Sulina: Lighthouses, Danube Delta and Beach

Culture and history

Sulina showcases maritime history in several prominent buildings. There are four lighthouses in Sulina and its immediate surroundings. The Old Lighthouse of Sulina was built by the Ottoman authorities at the beginning of the 19th century. The New Lighthouse of Sulina stands at the seaward end of the right Sulina embankment.

The CED Palace is located at the entrance to Sulina’s riverside promenade. The building was constructed in 1866 in the neoclassical style. The offices of the European Danube Commission, the shipping company and the harbourmaster’s office were housed in the building. The Delta Cathedral in Sulina is dedicated to Saint Alexander and Saint Nicholas. King Carol I founded it, and it was completed in 1982.

The cemeteries are also part of Sulina’s maritime history. The maritime cemetery on the outskirts of the town comprises a Christian, a Muslim and a Jewish cemetery. Sulina’s multiconfessional cemetery was established in 1864 and administered by the European Danube Commission.

Nature and coast

Sulina Beach is 2 km from the town. It is ecologically significant because the protected sea daffodil grows there; the species is listed in the Red List. The approximately 5-km-long Danube promenade in Sulina offers a rustic landscape. Along the riverside promenade, visitors can see urban ruins as well as passing boats and cargo ships.

In the immediate surroundings of Sulina, the Danube mouth on the Sulina branch lies directly opposite the town; it is known as kilometre 0. Also nearby, between the Sulina and Chilia branches, lies a strictly protected area. During boat trips on the canals and lakes of the Danube Delta, this area can only be viewed from a distance.

Waterways

Sulina can only be reached by water via the Danube or the Black Sea; Tulcea is suggested as the port of departure. Local visitor transport in Sulina includes boat traffic, public transport, taxis and bicycle hire along the riverside promenade. An overnight permit is provided for tourists on the Sulina Canal who engage in a slow-paced activity on the water.

A guided kayak route passes the Northern Lighthouse through a canal into Musura Bay, where birds can be observed. A guided kayak tour through the Danube Delta is offered from Sulina.

Other places: Somova, Sarichioi, Luncavița, Letea, Murighiol, Plopul, Babadag, Jurilovca

Cycling

A cycling tour follows Canal 4 and Sulina’s riverside promenade. From Sulina, it is possible to cycle to Letea and continue to Periprava. Between Letea and Periprava, there is a section where the bicycle must partly be pushed. The cycling route connects the riverside promenade with Canal 4 and leads from Sulina via Letea to Periprava.

To the higher-level travel overview: Tulcea.