Mamaia
Mamaia is one of the most popular (and at times most crowded) summer resorts in Romania. It's situated on an 8-km long and 300-m wide sandy landstrip between Lake Siutghiol and the Black Sea, a few kilometres north-east of the important portal town Constanţa. Mamaia is a pure summer time destination, with only a handful of permanent residents staying here for winter. As early as May however, crowds of mostly Romanian beach lovers rush in, always searching for a good spot on the packed white sandy beaches during day and partying like there's no tomorrow in one of the countless clubs at night. High season runs roughly from the beginning of June to early September, but it's only late in autumn that the water will turn cold.
Get in
You'll probably be getting in via Constanţa, with several options for public transit if you don't have your own transportation. Buses 23E and 41 depart from Constanţa's main rail station, and 23 also stops near the northern bus station. Buses 41 and 47 run to and from the north end of the Mamaia strip. In high season, a small army of maxitaxis also run to and from Mamaia, but keep in mind that all public transport can get crowded during rush hours then. If possible, buy a ticket in advance at the train station or nearby shops.
If you're driving in by car yourself, count on a small access fee (less than €1).
Get around
The Telegondola (Cable Car) makes for both a fun and a useful way to get from the southern parts of Mamaia to the centre, while offering some excellent views. Buses run up and down the boulevard (tickets around €0.50) and cabs are fairly well available.
See
People don't really come here for sightseeing, but rather to have good times at the beach. Hop on the telegonda for some vistas over the area but otherwise; just kick back and start people-watching.
Do
- Beaches Mamaia is also the only resort in Europe to have the pure white sand only found in tropical places such as Hawaii. The beach season is at its best between mid-May and late September, when average daytime temperatures are 25-30°C (78-86°F). The water is warm until late autumn.
- Aqua Magic Water Park is a nice water park located at Statiunea Mamaia. A ticket costs 70 lei in July and August, or 40 in the other months.
- Hop on a ferry to Ovidia island in the Siutghiol Lake, said to hold the tomb of Ovid.
Eat
- Tony's Bar (Terasa by Tony) (Near the national hotel). An eatery on the beach.
Drink
You'll find plenty of hip and happening clubs to serve your need of drinks and dance in the evening.
Head south from the northern telegonda station to pick from several good options, including Megalos.
Sleep
Hotels range from mid-end (2 and 3 stars) to exclusive 4- and 5-star hotels and private clubs.
Budget
- 🌍 Hotel Delfin, Bulevardul Mamaia, ☏ +40 723 910 456. Renovated in 2019 with wifi and walkable distance to the beach. starts at 220 lei.
- 🌍 Hotel Alcor, Bulevardul Aurel Vlaicu 135, ☏ +40 241 831 202. A classic beach hotel with pools, beach umbrellas, rooms with balconies and views of the sea, and a restaurant that even serves breakfast. 569 lei.
- 🌍 Hotel Apollo, Bulevardul Mamaia, ☏ +40 241 831 816. Contemporary resort with green courtyard area, light interiors, restaurant/bar, gym, sauna/massage parlor (extra). Wifi and bright colored blankets. 212 lei.
- 🌍 Hotel Aurora, Statiunea Mamaia, ☏ +40 241-831-044, fax: +40 241-831-280. This hotel is like an old hand on the Mamaia strip. It has the complete set of pools, beach access, restaurant with self-serve breakfast, and wifi. Watch out for the seagull onslaught, but that is everywhere here. 352 lei.
- 🌍 Hotel Dacia-Sud, ☏ +40 241-831-812. On the beach with a bar and restaurant and morning breakfast.
- 🌍 Hotel Delta, Bulevardul Mamaia, ☏ +40 241 831 965. No-frills place, but at least you can watch the teleferico go by overhead.
- Hotel Modern, Bulevardul Mamaia, ☏ +40 241 831 975. Two pools, gym, restaurant/bar, nice beige look to exterior.
- 🌍 Hotel Ovidiu, Bulevardul Mamaia 402, ☏ +40 241 831 590. Looks like a motor inn, ahh, and then it has a pool and a restaurant with a buffet breakfast. Should be relatively easy on the pocketbook.
- 🌍 Hotel Pescăruș, Bulevardul Mamaia, ☏ +40 241 831 673. Kind of a sleepy one but beach is just a short walk away, and there's a bar.
- 🌍 Hotel Piccadilly, Bulevardul Mamaia, ☏ +40 241-831-129, fax: +40 241-831-884, reservations@piccadilly.ro. Lakefront lodging with wifi and a restaurant/bar where you can have breakfast.
- 🌍 Vila Promesse, Bulevardul Mamaia, ☏ +40 730 593 784. Smallish, but you can watch the sunrise over the Black Sea and sunset over the Siutghiol lagoon from the rooftop terrace. Also there's a breakfast buffet available in the restaurant.
- 🌍 Hotel Siret, Bulevardul Mamaia, ☏ +40 241 831 160. Fanciful place with its accents that features a restaurant and bar and rooms with balconies overlooking the sea.
- 🌍 Hotel Sulina International, Boulevard Mamaia, ☏ +40 728 330 703, contact@hotelsulinamamaia.ro. This chic resort has quite a bit of pizzazz with restaurants and pools and flower bouquets everywhere. You can enjoy a concierge and bar here. 148 lei.
- 🌍 Hotel Tomis, off Bulevardul Mamaia, ☏ +40 241-831-682. Has some pleasant seaside views, room comforts, and breakfast selections.
Mid-range
- 🌍 Hotel Albatros, ☏ +40 241-831-381, fax: +40 241-831-346, office@hotelalbatros.ro. Kind of a secluded place in the midst of the busy isthmus, but features a restaurant.
- 🌍 Hotel Briza, ☏ +40 241 553 090, fax: +40 241-831-012. Clean beachside hotel.
- 🌍 Hotel Condor, Bulevardul Mamaia, ☏ +40 241 831 142. An upscale hotel tower with restaurant and breakfast buffet.
- 🌍 Hotel Dorna, ☏ +40 241-831-639, fax: +40 241-831-639, dorna@blackseahotels.ro. A beachfront hotel with a big pool and dining hall and marble-surfaced common areas.
- 🌍 Hotel Lido, Bulevardul Mamaia, ☏ +40 241 831 818. A big burnt sienna colored building on the beach.
- 🌍 Hotel Riviera, ☏ +40 241 831 019, riviera@ra.ro. The usual fare here for the resorts in Mamaia, beach and lavish restaurant but also with a nice terrace bar.
- 🌍 Hotel Vega, ☏ +40 241 607 607. This one bespeaks some elegance with a piano lounge, upscale buffet, beachfront location, and rotunda-like enclosed pool. 308 lei.
- 🌍 Palas Pelican Hotel, ☏ +40 726 377 977, fax: +40 241-831-658, cpp_2004@yahoo.com. This has not just a pool but a hot tub also.
- 🌍 Victory Ten Hotel, Strada Traian 53, ☏ +40 760 174 339. Breakfast buffet, beachfront terrace, wifi, suites with sea views.
Splurge
- 🌍 Hotel Bavaria Blu, Bulevardul Mamaia, ☏ +40 241-831-443, fax: +40 241-831-443, office@bavariablu.ro. This one kind of looks like the side of a cruise ship with its blue and white pattern and balconies everywhere. Here you'll find on-site dining, indoor and outdoor pools, and easy access to the beach across the street.
- 🌍 Hotel Iaki, Statiunea Mamaia, ☏ +40 241-831-025, fax: +40 241-831-169. On the classy side, like a castle, with a spa and pools and piano restaurant. From 900 RON in summer season.
- 🌍 Hotel Majestic, ☏ +40 241-831-005, fax: +40 241-831-981, info@majesticmamaia.ro. Pool and bar with billiards and darts here.
- 🌍 Hotel Manor. 750 RON.
- 🌍 Hotel Splendid, Bulevardul Mamaia no. 477, ☏ +40 729 084 128. A modern affordable 4 star hotel.
- 🌍 Savoy Hotel, Bulevardul Mamaia, ☏ +40 241 606 900, fax: +40 241-931-266. Big hotel tower, big pool.
Go next
- Constanţa - this ancient metropolis is today one of the largest harbours of Europe.
- Mangalia - the shallow waters of this smaller sea side resort are popular among families with young children, and also offers mineral springs.
- Danube Delta - is a fascinating natural area. Catch a minibus from Constanţa to Tulcea (2h), where you'll find an information centre with English speaking staff.