Where I come from, places like Sighisoara just simply do not exist.
Ancient churches, a walled town center, thousands of years of history… you just don't find that in the United States.
Which is perhaps why I enjoyed my two days in Sighisoara, Romania so much.
Sighisoara is a small city in the Transylvania region of Romania, with a history dating back to the 1100s. Back then, the Hungarian king was begging Saxons to move to this part of the world in order to help defend his borders. German craftsmen and artisans took him up on it, and what resulted is today a fairy-tale-like fortified city in the heart of Romania.
It's no wonder this whole place is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
With cobbled streets, colorful buildings, and a pedestrian-friendly Old Town, it's difficult not to fall in love with Sighisoara. Yes, it's a touristy place. And yes, it can feel a bit crowded in the summer. But it's still well worth a visit.
5 things to love about Sighisoara
So why did I enjoy this little city so much? Here are just five reasons.
1. The colorful streets
Sighisoara is INCREDIBLY colorful. It's like a box of tropical-colored crayons just exploded all over the town, with bright oranges and yellows and pinks standing out on every street.
Even the windows and doors here are colorful (or at the very least interesting):
2. The size
Sighisoara's walled Old Town consists of roughly 3 main streets — meaning you can easily explore the whole place on foot in one afternoon without any trouble.
3. The historical connections
Along with being an old Saxon city, Sighisoara also has another claim to fame: being the birthplace of Vlad III (also known as Vlad Tepes, Vlad the Impaler, and Vlad Dracula). Vlad's father was ruler of nearby Wallachia, but was in exile in Transylvania when Vlad was born.
Vlad's birthplace is still there, marked with a placard and now home to a very kitschy restaurant called “Casa Dracula.”
In more recent history, Prince Charles has visited the town quite a few times and stayed here:
Sighisoara also has a handful of really good museums dedicated to its history, which include the museum in the Clock Tower, and a torture museum right next door.
4. The views
Climbing up the Clock Tower is an absolute must in Sighisoara! It will cost you next to nothing, and the views are beautiful. Parts of this building date back to the 14th century, and I'm sure you can understand why it was built — as a lookout point over the city walls.
5. The gems among the rubbish
Sighisoara IS a touristy town. Meaning you'll find plenty of kitschy tourist shops all selling the same magnets and Dracula t-shirts. But, if you dig a little deeper, you CAN find some wonderful gems here.
If it's hand-made crafts you're looking for, check out the gallery inside the International Cafe. Here, a family of woodworkers and their friends produce and sell hand-carved wooden products and unique ceramics.
The must-dos in Sighisoara
If you find yourself in this little Romanian city, it may at first seem like there's not a whole lot to do. But you can easily fill a day or so here checking out the following:
- The Clock Tower, which not only has great views, but also a neat little museum inside.
- The Church on the Hill (which you walk up to via a cool Covered Staircase), which is an old Gothic-style church. Also check out the nearby German graveyard. Unlike Merry Cemetery, this graveyard IS a bit overgrown and solemn, but it's alright for a quiet stroll.
- The Church of the Dominican Monastery (and it's cool organ), which is centuries old.
- The Torture Museum and Weapon Museum also both come highly recommended.
Where to stay in Sighisoara
Sighisoara isn't a town you need multiple days to explore, but I do recommend at least staying one night.
The top-rated hotel in Sighisoara is the Georgius Krauss House, while Hotel Central Park has a great central location.
You can check out more Sighisoara accommodation here.
What do you think of Sighisoara after this quick photo tour?
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*Note: Intrepid Travel graciously provided me with a complimentary 18-day tour through Eastern Europe. But all opinions, as always, are entirely my own.
If you're interested in doing the same tour I did, you can check it out here.
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
Your pictures are fantastic! thank you so much for providing us with lovely images of places that we need to experience whether it be in person or by a photo by you
Thanks so much, Char! That’s what a travel blog is all about! 🙂
I have to say, when I was there it was much colder. Your photos do it great justice. Romania is a beautiful country. You make it to Targu Mures or Brasov? If you are going to Brasov I conveniently just posted about a wood carver who works in a tower there. You should visit him.
Yup, spent 2 nights in Brasov and loved it! Romania is full of so many hidden gems.
The colors of your pictures are so rich!!! I love this post. I travelled to Romania and had an absolutely fabulous time. So good to see you exploring the region even more than I did. The Romanians need more people visiting them, don’t you think?
I DO think that the Romanians need more people visiting them. Definitely!
When I think of Romania, I think grey. Maybe because of its connection with Dracula, but Sighisoara looks anything but. Nice pictures.
Yeah, Romania is anything buy dark and gray!!
Wow! Those handcrafted wooden spoons look amazing! just can’t believe how these artists can handle with wood. Really breathtaking!
Yes, the hand-carved wooden things were amazing! It’s good to know handcrafts like that still exist somewhere in the world.
You can see the gallery through our facebook page!
Thanks DangerousBiz !
Wow, lovely photos and I’d never heard of this place before, so thanks for the education.
You’re very welcome, Matt. Thanks for the nice comment! It’s definitely a place worth knowing about.
really wonder land………heritage values …….a dream place!!!!!!!!!!!!
It really is like something out of a fairytale!
Wow! I really like those colorful houses! And those breathtaking views! That must be such a beautiful country!
Romania is indeed very beautiful. Well worth putting on your list of places to visit!
I always forget that Transylvania is a real place until I read something like this. It’s amazing how those houses are built practically on top of each other. I love any town with vibrant colored buildings.
Lol, yes, Transylvania IS a real place! It’s crazy how many people don’t realize that! It’s not actually full of vampires or werewolves, though… 😉
Absolutely gorgeous pictures!! I am definitely adding Romania to my list of places to go. Yo did a wonderful jobof capturing the charm of this town.
I love that I’m convincing people to add Romania to their lists! It definitely deserves a visit – and Sighisoara especially!
It is so colorful! I guess it was different in 15th Century when Vlad Dracul lived there.
Yes, I’m sure it probably looked MUCH different back in the 15th century!
What was in those Bran Castle packages with the faux bloodstains? Was that coffee? If so, I would be curious what the ingredients are. 🙂
I like the building with the antlers protruding from the painting of the deer (That was the place of lodging where Prince Charles stays?). And yes, the colours are astonishing. It also looks like you had perfect weather when you were there.
It was Dracula coffee, yes. No idea what the ingredients are, but probably nothing as exciting as the packaging makes it look! 😉
And yup, I’ve had lots of sunny weather on this trip!
Those 5 things are JUST the criteria I look for in a city! I want to see this beautiful place!
Romania has so many cool places like this one – it really is a very underrated destination!
That town looks much too bright and cheery to be the birthplace of Dracula.
Haha, so true!
Oh trust me, it’s colorful by day, and then when the night comes… You go on those lovely walks and it’s dark and everything is quiet.
Anyway, these photos were taken in the summer, in the middle of the day.
Here’s one when the town is empty and the clock nears midnight: http://i.imgur.com/qamV679.jpg
Oh how I miss it.
In the last few years they have started putting lights all over the place. It’s a shame really, I loved my little old town with it’s little dark corners and secrets. Not everything has to have lights and colors on it to be beautiful….
So it goes once a destination start to become popular. I still think it’s a lovely town!
Some confusion was made here over the historic facts.
1. Vlad Dracul is the father of Vlad Tepes
2. Bram Stoker’s Dracula character is based on the son – Vlad Tepes.
So, supposedly, the father of “Dracula” lived in Sighisoara and not Vlad Tepes (“Dracula”) itself.
But the father’s presence in Sighisoara continues to be contested by Romanian historians. And even by locals who know this town’s history.
This is my kind of town. Would love to visit!!!
Well if you ever make it to Romania, make sure to add it to your itinerary!
What beautiful pictures of a charming town. In 1985 Romania was under severe communist rule. I travelled all over Romania by car with my two young sons. Believe me, there was not a touch of color to be seen! The whole country was seriously depressed and people didn’t dare talk to visitors.
I met one wonderful family having a picnic in the mountains and they shared their simple fare with us.
How wonderful to see this turnaround. I am planning a return trip this summer and hope to be able to trace my roots this time. Casandra Drobot (née)
It has definitely changed a lot in the last couple of decades – I’m sure you’ll notice!