Best Things to do in Mamaia & Constanta, Romania’s New Beach Party Destination!

Looking for your next summer beach destination? Add Mamaia and Constanta to your bucket list!

Located on the Black Sea in Romania, Mamaia and Constanta is a new upcoming beach destination, where you can do much more than just sit on the beach.

Here you can explore the oldest city in Romania and its important historical sights, or maybe party the night away at Europe’s largest electronic music beach festival, or better yet, head to a vineyard to taste delicious local food and Romanian wines, or maybe get active trying different water sports.

Whatever your travel style and interests, you are guaranteed to find something in Mamaia and Constanta that will fit your vibe. Plus, it’s an incredibly affordable destination!

In this article I have outlined everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip to Mamaia and Constanta. Including the best things to do, where to stay, where to eat, how to get there and more.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in, and start planning your summer trip to the Black Sea Coast!

About Mamaia & Constanta

Constanta, who used to be called Tomis back in the ancient Roman times, is the capital city of the Constanta district, in the Dobruja region of Romania.

Mamaia is technically a different city, but it’s part of the same district and also super close geographically. 

It’s an area with a history that dates back to thousands of years ago, and traces of its Greek and Roman past are clearly visible around the cities and their surroundings.

Mamaia might be the oldest and most popular beach destination in Romania, but there’s much more to it than just a beach party destination.

How to get to Mamaia and Constanta

The easiest way to reach Mamaia and Constanta is to fly into Bucharest, which has direct international flights to most big European cities, and then drive for 2.5 hours to the Black Sea Coast.

Best things to do in Mamaia & Constanta

Chill at the beach

Being a beach destination, this obviously has to be our number one activity to do in both Mamaia and Constanta.

In Mamaia you will find a beach that is 8km long, with beach clubs and resorts, sunbeds, umbrellas, food and drinks all along it. Whatever your vibe or budget, you’re guaranteed to find a beach club that suits your tastes.

In Constanta the beach might not be 8km long, but you will still find plenty of modern beaches with all the amenities you need close to the city.

Try your hand at water sports

If just sitting on the beach relaxing isn’t your thing, no need to worry, as the beaches in Mamaia and Constanta offer loads of different water sports for all levels.

You can try parasailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, water skiing or wakeboarding, flyboarding and even stand up paddling. Pretty much all the existing water sports can be done here!

Just decide if you want to do something more chill like stand up paddling, or if you want to try something more thrilling like kitesurfing, then head to the beach and get ready for a day of active fun!

Dance the night away at NeverSea Festival

Every summer Constanta hosts NeverSea Festival, the largest electronic music beach festival in Europe. It’s an amazing festival, located right on the beach with loads of different stages, food trucks, bars and stalls.

The festival lasts four days, with DJs and artists from all over the world performing, and over 270,000 visitors attending the festival.

Even if you’re not a fan of electronic music, you will still find artists that blend into other music styles, and the energy at an event this big is simply electrifying and you will love partying the night away here.

Enjoy the local nightlife 

The nightlife in Mamaia and Constanta isn’t just limited to big one-off festivals. It’s a famous destination also for regular nightlife, with loads of fun clubs and beach clubs in both cities.

One of the most famous clubs is Fratelli Beach Club & Restaurant. As the name suggests, it’s a one-stop shop for all your evening shenanigans. 

Here you will find a beach club with sunbeds and umbrellas, a restaurant called Biutiful by the Sea for dinner, and a club.

The venue is part open with different stages for live performances, various bars for drinks and dancing. We had one of the most fun nights of the trip here at Fratelli Beach Club.

Explore the historical sights of Constanta

But it’s not all about beaches and parties! After all, Constanta is the oldest city in Romania! And that is clearly visible throughout the city. Some of the best historical sights that you can see in Constanta are listed below.

Walk around the Archaeological Park 

The Archaeological Park is basically an open air museum. As the name suggests, it’s an actual park, with green areas, benches, walking paths and games for children, but there is also an archaeological element to it.

Along one of the walking streets you will find huge vases, columns, and ruins that date back to the Roman times. I loved seeing the ancient artefacts on display outside, and seeing how well they meshed with the daily local life at the park.

Admire the Victory Monument

Within the same park, you will find also the Victory Monument. Built in 1968, it depicts the victory of communism against fascism, although the locals have a funnier version for its backstory.

Since Constanta used to be a fishing city, they say the woman is the wife of a fisherman gone at sea, who is leading her lovers away when he returns.

Whatever version of its history you decide to embrace, it’s a very impressive monument to admire.

Visit the Romanian Marine Museum

Close to the Archaeological Park you will find the Romanian Marine Museum, where you can learn about Romania’s maritime history. 

In the museum you will find relics both from Romania’s military and civil naval history, alongside maps, uniforms and replicas of ancient Roman ships, as well as original amphoras and anchors found in the Black Sea.

I found the maps particularly interesting, as they show all the old shipping routes that started from Romania. I had no idea that the Romanians had navigated so far, reaching also the Americas!

Admire the Lupa Capitolina statue

This might seem like an odd thing to see in Romania, but you read that correctly, in Constanta you can admire a statue of the Lupa Capitolina!

The statues shows the Capitoline Wolf, as she suckles Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.

For this reason, this statue is the symbol of Rome. Constanta used to be an important colony of the Roman Empire, and the statue remains to this day to remind visitors of the strong ties between Constanta and Rome.

Walk down Wind Street

Famous for its feature in the Netflix show Whatever Happened to Monday, Wind Street is an incredibly picturesque and charming street, with sea views in the distance.

It’s also one of the narrowest streets in the country!

Visit the Art Museum of Constanta

At the Art Museum of Constanta you can admire a huge variety of artworks, both classical and modern. They have permanent artworks always on display, and temporary exhibitions that regularly change.

While we were in Constanta we had the opportunity to see the temporary exhibition by Romanian artist Irina Dragomir; “Based on a True Story”.

If you love art and want a break from the beaches and parties of Mamaia, it’s a great museum to explore for a few hours.

Explore the Museum of National History and Archeology

Another important museum in Constanta is the Constanta History and Archaeology Museum. Located in Piata Ovidiu, one of the main squares of Constanta, the museum is actually housed in the old city hall.

It’s a beautiful historical building, which is the perfect home for such important historical artefacts.

Here you can admire pieces that will teach you more about Constanta’s history, and the influence that the Roman and Greek empires had on this area.

Ride the cable car in Mamaia

This is both a tourist attraction and a very convenient mode of transport to get across the long strip of land that is Mamaia.

From the cable car you get great views over the Black Sea and Lake Siutghiol, as well as all the resorts on the strip.

Go beyond the cities! 

I’ve been talking a lot about Mamaia and Constanta, but the surrounding countryside is also rich of history, culture and epic natural landscapes, so when visiting Mamaia and Constanta, make sure to head outside the cities too!

Saint Andrew’s Cave Monastery

About an hour drive from Constanta you will find Saint Andrew’s Cave Monastery. It’s located in a very tranquil setting, surrounded by greenery and far from the noise and traffic of the main roads.

The church itself is pretty imposing, but stepping inside is what will leave you breathless. All the interior walls and ceiling are covered in stunning religious artwork, and it’s simply incredible to see.

But that’s not all you can expect at this monastery. As the name suggests, there is also a cave that you need to explore.

They save the cave is where Saint Andrew lived, and inside the cave is the oldest church in Romania, where you will find important Christian relics.

A short walk away from the monastery, you will find a spring of holy water, which is said to cure the ill. They say Saint Andrew hit the ground with his walking stick, and that is where this spring came into being.

Visit Tropaeum Traiani and its museum

Tropaeum Traiani (or Trajan’s Trophy) is a monument that was built to commemorate Trajan’s victory over the Dacians in 102 CE. 

The monument was reconstructed in recent times, and the original artwork can be seen in its neighbouring museum, alongside other artefacts that date back to the Roman times.

Close to Trajan’s Trophy you can also see ancient Roman ruins. The perfect way to wrap up a historical trip outside Mamaia and Constanta!

Visit a vineyard 

The region of Dobrogea is home to many vineyards, and produces a huge variety of local Romanian wines.

As such, no visit to Mamaia and Constanta would be complete without a trip to a vineyard! During our trip we were able to visit two vineyards, listed below.

Murfatlar Winery

At Murfatlar Winery we had the opportunity to visit the whole winery, from the cellars to the production rooms, as well as obviously taste the local wines.

The restaurant onsite is simply lovely, with views over the green vineyards, and serving traditional Romanian food, which obviously pairs perfectly with the wine.

Viisoara Winery

At Viisoara Winery we didn’t visit the cellars, but the stunning sunset views over the endless rows of vineyards more than made up for it. 

Add to the beautiful backdrop a picturesque restaurant venue, delicious food and a huge variety of wines, and you have an all round incredible experience.

Eat delicious food at affordable prices 

Eating at local restaurants is a big part of travel, and in Romania you can eat loads of delicious cuisines for very affordable prices. I listed below some of the best restaurants we ate at during our trip.

Beta restaurant

This trendy restaurant has a half indoors and outdoors area, and is the perfect venue for a summer lunch on the Black Sea. You can expect a huge variety of starters, and delicious meat for a main.

Muse Restaurant

Located on the harbour of Constanta, this restaurant is the perfect place to eat while watching the sun set over the sea. It’s a very tranquil setting, where we had some of the most tender meat of the trip.

Cherhana Pontica Restaurant

If you want to eat fresh fish and seafood while taking in the views of the beach and Black Sea, then Cherhana Pontica is the perfect restaurant for you. 

Here you can eat delicious grilled fish, or maybe a traditional Romanian fish soup, or even a mussel soup, with your feet in the sand and while soaking in the sunshine.

Harlequin by the Lake Restaurant

Located, as the name suggests, by Siutghiol Lake, this restaurant has a lovely outdoor area with a cool mural, greenery all around, and lovely views over the lake. 

The food here is great too, with a variety of Romanian and international food available. We had some delicious babaganoush, bruschettas and cold cuts for starters, as well as meat for a main.

Nikos Greek Taverna

Located next to Casino Mamaia and in front of a popular square in Mamaia, this restaurant serves traditional Greek dishes. Here you can taste your classic Greek salads, gyros, tzatziki and other Greek delicacies.

It might not seem typically Romanian, but given the strong Greek historical influence in this region, it can actually be considered “local” food here too. 

Plus the venue is in a very central and lively area. Depending on the day, you can listen to the live concerts in the square just in front of the restaurant, enjoying the music while you eat.

Where to stay in Mamaia & Constanta

On the Black Sea you will find great accommodation options for all budgets.

Both in Mamaia and Constanta you will find family resorts, luxury hotels, properties for romantic couples getaways, and much more. Here are some of the best options for all budgets.

Hotel Panoramic, Mamaia: This is the hotel we stayed at and it was pretty perfect for a week long stay. The rooms are spacious and modern, the hotel offers an abundant breakfast buffet, and it’s only a short walk away to the beach and Lake Siutghiol.

Vega Hotel, Mamaia: Located right on the beach, this 5-star hotel is perfect for those who want to splurge a bit. Besides the usual 5-star amenities, you will also find a private beach waiting for you!

Lupa Hotel, Constanta: This hotel isn’t right on the beach like the others, but it’s strategically located in the centre of the old town of Constanta. If you’re looking for a luxury city getaway, it’s the perfect place for you.

Final thoughts on my Mamaia and Constanta travel guide

That’s a wrap on my ultimate Mamaia and Constanta travel guide! Have you been to the Black Sea Coast before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

It was my second time in Romania, but my first time on the Black Sea, and I have to say that it went beyond any expectations I had.

It’s not every day you can learn about a country’s oldest city in the morning, then spend the afternoon relaxing at the beach and end the day dancing the night away at Europe’s largest electronic music beach festival.

Young travellers will especially love the vibrant party vibe of this destination, but that’s not to say families or older travellers can’t enjoy it.

After all, with so many beach activities, affordable dining and comfortable resorts, it’s a winner for all types of travellers!

If you have any questions about travelling to Mamaia and Constanta, just let me know in the comments below!

This article was brought to you as a result of the Mamaia Constanta blog trip in partnership with Mamaia and Constanta. Greta’s Travels maintains full editorial control of the content published on this site.

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