Romania in December

Christmas markets in Sibiu, Brașov and Bucharest; carol singing and village customs; ski season starts mid-month.

• Bucharest and the southern plain · Bucharest, Wallachia, Craiova, the Danube townscool

  Continental: summers regularly reach 35–40 °C and winters bring snow and –10 °C cold snaps. May–June and September–October are the comfortable windows.

• Transylvanian towns · Brașov, Sibiu, Sighișoara, Cluj-Napocacool

  Higher and cooler than Bucharest; summer is the easiest season, and the Christmas markets make December worth a cold trip.

• Carpathian mountains · Bucegi, Făgăraș, Piatra Craiului, Retezat, Apusenicool

  Hiking from late June to September; afternoon thunderstorms in summer; ski season December to March at Poiana Brașov and Sinaia. High roads close in winter.

• Black Sea coast and Danube Delta · Constanța, Mamaia, Vama Veche, Tulcea, Sulinacool

  Beach season is late June to early September; the delta is best for birds in May and September, with mosquitoes from June.

• Maramureș and Bucovina · Sighetu Marmației, Suceava, Gura Humoruluicool

  Cold snowy winters and green summers; village festivals and haymaking in July–August; Easter and Christmas customs are strongest here.

• Bucharest4° / -2°, 10 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• St Andrew's Day and Great Union Day (National Day)

  30 Nov – 1 Dec

  Two-day holiday; military parade in Bucharest at the Arc de Triumf on 1 December; mountain resorts busy.

• Christmas big impact

  25–26 Dec

  Family days; most shops and many restaurants close. Carol singers go house to house on Christmas Eve.

• National Day

  1 December · Bucharest

  Military parade; road closures near the Arc and museums are busy.

• Christmas market

  Late November to late December · Bucharest

  Stalls, mulled wine and lights; crowded Old Town restaurants in the evenings.

• Revolution anniversary

  21–22 December · Bucharest

  Ceremonies and road closures around the square.

• Christmas and New Year

  25 December – 1 January · Bucharest

  Many restaurants and some museums close for part of the period; hotel prices rise.

Crowds · Romania

Medium

Prices · Romania

Medium

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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Rated best or good this month

• Bucharest

  Cold; Christmas market and lights.