If you are planning to see how the winter is in Bucharest, find out everything you need to know for planning your trip here. Visiting the capital of Romania in the cold season has some advantages.

It is less crowded and you can see traditions that are not available to see if you come in other seasons. Plus, if it snows, the city looks like a frozen fairytale. I added some pictures of Bucharest under the snow so you can see how beautiful it gets when everything is white.

Best places to enjoy winter in Bucharest

Carturesti carusel

Carturesti Carusel bookstore, in the Old Center, is a great place to visit in any season. But in winter, in such cold weather, you will love to go there even more. You can go to inspect the place, enjoy the little things in the bookstore or drink a hot cup of tea at their coffee shop. When you are there, you will feel like a child in a toy store. Everybody likes how the decorations of the building and the products they sell. Most of the time it is worth buying a gift for a loved one or a book.

Caru cu bere

Also in the old town of Bucharest, you can stop for lunch or dinner at Caru’ cu Beer. This famous restaurant, built in neo-Gothic style, is a historic architectural monument. But it’s also a very good place for a Romanian meal after a day in Bucharest. Make your reservations early, chances are you won’t find seats otherwise. And in the evening, they have traditional dance shows.

Romanian Athenaeum

The famous building that houses the largest concert hall in Romania was built in a neoclassical and eclectic style between 1886 and 1888. It was later restored and modernized between 1994 and 2004 and reopened to the public in 2005. The Romanian Athenaeum is one of the most impressive buildings in Bucharest right from the entrance, thanks to the dome that dominates the entire space. During winter, it looks amazingly covered in snow, but you can also go inside to admire its opulent interior. A concert here is the best option to do that.

The Museum of the Romanian Peasant

It is the building that houses a unique museum declared a historical monument due to its neo-Romanian style. The Museum of the Romanian Peasant has an impressive collection of traditional objects, special exhibitions of ceramics, but also a series of popular costumes from almost all regions of the country. On weekends, in the backyard, it also hosts craft fairs where you can buy traditional items. Discover what other museums you can explore in the city.

Cismigiu park

The Cismigiu Garden is the place where nature comes alive and the noise disappears. It is a true oasis of greenery. In the rest of the seasons, you can go here to the lake in the middle of the park, on which you can go by boat or pedal boat. The Hanging Rose Garden and the Eminescu Spring are two important attractions in the park. In winter, however, they all disappear covered by snow and only silence remains behind them, a profound silence.

Carol I Park

Formerly known as Liberty Park, the park built on Filaretului Hill covers an area of 41 hectares and also includes a recreational lake. Here are some important points of interest such as the National Technical Museum, the Zodiac Fountain and the Mausoleum. It is a popular place to visit when it snows in Bucharest because it has many slopes where children can take the sled up the hill. Check also this list of parks in Bucharest.

Bucharest Christmas market

The main Christmas market in Bucharest is the one in Constitution square, being the largest one. But Bucharest has other Christmas markets, held annually in the city’s central squares and parks. These markets feature a variety of traditional holiday activities, such as carol singing, ice skating, and the sale of Christmas decorations and gifts. Some of the most popular Christmas markets in Bucharest include the Christmas Fair at Carol Park, the Christmas Market at the Palace of Parliament, and the Christmas Village at Union Square. These markets typically open in late November or early December and run until the end of the holiday season.

Bucharest in December

Wondering if December is a good month to visit Bucharest? The answer is it depends on your personal preferences and what you want to do during your visit. December can be a good time to visit Bucharest because it is the start of the winter season. This means that the city will have a festive atmosphere with holiday decorations and events. The weather in December can be cold and there is a chance of snow. That is why you should pack warm clothing if you plan to visit at this time.

But out of the 3 winter months, December is probably the best one to explore the capital of Romania. The city has a number of holiday markets and events. The main one is the Christmas Fair at Constitution Square. There are also a number of cultural attractions to visit indoors and outdoors. To name a few: the Palace of the Parliament, the Village Museum, and the National Museum of Art.

If you prefer warmer weather and outdoor activities, you may want to consider visiting at a different time of year.

Is Bucharest good for Christmas?

You can choose to spend Christmas in Bucharest and you will enjoy it. But if you come to Romania in December, I recommend you a traditional Christmas in Transylvania or in Maramures. However, if you want to stay in the city and you are looking for a traditional Christmas celebration, Bucharest has a number of churches and cathedrals that hold Christmas services. And there are also many holiday markets and events that take place around the city. The restaurants have traditional Christmas menus where you can try Romanian food.

What is the coldest month in Bucharest?

The city experiences cold temperatures, with average highs ranging from the mid-30s to low 40s Fahrenheit (around 1 to 5 degrees Celsius) and average lows ranging from the mid-20s to low 30s Fahrenheit (-4 to 1 degree Celsius) during the winter.

The coldest month in Bucharest is January when the average low temperature is around -4°C (24°F) and the average high temperature is around 4°C (39°F). During this time of year, the city experiences its lowest levels of rainfall and the weather is generally dry and cold. It is also the month with the longest hours of darkness, as the sun rises around 8:00 am and sets around 5:00 pm.

Bucharest in January

Snow is common during this time of year, and there is typically around 20 cm (8 inches) of precipitation during the month.

Despite the cold weather, there are still plenty of things to do in Bucharest in January. The main attractions are open and very empty because January is considered the low season. If you’re interested in outdoor activities, you can go skiing or snowboarding in the nearby mountains, or take a walk through the city’s beautiful parks and gardens.

Bucharest in February

February, the third month of winter in Romania, is typically a cold and wet month, with average high temperatures ranging from 6 to 8 degrees Celsius (43 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit) and average low temperatures ranging from -1 to 1 degree Celsius (30 to 34 degrees Fahrenheit). Rain and snow are common, and the city may experience occasional cold spells with temperatures falling below freezing.

If you’re planning a visit to Bucharest in February, it’s important to bring a warm coat, hat and gloves. The famous attractions are open and when you want to warm up, you can enter in one of the many coffee shops and tea houses around the city. In February, Romanians celebrate Saint Valentine (the love day borrowed from abroad), but also the Dragobete (the Romanian love holiday).

Snow in Bucharest

Snowfall is not uncommon in Bucharest, but it is generally not heavy. The average snowfall in Bucharest during the winter is around 15-20 centimetres (6-8 inches), but the city has seen heavier snowfall in some years. The snow typically starts to fall in November or December and continues through February or March. When it gets cold, it is important to be prepared for snow and icy conditions and to take precautions when driving or walking on snow-covered roads.

If you want to see Bucharest under snow, it is better to check the weather report before coming. Nobody can tell when it snows in Bucharest. We had years with a white Christmas and years when the snow came only in February. The last years have been very cold, but the snow was present for only a few days.

Is Bucharest nice in winter?

Covered by snow, Bucharest is a really nice place to visit during the winter months. There are not many tourists in the city, so you can explore the main attractions without worrying about the crowds. But you have to check their visiting hours because their winter schedule is usually tighter than in summer.

There are also a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars that offer cosy indoor spaces to relax and warm up. And if you’re looking for outdoor activities, you can visit one of the city’s many parks or take a walk along the main boulevards to admire the festive holiday lights.

You may like