Constanta holidays

How to reach Constanța

• Flight time: Flights to Constanța from London and other major UK airports typically take around 3 to 4 hours.

• Transfer time: From Mihail Kogălniceanu International Airport, 25km northwest of town, a shuttle bus runs into the city centre taking about 40 minutes.

• Price: The shuttle bus is a budget-friendly option, costing around 7 RON (approximately £1.20). A taxi typically costs between 60 and 80 RON (about £10 to £14).

Best time to visit Constanța

This will depend on how much you enjoy the heat and the crowds of your fellow tourists which both peak during the summer.

• May to June: Spring is one of the best times to visit Constanța. The weather is warm but not too hot, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C and around 8-10 hours of sunshine daily. It’s a good time to spend time on the beaches too, before the Romanians descend for the summer.

• July to August: Constanța and the Black Sea coast can be dauntingly crowded and stiflingly hot (often hitting 30°C) in summer, and the cost of accommodation is almost double that during the rest of the year. Expect long days with up to 12 hours of sunshine and next to no rain.

• September to October: Constanța is a more relaxed city in autumn with fewer crowds, water still warm enough to swim in and temperatures hovering between a pleasant 15°C and 25°C. Rainfall increases to around 50-70mm per month.

• November to April: Winter in Constanța is extremely mild compared to the UK. Average temperatures range from 5°C to 15°C. Rainfall is around 40-60mm per month, and there are 5-7 hours of sunshine daily.

Practical information:

• Spoken languages: Romanian is the official language, but English is widely spoken throughout the city and along the coast.

• Local habits and customs: Romanians are known for their hospitality and warmth. It’s customary to greet people with a handshake and use formal titles until invited to use first names. When visiting churches or monasteries, dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Tipping is common, especially in restaurants, where 10 percent is standard.

• Health and safety: Watch out for pickpockets in crowded buses and trams and never leave bags unattended, especially on the beaches.

• Getting around: Constanța is small enough to get around on foot, but one useful bus route is the no.40, which runs from the railway station to the beginning of the Mamaia strip. Tickets cost 5 RON and can be bought from the RATC kiosk. They must be stamped in the machines once on board.

• Electricity and plug types: Romania uses the standard European two-pin plug with 230 volts. UK travellers will need a plug adaptor to use their devices.

• Time zone: Romania operates on Eastern European Time (EET), which is 2 hours ahead of GMT.

• Required travel documentation: UK travellers do not need a visa to enter Romania for stays of up to 90 days. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date.

Local dishes in Constanța

Romanian cuisine tends to be filling and wholesome, with menus dominated by meat in common with the rest of the Balkans, but here in Constanța, seafood is of course a key element of many restaurant menus.

Some typical dishes

• Sarmale: Cabbage leaves stuffed with rice, meat and herbs, usually served (or sometimes baked) with sour cream or horseradish; they are sometimes also made with vine leaves.

• Ciorbă: Romanian soups, known as ciorbă, are a staple in local cuisine; variations include ciorbă de burtă (tripe soup) and ciorbă rădăuțeană (chicken soup with vegetables), though all are usually served with sour cream and a dash of vinegar.

Meat dishes

• Tochitură: A rich dish made from diced pork, sausages and liver, cooked in a tomato sauce and served with mămăligă and a fried egg on top.

• Muşchi ciobanesc: “Shepherd’s sirloin” is pork stuffed with ham, covered in cheese and served with mayonnaise, cucumber and herbs.

Street food

• Covrigi: Plain or seeded bread rings straight from the oven, sold as a bunch and tied to a piece of string, you’ll find these everywhere.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Saramura de pește: This traditional dish is made with assorted fish, grilled and simmered in a salty, spicy brine and served with mămăligă.

• Rapane: A local delicacy, these Black Sea snails are prepared with garlic and white wine and served as a starter or main course.

Sweets and desserts

• Papanasi: Sweet, rich and utterly indulgent, these are fried or boiled doughnuts served with sour cream and topped with fruit preserves, typically made from blueberries or cherries.

• Cozonac: A sweet, leavened bread filled with nuts, poppy seeds or Turkish delight, often enjoyed during holiday seasons.

Local drinks

• Tuică: A tasty, powerful brandy usually made of plums, taken neat. In rural areas, homemade spirits can be fearsome stuff, often twice distilled to over 50 percent!

• Wine: Romania’s best wines are Grasa (white) and Feteasca Neagră (red), and the sweet dessert wines of Murfatlar.

Best things to do in Constanța

This relaxed seaport-cum-riviera town, dotted with Turkish, Byzantine and Roman remains, offers a splendid array of museums and historical riches, particularly throughout its atmospheric old quarter.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Carol I Mosque: Climbing the 140 steps leading up through the 47m-high minaret is worth it for outstanding views of the town and Black Sea coast beyond.

• Casino: Jutting out on a rounded promenade is the once magnificent Cazino, originally erected as an Art Nouveau pavilion for Queen Elisabeta in 1904–10; the views out across the Black Sea are rather fine.

The best districts

• Piața Ovidiu: The large and lovely central square of the old quarter is dominated by a mournful statue of Ovid, a rather fine bronze piece sculpted by Italian Ettore Ferarri in 1887.

Museums

• Archeological and National History Museum: Harbouring one of the country’s most significant archaeological collections, the museum’s signature piece is the extraordinary Glykon Serpent, a unique creation about the size of a squatting toddler, with an antelope’s head, human hair and eyes.

• Museum of the Romanian Navy: Occupying the one-time premises of the city’s naval academy, this is a thoroughgoing trawl through Romania’s illustrious maritime history.

Historical monuments

• Ruins of Tomis: Settled by Greeks from Miletus in the 6th century, this archaeological park displays sections of ancient walls, serried amphorae and other spectacular ruins.

• Roman Mosaic: Originally consisting of some 2000 sq metres, of which around 800 sq metres survive, much of the mosaic has been effaced but there are still some remarkably well-preserved sections, typically featuring geometrical and floral motifs.

• Genoese Lighthouse: A small but historic landmark, this squat grey limestone structure was erected in 1860 by workers of the Danubius and Black Sea Railway company.

Day trips in the area

• Vama Veche: This charming small retreat on the Bulgarian border remains the most untouched and free-spirited of the Black Sea resorts.

• Halmyris: The ancient Roman city of Halmyris is an archaeological work in progress that recently saw the discovery of the remains of legendary martyrs Epictet and Astion.

• Danube Delta: One of Europe’s most evocative landscapes, the Delta offers an array of birdlife unmatched anywhere else on the continent – stunning during migration season.

Activities for families in Constanța

Constanța holidays can be enjoyed by all the family, with activities ranging from beaches and parks to zoos and splash parks.

• Waterparks: Easily the best place to take children is the gleaming Aqua Magic water park at the southern entrance to Mamaia, which has all the requisite slides and chutes.

• Beaches: While Constanța has a few beaches of its own, those in Mamaia, just north of the city, are the ones to head for; calm and mostly shallow waters, there are also plenty of amenities, including sunbeds, umbrellas and beachside cafés - plus lifeguards.

• Aquariums: The only one of its kind in the country, Constanța’s Aquarium showcases a variety of marine life from the Black Sea, including fish, turtles and seahorses. Part of the Natural Sciences Museum Complex, the Dolphinarium is another big hit with children.

Free things to do in Constanța

Constanța is by no means an expensive destination, but that doesn’t mean to say that you can’t save even more pennies by seeking out free activities.

• Beaches: Nothing screams free more than a beach, and Constanța has plenty, although the best are in Mamaia just north of the city.

• Free events: Constanța hosts a variety of free cultural events throughout the year, especially during the summer, though nothing comes close to Navy Day on 15th August, when thousands of people turn out to watch a grand parade.

Nature and outdoor activities in Constanța

More than just a seaside city, Constanța is also a gateway to some of Romania’s most beautiful natural landscapes, and there’s plenty to keep outdoor enthusiasts busy during their holidays to Constanța.

• Water sports: The coast provides all manner of possibilities for fun-filled diversions, such as wakeboarding, waterskiing and kayaking. The beaches in Mamaia are particularly well-equipped for these activities, with several rental places and schools offering lessons.

• Birdwatching: Europe’s most extensive wetland, with the continent’s largest pelican colonies, the Delta is heaven for birdwatchers, especially during the spring and autumn migrations. Boat tours offer the best way to explore the region’s intricate network of waterways and observe its wildlife in their natural habitat.