Top Things to do in Central Romania
10 Points of Interest & Landmarks in Central Romania That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Central Romania, Romania including Citadel of Alba Iulia, Turnul Sfatului (The Tower of the Council), Sighisoara Clock Tower, Big Square (Piata Mare), Council Square, Sighisoara Historic Center, Catedrala Reintregirii Neamului (Coronation Cathedral), Carta Monastery, Strada Nicolae Balcescu, Piaka Mica.
Restaurants in Central Romania
1. Citadel of Alba Iulia
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 647 reviews
*** Alba Iulia - Alba Carolina Citadel *** A town coated by the legendary halo of the great historical events that took place within its ancient walls, Alba Iulia has deeply got into the Romanian people's mind and soul. No other Transylvanian town has gathered so many crucial meanings and symbols. With thousands and thousands of years of human existence lying behind it, Alba Iulia represents the charming mirror in which all the ethnic groups of Transylvania can discover their vigor or their traditions of yore. The heart of Alba Iulia is Alba Carolina Citadel. Alba Carolina, the most representative bastion fortress in Romania and Southeast Europe, built upon the initiative of Emperor Charles the VIth of Habsburg, under the supervision of the French-born Austrian field marshal Eugene of Savoy, is wearing its royal robe. A royal citadel, residence of the bishopric, capital of autonomous principality, and a military garrison, Alba Iulia has been during all historical periods the main political, administrative, religious, cultural, and military centre of Transylvania. We invite you to visit The Other Capital of Romania.
Reviewed By nicolaem249 - Alba Iulia, Romania
Over 70,000 square meters of History. The place where we see all the fortifications made in this place for over 2000 years. On the site of an old Romanian fortress was built a medieval fortress and a church at the same time as Notre Dame in Paris. But it suffered much more and was burned twice, one of its towers being destroyed. However, the new Fortress was built during the Habsburg Empire, and in 1918 was the place where the first King of united Romania was crowned. In Alba Iulia, the Orthodox Cathedral is the only one in the country that has hosted any coronation of the Kings of Greater Romania!
2. Turnul Sfatului (The Tower of the Council)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 487 reviews
Reviewed By charliesU224AJ - Victoria, Australia
Well worth the climb to the top for the views. And the late 1400's clock mechanism on the 6th floor was interesting.
3. Sighisoara Clock Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 909 reviews
Reviewed By mirunavrn - Bucharest, Romania
The Clock Tower is emblematic for the city. It is currently housing the History Museum of Sighisoara, where visitors can learn about the history of the city and see various well preserved objects and artifacts from different centuries. You can also go up and have an overview of the city.
4. Big Square (Piata Mare)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,349 reviews
Big Square is Sibiu’s historical centre, where there are important historical monuments, many of which are part of the UNESCO patrimony.
Reviewed By LolaGo1 - Washington DC, United States
It is a big Square where one can SEE and DO a lot of activities here: Visit Churches, Museums and other Attractions; Eat at restaurants and Coffee Shops; Shop at some stores; Relax and enjoy the ambience, Take selfies and other pictures, etc. Recommended to start your visit of Sibiu here!
5. Council Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,559 reviews
Reviewed By XamatTomax - Fort Wayne, United States
This is the heart of the city. With so many nearby restaurants and cafes, this is a vibrant area with locals and tourists. You can have a seat and watch people carrying bags from their shopping. Just around the corner from Old Town is the historic Black Church.
6. Sighisoara Historic Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,577 reviews
Reviewed By carolas936 - Marietta, United States
Sighisoara is an outstanding example of a small fortified city in the border region between the Latin-oriented central Europe and the Byzantine-Orthodox culture of south-eastern Europe. Castle walls enclose a steep plateau hill overlooking a bend in the Tirnava river (traces of occupation trace back to the Paleolithic period). Sighisoara was built in the 12th century by German craftsmen and merchants who were ordered by Hungarian rulers to colonize Transylvania to protect the Carpathian border against the Mongols. These Saxon settlers occupied City Hill; the town grew as a regional trading center, defensive outpost and transportation hub. Following the Mongolian invasion of 1241, the fortified settlement was reinforced with stone walls and guard towers surrounding the entire plateau. The town, known in 1280 as Castrum Sex, developed commercial activities thanks to the powerful guilds of craftsmen. Each guild was responsible for the construction of a tower and its defense. The town obtained the title ‘Civitas’ in 1367 and became an important trading and defensive center in Transylvania. Sighisoara heightened its walls between 1421 and 1526 in response to threatened Turkish invasions. During the 17th century, the population was reduced by almost half from two plague epidemics. Fires damaged the lower town in 1676, 1736 and 1788, floods in 1771, and an earthquake in 1838. Despite this, the area within the castle walls has rebuilt and kept its original medieval architecture, with narrow cobbled streets lined with rows of houses. Three main streets run roughly north-south, crossed by passages and alleyways. Houses are mostly two or three stories, the simple homes of craftsmen, built from stone or brick, covered in colored stucco, roofed with tiles, with a narrow facade along the street and an L- or U-shaped layout. Wandering the cobbled streets between medieval houses gave me a sense of what it would be like to live in a fortified castle. Sighisoara Historic Center was listed in 1999 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is accessible at all times with no entry fee.
7. Catedrala Reintregirii Neamului (Coronation Cathedral)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By wendyanddavid536 - Solihull, United Kingdom
Completed in 1922 for the coronation of King Ferdinand and Queen Marie after the unification of Romania in 1918. In plan it is based on a Greek cross with multiple domes topped with large decorated crosses. The inside walls, as in most Orthodox churches, are highly decorated with Biblical scenes, saints, martyrs, angels, Mary and Jesus. There are numerous lovely icons around the church and a huge iconostasis containing all of the usual icons. A truly wonderful place to visit.
8. Carta Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By ep-eml - Ploiesti, Romania
The Cistercian Abbey of Carta is placed in the Carta village. It can be easily reached from DN1 (Braşov - Sibiu) by following the indicators. The abbey is unique in Romania and the easternmost one in Europe. It was built around 1220 by Cistercian monks. You can visit the monastery ruins, which represent a really peaceful place. Between the old walls of the original church there is a small cemetery of German soldiers from the First World War. The choir from the original monastery is now transformed in a small but very nice church. In the nearby of the ruins there is a museum, an info point and a restaurant with good food and prices. Carta Cistercian Abbey is a must-see place when you visit Transylvania or Sibiu area.
9. Strada Nicolae Balcescu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By 837kristinav - Belgrade, Serbia
Nice, wide pedestrian street with lots of cafes and restaurants. If you need an exchange office, you can find few of them here. It looks gorgeous in the summer night. Very lively and pleasant, and a bit romantic.
10. Piaka Mica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 295 reviews
Reviewed By Tiberiu_Baranyi - Timisoara, Romania
Another iconic place in Sibiu is the "Piata Mica" or Small square if you like. It is right next to the Big square and you can walk here from right under the townconcil tower (tell you about it in another review). As its name is stating is kind of small - but it is actually not that small but since there are a lot of parking spots around it - yes you can come with the car and park in the small square - not free so don't forget to pay your parking ticket. To mention a few points of interest: - the ASTRA museum - Bridge of Lies - Town Council Tower. - easy access to the Huet square - restaurants and cafes So for sure it is definitely worth it to include this place in your tour of Sibiu city - would be nice for you to take a guided tour of the place so you get the most out of your visit. Also check out the pastries, restaurants and cafes in the square - so you have everything needed at your convenience. Overall is one of the landmarks to hat you meed to visit when in Sibiu - enjoy!
