About Sulina
Sulina is Romania's easternmost town, on the right bank of the Sulina Canal, a few kilometres from where the arm flows into the Black Sea. It has no road link with the rest of the country: the only way in is by water, on the ship from Tulcea. The town runs in a line along the canal, on six streets parallel to the water, numbered I to VI, crossed by thirteen perpendicular streets.
The fishing village became an international port under the European Commission of the Danube, set up after the Treaty of Paris of 1856, whose secretariat sat here between 1856 and 1878. The writer Jean Bart, who lived here, named the cosmopolitan town "Europolis". Bombing in 1945 destroyed much of the town's heritage. Sulina lies within the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, and the delta has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.
What you can see
The canal bank is the best way to see the town: ships at the quays, the shipyard and a promenade shaded by willows and poplars. The Old Lighthouse of Sulina, dated 1870, is now a museum; the town calls itself "the town of the four lighthouses", but the one on the jetty and those on the banks are different ones. The Commission Palace, built in 1856–1858 on the canal bank, housed the Commission's administrative bodies.
The Cathedral of St Alexander and St Nicholas, with three domes, gives the town its skyline from the water. Near it are the Greek church of St Nicholas (1868), the Roman Catholic church of St Nicholas (1863) and the Old Rite church of Saints Peter and Paul (1995). The maritime cemetery has separate sections for Orthodox, Lipovans, Western Christians, Muslims and Jews, and people of 21 nationalities are buried in it. The 1897 water tower can be seen from far away; the waterworks grounds are closed to visitors.
The beach
The Black Sea beach is 2–3 km to the east, on foot or by bicycle, and has its own page: Sulina Beach.
Good to know
The ARBDD access permit is compulsory and can be paid in cash at the ARBDD information centre in town. Boats leave Sulina for the village of Letea; Letea Forest can be visited only on the approved routes, with a guide.
Information verified on 30 October 2026.
- The Sulina Canal bank, with ships at the quays and the promenade shaded by willows.
- The Old Lighthouse of 1870, now a museum, in the middle of the town.
- The Commission Palace, built in 1856–1858 for the European Commission of the Danube.
- The maritime cemetery, with graves of people of 21 nationalities.
- The town's four churches, from the three-domed cathedral to the Old Rite church.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: you cannot drive there. Sulina has no road to the rest of the country, so the car stays in Tulcea: from Bucharest it is ~300 km and ~4 hours (A2 to Cernavodă, then towards Tulcea), from Constanța ~130 km and ~2 hours.
Public transport: Navrom Delta ships leave from Tulcea harbour and go up the Sulina arm, calling at Partizani, Maliuc, Gorgova and Crișan. The classic ship takes about three and a half hours to Sulina, the semi-rapid two and a half. From the jetty, the centre is a few minutes on foot.
- Where to park
You cannot reach Sulina by car. The car stays in Tulcea, in the paid car parks at the harbour.
- Fees & discounts
The town is free to visit, but you pay for the ship and for the reserve access permit. The Tulcea–Sulina crossing costs 66 lei per person each way on the classic ship and 76 lei on the semi-rapid; tickets bought online at navromdelta.ro are charged at the classic fare whichever ship you take. Children under 7 and school pupils travel free, and pensioners get 50% off, with tickets from the ticket office or on board. The ARBDD permit costs 5 lei for one day, 15 lei for 7 days and 30 lei until the end of the year; free for pupils, students, pensioners, people with disabilities and locals. It is bought online at permise.ddbra.ro, by SMS to 7494, at SelfPay terminals or, in cash, at the ARBDD information centre in Sulina.
- Rules
You need the ARBDD permit, children included; it is checked on the water. Tents and caravans are forbidden outside authorised camping places. Visit the cemetery quietly, without stepping on the graves. Drones need an ARBDD permit, and recreational fishing a separate one. Since May 2026, no vehicle may enter the Letea and Caraorman forests, except authorised ones.
- Facilities
Reserve information centre, with cash payment for the permit · Navrom Delta ships from the town harbour · promenade on the canal bank
Frequently asked questions about Sulina
How much is a ticket to Sulina?
A ticket to Sulina costs 5 lei/day (ARBDD permit; the town is free). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Sulina?
Opening hours at Sulina: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Sulina take?
A visit to Sulina takes about 3½ – 4 hours (a day; ideally one night).
Can you visit Sulina with kids?
Yes, Sulina is suitable for children (promenade, beach 2–3 km away).
Where can I park at Sulina?
Sulina has no parking of its own (the car stays in Tulcea). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Sulina?
Sulina is located at The jetty on the bank of the Sulina Canal, in the town centre, Sulina, Tulcea County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Sulina?
The best season for Sulina: May – September (daily sailings in summer).
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