10 reasons to visit Sibiu

A medieval city with 900 years’ worth of history, Sibiu preserved many testimonies of the past which present a special interest for tourists. The walls of the old fortification belts, the towers named after the guilds of Sibiu, the central squares with their rich history, the old buildings abounding in stories which occurred throughout time, many of them having hosted the city’s personalities, the city’s museums and everything representing the cultural life of a historic city which breathes the air of modernity and Europeanism – all these create an advantage for Sibiu, due to which it inevitably attracts tourists of all ages. Sibiu impresses due to the history of a well-known medieval center, the assets of a city which takes pride in premieres in the field of innovation, engineering, education and culture, the dynamism of a city oriented towards Europe and the values it upholds, offering the diversity sought by tourists in the locations they choose to visit.

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Every year, in June, Sibiu hosts the third largest theatre festival in Europe – The International Theatre Festival. The Festival is a genuine celebration of the city, involving both theatre halls as well as non-conventional spaces, but most of all public spaces. The central squares and the streets of the historical city fill with people who enjoy the street animation and theatrical performances staged by theatrical troupes from all around the world, the light and fireworks shows, the musical and theatrical improvisation performances. The hundreds of cultural events taking place here, make the city vibrate until the late hours of the night in the warm season, entertaining the numerous city guests. An explosion of theatre, lights and music occurs during the 10 days of the International Theatre Festival, an event which you shouldn’t miss.

Sibiu is a multicultural city, the Romanian, Saxon, Hungarian and Roma minorities living together peacefully throughout centuries, in a city which managed to transform its diversity into a brand. More importantly, this cohabitation was and continues to be peaceful, normal for this community which found in this ethnical diversity a cultural diversity, which it highlighted in the best possible way. Each ethnic community has the liberty, and is even encouraged, to present and preserve its own cultural dowry, its own traditions. Every year, the cultural calendar of the city includes events which indicate this ethnic and cultural diversity which meanwhile became emblematic for Sibiu.

With over 100 events spreading over the entire year, Sibiu offers a pleasant way to spend leisure time with very diverse events, for all ages and tastes. The greatest part of these events are included in the cultural calendar of the city which is co-financed by the local administration, others being produced by cultural institutions subordinated to the local administration – The Radu Stanca National Theatre, The Gong Theatre for Children and Youth, The Ballet Theatre in Sibiu. The cultural events cover a vast area of domains: from art exhibitions to theatrical performances, from music concerts to workshops addressed to specialists or to the wide public and events which present the local gastronomy or the craft of pottery. Pop music, folkloric, rock and classic music are equally present in the calendar. Starting in April and until the end of the year, the public spaces and theatre halls are constantly animated by the most diverse events.

You don’t have to leave the city in order to enjoy clean air, because in Sibiu you can find two of the most beautiful parks in Romania: the Sub Arini Park and the Dumbrava Forest.

The Sub Arini Park is preferred by the locals all year round. The shade of the trees, but also the floral arrangements offer refuge from the summer heat. At wintertime, the park transforms in a sledge slope and the perfect place for walks in the snow. The park is animated by orchestra music concerts which take place in the gazebo situated in the middle of the park, various sports events, recreational activities for children and even by open air cinema projections.

The Dumbrava Forest is very special from the point of view of the natural elements, as well as from the point of view of the facilities herein. The forest is crossed by a bike track and hosts the Zoo Garden in Sibiu, as well as the ASTRA Museum of Traditional Folkloric Civilization

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Two natural reservations, seven natural parks as well as the Păltiniş resort, the oldest in Romania, can be easily explored from Sibiu, being situated in the close vicinity of the city. Sibiu also has this advantage of its geographical position, being situated at a distance of 35 km from the mountain, thus benefiting from a special natural setting. The villages around Sibiu stand out due to the exceptional natural landscape, as well as through the well-preserved and very well promoted folkloric traditions. Whether you visit Cisnădioara, the traditional villages in Mărginimea Sibiului, the old Saxon villages or the Păltiniș resort, you will certainly appreciate the beauty of the nature surrounding them.

Sibiu hosts top sports events in România. Consequently, every year, the city hosts the Tour of Sibiu, the most important bicycle race in South-Eastern Europe, Red Bull Romaniacs considered to be the toughest Hard Enduro motorbike race in the world, Sibiu Rally – a highly appreciated and interesting car race from the point of view of its routes and Sibiu Open, a tennis tournament which enjoys a growing quota. These already famous events are completed by unusual, but very interesting events such as the sand tennis tournament - Sibiu Sands, which takes place in the Small Square or the Cycling Tour of the Fortified Churches, but also by smaller sized events dedicated to mass sport.

From 4 and 5 stars hotels to inns and hostels, Sibiu offers excellent accommodation conditions for any budget. Sibiu offers over 4,700 beds in the 25 hotels with 2, 3, 4 or 5 stars, in the over 70 pretty inns or in price-convenient hostels. Along with the preparations carried out for the year 2007, when Sibiu held the title of European Capital of Culture, but also subsequently, as the city continued to receive a growing number of tourists, the hotel and inn owners understood that the accommodation conditions must also improve in order for Sibiu to continue to be an attractive touristic location. Consequently, the services offered by hotels as well as the accommodation conditions recommend Sibiu as a good touristic location. City breaks for Easter and Christmas or on the occasion of the most important cultural and sports events taking place in the city are part of the offer of some hotels.

Regardless of the number of times you visited Sibiu, you will discover something new here. The beauty of this city also consists in the fact that it keeps offering new perspectives all the time. Sibiu is a historical city which fascinates through its history, its build heritage and due to the fact that the old defense structures of this medieval dwelling are still preserved in good conditions. Sibiu is an exceptional cultural location, renowned at a European and international level due to its museums, its traditional cultural events, due to the effervescence of its present-day cultural life which is constantly growing in quality and number of events. The city is also a place of ecumenism due to the peaceful cohabitation of various religions and confessions, the testimony of this state of facts being the churches of these cults situated close together in the historical center. But at the same time, Sibiu is a multi-ethnic city, a special space from the point of view of the natural landscape and a successful economic location. Sibiu is situated at a distance of 35 km from the oldest mountain resort in the country, which is slowly coming back to life. The city is also a future Gastronomic Capital of Europe. It is fit for conferences, seminars and professional meetings, combining business and a pleasant leisure time. Here are just a few of the sides of a city which never ceases to surprise.