Christmas market bookings rise across Romania

Bookings for Christmas stays are already increasing compared to last year, with the average price starting from 160 euros.

The first Christmas markets opened this year in Craiova and Sibiu on November 14, and in the coming weeks markets from Cluj-Napoca, Alba Iulia, Timișoara, Bucharest, Oradea, Brașov and Iași are expected to follow, each city offering a unique experience—from concerts and shows to traditional foods and artisanal gifts, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

The festive atmosphere is completed everywhere by holiday lighting and seasonal decorations, inviting tourists to enjoy the magic of Christmas for several weeks.

“The 2025 Christmas market season is shaping up to be full of color and festive events, with strong interest in major cities that blend holiday atmosphere with cultural and gastronomic activities. Travelminit data shows that bookings are already rising compared to last year, and tourists are planning their visits so they won’t miss the magic of the markets. Christmas markets in Romania begin to open in the second half of November, marking the start of the festive season. (…) Brașov, Sibiu and Bucharest remain at the top of tourists’ preferences, followed by Craiova, Oradea and Cluj-Napoca, all cities hosting spectacular markets that attract millions of visitors every year,” the platform’s statement says.

According to the cited source, the average value of a booking for the Christmas market period ranges between 160 and 225 euros per stay, depending on the city and type of accommodation. Brașov stands out with an average of 226 euros, making it one of the most sought-after destinations, while Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca sit at around 160–165 euros.

In Bucharest, the average is 185 euros, with the city offering a varied selection thanks to its three simultaneous markets: Constitution Square, Drumul Taberei Park and Hala Laminor.

In Iași, the average value of bookings is 206 euros, while in Craiova and Oradea prices are around 165 euros.

“In general, prices reflect the high interest Romanians have for festive experiences during the winter holidays. Hotels remain the main choice for tourists, but demand for apartments and guesthouses is increasing, especially in Sibiu, Timișoara and Oradea. Stays generally last two or three nights, perfect for festive getaways,” the statement adds.

Brașov ranks first in bookings, followed by Sibiu and Craiova. Also in the top are Oradea, Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest, Timișoara and Iași, all cities animated by holiday lights, themed markets and events that bring visitors to city centers every weekend.

Tourists also choose their stays based on the city and the number of markets they plan to visit. In Bucharest, many choose to spend several nights to explore all the markets and festive attractions. In contrast, Brașov and Iași are suitable for shorter getaways, with an average stay of two nights.

Founded in Cluj-Napoca, Travelminit has been one of the largest players in the Romanian hotel booking market since 2017. Its portfolio includes over 10,000 accommodation units (hotels, guesthouses, apartments) active on the platform and app, covering a wide range of locations across the country (seaside, mountain, spa resorts and major cities), and it is the market leader in bookings made with vacation cards.

Since 2020, Travelminit has been part of the Szallas Group, which includes 12 hotel platforms in Central and Eastern Europe (Romania, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Croatia), with sales of over 200 million euros and more than 500 employees.

In 2022, Szallas Group (including Travelminit) was acquired by Wirtualna Polska Holding, one of Poland’s leading e-commerce and media companies, publicly listed and headquartered in Warsaw.