‘Enchanting' European city is a hidden gem with £1 pints and new £18 flights

Metro

2 days ago

It's barely even summer, but if you're already eyeing up an autumn getaway, Wizz Air has just announced a new route that won't break the bank.
The budget airline is launching twice-weekly flights from Birmingham to Sibiu, an 'enchanting' medieval city in central Romania, this October – with fares starting at just £17.99 one-way.
The historic city lies in the heart of Transylvania, a region famous for its vampire legends and Count Dracula.
The bloodthirsty character, popularised by Bram Stoker's 1897 novel, is based on Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia.
The 15th-century prince displayed 20,000 of his enemies impaled on sticks and happens to be a distant relative of King Charles III.
With fairytale streets, gothic architecture and an eerie atmosphere, it's essentially the perfect Halloween getaway.
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And if the culture doesn't tempt you, the price of a beer might. Romania is one of the cheapest countries in Europe for alcohol, with pints in Sibiu costing as little as £1 in some bars, putting the UK's £5 average to shame.
So, what does this hidden gem actually offer?
Compared to other Romanian cities, like its capital, Bucharest, Sibiu is relatively small. And, despite attracting plenty of visitors, it is generally considered a hidden gem.
The medieval city is divided into two areas: the Upper Town and the Lower Town. The Upper Town is perched on a hill and was once home to aristocrats and the religious elite.
You'll find grand squares and palaces, and Saint Mary's Evangelical Cathedral, an imposing Gothic-style cathedral. The Lower Town was home to Craftsmen, Merchants and artists and is known for its colourful houses and cobblestone streets.
Transylvania's ties to Dracula often draw people to the region, and you can find links to the tale in Sibiu. The city is said to be the burial place of Dracula's son, 'Cel Rau' (the Evil One).
It's a secret that very few people know when visiting, according to Visit Sibiu. It's said he was assassinated outside Sibiu's Evangelical Church in Piata Huet and buried there.
Visitors have described Sibiu as both enchanting and eerie, and a large reason for this is its architecture.
Across the town, you'll find dozens of houses with small dormers that look like half-open eyelids. The unique feature has earned Sibiu the nickname 'The City with Eyes'.
Most were built in the 19th century; however, some date back to the 15th century. Legends say they were built to frighten people, making them believe they are being watched. But they actually just act as a ventilation system for the houses' attics.
Either way, they're definitely a little unsettling and Big Brother-esque.
After all that exploring, you'll likely want to get off your feet. And there are plenty of bars and traditional restaurants to do so.
Eastern Europe is known for having affordable beer prices compared to Western Europe, and Sibiu is no exception. Recent research by Finder ranked Romania as the tenth cheapest place to enjoy a pint in Europe.
The price of a glass of beer costs just £1.85, significantly lower than the average London pint at £6.75.
If you're after some sunshine, the best time to visit Sibiu is between May and October, when the weather is pleasant.
Temperatures can reach up to 30 ° C during the summer months (July and August), however, these are the busiest months. So, if you don't like sweltering crowds, perhaps consider a different time.
The shoulder seasons (April and May) and autumn (September and October) can offer tourists some respite from crowds. The weather is still pleasant, but there are typically fewer people visiting.
So, maybe bag yourself some Wizz Air flights for October.
Sibiu is a great destination for those looking for a cheap city break. You can find accommodation for less than £40 per night.
The Ibis Styles is a budget-friendly option for travellers, with prices starting at £35 per night on Booking.com.
But, if you're looking for something a bit more luxe, the four-star Continental Forum has rooms for £70 per night, set in a historic building in the centre of Sibiu.
There are also plenty of options in the city's old town. The Pension Casa Frieda, an 18th-century building converted into a guesthouse, has rooms for £35 a night, while Hotel Casa Luxemburg, located amongst Sibiu's medieval streets, has rooms for £60 a night. More Trending
Sibiu is a great place to tick off when exploring the wider Transylvania region, so many travellers will stay for 24 hours or less before heading on to other destinations.
If that's the kind of break you're after, it's a two-hour drive from Brașov, another medieval city located in the Carpathian Mountains, that's known for its Saxon walls and Gothic churches.
Sibiu is also close to Bran, the ultimate Dracula destination. The commune is just two hours away and is the home to the gothic Bran Castle – a popular tourist destination famously marketed as 'Dracula's Castle' despite the fact it has no real connection to Bram Stoker's novel.
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