Romania road trip: Sibiu's accommodation and the Christmas market

From Brasov to Sibiu

The following destination in our journey among Romania is the city of Sibiu. We are coming to here from Brașov and we have in plan first to go to our booked accommodation and then get something to eat because we are starving after a full day of visiting and walking.

Finding a parking spot again

The same problem we had in Brasov with finding a parking spot for the car we also encounter in Sibiu. So, we ask the owner of the apartment if he can offer a parking place for our car, but unfortunately, there is no such thing and we have to perceive one which happens to be a difficult task to do in a crowded touristy city, but we manage something in the end.

From this experience I have also a recommendation for every visitor that wants to go to Sibiu and that’s, when they are booking the accommodation, to inform themselves if the housing gives that too.

The Sibiu's accommodation

We arrive at our apartment named “The green place” located on Tribunei street at number 7, very near to the Sibiu old town.

The accommodation is not so beautiful as the one we just had in Brasov of which you can read more about here: Brașov, the best accommodation ever, but the place looks comfortable, clean and reasonable regarding the price quality ratio.

Having an unpleasant situation

Thus, we have a problem with the hot running water in the bathroom which is not working. So, in this given situation, we call the owner of the flat and explain to him what’s happening and, because we can’t solve the malfunction by ourselves, in the end, he comes to the apartment and tries to fix the hot water, but the kitchen gets a bit flooded with water from the installation.

He apologizes many times about the unpleasant situation and decides to refund the price we paid for the accommodation, speaking of which, we would have to pay 50 lei per person meaning around 10 euros.

We are satisfied with the other aspects of the accommodation like comfort, placement, overall aspect, but we don’t appreciate the fact that the hot water is not working, thus we accept the refund that the owner offers us and take in consideration his honest gesture.

The accommodation: recommended or not?

In another thoughts, if the problem with the hot water gets fixed, I recommend travellers the apartment because, as I already mentioned, the location is pretty good and the place is nice and clean, perfect for a group of 5 to 6 persons, the flat having 2 large bedrooms, a kitchen, a hallway and a bathroom.

At first, a different small aspect that we noticed when we arrived at the accommodation is linked with the fact that the building where the apartment is situated looks not so good, the construction appearing old and so taking care of.

To eat or to go to the Christmas market?

Leaving this unpleasant problem behind, we get out in the city and, in an instance, because we so hungry, we are searching for a place to eat, but soon we realize that the Christmas market is going to close early at 10.00 PM meaning that we would have only 1 hour left to enjoy it, thus, we decide to visit the fair first and then grab something to eat.

Sibiu Christmas market in in the top of the most attractive Christmas fairs in Europe

The third Christmas market we go to in the episode called “Friends are visiting” happens to be the most famous fair of such kind not only in Romania, but in Europe too, the Sibiu Christmas market being included in a top of the most attractive Christmas markets in Europe.

Early on, when we were in the car listening to the radio, the market was presented repeatedly just like this, thus it made us even more excited to arrive in Sibiu and live the experience by ourselves.

Generally, Sibiu or Hermannstadt, as the city is also well known especially by german people, is already a wonderful unique city due to its germanic colorful medieval architecture which gives it a fairytale vibe especially in the winter when the red roofs are covered in snow and there are long traces of smoke on the sky coming from the chimneys and now, with the Christmas market, the city gains even more beauty and coziness.

The Sibiu Christmas market which in present competes with the famous fairs in Germany is unfolding among the bright constructions of the Piata Mare Square and as we enter it, coming from the other square named Piata Mica, we are instantly overwhelmed by the large amount of the small light decorations and all of the good energy overflowing in the air- should it be the sweet scent of the mulled wine to blame?

The mighty Christmas tree and the spinning wheel 

Right in the center of attention is, of course, the great Christmas tree, a spruce decorated carefully with red and golden globes and an installation with tiny lights which reflect their brightness making the globes to shine as well.

A different installation looking like a star curtain begins in the center of the market and opens up widely towards each corner of it.

Besides the all time present main character of every single market, the mighty flourish fir tree, another important attraction of the fair, especially for children, is the spinning wheel which at night appears magical being also lightened up and contributing to the dream like aspect of the entire place.

For those who are maybe afraid of heights, and for smaller children too, the carousel can be the second entertaining option.

We are actually thinking of experiencing the spinning wheel, but there are too many people waiting in line for getting a ride, thus, even if we bet the views over the lively and sparkling Great Square would have been charming from up there, we are finally satisfied with what we can see and sense from below, among the many people.

Contemporary projections are invigorating the buildings of the old town

The traditional Christmas lights and decorations are not the only things used for animating the market and, apart from these, on the buildings surrounding the "Piata Mare" are projected various images representing winter landscapes with snowed fluffy trees and starry blue skies or snowed windows with roofs from which are hanging sharp icicles.

I am sure the aim is to give people the feeling of being inside a perfect winter tale where the atmosphere is cozy, peaceful and romantic.

Walking through the over 100 wooden cottage stores

We introduce ourselves into the good bustle and hustle of the Christmas market and even if it closes in less than an hour, there are so many people around.

Everybody’s attention is captured by something different, thus, our group splits and for some time each of us is wondering through the wooden nicely decorated cottages.

The local merchants are offering for sale lots of produces starting with delicious foods like “kurtoskalacs” – also known as chimney cakes and consisting in a spiral of sweet dough baked over charcoal and topped with sugar, walnuts or coconut and that, unfortunately for me, is not a vegan sweet – chocolate salami – which a friend and I end up buying and delight in its aromatic taste – ginger bread cookies, roasted caramel nuts, sausages or cheese brought from the nearby farms and many more such goodies, handmade crafts like jewelries, crocheted gloves, caps and sweaters, toys or decorations for the Christmas tree, the house.

My brother and I are totally attracted by a wooden cottage which sells ceramic decorations among which we really like the colorful bells, but we end up buying as a small sweet souvenir a delicate blue magnet representing a fragile beautiful snow flake.

Recommended or not?

Sibiu Christmas market has definitely awakened the holiday spirit, everything is lightened up and decorated with a good taste, merchants are offering high quality products.

Of all the Christmas fairs I attended this year, the one in the old town of Sibiu finishes rating on the first place particularly due to its magical atmosphere, the feeling of being in a winter tale even if, unfortunately, it wasn’t snow yet.

The end of the day: food and sleep

After we turn several times through the Christmas fair, the hunger really kicks in and we leave the "Piata Mare" Square, enter on another main street called Nicolae Balcescu on which we find the fast food restaurant "Super Mamma". Here we have something to eat and drink and than we go straight to the accommodation because we are too tired to do anything else.

After a good night sleep we will be ready and energized to get to discover much more of Sibiu and we will be focusing on its main attractions and landmarks, so stay tuned for that. 

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