Historically, the Middle Ages saw Transylvania, then part of the Kingdom of Hungary, colonized by various populations from Western Europe. Today, these people are known as ‘Saxons’. Concurrently, Transylvania faced frequent invasions from Mongols and Ottomans. Indeed, this constant threat significantly contributed to the massive migration of Western populations to the region.

Consequently, Saxon settlements organized themselves around central churches. These churches were subsequently fortified in stages, enabling inhabitants to seek refuge during wartime. Beyond these, the Saxons also fortified their towns; seven of them became so renowned for their defences that they inspired Transylvania’s German name: Siebenburgen (‘the seven fortified towns’). Among these, Sibiu emerged as the best-defended Saxon town, a heritage you will discover.

Saxon Transylvania: rural traditions & urban heritage

Embark on a memorable Sibiu day tour from Cluj, beginning at 8:30 a.m. This journey to Southern Transylvania immerses you in the region’s profound Saxon heritage, shaped by centuries of history.

Our primary destination is Sibiu, a city truly steeped in history. Once the best-defended medieval fortified town in Transylvania and the ancient capital of the Transylvanian Saxons, Sibiu now stands as a vibrant contemporary hub, proudly recognized as the European Capital of Culture in 2007. Here, our Sibiu city tour explores its impressive fortifications, including the iconic Liars’ Bridge, the Small and Large Squares and the imposing Evangelical Cathedral.

Following a delightful lunch at a local restaurant, we travel through the vineyard region for a wine tasting inside a Renaissance castle. We first tour the castle, then we savour five distinct wine varieties accompanied by farm-to-table palate cleansers. This part of your Sibiu & wine tasting offer a perfect opportunity to savour and appreciate the unique flavours of Transylvanian wine.

Finally, in the evening, we’ll make our way back to Cluj. You’ll return filled with the rich history, captivating flavours and timeless atmosphere of medieval Transylvania.

Car transfers: approx. 5h, ~360 km / 224 mi