The Romanian Black Sea coast stretches 245 km from the Ukrainian border (Sulina) to Vama Veche (Bulgarian border). Season: June–September. Water 22–26°C, fine sandy beaches, lower prices than in Bulgaria, Greece or Croatia.
🏛️ Constanța — the ancient city of Tomis
Largest city on the coast (260,000 inhabitants), important commercial port on the Black Sea. Founded in the 7th c. BC as the Greek colony of Tomis. Here the Roman poet Ovid was exiled (8–17 AD). Sights:
- Constanța Casino — city symbol (1910, Art Nouveau), on the seafront. Recently restored.
- National Museum of History and Archaeology — ancient archaeological treasures.
- Roman Mosaic — 4th-c. Roman pavement with 850 m² of mosaics.
- Carol I Mosque — 47 m minaret, panoramic view (5 lei).
- Constanța Aquarium — under the Casino, small but nice.
- Dolphinarium — in Mamaia, small.
🏖️ The resorts
- Mamaia (next to Constanța) — busiest resort. Hotels, clubs, 8 km wide beach. For youth.
- Eforie Nord/Sud — families, Techirghiol Lake with therapeutic mud (1 million tourists for treatments annually).
- Costinești — for high-school and university students (camps, low prices, nightlife).
- Olimp, Neptun, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn — resorts with mythological names, built under Ceaușescu, slowly recovering.
- Mangalia — largest southern coastal city, beaches and port.
- 2 Mai and Vama Veche — for hipsters, bohemians, festivals. „Vama" is famous for alternative atmosphere, beach clubs, informal nudism.
🐦 Danube Delta
North of Constanța — Danube Delta (UNESCO 1991, 2 hours by car to Tulcea), Europe's best-preserved delta. Day or 3-day tour with overnight in floating guesthouses. 5500 animal species, birdwatchers' paradise (300 species, including pelicans).
📅 When to go
- June: fewer tourists, water 19–22°C. For those who can't bear the heat.
- July–August: high season, prices 2× higher, crowded beaches, water 24–26°C.
- September: ideal — warm water, fewer tourists, lower prices.
🚆 Transport
Constanța airport (CND) with seasonal flights. Fast train from Bucharest (2h, 50 lei). Frequent buses between resorts in summer.