Romania's Black Sea coast stretches 245 kilometres from the wild, unspoiled Danube Delta in the north to the string of beach resorts near the Bulgarian border. The two halves could hardly be more different: the Delta is a protected wilderness of channels, reed beds, and pelican colonies, while the southern stretch is a continuous ribbon of golden sand backed by resorts that range from communist-era concrete to surprisingly stylish.
Constanta is the hub — Romania's main port and the coast's only real city, with a surprisingly rich archaeological museum and a lively waterfront. Just north of Constanta, Mamaia is the biggest and busiest resort, a narrow strip of sand between the sea and a lake. Further south, a series of resorts named after mythological figures — Neptune, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn — offer cheaper accommodation, campsites, and a more relaxed atmosphere. Mangalia, near the Bulgarian border, has health spas dating from the communist era that still draw visitors for mud and mineral treatments.
The swimming is safe (no strong tides), the water is warm from late May through September, and the beaches are wide and sandy. The coast is still far less crowded and less expensive than comparable Mediterranean destinations, though it is catching up fast.