Spend a day on the Peninsula: the history museum and Roman Mosaic Edifice on Piața Ovidiu, the climb up the Carol I Mosque minaret, then the restored Casino and the seafront promenade past the Genoese Lighthouse. Eat fish at Tomis Marina. Give a second day to Mamaia's beach, or drive north to the Greek ruins of Histria.
Constanța is Romania's Black Sea port, built over the Greek colony of Tomis where Ovid lived out his exile. The old Peninsula holds the Casino, a mosque, an Orthodox cathedral and Roman ruins within a few streets, and the Mamaia beach strip starts at the city's northern edge.
The 1910 Art Nouveau casino on the seafront reopened on 21 May 2025 after a five-year restoration. Inside are exhibitions on the building, Romania's lighthouses and the engineer Anghel Saligny.
The National History and Archaeology Museum holds the finds from Tomis and Dobruja. The star is the Glykon, a carved snake god dug up in the city in 1962.
A terraced Roman complex that once linked the upper town to the harbour, its mosaic floor still in place. It reopened on 14 November 2025 after restoration.
Built from 1910 to 1913 at King Carol I's initiative, the Great Mahmudiye Mosque has a minaret you can climb. Around 140 steep steps end in the best view over the Peninsula and the sea.
The old town square, named for the Roman poet exiled to Tomis. Ettore Ferrari's bronze of Ovid was unveiled here in August 1887; a copy stands in his birthplace, Sulmona.
The promenade runs below the old town from the Casino past the small Genoese Lighthouse of 1860. It is the city's evening walk, with Tomis Marina at its northern end.
The Orthodox cathedral of Tomis, built from 1883 to 1885 to plans by Alexandru Orăscu and Carol Benesch. Ion Mincu is credited with the interior.
The yacht harbour below the Peninsula is where the city goes for Black Sea fish and mussels with a view of the old town. Bacaro Port and The Boat are the names to know.
An 8 km strip of sand between the Black Sea and Lake Siutghiol, Romania's best-known resort. The Telegondola runs 2.1 km above it for the view of both waters.
The oldest Greek city on Romanian soil, founded by settlers from Miletus about 60 km north of Constanța. Its ruins and museum sit by a lagoon at the edge of the Danube Delta reserve.
Ship models, uniforms and the story of Romania's fleet, on Strada Traian.
The dolphinarium, planetarium and microreserve on the Mamaia road.
Priests throw a cross into the sea at the port and swimmers dive in after it.
The long weekend that opens the season on Mamaia and the city beaches.
The city museums open late for one Saturday night, many for free.
Four days of concerts and events around Piața Ovidiu and the seafront.
Theatre and stand-up shows across the city through the summer.
Naval exercises off the seafront and a torch parade by sailors at night.
The anniversary of Dobruja joining Romania in 1878, marked with events.
Romania's Muslim community, centred in Constanța, marks the two Eid festivals.
About 24 km north-west of the centre on the E60. Transevren runs buses between the airport and Constanța station; a taxi takes about 30 minutes.
CFR trains to București Nord take about two hours on the fastest services, every one to two hours, with extra trains in summer.
CT BUS runs the city network, including routes from the station to the Peninsula and north to Mamaia. The old town itself is best walked.
Metered taxis and ride apps such as Bolt cover the city and Mamaia. Agree on the meter or use an app to avoid inflated summer fares.
Turkish syrup pastry, a legacy of Ottoman Dobruja.
Black Sea mussels, fried, in pilaf or as saramură.
Small Black Sea anchovies, fried whole and eaten by the plate.
Fish baked with onion, tomato and wine.
The Tatar fried pastry filled with minced meat.
Dobruja's layered cheese pie, baked or fried.
Grilled skinless sausages with mustard and bread.
Whites and sweet wines from the vineyards 25 km inland.
Subscribe to the Wimup newsletter for new guides, travel news and more.
Romania