than half an hour’s drive away lies the town of Biertan, where a fortified church dating from the 15th century has been preserved. All thanks to numerous restorations motivated by the charm and historical value of the place that today bears the stamp of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Viscri and its church

This charming place 40 minutes’ drive from Sighisoara has remained almost unchanged for centuries and is famous for its traditional architecture with thatched-roof houses and cobbled alleys. In addition, the village is famous for its honey production and its folklore festivals that showcase the authenticity of Romanian rural life.

One of the highlights is the World Heritage-listed fortified church of Viscri. On your visit you can enter the church and walk along the ramparts.

What to see in 1 day in Sighisoara

You can see Sighisoara in a morning as its charm lies mainly in its cobbled streets and colourful facades that invite you to wander around the old town. Our recommendation is to get a good guidebook and soak up the history of the place.

Nearby, in the Pennsylvania region, you will find small towns such as Biertan or Viscri where you can complete your day visiting the fortified churches and medieval streets.

Where and what to eat in Sighisoara?

Eating in Romania is very cheap, so even in the city centre you can eat well at a very affordable price. In this post you can discover some of the country’s traditional dishes: Romanian food: What and where to eat?

• Mamaliga: a kind of polenta, which is served as a side dish in many Romanian dishes.
• Sarmale: cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice, cooked in a tomato sauce, a traditional delicacy.
• Mici: grilled sausages, seasoned with garlic and other spices.
• Varza à la Cluj: Cluj-style fermented cabbage, a very tasty sweet and sour dish.
• Ciorba de perisoare: sour soup with meatballs, a traditional soup with a unique flavour.
• Pârjoale: Romanian meatballs served with side dishes.

Here are some good places where you can try Romanian cuisine in Sighisoara:

• Casa Georgius Krauss: is an elegant restaurant specialising in local cuisine. The price is a little higher than average, but it’s worth it for the quality of the dishes.
• Restaurant Casa Vlad Dracul: It’s a very simple restaurant where you can eat in abundance for little money.
• Casa cu Cerb: located in the heart of the old town, this Romanian restaurant is the perfect place to try typical dishes in a very pleasant setting.

Where to stay in Sighisoara

The best area to stay, but also the most expensive, is inside the city walls, in the old town. From there you can walk to the main points of interest and enjoy the charm of the city in its purest form. If you are looking for something more economical, we recommend moving away from the centre.

If you can’t make up your mind about where to stay, here are some of our favourite places:

• Hotel Casa Wagner: This three-star hotel will surprise you with its elegant decoration and spacious rooms. It is located in the centre and has its own restaurant and bar. The price per night starts at €37 and breakfast costs €8.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sighisoara: If you’re looking for something more modern, we recommend this 4-star hotel with gym, spa, pool and restaurant. Nightly rates start at €74 and breakfast is €10.
• Hotel Central Park Sighisoara: this cosy 4-star hotel is another great place to stay near the centre. Rooms are comfortable and cosy, and there is a terrace with a bar. The price per night starts at 66€ and includes breakfast.

How to get to Sighisoara

You won’t have any trouble getting to Sighisoara as it is one of the most touristic cities in Romania and as a result is very well connected. Here are all the options you have to choose from to get there:

1. Plane: the closest airport to Sighisoara is Cluj-Napoca Airport which is approximately 160 kilometres away. From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to get to Sighisoara. If you are travelling from abroad, you will most likely have to make a stopover.
2. Train: is the best way to go if you’re already in Romania as it’s fast and cheap and well connected to other Romanian cities. You can take a train from Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu or Brasov, among other cities. The train journey will also allow you to enjoy beautiful scenery.
3. Bus: You can choose from several companies offering bus routes to Sighisoara from different parts of Romania. It’s a very cheap option.
4. Car: If you’re travelling around the country, we recommend renting a car at the airport. Sighisoara is connected to a network of roads and highways that connect the whole country. Make sure you are aware of the traffic regulations and safety requirements when driving in Romania.

What should I know before travelling to Sighisoara?

• The official currency in Romania is the Romanian leu (RON), although in some shops and accommodation you can pay in euros.
• The official language of Romania is Romanian, but in tourist areas it’s common to find English speakers, especially in hotels and restaurants.
• If you are a citizen of the European Union you will only need a valid identity card or passport to travel to Romania. For non-EU countries, a passport with at least 3 months validity is required; a tourist visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days.
• It is advisable to travel with travel insurance that provides adequate medical cover, as free medical care in Romania is limited for foreign visitors.
• Romania is a safe country, but keep your belongings safe and be aware of possible pickpockets in tourist areas and on public transport.
• The best time to visit Romania is between May and September, and if you’re going to Sighisoara it’s best to go in the summer months when temperatures are more pleasant.
• Tap water is safe to drink, but avoid tap water and drink bottled water.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Sighisoara

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information about the trip.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents…
• Make any modifications you need and you’re all set for your trip
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your own travel tips and recommendations on the things to do in Sighisoara.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter. 

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Sighisoara