Queer travel expert Jack Kenworthy turns 250+ city adventures into your guide for safe, vibrant, and inclusively fabulous global journeys.
Sibiu, an enchanting medieval town in the heart of Transylvania, transfixes tourists with its art nouveau facades, avant-gardist vibes and grand architecture.
While Gay Sibiu may be slow coming, this relatively liberal outpost in a very rural country offers some respite for LGBT travelers (and locals)who can enjoy cultural festivals, jazz performances in brick-lined cellars and one of only two gay bars in Romania outside Bucharest.
The first thing to know before a trip to Gay Romania is that homosexuality has not been a crime in over two decades, and there are currently no laws against gay citizens in Romania, aside from those that deny equality in marriage.
In addition, there are anti-discrimination laws offering protection to same-sex individuals though it seems Romania is currently following flirting with the ‘illiberal’ path of Poland and Hungary as it gears for a referendum to constitutionally prohibit gay marriage.
Many of the progressive moves in LGBT rights in Romania came not from the grass-roots levels but from necessary changes to harmonize with EU laws and gain accession. This is to say despite the legal paperwork, public attitudes are slow to change, and by all accounts, Romanians are amongst the most conservative and religious people in Europe. Romania is still a very rural country with rural ideas.
In saying all this, we did not experience any discrimination in Romania as the largest number of liberally-minded people work in tourism and hospitality.
Many people are probably ignorant at best about homosexuality as it is not uncommon for even relatively open-LGBT people in major cities like Bucharest, Cluj, Timișoara, and Constanta to remain closeted in some parts of their personal and professional life.
After almost of decade of lethargy, we are finally seeing a cohesive gay movement from across Romania spearheaded by organizations such as MozaiQ. Bucharest Pride continues to grow every year, and the opening of a gay club in Sibiu – as well as a gay fetish event – is a testament to this!
LGBT acceptance in artistic and wealthier Sibiu was far higher than we expected, and gay travelers here will find many things to love – whether you’re hiring a car on a more extensive trip around Romania or just in town for a few days. Just don’t expect to find a gay scene like Munich, Prague or Tallinn.
In this article we will cover...
Attractions in Sibiu
Obviously, being gay does not define which attraction most of us will want when traveling, and most queer tourists will simply want to check out the top things to see in Sibiu during the day! Sibiu is a very safe city, but still, all travelers should take caution with valuables.
Hand-holding or same-sex displays of affection should be avoided in this conservative culture, but otherwise, gay travelers should not encounter any other issues when exploring this endearing city.
The entire historic center was recently renovated, and Sibiu has never looked better. There are so many sites to see and discover as you explore the medieval charm that got Sibiu named the European Capital of Culture in 2007.
Explore this baroque palace filled with medieval paintings. Previously the home of the Habsburg governor of Transylvania, the collection was opened up to the public in 1817, making it the oldest institution of its kind in Romania.
Europe’s largest open-air ethnographic museum with mills, churches, traditional Romanian houses and roughly 350 folk architecture monuments. Hire a car or take a bus from town and check their website for special folk workshops or music shows in advance.
Climb this 13th-century tower for the best views of the Sibiu Old Town.
An icon of the city. Take your time to admire this 14th-century church with a lookout tower, a small museum, and a dramatic exterior.
Take a day tour or hire a car to explore Romania’s most iconic road in the dramatic Carpathian Mountains. Not to be missed.
Head out on a food tour or explore at your own pace the diverse gastronomy of Transylvania. A mosaic of cultures has left its marks here, so expect influences ranging from Russian, French, Armenian, and Greek.
Romania is famous for its dark, mysterious forests. Get out and explore them and find fabulous mountain peaks, beautiful pastures, and old-grown forests.
If you get bored in Sibiu, explore the sites in the surrounding region for a day, like Cisnadie (a fortified church), Cisnadioara (a medieval fortress) and the Poplaca shepherds village.
Gay-Friendly and Gay Hotels in Sibiu
In Sibiu, you are unlikely to find a hotel that had any issues with gay guests – and it would be unheard of in any of the more luxurious properties.
During our travels in Gay Romania, we stayed everywhere from small villages to big cities in a variety of accommodation styles and never once encountered more than a confused ‘Would you like a twin or double bed?.
Even when the hotel staff didn’t speak English, we didn’t have any issues and were welcomed everywhere we went.
However, in saying this, some hotels in Sibiu are simply more popular with queer travelers due to their location and LGBT-friendly vibes. These are the hotels we feature here since there is no specific gay hotel in Sibiu.
Each of these gay-friendly Sibiu hotels offers something very specific, so be sure to choose the right style and location to meet your needs. Of course, there are also hundreds of more hotels in Sibiu if you don’t find the right one here.
Most include free parking but if your hiring a car – be sure to confirm the details of each property as it is hard in the Old Town especially!
The best luxury hotel in Sibiu and is most frequently booked by gay tourists. The Hilton is internationally renowned for its support of LGBT causes, its ‘Go Out’ packages and marketing specifically to the rainbow community.
This contemporary and bright location has an indoor pool, three restaurants and a bar – all only a 5-minute drive from the historic center (or a beautiful 30-minute walk). There are also saunas, a steam bath, a gym, and a jacuzzi, all for guests’ enjoyment. Since there is no gay hotel in Sibiu, this is the next best thing.
A modern hotel that enjoys the historic center of Sibiu. We love the views from the upper-floor rooms, the vibrant bar and included breakfast buffet. A new hotel with high standards and great prices.
With funky contemporary decor hidden within the 17th century, this hotel is very gay-popular, and we can see why. Frequently sold out weeks in advance, the location is enviable, the service impeccable, and the prices surprisingly affordable!
There are only four rooms, but each is spacious with hardwood floors, and bright colors, and you enjoy access to an interior terrace.
Spacious and modern apartments are just an 8-minute walk from the gay bar in Sibiu. Nice terrace, is very clean and has adjoining sitting rooms, so if you’re looking to host or just want your privacy, this is the best option.
A popular upscale hotel that offers modern rooms with a hint of Scandinavian chic. Basically, everything you need for a great stay and nothing superfluous. Ticks all the boxes with insanely good reviews.
An elegant family-run hotel that has rave reviews thanks to its handmade decorations, old-world style, and just all-around wow factor. Not the place to bring people home from the clubs, but if you are a gay couple traveling, this is a romantic retreat in the heart of the old town with beautiful gardens and helpful staff/owners.
City Stay Hostel ☆☆
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The cheapest bed in Sibiu is at this fun little hostel set in Sibiu’s historic center. Sunny rooms, hardwood floors, and a full kitchen are big drawcards, but we recommend it so you can meet other like-minded travelers and have friends to explore Sibiu with – by day or by night!
Gay Bars and Gay Clubs in Sibiu
Honestly – we can’t even believe there is a gay club in Sibiu, given its limited nightlife in general. If you’re you’re lucky enough to be in town on a Saturday, then you need to go! Otherwise, there are a few popular cocktail spots and cafes where you might bump into other gays, or a high-end nightclub if you are getting desperate to party.
Try to meet gay locals during the day around town – or on a dating app – to find out about any one-off parties such as those held by Let’s Have a Kiki (Romania’s first open-minded circuit party). In general hand-holding or same-sex displays of affection outside of gay bars can lead to trouble anywhere in Romania and should be avoided.
The only gay club in town is open every Saturday from 11pn. Recently moved to a new, more modern space and is an off-shoot of their long-running Cluj location. A fun no-attitude environment with friendly people, good music and mixed LGBT people from all over the Sibiu gay community. Check their Facebook page for the weekly events.
Centrally located romantic cocktail bar with outdoor seating to watch the world go by. A favorite place to meet up and enjoy a quiet conversation. When the gay club in Sibiu is closed, what else are you going to do?
Puro Wine and Coffee
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The upscale wine bar in Sibiu is perfect for a sophisticated night out. Gay-popular, but better to go for the bottled delights and relaxed ambiance.
The Box
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The best cocktail bar in Sibiu with bartenders who really know what they are doing. With low prices, this is a nice place to spend a few hours with good drinks and company. On the weekends, the party gets a little wilder here with a DJ, plus young and trendy Romanians.
Ok, so we are pulling at straws here, but if you’re in a mixed group and want a fun, upscale nightclub, this is the place to go. Like a lot of Eastern Europe bars, it’s all about skinny girls shaking their asses for men to part with money, but hey, who are we to judge.
Funky and inviting bar with live entertainment most nights of the week. Up-scale and inviting, this is a great neutral ground to meet people from dating, or only to grab a great cocktail!
Gay Saunas in Sibiu
Unlike most European countries, there are no bathhouses or gay saunas in Romania. Probably because of the conservative attitudes in Romania still held today towards the LGBT community – Though you would think a gay sauna in Sibiu would be preferable to outright cruising in public spaces after dark?
Anyway, luckily today, you can just open your phone and use hookup apps to meet gay guys in Sibiu, or you can head to the clubs and try your luck there.
Gay Map Of Sibiu
Finding it hard to envisage where everything is in Sibiu? Hopefully, this queer-centric map helps where we have marked all the bars, clubs, parties, hotels, saunas, massages and more will help you stay in the spot best suited to you!