Best Time to Visit Romania
The best time to visit Romania is from late May to June and from September to early October: the weather is mild, the countryside is green or golden and there are fewer crowds than in high summer. July and August are best for the mountain roads and the Black Sea, and winter suits Christmas markets and skiing. To choose the regions, start with our Discover Romania guide.
Below we explain what each season is like and which months work best for each type of trip.
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Key facts
- The best overall months are late May, June, September and early October: mild weather and fewer crowds.
- July and August are hot in Bucharest (often above 30 °C) but ideal for the mountains, the Transfăgărășan and the Black Sea.
- Bear-watching hides run roughly from spring to autumn; late summer and autumn are often the most reliable.
- The Transfăgărășan usually opens in summer and closes in autumn, depending on the snow.
- Winter (December to February) is the season for Christmas markets and skiing; it is cold and some mountain roads close.
Romania Season by Season
Romania has a continental climate: warm summers, cold winters and two mild, pleasant seasons in between. This table sums up what to expect:
| Season | Weather | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (April to June) | Mild, green, some rain | Cities, castles, countryside, bears with cubs |
| Summer (July and August) | Hot in the lowlands, pleasant in the mountains | Transfăgărășan, hiking, Black Sea, festivals |
| Autumn (September to November) | Mild in September, cooler from October | Golden forests, bears, wine, fewer crowds |
| Winter (December to February) | Cold, snow in Transylvania and the mountains | Christmas markets, skiing, castles without crowds |
Spring: Green Landscapes and Fewer Crowds
From April the countryside turns green and the days get longer. Late May and June are especially good: warm enough for walking, but without the summer heat. It is a great time for Transylvania’s old towns, the castles and the villages.
Orthodox Easter, usually in April or early May, is the most important holiday of the year, with church services and family traditions. Spring is also when bear-watching hides open and mothers with cubs appear: see our guide to the best time to see bears.
Tours for Every Season
A small-group trip on the Transfăgărășan in summer, an evening at a bear hide from spring to autumn and a day in Sinaia and Brașov that works all year. Check the dates of each tour for your trip.
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Viator
Top Gear Road: Transfăgărășan Small-Group Tour (Max 7) with Pick-up
A specialist tour of the famous Transfăgărășan road in a small group (max. 7 passengers), with pick-up included.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
Wild Carpathian Nature: A Wildlife Experience from Brașov
A small-group experience focused on ethical brown bear watching with a guide in their natural habitat in the Carpathian forests, departing directly from Brașov.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Viator
Sinaia and Brașov in One Day
A day trip from Bucharest to the mountain resort of Sinaia, home of Peleș Castle, and the medieval old town of Brașov.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
* Prices are indicative and subject to seasonal variations or changes applied by the official provider. The exact price and availability are confirmed on the booking platform.
Summer: Mountain Roads, Festivals and the Black Sea
July and August are high season. Bucharest and the lowlands can be very hot, but the mountains stay pleasant, and this is when the high roads such as the Transfăgărășan are usually open. It is also the beach season on the Black Sea.
Summer brings big events, such as music festivals near Cluj-Napoca and theatre and street performances in Sibiu. Book accommodation early if your dates coincide with a festival.
Autumn: Golden Forests and Bears
September and early October are, for many travellers, the best time of the year: mild days, golden forests, grape harvests and far fewer visitors. Bears feed intensively before winter, so it is often a very good season for bear watching.
From late October it gets colder and some mountain roads and seasonal attractions start to close. November is usually grey and quiet, a low season for travel.
Winter: Christmas Markets and Snow
From December to February it is cold, often below freezing, with snow in Transylvania and the mountains. Bear hides are closed and some high roads too, but it is the season for Christmas markets, castles without crowds and skiing near Brașov.
Read our guide to Romania in winter for the weather, what is closed and what to pack.
The Best Time for Each Type of Trip
If you already know what you want to do, these are the months to aim for:
- Cities and castles: all year; late spring and early autumn are the most pleasant. See Transylvania’s castles.
- Bear watching: roughly from spring to autumn, at dusk.
- Transfăgărășan and mountain roads: usually in summer and early autumn, depending on the snow.
- Black Sea beaches: July and August.
- Christmas markets: late November to early January.
- Skiing: usually December to March, depending on the snow.
Best Time to Visit Romania: FAQ
What is the best month to visit Romania?
June and September are often the best: mild weather, long days and fewer crowds than in July and August.
Is summer a good time to visit Romania?
Yes for the mountains, the Transfăgărășan and the Black Sea. Bucharest and the lowlands can be very hot, often above 30 °C, and it is the busiest season.
When is the cheapest time to visit Romania?
Usually in the low season, from November to March outside the Christmas holidays and the ski resorts. Prices also tend to be lower in spring than in July and August.
When is the best time to visit Transylvania?
Late spring and early autumn for walking the old towns and visiting castles, and December if you want snow and Christmas markets.
When is the Transfăgărășan open?
Usually in summer and early autumn. Opening and closing dates depend on the snow each year, so check the official status before you go.
Is Romania worth visiting in winter?
Yes, for Christmas markets, skiing and castles without crowds. It is cold and some mountain roads and bear hides are closed.
