Day Trips From Sibiu to Villages and Hills

October 30, 2026

Day trips from Sibiu

Sibiu sits between Saxon fortified churches to the north-east, shepherd villages to the west and south, and the Făgăraș and Cindrel mountains. Distances below are road estimates from route planners, so allow extra time for traffic and weather. A car is the easy way to link the villages. Trains only serve Mediaș, Sighișoara and Brașov, and Biertan has no direct public transport.

Near the city

Cisnădioara is about 12 km south, a village with a hilltop Romanesque church-fortress above it. Fortified church tickets often cost between 10 and 20 RON, so keep a few small notes in your pocket.

Rășinari is about 12 km south-west. It is the birthplace of the writer Emil Cioran and the poet Octavian Goga, and it is a good lunch stop.

Sibiel is about 20 km west. Its Priest Zosim Oancea Glass Icons Museum holds hundreds of glass icons, but hours and fees are listed inconsistently, so phone ahead.

Saxon churches and Sighișoara

Valea Viilor is about 48 km from Sibiu, around 45 minutes by car, and its fortified church is part of the UNESCO listing. Confirm entry before you drive out.

Biertan is 67 to 70 km away, about 1 hour 10 to 1 hour 35 by car, and was inscribed by UNESCO in 1993. Visits to the church are reported at 10 to 20 RON, with a lunchtime break in the opening hours. Legend says the church kept quarrelling couples in a small room until they made peace. Without a car, take the train to Mediaș and then a taxi, which is about 2 hours 15 minutes door to door. The UNESCO listing covers the group of fortified church villages.

Sighișoara is about 90 km away, around 1 hour 30 minutes by road. Its historic centre is a UNESCO site, and walking the citadel streets is free. The Clock Tower museum charges a fee reported around 20 RON, but its roof was under restoration, so check before you go. The covered Scholars’ Stairs are traditionally said to have 175 steps. Train times vary, so check CFR Călători before booking.

Păltiniș

Păltiniș is a mountain resort at 1,440 m, about 35 km from Sibiu. Tursib bus 22 runs there for about 11 to 12 RON one way, and bikes cost 10 RON extra. In winter, the Arena Platoș ski area has about 3.5 km of pistes, and season prices are normally announced in November on the Arena Platoș site . In summer, walkers head for the Cindrel ridge, whose top is at about 2,244 m. Check the Tursib page for the current fare.

Transfăgărășan and Bâlea Lake

The Transfăgărășan high section normally opens from about June or July to late October, depending on weather. CNAIR closed it on 27 October 2026, so it is shut now and may stay shut until next summer. Check CNAIR and Infotrafic before you set out. In season it takes roughly 1 hour 30 to 2 hours by car from Sibiu to Bâlea Lake. Without the road, a cable car runs from Bâlea Cascadă to the lake, weather permitting, for about 60 RON one way, and you should phone the station to check it is running.

Bears live along this road. Feeding them is illegal and fined, so never feed or stop for a bear. Stay in the car and keep food sealed. Do not plan water sports on Bâlea Lake.

Brașov

Brașov is about 114 km away, with trains in about 2 hours 45 to 3 hours 30 and a drive of about 2 hours. It is a long day for the Black Church and Council Square, so many visitors stay overnight instead.