If you don’t have time for a stay in Lapland or in an exotic destination, “Adevărul” has made a list of destinations in Romania where you can visit in a small getaway that can last even just a day.
One of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Romania is located in Craoiva. PHOTO: urban, ro
1. Maramureș
“For Christmas, choose Maramures! It is one of the most beautiful regions in Romania, surrounded by the dense forests of the Carpathians, which are difficult to penetrate in winter. The villages of Maramures are enlivened, during the holidays, by the voices of carolers, dressed in folk costumes. The people of the village still manage to keep the customs of their ancestors and the rites of the place. Welcoming and with a gift of nature, the hosts will serve you the best of traditional dishes“, it is shown on the site ideidevacantă.ro.
Those who want to have an active rest, can also do a little exercise, can choose the city of Borsa, where one of the largest natural trampolines in Europe, 113 meters high, is located.
Not to be missed are the wooden churches, specific to the area, the Vesel Cemetery in Săpânta, as well as the Cailor waterfall, which you can reach by chairlift, for a fairytale view. Not to be missed is a horse-drawn carriage ride on the Vaserului Valley from Vișeul de Sus.
2. The Christmas market in Craoiva
According to the organizers, this year’s fair is spectacular, being designed as a place where “classic stories and futuristic wonders come together to offer the joys of childhood”.
“Awarded four times among the best in Europe, this year the Craiova Christmas Fair covers a larger area than before and brings new and original elements, many of them unique to Romania (…) The the highest flying sleigh in Eastern Europe, Santa’s elevator, houses inspired by sci-fi movies, fairy tale settings, over two million lights, shows, traditional Romanian products and many surprises are prepared to welcome you on visitors between November 15, 2024 and January 5, 2025“, Craiova City Hall announced.
The areas where the Christmas Fair is held this year are: Mihai Viteazul Square, Doljana area, Theodor Aman Street, Fraţii Buzeşti Square and the Marin Sorescu National Theater esplanade – William Shakespeare Square.
Visitors will have the opportunity to buy different products specific to the season from the more than 90 merchants in Craiova and all over the country from small houses, terraces or trucks: painted globes, traditional food, jamar, cheeses, mulled wine, muffins, donuts , waffles, burgers, churros, stroh, gingerbread, handmade decorations and gifts, crowns, etc.
Traders will be present every day, from Monday to Friday, between 12:00 and 22:00, and from Friday to Sunday, between 11:00 and 23:00. For children, several surprises and specially arranged places are prepared: carousels, a panoramic wheel, little trains, roller coasters, an ice rink, but also VR movies.
3. Balvanyos
Another ideal place to relax is the resort of Balvanyos in Covasna county. After the healing water treatments here, you can visit the Balvanyos Citadel, the Bird Cemetery, the Sulfur Cave – the largest in Europe, with an emission of 3000 cubic meters of sulfuric hydrogen. Not to be missed are the walks to the Saint Ana Lake area – a unique volcanic lake in Europe. “Here, fun is guaranteed. You can go sledding on the road leading to the lake”we learn from the ideidevacanta.ro blog. At the SPA at Balvanyos Resort, you can do a unique activity: a swim in the outdoor hot pool in winter.
4. Mountain Kindergarten
The destination is part of the 10 destinations recommended in 2024 by the International Federation of Journalists by the Romanian Tourism Press Club. “On an area of 200 square km, the Orăștiei Mountains house the richest complex of Dacian Citadels on the territory of Romania. The fortifications at Costești, Blidaru, Piatra Roșie, were designed with a single goal in mind – to protect the great economic, political and religious-cultural center at Sarmizegetusa Regia, which can be seen in their construction unit“, says the quoted source.
The guesthouses in the area spoil their visitors with traditional holiday dishes, and the meal starts with palinca and afinata from the house!
5. Voluntary
In Vălcea county, on the valley of the river Lotru, there is the Voineasa resort.
Winter sports lovers will find the ideal destination here. The biggest attraction of the Vidra-Obârsia Lotrului area is the Transalpina Ski Resort. The most modern mountain resort in Tarp, you will find it near Voineasa, with over 80 kilometers of slopes that reach up to 2,100 meters above sea level. Otter Lake is also not to be missed.
6. Sibiu
Sibiu is one of the most beautiful cities in Romania, which in the winter months offers a real spectacle, thanks to its festive evenings. Competing with Craoiva, the Christmas market here.
The thousands of colored lights on the streets of the city, the little treasures at the Christmas Market, in Piață Mare in Sibiu, the elfies at the Bridge of Lies, a visit to the Brukenthal Museum or even a show at the theater, in the theater capital of Romania should not be missed. Then, a visit to the most interesting ethnographic museum in the country will crown the success of the evening.
7. Bucovina
Whether you want to experience ancient customs or traditional dishes, Bucovina is a must. The ritual of preparing holiday goodies is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you might even pick up some tips in the kitchen. The caroling days will fill you with light. These ancestral lands are loaded with legends and traditions are passed down from generation to generation.
The region is also loaded with history, no less than 35 monuments and nature reserves, all set in a natural landscape that takes your breath away. The painted monuments of this magical land were also included in the UNESCO Heritage. For those nostalgic for vacations spent at their grandparents’, the locals can take you around these lands in a horse-drawn sleigh.
8. Sinaia
At a gala dedicated to skiing in Austria, Sinaia received the distinction of the best mountain resort in Romania.
The latest investments have made this area one of the most popular tourist attractions. During the Christmas holidays, Peleș and Pelișor castles must be part of your list of visits, to admire the architecture of the buildings and the works of art found here. If the weather permits, do not miss the natural monuments, symbols of the area, the Babel and the Sphinx.
9. Upper Saturday
If you have never been to Șara Făgărașului, you must go to a real fairy-tale village called Sâmbăta de Sus. Especially at Christmas, when a tradition that has been included in the UNESCO Heritage takes place every year in the village that has existed since the 15th century. A group of boys walks around the village with carols, and on the first day of the holiday they go to the church, then the whole procession spends at the Cultural Home. After the days spent in peace, you can visit Brâncoveanu Castle, the Sâmbăta de Sus Monastery – a spectacular construction or you can admire the horses from the stud here.
