When to travel to Romania: weather and seasons

Romania lies in the north-eastern portion of the Balkan Peninsula, and its climate forms a transition between the temperate Mediterranean and cooler Continental climates, with hot summers and many sunny days, especially on the sea coast; moderate rainfalls; and winters with heavy snowfalls in the mountains.

The Romanian weather can be changeable at all times of the year and there are considerable variations from one year to another. However, away from the Black Sea coast there are no great differences in climate between the different regions, apart from the cooler and wetter summers in the Carpathians.

The change from winter conditions to those of summer is often rather abrupt and spring is a short but changeable season in Romania. In April or even in May it is best to take an extra sweater with you, because the weather can be windy, with temperatures around 9-15°C.

Summers in Romania are hot and sunny, but spring and summer are also the wettest seasons, and rain can be expected throughout the year. You'll need lightweight clothing in summer on the coast and in low inland areas. The summers can be very hot, but usually the temperatures are lower in Bucovina and Maramures than in other parts of Romania, due to the mountains and hills.

The highest average Romanian temperatures are in July (or August, in the mountain areas), reaching 22°C in the plain, 16-20°C in the hills and 5-10°C in the mountains. A hot southwesterly wind, the austru, blows over western Romania, particularly in summer.

In Bucharest, the min/max temperature ranges from -29°C in January to 29°C in July, with average temperatures of -3°C in January and 23°C in July. During the summer, the highest temperatures are recorded in the Danube Valley: average 24°C (75°F) with highs of over 35°C fairly common in the lower-lying areas of the country.

Autumn is frequently longer, with dry warm weather from September to late November.

Winters in Romania are harsh, cloudy and very cold between December and March, with snow falling throughout most of the country. Resorts such as Poiana Brasov and Predeal offer some of the best skiing in Eastern Europe or you can go bob-sleighing at Semenic and Sinaia. The lowest temperatures are in January (or February, in the mountain areas), dropping to -1°C in Dobrogea, -3°C in the plain, and -10°C in the high mountain areas.

Winters are coldest in the Carpathian Mountains where there is snow from December through to April, and winter sunshine is rather low, averaging only two to three hours a day. The mildest area in winter is along the coast of the Black Sea. Inland, the Danube and other rivers usually freeze. During Romanian winters very warm clothing is recommended!

Climate in Bucharest, Romania

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