Things to do in Bucharest in the Winter
Snow covered mountains, cosy taverns and mysterious castles are definitely part of Romania’s wintery charm. Romania is an awesome country to visit all year round. However, during the colder months, it’s a good idea to plan your activities around the variable weather. We have collated a useful list of amazing things to do in Bucharest in the winter.
Bucharest’s Winter Weather
The weather in Bucharest in the winter can be a bit grey and dreary. However, that’s not say you won’t enjoy the city as much as you would when the sun is shining. You can expect temperatures in the city to be between around -2°C and 7°C Celsius (around 28 – 45° Fahrenheit). However, in the mountains they can dip to -5°C (23 °F).
The days are pretty short in the winter so plan you days well to make the most of the daylight.
Attend a Classical Music Concert at the Romanian Athenaeum
Autumn and Winter is classical concert season in Bucharest! Stay warm in the evening and enjoy a few hours of wonderful, live music. There are several stunning concert halls to choose from to enjoy a sophisticated evening in the city – most noteably the Romanian Athenaeum and the Romanian National Opera. However, the Romanian Athenaeum is our favourite because of its history, glamour, beautiful interior and sublime acoustics.
Relax at the Therme Bucaresti
A visit to the Therme is a great thing to do in Bucharest in the winter. Only a short drive from city, it’s like being transported to a much warmer climate – with palm trees! In the Therme you will find many different types of hot saunas, relaxing massages, cleansing and peeling rituals and not forgetting the amazing water slides!
The Therme Bucuresti is near Otopeni Airport and is pretty good value for money. You can certainly spend a whole day there hiding from the harsh Bucharest winter.
Warm up in Caru’ cu Bere
This cosy and traditional, yet quite grand, restaurant sits in the heart of Bucharest. When it’s snowing outside, defrost with a local beer and a plate of traditional Romanian food. You can also absorb the beautiful interior and, if you’re lucky, enjoy some of the live music.
Bucharest Christmas Markets
The Bucharest Christmas Markets run over the month of December and can be found on Constitution Square. There is an enormous and beautifully decorated Christmas tree in University Square as well as the Athenaeum.
Explore Bucharest’s Bookstores
Strolling around a quiet shop with walls lined with hundreds and thousands of books is one fantastic thing to do in Bucharest in the winter! Bucharest has an abundance of intriguing bookstores. Try Cărturești Carusel, Humanitas Cişmigiu and Seneca AntiCafe.
You might also enjoy a rummage in the Bazar antique store found at Strada Doamnei 11, București 030167.
Walk Along the Macca-Vilacrosse Passage
These arcade streets in central Bucharest are highly reminiscent of 19th century Paris. And perhaps one of the contributors to the nickname of “The Paris of the East”. The streets are covered with a striking glass roof that provides beautiful light and protection from the rain and snow making it a gorgeous place to stroll through on a wintery day. The streets are lined with cafes, restaurants and shisha bars.
Hit the Slopes
Snow sports are a big part of winter in Romania. There are a few slopes within easy distance of Bucharest and are usually open from December to March. Sinaia is the closest ski resort to Bucharest, followed by Predeal and Busteni – all are within a 2 hour drive from the city.
When in the mountains, try some traditional mountain food and a glass of home brewed palinca. This will undoubtedly heat you up!!
Try a bit of Retail Therapy in one of Bucharest’s Malls
Bucharest has a good choice of malls. They have the usual stores found across Europe and many places to eat and drink. A bit of retail therapy can be a nice way to get away from the drizzle and gale force winds that can arrive in Bucharest in the winter. There are 3 larger malls that have an amazing choice of stores, restaurants, cinemas and gyms – Mega Mall, Baneasa Shopping City and AFI Cotroceni.
Visit some Castles near Bucharest in the Winter
Romania is known for its stunning castles. They can, of course, be visited all year round. However, they seem to have a particular magic during the winter. From Bucharest, it is possible to visit both the enchanting PELES CASTLE and the ominous BRAN CASTLE (of Dracula fame). You can even visit both in one day with an organised TOUR. A tour will also coordinate transport making it a more reliable option during bad weather.
Take a Stroll Through the Enchanting Cismigiu Gardens
Cismigiu Gardens is in the centre of the city. If you get some snow or winter sun, take a walk through the enchanting gardens and enjoy the skating rink that is there all winter long. These gardens are the oldest and largest in the city. Completed in 1860, Cișmigiu Gardens has over 30,000 trees and plants sourced from the mountains of Romania.
Heat up with a delicious coffee from Meron Cismigiu just down the street from the gardens. Bucharest has an amazing coffee culture so make sure you try out a few!
The Benefits of Visiting Bucharest in the Winter
There are definitely some major advantages to visiting Bucharest during the winter months.
For a start, there are far fewer tourists than there might be during peak season. Most people are likely to be working or scared off by the cold. This makes winter a really great time to check out the amazing sites Bucharest has to offer, without the crowds.
A knock-on effect to this is that most places offer cheaper rates during the winter. You can get some pretty good deals on accommodation, especially after the Christmas period.
Flights are also cheaper – with the exception of the Christmas period, of course. We have managed to pick up return flights from Scotland to Bucharest for less than €10 in the winter months. SKYSCANNER allows you to search for the cheapest dates which is ideal if you are flexible.
The cold weather provides a great excuse to eat lots of the traditional, hearty food found all across Bucharest. Make sure you don’t miss the warming Sarmale (Cabbage Rolls) or the deliciously sweet Papanași (Romanian style donut).
Skiing and snow activities are of course easier during the winter. If you are a snow sports fan, winter is a great time to visit Bucharest and the surrounding area.
What to pack for a trip to Bucharest in the Winter
There is no sugar coating it, Bucharest gets cold. If you hail from a warm country, you might struggle in Romania’s frosty conditions. However, if you are well prepared, you’ll barely notice the chill. Here’s a concise list to help you pack the essentials for surviving a winter trip to Bucharest.
- Waterproof shoes
- Waterproof jacket
- Fleece
- Warm layers
- Base layers
- Warm socks
- Hand warmers
- Scarf/hat/gloves (preferably with screen fingertips)
- Currency exchange card (such as Revolut)
- European plug adapter
- Charger and power bank
- Lip salve (trust us on this one!)
- Day pack
- A smart outfit for the if you decide to attend a classical concert
Some practical tips for your trip to Bucharest
Bucharest is a bustling city with so much to offer. Here are a few practical tips for your visit.
The local currency is Romanian Leu. 1 RON equals about €0.20.
Romanian is the official language spoken throughout the country. It is of Latin origin so if you have knowledge of any of the romance languages, you might recognise a few words. Here are some phrases for you to try out.
Hello – “Salut.” (sah-LOOT)
Please – “Vă rog” (vuh ROHG)
Thank you – “Mulţumesc” (mool-tzoo-MESK). “Mersi” is also popularly used.
Yes – “Da” (DAH)
No – “Nu” (NOO)
Goodbye – “La revedere” (lah reh-veh-DEH-reh)
Most attractions are open all year round. There aren’t big crowds during the peak tourist seasons but it can get busier with locals during holidays.
Flights from other European countries are quick and cheap.
Things to watch out for
Taxi scams – safest to use an Uber or take the bus.
Stag parties – cheap beer can attract Stag dos and loutish behaviour. There are plenty of amazing bars and restaurants in the city so it’s easy to avoid them.
Traffic – the traffic in Bucharest is intense and has led to poor air quality. Try to stay off the main boulevards for some fresher air.
More Info
Looking for a great place to stay in Bucharest? We regularly stay at Cristina’s place and book through Air BnB. The apartment is located in a quiet, old part of town but is within easy walking distance of the buzzing centre.
- Click here for BUCHAREST TOURIST INFO
- Click here for ROMANIAN TOURIST INFO
Where to Next?
Want to learn a bit more about busting Bucharest? There is a lot to see in Romania’s capital city. Find out some Surprising things to do in Bucharest
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. As a result, we would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Romania or any other Balkan countries? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
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That’s a lovely post. I loved reading about it.
Bucharest looks beautiful and even more so in the winter! I would love to stroll through the gardens.