Christmas in Romania is magical and the Romanian Christmas Markets are rich in local flavor and filled with traditional products.
Imagine yourself for a second with a frozen nose sipping some spicy mulled wine and enjoying a delicious bite of smoked homemade sausages under a tall decorated Christmas tree listening to Romanian Carols. Maybe after that you’ll go to the gingerbread stand or try the local pastries that fill the air with powdered sugar and cinnamon smells.
In the search for unique presents for the folks back home? Romanian Christmas Markets are known for artisans and local artists who sell their handmade products. The only thing you have to do is to decide between a warm wooly traditional vest, a hand-painted tree ornament or maybe some cheese or meat specialties.
The best part of Romanian Christmas Markets is that besides enjoying the Christmas Spirit and decorations, you can also explore the cities and the surroundings admiring the architecture and learning about traditions and local customs.
Be it a one day trip from Bucharest or several days discovering a part of Romania, like a 3 Day Transylvania Tour: Villages and Medieval Towns, here are the best Christmas Markets in Romania that should be on every traveler’s list:
Bucharest – a mix of flavor and color
Open between December 1 and 27 in Constitution Square (Piata Constitutiei), this is the main Christmas Market in Bucharest and offers live music concerts, a skating rink of 600 square meters and numerous artisanal booths with souvenirs and local food.
After enjoying a hot cup of mulled wine you can go explore the Old Town with its narrow streets filled with cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs or admire the historical buildings that guard the streets that still maintain the name of the guilds that once used to populate the area.
An Extended Bucharest Sightseeing Tour will discover even more of the capital’s landmarks and tales of the city, taking you on a ride through the Village Museum, Victory Avenue, University Square and The House of Parliament.
Sibiu – the best Romanian Christmas Market
Sibiu Christmas Market is the best one in the country and rightly so. Being the first Christmas Market opened in Romania (in 2007 when Sibiu was the European Capital of Culture) and set in one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Romania, the event attracts travelers from all over the world.
Here gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture blends together to create a fairytale décor. A medieval one to be precise having the fact that the walls of the 15th-century fortifications are still well preserved and hug the Old Town.
If Medieval décor and history-rich towns with castles and palaces make you pack your bags and book a flight, Sibiu can be visited along the other spectacular cities of Sighisoara and Brașov in a Transylvania Winter Tour.
Sibiu Christmas Market is open from November 17 – January 3rd, 2018 and takes place in the Big Square (Piața Mare). Just follow the delicious smells and the impressive lights.
And speaking of lights, this year the novelty of the fair is a grand projection on all of the surrounding buildings along with a variety of live concerts.
Sibiu Christmas Market is open from November 17 – January 3rd, 2018 and takes place in the Big Square (Piața Mare). Just follow the delicious smells and the impressive lights.
And speaking of lights, this year the novelty of the fair is a grand projection on all of the surrounding buildings along with a variety of live concerts.
Brasov – the mountain city
Brașov has probably the second best Romanian Christmas Market after Sibiu. But comes really close with a mix of beautiful architecture and numerous outdoor sports options. If singing a Chrismas Carol under the tree after a full day of skiing or hiking is your tune, Brasov is the perfect mountain city to give you that experience. Bonus, you can also catch a concert in the largest Gothic Cathedral in Romania, The Black Church.
Opened between the 7th of December and 14th of January in Council Square (Piața Sfatului), this year Christmas Market will host artisans from Linz and Nuremberg.
And even though vampires are not something to pair with Santa, if in the area you could also go to the nearby Dracula’s Castle.
Other Romanian Christmas Markets
Christmas Markets are becoming popular in Romania. You can find one in almost any larger city, but besides the one mentioned above there are some other that deserve your attention:
Alba Iulia Christmas Market
Being the birthplace of modern Romania, Alba Iulia should be on your travel list. With a well-preserved citadel, the city is full of history and looks amazing decorated for the holidays.
The Christmas Fair takes place in Union Square, Alba Carolina Citadel between 5th of December and 15th of January.
Cluj Napoca Christmas Market
A rich and dynamic town, Cluj has a lot of influences from the west. It is a popular destination among young people due to the various concerts and festivals held here every year.
Cluj Napoca Christmas Market is open between November 24 and December 30 in Union Square.
