About Constanța
Constanța is the seat of the county of the same name and the port city of the coast, with 263,707 inhabitants (2021 census). Greek colonists founded Tomis on today's peninsula, the town where the poet Ovid was exiled; the modern city grew after 1878, when Dobruja became part of the Romanian state, together with the port and the railway.
It is a city for walking: the old town stands on the peninsula, a few steps from the sea, the city beaches stretch north of the port, and the resort of Mamaia begins ~8 km from Ovid Square. One day is enough for the peninsula, the seafront and a beach.
What you can see
Ovid Square is the starting point. The poet's statue, cast in bronze by Ettore Ferrari, stands in front of the former town hall in Romanian Revival style, now home to the National History and Archaeology Museum, and on the seafront next to the square lies the Roman Mosaic Building. Nearby, the Archaeological Park displays columns, amphorae, capitals and sarcophagi from Tomis. Further on are the Carol I Mosque, with a minaret you can climb, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul and the Greek Church on Mircea cel Bătrân Boulevard, among the oldest buildings in the city. The city also has the Folk Art Museum and the "Ion Jalea" Sculpture Museum.
The seafront starts at the Genoese Lighthouse, built in 1860 on the base of an older lighthouse, next to the bust of Mihai Eminescu, and leads past the Art Nouveau Casino of 1910 to Tomis Tourist Port, with yachts, terraces and boats out to sea. Below the seafront begins Modern Beach, one of the city beaches, and ~5 km from the peninsula stands the Dolphinarium, part of the Natural Sciences Museum Complex. The resort of Mamaia, with its eight-kilometre beach, lies further north.
Good to know
The old town is a residential district: some buildings are being renovated or are run down, the streets are narrow, and parking on the peninsula is paid. The beaches are developed for the summer season; outside it, the seafront and the centre can be visited just the same, but the beach sectors are packed away and lifeguards are not on duty. The sights in town have their own opening hours and tickets.
Information verified on 30 October 2026.
- The statue of Ovid in Ovid Square, in front of the former town hall in Romanian Revival style.
- The Roman Mosaic Building and the Archaeological Park, traces of ancient Tomis in the city centre.
- A walk along the seafront from the Genoese Lighthouse and the bust of Eminescu, past the Casino, to Tomis Tourist Port.
- The view over the peninsula, the port and the sea from the minaret of the Carol I Mosque.
- Modern Beach, below the seafront, and Mamaia, ~8 km to the north.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Bucharest it is ~226 km (~2.5 hours) on the A2 motorway; in town, the peninsula has narrow streets and few parking spaces. From Ovid Square it is ~8 km to Mamaia beach and ~5 km to the Dolphinarium. Distances are approximate.
Public transport: Constanța railway station is ~2.7 km from Ovid Square. CT Bus line 42 (Tomis Nord – Centru – Portul Tomis) reaches the peninsula, and line 102 (Zona Industrială – Faleza Nord – Pescărie) runs along Faleza Nord. From June to September the CiTy Tour tourist line, with hop-on/hop-off double-decker buses, runs between the station, the port, the centre and Mamaia.
- Where to park
The peninsula is Zone 0, a paid parking zone: from 1 June to 31 August you pay around the clock, and the rest of the year only Monday to Friday, 08:00–20:00. You pay at the parking meter, by SMS or in the Constanța Parking app. In summer the spaces on the peninsula fill up quickly; it is easier to leave the car on Tomis Boulevard and walk in.
- Fees & discounts
Walking around the city, along the seafront and in Tomis Port is free; the museums, the mosque (climbing the minaret) and the Casino have their own tickets. CT Bus: 3 lei per journey, 11 lei for a 24-hour ticket on all lines; CiTy Tour costs 7 lei per journey or 11 lei for a one-day ticket.
- Rules
In the mosque you enter barefoot, with shoulders and knees covered, and churches ask for decent dress. Cars are not allowed on the beach, and the flags at the lifeguard posts must be respected. On the seafront, take care at the edge of the quay and the breakwaters.
- Facilities
Terraces and restaurants on the seafront, in Ovid Square and in Tomis Port · parks and benches on the peninsula · museums and churches · beaches with showers and changing cabins in season
Frequently asked questions about Constanța
How much is a ticket to Constanța?
Admission to Constanța is free (the city; museums are paid). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Constanța?
Opening hours at Constanța: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Constanța take?
A visit to Constanța takes about 5½ – 6 hours (peninsula, seafront, beach).
Can you visit Constanța with kids?
Yes, Constanța is suitable for children (seafront, beach, dolphinarium).
Where can I park at Constanța?
There is paid parking at Constanța (Zone 0 on the peninsula). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Constanța?
Constanța is located at Piața Ovidiu, peninsula, Constanța, Constanța County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Constanța?
The best season for Constanța: May – September (beach in summer, city all year).
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