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When to go · Romania

Romania in January

Mixed month. Cold, often snowy; ski season at Poiana Brașov and Sinaia; Bucharest is quiet and cheap. Epiphany (6 January) processions and blessings of water.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Low
Romania
Prices
Low
Romania

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for Romania

Cold, often snowy; ski season at Poiana Brașov and Sinaia; Bucharest is quiet and cheap. Epiphany (6 January) processions and blessings of water.

Is another month better than January?

January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

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

    Continental: summers regularly reach 35–40 °C (95–104 °F) and winters bring snow and –10 °C (50 °F) 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.

  • Banat: Timișoara and the lowlands · Western Plain, Timiș and lower Caraș-Severincold

    Continental: hot July–August (30 °C (86 °F)+), cold December–February. Rain spread through the year.

  • Banat: Banat Mountains · Semenic, Țarcu, Almăj and the Cerna valleycold

    Cooler and wetter than the plain; snow on the pistes roughly December–March, hiking May–October.

  • Crișana: Crișana plain (Oradea, Arad, Carei) · Western lowland along the Hungarian bordercold

    Continental: hot summers near 30 °C (86 °F)+, cold winters that can drop below -10 °C (14 °F). May, June and September are the comfortable months.

  • Crișana: Apuseni foothills and Sălaj · Eastern edge of the regioncold

    Cooler and wetter than the plain; snow can linger into March on higher ground.

  • Harghita: Harghita basin and mountains · Ciuc and Harghita Mountains, river valleyscold

    Warmest months June–August (20–25 °C (68–77 °F)); winters (Dec–Feb) often below freezing with snow; rainy spells in May and October.

  • Moldavia: Iași and the plains · Iași, Botoșani, Bacău, Galațicold

    Continental: hot summers near 30 °C (86 °F)+, cold winters with snow; spring and September–October are the comfortable windows.

  • Moldavia: Ceahlău and the Carpathians · Piatra Neamț, Bicaz, Vatra Dorneicold

    Cooler and wetter than the plains; snow on the high trails from November into April, ski season at Piatra Neamț and Vatra Dornei.

  • Muntenia: Wallachian Plain · Bucharest and the southcool

    Continental: hot summers (35 °C (95 °F)+ in July–August), cold winters with snow; spring and autumn are the comfortable months.

  • Muntenia: Mountainous North · Prahova valley and the Carpathian foothillscold

    Cooler than the plain; snow on high ground Nov–Apr, and the Transfăgărășan closes for winter.

  • Mureș County: Mureș County · Transylvanian Plateau and Carpathian foothillscool

    Summer days can reach 30 °C (86 °F); winters are cold with snow in the mountains.

  • Sea swimming roughly June to mid-September; August is hottest and busiest.

  • Northern Dobruja: Danube Delta (Tulcea, Sulina) · wetlands north of the coastcold

    Bird migration peaks in May and September; summer brings mosquitoes — take repellent.

  • Oltenia: Craiova plain and the Danube · Dolj, Olt and Mehedinți lowlandscold

    Continental: 35 °C (95 °F)+ July–August days, cold fog in December–January. Rain spreads through May–June.

  • Oltenia: Gorj and Vâlcea hills · Târgu Jiu, Rânca, Călimănești, Horezucold

    Cooler than the plain; mountain roads and ski lifts depend on snow from December to March.

  • Southern Bukovina: Suceava county hills · Monastery belt, 300–700 mcold

    May–June and September are the driest and quietest; July–August are warm but busy; winters bring snow and some monastery roads are slippery.

  • Transylvania: Brașov and the Carpathian basin · south-east Transylvaniacold

    Mountain weather: 30 °C (86 °F)+ in July and August, snow from December to February. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in June.

  • Slightly drier and warmer than Brașov; the Apuseni caves and gorges are open roughly April to October.

  • Bucharest2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 10 rain days
  • Aiud2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 7 rain days
  • Alba Iulia2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days
  • Alexandria4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days
  • Anina2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days
  • Arad3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days
  • Arieșeni2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Azuga2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 6 rain days
  • Bacău2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days
  • Baia de Arieș2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 7 rain days
  • Baia Mare2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days
  • Băile Govora5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days
  • Băile Herculane3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days
  • Băile Tuşnad1 °C (34 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 6 rain days
  • Bicaz2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Biertan2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 7 rain days
  • Bistrița2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Blaj2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days
  • Bocșa3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Borșa-1 °C (30 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 12 rain days
  • Borsec-2 °C (28 °F) / -10 °C (14 °F), 8 rain days
  • Botoșani2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days
  • Brad2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days
  • Brăila2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days
  • Bran2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Brașov1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 8 rain days
  • Breaza2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days
  • Breb2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 9 rain days
  • Bușteni2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Buzău2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days
  • Buziaș2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 10 rain days
  • Calafat3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days
  • Călan2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days
  • Călărași3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 6 rain days
  • Călimănești3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days
  • Câlnic2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 7 rain days
  • Câmpulung Moldovenesc0 °C (32 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 10 rain days
  • Câmpulung3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days
  • Caransebeș3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Carei2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Cavnic1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 10 rain days
  • Ciacova3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days
  • Ciocănești0 °C (32 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ciucea2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days
  • Cluj-Napoca1 °C (34 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days
  • Constanța4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days
  • Corund0 °C (32 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 8 rain days
  • Costești3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 6 rain days
  • Costinești6 °C (43 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 6 rain days
  • Craiova3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days
  • Curtea de Argeș2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days
  • Dârjiu1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 6 rain days
  • Deta3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days
  • Deva3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Drobeta-Turnu Severin5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days
  • Dumbrăveni2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days
  • Eftimie Murgu3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days
  • Făgăraș1 °C (34 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 6 rain days
  • Făget2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 6 rain days
  • Galați2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days
  • Gătaia3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days
  • Geoagiu2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days
  • Giurgiu4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 6 rain days
  • Gura Humorului2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 10 rain days
  • Hațeg2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days
  • Horezu2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days
  • Huedin1 °C (34 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days
  • Hunedoara3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days
  • Iași0 °C (32 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ieud1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 10 rain days
  • Jimbolia3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days
  • Jurilovca5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days
  • Lugoj2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days
  • Lunca Ilvei2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 5 rain days
  • Lupeni2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 12 rain days
  • Măgurele2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days
  • Mamaia7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 6 rain days
  • Mangalia7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 7 rain days
  • Mediaș2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days
  • Miercurea Ciuc1 °C (34 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 6 rain days
  • Mioveni2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days
  • Mogoșoaia3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days
  • Ocna Sibiului2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Oradea2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Orăștie2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days
  • Oravița2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days
  • Orșova4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days
  • Păltiniș-2 °C (28 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 8 rain days
  • Petroșani2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 6 rain days
  • Piatra Neamț1 °C (34 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days
  • Pitești2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ploiești2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days
  • Poiana Brașov-2 °C (28 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 8 rain days
  • Predeal2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days
  • Prejmer1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 6 rain days
  • Rădăuți1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 6 rain days
  • Râmnicu Vâlcea3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days
  • Râșnov1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 8 rain days
  • Râu de Mori2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days
  • Recaș3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Reșița2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days
  • Roșia Montană1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 8 rain days
  • Rupea2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 6 rain days
  • Săcele2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 6 rain days
  • Sângeorz-Băi0 °C (32 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 10 rain days
  • Sânnicolau Mare3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days
  • Săpânța2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days
  • Sasca Montană3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days
  • Saschiz1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 6 rain days
  • Satu Mare2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days
  • Saturn4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 5 rain days
  • Sfântu Gheorghe1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 8 rain days
  • Sfântu Gheorghe7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 7 rain days
  • Sibiu2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days
  • Sighetu Marmației2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 10 rain days
  • Sighișoara1 °C (34 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days
  • Simeria2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days
  • Sinaia2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 7 rain days
  • Slănic Moldova1 °C (34 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days
  • Slănic2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Slatina2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days
  • Slobozia4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days
  • Snagov2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days
  • Sovata1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ștefănești2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days
  • Suceava1 °C (34 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 8 rain days
  • Sulina4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days
  • Târgoviște3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days
  • Târgu Jiu2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days
  • Târgu Lăpuș2 °C (36 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 7 rain days
  • Târgu Mureș1 °C (34 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 8 rain days
  • Târgu Neamţ1 °C (34 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 6 rain days
  • Târgu Ocna2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Târnăveni2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days
  • Timișoara3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days
  • Tulcea4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days
  • Turda2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days
  • Turnu Măgurele5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days
  • Uricani2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days
  • Vălenii de Munte3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days
  • Vama Veche4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days
  • Vaslui2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days
  • Viscri2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days
  • Vișeu de Sus2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 8 rain days
  • Zalău2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 10 rain days

Festivals and holidays

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.

  • New Year big impact

    1–2 Jan

    Two-day holiday; resorts full; many businesses closed until the 3rd.

  • Epiphany (Boboteaza) and St John

    6–7 Jan

    Public holidays since 2024; blessings of water at rivers and lakes.

  • Union Day (Mica Unire, 1859)

    24 Jan

    Holiday; ceremonies in Iași and Focșani.

  • Unification Day (Union of the Principalities)

    24 January · Bucharest

    A public holiday with some ceremonies; most shops stay open.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Romania
Low
Prices · Romania
Low

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Romania, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Mixed

    May: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Jan: Low

    May: Medium

  • Prices

    Jan: Low

    May: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 4

    May: 3

January: Cold, often snowy; ski season at Poiana Brașov and Sinaia; Bucharest is quiet and cheap. Epiphany (6 January) processions and blessings of water.

May: One of the best months: mild in Transylvania, birds in the Danube Delta, long weekends on 1 May and 1 June fill mountain resorts.

Romania: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in January

Rated best or good this month

  • Arieșeni

    Best months: May–Sept for hiking, Dec–Feb for ski

  • Azuga

    Best months: Dec–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hiking)

  • Borșa

    Best months: May–Oct for hiking, Dec–Feb for ski (check lift schedule)

  • Caransebeș

    Best months: May–Sep for hiking; Dec–Mar for skiing

  • Cavnic

    Best months: Dec–Feb (ski), May–Oct (hiking and churches)

  • Lupeni

    Best months: Dec–Apr (ski), Jun–Sep (hiking)

  • Păltiniș

    Best months: Jun–Sep (hiking), Dec–Feb (skiing)

  • Petroșani

    Best months: Dec–Feb for ski, May–Oct for hiking

  • Poiana Brașov

    Best months: Dec–Mar (ski season), May–Oct (hiking)

  • Predeal

    Best months: Dec–Mar for ski; Jun–Sep for hiking

  • Sfântu Gheorghe

    Best months: May–Sep for hiking and the baths; Dec–Feb for the two Sugas ski slopes

  • Sinaia

    Best months: May–Oct, Dec–Feb (ski)