Foto: Iulian Panescu
Romania
Modern practices blend with ancient traditions to celebrate the winter holidays, which start at the end of November and last till the 7th of January. Glittering Christmas Markets make the long winter nights seem full of charm. Whether in the big cities, in the countryside, resorts, or in the outstanding nature, winter holidays in Romania will be unforgettable and delightful.
Foto: Iulian Panescu
Foto: Craiova Christmas Fair
Christmas Fairs
Christmas Markets have become a much awaited attraction of the season, the most famous ones being in the big cities like Bucharest, Timișoara, Sibiu, Brașov, Alba Iulia, Cluj-Napoca, Oradea, Craiova (nominated for Best Christmas Markets 2026 by European Best Destinations), Constanța, Iași, Suceava, Piatra-Neamț.
Traditions in Bucovina, photo: Consiliul Județean Suceava
Winter Traditions
The main events of the season are St Andrew’s Day, the National Day, St. Nicholas’ Day, Christmas, New Year, Epiphany, St. John’s Day, when the rich Romanian traditions can be experienced. Outstanding is the men’s caroling group which is declared UNESCO intangible heritage.
Gastronomy
Traditional dishes prepared for the winter holidays are various, like different kinds of ciorba (sour soup), sarmale (filled cabbage or vine leaves), cozonac (sweet bread with walnuts and cocoa). They are accompanied by quality wines as Romania is a wine country for more than 4000 years. The native Romanian grapes varieties are: Băbească and Fetească Neagră as reds; Fetească Regală, Frâncușa, Grasa, Galbena, Busuioacă and Tămâioasă as whites.
Foto Poiana Brașov
Winter outdoors
There is a wide range of outdoor activities to be enjoyed even in the cold season. The landscape of the Carpathian Mountains is charming and the are numerous resorts with facilities for winter sports or for wellness with mineral and thermal springs. Romania is a call for nature lovers and adventurers seeking to reconnect to nature.
Tours recommended by our partners
Snowshoeing in Romania
Experience the Romanian wilderness in a 6 day snowshoeing trip, combining the winter landscape with the historical places and with the local gastronomy.
Our hosts are the most appreciated representants of the communities, always happy to meet our guests.
Bike&Photo Tour, 6 days
Our dedicated tour for cyclists which are passioned by photography!
The wilderness of Romania, the historical sites, and the hospitality of the people, are the perfect ingredients for a photo tour. If you add the cycling, then it might be the perfect tour.
Winter Hiking in Romania
Step by step! This is one of the most suitable way to discover Romania in a 6 day hiking trip, combining the nature beauty with the historical places and with the local gastronomy. The hosts are part of the story, they are the most appreciated representants of the communities we are visiting.