Beautiful but Underrated Cities to Visit Before They Become Tourist Hotspots

City Thirty-Three: The Steepled Stillness of Sibiu, Romania

Tucked in the heart of Transylvania, Sibiu offers a gothic hush and storybook stillness that few cities can replicate. Its eyes—literally—are everywhere: the dormer windows of Baroque buildings give the sensation that the city is watching, remembering. Once a major Saxon trading post, Sibiu’s grandeur remains intact in its sprawling Grand Square, pastel façades, and the imposing Lutheran Cathedral that dominates the skyline. Beyond the architecture, there's a soulfulness here—seen in quiet bookshops, smoky jazz cellars, and the nearby forest trails of the Cindrel Mountains. It’s a place to get lost in history, and find yourself in silence.