Country guide

Walking tours in Romania

Romania is the corner of Europe where a first visit still feels like a proper journey: Bucharest's grand boulevards and merchant lanes, then north into Transylvania's Saxon citadels, hilltop clock towers, and walled squares. The route that earns a week is Bucharest, Brașov, Sighișoara, and Sibiu, all linked by direct CFR Călători trains for a few dozen lei a leg. Bucharest, Brașov, and Sibiu each carry Wayside walking tours, so the old quarters come with a local's line through them, and the pacing is forgiving: mornings in museums and castle yards, afternoons moving on to the next town.

Photo by Michael Michelovski on Unsplash

When to go

When is the best time to visit Romania?

Spring

Months: March to May
Weather: Lowland highs climb from about 10 to 15°C in March to 20 to 25°C by May, while the mountains stay cooler and wetter.SourceWikipedia: Climate of Romania
Crowds: Shoulder season. The best sightseeing weather arrives from late April, but Orthodox Easter can fall in April or May and packs the trains and family restaurants.

Summer

Months: June to August
Weather: Lowland heat can push past 30 to 36°C in heat waves, with nights around 16 to 21°C; the Black Sea coast is moderated by sea breezes and the mountains stay pleasant.SourceWikipedia: Climate of Romania
Crowds: Peak season on the coast and in Transylvania's towns. Book Bran Castle and Peleș ahead, and reserve beach weekends early.

Autumn

Months: September to November
Weather: September still reaches 20 to 25°C, then cools to around 5 to 10°C by November, with rain increasing in the north and mountains.SourceWikipedia: Climate of Romania
Crowds: Late August to late October is the other best window to visit, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds once school holidays end.

Winter

Months: December to February
Weather: Highs sit around 0 to 5°C, with lows of about -5 to -10°C inland and snow in the mountains; Carpathian resorts usually ski from December to mid April.SourceWikipedia: Climate of Romania Romania Tourism
Crowds: Quiet in the cities outside the holidays, busy in ski resorts around Christmas, New Year, and the February school break.

When to visit Romania, by season
Season	Months	Weather	Crowds
Spring	March to May	Lowland highs climb from about 10 to 15°C in March to 20 to 25°C by May, while the mountains stay cooler and wetter.SourceWikipedia: Climate of Romania	Shoulder season. The best sightseeing weather arrives from late April, but Orthodox Easter can fall in April or May and packs the trains and family restaurants.
Summer	June to August	Lowland heat can push past 30 to 36°C in heat waves, with nights around 16 to 21°C; the Black Sea coast is moderated by sea breezes and the mountains stay pleasant.SourceWikipedia: Climate of Romania	Peak season on the coast and in Transylvania's towns. Book Bran Castle and Peleș ahead, and reserve beach weekends early.
Autumn	September to November	September still reaches 20 to 25°C, then cools to around 5 to 10°C by November, with rain increasing in the north and mountains.SourceWikipedia: Climate of Romania	Late August to late October is the other best window to visit, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds once school holidays end.
Winter	December to February	Highs sit around 0 to 5°C, with lows of about -5 to -10°C inland and snow in the mountains; Carpathian resorts usually ski from December to mid April.SourceWikipedia: Climate of Romania Romania Tourism	Quiet in the cities outside the holidays, busy in ski resorts around Christmas, New Year, and the February school break.

What you'll see

Highlights across Romania

Cities to explore

Where to walk in Romania

2 tours

BraşovBrașov County, Romania

6 tours

BucharestBucharest, Romania

1 tour

SibiuSibiu County, Romania

Questions about visiting

Planning a trip to Romania

Do I need a visa for Romania?

Romania is part of the Schengen area. Citizens of the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and EU countries can visit without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport should be issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after you leave. If you need a visa, check the list on Romania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before booking.

SourceUK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Romania

Is Romania expensive?

No, it is one of the best-value countries in Europe. A mid-range traveler spends roughly 480 to 500 lei a day including a comfortable room, meals, and sightseeing, and a one-week trip typically lands between 1,500 and 3,000 lei per person before flights. Bucharest and Brașov are the priciest stops; Sibiu and Sighișoara are the cheapest.

SourceFreedom Years TravelGo Visit Romania

Which cities should I visit in Romania?

For a first trip, do Bucharest for the boulevards and Old Town, Brașov as the castle base under Tâmpa, Sighișoara for a night inside a medieval citadel, and Sibiu for the Saxon squares. That is the country's classic first-timer circuit, and it is all reachable by direct train.

What should I book in advance?

Book Bran Castle and Peleș Castle online for peak summer days, reserve seats on Intercity trains up to 30 days ahead, and arrange the Palace of the Parliament tour in Bucharest in advance because entry is by timed guided tour. Guesthouses inside Sighișoara's citadel fill fastest in July and August.

SourceCFR Călători

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