Romania
Bucharest in December
🧥 WinterCold and mostly dry. Watch for hazy air.
🎒 Pack: winter coat, gloves & hat · N95 mask for hazy days
Why December scores 7.1What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort6.7
- !Cold (4°C highs / -3°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point -2°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~47 mm rain)
- Air quality5.2
- !Unhealthy for sensitive groups (PM2.5 ~39 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline7.5
- ·Increased caution
| Dec | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.1 Good | 9.3 Excellent |
| Season | 🧥 Winter | 🌷 Spring |
| High / low | 4° / -3° | 24° / 10° |
| Rain | 47 mm | 70 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt -2° | dew pt 11° |
| PM2.5 | 39 µg/m³ | 8 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Bucharest Băneasa weather-station normals. Rainfall: Bucharest Băneasa weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Saint Andrew's Day 28 Nov – 1 Dec · 4 days off in a row
- Christmas Day 25–27 Dec · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore BucharestEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyRomania's capital, a city of grand boulevards, communist-era monuments and Belle Époque buildings, with a lively Old Town and growing food scene.
Great Union Day (National Day)Every year1 December every year
Romania's national day, marked with a military parade.
Why go: Dress warmly; the parade takes place outdoors in winter.
Where: Arcul de Triumf area
Christmas marketDate variesUsually late November to late December
A seasonal market with food stalls, mulled wine and crafts.
Why go: Location can change between years, so check locally.
Where: Central Bucharest
Coming up later
MărțișorEvery year1 March every year
People give small tokens tied with red and white string to mark the start of spring.
Why go: Street stalls sell mărțișor tokens in the days before.
Where: Nationwide
Palace of the Parliament
One of the largest administrative buildings in the world, built under Ceaușescu.
💡 Visits are by guided tour and require ID.
Old Town (Lipscani)
Narrow streets of restaurants, bars and historic churches in the centre.
Romanian Athenaeum
A domed 19th-century concert hall and home of the George Enescu Philharmonic.
Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum
An open-air museum of traditional houses and churches brought from across Romania.
Stavropoleos Monastery
A small, richly decorated 18th-century church in the Old Town.
Calea Victoriei
The city's historic main avenue, lined with palaces, museums and theatres.
Sarmale
Cabbage or vine leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice, often served with polenta and sour cream.
Mici (mititei)
Grilled skinless sausages of mixed meat, usually eaten with mustard and beer.
Ciorbă de burtă
A sour tripe soup with garlic and sour cream.
Papanași
Fried cheese doughnuts topped with sour cream and jam.
Mămăligă
Polenta, served as a side to many traditional dishes.
Romanian blouse (ie)
A traditional embroidered blouse.
💡 Craft shops and museum shops
Horezu pottery
Distinctive painted ceramics from the Horezu region, recognised by UNESCO.
💡 Craft shops and the Village Museum shop
Țuică or pălincă
Traditional plum brandy.
💡 Supermarkets and specialist shops