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Ornate domed church on Romanian street

Romania travel guide

Carpathian peaks, painted monasteries and one Black Sea coastline in a single, affordable country

Best: Jul, Aug, Sep

Photo: AMMA Singuran / Pexels

Capital
Bucharest
Language
Romanian
Currency
Romanian leu
Time zone
UTC+02:00
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112
Entry
EU and Schengen area

Why visit Romania

Romania suits travellers who want castles, hiking trails and old city centres without crowds. Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Brașov give you varied bases, while Constanța opens onto the Black Sea. July, August and September bring the warmest, driest weather for exploring both coast and mountains. The honest limitation: with a population spread over 238,391 km2, travel between regions takes time, so pick one or two areas rather than trying to cover the whole country.

  • Bucharest's scale and energy

    Romania's capital, Bucharest, is home to 1,716,961 people, making it the country's largest city by far. It anchors a country of over 19,041,322 people, so expect a real metropolis with the transport links and nightlife that come with that size.

  • Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara for city breaks

    Cluj-Napoca counts 286,598 residents and Timișoara 250,849, both far smaller than Bucharest and easier to explore on foot. They offer a different pace from the capital without losing the urban feel.

  • Brașov and Sibiu in Transylvania

    Brașov has 237,589 people and Sibiu 134,308, both sitting inland in Transylvania. Their smaller size makes them good bases for exploring the surrounding region at a slower pace.

  • A coastline at Constanța

    Constanța is Romania's main coastal city, with a population of 263,707. It gives travellers a seaside option in a country that is otherwise landlocked in character, bordering the Black Sea.

  • Best months to go

    July, August and September are listed as the best months to visit Romania. These months fall in the warmer part of the year, good for covering both cities and countryside.

Is Romania right for you?

Great for

  • Summer travellers who want warm days, with highs of 23-25.5°C from June to August
  • Sun seekers, since July has 13 sun hours a day, the highest of the year
  • Visitors who like dry spells, as August has just 8.7 rain days and 72mm of rain
  • City trips to inland hubs like Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara and Brașov, all non-coastal
  • Travellers aiming for the July-September window, which this data flags as the best months

Less ideal for

  • Beach-only trips, since only one city in the list, Constanța, is coastal
  • Winter sun seekers, as January highs reach just 2.1°C with only 5.2 sun hours a day
  • Travellers who dislike cold nights, since January and February lows drop to -5.5°C and -2.8°C
  • Those avoiding wet months, as May and June bring 105-119mm of rain over 15+ rain days

Romania right now: November

2.9/10
Avg high
9°C
Avg low
1°C
Rain days
10

Averages for Romania.

Weather by month

Based on Bucharest climate data, July to September is the best stretch, with highs of 23-26°C, long sunshine hours (12-13 a day) and fewer rainy days than spring. Winter is the toughest season: December and January bring highs of just 2-4°C, lows below freezing, and barely 4-5 hours of sun a day.

Average highs and lows in Romania by month January: high 2°C, low -6°C , 10 rain days . February: high 6°C, low -3°C , 8 rain days . March: high 9°C, low -1°C , 10 rain days . April: high 15°C, low 3°C , 11 rain days . May: high 19°C, low 9°C , 16 rain days . June: high 23°C, low 13°C , 15 rain days . July: high 25°C, low 15°C , 13 rain days . August: high 26°C, low 15°C , 9 rain days . September: high 21°C, low 11°C , 9 rain days . October: high 15°C, low 5°C , 8 rain days . November: high 9°C, low 1°C , 10 rain days . December: high 4°C, low -2°C , 10 rain days . 2°C -6°C JAN 10d 6°C -3°C FEB 8d 9°C -1°C MAR 10d 15°C 3°C APR 11d 19°C 9°C MAY 16d 23°C 13°C JUN 15d 25°C 15°C JUL 13d 26°C 15°C AUG 9d 21°C 11°C SEP 9d 15°C 5°C OCT 8d 9°C 1°C NOV 10d 4°C -2°C DEC 10d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Romania (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Romania: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Capital, Transylvania and Mountain Towns

  1. Day 1–2

    Bucharest

    Start in Romania's capital, home to 1716961 people. Walk the old town and see the large government buildings from the communist era before heading north.

  2. Day 3–4

    Brașov

    This Transylvanian town of 237589 people sits below the Carpathian mountains. Explore the old square and use it as a base for nearby castles.

  3. Day 5–7

    Sibiu

    Finish in Sibiu, a town of 134308 people with a well-preserved historic center. Spend your last days wandering the colorful squares and city walls at a relaxed pace.

10 days

Romania from Capital to Coast

  1. Day 1–2

    Bucharest

    Begin in the capital, population 1716961. See the old town and the imposing Palace of the Parliament area before moving on.

  2. Day 3–4

    Brașov

    Head to Brașov, a Transylvanian town of 237589 people set against the Carpathian mountains. Use it as a base for day trips to nearby castles and hiking trails.

  3. Day 5–6

    Sibiu

    Continue to Sibiu, home to 134308 people and known for its old squares and defensive towers. Spend two days exploring on foot.

  4. Day 7–8

    Cluj-Napoca

    Travel to Cluj-Napoca, Romania's second-largest city with 286598 people and a lively university scene. Explore its cafes, parks and historic center.

  5. Day 9–10

    Constanța

    End your trip on the coast in Constanța, a port city of 263707 people on the Black Sea. Walk along the seafront and see the old casino building before your trip ends.

Food to try in Romania

Sarmale

Cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice, slow-cooked and often served with polenta and sour cream. It's a staple at Romanian family meals and especially common around winter holidays.

Mici

Grilled minced-meat rolls seasoned with garlic and spices, cooked without casings. They're a common street food and barbecue dish across Romania, often eaten with mustard and fresh bread.

Ciorbă

A sour soup made with vegetables, meat, or fish, soured with ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, or fermented bran. It's eaten as a starter at lunch throughout the country.

Papanași

Fried or boiled dumplings made from cheese-based dough, topped with sour cream and jam. This dessert is popular in restaurants across Romania, especially in the Transylvania region.

Mămăligă

A dense polenta made from cornmeal, often served as a side dish with cheese, sour cream, or stew. It has long been a rural staple, especially in mountain regions.

Țuică

A strong plum brandy that is distilled at home or commercially across Romania. It's commonly offered as a welcome drink or digestif, particularly in rural areas.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Romania uses plug types C and F, the standard two-round-pin sockets found across most of Europe. Voltage is 230 V. Travellers from the UK, US or Australia will need an adapter.
  • Driving side: Cars drive on the right in Romania. If you're renting a car and coming from a left-hand-drive country, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts until you adjust.
  • Emergency number: Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire anywhere in Romania. This number works free from any phone, including mobiles without credit.
  • Currency: The currency is the Romanian leu (RON). Euros are not the official currency, so plan to use leu for most purchases, especially outside big hotels.
  • Language: Romanian is the official language. It's a Romance language, so some words look familiar if you know Italian, French or Spanish, though pronunciation takes a bit of getting used to.
  • Calling code: Romania's international calling code is +40. Keep this in mind if you need to give your number to someone abroad or dial home.

Romania: frequently asked questions

Is Romania good to visit in August?

Yes, August is one of the best months to visit Romania. It scores 8.3 out of 10, the highest of the year. Days average 25.5°C with a low of 14.8°C, and rain falls on only 8.7 days with 72 mm total, so most days stay dry and warm.

What is the best time to visit Romania?

The best months are July, August and September. These score between 7.5 and 8.3 out of 10. Highs run from 20.5°C to 25.5°C, rain drops to 8.7–12.5 days a month, and sunshine peaks at 12 to 13 hours a day, giving the most settled weather of the year.

Is Romania cold in January?

Yes, January is the coldest month in Romania. The average high is just 2.1°C and the low drops to -5.5°C. It also scores only 2.2 out of 10, the lowest score of the year, with 10.3 rain or snow days and just 5.2 hours of sun a day.

When is the rainiest time to visit Romania?

May and June bring the most rain. May gets 105 mm over 15.5 days and June gets 119 mm over 15.2 days, the wettest stretch of the year. Despite this, both months still score 7 out of 10 because temperatures are pleasant, with June highs reaching 23°C.

What is the weather like in Romania in autumn?

Autumn weather in Romania cools steadily. September stays mild and scores 8.2 out of 10, with highs of 20.5°C and only 9 rain days. By November, conditions turn cold and wet, with highs falling to 8.9°C and a low score of 2.9 out of 10.

What electrical plug and voltage does Romania use?

Romania uses type C and F plugs, both two-pin round designs common across continental Europe. The standard voltage is 230 V. If your devices or chargers run on a different voltage, pack a plug adapter and check that your equipment supports 230 V before you travel.

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