Architecture, art and rural building culture
The historic centre of Hermannstadt features Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Its buildings include St. Mary's Parish Church, the Altenberger House and Brukenthal Palace. The palace opened to the public as an art museum in 1817. The Brukenthal Museum features galleries of European, Romanian and contemporary art; its collections include paintings, sculptures, prints and maps. This brings different periods and artistic forms together in the city centre: architecture provides the setting, while the galleries range from paintings to maps. Your explorations offer a clear cultural focus without reducing the city to a single attraction.
The Muzeul ASTRA open-air museum offers a different perspective. Its exhibits range from farmsteads and workshops to wooden churches, wayside crosses and sheepfolds, as well as watermills and windmills. It thus presents a variety of subjects: homes, crafts, religious buildings and milling technology. Together with the urban architecture and art collections, it offers a broad view of the region’s culture, from historic buildings to workplaces and everyday objects.
Green spaces and activities on the water
The green spaces also offer a range of experiences. Sub Arini Park covers 22 hectares and is home to 70 tree species and around 100 bird species. At 960 hectares, Dumbrava Natural Park is considerably larger than the 22-hectare Sub Arini Park. Sibiu Zoo is home to more than 250 animals from over 50 species. The Lacul lui Binder recreational area offers wakeboarding, water skiing, stand-up paddleboarding and canoeing; beach volleyball, swimming and sport fishing round out the waterside activities. If you are planning a specific activity there, check the current conditions before your visit.
Mountains and trails in Sibiu County
Beyond the city, the landscapes of Sibiu County can be discovered in mountain villages and along trails. Păltiniş lies at an altitude of 1,442 metres in the Cindrel Mountains. Coniferous forests, mountain ridges and extensive pastureland define the surrounding area. Hikers can explore more than 500 marked trails in Sibiu County. The Via Transilvanica crosses the north of the county for 100 kilometres and offers cultural experiences. Sibiu County has more than 500 marked trails; the Via Transilvanica crosses the north of the county for 100 kilometres and offers cultural experiences.
The Bâlea region also combines mountain scenery with specific landmarks. The Transfăgărăşan alpine road, DN 7C, leads to Bâlea Lake at an altitude of 2,034 metres; it is used by motorists, cyclists and motorcyclists. Check seasonal access conditions separately when planning your trip. A hiking trail in the Bâlea region offers viewpoints with panoramic vistas of the Bâlea Caldera, the Bâlea Edge, the Paltinu Summit and Our Lady’s Valley. You can focus your trip more on Hermannstadt’s culture or on nature and mountain experiences in Sibiu County. Choose accommodation based on the places and interests you want to include in your trip.
Discover more destinations: Sibiu, Bazna, Ocna Sibiului, Slimnic, Tălmaciu, Cârţişoara, Gura Raului, Städterdorf, Rusciori, Arpaşu De Sus, Şelimbăr, Biertan, Mediasch, Tilischen, Avrig, Porumbacu De Jos, Heltau, Boiţa, Orlat, Hohe Rinne, Veştem, Mohu, Grossau, Sadu, Șura Mică, Vale, Racovita, Mosna, Valea Viilor, Altana, Miercurea Sibiului, Apoldu de Sus, Chirpar, Rosia, Merghindeal, Dealu Frumos, Șura Mare, Gunzendorf, Pojana
For the broader travel overview: Romania.
