9 Things to Do in Sighișoara: Romania’s Fairy Tale Town

Sighișoara old town looks like it is the actual film set for Beauty and the Beast. Pastel-coloured buildings, a tall clock tower with intricate tiling and puppets, cobble-stoned streets. An absolute treat for street photography lovers; I was in my element, camera in hand at all times!

This was definitely my favourite stop in Romania; everywhere and everything is just so pretty and we ended up with wayyyy too many photos.

We spent three days here exploring every nook and cranny of this small city. Most people tag on a half-day visit to their Romania itinerary, but I guarantee that when you get here, you’ll wish you planned longer! There aren’t tons of things to do in Sighișoara, but it is the perfect place to slow down and relax in a beautiful setting.

1. Get Lost in the Colourful Backstreets

Look out for all the intricate details of these historic streets and buildings. The BEST thing to do in Sighișoara is just to get lost in the backstreets. Grab your camera and put on some sturdy shoes to walk over the uneven cobbles!

There are buildings with bright paintwork that’s starting to crack and peel, window ledges decorated with small plant pots, rusted street signs, medieval walkways that look like Dracula once walked them. This place is so much fun for anyone who loves photographing unique details. The yellow window shot is one of my all-time faves!

2. Spot the 14th Century Clock Tower

The clock tower can be seen from almost anywhere within Sighișoara old town with its brightly coloured tile roof and pointed spires. Make sure you spot the small puppets by the clockface and the original painting and writing.

For a 12 RON fee, you can climb the stairs to the wooden balcony at the top for views across Sighișoara.

3. Hunt Down All the Guild Towers

Towers around the Sighișoara fortifications were built, maintained and used during siege by each individual guild. You will find towers of the butchers, tinsmiths, ironsmiths, tailors, furriers, boot makers and ropemakers surrounding the old town.

4. Wander Down Culoarul Bătrânelor Doamne Walkway

Now this feels like it’s straight out of Disney’s Notre Dame! This archway takes you under the clock tower and is so atmospheric. Walk a little further down and you will get some great views of the clock tower from the other side too.

5. Climb the Steps Through the Covered Walkway to the Church on the Hill

175 steps lead up from the centre of the town to the church at the top (Biserica din Deal) and its cemetery. Climbing up the covered walkway is a rite of passage when visiting Sighișoara and was used to shield church-goers during the winter months.

You can get some great views over the town from here and it’s worth exploring the church, cemetery and ropemakers’ tower while you’re up here too.

5. See the Holy Trinity Church (Biserica Sfânta Treime) and the Church of Unitarian Universalism (Biserica Unitariană)

The Holy Trinity Church is just on the other side of the river from the main part of town, whereas the Unitarian Universalism Church is about another five-minute walk from here. Both are very different.

Holy Trinity is very grand with black domes, while the Unitarian is very small and narrow, yet tall with a pointed orange roof. We were unable to enter either: they were either locked or hosting ceremonies. If you manage to get inside, let us know how they are!

6. Explore the Citadel Square (Piața Cetății)

Piața Cetății is the main square in the citadel with cobbles, pastel-coloured buildings. Stop here for a drink, explore the souvenir shops or explore the alleyways leading off the square. Keep an eye out for the Stag House.

7. Stop by the Birthplace of Vlad Dracul

Another of Sighișoara’s claims to fame is being the birthplace of Vlad Dracul, also known as Vlad the Impaler. The building where he lived up until the age of four has been converted into a restaurant. You could stop for lunch or just wander upstairs to see some paintings of him and maybe pop your head out the first floor window for a great photo taken from the cobbles outside. If you pay a fee, you can enter the second floor, where it is said that Vlad used to stay.

8. Eat Lángos and Papanași

Probably not best to eat both in one sitting: you will explode.

Lángos is basically a flattened, savoury donut with similarities to Bulgaria’s mekitsa. Deep-fried with a crunch on the outside but with a soft and chewy centre. Get the classic which is smothered in sour cream and topped with cheese, but don’t forget to ask for extra garlic! Grab your lángos from Nuvela.

Papanași is a cream cheese doughnut that is smothered in a sweet sour cream and topped with sour berry jam. These are mind-blowingly good and absolutely enough reason to book a flight to Romania! Grab yours from the hole-in-the-wall vendor to the right of Vlad Dracul’s birthplace.

9. Stop for Coffee with a View

The Bean Speciality Coffee – Great coffee and an even better view. Snag yourself a spot outside overlooking the staircase up towards the clock tower. Spot on!

Where to Stay in Sighișoara

How to Get to Sighișoara

Even though Sighișoara is a pretty small city, it’s well-connected to other parts of Transylvania as well as Bucharest. You can easily get yourself to Sibiu or Brașov within a few hours.

Don’t fancy navigating the public transport yourself? Yeah, I totally get it! There are several day tours that you can take from Brașov like this tour here that includes a visit to UNESCO-recognised Viscri Fortified Church too.

Or if you want full independence, hire yourself a car from Brașov or Bucharest and stop en route whenever and wherever you fancy!

Where’s Next?

If you love the idea of cobbled streets and colourful medieval buildings in fairy tale Sighișoara, you’ll undoubtedly also like beautiful Brașov and Sibiu. From Brașov, it’s easy to reach Bran Castle (AKA Dracula’s Gaff) as well as Peleș Castle too!

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