Experience in Sibiu, Romania by Alex

What is it like to live in Sibiu? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

It`s a small city, but it offers everything you can think about, nice places to visit and where you can experience the traditional cuisine, restaurants, bars, clubs, supermarkets and a commercial center, parks and a huge natural museum. It is a capital of culture, with a lot of national and international festivals. There`s always a concert or an event going on. It`s a great place to live or to experience as a tourist.

The best word to describe it is "amazing".

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What is the student lifestyle like in Sibiu?

Sibiu has 3 universities, 2 big libraries, lots of places where students can go in their free time to relax, either they just want to grab a coffee in the afternoon or to party in the evening. For the ones that like to do sports, there are modern gyms in every neighborhood, places for activities with friends (like carting, paintball, football, tennis, basketball), or you can book an organised trip in the mountains or an adventurous trip with a KTM (Sibiu is famous for organizing every year the most spectacular enduro competition in Europe - "Romaniacs"). For foreign students that like to experience the traditional life, in the week-ends they can go in the surroundings, by car or by bus, where they can enjoy traditional festivals of food, music and dance. For the ones that like culture, you should know that Sibiu is an European Capital of Culture, it has lots of museums that host some of the greatest works of art of famous local and international artists and it is the host of many national and international festivals (like the International Theatre Festival).

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How much does it cost to live in Sibiu?

Depending on what type of accommodation you are looking for, as a student, there are multiple options: you can pay for a bachelor flat (at a price starting from 150 euro), or for a room in a shared apartment (around 90 euro). Food can be found at reasonable prices, even for the ones that are lazy to cook at home. The city is small, so it`s easy just to walk, wherever you want to go, or you can take the bus for any destination, any time from 6 am to 11 pm, for a fee of 1. 5 lei/ticket (that`s around 40 cents) or 25 lei for a month (around 6-7 euro if you are a student). there`s also a train station and an international airport, both of them close to the city.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Sibiu? Is there any advice you can give?

It`s easy to find accommodation, you can simply look for announcements in the local newspapers or on the internet. Unfortunately, not many can be found in English, but most of the people, especially the young ones, they speak English, so it`s easy to just ask for information and most probably and answer will be given.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Food can be found everywhere, depending on what you want and like to eat. There are a lot of fast-foods, like local brands and international ones (McDonald's and KFC), traditional restaurants, places for students that offer good food that is also cheap, and lots of shops and markets where you can buy stuff if you like to cook for yourself.

What places would you recommend visiting in Sibiu?

The Brukenthal Museum, the Astra Museum of Folkloric Traditional Civilization, Holy Trinity Cathedral (orthodox church) and the Evangelic Church, the Council Tour of Sibiu and all the other small tours that are part of the old fortress which was surrounding the city during medieval times, the Bridge of Lies, and the charming streets from the old city center. Outside of Sibiu (30 km far, there is the Paltinis resort, where, during winter times, people can enjoy skiing or spending a week-end or more at one of the hotels in the mountains). Other destinations that are close to Sibiu, and that are nice to escape during the week-end, are Cisnadie, Cisnadioara, Avrig, or, for a more traditional experience, Jina, Sibiel, Gura Raului or Sadu.

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Is it good to eat out in Sibiu? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Some of the best places to eat: La Turn (oldest restaurant in Sibiu), La Pasaj, Crama Sibiana, Crama Ileana, Hermania, Butoiul de aur, Max Restaurant (Ocnei street... I really adore that place, especially in summer), Crama din Batrani (outside the city), or, if you want to try some local fast-food flavours, you can go to Super Mamma.

Is the nightlife good in Sibiu? Where is good to go?

It`s good and it`s everywhere. Most of the places are a good choice :) but if you are not to much of a party animal and you just like to go out with friends and enjoy some quality live music, I recommend Imperium Pub, Music Pub and Oldies Pub in the city center or any of the nice coffee places in the old city center (ask for "Piata Mica"), where you can also eat something good.

What advice would you give future students heading to Sibiu?

Sibiu is perhaps not one of the biggest university centers in the country, but it`s great from any other point of view and it can offer a great experience to anyone that goes there. So, once you get here, enjoy it! :)