Sighisoara Guide: Best Things to Do in Sighisoara in One Day

Sighisoara is a small fortified medieval town in Mureș County in Romania. The city was founded in the 12th century by German craftsmen known as Transylvanian Saxons and is part of the historical region of Transylvania. They strategically placed the city on a hill for protection against invaders and commercial trading.

Today, Sighișoara is known for its colourful houses, soaring watch towers and well-preserved historic centre, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And it is the birthplace of Vlad Dracul, aka Vlad the Impaler.

Since there are many things to do in Sighisoara, you might want to stay for a few days. But if you are only spending a day in Sighisoara, it is also possible. All you have to do is follow my 1-day Sighisoara itinerary, and you can see all the best attractions in Sighisoara efficiently and effortlessly.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost. Thank you for supporting this website. For more information, please read the disclosure.

Sighisoara Guide: What you need to know

Before you visit Sighisoara, take a look at some of these useful travel tips:

• Sighisoara is a safe city for solo female travellers. I was in Sighisoara for a few days alone and felt safe walking around during the day and evening.
• You can visit Sighisoara throughout the year. It is warm in summer, snowy in winter and comfortably mild in spring and fall. 
• The best day to go to Sighisoara is any day except Monday. The Clock Tower and several attractions are closed.
• Sighisoara is a very walkable (but hilly) city. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Plan your visit to Sighişoara with these festivals and events:
  • Sighişoara Medieval Festival (last weekend of July) – go back to the medieval time during Sighişoara’s biggest festival.
  • Sighişoara Blues Festival (March and September) – a weekend of concerts promoting Blues.

How to Get to Sighisoara Romania

The best way to get to Sighişoara is by taking the Romanian Railway, CFR Călători. The train network connects Sighişoara with other nearby towns like Brasov and Sibiu. And there is even a direct train from Bucharest. Check the CFR Călători website for train schedules and costs.

Once you arrive at Sighisoara Train Station, which is located north of the city centre, walk 15 minutes towards the town.

Where to stay in Sighisoara for Solo Travellers

Even though both Brasov and Sibiu are quite “close” to Sighişoara on the map, I don’t recommend taking a day trip from either city because of the limiting train schedules and very long train rides. The better option is to stay for a day or two in Sighişoara.

I stayed in an Airbnb apartment for a few days. I really liked this place and can recommend it to any solo travellers. If I didn’t stay at the apartment, I would’ve loved to stay at one of the quaint hotels listed below:

• Casa Augustus – a one-bedroom flat with an ensuite bathroom and kitchenette right at the foothills of the Clock Tower. Super cute unit and a lovely host. Check prices and reviews on Airbnb
• Casa Savri – a cozy little hotel in a historical building with traditional Transylvanian Saxon architecture and decor. Check prices and reviews on Agoda and Booking
• Boutique Hotel von Graf – stay in one of the brightest historic houses on the colourful Strada Tâmplarilor. Check prices and reviews on Agoda and Booking

Map of Sighisoara Romania

First, let’s get to know the city of Sighisoara.

When you arrive at Sighisoara Train Station, which is located north of the city centre, walk 15 minutes south towards the town.

The city walls separate Sighisoara into two parts: Upper Town (or Citadel – pink) and the Lower Town (blue). Most attractions are concentrated in the Citadel, but there are a few attractions in the Lower Town and just outside the city centre.

11 Things to See in Sighisoara Romania

1. Turnul cu Ceas (The Clock Tower)

Turnul cu Ceas (The Clock Tower) is one of the nine watch towers in Sighişoara and possibly the city’s best attraction.

Standing at 64m, the tower was built in 1556 and is one of the two main gate towers to the Old City. It was not built or defended by the craftsmen guilds but belonged to the city. The Clock Tower has a rectangular base, a colourful glazed shingle-tiled roof, and two clocks with seven figurines, one each day of the week.

As you walk up the tower, three floors of displays of medieval artifacts are part of Muzeul De Istorie Sighișoara (History Museum). Some displays are in English.

And when you reach the top floor, there is a viewing balcony where you can see a panoramic view of Sighişoara. Walk around the entire balcony and see the 360-degree view!

Address: Strada Turnului, Sighişoara | Hours: 9am-3:30pm Tuesday to Friday; 10am-3:30pm Saturdays & Sundays | Admission: 16 lei

2. All Nine Watch Towers in Sighișoara

The Citadel of Sighisoara is surrounded by walls and watch towers. Each watch tower was built and maintained by different Saxon craftsmen guilds in exchange for privileges in the city. Out of the fourteen towers, only nine are still around.

You can see the inside of two watch towers while you can only admire the rest from the outside.

Here is the list of all nine surviving watch towers in Sighisoara:

1. Turnul cu Ceas (The Clock Tower) – the biggest watch tower that guards the main entrance to the citadel
2. Turnul Croitorilor (The Tailors’ Tower) – the other main gate tower, and it has two openings for circulating traffic
3. Turnul Fierarilor (The Ironsmiths’ Tower) – it has a museum where you can see authentic blacksmith tools (10am-6pm Monday to Friday; 10am-8pm Saturdays & Sundays | Admission: 15 lei)
4. Turnul Cizmarilor (The Bootmaker’s Tower) – different from other towers because of the pair of lookout turrets on the roof
5. Turnul Cojocarilor (The Furriers’ Tower) – it has a small leather shop and a free museum
6. Turnul Măcelarilor (The Butchers’ Tower) – a hexagonal-based tower that was built along the northwest side of the wall
7. Turnul Frânghierilor (The Ropemakers’ Tower) – a small square-based tower on the Upper Citadel
8. Turnul Tăbăcarilor (The Tanners’ Tower) – the first tower in Sighisoara
9. Turnul Cositorarilor (The Tinsmiths’ Tower) – 25m high tower but not accessible

3. Birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, aka Dracula

You may have heard of Bram Stoker’s famous novel, Dracula. The character of Dracula was inspired by the historical character Vlad Ţepe also known as Vlad the Impaler.

But did you know that Dracula was born in Sighisoara? He was born in 1431 in this yellow house in Sighisoara and lived until he was four.

Today, this yellow building is the oldest in Sighisoara, and it houses Vlad Dracul Restaurant, Art and Craft (folk store), Medieval Weapon Museum and Vlad Dracul House.

Essentially, Vlad Dracul House is Vlad’s room where he spent his childhood. I read that the room is completely rebuilt and pretty gimmicky. I didn’t go but if you want to spend 5 lei, let me know what you think.

Address: Strada Cositorarilor 5, Sighisoara | Hours: 10am-10pm; closed Mondays | Admission: 15 lei

4. Upper Citadel

Located at an altitude of 429m, the Upper Citadel has a few attractions you shouldn’t miss.

First, you’ll have to climb up 176 wooden steps via Scara Acoperită (Covered Stairway), known as the Pupil’s staircase. It was built in 1642 to let students get to the school and church on the top of the hill. It is quite impressive for such an old set of staircases.

The Upper Citadel’s highlight has to be Biserica din Deal (Church on the Hill). The 13th-century basilica was built on the highest point of Cetății Hill. It is one of the few Transylvanian churches that has a crypt underneath. The Church on the Hill is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, and it is Sighisoara’s most important religious architectural monument. If you want to go inside the church, it costs 10 lei.

And you can check out Cimitirul Bisericii Din Deal (Cemetery on the Hill), a Saxon German cemetery. The graveyard takes up a large portion of the hill and is quite peaceful.

On the way down the hill, check out Turnul Frânghierilor (The Ropemakers’ Tower). I mentioned earlier that this is the only clock tower on the Upper Citadel.

Address: Strada Cojocarilor 3, Sighișoara | Hours: 10am-6pm; closed Mondays | Admission: 10 lei

5. Strada Tâmplarilor (Carpenter’s Street)

Many colourful houses surround Sighisoara, but the most well-known street is Strada Tâmplarilor (Carpenter’s Street).

The narrow street is pedestrian-friendly, but the cobblestone road is a bit uneven, and many houses lining the street have a bright and colourful facade. I read somewhere that different colour represents different guilds?! I wonder what bright pink means?

No matter what it all means, this is the best spot to take an Instagram photo (or two or a few) because the colourful houses are the perfect backdrop for photographs.

6. Piața Cetății (The Citadel’s Square)

Piața Cetății (The Citadel’s Square) is the main square in Sighisoara. And it is at this square you will find many cafes, restaurants and food stalls selling typical Romanian street food like lángos (deep-fried flat bread) and papanasi (Romanian fried donuts).

Plus, there are several souvenir shops selling Transylvania souvenirs. More on that later.

And it is at this spot where you can admire some of the oldest houses in Sighisoara. Look for a stag head on the corner of a building on the southwest side of Citadel’s Square. This is Casa cu Cerb (Stag House). It was built in the 17th century and is the most preserved house in Sighisoara.

Other Attractions and Activities in Sighisoara

7. Churches in Sighisoara

Sighisoara is small, but it has a few notable churches in both the Citadel and Lower Town. These are some of the best ones:

• Biserica Sfânta Treime (Holy Trinity Church) (?) – a monochromatic Romanian Orthodox Church was built by Transylvanian Saxons in a Neo-Byzantine architectural style. It is located on the north side of the Târnava Mare River.
• Biserica Mănăstirii (The Monastery Church) (10am-5pm; closed Mondays & Tuesdays; 20 lei) – a Lutheran parish church built in a Gothic style with a Baroque interior. It is classified as a historical monument.
• Catedrala Sfântul Iosif (St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church) (?) – a Roman Catholic Church with Gothic and Neo-Roman architectural elements and a tall belfry was built by Hungarians.

8. Quirky Museums in Sighișoara

You’re not going to find the usual museums in Sighisoara like you would in the big cities. In this quaint town, there are a few quirky ones that you might want to check out.

• MYstical Transylvania (10am-8pm; 30 lei) – a series of immersive exhibitions featuring Vlad Dracula.
• Medieval Weapon Museum (10am-5pm; closed Mondays; 10 lei) – a small museum in the same yellow building as Vlad Dracul House. It has a few rooms showcasing medieval and modern weapons.
• Casa Breslelor (10am-6pm; 15 lei) – the Guild House is a museum featuring authentic Saxon tools and equipment used over 100 years ago in Sighisoara and the surrounding area in Transylvania.
• Camera de Tortura (9am-6:30pm Tuesday to Friday; 10am-5:30pm Saturdays & Sundays; 8 lei) – tour the lower part of the Clock Tower, which was set up as a prison and torture chamber.

9. Local Folk Shops and Antique Stores

Since Sighisoara has a rich history in craftsmanship, many folk shops in the city sell some of the best Transylvanian handicrafts and souvenirs. Many of them are in Piața Cetății and along the side streets like Strada Școlii.

And besides unique souvenirs that you can only buy in Transylvania, a few antique stores are scattered around Sighisoara.

Here are some stores that I liked (even though I’m not a great shopper):

• Art & Crafts (10am-5pm Monday to Friday; 9am-6pm Saturdays) – one of the best folk shops selling traditional Transylvania souvenirs.
• Transylvanian Souvenirs (?) – cute souvenir shops selling different trinkets.
• Antique Shop Sighisoara (9am-8pm Mondays; 10:30am-8pm Tuesday to Sunday) – I saw so many antique items that I want to bring home (but didn’t).
• Bolda de Fer (11am-6pm) – another amazing antique store with rooms full of eclectic items.

Sighișoara Food Guide: What and Where to Eat

11. Traditional Romanian Food in Sighisoara

Many restaurants are concentrated around Piața Cetății and just outside the city walls in the Lower Town. And if you don’t want a full meal, you can always get a lángos (deep-fried flatbread) or covrigi (Romanian pretzel) to go.

For sit-down meals and street food, here’s what I found in Sighisoara:

1. Gasthaus Altepost Restaurant Traditional (8am-12am) – they serve many Romanian dishes, including Tochitura (Transylvanian stew with polenta). But I ordered the Sunday roast with pork, smoked sausages and mashed potatoes.
2. Concordia (7-1am Monday to Friday; 9-1am Saturdays & Sundays) – I really like their selection of Romanian food, especially the ciorba (Romanian sour soup)
3. Lángos cart (?) – get a traditional lángos (with cheese and sour cream) or chocolate-flavoured flatbread next to the Clock Tower
4. Atelier Specialty Coffee (8:30am-10pm Monday to Friday; 9am-9pm Saturdays & Sundays) – have coffee on Octavian Gogh Street aka the Umbrella Street
5. ReFresh (12-10pm) – cute patio with fresh juices and excellent cocktails
6. Teo’s Cellar (?) – try Palinca made locally by the owner of the hotel

Places to See outside of Sighisoara

10. Breite Oak Tree Reserve

If you are up for a short hike, there is an easy trail to the Breite Oak Tree Reserve near Sighisoara. The hike starts not too far from the city centre, and the entire hike can be completed in half a day.

The hiking trail is part of Via Transilvanica, a 1400km plus long-distance hiking route from Putna in the north to Drobeta Turnu-Severin to the south. It passes through over 600 communities, including Sighisoara.

From the town centre, walk to the start of Via Transilvanica (blue pin #5 on the interactive map), and follow the official signs for Via Transilvanica. Once you are up the steep hill, turn around and take in the panoramic view of Sighisoara.

And as you continue on the plateau, you’ll come across many giant oak trees that are part of the Breite Oak Tree Reserve. Continue hiking until you reach blue pin #6. To get back to Sighisoara, backtrack the entire way.

Best Things to Do in Sighisoara in One Day

As you can see, there are plenty of things to see in Sighisoara that you could stay a few days to enjoy them all.

But if you plan on spending only one day in Sighisoara, follow my itinerary below and the numbered attractions on the interactive map.

1. Start in the Citadel and visit Turnul cu Ceas (The Clock Tower) first thing in the morning
2. See the displays at Muzeul De Istorie Sighișoara (History Museum)
3. Visit the blacksmith museum at Turnul Fierarilor (The Ironsmiths’ Tower)
4. See Vald Dracul House if you dare
5. Walk up 176 steps via Scara Acoperită (Covered Stairway)
6. See inside Biserica din Deal (Church on the Hill)
7. Walk around the Cimitirul Bisericii Din Deal (Cemetery on the Hill)
8. See Turnul Frânghierilor (The Ropemakers’ Tower) and follow the road and walk down the hill instead of taking the stairs
9. See Turnul Măcelarilor (The Butchers’ Tower)
10. Visit the free museum at Turnul Cojocarilor (The Furriers’ Tower)
11. See Turnul Croitorilor (The Tailors’ Tower)
12. See Turnul Cizmarilor (The Bootmaker’s Tower)
13. Peek inside Catedrala Sfântul Iosif (St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church)
14. Take photos of the colourful houses on Strada Tâmplarilor (Carpenter’s Street)
15. Visit Piața Cetății (The Citadel’s Square)
16. See Turnul Tăbăcarilor (The Tanners’ Tower)
17. See Turnul Cositorarilor (The Tinsmiths’ Tower)
18. Buy souvenirs from Art & Crafts, Transylvanian Souvenirs, Antiques, Bolda de Fer and other shops that pique your interest

Is Sighisoara Worth Visiting?

Absolutely yes! It was a last-minute decision for me, but I am so glad I included Sighisoara in my itinerary. It is one of the most charming and magical towns I’ve ever visited. It felt like I was in a fairy tale!

Plus, the UNESCO town is easy to get to and one of the best highlights of Romania.

I hope you enjoyed reading this guide and will consider visiting Sighisoara in Romania. Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about this cute town.

Ready to plan your trip to Romania? Here are some of my go-to travel planning resources:
* Book your flight: find flight deals on Skyscanner 
* Book accommodation: find the best accommodations in Romania on Agoda or Booking
* Buy insurance: Safetywing is my go-to provider for travel insurance, as it covers many things. I will never travel without the Nomad Insurance Package because it protects me against unforeseen events. Get a quote today.
* Order a SIM card: order a SIM card in advance and set up your mobile phone before arriving at your destination.
* Join tours: check Get Your Guide and Klook for the best tours around Romania.

Thank you for reading my solo Sighisoara Guide

For more travel inspiration, check out my Romania page for posts on solo travel in Romania. Here are some recommended posts:

Romania posts:

• Romania 10-day itinerary for first-time travellers
• Bucharest 1, 2 and 3-day solo itineraries
• 25 Best Bucharest food: What and where to eat in Bucharest
• Best things to do in Brasov in one day
• One day in Sibiu: top things to do
• How to spend one day in Constanta Romania

Like this post? Pin it on your Pinterest board!

queenie mak

Hi, my name is Queenie, and I’ve been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!