Two days before the official start of the summer season, tourists are still looking for free places in the resorts for the May 1 holiday. The prices are slightly higher in 2026 on the coast, on the other hand, in the mountains and in the balneo-climatic resorts, there are even decreases. Likewise in the Danube Delta.
Prices for the May 1st holiday in the country have increased, on average, by 5-10% in 2026, compared to last year’s rates, but the evolution is not uniform. According to an analysis by tour operator Bibi Touroperator, Romanians decide in the last hundred meters which destination to go to, greatly increasing last-minute purchases.
In many destinations the rates remained the same as last year or even decreased slightly, on the other hand there are also destinations where the increase is greater than 5-10%.
“The average cost per person for a stay on May 1 on the coast has increased from 575 lei, as it was in 2025, to 687 lei, for two nights of accommodation with breakfast included, per person, while in mountain and spa resorts the average rate has decreased from 571 lei to 550 lei, respectively 791 lei to 690 lei, for a 2-night stay, per person, with breakfast included, given that the average length of holidays at the national level has remained constant, at 2.4 nights”, it is shown in the cited analysis.
The prices for vacations in the Danube Delta are also decreasing, where in 2025 the average was almost 600 lei (597 lei), in 2026 reaching 573 lei.
For two days in the country’s big cities, however, the costs are substantially higher than in the resorts and slightly increasing compared to 2025. For two nights of accommodation, in 2026 tourists pay, on average, 1,424 lei, compared to 1,413 lei last year.
Last minute bookings up 30%
Bookings made close to the departure date are the new normal, say tour operator representatives, the trend being fueled by the desire for flexibility, but also by the expectation of last-minute promotional offers. The figures analyzed show a 30% increase in bookings of this type.
“Consumption habits have changed in the current international context. With holiday vouchers at half the value compared to 2024, the incentive to buy holidays in Romania in advance has diminished. Tourists mostly buy last-minute or ultra-last-minute offers, where significant price reductions also appear. Bookings for May 1st were thus low in the first 3 months of the year, even by -30% for some locations, but in the last week they came close to last year’s values ”stated Adrian Voican, vice-president of ANAT.
More than 70% of reservations, at 4 stars
The main choice of tourists for the May 1 holiday, which marks the beginning of the summer season, is the seaside. The most sought-after destinations are: Eforie Nord, Vama Veche, Mamaia, Costinești.
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And balneo tourism remains in the tourists’ preferences, because there the relaxing atmosphere does not depend on the weather outside, the most reservations being in the accommodation units in Călimănești-Căciulata, Băile Felix and Băile Govora.
For lovers of mountain holidays, the favorite areas were: Valea Prahova, Sovata, Poiana Brașov and Vatra Dornei.
Tourism in the Danube Delta, from May 1, is concentrated in Crișan, Sulina, Sfântu Gheorghe and Mahmudia, although many other destinations remain to be explored, and when it comes to the big cities, Brașov, Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu and Iasi attract the most tourists.
More than 70% of Romanian tourists opted for holidays with a certain comfort, at four-star hotels, even if the prices are higher.
Seaside season kicks off with festivals for all ages
The fun at the seaside starts as early as the last day of April. The opening of the summer season is marked by the Festival du Bonheur, which will take place between April 30 and May 3, in Mamaia.
Other points marked on the entertainment map on the Romanian coast are: Elrow Delusionville Festival (electronic music) in Mamaia Nord, on May 1 and 2; Unity by Argo, from April 30 to May 3, 2026, on the beach of a club in Mamaia, plus opening concerts of the season in CAZINO Square in Mamaia, among the protagonists being Diana Matei & Taraful Cleante, Denis Ștefănescu & Vocal Impact Band, AMNA, Trupa Discoteka, Matteo and Trupa NADA.
For fans of DJ-driven shows, names like Satori, Sorä, AFGO & KOV and Johny Romano probably pique your interest.
There are also events for car enthusiasts, in Eforie Nord, between May 1-3, with the HUSTLE BY THE SEA exhibition dedicated to tuned cars scheduled.
At Vama Veche, where it is almost impossible to find, on the last hundred meters, a place to stay, on May 1, 2026, from 8:00 p.m., the band Specii will perform at Bibi Bistro, and from 9:00 p.m., Kempes will perform at Hambar Vama Veche. The “High School Years” party, for the nostalgic, is organized at “La Caleta” Vama. On May 2, the Romanita band performs on the “Hambar” terrace in Vama Veche.
In total, from May 1, more than 100 accommodation units open on the coast, to which are added restaurants, terraces, self-service units and bars.
