The Romanian region of Transylvania truly has something for everyone, particularly in regard to seasonal offerings! The question‘ when is the best time to visit Transylvania?’ is entirely dependent on your activities and personal interests.

In this post, I’ll break down the different seasons and what they have to offer, I have also included an extensive list of all Transylvania holidays, broken down by season to help you plan the perfect time to visit.

What is the weather like in Transylvania?

On the Transylvanian Plateau, west of the Carpathian Mountains, the climate is on average a little cooler than the rest of the country due to its altitude (average 400m above sea level). Winter gets very cold, and the summers tend to be a little cooler in Transylvania than elsewhere in Romania. There are still four distinct seasons in a year, each of which has plenty to do to enjoy the bounty of nature that Transylvania has to offer.

Average temperature & rainfall by month in Transylvania

Monthly averages (farenheit / customary)

Monthly averages (celsius / metric)

Transylvania by season

Spring in Transylvania

Spring in Transylvania consists of the months March, April, and May. As is common elsewhere in the world, spring tends to be pretty wet, particularly May. Because of the different mountain ranges that traverse the region, some cities and towns will see days on end filled with rain. In 2020, the entire months of May and June saw rain in Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca.

Still, with the start of warmer weather and leaves appearing on trees, flower buds beginning to sprout, spring is a beautiful time to visit. If you’re willing to brave the rain, most Transylvanian cities are nothing short of stunning when vibrant colors begin to replace the gray dreariness of winter.

Spring is also a great time to visit the region to explore the many Transylvanian Castles!

Spring is the best time to visit Transylvania if you are hoping to avoid the crowds while still enjoying warmer weather.

Holidays, observances, & events in spring Transylvania

On National Holidays, expect things such as shops, banks, restaurants, etc., to be closed. On observances, most things operate normal business hours.

Summer in Transylvania

During the summer months, June through August, many Transylvanians will escape the heat by vacationing to the mountains or to the Black Sea coast. While the climate is somewhat cooler in Transylvania due to its higher altitude, the city heat can still be stifling, particularly in larger cities such as Cluj-Napoca.

If you are renting an apartment, it may not have air conditioning, but a fan is usually sufficient. Most hotels will offer air conditioning.

There are no convenient ways to reach the Black Sea coast, though there are some overnight trains to Constanța, as well as an airport. Driving from Cluj-Napoca to Vama Veche takes us about 10-11 hours, depending on how often we stop.

If you opt to stay in Transylvania during the summer, there are plenty of things to do. Locals love going fishing, camping, swimming in local lakes, hiking the Transylvanian mountains, and taking road trips throughout the region. Romanians love to barbecue in the summer, so expect to be invited and try some traditional Romanian foods.

If you’re into big festivals and celebrations, summer will be the best time to visit Transylvania.

Holidays, observances, & summer events in Transylvania

Fall in Transylvania

Fall is an excellent time of year to visit Transylvania, particularly if you plan on driving between towns and taking some photos en route! The mountains look absolutely magical painted in the varying shades of autumn.

Fall is the time of year when locals are busy preparing for winter, pickling, canning, preserving anything you can think of. Local villages often have celebrations to end the pastoral year.

Given the relatively spooky time of year, this is also when there are many Dracula-oriented events and festivals taking place in Sighișoara and Bran. Those who really love getting in to the Halloween spirit tend to think fall is the best time to visit Transylvania.

If nature photography, spooky vibes, and sweater weather spark your interest, fall is the best time to visit Transylvania.

Holidays, observances, & events in fall Transylvania

Winter in Transylvania

There are two key reasons as to why winter is the best time to visit Transylvania – snow sports and Christmas markets! There’s a magical quality to Transylvania that only appears after the first blanket of fresh snow. The gradual appearance of twinkling lights as residents begin to decorate for Christmas only adds to the ambiance.

Aside from the physical beauty of winter in Transylvania, most cities and towns have extravagant Christmas markets to visit throughout the month of December (and sometimes January!). The best Transylvanian Christmas markets are in Sibiu, Brașov, and Timișoara.

To photograph some epic winter scenery, take a day trip from Cluj Napoca and head to Mărișel – you can even enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the snow in this quintessential Transylvanian village.

For snow sport enthusiasts, the surrounding mountains and cold winter weather make for an excellent location for skiing or snowboarding. There are plenty of ski resorts in Transylvania to choose from. Some of the most popular include Poiana, Straja, Bistrița, Predeal, and Balea Lac. Poiana is a popular (and easy!) day trip from Brașov.

Winter is the best time to visit Transylvania for holiday magic and snow sports.

Holidays, observances, & events in winter Transylvania