The Danube Delta is the second largest and best preserved river delta in Europe. It is located in the eastern corner of Romania, at the border with Ukraine, and the waters of the delta flow into the Black Sea. Danube Delta is also included on Unesco’s World Heritage list and making a trip there should be on everyone’s travel itinerary when visiting Romania.
Getting In
Most people will travel to the Danube Delta from Bucharest, and getting to Tulcea, the largest town at the entrance of the delta, is actually very easy. There is a direct train from Bucharest to Tulcea, leaving every day at 6:10 a.m. There are other train connections too with a change in Medgidia, and even more bus connections. You can check out the bus timetable here. The train takes around 6 hours and bus 4,5 hours. From Tulcea, you can also continue by bus to other towns along the delta, like Mahmudia or Murighiol.
If you’re in a hurry, there are some day trips you can take from Bucharest:
Full-Day w/ Boat Cruise in the Danube Delta
Danube Delta Day Tour from Bucharest
However, I highly recommend spending more time at the delta because the drive from Bucharest is quite long so a day trip can feel a bit rushed. Here are some options for 2-day trips taking you from Bucharest to Delta and back:
Danube Delta – 2-Day Tour from Bucharest
How to Get Around
The only way to get around the delta is by boat, so I recommend booking a hotel first and using their water taxi services. See my hotel recommendations below.
Where to Stay in Danube Delta
Hotel Sunrise
Located in Crișan, in the heart of the delta, Hotel Sunrise offers accommodation at reasonable prices. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, gym, games room and free Wi-Fi. They have a water taxi service making trips to Tulcea – contact the hotel for more information. For bookings and prices, check out HotelsCombined.
Green Village Resort
Green Village was my favorite hotel in the area, and I could have stayed there a lot longer than two nights! The resort is set in a picturesque area of the delta, a short walk from the Black Sea, and offers an outdoor pool, wifi, gym, hot tub, sauna and you can also book an appointment for a massage. Green Village also organizes several activities like boat trips and yoga. You can also rent kayaks and bicycles.
To get to Green Village, you need to use their water taxi service from Murighiol. Check out their website for prices and schedule. For bookings and prices, check out HotelsCombined.
Tulcea/Mahmudia
If you decide to stay some nights outside of the delta area, I recommend Tulcea or Mahmudia.
Where to stay in Mahmudia
Hotel Mon Jardin
This 4-star hotel provides an outdoor pool, sun deck, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The property is located just by the delta, so the views are beautiful! For more information and bookings, check out HotelsCombined.
Where to stay in Tulcea
Hotel Esplanada
This 4-star hotel is located on the banks of the Danube River, and most of the rooms have a view of the river. For more information and bookings, check out HotelsCombined.
Hotel Delta
The hotel is located on the promenade of the Danube, in the center of Tulcea. The hotel offers free access to an indoor swimming pool, spa and a wellness center with a sauna, a hot tub, and a fitness center. For more information and bookings, check out HotelsCombined.
If you decide to stay only in Tulcea, you can still organize a trip to the delta and do for example this tour. The price is for a group of max three people, so this is a good option if you’re traveling with other people.
Things to Do in Danube Delta
Birdwatching
The Danube Delta is the perfect destination for nature and bird lovers. It is home to the largest colony of pelicans in Europe, and you can see them everywhere if you just take a boat trip. Get a camera with a big zoom lens so that you can capture these beautiful birds! And it’s not only pelicans you will see, as there are supposed to be over 300 different bird species in Danube Delta!
Going on Boat Trips
Obviously, you will need to take a boat just to get to your hotel at the delta, but I highly recommend taking additional trips too. There are so many beautiful places you can visit, and it’s nice and relaxing to sit in a boat and admire the amazing nature and all the birds, water lilies and canals. Ask your hotel to organize a boat trip for you.
Letea Forest
Letea Forest is a protected area and part of UNESCO. It’s a unique place with forest and desert in the same place, and you will also have a chance to see wild horses and exotic plants. Seeing the wild horses was definitely a highlight for me as I had no idea they had them in Danube Delta! To get here, you will need to take a boat first and then pass through traditional small villages that seemed like they were stuck in time.
Watching the Sunrise and Sunset
The sunrises and sunsets in Delta were incredibly beautiful! There wasn’t a single day that I didn’t see the sunset or wake up early for the sunrise. These are the best times for everyone interested in photography and I surely got some nice shots. Both Hotel Sunrise and Green Village offer amazing sunset and sunrise opportunities. Staying at the Green Village, you can also walk to the beach in the morning to watch the sunrise at the Black Sea.
The Black Sea
If you’re staying at Green Village, you will also have a chance to visit the Black Sea. The resort is just a short walk away from the beach, and unlike some parts along the Black Sea in Romania, this beach is quiet and secluded. It’s not the nicest beach in the world, and by that, I mean that the water is not clear and blue. I didn’t feel like going swimming there but just walking along the beach and flying my drone was nice. And the best part was that there was no one around!
If you are traveling to Bucharest before or after the Danube Delta, check out my other blog post for some ideas on things to in Bucharest.
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1 comment
They say the most beautiful sunsets are in the Danube Delta and I think that it’s a certainty. I love that you included recommendations for those unfamiliar with the place and you took some very nice pictures.