11 Fantastic Things to Do in Sighisoara for Solo Travelers

11 Best Things to Do in Sighisoara

1. Admire the Beautiful of Sighisoara's Clock Tower

Sighisoara's Clock Tower is the crowned jewel of Sighisoara. Standing right at the center of Sighisoara Citadel, marking its entrance, the clock tower is one of the most iconic and prominent landmarks in the city. In fact, it is one of the main reasons why I decided to check out Sighisoara in the first place.

The tower was constructed in the 14th century as part of the town's fortifications and served as the main gate into the fortified city. You will be walking through it as you make your way from the city of Sighisoara to the Citadel.

The clock tower stands at a height of 64 meters and is easily recognizable by its green copper dome roof, pointed turrets, and clock face with Roman numerals, which you can see from across the city.

It is made of stone, with a rectangular base and a hexagonal upper level. The tower's roof is adorned with beautiful patterned tiles and a weather vane in the shape of a rooster at the top, which is a symbol of good luck.

You can get inside the tower and check out the 3-level city museum inside, each with its own unique feature. The ground floor was once used as a prison and now houses a collection of medieval weapons and armor.

The first floor is home to the History Museum of Sighisoara, where visitors can learn about the town's rich history and culture. The second floor is the Clock Room, where you can see the inner workings of the clock and the mechanisms that make it tick.

The third floor is the Bell Room, which houses the tower's original bell, dating back to the 17th century. You can also see the tower's clock mechanism and weights as well as walk onto its balcony and enjoy the sweeping view of Sighisoara from above.

The observational deck at the top of the Clock Tower offers one of the best views over Sighisoara. You will be able to see Sighisoara Citadel in its entirety as well as the beautiful landscapes surrounding the city.

It is one of the best things to do in Sighisoara, so be sure to spend some time exploring the Clock Tower. The place is open from 9 AM to 3:30 PM every day except on Mondays, and the entrance fee is 16 RON or 3 EUR, which I think is worth every dime.

2. Track Down all the Watchtowers of Sighisoara

If you just came down from the Clock Tower, you have probably spotted a few medieval watchtowers scattering across Sighisoara's Citadel. These towers were mostly built in the 14th Century as part of the fortification of the citadel, and they are often named after the guild that often used these towers as their headquarters.

One of the first watchtowers you will encounter as you walk through the Clock Tower and arrive in the Citadel is the Ironsmiths' Tower, an extremely well-preserved watchtower where the guild of ironworkers used to reside in the city back in the day.

As you walk south towards the southeastern corner of the Citadel, you will also find the Tinsmiths' Tower, another beautiful watchtower, surrounded by grasses and trees and has taken over the place since it was abandoned by, you guessed it, the guild of tinsmiths.

Along the southwestern corner all the way to the northern side of the citadel, you will also find the Ropemakers' Tower, the Butchers' Tower, and the Carpenter's Tower, which goes to show just how prosperous the city was to have so many guilds residing at the citadel during its heyday.

These are some of the oldest parts of the city, and seeing them will give us a glimpse of what it must have been like to live inside the citadel's walls during the medieval times so be sure to track them all down while you explore Sighisoara.

3. Explore the Colorful Streets of Sighisoara Citadel

As you probably realized by now, Sighisoara Citadel is where we will be spending the most time exploring this city since most of the tourist attractions are concentrated within the fortified walls of the citadel.

That said, not all tourist attractions and beautiful corners of Sighisoara are marked on the map. For example, all the colorful streets you see in the photos above, I stumbled upon them accidentally as I got lost in the crisscrossing streets of the citadel.

It is one of the best places to get lost in on purpose as the citadel is not very big, but it has a ton of hidden gems and corners waiting to be discovered, so be sure to spend some time and get lost in the colorful street of the Citadel.

4. Hang Out at Piața Cetății

If you are looking for a nice place to hang out as you take a break from exploration, Piața Cetății, or Citadel Square is a great place to do so with plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops you can indulge yourself.

The square is surrounded by some of the most colorful medieval buildings, and you can see some of the most iconic landmarks in Sighisoara from here, like the Clock Tower and even the church on the Hill we will be visiting later.

The square was built in the 12th century by Saxon settlers, and the place has since been preserved for more than 850 years, providing us a glimpse of the history and culture of Transylvanian Saxons that is unique to Romania, unlike the Slavic cultures that swept much of the Balkans for the longest time.

Right on this street, you will also find the House where Vlad, the Impaler, the real-life Dracula, was born and every year, Sighisoara celebrates its roots and hosts a medieval festival where arts and crafts blend with rock music and stage plays, creating a spectacle unlike anything you've seen before, so be sure to drop by here when you can.

5. Learn About the Real-life Dracula at Vlad Dracul House

As mentioned earlier, Vlad, the Impaler, was born in one of the houses right at Piața Cetății, and it has since been converted into Vlad Dracul House, a museum dedicated to telling the story of Vlad III, who was a 15th-century ruler of Wallachia and the inspiration behind the famous novel, "Dracula."

The museum features exhibits that showcase Vlad's history, including his military campaigns, his brutal tactics, and his legacy, although the information is rather sparse, and most of the decorations feel more like a tourist trap than a real recreation of his legacy, so I personally wouldn't recommend going inside the museum.

That said, it is still nice to know where Vlad, the Impaler, was born and take a photo of his house as a memory that you have made it to the birthplace of Dracula. If you insist on getting in, the museum is open from 10 AM to 10 PM every day except on Mondays, and the entrance fee is 10 RON.

6. Check Out Sighisoara City Hall

One of the most impressive Renaissance buildings you should check out while you are here is Sighisoara City Hall, a historic building originally built in the 14th century as a courthouse and administrative center for the town's officials.

The building features a Renaissance architecture style and is adorned with beautiful frescoes and sculptures. The main entrance is marked by a stone archway that leads into a spacious courtyard surrounded by elegant colonnades.

Unfortunately, it is not open to the public when I was there, so I didn't get to tour inside. That said, the garden behind the City Hall is full of flowers, and the views of Sighisoara you can see from here is something, and definitely worth checking out while you are here.

There are several park benches along the garden that overlooks the city, which makes for an excellent place to see, especially during sunrise when the first light hits the city as the sun reveals itself from behind the mountainous landscapes surrounding Sighisoara. It is quite a sight to behold.

7. Visit St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church

Located in the northern corner of the Citadel, next to the Carpenter Tower, you will find a beautiful St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church and its peaceful garden where you can explore.

The church was built in the early 20th century in the Gothic Revival style featuring a large, white-washed facade that looks new and modern, making it quite stand out from the rest of the structures around Sighisoara.

The interior is also nothing special, with wooden benches and a few nice sculptures you can check out. That said, what I love most about the church is its quiet and peaceful garden full of colorful flowers in front of it.

There are several benches you can sit and relax, or you can walk along the northern walls of the citadel and admire the view of the Lower Town of Sighisoara. It is way quieter than behind the City Hall, so if you are looking for a quiet and peaceful place to relax in the citadel, be sure to check out St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church and its garden.

8. Walk The Covered Stairway

One of the most unique pieces of architecture in Sighisoara that you should check out is the Covered Stairway, a 17th-century stairway that was built for students to use to allow them to walk from the lower part of the citadel to the upper part, where a school and a church are located.

The stairway is covered by a vaulted roof, which protects pedestrians from the elements and provides a striking visual contrast with the surrounding buildings. The roof is supported by arches and columns, which add to the staircase's structural stability and aesthetic appeal.

You can climb the 175 steps to reach the top of the Citadel Hill and explore its many historic sites, including all the old watchtowers along the fortification walls, the Church on the Hill, and the Saxon Cemetery, which we will be visiting next.

9. Check Out the Church on the Hill

The Church on the Hill or Biserica din Deal is the church where the Covered Stairway will take you to. It is located on the top of the hill overlooking both the Citadel itself and the entire Sighisoara city below.

The Church on the Hill was built in the 14th Century in a Gothic style, characterized by its tall, pointed arches, soaring vaulted ceilings, and intricate stone carvings.

It features a large, impressive bell tower that can be seen from all around the town. The interior of the church is equally stunning, with beautiful stained glass windows, elaborate frescoes, and a striking altar that you can check out.

The church also houses a small museum that showcases artifacts and objects from the church's history, as well as the history of the town and its people. Although you have to pay to get inside, which is rather uncommon for a church. The entrance fee is 2 EUR, and you will get to appreciate its unique interior and all its stone and wooden sculptures inside.

While you are here, be sure to walk behind the church and go for a stroll around the peaceful and quiet Saxon Cemetery that dates back to the 14th century when it was originally used as the burial ground for the town's Saxon community.

It contains over 3000 graves, many of which belong to prominent members of the Saxon community, including soldiers, merchants, and craftsmen. It is one of the most sacred places in the city, so be sure to check it out while you are here.

10. Hang Out at the Umbrella Street

If you are looking for a place to hang out in the evening, I highly recommend you check out the beautiful Umbrella Street or Octavian Goga Street, located on the foothill of Sighisoara Citadel.

Octavian Goga Street is decorated with colorful umbrella art installations that cover much of the street and are lined on both sides; you will find all kinds of cafes and restaurants you can enjoy.

It is one of the liveliest places in the city, with street performers, musicians, and artisans often plying their trade along the sidewalks, making it a great place to hang out, so be sure to stop by here after you are done, exploring Sighisoara.

11. Visit the Holy Trinity Church

One of the most prominent landmarks in Sighisoara that are located outside the Citadel is the Holy Trinity Church, a massive Orthodox church standing right on the picturesque bank of Crisul Alb River, a great place to drop by as you explore Sighisoara outside its fortified walls.

The church was built in the 17th century by Prince Vasile Lupu, one of the most important rulers of the Moldavian principality, and is characterized by its unique combination of Byzantine and Gothic architectural styles.

The Holy Trinity Church is renowned for its massive white exterior, the striking bell tower, and the large central dome that can be seen throughout the city. With all the medieval buildings and structures you see in Sighisoara, it is great to see a Byzantine and Gothic-style Orthodox Church for a change.

If you want to explore other parts of Sighisoara outside of its walls, be sure to stop by the Holy Trinity Church and check out the picturesque surroundings, which for me, was even more interesting than the church itself.

What to Eat and Drink in Sighisoara?

1. Get a Cup of Coffee at The Bean Specialty Coffee

The Bean Specialty Coffee is one of my favorite places to visit whenever I need a little coffee and pastry fix while I explore Sighisoara.

The cafe is located not too far from Umbrella Street and has a cozy home-feeling atmosphere, perfect for sitting and enjoying a nice cup of morning coffee with a croissant or a sandwich, all at a rather affordable price.

They also serve burgers and beers, making it a great place to hang out both during the day and at night. The cafe is open from 8 AM to 9 PM every day, so if you are looking for a nice place to hang out in Sighisoara, be sure to check out The Bean Specialty Coffee.

Further Reading for Romania

• Want to plan a trip to the Balkans, but not sure where to go? Here is the 31 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Balkans.
• For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
• For a complete itinerary of Romania, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Romania Itinerary.
• A trip to Romania won't be complete without visiting Bucharest, the capital city. If you are planning to visit this city, here are the 14 Best Things to Do in Bucharest.
• Brasov is the gateway to Transylvania, and it is home to some of the most beautiful castles in Romania, such as Peles and Bran Castle. If you are looking to visit this beautiful city, here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Brasov.
• The second largest city in Romania, Cluj-Napoca, is one of the best places to visit to get the real feel of what it is like to live in Transylvania. To help plan your trip here, here are the 13 Best Things to Do in Cluj-Napoca.
• Timișoara, the city of flowers, is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Transylvania. From exploring the charming town squares to soaring churches, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Timișoara.
• Known as one of the most beautiful cities in Romania, you can't travel all the way to Romania without visiting Sibiu. Wondering what some cool things you can do there are? Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Sibiu.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Romania, visit the Romania Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Balkans Travel Guide, Eastern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.