Chilia Veche
About Chilia Veche
Chilia Veche is the seat of the commune of the same name, in the north of the Danube Delta, on the right bank of the Chilia arm, which here forms the border with Ukraine. At the 2021 census it had 1,725 inhabitants. Unlike the villages on the Sulina arm, it can also be reached by road, using the ferry across the Danube at Tulcea, as well as by the Navrom ship, which stops in the village on its way to Periprava.
The name comes, according to linguists, from the medieval Greek kellia, "granaries". The place was under Ottoman rule from 1424 to 1829, then Russian, returned to the Ottomans in 1856 and has been part of Romania since 1878. The area belongs to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, and the delta has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.
What you can see
The most prominent building is the Orthodox church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel (Sfinții Voievozi), a historic monument from the 19th century, with two tall domed towers and an arcaded porch; its tower also appears on the commune's coat of arms. Around the village, the List of Historic Monuments also records a medieval settlement and 17 burial mounds.
From the village starts water route 12, approved by the Reserve Administration (ARBDD): along the Sulimanca channel to Lake Matița and back along the Rădăcinoasele channel. Lake Matița lies in the Roșca–Buhaiova–Hrecișca reserve, with colonies of pelicans, egrets and spoonbills. Route 3 from Tulcea, along the Stipoc channel, also ends at Chilia Veche. The arms and channels around, especially the Tătaru arm, are known for fishing: catfish, carp, pike, zander.
Good to know
The ARBDD information centre in the village is temporarily closed, so the access permit is bought online. The journey from Tulcea takes over 2 hours, including the ferry at Tudor Vladimirescu, and the Navrom ship calls here only on a few days a week.
Information verified on 30 October 2026.
- The church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, with two domed towers and an arcaded porch.
- The bank of the Chilia arm, with Ukraine on the other side.
- Water route 12, along the Sulimanca channel to Lake Matița.
- The colonies of pelicans, egrets and spoonbills in the Roșca–Buhaiova–Hrecișca reserve.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Tulcea the ferry crosses the Danube to Tudor Vladimirescu, then the county road DJ222N runs along the Chilia arm for about 75 km to the village (roughly, over 2 hours including the ferry). To Tulcea: from Bucharest ~300 km (A2 to Cernavodă, then via Hârșova on the DN2A and DN22, ~4 hours), from Constanța ~130 km (~2 hours).
Public transport: train (changing at Medgidia) or coach to Tulcea. From the Tulcea river station (Gara Fluvială), the Navrom Delta ship on the Periprava line calls at Chilia Veche, after Ceatalchioi, Plaur and Pardina; the timetable is in the schedule section.
- Where to park
In the village you park by the roadside. Anyone coming by ship or on a water excursion from Tulcea leaves the car in Tulcea, in the paid car parks at the harbour.
- Fees & discounts
The village itself is free, but anyone entering the delta needs the ARBDD permit: 5 lei/day, 15 lei/week, 30 lei until the end of the year; free for pupils, students, pensioners, people with disabilities and locals; sold at permise.ddbra.ro.
- Rules
Carry the ARBDD permit and your ID; they are checked on the water, and the bank of the Chilia arm is a state border. A life jacket is compulsory in the boat. This is a lived-in village: do not walk into yards, and ask before photographing people. Enter the church quietly and modestly dressed, with no photos during the service. On the channels, keep away from bird colonies and leave no litter; recreational fishing needs a separate permit. Drones need ARBDD authorisation.
- Facilities
Road to the village · Navrom ship stop on the Chilia arm · no adapted access on pontoons and boats
Frequently asked questions about Chilia Veche
How much is a ticket to Chilia Veche?
A ticket to Chilia Veche costs 5 lei/day (ARBDD permit; the village is free). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Chilia Veche?
Opening hours at Chilia Veche: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Chilia Veche take?
A visit to Chilia Veche takes about 1½ – 2 hours (1–2 hours; a full day with the water route).
Can you visit Chilia Veche with kids?
Yes, Chilia Veche is suitable for children (life jacket, mosquito spray).
Where can I park at Chilia Veche?
There is free parking at Chilia Veche (in the village, by the roadside). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Chilia Veche?
Chilia Veche is located at Chilia Veche village, on the right bank of the Chilia arm, Chilia Veche, Tulcea County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Chilia Veche?
The best season for Chilia Veche: May – September (May–June, with birds nesting).
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