If you look for a unique destination to slow down and relax, look no further than the Danube Delta in Romania. This place is special, so raw and wild, and beautiful. It is an ideal destination for nature lovers and not only, and there are plenty of activities to do in the area even for families with kids. The little ones will definitely like the adventure and learn many new things. I would say 5 to 7 days are just enough to recharge, explore nature and enjoy sunbathing and beach time at the Black Sea.
The Danube river flows from Black Forest in Germany into the Black Sea in romania, and on its way passes through the largest number of countries in the world, 10. More than any other river, the Danube crosses four capital cities: Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade and Bratislava.
After visiting it several times, I believe it shall be on everyone’s travel itinerary when visiting Romania or Europe. The time passes slower here and you get to reconnect with nature, with yourself, and rediscover the simple life.
I hope my post will give you some inspiration to visit this magical place and make the best out of your vacation.
Culture Corner Interesting facts about the Danube Delta
Geography
With an area of approximately 4.152 Km2, the largest part is on Romania territory and the rest belongs to Ukraine.
Together with the Razim-Sinoe lagoon, the surface of the Danube Delta has 5165 square km.
It is the second largest delta in Europe, after the Volga Delta, and is the best preserved on the continent.
At Tulcea, the Danube splits into three different arms: Chilia, Sulina, and Sfantu Gheorghe.
Ecosystems
Danube Delta is home to more than 300 species of birds and 160 species of fish.
The Danube Delta is Europe’s “newest” land. It began forming around 4.000 BC in a bay of the Black Sea. and is continuously growing 40 meters each year because of the sediments brought and deposited by the Danube.
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 5500 species of flora and fauna.
Inhabitants
It is one of the least inhabited places not only in Romania but in temperate Europe, with only 20.000 people living on the Romanian side, scattered among 27 villages and one city – Sulina.
Alongside Romanians, the population of the Danube Delta includes several minorities, such as Greeks, Turks, Bulgarians, and the Lipovans – descendants of the Orthodox Old Rite followers who fled from religious persecution in Russia during the 18th century.
Best time to visit
Spring (March-May) – is the time of rejuvenation, everything is becoming greener by the day, and the water has the highest levels. Spring offers a spectacle of color and life. You can see the water lilies and for birds lovers is a paradise since more than 300 species are filling the Danube Delta in spring.
The mosquitoes are just showing up, so shall not be too big of a problem.
Summer – long and sunny days are perfect for exploring the Danube Delta. Starting June, fishing is allowed, if you have a permit of course. This is also the high season for mosquitos so make sure you bring enough supplies of anti-mosquitoes sprays.
During the summer months, there are a lot of local festivals and celebrations, very interesting for tourists, especially food lovers.
Autumn – the weather is still nice, especially in September, and the whole place has a different vibe, more silence, and a special light filling the places with calm and silence. Sunrise and sunset are quite spectacular.
Mosquitoes are still active and the nights can get very chilly, so make sure you come prepared. The chances of rain are increasing.
Winter – it is for the brave ones, as the temperature drops below 0 degrees Celcius and the wind is strong and cold. This season has its charm, there are a lot of birds that cannot be seen in the summer months and the silence is covering everything. If you love taking pictures and videos you will not be disappointed as the icy landscape is impressive. Make sure you dress appropriately, like for a skying vacation, and have all the time something to hydrate, water or tea in a thermos so it will not freeze.
Where to stay
There are 27 villages and 1 city (Sulina) in the Danube Delta.
The accommodation options are diverse, depending on what you want, and can be found in every village in the Danube Delta.
Pensions – there are a lot of pensions with modern facilities.
- One of my favorites is Cherhana in Crisan village, on the Sulina channel.
- Green Village Resort – located along the Sfantu Gheorghe channel, this resort is vast and built in harmony with nature from natural materials and fitting into the landscape. It has modern facilities like a pool, spa, gym, cinema, and a projecting film outdoors in the evenings.
Living with the locals – you can have an authentic experience if you choose to stay with the locals. They are welcoming, offering modest accommodation and delicious homemade food.
Camping – there are camping locations in the Danube Delta and while this is an option that will definitely be closer to nature, comes with the mosquitos heard, which can be extremely annoying, especially during the summer months.
Where to eat
If you get to Sfatu Gheorghe, you shall not miss the beach restaurant La Calcan – during lunch time they prepare fresh fish. You never know what is on the menu because they serve what they have fresh but if it is one of your lucky days you may get turbot – the best fish I ever had.
Also while in Sfatu Gheorghe you may want to try La Sfatoi – they make a yummy pizza and have a high variety of other food. It is located in the center of the village within easy reach.
Delta Marina is a typical fish restaurant serving delicious and fresh meals.
In Crisan, the best food I had was at the pension Cherhana. the place is owned by local people and the food is extremely tasty made out of fresh ingredients.
In almost every village you will find local people offering lunch or dinner, homemade food, usually fresh fish captured in the morning. The prices are decent and the taste is like no other. The best way to know where to go is to ask the local guides or the boat drivers. They are locals and know all the good places.
What to do
#1 Birds watching – bring your binoculars and be prepared to be amazed, because there are more than 300 species of birds in the Danube, including two types of Pelicans. The best way to see the birds each season is by boat. Through the narrow channels and on the lakes, you will discover the wildlife of this wonderful place.
#2 Fishing – another relaxing, “back to nature” activity you can do in the Delta. Pay attention that you need a special permit to be allowed to fish here. there is a timeframe of 60 days each year when fishing is totally prohibited. There are more than 160 species of fresh and saltwater fish in the Danube Delta.
#3 Boat trips – discover what nature has to offer in this part of the world by boat. Tours can take anything between 2h to 10 hours, depending on what you want to see. The lakes in the northern part, between Crisan and Mila23 villages, are a nice destination. The easiest way to book a tour is to ask at your accommodation, but there are also private guides and boatmen doing it. You can search online or find them in the harbors.
#4 Letea Forest – Europe’s northernmost subtropical forest, with sand dunes and home to wild horses. It is also the oldest natural reserve in Romania, since 1938.
#5 Visit one of the typical small villages. Mila23, Crisan or Caraorman are great places to relax and enjoy the views. They can be reached only by water. If you choose to stay here, the location of any of them is perfect for day boat trips.
Mila 23 name comes from the length of the Sulina channel (23 miles) at that point when the village started to exist and be inhabited. This small village is the homeplace of Romanian canoeing Olympic Gold medalist, Ivan Patzaichin.
#6 Sfantu Gheorghe – is a small fisherman village, with a population of around 800 people. It is located on one side of the Sfantu Gheorghe, close to the point where the Danube meets the Black Sea, 15 minutes walk from the beach. Accessible by boat only it is a remote place where you can spend a few relaxing days. The meeting point of the Danube and the Black Sea is quite a spectacle, you can see the differences in water color and how they melt.
#8 Enjoy the beach at the Black Sea – between Sulina and Sfantu Gheorghe there is approximately 40 km of wild, beautiful beach.
#7 Sulina – the city is the most eastern point of Romania and was once an important meeting point for traders. The Sulina channel meets here the Black Sea and the beach, just 2.5km off the city, is very nice.
Best way to discover the Danube Delta is using a local guide. They know all the best places to eat, hidden spots for bird watching, and beautiful canals to discover nature. Using local guides you also contribute to the income of local people, whose main occupations are fishing and tourism.
If you have more time use them to visit other places in the Dobrogea area.
Macin Mountains – hike in the oldest mountains in Romania. As seen from the Danube Delta they seem like hills but are actually mountainous region. The highest peak is only 467 meters.
Enisala Fortress – visit the only medieval fortress in Dobrogea area. It has great views and the landscape is beautiful.
Get to other, less remote, places at the Black Sea. The sunrise is always wonderful, the atmosphere is the best in Vama Veche or try the glamping at Tuzla if you are not yet ready to completely detach from nature.
Regardless of the time of the year you decide to visit the Danube delta, you will be amazed and will not be the only vacation here. This places has the power to charm and make you wish to come back.
