Things to Do in Brasov in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Brasov
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring mountain scenery at its absolute peak - the Carpathians turn impossibly green in May, with wildflowers covering the lower slopes and snow still visible on Tampa Mountain's northern face. The contrast is stunning for photography, especially early morning around 6-7am when mist rolls through the valleys.
- Shoulder season pricing with summer weather - accommodations in May run about 30-40% cheaper than June-August rates, yet you're getting similar daytime temperatures (often hitting 18-20°C or 64-68°F by afternoon). Most guesthouses haven't switched to peak pricing yet, and you can actually negotiate walk-in rates.
- Hiking trails are accessible but not crowded - the cable car to Tampa Mountain operates full schedule by early May, but you'll share the summit with maybe 20-30 people instead of the 200+ you'd see in July. Snow has cleared from most trails below 1,500 m (4,921 ft), though Piatra Craiului still requires proper boots.
- Local festival season kicks off - May brings genuine Romanian celebrations before the tourist-focused summer events start. Brasov Day (late May, typically around May 27-28) means street concerts, traditional food stalls in Piata Sfatului, and locals actually participating rather than just tourists watching performers.
Considerations
- Weather genuinely unpredictable - you might get 22°C (72°F) and sunshine one day, then 9°C (48°F) with rain the next. Those 10 rainy days aren't spread evenly, they tend to cluster. I've seen three consecutive grey days in mid-May that made outdoor plans frustrating. Pack layers and have indoor backup plans ready.
- Evenings stay quite cool - that 7°C (45°F) low isn't just a statistical outlier, it's what you'll feel most nights after sunset around 8:30pm. The outdoor terraces in Council Square don't really get comfortable until late May, and you'll want a proper jacket for evening walks through the Old Town, not just a light sweater.
- Some mountain huts not fully operational - higher altitude cabanas typically open for the season around mid-May, meaning early May hikers have fewer refuge options. If you're planning serious mountain routes, check specific hut opening dates, as they depend on snow clearance and can shift by a week or two each year.
Best Activities in May
Tampa Mountain sunrise hikes
May offers the sweet spot for Tampa Mountain - the cable car runs full schedule by early May, but morning temperatures (around 8-10°C or 46-50°F at 6am) keep crowds minimal until 9am. The 960 m (3,150 ft) summit gives you views across the entire Barsa Land valley, and in May you'll see the full green patchwork of fields and forests that gets hazy by July. The trail from Gabony is about 2.5 km (1.6 miles) one way, takes 45-60 minutes up, and you'll likely have the first hour mostly to yourself. UV index hits 8 by midday, so start early.
Piatra Craiului ridge hiking
This is actually the ideal month for serious hikers to tackle Piatra Craiului National Park before summer heat makes the exposed limestone ridges brutal. The main ridge trail (Curmatura-Padina route) is typically snow-free by mid-May, though early May might still have patches above 1,900 m (6,234 ft). You're looking at 6-8 hours for the full traverse, with spectacular drop-offs on both sides and wildflowers covering the alpine meadows. The 70% humidity might sound high, but at elevation it's actually comfortable compared to valley conditions.
Saxon fortified church cycling routes
May weather is perfect for the 40-50 km (25-31 mile) cycling routes connecting Brasov to surrounding Saxon villages like Prejmer, Harman, and Bod. Temperatures hit that comfortable 16-19°C (61-66°F) range by mid-morning, roads are dry after April's heavy rains, and the agricultural valleys are bright green with spring wheat. The fortified churches themselves are UNESCO sites, and in May you'll often have them nearly empty, maybe one or two other visitors. Prejmer's fortress walls are particularly impressive, built 12 m (39 ft) high with 272 rooms inside.
Bran Castle and Rasnov Fortress day trips
May gives you the rare combination of good weather and manageable crowds at Romania's most visited castle. Bran Castle sees maybe 40% of its July visitor numbers in May, meaning you can actually spend time in the narrow staircases and small rooms without being pushed through. The 30-minute drive from Brasov takes you through countryside that's particularly scenic in spring. Combine it with Rasnov Fortress (another 15 minutes away), which sits 150 m (492 ft) above the valley and offers better views than Bran honestly, with almost no crowds.
Traditional Romanian cooking experiences
May brings spring vegetables and wild herbs that define Romanian mountain cuisine, and several guesthouses in nearby villages offer hands-on cooking sessions. You're learning to make sarmale (cabbage rolls), mici (grilled meat rolls), and cozonac (sweet bread) using seasonal ingredients. These typically run 3-4 hours including the meal, happen in actual village homes rather than commercial kitchens, and give you genuine interaction with locals. The cool May weather makes standing over a wood-fired stove actually pleasant rather than the sweaty ordeal it becomes in July.
Bear watching in Piatra Craiului foothills
Romania has Europe's largest brown bear population, and May is prime viewing season as bears emerge from winter dens and feed actively before summer heat. Organized watching sessions happen from covered hides in the forest, typically 4-6 km (2.5-3.7 miles) from Zarnesti, starting around 6pm and lasting until dusk around 9pm. Success rate in May runs about 70-80%, significantly higher than summer months when bears move to higher elevations. You'll sit quietly for 2-3 hours, so that variable May weather matters, bring warm layers even if the day was sunny.
May Events & Festivals
Brasov City Days (Zilele Brasovului)
The city's main annual celebration typically runs for 4-5 days in late May, centered around the traditional May 27-28 dates. Piata Sfatului (Council Square) transforms into a festival ground with outdoor concerts (mostly Romanian rock and folk bands), traditional craft stalls, and food vendors selling local specialties like kurtos kalacs (chimney cake) and covrigi (pretzels). This is genuinely for locals first, tourists second, so you'll see actual Brasov families out rather than just the usual tourist crowd. Evening concerts run until about 11pm, and the vibe is relaxed rather than rowdy.
Junii Brasovului Parade
If your dates align (typically first Sunday after Orthodox Easter, which in 2026 falls on April 19, making this early May), this centuries-old tradition showcases different groups of 'young men' (Junii) in traditional costume parading through the Old Town on horseback. Each group represents a different historical guild or neighborhood, wearing distinct colors and carrying specific flags. The parade route runs from Schei district through Strada Republicii to Council Square, starting around 10am and lasting 2-3 hours. Arrive by 9:30am to claim a viewing spot along Republicii, as crowds line the street but it's not shoulder-to-shoulder packed like you'd see at major Western European festivals.