Sibiu is one of the better-value cities in Central Europe, and a trip here does not need a big budget. The best sights in the old town are free, the food is hearty and inexpensive by Western standards, and there are budget hotels within walking distance of the squares. The key is to know where to spend and where to save. Here is a practical approach.
Start with the free sights
The heart of the city costs nothing. The Large Square, the Small Square and the Bridge of Lies are open public spaces at any hour, and walking them in the morning and again after dark is one of the best things to do in Sibiu. The lanes down to the lower town, the old fortification towers and the parks around the centre are free as well. The Christmas market, which fills the Large Square in winter, has free entry, and you pay only for food, drinks and rides. A day spent wandering these places is a full and satisfying day for almost no money.
Pick your paid sights carefully
Museums and towers charge modest entry fees, so choose the ones that matter most to you rather than trying to see everything. The Brukenthal National Museum is the best indoor sight and good value for the time it fills. The Evangelical Cathedral is a good second choice, with its Gothic interior and, when open, a tower with city views. The ASTRA open-air museum fills half a day and is cheaper than most guided excursions. Many museums close on Mondays, so use Mondays for free walking and plan paid sights for other days.
Walk, and walk with a guide for less
The old town is compact, so you rarely need transport. For context without a large cost, look at self-guided walking tours, audio tours and city games, which are inexpensive and let you work at your own pace, or at group walking tours that are cheaper than private ones. A private tour can be good value if you split the cost among several people. Sibiu's roof windows, passages and stories are much more rewarding with some background, so a short guided walk on your first day pays off.
Eat like a local
Romanian food is filling and good value, especially away from the squares. Look for lunch menus at local restaurants, which often include a soup and a main course at a lower price than dinner, and try classics such as stuffed cabbage rolls, grilled sausages, polenta with cheese and cream, bean soup and papanasi for dessert. Bakeries and street food stalls offer cheap snacks, and markets and supermarkets make picnic lunches easy. The square terraces are lovely for a coffee but cost more than side streets, so enjoy one drink there and eat elsewhere.
Sleep smart
For the lowest cost, look at budget hotels and guesthouses in the centre rather than on the squares. MyContinental Sibiu is a budget three-star about a quarter of an hour's walk from the Large Square, with a family suite for groups. Casa Luxemburg gives character and a prime location on the Small Square at a moderate price, and Ramada by Wyndham Sibiu is a four-star base in the centre with a short walk to the squares. Travel outside the Christmas market and summer festival periods, when rates rise and old-town rooms sell out, and book early for the dates you cannot change. Check whether breakfast is included, as a cafe breakfast can be cheaper than a hotel buffet.
Make day trips cheaper
Day tours are the biggest single cost on most trips, so choose carefully. Group tours cost less per person than private ones, and a private tour shared between four people can be cheaper than four separate places. The shepherd villages of Marginimea Sibiului are close and need less transport, while the Saxon villages near Biertan are a classic with good value for the content. If you rent a car, split the cost and compare it with tours. Public transport to some towns is cheap but slow, so allow extra time.
Cash and cards
Cards are widely accepted in the city, but carry some cash for small shops, markets and village tastings. Use ATMs of major banks and decline any offer to be charged in your home currency, since paying in the local currency usually gives a better rate.
Where the money is best spent
If you have a little extra, spend it on a guided day trip to the Saxon villages or a good dinner, and save on everything else. Free squares, a low-cost museum, walking tours, local lunches and a modest hotel can add up to a very rich trip. With some planning, Sibiu proves that a great city break does not need a big budget.
