Things to do and see in Constanta Romania

If you’re planning a trip to Romania, don’t miss the coastal city of Constanta, a popular summer holiday destination thanks to its long beaches, delicious food and the cultural offering. There’s a lot to see and do in Constanta, which is why we’ve prepared this post to tell you about all the activities to include in your travel itinerary.

Some of the most emblematic points of the city are the Casino, the National Museum of History and Archaeology or the Great Mosque of Mahmudiya. Among its streets you’ll also find parks and an aquarium where you can discover the marine life of the Black Sea, and the best beaches to be found in Mamaia. Below you can also read about many other travel tips such as the best time to travel, how to get there and where to sleep. Are you ready to embark on your journey? Let’s get started!

What are the best places to visit in Constanta?

1. Archaeological Park of Tomis

The Archaeological Park of Tomis is a green space in the centre of the city where you can find the ruins of the ancient city of Tomis, founded by the Romans in the 6th century BC. The park exhibits structures dating back from various periods, including Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman ruins, as well as mosaics, tombs and columns that will take you back in time. It’s also a very pleasant place to stroll around while enjoying the history of Constanta.

2. National Museum of History and Archaeology

One of the must-sees in Constanta is the National Museum of History and Archaeology, a cultural institution of great importance that houses a rich collection of archaeological artefacts and historical objects. It is also one of the most important museums in the country, and one of the oldest, having been founded in 1878.

Its exhibits a wide range of artefacts from prehistoric finds to Roman and Byzantine times, and offer a deep insight into the history of Constanta and the surrounding area. Among its treasures are sculptures, pottery, ancient coins and everyday objects that shed light on the history and culture of the area over the centuries.

The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00, and the entrance fee ranges from 5 to 20 lei.

3. Constanta Aquarium

If you are travelling with children or are a lover of the secrets of the sea, you cannot miss the Constanta Aquarium, a unique attraction that immerses visitors in the fascinating underwater world. The aquarium, opened in 1958, is home to an impressive variety of marine species, from exotic fish to turtles and jellyfish, and in its giant tanks you can observe the marine life of the Black Sea very closely.

The entrance fee is 40 lei for adults and 10 lei for children and students, and the planetarium and dolphinarium are paid separately. Open daily from 9:30am to 4pm.

4. The Casino, a must-see in Constanta

The Casino of Constanta is an iconic building in art nouveau style dating back from the end of the 19th century. It is one of the most prominent architectural symbols of the city as it has witnessed the history of the region and has gone through different periods of splendour and decline.

In its heyday it was an elegant entertainment and gambling centre frequented by European high society. And although over the years it has been restored and protected for its historical value, today it remains closed and only the façade can be seen. Even so, it is well worth a visit to enjoy the views of the sea from this privileged enclave.

5. The Great Mosque of Mahmudiya

This impressive building erected in 1910 by monarch Carol I offers one of the most impressive views of the city and the ancient port. Inside, it treasures a priceless Persian carpet, a gift from Sultan Abdul Hamind. This is why the building is famous as the “Carpet Palace” because of this magnificent piece that is a symbol of opulence and good taste.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Constanta

1. Beaches of Mamaia

Just 3km from Constanta lies Mamaia, a seaside resort town and a popular summer tourist destination thanks to its golden sandy beaches that stretch for several kilometres between the Black Sea and Lake Siutghiol.

There is a wide variety of hotels, shops, restaurants and bars in the area where the atmosphere is lively. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a day of sun and sand.

2. Bucharest

On your journey around Romania you will most likely pass the city of Bucharest at some point, which is a 3-hour drive from Constanta. Romania’s capital offers a mix of history and culture in a lively urban environment.

Some of the most famous attractions are the Palace of Parliament, the Old Town (Lipscani) with cobbled streets and charming architecture, the Stavropoleos Church, the Museum of the Romanian People, which exhibits Romanian history and culture or the Romanian Athenaeum, an architectural gem where concerts and cultural events are held.

In this post you can read more about Bucharest: Things to do and see in Bucharest?

What to see in 1 day in Constanta?

Although there is quite a lot to see in Constanta, the truth is that the city can be visited in one day during which you will have plenty of time to see:

• Tomis Archaeological Park
• National Museum of History and Archaeology
• The Great Mosque of Mahmudiya
• Aquarium of Constanta
• The Casino
• The old town
• The port

If you have more time, we also recommend a visit to Mamaia’s magnificent beaches, where you can swim and sunbathe on the fine golden sand. And don’t forget to try the area’s gastronomic specialities, including seafood and fresh fish dishes.

Where and what to eat in Constanta?

The gastronomy of Constanta has a wide variety of ingredients that combine in delicious and hearty dishes characterised by their mixture of sour, sweet, salty and bitter flavours. Most likely you have never tasted anything like it. Some of the most famous dishes are the Fasole cu Costita, smoked ribs, Tocanita and Tochitura, meat stew or Ciorba de Perisoare, vegetable broth, but seafood and fish are also plentiful due to the city’s coastal location. In this post you will discover many other typical Romanian dishes: Romanian food: What and where to eat?

You can sample these delicacies at restaurants and stalls dotted along the pavements and beaches. Here are a few of our favourites:

• Pescaria lui Matei: is the best place to eat fresh seafood. It’s in a great location overlooking the sea and prices range from €15 to €52.
• Ana si Ion: is a charming restaurant in the city centre. It specialises in barbecue and European dishes, but also has vegan options.
• Terasa Andreea Mamaia: this is a Romanian restaurant with an extensive menu to suit all tastes. The food is delicious and the price is very affordable.

Where to stay in Constanta

Accommodation in Constanta is plentiful and quite affordable, so you should have no trouble finding options to match your expectations. However, we recommend that you look for it in advance. Here are a few of our favourite hotels in the city:

• Maryiotis Hotel: is a very economical option and only 500 metres from the beach. It has air conditioning and free parking. The price per night starts from 36€.
• Olympic Boutique is a cosy 4-star hotel in the heart of the city centre. It has its own bar and restaurant, and the price per night starts at €70. It includes breakfast.
• Rezident Tomis Marina: is a simple, affordable and comfortable accommodation with sea view. The price per night starts from €73.

How to get to Constanta

From some European cities there are direct flights to Mihail Koga lniceanuara International Airport, 25km from Constanta. However, you will usually have to make a stopover at Bucharest-Henri Coanda International Airport, from where you can reach your destination as follows:

• Plane: from Bucharest-Henri Coanda International Airport to Mihail Kogalniceanuara International Airport takes only 35 minutes.
• Train: Another option is the train, which connects the main cities of Romania, such as Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca. From Bucharest it takes 4.5 hours.
• Bus: Several bus companies offer long-distance services to Constanta from different cities in Romania and other European countries. From Bucharest it takes 3.5 hours
• Car: You can also rent a car at the airport and drive to Constanta. From Bucharest it is 3.5 hours.
• By boat: If you’re in a Black Sea coastal town, you might consider taking a ferry or passenger boat to the port of Constanta, which is one of the largest ports on the Black Sea. Constanta is also a very common stop for cruise ships travelling on the Black Sea.

What should I know before travelling to Constanta?

• The official currency in Romania is the Romanian leu (RON), although in some shops and accommodation you can pay in euros.
• The official language of Romania is Romanian, but in tourist areas, it is common to find English speakers, especially in hotels and restaurants.
• If you are an EU citizen, you will only need your identity card or valid passport to travel to Romania. For non-EU countries, a passport with at least 3 months validity is required; a tourist visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days.
• It is advisable to travel with travel insurance that provides you with adequate medical cover, as free medical care in Romania is limited for foreign visitors.
• Romania is a safe country, but keep your belongings safe and be aware of possible pickpockets in tourist areas and on public transport.
• The best time to visit Romania is between May and September, and if you’re going to Constanta it’s best to go in the summer months.
• Tap water is safe to drink, but it is recommended to avoid tap water and drink bottled water.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Constanta

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information about the trip.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app so that you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
• Make any modifications you need and you’re all set for your trip
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. In addition, you can share your own travel tips and recommendations on the things to do in Constanta.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter. 

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Constanta