Sulina combines maritime history with waterside routes and excursions into the Danube Delta landscape. Four lighthouses are located in Sulina and its immediate surroundings; there is also a long waterfront promenade, a beach and guided kayak tours. If you are looking for a destination with cultural and scenic discoveries, you can choose from a range of different interests here.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

Sulina can only be reached by water, via the Danube or the Black Sea. Tulcea is suggested as the departure port. Check connections and departure arrangements before your trip, as these may change. Local transport options for visitors include boats, public transport, taxis and bicycle hire along the waterfront promenade. Check in advance which services are available for your travel dates.

The New Lighthouse stands at the seaward end of the right-hand Sulina breakwater. Nearby is the mouth of the Danube, known as Kilometer 0: it lies on the Sulina branch directly opposite the town. These landmarks show how strongly waterways and shipping shape the character of the area.

Waterfront, Beach and Nature

The approximately 5 km-long Danube promenade offers a rustic waterfront setting. From there, visitors can see city ruins as well as passing boats and cargo ships. Sulina Beach is 2 km from the town. The protected sea bindweed grows there; it is listed on the Red List and gives the beach ecological significance. As the species’ conservation status may change, check the latest information before your visit.

A strictly protected area also lies nearby, between the Sulina and Chilia branches. During boat trips on the canals and lakes of the Danube Delta, it can only be viewed from a distance. Bear this restriction in mind when planning and check the current access restrictions in advance.

Lighthouses, Architecture and History

The Old Lighthouse of Sulina was built by the Ottoman authorities at the beginning of the 19th century. Together with the New Lighthouse, it belongs to a group of four lighthouses in Sulina and its immediate surroundings. The other lighthouses can be understood as part of the town’s maritime history, although they are not all located at the same site.

The CED Palace stands at the entrance to the waterfront promenade. It was built in 1866 in the Neoclassical style. The building formerly housed the offices of the European Commission of the Danube, a shipping company and the harbourmaster’s office. Its architecture and former uses thus reflect Sulina’s administrative and shipping history.

Another historic building is the Cathedral of the Delta, dedicated to Saint Alexander and Saint Nicholas. It was endowed by King Carol I and completed in 1982. The maritime cemetery on the outskirts of town is also part of the area’s history. It comprises Christian, Muslim and Jewish cemeteries. The multi-faith cemetery was established in 1864 and administered by the European Commission of the Danube.

Kayak Tours and Cycling Routes

A guided kayak tour through the Danube Delta is offered from Sulina. One guided route passes the North Lighthouse and follows a canal to Musura Bay, where visitors can watch birds. Route details may change; check them before the tour. The waterways and birdwatching thus offer a distinct focus alongside the historic sights.

There are also several described options for cycling: one route follows Canal 4 and Sulina’s waterfront promenade. Another leads from Sulina to Letea and on to Periprava. Between Letea and Periprava, the bicycle has to be pushed for part of the way. Check the trail conditions before setting out.

For a choice between culture and nature, Sulina and its surroundings offer a range of possibilities: lighthouses, churches, the palace and cemetery sit alongside waterfront scenery, the beach, kayaking and birdwatching. You can choose the focus of your trip according to whether you are more interested in maritime history, landscapes or activities on the water.

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Go to the main travel overview: Tulcea.