Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania, a Danube-plain metropolis of about 1.7 million people known for the monumental Palace of the Parliament, a revived medieval Old Town, grand Calea Victoriei and its belle epoque 'Little Paris' boulevards. It combines Ottoman-era inns, Brancovenesc churches, interwar villas and communist-era blocks with a lively cafe, bar and live-music scene.
Bucharest has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, sitting on the flat Wallachian Plain with no sea moderation. July and August highs average about 30 degrees C and heatwaves can reach 38-40 degrees C, while January averages about -2 degrees C with cold spells to -15 degrees C and occasional snow. Rain is moderate (about 580 mm a year), peaking in late spring and early summer with sudden thunderstorms. Spring and autumn are short but pleasant, with May-June and September the most comfortable months.
Best time to visit
Best: Year-round
Avoid: None
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
-2C/28F
Coldest month with frost and occasional snow; quiet museums, lowest hotel prices
February
0C/32F
Still cold with snow or sleet possible; short days, good for museums and cafes
March
6C/43F
Gradual thaw, changeable weather; Martisor spring celebrations on March 1
April
12C/54F
Parks bloom, terraces reopen, showers common; Orthodox Easter brings festivals
May
17C/63F
Warm and green, Night of Museums, ideal for walking; wettest month along with June
June
21C/70F
Warm to hot, long evenings, outdoor cultural events; short thunderstorms possible
July
24C/75F
Hot and sunny; heatwaves possible; late-night terraces and summer concerts
August
23C/73F
Hottest and driest stretch; many locals away; some restaurants close for holidays
September
18C/64F
Warm, sunny and comfortable with fewer crowds; best all-round month for sightseeing
October
12C/54F
Cooler with golden park colours; some rain; Bucharest Marathon in early October
November
6C/43F
Grey, damp and cold with fog; fewer visitors and lower prices
December
1C/34F
Cold with possible snow; Christmas markets and lights; New Year celebrations in Piata Constitutiei
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Mar-May
Temperatures climb from 11 to 23 degrees C. Parks bloom in April, cafe terraces reopen and Martisor (March 1) spring traditions fill the streets. Showers are frequent in April and May, and evenings stay cool.
Summer
Months: Jun-Aug
Hot and sunny, with highs of 27-30 degrees C and heatwaves above 35 degrees C. Sudden afternoon thunderstorms are possible. Many locals leave the city in August, so some small restaurants close while the major sights stay open.
Fall
Months: Sep-Nov
September is warm and sunny (25 degrees C highs) and one of the best months. October turns cooler and golden with highs near 18 degrees C, and November is grey, damp and cold with highs around 11 degrees C. Fog is common in November.
Winter
Months: Dec-Feb
Cold with highs of 2-5 degrees C and nights below freezing. Snow is possible from December to February, though it does not usually stay long. Christmas markets (Piata Constitutiei, Piata Universitatii) and New Year fireworks make December lively.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- Jun-Aug and the Christmas-New Year week (but Bucharest is rarely overcrowded; August is quieter because locals leave)
- Shoulder Season
- Apr-May, Sep-Oct (ideal for sightseeing and walking)
- Low Season
- Nov-Mar (cold, quiet, lowest hotel prices)
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Martisor
Traditional spring festival where Romanians exchange red-and-white string talismans (martisoare); markets and stalls appear across the city
Orthodox Easter
Midnight Resurrection service with candles at churches across the city, followed by family feasts of lamb and cozonac; dates follow the Orthodox calendar
Night of Museums
Museums across Bucharest open late into the night, many with free or reduced entry
Bucharest Pride
Annual LGBTQ+ Pride march and festival through the city centre
George Enescu International Festival
One of the biggest classical music festivals in Europe, with orchestras and soloists performing at the Romanian Athenaeum and concert halls
Zilele Bucurestiului (Bucharest Days)
City festival with concerts, street performances and events in the Old Town and parks
Bucharest Marathon
Running events that start near the Palace of the Parliament, with half-marathon and 10 km races
Bucharest Christmas Market
Market with food stalls, mulled wine, lights and a Christmas tree in Piata Constitutiei in front of the Palace of the Parliament
National Day of Romania
Military parade at the Arch of Triumph and public celebrations; a public holiday