Some people can’t wait to flee the cold this time of year, while others are eager to embrace it and take advantage of all the beauty and excitement the season brings.
If you’re one of the latter, you’ll be happy to know winter in Romania is an excellent time to discover stunning landscapes, enjoy one-of-a-kind season experiences and explore must-see attractions without the summer crowds.
So, come to Romania this season. There are plenty of fantastic winter destinations you can pick for a memorable vacation. Read on to learn more about some of the best ones.
Brasov
Located in the heart of Transylvania, surrounded by the breathtaking Carpathian Mountains, Brasov is just a few hours away from the capital Bucharest.
The gorgeous city is a medieval gem full of beautiful sights and attractions which you should check out while you’re here, such as:
- The Council Square which is surrounded by the town’s architecturally exquisite medieval buildings. The square has been the place for annual markets since 1364 and still hosts traditional markets and special events today.
- The Black Church. The largest Gothic church in Transylvania is over 500 years old.
- Bran Castle (also known as Dracula’s Castle). Situated near Brasov, the imposing, 14th-century hilltop castle is a must-see attraction for all those curious to learn more about the legend of Dracula.
While you are in the area, make sure to check out Poiana Brasov (located at a 15-minute car drive from Brasov).
It’s one of the most appreciated mountain resorts providing excellent ski slopes with varying degrees of difficulty and magnificent scenery – especially in the winter.
The resort is a ski paradise. However, there are plenty of fun activities you can do here to keep you occupied throughout your stay – even if you don’t ski. You could rent a snowmobile, take a sleigh ride or go ice-skating.
After a full day spent outdoors, you could relax in a thermal pool and get a massage at one of the spa centers in the region.
Related Tour
Medieval City of Brasov: 2 Days Tour. By booking this tour, you can make the most out of your time in the city and explore many of the area’s fabulous attractions. We’ll take care of all the planning details so that you don’t have to spend countless hours doing so – and simply enjoy the trip.
Sinaia
Throughout the winter season, the snowcapped peaks of the Carpathian Mountains provide the most scenic views in Romania.
Located in central Romania’s Bucegi Mountains, at 800 meters altitude, Sinaia is one of the best winter destinations to admire all that beauty.
Everywhere you look, you’ll be greeted with spectacular views. But the Pearl of the Carpathians – how Sinaia has been dubbed – has more to offer than just beautiful nature. The resort is also home to:
- Peles Castle. With a backdrop of forested mountains, it’s a Neo-Renaissance architectural masterpiece commissioned by the first King of Romania, Carol I, to be a summer Royal residence.
- Pelisor Castle. Carol I’s nephew Ferdinand had a second, smaller Art Nouveau castle built just for him about 100m uphill from Peles. If you can, take the time to visit both of these exquisite buildings.
- The Sinaia Monastery (located only minutes away from Peles Castle). The monastery was built in 1846 to accommodate Sinaia’s growing religious community. The main church has magnificent carved floral decorations, with remarkable oil paintings within.
As you can see, Sinaia is an attractive destination for everyone with a passion for history and architecture.
But that’s not all; Sinaia is also one of the most popular ski resorts in the country with no less than 17.9 km of slopes and 5 km of ski routes available.
People from all over the world come here to enjoy the scenic views of the mountains, as well as the slopes. And of, course, to have epic snowball fights with their friends and family.
Related Tour
Interested in booking a tour in this region? Consider our 2-day tour that includes all the highlights from Sinaia – plus a trip to the city of Sibiu and a visit to the famous Dracula’s Castle (Bran Castle).
Bucharest
Sure enough, Romania’s capital, Bucharest, is a destination worth exploring throughout the year.
However, visiting it in the winter is a great way to avoid the crowds of tourists and be able to take photos of landmarks without selfie sticks or large groups of tourists standing in the way.
And, rest assured, there are plenty of indoor attractions to keep you busy throughout your stay if you don’t want to face the low winter temperatures for too long.
Here are some we recommend adding to your list if you decide to come here this winter season:
- Palace of the Parliament. An estimated 20,000 to 100,000 people worked to build the massive construction which is actually visible from space.
- Cotroceni Palace. A stunning baroque palace from the late 19th century that used to be the residence of the second Royal couple of Romania, King Ferdinand and Queen Marie. The building is now the official residence of the Romanian president.
- Romanian Athenaeum. A historical monument that has been at the heart of Romania’s classical music tradition for decades now. Symposiums, expositions, and other cultural events regularly take place within its walls.
- Primaverii Palace. Built at the orders of the former dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, the villa features over 80 luxurious rooms, a pool, a spa, a hair salon, and even an underground bunker. If you’re curious to learn more about the last communist leader and the extravagant, luxurious lifestyle he and his family lived, this is a must-see.
Once you’re finished exploring Bucharest’s highlights, you can slow down and get better acquainted with the vibe of the city in Bucharest’s Old Town.
Here, you’ll find lots of great pubs and restaurants to warm yourself up with a cup of warm chocolate, a glass of mulled wine, or a hot bowl of traditional soup.
Related Tours
If you don’t have much time at your disposal, book our half-day Bucharest tour. In just four hours, you’ll get to see the most interesting sights of Bucharest’s downtown, with the option to also visit the Parliament Palace and the Village Museum.
However, if you want to dedicate more time and explore Bucharest in detail, then consider our Full Day Bucharest Sightseeing Tour – 8 hours.
The day trip includes a tour of the old city center, the Palace of the Parliament, the Village Museum, Cotroceni Palace, and the Revolution Square, among others.
Balea Ice Hotel
Ever thought about how it would be like to sleep on a block of ice or drink from a glass that could melt away in the sun? Well, paying a visit to the Balea Ice Hotel gives you a chance to find out!
Built-in the Fagaras Mountains, at an altitude of 2,034 meters, Balea Ice Hotel is a unique attraction in Romania that is only open for a limited amount of time every year.
The hotel has many of the amenities you’ll find at a regular hotel like a bar, a restaurant, and even a church. But what makes this hotel special is the fact that everything is made out of ice.
Using massive blocks of ice, the hotel has been rebuilt every single winter since 2005. And every year, the organizers come up with a different theme for the hotel. Special parties and events take place regularly here.
So, if you’re looking to make awesome memories and live a one-of-a-kind experience, consider spending a night here.
Make sure to book your stay well in advance, though, as it’s one of the most popular winter destinations in Romania.
Related Tour
You can book a 2-day tour from Bucharest and combine your visit to the Ice Hotel with a visit to other interesting locations, such as the Peles Royal Castle in Sinaia mountain resort, Brasov medieval city, and Bran Dracula’s Castle.
Vatra Dornei
Famous for its spa services since the nineteenth century, Vatra Dornei is one of the best winter destinations for tourists who are interested in wellness and come to Romania to rest and strengthen their bodies.
Here, you can find natural treatment services used to treat a wide array of affections, such as cardiovascular affections and rheumatism.
The region’s natural resources with confirmed healing properties include:
- Mineral springs;
- Peat mud of Poiana Stampa;
- and strongly negative ionized air.
In addition to its world-famous spa services, Vatra Dornei (located in northeastern Romania) provides great leisure opportunities for those who seek thrill and adventure when they travel.
Vatra Dornei welcomes ski and winter sports enthusiasts, although it has fewer slopes and ski lifts compared to the other resorts we mentioned.
Surrounded by large forest areas, the resort turns into a snowy wonderland during the cold season – perfect for enjoying the joys of winter.
Excited to Visit These Top Winter Destinations?
From snowy mountain peaks to premium ski resorts, and even an ice hotel, Romania in the winter has something to offer for everyone.
So, start making travel plans today for a postcard-perfect vacation this season! And don’t forget to pack your warmest sweater.
If you need more information or have any questions about the tours mentioned in this article, feel free to contact us as soon as possible.
We’re always happy to help in any way that we can!