Craiova holidays from Ireland: the honest verdict

The Bottom Line

Who should go: Best for city-break fans.
Worth the money?: Yes. Good value.

The honest verdict

Is Craiova worth it?

“Voted Europe’s best Christmas market in 2025. Lovely in December, and honestly not much reason to go the rest of the year.”

Seven dots means go. One dot means stay home and put the heating on.

The Mammy TestPASS, WITH CONDITIONS“She will love the lights”

Sun: 6/10 · Hot summers, cold winters
Value: 9/10 · Very cheap
Crowds: 6/10 · Busy at the market
Irish pub within 50m: 5/10 · A few good bars

Getting to Craiova from Ireland

No direct flights from Ireland right now. Fly to Bucharest and take the train or drive, about three hours. We add direct routes the day they appear.

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What Craiova is actually like

A big, friendly city in southern Romania that has become famous for one thing: its Christmas market. Every winter the centre fills with millions of lights, a Ferris wheel, an ice rink and stalls of mulled wine and Romanian food. It topped the European Best Destinations vote for Christmas markets in 2025. Outside the season it is a pleasant, ordinary city with a lovely park.

Who Craiova suits

Christmas market fans who have done Vienna and Prague
Budget travellers
People combining it with Bucharest

Best time to go to Craiova from Ireland

Mid-November to early January, for the market. The rest of the year is pleasant but quiet; summers are hot.

Where to stay in Craiova

City centre: Walking distance of the market. See hotels in City centre (opens in a new tab)
Near Romanescu Park: Calmer, by one of the largest parks in Romania. See hotels near Romanescu Park (opens in a new tab)
Near the station: Handy for trains to and from Bucharest. See hotels near the station (opens in a new tab)

Compare hotels and apartments in Craiova (opens in a new tab)

Hotel prices in Craiova

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What nobody tells you about Craiova

There is no direct flight from Ireland. Fly to Bucharest and take the train or drive, about three hours.
Go on a weekday evening. Weekends at the market are packed.
Romania uses lei, not euro, and prices are low.

Craiova weather by month

Month	Avg high	vs Ireland	Sun a day	Rainy days
January	3°C	-5°	2h	6
February	6°C	-3°	3h	6
March	12°C	+1°	5h	6
April	18°C	+5°	7h	7
May	23°C	+7°	9h	9
June	27°C	+9°	10h	8
July	30°C	+10°	11h	6
August	30°C	+11°	10h	5
September	25°C	+8°	8h	5
October	18°C	+4°	5h	5
November	10°C	0°	3h	6
December	4°C	-4°	2h	7

Long-term averages, rounded. "vs Ireland" compares with a typical Dublin high. Rainy days have at least 1mm of rain.

What's on in Craiova

November to DecemberCraiova Christmas Market, voted the best in Europe by European Best Destinations in 2025. Huge lights, a Ferris wheel, mid-November to early January.

Dates move from year to year. Check before you book.

Questions people actually ask

Is Craiova warm in October?

Average daily highs are around 18°C in October, compared with about 14°C in Ireland. Pleasant, but pack a jumper for the evenings.

When is the best time to visit Craiova?

For warm sun without frying, go in May, June and September. July and August can be properly hot, often over 28°C.

Is Craiova worth it?

We give it 4 out of 7 blue dots. Voted Europe’s best Christmas market in 2025. Lovely in December, and honestly not much reason to go the rest of the year.

Checked October 2026

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