[1 or 2 Days] Life in Transylvania: Sighisoara Citadel & Saxon Villages

Transylvania is famous for its multi-cultural heritage, a large part of which is of Saxon origin. Lots of villages with fortified churches from the 13-14th centuries are well-preserved and part of UNESCO heritage. Let's go see them! But 'real Transylvania' is in how locals live and preserve rural culture. That's what I want you to experience on this trip with me. Ready?

What you need to know Moments to expect Guide Cancellation & refund policy Location details

What you need to know about this Transylvania day trip from Sibiu:

Small group day trip to explore Transylvania, the Saxon villages and Sighisoara Citadel. Duration: around 7-8 hrs.
Included: transport, tour guide. Not included: lunch, drinks, entrance fees.
We will visit Sighisoara Citadel, Biertan Fortified Church (both UNESCO sites) and other Saxon villages in Transylvania.
You will learn about the region's history, Saxon heritage, and see how people live today while preserve an authentic rural culture.
We can also go on a short hike around the village of Biertan to get beautiful views of Transylvania countryside
We can include other villages too if you're interested. Viscri village is further away but we can visit it [extra 60 Euro]. We also suggest Alma Vii, Richis or Malancrav.
You can enjoy a traditional 3-course Transylvanian home-cooked meal at a local family! [extra 25 Euro/person on the booking page; min. 2 people required]
Extend to 2 days: have more time for sightseeing, village walks, meet locals and experience authentic Transylvania. [extra 190 Euro/person with meals, overnight and guide included]]

Additional information

Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended. We will be walking mostly on cobble stoned streets or dirt roads.

Moments to expect during the Transylvania day trip from Sibiu:

Sighisoara Citadel

The UNESCO Sighisoara Citadel is Europe's best preserved and still inhabited medieval fortress. Built on top of a hill overlooking Transylvania's hills, German influences are heavy in these parts. I will show you colourful houses, details and stories so you can see the charm of Sighisoara!

Mosna / or Alma Vii Fortified church

Recently restored, the fortified church in Mosna is one of the most beautiful in Transylvania. We have added it in our itinerary to support restoration works and to learn how these abandoned communities are trying to come back to life! Another option for visit is the beautiful Alma Vii fortified church awarded with the Europa Nostra prize in 2024.

Biertan UNESCO Fortified Church

The village of Biertan is well known for its towering church that can be seen in the distance. It's a real fortress with lots of interesting stories: the Bacon Tower, the Marriage Prison, the Catholic tower, the best fortified door in Transylvania - curious to hear them? We can also go for a short hike around the village to get beautiful views of the area.

[Optional] The famous village of Viscri

Further away from Sighisoara is the famous village of Viscri, the most beautiful and authentic in the region. That's why the UK'S King Charles owns a traditional house here to spend his Summer holidays. We'll go for a walk and then visit the impressive Viscri fortified church part of UNESCO heritage. Due to travel distances and time, only Sighisoara Citadel and Viscri will be visited in this case.
[extra 60 Euro]

[Optional] Do you want a typical Transylvanian lunch?

I know in one of the villages a friendly family that loves cooking for tourists! Using homegrown and locally sourced ingredients, a delicious 3-course typical lunch will be waiting for you. You'll meet the family too and learn about what their life in the countryside is.
[extra 25 Euro/person]

[Optional] Spend the night in an authentic Saxon guesthouse

The real charm of Transylvania, the one King Charles fell in love with, can be experienced when you spend the night in the village. You can turn this into a 2-day trip so we have more time to explore other villages (Richis, Malancrav, Alma Vii and Viscri). The itinerary will be customisable but we can go on short villages hikes, visit artisans and meet locals so you learn about their life. You'll spend the night in a traditional Saxon guesthouse with delicious home-cooked dinner and breakfast with locally-sourced ingredients.
[extra 190 Euro/person]

How to book?

Choose how many people and when
Request a booking and fill in your details
Flexible payment and cancelation
Guide answers in 24h
Children prices

2 x 110 Euro

How to book this tour?

Choose how many people and when
Request a booking and fill in your details
Flexible payment and cancelation
Guide answers in 24h
Children prices

Guide

Adela

66 REVIEWS

Hello, I'm Adela. Originally from Sibiu, I enjoy organising trips and Romanian experiences for people all over the world curious to explore and learn about the amazing natural, architectural and cultural patrimony Transylvania has.

I like: Making new friends and showing them my beautiful hometown. I enjoy history, geography, photography, politics, economy & business, sociology, reading and debating all kind of interesting subjects. I love coffee and good music:)

I speak: english, french, romanian, spanish

Cancelation & refund policy

Easy

Sends us or the guide an email 24h before the tour informing us you can't make it and you'll get a full refund of your payment, no questions asked.

Location details

Starting point: Sibiu
Nearest airport: Sibiu or Cluj International
Nearest train station: Sibiu Train Station
Landscape: Countryside and hills

See on the map

Frequently Asked Questions about the Transylvania tour from Sibiu

What are the Saxon fortified villages and why should I visit them?

The Saxon fortified villages are medieval settlements built by German colonists (Saxons) in Transylvania between the 12th and 16th centuries. Each village has a massive fortified church at its center, built to protect villagers from Ottoman and Tatar invasions. Several are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They're unique in Europe — nowhere else will you find this concentration of fortified churches surrounded by tiny, colorful villages that look almost unchanged since the Middle Ages.

Which villages does this tour visit?

The standard tour includes Sighisoara Citadel (a UNESCO-listed medieval town and birthplace of Vlad the Impaler) and one or two fortified villages depending on the route — typically Viscri (famous for King Charles's restored house) or Biertan (with an impressive triple-walled fortified church). Your guide can adjust based on your interests and time.

How long is the tour and what's included?

The tour is a full-day experience from Sibiu (approximately 8-10 hours). It includes transport by car and a local guide who knows the history and stories behind every village and church. Entrance fees to churches and the Sighisoara Clock Tower are not included but are very affordable (a few euros each).

Can I visit these villages on my own without a guide?

You can reach Sighisoara by train from Sibiu (about 2.5 hours), but the fortified villages like Viscri and Biertan have no public transport connections. You'd need a rental car to visit them independently. A guided tour is the most practical option because the villages are spread out, the roads between them are rural, and the guide provides historical context that makes the visit much richer.

Is this tour available year-round?

Yes, the tour runs year-round. The villages and churches are accessible in every season. Spring and summer offer the most pleasant weather and green landscapes. Autumn is beautiful with fall colors. Winter is quieter and colder, but the villages covered in snow have a fairy-tale quality. Some smaller churches may have limited winter opening hours — your guide will check in advance.

Should I extend this trip to 2 days?

If you can - yes. Besides being able to see more, you will also slow down and experience the rural atmosphere of Transylvania, which is what makes this region special. You'll stay in a typical village house turned guesthouse and eat delicious food. You will experience Transylvania - not just do a quick visit.

Reviews from travellers

Traute L. on 08.07.2024

Adele was a fanrastic guide! We enjoyed hearing the history and stories about Transsylvania!

Janet L. on 17.05.2024

It was very easy to book through Romanian Friend. The information was clear and it was easy to compare and choose suitable tours. We really loved our trip and Adela made sure to adapt the itinerary to our liking and interests. This was a highlight of our stay in Romania.

Adam H. on 18.06.2022

Booking this tour was an excellent option and exactly what I was looking for. Adela was accommodating and flexible and helped me see other interesting churches since I had previously been to Sighisoara. I definitely would recommend.

Hsiao-fang C. on 03.07.2019

It's an informative and rewarding trip with a helpful and friendly guide, thank you!

Tara R. on 07.07.2019

Adela was a great guide, informative and pleasant , someone who makes your trip very enjoyable and knowledgeable.

Matthew S. on 09.03.2019

Adela is a wonderful guide and the tour was a great day around old Saxon towns and villages. I would highly recommend this tour as a great introduction to the area with a guide who really cares about the history of Transylvania and Romania!

Ma C. on 25.09.2018

Professional, funny and timely services!

David S. on 18.06.2018

A very enjoyable tour, taking in the UNESCO sights, and the lovely landscapes of rural Transylvania. Our guide, Adela, was very informative, well organised, and most fluent in English. Thank you!

Claudia G. on 18.04.2018

Adela was great and very knowledgeable! We learned so much and had a great day! With help from Romanian Friend we were able to do this tour through a last minute booking. We definitely recommend Adela and Romanian Friend when visiting Romania!

James F. on 21.03.2018

Adela was a super guide with tremendous knowledge of Sibiu area and ability to help us understand the history of Transylvania, its architecture and the current economic conditions in Romania. Thank you!