Romania is a year-round destination and the best time to visit the country depends on the types of activities you are interested in and the region you wish to travel to. With so many beautiful places to visit in Romania, you will have so much to explore and discover but it’s important to pick your time to visit the country as Romania has different climate zones.
For example, summer is definitely the best time to visit Mamaia, a seaside resort with sandy beaches and long shorelines. Bucharest is ideal either during Spring or Autumn whereas mountainous destinations are fantastic year-round. Poiana Brasov is an incredible ski resort while Caciulata is better in the summer. Brasov looks stunning every season but autumn is an especially marvellous time to visit it.
I grew up in Romania and I’m here to help you pick the right season for you to visit Romania. The good news is that Romania has four well defined seasons, making it easier for you to decide when to visit depending on your interests.
When to visit Romania
For the nicest all-rounder experience, the best time to visit Romania is early to mid-Autumn. The cities have the nices weather, early Autumn is still great to visit the seaside and the mountains look most incredible with the colourful foliage. The temperatures are still great, meaning you will be able to wear a t-shirt during the day and you’ll need a light jacket in the evening. The mornings are crisp and fresh, with hot days and mild nights.
We’re going to dive deep into the weather and climate of Romania and tell you what to expect from each season so you can really understand when it’s best to visit Romania to suit your requirements and activities.
Climate in Romania
The climate of Romania is temperate continental but each region has its own influences.
On the eastern coast, the temperature continental transitions into an oceanic climate.
In the south of the country, there are some influences of a Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild winters and stronger rainfalls in the cooler months.
In the north of the country, there are influences from the Scandinavian-Baltic climate resulting in a wetter and colder climate with cold winters.
The west of the country has influences coming from the Atlantic, resulting in moderate temperatures and stronger precipitation.
This means that every region in Romania will have a slightly different climate. This is great for your adventures, as when you visit Romania all regions will have different temperatures.
A great example of this is during summer when Romanian people who live in Southern cities, usually go on holiday by the seaside or in the mountains to seek some relief from those hot temperatures.
Seasons in Romania
Romania has four well defined seasons, each offering something unique and wonderful for those who visit the country. There is something truly beautiful about each and every single season in Romania with great activities which you can enjoy year-round. The seasons are as follows:
- Spring: (from March to May; fairly mild)
- Summer: ( from June to August; very hot and dry)
- Autumn: (from September to November; mild and rainy)
- Winter (from December to February; very cold, with snowfall)
Spring
Every single month during Spring is so different in Romania. The beginning of Spring is still quite cold, with the weather becoming milder sometimes during mid-April. May is especially wonderful for a visit to Romania as the country become green and in bloom. You’ll see blossoms everywhere you go and in the mountains, you’ll enjoy vast natural carpets of wildflowers. Spring comes with some rain, especially at the beginning of the season.
As the days become sunnier and milder, the nights continue to be quite cold until late May.
March has around 4 days of rains and temperatures ranging between 0 °C (32 °F) to 10 °C (50 °F). It’s still a good time to visit Romania if you are on a budget. The weather is still on the colder side so make sure to pack warm clothes and good waterproofs. Spring is a great time to visit if you wish to enjoy some of the Spring traditions in Romania. It’s also the best time to buy authentic souvenirs from Romania such as the martisor or Romanian blouses from the Spring markets.
April has 5 days of rainy days. The temperatures range between 5 °C (42 °F) to 17 °C (63 °F). Visiting sometimes in mid-April is fantastic especially if you love magnolias and cherry blossoms. The cities usually come to life and many locals drop their winter jackets in favour of spring coats. Prices are still very good but make sure to check when it’s Easter in Romania, as this orthodox celebration can drive prices up.
May is definitely the transition month between Spring and Summer with the highest temperatures but also a higher number of rainy days. Expect approx 6 rainy days and temperatures ranging from 10.5 °C (51 °F) to 23 °C (73 °F). 1st of May is when the seaside resorts officially open. It will still be relatively cold but it’s usually a nice atmosphere everywhere around the country and the locals celebrate labour day.
Summer
Summer in Romania is hot, sometimes even torrid and dry. You’ll experience milder temperatures by the seaside and in the mountains which is why summer is considered the high season for Romanian tourism. The cities can get very hot, with temperatures reaching over 30 °C (86 °F). This is the perfect time to visit Romania if you want to enjoy the great outdoors.
Winds are soft and rains are rare but when it does rain, you’ll experience what we call summer rains. The weather changes rapidly usually from one hour to another and there’s a downpour. The weather becomes a little milder and there’s a crisp, fresh air that every local welcomes. The summer rains don’t last more than a few hours.
June in Romania is still a great time to visit with hot days and mild evenings. There are around 5 rainy days in June and the temperatures range between 14 °C (57 °F) to 27 °C (80 °F). June is when Romanians celebrate the summer solstice so if you visit in the summer you may want to partake in some of the local traditions.
July is the hottest month with only 2 rainy days. It’s usually torrid, dry and there’s no humidity in the air. If you visit during July, it’s best to plan for your holiday by the seaside or somewhere in the mountains. Bucharest will get very hot. Temperatures in July range between 16 °C (60 °F) to 29 °C (84 °F) but more often than not you will experience temperatures way over 30 °C (86 °F).
August is the most popular month for tourism in Romania, especially amongst locals. If you visit Romania in August, then it’s important that you book your accommodation well in advance. Expect busier restaurants and resorts than usual. There are only 2 days of rain and temperatures range between 15 °C (59 °F) and 28 °C (83 °F). This is the best time to drive on the Transfagarasan.
Autumn
Autumn is the most beautiful time to visit Romania. Everyone welcomes the cooler days after the torrid summers. Autumn is still warm and beautiful until the end of September, mid-October. It’s a beautiful time to visit medieval cities and enjoy your time exploring the capital of Romania.
The beginning of autumn is also the best time to drive on the Transalpina and enjoy the myriad hikes around the area. You’ll see such a spectacle of colours as the seasonal trees change their colours into all sorts of ruby, orange and yellow hues.
If you are a foodie traveller, autumn is also the best time to visit Romania to enjoy a range of traditional Romanian food and wine. Autumn is harvest time so there’s a wide range of fresh produce waiting to be transformed into epic dishes.
September is mild and beautiful. It’s also when kids go back to school so many places will be less crowded and perfect for tourists. Prices drop sharply as well, making autumn ideal for all ranges of travel budgets. There are approx 4 rainy days in September and the temperatures swing between 11 °C (51 °F) to 24 °C (75 °F).
October is a wild card as there are years when this month continues to be warm and wonderful and others when the rainy season comes early. While on average just 3 days of rain, it’s best to bring you a rain jacket and some waterproofs with you. Temperatures range between 5 °C (42 °F) to 17 °C (63 °F).
November can get really rainy, especially in cities in the mountains. The days are shorter, colder. In the mountains, it’s not uncommon to welcome the first snow of the year. This is why sometimes the ski resorts open from November until March. It’s a great time to book a chalet in the mountains and cosy up by the fire. The temperatures range between 1 °C (34 °F) to 9,5 °C (49 °F).
Winter
There is always snow in the winter in Romania so if you love colder weather and skiing, then winter is the best time to visit. The south of Romania experiences considerably less snow than in the mountains, but Bucharest and the plains are an exception as they are usually also covered in snow. It’s common for temperatures to reach -28°C (-20°F).
Winter in Romania is all about traditions, customs and celebrations. December is going to be an expensive month to visit as everyone usually books accommodation in the mountains for the winter holiday. Winter is also a time of winter sports which usually take place in the mountains. January and February are the best times to visit for budget travellers but be aware that the temperatures really are cold and you will need some serious winter gear.
Heavy snowfalls and winter winds are common in January and February.
December is usually cold with very crisp evenings and stary skies. Snow is common especially in rural areas of the country. Not so much in the capital city or in the South. If you want to visit in December, book your accommodation well in advance as everyone is eager to celebrate Christmas and New Year which are very traditional in Romania. Temperatures range from -3 °C (27 °F) to +3 °C (38 °F) although it gets much colder in the mountains.
January is the coldest month with temperatures reaching -28°C (-20°F) in various parts of the country. Bucharest can get to -20°C (-4°F) as well, and there will be heavy snow on the streets so make sure to pack your snow boots with you. January is a great time to visit the ski resorts in the country.
February is usually sunnier with longer days but still incredibly cold. When there is a sunny day in February we usually call it sunshine with teeth as it’s very deceptive. There is a sort of dry cold that requires really warm winter gear. A warm hat, scarf and gloves are a must. Towards the end of February, the snow starts to melt and make way for the milder Spring which everyone is excited about. The temperatures range between 4 °C (25 °F) to +4 °C (39 °F).
As you can see there are so many different seasons in Romania, every single one offering something unique and exciting. But now you know when to travel to Romania based on the activities you wish to pursue and the places you want to enjoy. Do you have a travel date for your upcoming visit to Romania? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.
Leave a Reply