Best Time to Visit Bucharest

Spring and early summer: April to June

April is the month our comfort score likes best. Days are mild at around 19°C, and the parks start to fill up. Try Herăstrău or Cișmigiu Gardens, where people are back on the benches. Showers are common, but they usually pass quickly.

May and June are greener and warmer, and they're also the wettest months. June has the most rain, with 81 mm over 14 days. Expect short afternoon downpours, then bright evenings. That suits café terraces in the Old Town (Lipscani) and long walks along Calea Victoriei. Orthodox Easter usually falls in April or early May, and it's a lovely time to see the city. Many locals head home to their families, so the centre gets quieter.

Summer: July and August

July and August are the hottest months, tied at 32°C by day and 19°C at night. The sun is out for about ten hours a day. It's dry-ish, sticky in the afternoon, and the concrete holds the heat. Do your sightseeing in the morning. Then spend the afternoon inside the Palace of Parliament or the Village Museum, or in the shade by the lake in Herăstrău.

Many Bucharesters leave for the Black Sea coast or the Carpathian mountains in August, so the city feels calmer. Some smaller restaurants may close for a week or two. If you like open-air events and late nights, you'll find plenty. If heat bothers you, pick another month.

Autumn: September and October

This is the sweet spot for a city break. September is warm at 27°C, with only 7 rainy days and far less humidity than spring. Evenings are pleasant for dinner outside. Try sarmale (cabbage rolls) or a plate of mici (grilled sausages) at a beer hall like Caru' cu Bere.

October cools to 19°C, and the trees turn gold along the boulevards. Culture season restarts. The George Enescu Festival, a major classical music event, takes place in odd-numbered years, usually from late summer into September. Hotels can be busier then, so check dates if you're going.

Winter: November to March

Winter is grey and damp. December and January bring daytime highs of 6°C and 3°C, and just 2 to 3 hours of sun a day. January is the coldest month, with nights at -4°C.

It's still a good time if you like cosy places. The Christmas market at Piața Constituției runs in December, with mulled wine and lights. Museums and cafés are warm, and prices tend to be lower. Travelling in March? It's still chilly, but the days are lengthening, and spring is close.