The Romanian Black Sea coast is home to a wide range of summer resorts tailored to suit most tastes and ages, from small children to those seeking health-spa treatments. The sandy sea bottom slopes gently away from the shore, there are no dangerous currents and the sea is almost tideless. In the summer, days are warm and long with an average of 11 hours of sunshine. A swath of gold-sand beaches stretches from Constanta to the Bulgarian border, and visitors will encounter resorts named after mythological gods and goddesses, such as Eforie, Jupiter, Neptun, Olimp, Saturn, Venus and Mangalia.
Mamaia
Where: 3 miles north of Constanta
A favorite weekend get-away for locals, Mamaia is one of the most sought-after resorts on the Black Sea coast. A narrow stretch of fine-sand beach between the Black Sea and Lake Siutghiol ("Lake of Milk" in Turkish), Mamaia boasts numerous hotels, a casino, sporting facilities (water sports, biking, tennis, beach games), and hip nightclubs and restaurants located within 100 feet of the sea. You can spend the mornings cooling down at the beach or at the Aqua Magic Park, located at the very entrance of the resort, and the afternoons taking in the view of the Black Sea by riding the Telegondola (Cable Car). Between Mamaia and Constanta, you can stroll through Satul de Vacanta amusement park, featuring rides, a bowling alley, an open-air bazaar and several restaurants. At times crowded, the park is a local come-together with a charm of its own. The Summer Theatre of Mamaia is the venue for the annual Romanian Pop Music Festival and various other shows.