About Mangalia
Mangalia is a municipality of 31,950 inhabitants (2021 census) at the southern end of the Romanian coast, about 44 km from Constanța. Administratively it includes, besides the town itself, the resorts of Cap Aurora, Jupiter, Neptun, Olimp, Saturn and Venus; the villages of 2 Mai and Vama Veche, further south, belong to the commune of Limanu. Today's town was built right over Callatis, the Greek colony founded in the 6th century BC, and its present name settled in the 16th century.
The old centre can be walked in an afternoon: the mosque, the marina and the museum are within a kilometre or two of one another, and the sea is a few steps away. Anyone staying in one of the resorts to the north gets here in a few minutes by car.
What you can see
The Esmahan Sultan Mosque, on Oituz Street, was built in 1575 by Esmehan Sultan, daughter of Sultan Selim II and wife of the Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, from stone taken from the walls of Callatis. It is a low stone building with a wooden porch and a stone minaret; inside, the ceiling is of wood and the walls carry no paintings. Around it lies a Muslim cemetery with gravestones more than 300 years old. The mosque was rebuilt from the foundations and reopened on 27 August 2008; it is still used today by the town's Turkish-Tatar community and can be visited. It is regarded as the oldest Muslim place of worship in Romania.
The marina, a few hundred metres from the mosque, has 146 berths for vessels up to 18 m; sailing boats and yachts lie at the quay. On 15 August, Navy Day, the town's military parades, concerts and sailors' games take place here.
The Callatis Archaeology Museum, on Șoseaua Constanței, gathers finds from the ancient city and its necropolises; it and the ruins on the clifftop have their own page, Callatis Citadel. Below the town, the seafront and the beach are described at Mangalia Beach.
To the north the resorts follow one another in a chain: Saturn merges into the town, followed by Venus, Jupiter–Cap Aurora and Neptun–Olimp, about 10 km away. Behind the Saturn resort lies the Mlaștina Hergheliei Nature Reserve, a reserve for waterbirds. To the south, about 10 km away, are 2 Mai and Vama Veche.
Good to know
The resorts from Saturn to Olimp belong to Mangalia, but 2 Mai and Vama Veche do not: they are part of the commune of Limanu, although you reach them through the town. Around 15 August the marina fills with spectators.
Information verified on 30 October 2026.
- The Esmahan Sultan Mosque of 1575, with its wooden porch, stone minaret and the Muslim cemetery around it.
- The marina, with sailing boats and yachts at the quay and, on 15 August, the Navy Day parade.
- The Callatis Archaeology Museum and the ruins of the ancient city, a few minutes from the marina.
- The seafront and the beach below the town, with the sun rising straight out of the sea.
- The resorts of Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, Cap Aurora, Neptun and Olimp, strung out a few kilometres to the north.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Mangalia is ~44 km from Constanța (~50 minutes) on the DN39, the coastal road; from Bucharest it is ~256 km (~3 hours), on the A2 to Constanța and then the DN39. From the mosque, Saturn is ~3 km away, Venus ~6 km, Neptun–Olimp ~10 km and Vama Veche ~10 km. Distances are approximate.
By train: Mangalia station, the end of the line from Constanța, is ~1.6 km by car from the mosque.
- Where to park
Around the mosque and the marina the car parks are paid; in summer the spaces fill up quickly, especially around 15 August.
- Fees & discounts
The town, the seafront, the marina and the beach can be visited free of charge. The Callatis Archaeology Museum has a separate ticket.
- Rules
At the mosque, shoulders and knees are covered and shoes are taken off in the prayer hall, and in the cemetery you do not step on the graves. During prayer, keep your voice low. In the marina, do not board vessels without the owner's consent.
- Facilities
Marina with quay and pontoons · seafront with viewpoint · archaeology museum · beach · restaurants and cafés in the centre
Frequently asked questions about Mangalia
How much is a ticket to Mangalia?
Admission to Mangalia is free (the town; the museum is paid). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Mangalia?
Opening hours at Mangalia: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Mangalia take?
A visit to Mangalia takes about 2½ – 3 hours (mosque, marina, museum and seafront).
Can you visit Mangalia with kids?
Yes, Mangalia is suitable for children (seafront, marina and beach).
Where can I park at Mangalia?
There is paid parking at Mangalia (in the centre, near the mosque and the marina). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Mangalia?
Mangalia is located at Old centre, around the Esmahan Sultan Mosque (Oituz Street), Mangalia, Constanța County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Mangalia?
The best season for Mangalia: May – September (summer, for the beach and events).
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