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Escape the city and explore the heart of Transylvania on this authentic countryside tour from Sibiu. With less time driving and more outdoor experiences, this journey takes you through some of the most charming Saxon and Romanian villages, where history, culture, and traditions blend beautifully.
We’ll visit Cisnădie and Cisnădioara, two former Saxon towns with medieval fortifications, and Rășinari and Sibiel, traditional Romanian villages full of character. Each place has unique stories to tell, from centuries-old churches to picturesque streets and vibrant rural life.
For centuries, Romanians and Transylvanian Saxons coexisted in this region, shaping the local culture, architecture, gastronomy, and customs. Therefore, this tour is a perfect way to understand their legacy while strolling through villages, discovering hidden gems, and experiencing the rhythm of daily life in rural Transylvania.
Thus, to make your experience even more immersive, we can enjoy a traditional lunch with locals, tasting authentic regional dishes. The day ends with a visit to the Astra Museum, the largest open-air museum in Europe, where you’ll step back in time and explore traditional wooden houses, mills, and rural crafts.
✅ What makes this tour special?
Book your Sibiu countryside tour today and experience the true essence of Transylvania!
Departure from/ Arrival in Sibiu or anywhere around, at request.
The departure hour is set together with our guests.
What are we visiting during our Sibiu – Countryside tour? We’ll explore the countryside region around Sibiu, enjoy the mountain views and learn about the Saxon and Romanian communities. Thus, we’ll visit various villages and sights, have easy hikes, enjoy the nature, the local patrimony and, why not, the tasty gastronomy.
It will be a long day with less driving and more walks so take comfortable shoes!
We’ll start the day with a visit to Cisnadie (or Heltau), a former Saxon town. We’ll explore its fortified church, recently restored, with its great architecture and many interesting stories about the life of the Saxon communities (the brave ones can try a visit up in the tower and attic – quite an adventure!).
Have a look at our Youtube visit in Cisnadie!
Next, we’ll head to Sibiel, a charming Romanian village nestled at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. Known for its delicious orchards, Sibiel is the perfect place for a relaxing hike along the Apple Trail, where we’ll walk through scenic fruit-filled landscapes and enjoy breathtaking views over the village.
Sibiel is famous for its annual Apple Fair, held on the last Sunday of October, where locals gather to sell a variety of fresh apples, natural juices, homemade pies, and traditional dairy and meat products. It’s a fantastic opportunity to experience authentic rural life, meet the villagers, and taste locally made delicacies.
In addition to its natural beauty, Sibiel is home to the Glass Icon Museum, a unique exhibition founded over 40 years ago, showcasing an impressive collection of hand-painted glass icons, a traditional Transylvanian folk art. For an even more immersive experience, we can stop for a homemade lunch at a local artisan’s household, where you’ll enjoy a true taste of traditional Romanian cuisine.
Our final stop on this countryside adventure is the Astra Museum, the largest open-air museum in Europe, set in a stunning natural landscape. Nestled within a forest and surrounding a tranquil lake, this living museum offers a fascinating glimpse into traditional rural life in Romania.
With over 10 km of scenic pathways, the museum is home to historic rural households, artisan workshops, wooden churches, small shrines, sheepfolds, and impressive water and windmills. As we stroll through this immersive space, we’ll discover how communities once lived, worked, and preserved their crafts over the centuries.
Recognized internationally for its exceptional heritage conservation, the Astra Museum has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Europa Nostra Prize (2017) and a coveted 3-star rating in the Michelin Travel Guide. It’s the perfect place to end our journey with a relaxing and insightful visit, exploring the rich traditions that continue to define rural Romania.