As a Romanian, I can tell you that the Sibiu Christmas Market is the best in the country. There are many Christmas Markets organized in big cities such as Brasov, Bucharest, or Iasi but the one in Sibiu is truly unique.
The Sibiu Christmas Market is located in the heart of Transylvania and it attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year. Although many Romanians come to see it, I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were lots of foreigners too.
The Christmas Market of Sibiu is already at its 13th edition and it’s located, as always, in the Grand Square. Be prepared for a unique experience. There are tons of activities available, great food, and beautiful souvenirs.
In this article, you’ll find out everything you need to know about the best Christmas Market in Romania. Let’s start with a few important details.
1. Sibiu Christmas Market dates and opening hours
This year the market starts on the 15th of November 2019 and ends on 3rd January 2020. Sibiu Christmas Market is opened daily from 10 am until 10 pm.
We decided to visit it during the weekend and it wasn’t the best decision. Even though during the day the Sibiu Christmas Market was not very crowded, during the evening we could barely move.
If you have the time and if the schedule allows you, I recommend visiting it Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
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2. Sibiu Christmas Market location
The market is located in the Grand Square (Piata Mare) of Sibiu. However, you’ll find a few shops in the Small Square (Piata Mica), near the Bridge of Lies too. The two squares are within walking distance from one another and I recommend visiting both.
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3. The best time to visit Sibiu Christmas Market
As I said before, I recommend avoiding the weekend since the market is very busy. Romanians from all around the country come during the weekend to see the Christmas Market and it’s frustrating to wait half an hour to buy a Langos.
Once the sun sets, the lights are turned on and the atmosphere in the market changes completely. I recommend visiting the Sibiu Christmas Market after the sunset. There are also projections on the nearby buildings with Christmas themed illustrations.
4. About Sibiu Christmas Market
The market was opened for the first time in 2007, the year when Sibiu was designated as the European Cultural Capital. The Sibiu Christmas Market is now organized by the City Council in partnership with the Embassy of Austria.
Here you’ll find more than 100 stalls, selling all kinds of food, souvenirs, and drinks. My favorite is the cinnamon wine and kurtos but I’ll talk more about these later.
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5. What to expect at Sibiu Christmas Market
There are lots of fun activities you can do and the atmosphere is incredible. The wooden houses, the beautiful projections, the skating rink, the big wheel, everything is well-thought and organized.
The first thing we saw when we entered the market was the huge skating rink. Children and adults alike were skating happily and having fun. The rink has a surface of 600 square meters and it has a capacity of 300 people.
Opposite to the skating rink is the big panoramic wheel. For 20 RON per ride, you can enjoy a panoramic view over the Sibiu Christmas Market. The wheel has a height of 22 meters and it’s brand new.
If you’re planning to visit the market with children, I have good news for you. There is a Santa Claus Park where the little ones can ride a train. There is also a beautiful carousel right in the center of the Sibiu Christmas Market.
For those who want to go shopping, there are plenty of options.
In terms of food, I recommend trying the Kurtos Kolac (also known as Chimney Cake) and Langos (a Hungarian specialty that is served with cheese and sour cream). You’ll also find burgers, hot-dogs, fries, and many other delicious foods.
There are also many stalls selling souvenirs (accessories, decorations, clothes). I loved the wooden decorations and ended up buying a few for my home.
6. Final thoughts
If you want to go to a Christmas Market in Transylvania, choose the one in Sibiu. I absolutely loved it even though I only spent 2 days in the city.
Apart from the Christmas Market, Sibiu is a beautiful city and it has tons of awesome tourist attractions. The architecture is amazing, the food is great, and the people are super-friendly. I can’t wait to go back but this time during the summer.
7. Where to stay in Sibiu
Finding accommodation during the Christmas Market can be challenging. I suggest booking your hotel at least a few weeks in advance. I’ve been searching for the best hotels in Sibiu, for every budget, and below are my recommendations.
- Budget – Family Fewo – good location, very spacious and clean rooms, very clean, excellent amenities
- Mid Budget – Kaya Home – excellent location, luxurious design, very clean and spacious, friendly staff
- Luxury – Rabbit Hole – fairy tale design. excellent location near the Grand Square, extremely clean, modern vibe
I’m sure that you’ll have a lot of fun at the Sibiu Christmas Market. I loved it and I will definitely be back next year. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section below.
May the travel bug bite you!
Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. With a 4-year experience as a travel writer and photographer, Aurelia only shares travel guides about destinations that she visited.
She has been to more than 40 countries during the past 10 years and aims to explore 50 countries before turning 30 years old. Aurelia is a digital nomad who transformed her passion for travel into a lifestyle. Read more about her here.
To follow her adventures, check out her Instagram and Facebook pages!